Best Makita Combi Drill of 2026
Makita combi drills are the backbone of professional and serious DIY kits. We compared Makita's published hard-joint torque ratings, motor type, weight and battery compatibility across the 18V LXT range to work out which model actually suits which job.
Quick answer
The Makita DHP489Z is the best all-round pick for 2026: a brushless 70 Nm (about 620 in.lbs) combi drill in a genuinely compact body. If you want the most torque Makita puts in an 18V combi drill, the DHP486Z is the one at 130 Nm (about 1,150 in.lbs). On a budget, the brushed DHP453Z and DHP482Z are the cheap way into the same 18V LXT battery system.
Why trust ToolBuyerHub
- Compared on Makita's published specs (torque, motor, weight)
- Battery & ecosystem compared
- Publicly available owner feedback read
- Build quality & warranty checked
- Brand reliability
- No fake hands-on claims
Research updated August 2026.
Makita DHP489Z
Brushless, compact, and enough torque for almost all day-to-day drilling and driving.
| Product | Best For | Max Torque (hard) | Motor | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita DHP489Z | Overall / Everyday Pro Use | 70 Nm (620 in.lbs) | Brushless | 4.8 / 5 |
| Makita DHP458Z | Value / Torque per Dollar | 91 Nm (805 in.lbs) | Brushed | 4.6 / 5 |
| Makita DHP482Z | Light Everyday All-Rounder | 62 Nm (550 in.lbs) | Brushed | 4.6 / 5 |
| Makita DHP453Z | Entry Level / Lowest Cost | 42 Nm (370 in.lbs) | Brushed | 4.3 / 5 |
| Makita DHP486Z | Heavy Duty / Maximum Torque | 130 Nm (1,150 in.lbs) | Brushless | 4.9 / 5 |
Makita DHP489Z
Best OverallPros
- Brushless motor in a compact, well-balanced body
- Two speeds up to about 1,900 rpm with hammer mode
- Metal chuck and twin LED lights
Cons
- Not Makita's highest-torque combi drill
- Batteries and charger not included (bare tool)
The Makita DHP489Z is the compact brushless combi drill most people should buy. Its 70 Nm hard-joint rating (roughly 620 in.lbs) is plenty for wood, self-drilling screws, and standard masonry bits in brick and block, and the brushless motor gives you better runtime and less maintenance than the brushed models below it.
What makes it the all-round pick is size. At around 1.7 kg with a compact 18V battery it stays comfortable overhead and in joist bays, which is where the bigger, more powerful Makita combis start to punish your wrist. It is sold as a bare tool, so it only makes sense if you already own 18V LXT batteries or buy a kit.
Makita DHP458Z
Best Value for TorquePros
- 91 Nm is serious torque for a budget-tier drill
- All-metal gear housing, proven long-running design
- Works with every 18V LXT battery
Cons
- Brushed motor, so shorter runtime and brushes wear out
- Full-size and heavy compared with the DHP489
The Makita DHP458Z is often mislabelled as an entry-level drill. It is not a lightweight: it is a full-size 13 mm combi rated at 91 Nm hard-joint torque, which is more twist than the compact brushless DHP489 makes. What keeps the price down is the brushed motor and the older two-speed 0-400 / 0-1,500 rpm gearbox, not weak output.
That makes it the value choice if raw grunt matters more than runtime, for example mixing small batches of compound, driving large lags into timber, or running spade bits. Accept the weight, around 2.2 kg with a battery, and it is a lot of drill for the money.
Makita DHP482Z
Best Light All-RounderPros
- Light and compact for the torque it makes
- 21-stage clutch plus drill and hammer modes
- Extremely common, so spares and support are easy
Cons
- Brushed motor, not the brushless DHP484/DHP485 it is often confused with
- 62 Nm runs out on large hole saws
The Makita DHP482Z is the model most people picture when they say "Makita combi drill". It is worth being clear about one thing, because it is the most common mistake made about it: the DHP482 has a brushed motor. The brushless drills at a similar size are the DHP484, DHP485 and DHP489. The DHP482 is rated at 62 Nm hard joint, about 550 in.lbs, with a two-speed gearbox up to roughly 1,900 rpm.
None of that stops it being a very good everyday drill. It weighs about the same as the DHP489 while costing considerably less, and 62 Nm covers fixings, shelving, timber work and light masonry without complaint. It is the sensible pick if you want real Makita build quality but do not need brushless runtime.
Makita DHP453Z
Best Entry LevelPros
- Cheapest way into the 18V LXT battery system
- Easy to control for screwdriving
- Compact enough for cabinet and repair work
Cons
- 42 Nm is limited for masonry and large bits
- Brushed motor, older platform
The Makita DHP453Z is the long-running entry point to Makita's 18V combi drills, rated at 42 Nm hard joint, roughly 370 in.lbs, with two speeds up to about 1,500 rpm. It is a genuine combi, so it does have a hammer setting, but 42 Nm and 1,500 rpm mean it is happiest with small masonry bits rather than anchor holes.
