Remarkably, since the Makita company started manufacturing drills, it has gone from strength to strength, quickly establishing itself as one of the biggest manufacturers in the industry. If you are looking for a premium-quality drill that is engineered to utmost perfection to satisfy every of your drilling needs, the best Makita drill might be just what you need.
In truth, Makita isn’t just a reputable company, but also equally reliable. The primary attributes for which their products are known are power, efficiency, and durability. In view of this, we have put together a list consisting of the top six drills from Makita. And while all our picks are sure to deliver incredible drilling performance, one model that stands head and shoulders above the rest is the Makita XFD12Z Cordless Drill, with its impressive attribute being how it efficiently performs well in all the most important categories – speed, power, and ease of use.
That said, it’s also important to note again that you are not likely to go wrong with any of our picks as each one of them has been put under thorough scrutiny, while taking important features like speeds, chuck size, and clutch settings into consideration. Meanwhile, we have taken the usual route for the structure, which comprises of a comparison table, a product-review segment, a buying guide section, and an FAQ section.
More features: brushless motor; dual LED lights with afterglow
Being an expensive drill, you would expect the Makita XFD12Z Cordless Drill to have a powerful motor, and right you are. In fact, that’s one of the major reasons why it’s our Editor’s Choice. It comes with a powerful brushless motor that’s capable of delivering a top speed of 2,000 RPM and up to 520 pounds of torque, which is nothing below impressive. While the powerful motor and high-speed guarantee easy and quick drilling, the motor also significantly saves the battery life and thereby increases your output.
Like most top-rated drills, this one also comes with a two-speed transmission system, which allows you to handle a variety of fastening and drilling tasks. With this mechanism, you can reach either 500 RPM or 2,000 RPM, depending on what the situation demands. There are also built-in dual LEDs, which help illuminate your workspace to make sure there’s no mistake. And for water and dust resistance, the unit comes with the extreme protection technology, which makes it ideal to work in a wide range of harsh circumstances. Meanwhile, there’s a rubberized soft handle, which provides extra comfort when you work long hours.
On the drawback, however, the Makita XFD12Z Cordless Drill comes alone with no charger, battery, or carrying case. The machine also has an ergonomic, well-balanced, and lightweight design, which supports its efficiency. It’s also nice to know that the manufacturers have got you covered in case you of any unfortunate eventualities, as the machine is backed by a three-year warranty. In general, this incredible machine is a dream model for people who require a drill on a daily basis.
More features: dual LED lights; auto-stop mode
If you are intending to execute a heavy-duty drilling project at your site, only a heavy-duty drill will efficiently carry out the job. Of course, that’s where the Makita XDT16Z Cordless Drill comes into the conversation, being a super-powerful drill with a maximum torque of 1,600 pounds. It is usually said that the best drills are those that provide users with complete control over the speed, and the Makita XDT16Z fits the bill, featuring four RPM ranges. Needless to say, that is nothing short of sensational as its double what the average drill offers.
If you think that’s it, you are wrong. To give you even more control over the operation of this machine, it allows you to change the number of impacts per minute in four different ranges. As you might expect, the drill comes with a brushless motor, which apart from delivering high beats or speeds per minute, also delivers up to 1,600 pounds. To aid the loosening of the fasteners, the machine also comes with an auto-stop mode, which further highlights its incredible reliability and the quality of the Makita brand itself.
In terms of construction, we’re proud to inform you that this machine has an ergonomic design, which makes it comfortable to hold while working for longer periods. In fact, the design is almost perfect as everything is well-thought-of, including the power/speed selector that has been placed conveniently under the chuck or collet. In truth, trying to fault this machine is a great challenge. The only thing that may deter users is its somewhat high price.
More features: brushless motor; side handle
Powered by a brushless motor that delivers a maximum torque of 1,090 pounds, everything about the Makita XPH07Z Cordless Drill suggests that it will provide an incredible performance. Judging by its torque, this machine is obviously designed for heavy-duty construction site tasks, but we assure you that it is also suitable for lighter tasks around the house as well. For all types of drilling and driving applications in wood, metal, and masonry, the 1,090 pounds delivered by this monster should be sufficient. The fact that the motor is also brushless results in increased power and speed, much to the delight of users.
More impressively, the motor is electronically controlled, and it utilizes accrued energy to change the torque and RPM to match the different power requirements of various applications. That’s not everything the brushless motor does: it also allows the drill to operate in a cooler temperature, which consequently prolongs the life of the battery and the machine itself. Speaking of the battery, the unit is powered by an 18-volt Lithium-ion series battery, which has an incredible reputation for being strong. This model also has a two-speed transmission system, which helps the machine to support an extensive variety of applications, from light to heavy tasks.
