Festool USA has a new 18V phone charging adapter, PHC 18 (SKU 577155), that they describe as a clever adapter that transformers every Festool 18V battery pack* into a power bank.
* with the exception of 3.1Ah Ergo battery packs.
Basically, it works with Festool 18V cordless power tool batteries, but not the ones designed for their 18V hybrid-powered cordless sanders. Since Festool’s 18V and 18V Ergo batteries arevery different, I don’t think anyone expected the sander batteries to be compatible.
The new Festool USB charging adapter has a lot going for it. To start off, it can serve as a wireless/inductive phone charger.
But, it’s not just a wireless phone charger, Festool’s adapter also has USB charging ports.
Festool PHC 18 Phone Charging Ports and Specs
- Inductive: Qi-BPP (5W), Qi-PPDE (9W)
- USB-A: 5V at 2.4A (12W max)
- USB-C: 5V at 3.0A (15W max)
Dimensions: 125 mm x 77.4 mm x 39 mm (4.9″ x 3.0″ x 1.5″)
As shown in the first image, all three charging ports/methods can be utilized at the same time. This means that you can simultaneously charge up to 3 different phones or devices via USB-A, USB-C, and inductively.
The top surface is rubberized, to ensure smartphones stay put during charging, and there’s also an on/off power button.
Festool says that when paired with a fully charged 18V 5.2Ah battery, the adapter can charge a mobile phone with 3000 mAh battery up to 8 times.
Price: $49 (tool-only)
ETA: July 2022
Discussion
This is one of the rare types of products where I find the marketing to be spot-on; this does look to be a clever adapter!
Most cordless power tool brands have their own USB charging adapters. But, as far as I am aware, this is the first-ever battery adapter built with inductive charging.
Could the Festool adapter be more-featured? Absolutely. Could it be higher powered? Of course. But, as it is, wireless charging plus 2 types of USB ports seems fair for the adapter’s $49 price tag.
I think this is going to be extremely popular with Festool 18V cordless power tool users.
