Makita vs. DeWalt: Who makes the better drill?

Makita’s bundles can start a tool collection, but DeWalt’s versatility might mean you don’t need a collection at all

Makita and DeWalt tools are among the best of the best, especially their drills. Our BestReviews Testing Lab confirmed this when we tested the Makita XFD131 LXT 18-Volt Cordless Drill and the DeWalt FlexVolt Advantage 20-Volt Max Hammer Drill. We found some minor differences between them, such as the Makita having better battery life or the DeWalt being a little better at drilling, but they essentially operated identically.

This makes choosing between them more of a matter of wanting the fewest tools for the job, or wanting a specific tool for each job. If you want fewer tools, the DeWalt FlexVolt operates as both an ordinary power drill and a hammer drill. If you want a tool for each job, Makita not only has that but also offers many bundles to get your collection started.

Makita vs. DeWalt: What they do well

Trusted brands Makita and DeWalt both have a reputation for making quality drills.

Because Makita and DeWalt are among the best tool brands, period, there is plenty to love about each. We focused on the three top aspects.

Makita benefits 

• Battery efficiency: Most of the drills we tested from other brands lasted 30 to 45 minutes. The Makita 18-Volt LXT Drill was the only one that lasted over an hour (about 65 minutes).
• Special features: Some Makitas, including the 40-Volt XGT with its digital clutch, have unique features not usually found in drills.
• Product bundles: Makita offers many bundles, more than most of the competition, whether you want one tool with several useful accessories or multiple tools at a discount.

DeWalt benefits

• Versatility: Many of DeWalt’s tools have more than one use, so you can do more with less. For example, the FlexVolt is both an ordinary power drill and a hammer drill.
• Build quality: DeWalt products are consistently well built, using top-quality materials designed to last for years. They aren’t impervious to damage, but they can take a beating.
• Innovation: DeWalt regularly experiments with new technology, which leads to noticeable performance bumps as opposed to the competition. For example, its batteries are usually slightly smaller and lighter without sacrificing performance.

What they could improve

Even the best brands have issues, and Makita and DeWalt are not immune.

Makita drawbacks

• Inconsistency: The two Makitas we tested performed differently. The 18-Volt LXT Drill was impressive across the board, but the 12-Volt Max CXT drill had surprisingly poor performance driving wood screws into a four-by-four.
• Middling comfort: The Makita 18-Volt LXT Drill was on the heavy side, which increased arm fatigue, and the handle was starting to aggravate our hand by the end of testing.

DeWalt drawbacks

• Durability: The DeWalt FlexVolt was the only drill we tested to suffer more than light scrapes and scratches from our drop test, resulting in a dent in the tip. This didn’t affect performance, though.
• Terminology confusion: Because DeWalt is constantly innovating, the branding of its various product lines can be confusing. For example, it wasn’t totally clear what battery we needed to buy for the FlexVolt test and had to spend extra time digging for the information.

Top Makita models

The Makita we tested, the 18-Volt LXT, is an exceptional tool for common DIY projects and tougher home-maintenance tasks. But if it isn’t getting the job done, you can switch to the 40-Volt XGT drill for an extra kick.

Makita XFD131 18-Volt LXT Cordless Drill Kit

The battery that the Makita XFD131 18-Volt LXT Cordless Drill comes with charges fairly quickly, so you might not need another battery unless you plan on working with it all day regularly.

Product Specifications

Maximum Rotational Speed: 1,900 rpm | Maximum Power: 350 W | Voltage: 18 | Gears: 2 | LED Work Light: Yes

The drilling and driving tests performed with this Makita tool were close to perfect. The paddle bit test took only three or four seconds to make a hole in a two-by-four, and that included some occasional minor catching. The hole saw test took about as long to get through one side of the board, but we needed to flip the board to finish the test. The 16-gauge sheet metal tests took the longest, at five seconds for a quarter-inch bit and 10 seconds for a half-inch bit. It had zero issues drilling 3-inch wood screws into a four-by-four, taking about five seconds.

It also performed well in other tests. These included a rigorous drop test that resulted in only minor scratches and decent comfort during use despite some arm fatigue and slight hand aggravation after using it for about 10 to 15 minutes.

To end on a high note, the 18-volt Makita easily had the best battery life of all the drills we tested. The three-amp-hour battery included in the kit lasted for 65 to 75 minutes when no other battery we tested passed the 60-minute mark. We also appreciated that its LED work light is sufficiently bright and that the kit includes a belt clip.

Makita GPH01Z 40-Volt XGT Cordless Hammer Drill

Makita GPH01Z 40-Volt Cordless Hammer Drill includes a separate extra handle for a reason. Make sure to use it for added control when drilling or driving through tough materials like concrete or thick metal.

Product Specifications

Maximum Rotational Speed: 2,600 rpm | Maximum Power: NA | Voltage: 40 | Gears: 2 | LED Work Light: Yes

The Makita GPH01Z 40-Volt XGT is a bruiser of a drill made to get through the toughest materials and drive in screw after screw. Facilitating this is the extra handle that gives the user more stability and control doing the hardest tasks. It’s also perfect for average and minor tasks because of its variable speed trigger. You don’t have to use all of its 2,600 max revolutions per minute, and the digital clutch offers 41 settings at low gear and 21 at high gear.

Top DeWalt models

The top DeWalt models, the FlexVolt and Xtreme, are built for different purposes. The FlexVolt is a DIY powerhouse that’s able to build almost anything you can imagine. The Xtreme is better for standard home maintenance and putting together flat-pack furniture.

