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Why We Love This Deal
Lately, Craftsman hand tools have seemingly surged in popularity. Whether it’s an expansive mechanics tool set at a reasonable price or grippable ratcheting T-handle tools, the brand delivers high value and usability. But don’t dismiss powerful Craftsman V20 tools one bit either. If you’re itching to be a V20 convert, or want to expand your collection in a smart way, there’s an Amazon power tool deal that gets you a V20 battery and charger at over 50% off.
The Craftsman V20 3.0 Ah Advanced Battery Starter Kit is now $65. When this kit debuted this February, it was listed at $216, so this is quite the bargain. Here, we’ll establish this kit’s value, why this is a beyond-perfect beginner battery, and point out where more seasoned Craftsman users can fit it into their lineup.
Craftsman V20 3.0 Ah Advanced Battery Starter Kit, $65 (was $139) on Amazon
What Shoppers Should Know
- Set Includes: 3.0 Ah Craftsman V20 battery, charger
- Battery Tech: Tabless lithium-ion cell technology
- Model Numbers: Set CMCB2103-CK, battery CMCB2103, charger CMCB101
- Best Use Case: This works best as either an introductory Craftsman V20 battery set, or as a midpoint between slimline and mid-size batteries.
What’s 20 volts times 3 amp-hours? That’s 60 watt-hours and, for a major power tool brand, if you get something for under $1 per watt-hour, you should be pretty happy. Based on my broad experience covering batteries and chargers, even the most basic chargers cost between $20 and $30. I’d probably avoid writing about this kit if it were $90, but I wouldn’t necessarily discourage the purchase.
Now, this is an “Advanced” battery, and one funny thing Craftsman does is note that it has up to 50% more runtime. You may think that’s because it is “advanced,” but this metric actually puts this model up against the Craftsman V20 2.0 Ah battery, which makes sense because 3.0 is, indeed, 50% more than 2.0. That being said, the tabless lithium-ion cell technology in the advanced battery will give it better power delivery and help it run cooler.
If you’re new to Craftsman V20 tools, however, I think the $68 price point is one of the most attractive features of this kit. I’m one of those people who considers anything over $40 a major purchase, but this is one spot where I would consider starting my Craftsman journey.
But you don’t have to be new to appreciate this kit. The 3.0 Ah battery isn’t especially common these days, with most brands offering 2.0 Ah batteries and below for small tools that you don’t want to weigh down with heavier batteries, and 4.0 Ah batteries as the gold standard for everyday power. This 1.72-pound 3.0 Ah battery bridges the gap between the two, and I think experienced craftspeople will get a lot of value out of that.
The Craftsman V20 3.0 Ah Advanced Battery Starter Kit is $68 and, again, I’d see the case for paying as much as $80 or even $90 for it and not having to do any financial calculus to justify your purchase. What’s the best thing to do after you get this kit? Buy bare tool offers, or Craftsman V20 tools that don’t come with a battery. They cost less, and you already have the battery. Here are some to get you started.
