Makita XDT20 Impact Driver Puts New Levels of Versatility in the Palm of Your Hand!
Makita is constantly in the mix when we’re testing the best impact drivers, and their design team tends to think of innovations other brands don’t. With the launch of the 20th iteration for the 18V LXT line, I’ve set my sights on the Makita XDT20 impact driver. Is this the upgrade you’ve been waiting for? Let’s find out!
Pros
- Excellent driving speed
- Lightweight and well-balanced
- Compact
- Advanced programmable controls
- One-hand mode changes
- Rear-mounted control panel
- Adjustable LED brightness
Cons
- Controls may be more complex than some users prefer
- Torque is lower than other Pro brands’ flagship modes
Makita XDT20 18V LXT Quick-Shift Impact Driver Performance
- No-Load Speed:0-1100/2100/3200/3600 RPMs
- Impact Rate: 0-1100/2600/3600/3800 IPM
- Max Torque: 1590 in-lbs.
Power and Speed
A brushless motor powers the Makita XDT20 impact driver and produces up to 1,590 in-lbs of torque, a top speed of 3,600 RPMs, and up to 3,800 IPM. It features four standard speed and power modes that give you plenty of control for precision fastening applications.
The speed and impact rate compete well against other Pro-grade impact drivers. However, the XDT20’s torque is noticeably lower. That’s not an oversight or limitation, though. We know Makita has brushless motors producing far more power. Instead, it’s an intentional decision to optimize the performance to focus on fast screwdriving while maintaining a compact, lightweight form factor.
It’s a philosophy that encourages you to reach for an impact wrench when you need more power for nuts, bolts, and large structural screws. Practically, it makes a lot of sense. In our testing, we break a ton of square drive adapters because many impact drivers have more power than the accessories can handle.
If you’d still prefer a bit more torque, Makita’s 40V XGT Impact Driver (GDT01) produces up to 1950 in-lbs.
Rear-Mounted Controls
Aesthetically speaking, Makita only a few minor changes to this tool’s appearance. Most notably, they moved the control panel from the front of the foot to the back. This seems minor, but in reality it makes it much easier to visually confirm your speed and drive mode while your working.
If you prefer the controls on the front of the foot, I’d consider the Makita XDT19, which offers the same feature set and performance specs as the XDT20.
Driving and Assist Modes
This impact driver features two assist modes (A-modes) and two tightening modes (T-modes) that can help you reach even more precise levels of control.
The first A-mode is ideal for driving longer screws. This mode starts driving at a lower speed to help get the screw started and automatically ramps up as the impact mechanism engages. This mode only activates while driving screws.
The second A-mode is the “Bolt Mode”. This mode helps prevent nuts and bolts from dropping or spinning off by stopping rotation when the tool senses that the bolt is loose. Bolt mode will only activate while in reverse.
The tightening modes are both helpful when you’re driving self-tapping screws into metal. The T-1 mode is best for thin metals, while the T-2 mode is better for thicker metals. These modes automatically stop rotation once the tool starts to impact, ensuring the bolt or screw won’t shear off.
During our testing, I also found that the T-1 mode was great for driving small screws into softwoods like white pine without overdriving the fastener. This could also come in handy for small drywall installations if you don’t have a dedicated drywall screw gun.
Quick-Shift Modes
There’s also a Quick-Shift button above the trigger. If you’ve followed Makita’s impact driver evolution, you’ll remember we first saw this on the XDT16. You can use it to either cycle through the four standard speed modes or program in your favorites. It’s a time-saving feature that offers one-hand mode changes between repetitive tasks.
To program the button, start by selecting the mode using either the speed or A-mode buttons. Next, press and hold the speed selection button and Quick-Shift button simultaneously until the indicator light begins to blink. It’s as simple as that! If you want to switch out for a different mode, just follow the same procedure.
If you want to erase the presets altogether, press and hold both of the mode selection buttons on the back until all four green LEDs start to blink. Now the Quick-Shift button will cycle through the four standard speeds again.
For example, say you want to use one of the T-modes and max impact force back-to-back. By running through the programming procedure, you can switch between them with just one click of the Quick-Shift button. Even if the tool is in another mode than T-mode, pressing that button will still change over to max impact force.
Makita XDT20 18V LXT Quick-Shift Impact Driver Design Notes
- Model: Makita XDT20
- Power Source: Makita 18V battery
- Weight: 1.9 lbs (bare tool), 3.3 lbs (with kitted 5.0Ah battery)
- Head Length: 4.5 in.
Ergonomics
The Makita XDT20 weighs in at 1.9 pounds as a bare tool and 3.3 pounds with a 5.0Ah battery. It measures 4.5 inches from front to back across the head. This lightweight, compact profile allows you to get access to tight spaces with ease. Moreover, it’s incredibly well-balanced, even when using the recommended 5.0Ah battery.
Even though it’s lightweight, you can make it even lighter by going with a 2.0Ah battery. You’ll lose some runtime, but it’s helpful when you’re working on fasteners overhead.
As far as the grip goes, Makita stuck with their tried and true design that we’ve seen on the last few models. It features a textured rubber overmold with large grooves to help channel away sweat. Moreover, the back of the grip has a very gentle contour that fits well in my medium-sized hands.
360° LED Light
The LED light isn’t something that normally stands out on most impact drivers. However, you’ll notice the difference with Makita’s design. Makita moved to LEDs surrounding the collet several years ago. But on the XDT20, there’s also a diffuser around the halo. The result is full, even, and softer lighting of your target work area.
This model also has the option to adjust the LED brightness. Press and hold the speed selector button to switch between the three brightness settings or turn the LED off completely.
Additional Features
- Two-position belt hook
- Compatible with all Makita 18V batteries
Makita XDT20 18V LXT Quick-Shift Impact Driver Price
The Makita XDT20 impact driver retails for $234 as a bare tool and $399 as a kit. The kit includes two 5.0Ah batteries, a single-port charger, and a storage bag. Makita backs the tool and battery with a 3-year limited warranty.
The Bottom Line
The Makita XDT20 offers an excellent blend of performance, precision, and Pro-grade features that’s a great fit as the high-speed entry into Makita’s fastening lineup. Its compact, lightweight design makes it easy to handle, while its advanced modes and Quick-Shift capabilities elevate the overall user experience.
What’s up in the air is whether you like the idea of rear-mounted controls with tech-heavy features. For some people, these are upgrades that make using the tool that much more convenient. If it’s not for you, no worries. Makita’s impact driver lineup is deep, and there are other options that maintain a compact design with various levels of feature sets.
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