We’ve tested dozens of drills in our search for the best cordless drill. There’s no doubt that Makita is one of the more popular brands among pros, so we’re highlighting the best Makita drills we think you should consider.
Keep in mind—these careful picks come after hours and hours of testing and real-world use. We know the best Makita drill may not be the same for everyone. Rather than recommend a single tool for everyone, we recommend several different models that provide the perfect blend of performance, features, ergonomics, and value for different types of users.
Best Makita Drill – Our Top Picks
- Best Makita Drill 40V XGT Drill: 40V XGT GPH01 – Buy on Amazon
Jump to this Drill ↓ - Best Makita 18V LXT Drill: 18V LXT XPH14 – Buy on Amazon
Jump to this Drill ↓ - Best Makita 12V CXT Drill: 12V CXT PH05 – Buy on Amazon
Jump to this Drill ↓ - Best Makita Drill for the Money: 18V LXT XPH03 – Buy on Amazon
Jump to this Drill ↓ - Best Makita Drill Combo: 18V LXT XT269T – Buy on Amazon
Jump to this Drill ↓
Also In This Article
- Best Makita Cordless Drill – More Options
- Best Makita Drill and Driver Bits
- Best Makita Drill Buying Guide
- Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews
Best Makita 40V XGT Drill
40V XGT Hammer Drill GPH01
When I consider what the best drill is in any lineup, I immediately gravitate toward the highest performing. For this reason, the best Makita 40V cordless drill is the XGT GPH01 hammer drill.
Using a standard 40V battery, it’s a highly capable drill that can handle most of the applications Pros might encounter. With 2,600 RPM on the top end, 39,000 BPM when you’re drilling in concrete, and a monster 1,250 in-lbs of torque, it’s easily the top-tier model that Makita hast to offer. It’s also one of the front runners on the performance side compared to other professional-grade drills.
Not surprisingly, the major trade-off for the higher performance is a larger, heavier tool. It’s especially noticeable when trying to access tight spaces or after a long day on the jobsite. It’s also on the expensive side of Makita’s lineup, though the pricing is in line with what we expect from top models from other Pro brands.
Pros
Buy the Makita GPH01 if you like:
- Highest performance Makita offers in a hammer drill
- Large steel, masonry, and wood drilling capacity
- Two-speed gearbox
- Extensive electronic clutch settings
- Impressive 1,250 in-lbs of torque
Cons
Consider another model if your deal-breakers include:
- Largest, heaviest Makita hammer drill
- More expensive than other options in the lineup
Numbers to Know
- Motor: Brushless
- Chuck: 1/2-inch
- Top Speed: 2,600 RPM
- Max Hammer Rate: 39,000 BPM
- Max Power: 1,250 in-lbs
- Bare Weight: 6 pounds (with 4.0Ah battery)
- Head Length: 7-1/8 inches
Price: $244 bare tool, $499 kit with two 2.5Ah batteries, a charger, and a storage bag.
Best Makita 18V LXT Drill
18V LXT Hammer Drill XPH14
Moving over to the LXT lineup, we have the XPH14 hammer drill. In spite of the smaller battery platform, this drill is nearly identical in size and weight to the 40V GPH01. Where you’ll see the differences show are on the performance side.
While the torque remains the same as the XGT model, there is a notable drop in RPMs and BPM. However, the top speed and blow rate are right in line with what we expect from Pro-grade hammer drills in this voltage class. The Makita XPH14 is great for tackling a wide range of wood, steel, and masonry drilling tasks around your home or jobsite.
At 7 inches long and 3.7 pounds bare, it’s right in line with what i expect from a pro-grade 18V drill. You can certainly go light and more compact, as I’ll discuss later on, but you will see a drop in performance when you prioritze size and weight.
Pros
Buy the Makita XPH14 if you like:
- Impressive torque specs for high-demand applications
- Kit include two batteries
- Confident hammer drilling capabilities
Cons
Consider another model if your deal-breakers include:
- Not any smaller or lighter than the 40V model
- Kit price is a little more expensive than comparable models
Numbers to Know
- Motor: Brushless
- Chuck: 1/2-inch
- Top Speed: 2,100 RPM
- Max Hammer Rate: 31,500 BPM
- Max Power: 1,250 in-lbs
- Bare Weight: 6 pounds (with 5.0Ah battery)
- Head Length: 7 inches
Price: $179 bare, $299 kit with two 5.0Ah batteries, storage bag, and charger
Best Makita 12V CXT Drill
12V CXT Hammer Drill PH05
It’s tough to find too many 12V models that include a comprehensive feature set. As a compact supplement to more powerful 18V models, many manufacturers are more interested in keeping the cost down. It’s not too often that you’ll find a 12V drill with smart controls, smart tracking, specialized modes, or the suite of accessories that premium flagship models have. Such is the case with this Makita 12V PH05 hammer drill.
