Best Makita Drills of 2026

The CT225R is the cleanest way onto the Makita platform. You get a drill/driver for precise holes and an impact driver for stubborn fasteners, plus two batteries and a charger, so there is nothing else to buy. The drill puts out 480 in-lbs of torque and the impact driver reaches 1,460 in-lbs at 3,500 IPM, which covers nearly everything a homeowner or light contractor runs into, from hanging cabinets to building a deck.

The catch is the motors: both tools are brushed, so they run a touch hotter and shorter per charge than Makita’s brushless models. For the buyer who wants two capable tools and an LXT battery foothold without overspending, that trade is easy to accept.

When you are boring into concrete or chipping tile, a cordless hammer drill runs out of muscle fast. The HR2641 is a corded rotary hammer built for masonry, the current model in the line that replaced the older HR2475. Its 8-amp motor delivers 2.9 joules of impact energy, and the SDS-Plus chuck snaps bits in and out while keeping them locked under heavy load.

The reason to step up to this model is Anti-Vibration Technology. An internal counterbalance absorbs much of the shock that masonry work normally drives into your hands, so you can drill longer with steadier control. Three-mode operation lets you switch between rotation only, hammer with rotation, and chipping only, which makes it a true masonry workhorse rather than a one-trick tool.

The XPH07Z is the heavy hitter of the cordless lineup. It generates 1,090 in-lbs of torque, which is enough to bore large holes in hardwood, drive big fasteners, and hammer-drill into light masonry without a cord. If you want one cordless tool that refuses to quit on demanding work, this is it.

It works as a drill, a driver, and a hammer drill, and the brushless motor is tuned for sustained heavy loads rather than quick light tasks. A 3-stage LED gauge shows battery level at a glance, and the included side handle gives you the leverage to control that torque when a large bit grabs. The trade for all that power is size and weight, so it is not the tool for delicate or tight-space work.

The XFD12Z lands in the sweet spot between power and size. It puts out 530 in-lbs of torque and spins to 2,000 RPM, so it drills faster than many drivers in its class while still handling real driving work. Extreme Protection Technology (XPT) routes dust and water away from the internals, which is the feature that earns it a place outdoors and on rough sites.

Star Protection controls guard against overheating during tough jobs, and the compact, well-balanced body makes it comfortable to run all day. For a general contractor or a serious DIYer already on the LXT platform, it is the dependable everyday drill that asks for nothing special.

If you want one cordless drill to live in your kit, the XFD13 is the easy call. This 18V brushless driver-drill delivers 440 in-lbs of torque through a 2-speed transmission, with all-metal gearing that holds up to daily job site use. The brushless motor is the headline: it runs cooler than a brushed unit and stretches each charge further, so it keeps pace through a long session instead of fading.

It is sold as a bare tool, which is the right buy if you already own LXT batteries and want to add a capable drill without paying for packs you do not need. New to the platform? Pair it with a battery and charger and you have a daily driver that handles wood, light metal, and general fastening without complaint.

When the job is driving long fasteners without stripping heads, the XDT13Z is the tool to reach for. It generates 1,500 in-lbs of torque and 3,600 impacts per minute, enough to sink lag bolts into treated lumber without the bit camming out. That rotational impact is also what spares your wrist: the tool absorbs the shock that a drill would feed back into your arm.

The brushless motor and aluminum gear housing keep heat in check during heavy runs, and at 3.3 pounds it stays light enough for overhead work where a heavier driver would tire you out. Dual LEDs light the fastener so you are not guessing in a dark stud bay. It is a bare tool, so factor in batteries if you are new to LXT.

If you want two tools that disappear into a tool bag, the CT225SYX is the most portable kit Makita makes in this class. It pairs a compact drill/driver with an impact driver and runs lighter 1.5 Ah batteries, so the whole package weighs and measures less than the CT225R above. The drill/driver is only about 7-1/4 inches long and the impact driver shorter still, which is the point: this kit is built for reach and all-day comfort, not maximum power.

The drill/driver delivers 480 in-lbs of torque and the impact driver reaches 1,460 in-lbs, so it still handles real work, from assembly to light deck screws. The trade for the smaller batteries is runtime, which is shorter than a 2.0 Ah or larger pack. For a homeowner, an electrician, or anyone working overhead and in tight spaces, the size and weight savings are worth it.