Skil 20V 2.0Ah Lithium Battery with Mobile Charging

Why I added this 2.0Ah pack to my kit

I’m a fan of compact batteries for the balance and agility they bring to everyday tools. After a few weeks rotating this 20V 2.0Ah pack through a drill/driver, impact driver, oscillating multi‑tool, and some heavier hitters for curiosity’s sake, I’ve got a clear picture of where it shines and where it compromises.

On paper, the pack promises cooler operation via phase‑change material around each cell, a USB port for topping off gear, and an LED fuel gauge. In practice, those additions do make a difference—especially the USB port, which I used more often than I expected. As a lightweight, go‑anywhere battery for punch list tasks and overhead work, it’s easy to like. As the primary battery for high‑draw tools, it’s not the right fit.

Build, size, and ergonomics

At 1.08 pounds, this pack keeps compact tools nimble and reduces fatigue on repetitive work. The casing feels solid with minimal flex, and the rails engage tools and chargers cleanly. The latch is positive without being stiff, and the housing seems to handle scuffs and light bumps without complaint.

Physically, it’s a touch taller than some “ultra‑compact” 2.0Ah packs I’ve used. On a drill or impact, the extra height isn’t a problem and can even help the tool stand upright. In tighter spots—think under‑sink fasteners or inside cabinets—you’ll notice the added bulk compared to the smallest packs on the market. It’s not a deal‑breaker, but it’s worth noting if you spend a lot of time in cramped spaces.

The green LED charge indicator is bright and easy to read outdoors. Like most fuel gauges, it’s a coarse estimate rather than a precision instrument, but it tracked predictably through the pack’s discharge curve.

Charging and the PWR ASSIST USB port

Using Skil’s standard 20V charger, I saw roughly 50 minutes from empty to full. With a rapid charger, that dropped closer to the half‑hour mark. Either way, a quick coffee break is enough to get meaningful capacity back into a depleted pack.

The on‑board USB port is genuinely useful. I used it to keep my phone topped up while shooting site photos and to charge a laser measure and headlamp during a long day. It’s not a substitute for a wall brick when you need maximum speed, but as jobsite insurance, it’s excellent. Because the USB output lives on the battery itself, you don’t need to drag a tool along as a power source—grab the pack and cable and you’re set.

Runtime and performance in real tasks

For compact tasks, this pack does exactly what I want it to do.

• Drill/driver: With a brushless drill driving 3‑inch construction screws into SPF, I averaged around 160–180 screws per charge at a medium clutch setting. Switching to 1‑1/2‑inch spade bits through 2x material, I was able to complete a small layout job with a few percent left on the gauge—respectable for a 2.0Ah.

• Impact driver: On cabinet installs and hardware work, it felt lively and didn’t noticeably sag until the very end of the pack. For larger fasteners—say, 5/16 x 3‑inch lags—it handled a handful comfortably, but I’d reach for a 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah pack if that’s your main task.

• Oscillating multi‑tool: This is a sweet spot. Trimming jambs, cutting out drywall for old‑work boxes, and flush‑cutting nails, I got roughly 25–30 minutes of continuous medium‑speed cutting per charge. The pack stayed consistent, and I didn’t experience early voltage drop‑off.

• Heavier tools: I tried it on a 7‑1/4‑inch circular saw and a 4‑1/2‑inch grinder out of curiosity. It will power them, but runtime is short. Expect around a dozen crosscuts in 2x lumber on the saw and only a few minutes of continuous grinding. The takeaway: this pack can pinch‑hit in a bind, but it’s not the right battery for sustained high‑draw work.

The manufacturer claims up to 25% longer runtime and up to 2x battery life thanks to the thermal management. I can’t validate long‑term cycle life in a few weeks, but the runtime held up well under steady, moderate loads, and voltage stayed flatter than I expected as the pack neared empty.

Thermal behavior and the phase‑change material

Cooler cells live longer, and the phase‑change wrap around each cell is meant to absorb and shed heat more effectively than air alone. I paid attention to temperature on a warm day doing back‑to‑back screw driving and some multi‑tool cuts. The pack finished warm to the touch but never hot, and it didn’t trigger a thermal slowdown or shutdown. On the grinder, where current draw is heavier, it heated faster—as any 2.0Ah pack will—but recovered quickly on the charger. That suggests the thermal design is doing its job for the kinds of tasks this pack is best suited for.

Reliability notes and best practices

My sample charged to full and behaved predictably across repeated cycles. The fuel gauge corresponded well with remaining capacity, and the pack didn’t exhibit odd behavior under load. That said, compact packs can be more sensitive to abuse—deep discharges, high‑heat storage, or repeated high‑current loads—than their higher‑capacity siblings.

A few habits that help:

• Fully charge the pack out of the box and run it through a normal workday to confirm the gauge and charger handoff look right.
• If a pack refuses to take a full charge or sags immediately under light load, exchange it promptly.
• Store it at moderate temperature with 40–60% charge if it’ll sit for a while.
• Avoid leaving it on a rapid charger for days; charge, remove, and go.

These aren’t unique to this battery, but following them tends to keep 2.0Ah packs happy.

Where it fits in a 20V kit

If your day is a mix of drilling, driving, light fastening, and trim work, this pack makes tools feel compact and responsive. It’s particularly good for overhead tasks, ladder work, and anywhere weight matters. The USB port is a bonus that I ended up appreciating on site and in the truck.

If you’re running saws, grinders, or a recip saw for extended cuts, step up to a 4.0Ah or larger pack and keep this one as a backup or for lighter tools. Mixing capacities across a kit is the right strategy: 2.0Ah for agility, higher‑capacity packs for endurance.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Light and well balanced on compact tools
- Predictable runtime under moderate loads
- USB port is genuinely handy for phones and small devices
- Clear fuel gauge and consistent charging behavior
- Thermal management keeps the pack from getting too hot on typical tasks

Cons:
- Physically a bit bulkier than some compact competitors
- Short runtime on high‑draw tools (expected for 2.0Ah)
- Not the best choice as a one‑battery solution for a whole‑day, mixed‑tool workflow

Final recommendation

I recommend this 2.0Ah pack as a lightweight, everyday battery for drills, drivers, and oscillating tools, and as a smart backup across a 20V kit. It keeps tools nimble, the USB port adds real utility on and off the job, and the pack stays composed under the kinds of tasks it’s designed for. For heavy‑duty cutting and grinding, it’s better as a pinch‑hitter than a starter—pair it with higher‑capacity packs if those tools are your mainstay. Follow basic battery care, test it on arrival, and it’s a practical, versatile addition to a 20V system.