This compact hammer drill has a top speed of 1,500 RPM with 22,500 BPM and 280 in-lbs of torque. That’s noticably slower and less powerful than the 18V LXT XPH14, but it also clocks in at nearly half the weight.
It’s still a great tool, though, and you should take a look at what all the 12V CXT system has to offer. If your work doesn’t require the absolute highest performance and you can lean on lighter, more compact tools, then the Makita 12V CXT hammer drill might just be right up your alley.
Pros
Buy the Makita PH05 if you like:
- Lightweight, compact option
- 12V batteries add less weight than the 18V and 40V batteries
- Available as a drill/driver (FD09) if you don’t need the hammer drill function
Cons
Consider another model if your deal-breakers include:
- Not compatible with the popular 18V battery system
- Performance level is not sufficient for your work
Numbers to Know
- Motor: Brushless
- Chuck: 3/8-inch
- Top Speed: 1500 RPM
- Max Hammer Rate: 22,500 BPM
- Power: 280 in-lbs
- Bare Weight: 2.4 pounds (with a 2.0Ah battery)
- Head Length: 6.6 inches
Price: $129 bare, $199 kit with two 2.0Ah batteries, a storage case, and a charger
Best Makita Drill for the Money
18V LXT Cordless Brushed Hammer Drill XPH03
When it comes to getting the best value from a Makita drill, I strongly recommend staying with the LXT lineup. The Makita 18V LXT XPH03 is a brushed model that provides an excellent balance between performance and price.
For performance, its 2000 RPM top speed and 30,000 BPM put it right on par, or slightly below, what we see from the brushless models. Where I see the biggest difference is the drilling power. Its 750 in-lbs are enough to maintain the same drilling capacities of the 18V XPH14, but you may spend a little more time drilling when using larger bits.
For size, the XPH03 is almost a full two inches longer than the XPH14, but that’s expected when it comes to brushed tools. It measures 8-7/8 inches from tip to tail and weighs in at 5.1 pounds with a 5.0Ah battery. If size is a non-issue, then this is a great option. However, if you’re freaquenly working in tight spaces, I’d recommend going with one of the smaller brushless models.
Pros
Buy the Makita XPH03 if you like:
- Excellent value when you consider performance and price point
- Lighter than brushless model
- Comparable drilling capacity to brushless XPH14
Cons
Consider another model if your deal-breakers include:
- Not as powerful as Makita’s brushless 18V XPH14
Numbers to Know
- Motor: Brushed
- Chuck: 1/2-inch
- Top Speed: 2000 RPM
- Max Hammer Rate: 30,000 BPM
- Power: 750 in-lbs
- Weight: 5.1 pounds (with 4.0Ah battery)
- Head Length: 8.9 inches
Price: $139 bare, $369 kit with two 4.0Ah batteries, storage bag, and a charger
Best Makita Drill Combo
18V LXT Cordless Hammer Drill/Impact Driver Combo Kit XT269T
When it comes to picking the best combo kit, it’s important to understand what I look for. Typically, if I’m shopping for a combo kit, my goal is to get the best value for my money. Often times, that means overlooking the highest performing model in order to make my dollar stretch a little further.
In the case of the best Makita drill combo, I have to go with the 18V LXT XT269T hammer drill/impact driver combo kit. This kit includes the XPH12 brushless hammer drill, XDT13 brushless impact driver, two 5.0Ah batteries, a charger, and a storage bag.
On the performance side, the hammer drill has a top speed of 2,000 RPM, 30,000 BPM, and a max torque of 530 in-lbs, very similar to the XPH03. The impact driver’s speed tops out at 3,400 RPM, 3,600 IPM, and 1,500 in-lbs of torque.
As I mentioned before, this combo kit isn’t the highest performing duo, but for $309, it’s a heck of a deal. If your looking for a high-performance matchup, I suggest looking at the 40V XGT GT201M1D1 that includes Makita’s flagship hammer drill and impact driver.
Pros
Buy the Makita XT269T if you like:
- Good performance level and value
- Brushless motors
- Comes with two batteries to keep you going all day
Cons
Consider another model if your deal-breakers include:
- Not as powerful as the 40V alternatives
Numbers to Know
- Motor: Brushless
- Chuck: 1/2-inch, 1/4-inch
- Top Speed: 2,000 RPM (hammer drill), 3,400 RPM (impact driver)
- Max Hammer Rate: 30,000 BPM (hammer drill), 3,600 IPM (impact driver)
- Max Torque: 530 in-lbs (hammer drill), 1,500 in-lbs (impact driver)
Price: $309 with two 5.0Ah batteries, storage bag, and charger
Best Makita Drill – More Options To Consider
While the drills I recommended above are the best in my opinion, it’s no guarantee that one of them is the perfect fit for you. If that’s the case, here are some other models that we recommend.
