Makita Tool Kit Product Comparisons


IMAGE SET INCLUDES PRICE
Makita XT706
  • Hammer Driver-Drill XPH10Z
  • Impact Driver XDT11Z
  • Circular Saw XSS02Z
  • Brushless Cut-Off/Angle Grinder XAG04Z
  • Blower DUB182Z
  • Reciprocating Saw XRJ04Z
  • Xenon Flashlight DML185
Check Price at Amazon Check Price at Tractor Supply Makita XT706 Review Makita XT706 Review
Makita-XT505
Makita XT505
  • Hammer Drill XPH10Z
  • Impact Driver XDT11Z
  • Reciprocating Saw XRJ04Z
  • Circular Saw XSS02Z
  • Xenon Flashlight DML185
Check Price at Amazon Makita XT505 Review Makita XT505 Review
Makita-XT442
Makita XT442
  • Hammer Driver-Drill XPH10Z
  • Circular Saw XSS02Z
  • Reciprocating Saw XRJ04Z
  • Xenon Flashlight DML185
Check Price at Amazon Makita XT442 Review Makita XT442 Review
Makita-XT269R
Makita XT269R
  • Brushless Hammer Drill XPH12Z
  • Brushless Impact Driver XDT13Z
Check Price at Amazon Makita XT269R Review Makita XT269R Review
Makita-MT01R1
Makita MT01R1
  • Multi-Tool MT01Z
Check Price at Amazon Makita MT01R1 Review Makita MT01R1 Review

Things To Consider Before Buying A Makita Combo


R

Good For

Tool sets are a great opportunity for anyone who would like to add multiple tools to their collection without having to buy each separately. The good thing about it is the fact that they are suitable for novices and professionals alike. Makita power tool sets contain several tools ranging from circular saws to hammer drills and even recipro saws. In other words, versatility is one of the main advantages. You can cut, screw, and drill through walls without having to pack a bunch of tools into your bag.

One other noteworthy thing is the quality of Makita products. While it isn’t the best manufacturer on the market, Makita is quite well-known among both DIY enthusiasts and professionals for being reliable and affordable. In case you’re looking to add some tools to your arsenal, these compact kits might be a good solution.

Q

Not Recommended For

In case you’re planning to work on some bigger and more serious projects, toolkits might not be the best solution. While they are foreseen for all-around jobs, big projects require more robust and resilient tools. The fact that the vast majority of these kits contain battery-powered tools is also a key factor. In other words, battery-powered tools are foreseen for lighter jobs and people who are looking to get portability and compactness usually favor wireless tools. However, avid professionals will most likely opt for a high-quality tool in lieu of a pre-made kit.

If you have a shop or a dedicated workplace, it’s usually better to look for individual tools and opt for the ones that suit you the most. One of the issues with pre-made kits is that not every tool from it will meet your expectations.

Highest Rated Makita Tool Kits You Can Buy


XT706


Our Rating: 4.8

The XT706 includes the following tools:

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Hammer Driver-Drill XPH10Z

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Impact Driver XDT11Z

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Circular Saw XSS02Z

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Brushless Cut-Off/Angle Grinder XAG04Z

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Blower DUB182Z

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Reciprocating Saw XRJ04Z

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Xenon Flashlight DML185

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

The Makita XT706 7-Piece Combo kit is an excellent kit for pro-users who want a wide range of best cordless solutions. As you can tell, it offers these solutions for cleanups, demolition, driving, drilling, grinding, cutting, fastening, and more. When it comes to more serious projects, you can rest assured that this kit will do the job. It includes an angle grinder with a brushless motor, recipro saw, circular saw, a powerful impact driver, and a hammer driver-drill. Additional solutions come with a rechargeable flashlight and cordless blower.

First things first, we need to mention the included hammer drill (XPH10Z) which is a variable 2-speed machine that provides for speeds of up to 600 RPM and 1900 RPM respectively. The Makita built-in 4/pole motor delivers about 480 in.lbs. of maximum torque which is more than enough for everyday home repairs and applications. It weighs only about 3.9 lbs. with the battery, which means it’s compact and sufficiently lightweight for consistent use. The design is okay, the ergonomic aspect is well done, and the rubber coating on the drill ensures a firm and stable grip.

