The term cordless is generally used to refer to electrical or electronic devices that are powered by a battery or battery pack and can operate without a power cord or cable attached to a fixed electricity supply such as an outlet, generator, or other centralized power source, allowing greater mobility.[1][2][3] The development of more powerful rechargeable batteries in recent years has allowed the production of battery-powered versions of tools and appliances that once required a power cord, and these are distinguished by the term "cordless", as in cordless drills, cordless saws, and cordless irons.
The term "cordless" should not be confused with the term "wireless", although it often is in common usage, possibly because some cordless devices (e.g., cordless telephones) are also wireless. The term "wireless" generally refers to devices that use some form of energy (e.g., radio waves, infrared, ultrasonic, etc.) to transfer information or commands over a distance without the use of communication wires, regardless of whether the device gets its power from a power cord or a battery. The term "portable" is an even more general term and, when referring to electrical and electronic devices, usually means devices which are totally self contained (e.g., have built-in power supplies, have no base unit, etc.) and which may also use wireless technology.