Makita 40V XGT Compact Brushless Hammer Drill GPH02
Premium 40V Max brushless hammer drill for those who freaquenly work in tight spaces or prefer a lighter weight drill for high-demand applications.
Price: $429 kit; $199 bare
Makita 18V LXT Compact Brushless Hammer Drill XPH16
Makita’s 18V compact hammer drill provides a middle ground in terms of performance and size in their drill lineup.
Price: $359 kit
Makita 18V LXT Sub-Compact Brushless Hammer Drill XPH15
This drill has 12V weight and size while using Makita’s popular 18V LXT batteries.
Price: $249 kit; $137 bare
Makita 40V XGT Brushless Cordless 1/2-Inch Right Angle Drill GAD01
40V Max drill designed for the high torque applications of electrical and plumbing rough-ins.
Price: $619 kit; $479 bare
Makita 40V XGT Brushless Cordless 1/2-Inch Mixer GTU01
A 40V tool with sturdy D-handle grip designed specifically for the rigors of mixing applications.
Price: $699 kit; $499 bare
Makita 36V LXT Cordless Earth Auger XGD01
Ideal for post-hole digging, fence installation, large planting jobs, soil sampling, and construction projects.
Price: $869 kit; $714 bare
Best Makita Drill and Driver Bits
You can’t use a drill without drill bits! However, making a recommendation on the best Makita drill bits depends a lot on your desired application.
75-Piece Metric Drill and Screw Bit Set B-49373
Get one convenient set of bits and sockets for drilling, driving and fastening in one convenient carrying case with the Makita 75-Piece Metric Drill and Screw Bit Set. The set includes bits for drilling into metal, wood, and masonry materials as well as insert and power bits for fastening applications. Fastening applications are covered with an assortment of Phillips, Pozidriv, Torx, slotted, and hex insert bits. The set also includes Titanium nitride coated high-speed steel (HSS-TIN) metal and wood drill bits, brad point wood drill bits, and masonry hammer drill bits with straight shank for use with most 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch drills. The kit also includes a center punch, 1/4-inch hex countersink, 1/4-inch hex nutdrivers, and a 1/4-inch hex magnetic bit holder.
Price: $39.99 for a 75-piece set (B-49373)
Best Makita Drill Buying Guide – What We Look For
Performance
Performance is our number one priority for good reason—if the drill can’t do the job, it’s worthless. Given the choice between two or more models, we’ll typically go with whichever one can do the job most effectively and efficiently.
Features
Features that make the job more efficient, easier, or more convenient come into play as you work your way up the price scale. Not everyone needs all the bells and whistles, but if you can add some (or all) within your budget, you get a tool that you can genuinely enjoy using.
In general, here are the features we look for on a drill:
- Brushless or brushed motor
- Number of standard modes
- Smart controls
- Smart tracking/inventory
- Clutch design
- Drill/driver/hammer drill selection design
- LED light design
- Chuck size/type
- Belt hook
- Unique features
Ergonomics
The ergonomics of a drill can make or break your experience. One that’s overweight, poorly balanced, or doesn’t feel right in your hand can make every day feel like Monday. As you’re shopping, see if you can pick up the drill you’re considering and see how it feels in your hand. Work the trigger and all the controls to make sure there’s nothing about the physical design that is a deal-breaker for you.
Even when you can’t pick up a drill before buying, compare the weight to other models you’re considering. If the work or projects you have planned are space-limited, be sure to check the head length as well.
Price and Value
Most people have a budget they’d like to stay in when they’re buying a drill. As I’m shopping, I first consider the performance followed by features and ergonomics. I’m a value guy, so I’m always looking for the best balance of everything (plus a sale price if I’m lucky). However, your priorities may be different—that’s why we offered so many recommendations and information to help you compare.
Remember to look beyond just the drill you’re considering, though. Take a look at what other tools you can power using the same batteries. If you want something lightweight and buy Makita’s 12V CXT hammer drill only to discover the majority of the other tools you need are on the 20V LXT platform, it wasn’t a very good value for your situation.
Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews
Ever check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they tested the tools or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers? That’s not us. We won’t recommend anything unless we’d use it ourselves, and we don’t really care who the primary retailer is. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.
We’ve been in business since 2008 covering tools, writing reviews, and reporting on industry news in the construction and lawn care industries. Each year, we bring in and review more than 250 individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year.
We work with more than two dozen professional contractors around the United States who review products for us on real job sites. We consult with them extensively on testing methods, categories, and practical applications. Our site will provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readers. That includes objective evaluations of individual tools and products.
The result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize each and every time we pick up and test a tool.