DeWalt FlexVolt Advantage 20-Volt Max Hammer Drill

Because the DeWalt FlexVolt Advantage has three gears, it’s imperative that you make sure you’re using the right gear for the task or you’ll struggle unnecessarily.

Product Specifications

Maximum Rotational Speed: 2,250 rpm | Maximum Power: 300 W | Voltage: 20 | Gears: 3 | LED Work Light: Yes

This DeWalt’s drilling performance was better than that of the Makita 18-volt drill in some ways and worse in others. It was better in the metal test, taking only four seconds with a quarter-inch bit and six seconds with a half-inch bit. It was also better at hammer drilling through concrete, taking only four seconds on average, though it wins this by default since the Makita 18-volt drill doesn’t have a hammer-drilling option. It was less successful in the paddle bit test due to frequent catching, with the chuck opening up sometimes because of it. In the paddle tests when this didn’t happen, it took about five seconds to make a hole. It was also slower at the hole saw test, taking 15 seconds with a board flip. It was evenly matched when driving wood screws.

The only real question about the FlexVolt is its durability. The tip dented during our drop tests, which was the only time any drill had more than surface scuffs. It didn’t affect its performance, but it’s something to note.

It scored highly in various other aspects we tested, including a great battery life of roughly 45 minutes from the three-amp-hour battery we bought for testing. It also has a fantastic LED work light with dim, bright and always-on spotlight modes, plus it comes with a helpful belt loop and an extra handle for better control when hammer drilling.

DeWalt Xtreme 12-Volt Max Drill

The DeWalt Xtreme 12-Volt Max Drill’s small size makes it a great fit for apartments and small homes where you need to save space.

Product Specifications

Maximum Rotational Speed: 1,500 rpm | Maximum Power: 300 W | Voltage: 12 | Gears: 2 | LED Work Light: Yes

The most significant benefit of owning this drill is its mighty performance despite its small size. The size makes it easy to get into tight spaces or drill at awkward angles a full-size drill couldn’t manage. Meanwhile, its 1,500 max rotational speed and 300 watts of max power ensure that it can handle tasks almost as tough as what you’d use the FlexVolt for.

Some other positives of this drill include the handy belt clip, a bright LED work light and the 15 clutch settings.

Makita XFD131 18-Volt LXT Cordless Drill Kit vs. DeWalt FlexVolt Advantage 20-Volt Max Hammer Drill

Again, the Makita XFD131 18-Volt and DeWalt FlexVolt Advantage are so close in quality and performance that choosing between them is less about which drill is better and more about your specific needs. The Makita is best for average DIY projects and home maintenance, partly for its power and partly for the fact that it includes a battery, charger and bag. The DeWalt is better for heavier DIY tasks because of its hammer-drilling ability and because DIYers doing these jobs likely already own a good starter drill.

Makita GPH01Z 40-Volt XGT Cordless Hammer Drill vs. DeWalt Xtreme 12-Volt Max Drill

Unlike the Makita XFD131 18-Volt and DeWalt FlexVolt, the Makita GPH01Z 40-Volt and DeWalt Xtreme 12-Volt are at opposite ends of the power spectrum. The Makita is what a serious handyperson or DIYer needs for handling difficult, complex tasks, including gouging through the toughest materials. It’s a tool you have in addition to other tools, not on its own. The DeWalt Xtreme is best used by someone who only needs it occasionally for low-to-medium difficulty tasks. If this is all you do, you can just have this drill, or you might want it in conjunction with a higher-power drill like the FlexVolt if your tasks run the gamut of difficulty.

Makita vs. DeWalt functionality

Drill functionality almost exclusively comes down to power and the settings that adjust that power. You can also compare the functionality of drill work lights, if included, and any accessories a drill may come with.

Power settings comparison

A drill’s power settings are usually divided between the number of clutch settings and the number of gears.

• Clutch: The Makita XFD131 18-Volt wins here because of its 21 clutch settings, compared to only 11 on the DeWalt FlexVolt.
• Gears: The DeWalt FlexVolt gets a big boost because of its third gear made for hammer drilling through tough materials. However, the Makita XFD131 18-Volt’s two gears are more than enough for average tasks.

LED work light comparison

This category is dominated by the DeWalt FlexVolt since it has three LED settings: a dim, a bright and a spotlight that keeps the bright LED on. The Makita 18-volt drill only has one setting, but it’s plenty bright.

Accessories comparison

The Makita XFD131 18-Volt Drill set is an excellent starter since it comes with a belt clip, an exceptional battery and charger and a large bag for storage and travel. The DeWalt FlexVolt only includes a belt clip and an extra handle for increased stability when hammer drilling.

Pricing

Makita drills on their own typically cost $100 to $200, while DeWalt drills on their own typically cost $60 to $150. Both brands are close in price when it comes to drill sets that include battery, bag and extra tools, however, with each brand charging anywhere from $150 to more than $300.

Cost of the drills in this article:

• Makita XFD131 18-Volt LXT Cordless Drill Kit: $169
• Makita GPH01Z 40-Volt XGT Cordless Hammer Drill: $188
• DeWalt FlexVolt Advantage 20-Volt Max Hammer Drill: $140
• DeWalt Xtreme 12-Volt Max Drill: $62

Bottom line

It’s easy to get sucked into the nitty-gritty when it comes to Makita versus DeWalt. Both brands’ tools are similar in quality in most ways, plus both offer excellent bundles that help you start your tool collection.

That said, if you only want to buy a single tool to handle as many tasks as possible, we’d give a slight edge to DeWalt because of its lower average cost and extra versatility, depending on the tool. If you’re looking to start a tool collection, it’s a toss-up between Makita and DeWalt. Go with your gut, or let your preference for blue or yellow decide.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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