According to a recent release from Metabo Corporation, a leading maker of power tools and abrasives, tool users aren’t just fawning over new tools for their clever features or comfortable grip. In fact, the company just conducted a survey with a variety of tool users using a system of ten features.

The ten features evaluated in the survey included battery charging time; work time per charge; comfort (size, weight, balance); power/torque; tool life/durability; weight; length of warranty; whether the tool was recommended by someone else; inclusion of a worklight; and battery service life. In the end, the results were surprising: two out of the top three features rated in the survey related to battery life.

A similar, unrelated cordless drill study recently completed by an independent global research firm also supported Metabo’s findings and determined that the  importance of battery performance with tool users increased from 2008 to 2009, mostly shown by the increase in the use of lithium ion tools.

So what does this mean for tool fans? Keep on the look out for more tool companies to start innovating their batteries to stay on top of the market.