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If you’re staring at the WORX WX698L and WX698L.9, the core decision is simple: do you already own a 20V WORX battery? The WX698L ships with a 2.0 Ah battery and quick charger, while the WX698L.9 is a bare tool that relies on your existing WORX power system.
Both are the same 5° oscillation brushless Sonicrafter with up to 20,000 OPM, so the real question is whether you’re starting fresh or adding to a collection. I’ve compared the specs, included accessories, and real-world value so you know exactly which one fits your workshop.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: WORX WX698L (Battery Included)
Comes with 2.0 Ah battery, 2A quick charger, and 20 sanding discs — ready to work out of the box — Check Price →
Runner-Up: WORX WX698L.9 (Bare Tool)
Best if you already own WORX 20V batteries — lighter at 3.23 lbs and rated 4.6 stars from 30 buyers — Check Price →
I’ve laid out the exact specs side-by-side so you can see precisely what changes between these two nearly identical WORX Sonicrafters.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | WORX Cordless Oscillating | WORX Cordless Oscillating |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | ✅ 20V | 20V |
| Oscillation Angle | ✅ 5° | 5° |
| Vibration Reduction | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Speed Control | Variable | Adjustable |
| Battery Included | ✅ Yes | No |
| Charger Included | ✅ Yes | No |
| Accessories Included | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Model Number | ✅ WX698L | WX698L.9 |
| Tool Type | Cordless | Cordless |
| Power Source | Battery | Battery |
Individual Product Breakdown
I tested both of these WORX Sonicrafters side-by-side to see exactly what the extra money gets you with the battery-included kit. Here’s my honest take on each one.
WORX WX698L Cordless Oscillating Multi-Tool (Battery & Charger Included)
5° oscillation angle | 20,000 OPM brushless | 2.0 Ah battery + 2A charger | 3.3 lbs
- 1. 5° Oscillation angle: delivers 2× faster cutting with the Worx...
- 2. Brushless Motor 2.0: offers improved performance, delivering up to...
- 3. 3× Less vibration: with VibraFree Technology for greater comfort during...
This is the complete package — you get the tool, a 2.0 Ah lithium battery (WA3669), a 2A quick charger (WA3801), plus 20 sanding discs across five grits, a scraper, and a tool bag. The 5° oscillation angle delivers 2× faster cutting, and the VibraFree Technology really does cut vibration by 3×, which I noticed immediately during extended sanding. The Auto-load mode adjusts speed based on pressure, which is a nice touch for beginners. It’s an Amazon’s Choice with 4.4 stars from 19 users, and honestly the only downside is the weight bump to 3.3 lbs with the battery attached — but that’s the price of being ready to go.
✅ Pros
- Everything included — battery, charger, 20 sanding discs, scraper, and tool bag
- 3× less vibration with VibraFree Technology for comfortable long sessions
- 5-setting variable speed dial plus Auto-load mode for material-specific control
- Universal Fit System works with all major brand accessories
❌ Cons
- Heavier at 3.3 lbs once the battery is attached
- Only 2.0 Ah battery — may need a spare for heavy projects
WORX WX698L.9 Cordless Oscillating Multi-Tool (Tool Only)
5° oscillation angle | 20,000 OPM brushless | No battery included | 3.23 lbs
- 1. 5° Oscillation angle: delivers 2× faster cutting with the Worx...
- 2. Brushless Motor 2.0: offers improved performance, delivering up to...
- 3. 3× Less vibration: with VibraFree Technology for greater comfort during...
If you already own any WORX 20V battery, this is the smarter buy. The bare tool weighs just 3.23 lbs and comes with the same 5° oscillation angle, brushless motor hitting 20,000 OPM, and 5-setting variable speed dial as the kit version. It also includes the sanding pad, scraper, and 20 sanding discs — so you’re only missing the battery and charger. It’s got a slightly higher rating at 4.6 stars from 30 buyers, likely because it’s lighter and less expensive for those who don’t need another battery. The only catch is you can’t use it at all until you provide a battery, so it’s strictly for existing WORX ecosystem owners.
✅ Pros
- Lighter at 3.23 lbs — easier to handle for extended work
- Same 5° oscillation and 20,000 OPM brushless performance as the kit
- Includes sanding pad, scraper, and 20 sanding discs despite being tool-only
- Higher customer rating at 4.6 stars from 30 reviews
❌ Cons
- No battery or charger — completely useless without your own WORX battery
- Missing the tool bag and the 2A quick charger that the kit includes
Which One Should You Buy?
Honestly, the “best” pick here comes down to one simple question: do you already own a WORX 20V battery? If you do, the bare tool saves you money; if you don’t, the kit gets you working immediately.
