DeWalt previewed a new 20V MAX XR 5Ah battery at its Black and Yellow 2026 media event, and the interesting part is the cells. Most tabless power tool packs use big 21700 cells. This one uses tabless-style 18650 cells, which is a first for the category.
DeWalt has not set pricing or a launch date yet, so treat the details below as what was shown, not what is confirmed.
| Spec | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5Ah, 20V MAX |
| Cell type | Tabless-style 18650 lithium cells |
| Replaces | XR 5Ah PowerStack (pouch cell) pack |
| Weight | Same as the standard 5Ah pack |
| Pricing | Not announced |
| Launch window | Not announced |
Why tabless 18650 cells is the story
Tabless construction cuts electrical resistance inside a cell. That raises peak power and keeps the pack cooler under load than a standard cell of the same size. It is why the tech keeps showing up in high-end packs.
Until now the tabless packs you could buy, from DeWalt’s FlexVolt 12Ah to Milwaukee’s FORGE line, used 21700 cells to carry that much current. Getting tabless behavior from 18650 cells is a lighter, smaller way to deliver it.
DeWalt says the new pack runs slightly stronger than the current PowerStack 5Ah it replaces. The 1.7Ah and 3.5Ah PowerStack packs stay in the lineup, so you get a value 5Ah and a performance 5Ah side by side.
How it fits the platform
This battery lands right in the middle of DeWalt’s current battery-platform shake-up. The 20V MAX line got simpler branding earlier this year, and the FlexVolt platform finally moved to tabless cells for its big 12Ah pack.
The fast-charge DCB1216 16-amp charger also dropped charging time on compatible packs to about 22 minutes. A 5Ah tabless pack is the natural complement to that charger, and it gives everyone who does not want to haul an 8 or 12 amp-hour brick a real performance option.
Tabless 18650 vs. the competition
The 5Ah slot is the workhorse size for most Home Depot and Amazon buyers, and everyone with a 20V-class battery is competing there. Milwaukee’s FORGE 12Ah uses tabless 21700 cells to chase big tools. It is powerful, and it is heavy.
This DeWalt pack is chasing the lighter middle of the range, where most people actually live with a 5Ah pack in their belt.
The battery community has tended to believe tabless required a bigger physical cell to be worthwhile. If a tabless 18650 holds up under load the way the standard 5Ah cannot, it makes the value case easy.
You get a similar size and weight to a normal 5Ah, with more headroom right when a drill or circular saw starts to strain.
Who should hold off
If you are already happy with the PowerStack 5Ah you own, there is no crying need to swap on day one. The new pack is a replacement, not a new capability that unlocks tools you cannot run today.
Where this matters is at the checkout. If you are buying your first 5Ah or replacing a tired one, holding out for the tabless version, if the price lands where the rep hints, gives you the same weight with more power under load.
When and where available
Pricing and a shipping date have not been announced. A DeWalt rep said the new battery will be priced below the PowerStack 5Ah it replaces, which is promising, but check manufacturer specs before you plan on a number. Expect it at Home Depot and on Amazon when DeWalt makes the official call.
Source: ToolGuyd