Best Makita Drill Driver: LXT and CXT Models Compared
Finding the right Makita drill driver for your projects means balancing torque, weight, battery platform and price. We compared the published Makita specifications, common owner feedback and each model's place in the LXT and CXT line-ups to help you pick the right one.
Quick answer
The Makita XFD131 (18V LXT) is the best all-round pick: a brushless 1/2-inch driver-drill sold as a kit with a 3.0Ah battery and charger, rated at 440 in-lbs of torque and weighing about 3.8 lbs. If you need maximum grunt, the XPH14 hammer driver-drill delivers 1,090 in-lbs on the same 18V battery. For light-duty work, the Makita FD07R1 (12V max CXT) is compact and cheap at roughly 2.6 lbs.
Why trust ToolBuyerHub
- Compared on published specs (voltage, torque, weight)
- Battery platform and ecosystem checked
- Common owner feedback themes summarized
- Build quality & warranty checked
- Brand reliability
- No fake hands-on claims
Research updated August 2026.
Makita XFD131 18V LXT
Brushless power and low weight in a kit that includes a battery and charger.
| Product | Best For | Max Torque | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makita XFD131 | All-round / Overall | 440 in-lbs | 4.7/5 | $$ |
| Makita XPH14 | Max torque / Hammer | 1,090 in-lbs | 4.6/5 | $$$ |
| Makita FD07R1 | Budget / Compact | 350 in-lbs | 4.4/5 | $ |
| Makita XFD12 | Lightweight value | 530 in-lbs | 4.5/5 | $$ |
| Makita XPH07 | Masonry / Hammer | 1,090 in-lbs | 4.5/5 | $$$ |
Makita XFD131 18V LXT
Best OverallPros
- Light for a 1/2-inch drill, easy to use overhead
- Brushless motor for efficiency and durability
- Sold as a kit, and works with all Makita 18V LXT batteries
Cons
- Not a hammer drill, so no masonry mode
- Less torque than the high-output XPH models
The Makita XFD131 is a single-battery 18V LXT brushless driver-drill rated at 440 in-lbs of max torque, with two speed ranges of roughly 0-500 and 0-1,900 RPM. That is plenty for drilling wood and metal, running spade bits and driving long structural screws. The kit ships with a 3.0Ah LXT battery and charger, which is why it is an easy first purchase on the LXT platform.
Owner feedback commonly praises the smooth variable-speed trigger, the all-metal 1/2-inch keyless chuck and how manageable the tool is at around 3.8 lbs. It is not the most powerful drill Makita makes, but for general drilling and driving the balance of weight, control and runtime is what most people actually want day to day.
Makita XPH14 18V LXT
Most Torque / Hammer DrillPros
- Highest torque in the current 18V LXT hammer drill line
- Hammer function for brick, block and concrete
- Runs on the same LXT batteries as the rest of the range
Cons
- Hammer mode is loud and high-vibration
- Heavier than a plain driver-drill
The Makita XPH14 is the current high-output 18V LXT hammer driver-drill, rated at 1,090 in-lbs of max torque with speed ranges of roughly 0-550 and 0-2,100 RPM. It is the model to buy if you want one Makita drill that covers everything from large auger bits in timber to anchor holes in masonry.
Owner feedback highlights the comfortable grip and the electronic controls, including the auto-stop clutch that cuts the motor if the bit binds. It is heavier and more expensive than the XFD131, but you are paying for roughly two and a half times the torque plus the hammer mechanism.
Makita FD07R1 12V max CXT
Best Budget / CompactPros
- Very lightweight and short nose-to-tail
- Great for tight spaces and overhead work
- Affordable entry into the Makita CXT ecosystem
Cons
- Limited torque for heavy drilling
- 3/8-inch chuck limits bit shank size
- CXT batteries do not fit LXT tools
The Makita FD07R1 is a compact 12V max CXT brushless driver-drill rated at 350 in-lbs, with two speeds of roughly 0-450 and 0-1,700 RPM. Its small size and low weight make it well suited to assembling furniture, driving screws in cabinets and drilling pilot holes.
It cannot match an 18V drill on power, but it is more than capable for most home DIY and light trade work. The brushless motor gives sensible runtime from the small CXT slide packs. Just be clear that CXT is a separate battery platform from LXT, so this is a second drill rather than a way into the 18V range.
Makita XFD12 18V LXT
Lightweight ValuePros
- Good balance of power and weight
- Brushless motor for extended runtime
- Often the cheapest brushless LXT bare tool
Cons
- Not as powerful as the high-torque XPH models
- No hammer function for masonry
The Makita XFD12 is a compact brushless 18V LXT driver-drill rated at 530 in-lbs of max torque. It handles drilling into wood and metal and driving large screws without complaint, and it is commonly sold as a bare tool if you already have LXT batteries.
