Warning about purchasing power tool batteries from Aliexpress
I have just purchased 4 x Makita 18v 6Ah batteries from Aliexpress. These were claimed to be genuine Makita with the rating above. I assumed that they probably wouldn't be 6Ah because Chinese sourced batteries are always less than claimed. The first thing I noticed was each battery felt a lot lighter than my 5Ah OEM batteries. That says that each cell is a lot less than claimed. Before posting this I also bought a battery load tester and tested the new batteries. 2 of the 4 have now tested as being 2.4Ah so probably using 1200mAh cells (should be 3Ah or 3000mAh). I opened one up and all the cells inside are unmarked. My conclusion is that this company has just committed blatant theft as has been my experience with Chinese supplied batteries. For comparison a genuine Makita battery rated 4Ah AND 8 years old still tested as being 3.2Ah.
The new batteries are still usable but obviously not the capacity claimed by the company nor are they Makita OEM.
Bottom line DO NOT purchase power tool batteries through Aliexpress until they start to police their suppliers.
The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand
Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!
Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here
The Team at Stuff
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.5% Yes! New Year, New Me
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19.9% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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69.6% Nah - not for me
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
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