The machine also has a fast-charging time, allowing you to work throughout the day with the minimum charging time. As if that wasn’t enough, the machine also has a built-in LED battery gauge, which displays what’s left in your battery in three stages. The manufacturer is also determined to boost your confidence on this purchase, backing the tools with a three-year warranty and the battery with a one-year warranty. You would, however, need to bear in mind that the unit is a little bulky.
More features: comes with a tool case, a charger, and an 18V battery
There are many reasons why the Makita XFD10R Cordless Drill is one of the best drills from Makita. Even though it comes at a fairly expensive price, it surely offers a lot of things to justify its expensive price tag. To start with, the Makita XFD10R generates 480 pounds of torque, which is a decent amount for a cordless drill of this category. Also, it’s only able to generate such a decent amount of torque because of its powerful four-pole motor, which is as powerful as it gets. As you might have guessed, this model also has a two-speed transmission system like the rest of the best Makita top models.
Consequently, the machine enables users to effectively regulate their drill’s speed, according to the two settings. For example, the lower setting restricts the bit speed to 0 to 600 RPM. On the other hand, the higher setting enables the machine to work at a speed between 0 and 1,900 RPM. That’s impressive, but that’s far from being the only impressive feature you’ll find on this machine. Another impressive thing is that the drill utilizes extreme protection technology, which helps protect the machine from damage. We all know dust and water are major threats to power tools, which underlines why extreme protection technology is important.
Apart from this, the machine also comes with a built-in dual LED light, which you may use to improve visibility when working in confined spaces or under low-light conditions. Another thing that aids convenience is the ergonomic construction of this drill, which includes rubberized soft-grip handle for increased comfort. However, you need to be warned that this unit is not built for construction/heavy-duty purposes – just light tasks around the house.
More features: all-metal gears; rubberized soft grip; compatible with 18V batteries
With its ability to deliver a maximum torque of 480 pounds while being super-fast, the Makita XPH10Z Cordless Driver is a workhorse that promises to handle all your small drilling needs. Amazingly, this unit also comes in a rather compact construction, and is powered by a strong Makita Lithium-ion battery that allows it to work for a longer period. Makita has always been renowned for its manufacturing of incredibly powerful batteries and this is not different. More impressive features of the battery are; it reaches full charge in just 30 minutes and is designed to retain power while in operation.
In terms of versatility, there’s no pushing this drill behind. It can effectively handle metal, concrete, masonry, and wood, and can also serve as a hammer driver-drill and a driver drill based on necessity. However, it’s important to warn you that this unit is not suitable for construction site tasks. Although it does come with a four-pole motor, which remarkably has a variable two-speed transmission system (0-600 RPM and 0-1,900 RPM) and (0-9,000 BPM and 0-28,500 BPM). When in high speed, the drill can reach as high as 28,500 BPM and 1,900 RPM as the situation demands. The drill also comes with a modern communication technology referred to as the Makita’s Star Protection Computer Control, which allows for an exchange of data between the drill and the battery while in operation.
Thus, it enables the user to simultaneously monitor the condition of the battery and the machine. The drill also comes with inbuilt dual LED lights, which come in handy when you’re working in confined or dimly-lit spaces. It would also gladden your heart to learn that the manufacturers had your convenience in mind during the manufacturing of this unit, thereby using a soft rubberized grip for optimum convenience. The only thing to complain about is that they didn’t include any extra battery.
More features: comes with a battery, a charger, and a tool bag
The joy of every consumer is to buy a product that delivers a lot more value than its cost, and that’s exactly why we included the Makita XFD131 Cordless Drill. If you’re looking for the best value possible, this is the perfect Makita model to consider. Despite having an 18-volt power system, the unit still manages to provide remarkable power. In fact, it’s more powerful than most models in its category, producing an incredible 440 pounds of torque.
Furthermore, the drill comes with a brushless motor, which helps to prolong battery life while reducing wear. It also comes with a powerful 3.0Ah battery that gives you enough juice even for the most demanding of your projects. The drill also comes with a two-speed transmission system from 0-500 and 0-1,900 RPM. To make sure you can accurately dial in the amount of torque you put on your fasteners, the unit comes with 21 + 2 clutch settings in total. And if you’re looking for portability, this unit gives it to you, measuring only 6-⅝ inches.