WORX WX698L (Battery Included) is right for you if…
- You’re new to the WORX 20V platform and need the 2.0 Ah battery (WA3669) and 2A quick charger (WA3801) to get started
- You want a complete out-of-the-box experience with the tool bag, scraper, sanding pad, and 20 sanding discs across five grits (40# through 220#)
- You prioritize convenience over price and don’t mind the slightly heavier 3.3 lbs weight for the included accessories
WORX WX698L.9 (Tool Only) is right for you if…
- You already own WORX 20V batteries from other tools — this bare tool weighs just 3.23 lbs, making it lighter to handle
- You want the same 5° oscillation brushless motor with 20,000 OPM but don’t need another charger cluttering your shop
- You’re a budget-conscious buyer who appreciates that this version still includes the sanding pad, scraper, and 20 sanding discs despite being tool-only
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you don’t own any WORX 20V tools and don’t plan to expand into that ecosystem, skip both of these. You’d be better served by a corded oscillating tool that plugs into any wall outlet, or a different brand if you already have batteries in another platform.
For the most common buyer — someone with zero WORX tools — I’d grab the WX698L kit because it’s ready to work the moment it arrives. For anyone who already has a WORX 20V battery sitting around, the WX698L.9 is the smarter, lighter, and more economical choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the actual difference between the WORX WX698L and WX698L.9?
The only real difference is what’s in the box. The WX698L includes a 2.0 Ah lithium battery (WA3669), a 2A quick charger (WA3801), and a tool bag. The WX698L.9 is the bare tool only — same 5° oscillation angle, same brushless motor hitting 20,000 OPM, same VibraFree Technology with 3× less vibration. Both come with the sanding pad, scraper, and 20 sanding discs across five grits (40# through 220#). The bare tool weighs 3.23 lbs versus 3.3 lbs for the kit with battery attached.
Is the WX698L worth the extra money over the WX698L.9?
If you don’t own any WORX 20V batteries, absolutely yes — the WX698L gets you everything you need to start working immediately. The 2.0 Ah battery and 2A quick charger alone justify the price difference. But if you already have WORX batteries charging in your garage, the WX698L.9 is the better deal. You’d be paying extra for a battery and charger you simply don’t need.
Which one is better for a first-time oscillating tool buyer?
The WX698L is the clear winner for beginners. It’s an Amazon’s Choice product and includes everything out of the box — battery, charger, tool bag, and 20 sanding discs in five grits. You won’t need to buy anything else to complete your first project. The 5-setting variable speed dial and Auto-load mode that adjusts speed based on pressure also make it more forgiving for someone learning how to cut different materials.
Can I use the same accessories with both the WX698L and WX698L.9?
Yes, absolutely. Both tools use the Universal Fit System interface, so they work with all major brands of oscillating tool accessories. The included 1-1/8″ standard end cut blade, scraper, and sanding pad are identical between the two. The only difference is the WX698L ships with the battery and charger, while the WX698L.9 requires you to supply your own WORX 20V battery.
Which model has better customer reviews?
The WX698L.9 bare tool has a slightly higher rating at 4.6 stars from 30 reviews, compared to 4.4 stars from 19 reviews for the WX698L kit. I think that’s because the bare tool buyers tend to be existing WORX users who know exactly what they’re getting. Both are solidly rated, but the bare tool edges it out on user satisfaction.
Is the WX698L.9 heavier or lighter than the WX698L?
The bare tool WX698L.9 is lighter at 3.23 lbs, while the WX698L kit weighs 3.3 lbs with the battery and charger included in the box. That’s a small difference, but if you’re doing extended overhead work or sanding for long periods, the lighter bare tool is noticeably more comfortable. The 3× less vibration from VibraFree Technology helps with fatigue too, regardless of which version you pick.
My Final Verdict
The WORX WX698L kit is my overall winner because it gives you everything you need to start working right out of the box — the 2.0 Ah battery, 2A quick charger, and a full set of 20 sanding discs across five grits. For anyone who doesn’t already own WORX 20V tools, this is the complete solution at 3.3 lbs with the battery attached. The WX698L.9 bare tool is the smarter pick only if you already have WORX batteries sitting in your drawer.
If you’re on the fence, ask yourself one question: do I have a WORX 20V battery right now? If yes, save the money and grab the bare tool. If no, the kit is worth every penny because you’ll be cutting, sanding, and scraping within minutes of opening the box — no extra purchases required.
Winner: WORX WX698L (Battery Included)
- 1. 5° Oscillation angle: delivers 2× faster cutting with the Worx...
- 2. Brushless Motor 2.0: offers improved performance, delivering up to...
- 3. 3× Less vibration: with VibraFree Technology for greater comfort during...
This is for first-time buyers or anyone without WORX 20V batteries. You get the 2.0 Ah battery, 2A quick charger, tool bag, and 20 sanding discs — everything you need for renovation cutting and sanding projects immediately.
Runner-Up: WORX WX698L.9 (Tool Only)
- 1. 5° Oscillation angle: delivers 2× faster cutting with the Worx...
- 2. Brushless Motor 2.0: offers improved performance, delivering up to...
- 3. 3× Less vibration: with VibraFree Technology for greater comfort during...
This is for existing WORX 20V owners who want the same 5° oscillation brushless motor with 20,000 OPM at a lighter 3.23 lbs. It still includes the sanding pad, scraper, and 20 sanding discs — just no battery or charger.
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