Makita 40V Max XGT Hammer Drill Sets a New Performance Standard for Team Teal
We’ve been anxiously waiting for the release of Makita’s 40V max XGT line. Focused on higher performance than most of the 18V LXT products, we expected to get more out of the Makita 40V max XGT hammer drill. As a comparison, we tested the GPH01 hammer drill side-by-side with their flagship XPH14 from the 18V line.
Pros
- Outstanding 2600 RPM top speed
- Plenty of muscle with 1250 in-lbs of torque
- Excellent ergonomics and handle design
- Smooth operation with almost no runout
- Kickback control
- Electronic clutch
Cons
- Battery is not backwards compatible with 18V LXT tools
Makita 40V Max XGT Hammer Drill Review Performance
Makita geared this hammer drill for higher speeds than most drills in both first and second gears. The lower speed runs at 650 RPM while the higher gear tops out at 2600 RPM. That top speed matches up with 39,000 BPM to make your masonry drilling more efficient. Wrapping up the specs, the GPH01 matches the XPH14 with 1250 in-lbs of torque in low gear.
As always, we want to see how that translates to work, so we ran a few tests to find out. Starting with the PTR Drill Test Track, we ran these tests alongside the XPH14. Check out the video here.
If you’re not familiar with the PTR Drill Test Track, here’s what it entails on a 2×4 stud:
Test Track Sections
- 20 drywall screws
- 10 x 1/2 twist bit holes
- 10 x 3/4-inch spade bit holes
- 10 x 3/4-inch auger bit holes
- 1-inch hole saw
- 2 1/8-inch hole saw
As the dust settled, the Makita GPH01 showed XGT’s higher performance by finishing in 1 minute, 58 seconds—17 seconds faster than the 18V LXT XPH14! That finish was also fast enough to pull into second place, just 2 seconds behind Flex in first place.
Moving over to concrete, we ran 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch concrete bits. Makita’s 18V hammer drill needed an average of 5.23 seconds and 6.85 seconds, respectively. The Makita XGT hammer drill was significantly faster, averaging 4.44 seconds and 5.34 seconds.
Finally, we decided to see what happens if you try to rough in 2 9/16-inch holes with a self-feed bit. The 18V hammer drill had to stay in low gear for all of its holes, averaging 5.53 seconds. The XGT was able to start in high gear, but needed to drop into low after the first couple of holes brought it from its max to nominal voltage. Its final average was more than a second faster at 4.44 seconds.
One thing we noticed through the course of our testing is how smooth the drill operates. Makita generally has very low runout (wobble) in their drills, and that’s the case with XGT as well.
Makita 40V XGT Max Hammer Drill Review Design Notes
18V LXT Vs 40V Max XGT Power Source
One of the really nice things about moving up to the 40V max XGT line is that the batteries aren’t much bigger than the 18V LXT ones. The footprint is slightly larger and it’s about 4 ounces heavier, but they’re sticking with the 10-cell pack as the foundation. The most obvious difference is that the 18V pack is 5.0Ah and the 40v max XGT pack is 2.5Ah… but they have the same 90Wh capacity.
Inside, it’s different. The XGT line has a different electronics package, more power potential, and even a more durable build. Makita’s tagline is to “outpower, outsmart, and outlast” the competition with this system. You can learn more about those concepts here.
Many of us wondered if XGT batteries would be backward compatible with the 18V system and the answer to that is no. These are two separate systems and the packs have a design that makes them impossible to switch for one another.
Ergonomics
Makita didn’t make many changes to the look and feel of this hammer drill. It’s still well-balanced and has excellent handle ergonomics to maintain the comfortable grip you’re used to.
In terms of weight, the GPH01 weighs 3.7 pounds bare and 5.3 pounds with its 2.5Ah battery. That’s just 0.3 pounds more than the XPH14 with a 5.0Ah battery. Keep in mind those two batteries have the same 90Wh capacity.
It’s still a compact drill for its performance level as well. At 7 1/8 inches long, it’s within a 1/4-inch of the XPH14 and a little skinnier through the middle.
Kickback Control
The GPH01 introduces Active Feedback Technology (kickback control) for Makita’s drill driver/hammer drill lineup. Like many drills that have this feature, the motor automatically shuts down when it senses the bit bind, and the drill twists about 90°. What’s unusual is that it’s not a hard stop. Instead, it’s more of a quick deceleration.
Electronic Clutch
In a completely new feature, the clutch moves from a collar near the chuck to a dial on the foot. There’s a different number of settings depending on what gear you’re in as well. Low gear has 41 settings and high gear has 21. It’s a very different feel when you’re using it. With a mechanical clutch, you feel the chuck slip over as it as the motor continues to turn. With Makita’s design, it just stops.
Additional Features
- All-metal chuck
- Reinforced gear housing
- Dual-fan cooling Rapid Charger fully charges in 28 minutes or less
Makita 40V Max XGT Hammer Drill Review Price
When it comes to price, there is a premium to move up to the higher performance and technology of the XGT model. The bare tool is $209 and a kit with two 2.5Ah batteries and a single port Rapid Charger is $399. That’s $60 – $80 more than the comparable XPH14 options.
The warranty is the same as the 18V line—3 years on the tool, batteries, and charger.
Makita GPH01 Vs XPH14 Hammer Drill Quick Comparison
| 40V Max XGT GPH01 | 18V LXT XPH14 | |
| No-Load Speed | 650/2600 RPM | 550/2100 RPM |
| Hammer Rate | 9750/39000 BPM | 8250/31500 BPM |
| Max Torque | 1250 in-lbs | 1250 in-lbs |
| Length | 7 1/8 in. | 7 in. |
| Weight w/Battery | 5.3 lbs | 5.0 lbs |
| Test Track Results | 1:58 | 2:15 |
| 1/4-Inch Concrete Bit Avg | 4.44 sec. | 5.23 sec. |
| 1/2-Inch Concrete Bit Avg | 5.34 sec. | 6.85 sec. |
| 2 9/16-Inch Self-Feed Avg | 4.58 sec. | 5.52 sec. |
| Price (Bare/Kit) | $209/$399 | $149/$319 |
The Bottom Line
XGT is ultimately about higher-performance tools that benefit from higher voltage battery packs. When you get to those tools, it’s good to know Makita also makes some companion tools like the GPH01 hammer drill that let you reach for a tool on the same battery platform rather than having to carry around two different systems. Plus, you get legitimately higher performance and technology from the XGT model. You may even find the same thing we are—that there are tools on both lines that make sense for the work you do. Either way, you win.
Makita 40V XGT Hammer Drill Review Specifications
- Model: Makita GPH01
- System: 40V max XGT
- Motor: Brushless
- Chuck Size: 1/2 in.
- Max Torque: 1,250 in.lbs.
- No Load Speed: 0-650 / 0-2,600 rpm
- Blows Per Minute: 0-9,750 / 0-39,000 bpm
- Masonry Capacity: 13/16 in.
- Steel Capacity: 13/16 in.
- Wood Capacity: 3 in.
- Overall Length: 7-1/8 in.
- Net Weight: 6 lbs.
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $209 bare, $399 with two 2.5Ah batteries and single port Rapid Charger