It is one of the lighter 1/2-inch drills in the range at around 3.5 lbs, which makes it comfortable for all-day use. The metal keyless chuck accepts standard bits and the variable-speed trigger gives good control at low RPM for driving.
Makita XPH07 18V LXT
Best for Masonry DrillingPros
- Hammer mechanism rated to 31,500 BPM for concrete
- Same 1,090 in-lbs torque as the newer XPH14
- Durable all-metal chuck and gear housing
Cons
- Heavier and bulkier than the XPH14 that replaced it
- Vibration can be high in hammer mode
The Makita XPH07 is the previous-generation high-torque 18V LXT hammer driver-drill. It carries the same 1,090 in-lbs max torque rating as the newer XPH14 and a hammer mechanism rated to about 31,500 BPM, so on paper the two are close. It is designed for drilling into concrete, brick and block as well as heavy work in timber.
The XPH07 is the heavier and longer of the two, but it is still well balanced for its class and is frequently discounted now that the XPH14 is the current model. If price matters more than a shorter head length, it remains a strong buy for masonry work.
What to check before buying a Makita drill driver
The battery platform matters more than the drill. Makita sells 12V max CXT, 18V LXT and 40V max XGT tools, and the batteries are not interchangeable between them, so pick the platform you will keep buying into. For most people that is 18V LXT, which has by far the widest tool selection. Torque is quoted in inch-pounds: roughly 300 to 500 in-lbs is fine for general DIY, while the 1,090 in-lbs models are aimed at large auger bits, hole saws in timber and long lag screws. Chuck size matters too, since a 3/8-inch chuck will not take larger 1/2-inch shank bits. Finally, decide whether you need a hammer function. A plain driver-drill such as the XFD131 or XFD12 cannot drill masonry, while an XPH model can.
Mistakes to avoid when choosing a Makita drill
A common mistake is buying far more torque than you need, which adds weight and cost to a tool you hold at arm's length all day. Another is ignoring the battery platform: a 12V max CXT pack will not run an 18V LXT tool, and vice versa. Do not assume a bare tool includes a battery, because many of the cheapest listings are tool-only. And do not confuse a hammer driver-drill with a rotary hammer. An XPH model handles occasional anchor holes in brick, but repeated work in concrete calls for an SDS-Plus rotary hammer instead.
FAQs
Are Makita drill drivers good for DIY?
Yes. Makita drills are reliable and durable, and the 12V max CXT models and mid-range 18V LXT models are well matched to DIY work.
Which Makita drill driver has the most torque?
In the 18V LXT range, the high-output models such as the XPH14 hammer driver-drill are rated at 1,090 in-lbs. The XFD131 is a lighter 440 in-lbs driver-drill, not a high-torque model.
What is the difference between Makita LXT and CXT?
LXT is the 18V platform for heavier tasks, while CXT is the 12V max platform for compact and lightweight tools. The batteries are not interchangeable.
Do Makita drills come with batteries?
Some do. Kit numbers ending in a digit such as the XFD131 usually include a battery and charger, while codes ending in Z, such as XPH14Z, are bare tools.
How long do Makita drill batteries last?
Runtime depends on the task and the amp-hour rating. A 5.0Ah LXT pack will cover a long session of light drilling and driving, but far less under continuous heavy load.
Can I use 18V batteries in a 12V Makita drill?
No. LXT and CXT use different voltages and different battery interfaces, so they are not compatible in either direction.
What is a brushless motor in a drill?
A brushless motor uses electronic commutation instead of carbon brushes, so it runs cooler, wastes less energy and generally lasts longer.
Is a hammer drill necessary for masonry?
For brick, block and light concrete, yes. The hammer action pulses the bit forward as it rotates so it chips the material rather than just rubbing against it.
What size chuck do most Makita drills have?
Most 18V LXT drills use a 1/2-inch keyless chuck, while 12V max CXT models such as the FD07R1 use a 3/8-inch chuck.
Are Makita drills made in Japan?
Makita manufactures in several countries, including Japan, China, the United Kingdom and the United States, depending on the model.
Our verdict
For most buyers the Makita XFD131 is the right choice: a light 440 in-lbs brushless driver-drill supplied with a battery and charger. If you need real grunt or drill masonry, step up to the XPH14 at 1,090 in-lbs. If you already own LXT batteries, the XFD12 bare tool is the cheapest sensible way in, and the FD07R1 on the 12V max CXT platform is the pick for light, tight-space work.