Mike Halmarack wrote:

Don't know why so many of the big name versions are being sold without
battery or charger.

Because once you "buy in" to a given manufacturer's cordless tools, you
don't generally want an extra battery and charger every time you buy
another tool to add to the collection ... I chose 18V Makita several
years ago, got 3x 3.0Ah batteries and a charger with a drill/impact
combo set and have bought several "bare" tools since, only recently when
I purchased a 36V tool did I buy a pair of 5.0Ah batteries along with a
dual charger.