Skil PWR CORE 12 2.0Ah 12V USB-C Battery

Why this little 12V pack stayed in my bag

I picked up the Skil 12V USB‑C battery because I wanted a compact pack for PWRCORE 12 tools that could pull double duty as a travel power bank. After a few weeks on jobs and in transit, it’s become the battery I toss in my truck and my backpack without thinking. It’s not perfect, but the combination of size, two‑way USB‑C PD, and true tool compatibility makes it more useful than I expected.

Design and build

Physically, this is a small, dense brick: roughly 3.7 x 2.8 x 1.7 inches and just over half a pound. On a 12V drill/driver it keeps the footprint tight and the balance neutral—great for overhead work and tight cabinets. The pack includes a protective jacket and a USB‑C to USB‑C cable. The jacket is a nice touch for tossing it in a bag; it adds grip and helps ward off scuffs. There’s no stated dust or water rating, so I treat the USB‑C port like any other exposed port and keep it clean.

Up top, a small push button wakes the LED fuel gauge, which reports in 25% increments. The gauge is readable even in bright light. The button itself sits slightly recessed; actuation feels a little mushy, and I wouldn’t mind a more positive click. I haven’t had durability issues, but it’s an area I’d like to see tightened up in future revisions.

Two‑way USB‑C PD that’s genuinely useful

The headliner feature is the USB‑C PD 3.0 port that both charges the battery and powers external devices. Skil claims up to 60W output. With a PD analyzer and a few devices, I saw the battery advertise and deliver the usual PD steps (5/9/12/15/20V) and hit high output briefly when the load asked for it. In real use:

• Phones and tablets: No surprises. It fast‑charges modern phones over USB‑C as you’d expect. Efficiency is decent for a tool battery; I could top up a modern phone from ~20% to full and still have capacity left for a second partial charge.
• Small laptops: My 13" ultraportable negotiated higher voltages and ran normally off the pack. At around 30–35W draw, you’re looking at under an hour of run time given the 24Wh capacity, which is exactly what the math suggests.
• Power‑hungry laptops: The battery can negotiate higher outputs, but the capacity limits the usefulness. Think of it as a bridge to the next outlet or a quick boost, not an all‑day supply.

As a charger, the convenience is hard to overstate. I used a 20W USB‑C wall block and a standard cable to charge the pack at the end of the day. From empty, I repeatedly saw right around an hour and a half to full, tapering as it approached 100%. That aligns with the spec’s “about 85 minutes” claim, depending on the charger and pack temperature. You can still drop it on a SKIL 12V dock if that’s on your bench, but leaving the dock at home and relying on a tiny USB‑C block is liberating.

Note: I couldn’t get it to behave like a UPS (charging while powering another device) through the single USB‑C port. That’s normal for most packs—plan on either charging the battery or using it to power a device, not both simultaneously.

On‑tool performance

As a 2.0Ah, 12V pack (24Wh), this is the lightest, most compact option in Skil’s 12V lineup. That shows up in the way the tools handle. On a brushless 12V drill/driver, it’s great for:

• Driving cabinet screws and hardware
• Pilot holes in softwood
• Electrical boxes and trim work
• Overhead fastening where every ounce matters

For heavier tasks—large spade bits, long countersinks into hardwood, or anything approaching continuous duty—a higher‑capacity 12V pack will make more sense. The small pack is about keeping the tool compact and easy to maneuver, not maximizing runtime. I keep it on the drill for punch lists and switch to a larger battery when I know I’ll be drilling non‑stop.

Thermally, the pack behaved as expected. Continuous USB‑C charging warms it but never tripped protection in my testing. On tools, heat didn’t seem to be a factor unless I pushed it near depletion under sustained load, where you’ll see the usual voltage sag and early cutoff. That’s normal for small‑format packs.

Battery management and the fuel gauge

The 25% step gauge is simple and readable. It’s a coarse estimate, which is fine for a pack this size: once it shows one bar, plan on a swap if you’re in the middle of a tool task. As a power bank indicator, it’s helpful for deciding whether you’ll get a full phone top‑off or just a bump.

I’d love two improvements: a more tactile check button and finer granularity (even 10% steps). Neither is a deal breaker, but they’re on my wish list.

What stands out

• Real two‑way USB‑C PD: One port to charge the battery and your devices, no proprietary brick required.
• Ecosystem flexibility: It snaps into every Skil 12V tool I’ve tried and doesn’t throw off the balance.
• Packability: At 0.56 lb and compact dimensions, it lives in places bigger packs don’t.
• Included cable and jacket: Minor, but it means you can use it right away without hunting for accessories.

What to consider

• Capacity reality check: 24Wh is small by power‑bank standards. It’s fantastic for phones and tablets; it’s “get‑me‑through-this-meeting” for laptops.
• High‑wattage output is brief by design: The electronics can negotiate high PD profiles, but the small tank empties quickly at 45–60W. That’s physics, not a failure.
• Fuel gauge/button feel: The gauge is useful; the button action could be more robust.
• Not a pass‑through hub: Don’t expect to charge the battery and a device at the same time from the same port.

Who it’s for

• Skil 12V users who want a compact, everyday pack and a just‑in‑case power bank.
• Tradespeople who keep a minimalist kit in the truck and already carry a USB‑C charger.
• DIYers who value lightweight tools for precision work and like the idea of squeezing extra utility from a battery they already own.

If you need long runtime on tools, start with a higher‑capacity 12V pack and add this as your “light and fast” option. If you’re shopping solely for a travel power bank, there are higher‑capacity banks at similar prices—but none will run your 12V Skil tools.

The numbers that matter

• Capacity: 2.0Ah (24Wh)
• Weight: 0.56 lb
• Charge time with a 20W USB‑C charger: about 1.5 hours in my tests
• Output: USB‑C PD 3.0; capable of high‑voltage negotiation, but best suited to phones/tablets and short laptop sips
• Gauge: 4‑LED, 25% steps

Bottom line and recommendation

I recommend the Skil 12V USB‑C battery for anyone invested in the PWRCORE 12 system who values portability and versatility. It keeps 12V tools trim and agile, and the two‑way USB‑C port meaningfully reduces what you need to carry—no proprietary charger, no extra power bank. Understand its limits: 24Wh isn’t a marathon battery, and high‑wattage USB‑C output is about quick boosts, not hours of runtime. Within those boundaries, it’s a smart, modern take on a compact 12V pack that earns its spot in a kit.