With such a compact construction, it can easily be used in confined spaces. The package includes a drill, an 18-volt 3.0Ah battery, a battery charger, and a strong carrying bag. To match the recent industry-standard, Makita also backs this drill with a three-year manufacturer warranty. Even more impressively, the warranty also covers the battery, even though most companies cover the battery for two years at the very most. However, it would have even been better had Makita included extra batteries. Besides, the location of the forward/reverse switch is a bit convenient.
After reading our reviews of our top Makita drills on the market, we assume you now have some clarity as regards which model you want to choose. To have complete clarity, however, we urge you to go through our buying guide.
By now, you’ve probably realized that Makita is a special brand. But if you’re wondering why Makita is so special, we’ve given you some reasons below.
Energy Star Rated – If you want to power your drill, you should be able to get it charged first. The charger that comes with Makita drills has been rated by the US Department of Energy and the Australia Environmental Protection Agency, which means that it’s been rated to be energy-efficient.
Better Batteries – There is nothing more frustrating than having a dead drill in the middle of a task. Makita understands this, and that’s why they usually power their machines with Makita-built batteries, which have been designed to keep you going longer than regular batteries.
Multiple Speed Power – Makita drills usually come with multiple speed settings, which allows you to easily switch speeds without losing power. This offers you the flexibility required to use the drills for any kind of task.
The value of a Makita drill lies in its features. While you’ve read our reviews, we will now take a look at some vital buying considerations. This information will help you know the things you have to look to when trying to choose between different drills.
The speed is the number of rotations that the machine can perform per minute. Basically, it’s an indicator of how fast the machine is. Single-speed machines that work at 300 RPM or thereabout should be ideal for light-duty tasks. Meanwhile, you should look for a machine with more than 1,500 RPM for heavy-duty work, such as the Makita XDT16Z Cordless Drill.
Essentially, the torque is the measure of the power of the drill. The higher the torque, the more powerful the drill is. If you often drill into heavy-duty materials such as concrete, you will want a machine with a lot of torque, such as the Makita XDT16Z Cordless Drill, which has a maximum torque of 1,600 pounds.
However, if you only plan to execute lighter projects, then models with 400 to 600 pounds maximum torque should suffice.
Apart from being an appealing modern feature in drills, a brushless motor is technically superior to motors with brushes. That is because their design decreases the friction that happens with the brushes, thereby giving a bit more power and prolonging the runtime.
The chuck refers to the spinnable handle on the drill, which enables you to loosen or tighten the region that holds all the bits. Normally, the chuck size determines the bit that the machine can take. Ideally, while big machines come with bigger chucks, small ones feature small chucks. Besides, larger chucks equal more power.
Cordless drills are usually designed to be used with one hand. Therefore, it’s a natural thing for fatigue to set in at some point. This is why you need to check the weight of your tool before buying, as you wouldn’t want to keep having frequent breaks due to fatigue. The less weighty the unit is, the better it is for you.
Practically, drills go through a lot. While they’re engineered to withstand everything they are put through, things do not go as planned some times. This is where a good warranty usually comes in handy. While most companies will back their products with only a year warranty, Makita backs most of their products with at least a two-year warranty, as we have seen with some of their models like the Makita XDT16Z Cordless Drill and the Makita XPH07Z Drill, both of which are backed for three years. Check the warranty terms before buying them.
Sometimes, high-end machines will come with luxury features such as LED lights. Other drills may feature magnetic fixtures to store different drill bits for easy usage. In fact, you may find machines that accommodate special attachments like sanders or grinders. However, we advise you to make sure you have a deep pocket before you go for drills with these luxuries.
While our list includes models that are more powerful than the Makita XFD12Z Cordless Drill, this model still managed to edge more powerful machines with its incredible versatility. Packing a maximum torque of 530 pounds and featuring a two-speed transmission system, this machine is ideal for a wide range of drilling projects, which makes it the best Makita drill on our list.
Next on the ranking is the Makita XDT16Z Cordless Drill, which with its 1,600 pounds maximum torque is by far the most powerful drill on our list. Apart from being powerful, it also comes with other incredible features like four RPM ranges and a brushless motor, which helps it deliver high speeds.
Then, we have the Makita XPH07Z Cordless Drill on the top spot, and it totally merits its spot high up on the ranking. Like our second-placed model, this one is also very powerful, delivering 1,090 pounds of maximum torque. If you’re intending to work on a heavy project, this model might just be your best friend.