For furniture assembly, shelving, decking screws and general home repair it is entirely adequate, and it uses the same LXT batteries as everything else here. Note that it is not dramatically lighter than the DHP482 despite being weaker, so if the budget stretches, the DHP482 is the better buy.
Makita DHP486Z
Best Heavy DutyPros
- Highest torque of any Makita 18V combi drill
- Brushless motor and all-metal gearbox
- Top speed around 2,100 rpm
Cons
- Heavy and long, tiring overhead
- Premium price, bare tool only
The Makita DHP486Z is the torque king of the 18V LXT combi line at 130 Nm hard joint, roughly 1,150 in.lbs. That is nearly double the DHP489 and it shows the moment you fit a large hole saw, an auger, or a long masonry bit. The brushless motor and metal gearbox are built for that kind of loading.
The trade-off is bulk. At around 2.4 kg with a battery it is the heaviest drill here and the least pleasant to hold above your head, and the side handle is not optional once you are into big-diameter work. Treat it as a specialist tool rather than an all-day general drill.
What to check before buying a Makita combi drill
Torque is the headline figure, but read it carefully. Makita quotes two numbers: a hard-joint rating and a lower soft-joint rating. The figures in this guide are hard-joint, which is the number normally printed on the box and on retailer listings. For general DIY, anything from about 40 Nm (350 in.lbs) upward will drive screws and drill timber. For daily trade use and larger bits, 70 Nm (620 in.lbs) or more is a better target.
Motor type matters as much as torque. The DHP489 and DHP486 are brushless, which means longer runtime per charge, less heat and no brushes to replace. The DHP458, DHP482 and DHP453 are brushed, which is why they cost less. Every drill here shares the same 18V LXT battery mount, so batteries and chargers carry across the whole range.
A note on model numbers if you are buying in the US
DHP codes are Makita's international model numbers. Makita's own US catalog uses XPH and XFD codes instead and quotes torque in in.lbs rather than Nm. DHP models do appear on Amazon.com, usually through importers, so check what is actually in the box before you buy: an imported kit may ship with a 230V charger that will not work on a US outlet. Bare tools are safer here, because the tool itself is battery powered and platform-identical.
Mistakes to avoid when choosing a combi drill
Assuming a model is brushless because it is expensive or popular is the most common error with this range. The DHP482 in particular is frequently listed as brushless when it is not. Check the model number against the spec, not the listing title.
Buying more torque than you can comfortably hold is the other one. The DHP486 makes 130 Nm but weighs around 2.4 kg with a battery, and a heavy drill used overhead for an afternoon is genuinely tiring. Match the drill to the work you actually do most often.
FAQs
Which Makita combi drill has the most torque?
The Makita DHP486Z, rated at 130 Nm hard joint (about 1,150 in.lbs). It is the highest-torque combi drill in Makita's 18V LXT range.
How much torque does the Makita DHP489 have?
The DHP489 is rated at 70 Nm hard joint, roughly 620 in.lbs. The 115 Nm figure often quoted online belongs to a different model, the DHP481.
Is the Makita DHP482 brushless?
No. The DHP482 has a brushed motor and is rated at 62 Nm. The similarly sized brushless models are the DHP484, DHP485 and DHP489.
Is the Makita DHP458Z good for DIY?
Yes, and it is stronger than its price suggests at 91 Nm hard joint. Just be aware it is a full-size drill at around 2.2 kg with a battery, not a compact one.
Are all Makita combi drills brushless?
No. In this guide the DHP489 and DHP486 are brushless, while the DHP458, DHP482 and DHP453 use brushed motors.
How much torque do I need for masonry drilling?
For occasional small holes in brick, 40 to 60 Nm is workable. For anchor-size holes and larger bits, look for 90 Nm or more, which is where the DHP458 and DHP486 sit.
Which Makita combi drill is lightest?
Among these five, the DHP489, DHP482 and DHP453 are all around 1.7 kg with a compact battery. The DHP489 gives you the most torque at that weight.
What batteries do Makita combi drills use?
All the drills in this guide use the 18V LXT battery platform, which is shared across a very large Makita tool range.
Can I use a Makita combi drill for screwdriving?
Yes. Every model here has an adjustable clutch, so you can dial the torque down and stop stripping screws or sinking heads too deep.
What is the difference between the DHP489 and the DHP486?
The DHP486 makes 130 Nm and weighs about 2.4 kg with a battery. The DHP489 makes 70 Nm and weighs about 1.7 kg. Both are brushless: one is built for big holes, the other for comfort.
Our verdict
For most buyers the best Makita combi drill of 2026 is the DHP489Z, a brushless 70 Nm drill in a compact body that stays comfortable all day. If your work involves large hole saws, augers or anchor-size masonry holes, the DHP486Z and its 130 Nm hard-joint rating is the one to have. On a budget, the brushed DHP482Z and DHP453Z get you into the same 18V LXT battery system for much less.