The XSS02Z 6-1/2’’ circular saw features a tool-less blade change, which means it’s quite simple, straightforward, and most importantly – doesn’t require any proprietary tools. It delivers up to 3700 RPM and weighs about 7.3 lbs. with battery. This saw boasts excellent design and can cope with bigger pieces of wood without causing too many problems.

You can rest assured that it will get the job well done, but on the other hand, certain limitations such as battery life will occasionally stand in your way and slow things down a bit. Nonetheless, it’s a helpful tool to have, and it’s definitely a worthy investment for pro-users.

The XRJ04Z recipro saw provides about 0 – 2800 SPM and the aforementioned ‘’tool-less’’ blade change. It weighs about 8.3 lbs. with the battery which is not the lightest thing around but it’s not too heavy either. Without too many issues, it can cut through materials, but when the battery level drops it also tends to lose power.

The 4 ½ inches angle grinder (XAG04Z) which includes a brushless motor for corded grinding operations without the cord, delivers 8500 RPM. It also comes with the speed change automatic technology that controls the torque and speed during operation.

The DML185 flashlight features a Xenon bulb and runs up to 4 hours per charge. It also includes Makita 18V Lithium-Ion batteries that can be charged very fast, so they can spend less time sitting on the charger and spend more time working. The batteries reach full charge in about 30 minutes.

On top of that, this kit comes with a Rapid Optimum Charger which communicates with the chip that’s built into the battery to optimize the charging cycle by controlling voltage, current, and temperature. The battery boasts overload protection as well as overheat protection in order to minimize the wear and maximize efficiency.

As you can tell, the power management of this kit is pretty, and if that’s what you’re looking for, it might come in handy for certain situations. As far as the downsides go, there aren’t many, but some things should be pointed out. For example, some of these tools tend to lose a bit of torque and power as the battery levels drop. Therefore, it’s recommended that you keep the batteries charged at all times and even buy an extra one in order to keep working on a project in case the primary battery runs out.

The XT706 includes the following tools:

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Hammer Driver-Drill XPH10Z

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Impact Driver XDT11Z

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Circular Saw XSS02Z

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Brushless Cut-Off/Angle Grinder XAG04Z

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Blower DUB182Z

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Reciprocating Saw XRJ04Z

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Xenon Flashlight DML185

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

XT505


Our Rating: 4.4

The XT505 includes the following tools:

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Hammer Drill XPH10Z

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Impact Driver XDT11Z

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Reciprocating Saw XRJ04Z

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Circular Saw XSS02Z

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Xenon Flashlight DML185

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

XT505


Our Rating: 4.4

The XT505 kit comes with five tools included – hammer drill, impact driver, recipro saw, flashlight and a circular saw. In case you’re planning on expanding your collection of battery-powered tools, this kit might be a good solution. It contains tools that are most frequently used for small as well as somewhat large repairs. It’s probably not the first choice for avid professionals, but it’s definitely a quality kit that offers enough versatility and options.

The XPH10Z hammer drill is a 2-speed driver drill with 0-600 and 0-1900 RPM respectively. The built-in 4-pole motor delivers about 480 in.lbs. of torque and weighs 3.4 lbs. with battery. It’s quite a lightweight tool suitable for small drilling jobs. It can cope with a bigger project just fine, but it won’t deliver consistent performance due to being battery-powered. The ergonomics and design are pretty standard and comfortable overall.

The XDT11Z impact driver provides 1460 in.lbs. of torque and weighs about 2.8 lbs. with battery. It offers a range of 0-2900RPM and 0-3500RPM respectively. It’s a good little tool for nuts and bolts, especially frozen and over-torqued ones. Due to the sudden delivery of strong rotational force, this item is capable of dealing with most projects without too many issues. The design is very similar to the hammer drill from the same kit meaning it’s ergonomic and comfortable to use.

The XRJ04Z recipro saw delivers up to 2800 strokes per minute with a 1-1/4” stroke. The overall weight with the battery mounted is about 8.1 lbs. It’s a good solution if you’re looking to cut through a piece of wood fast and with precision. However, due to it being battery-powered, you should expect certain limitations caused by drops in charge level. In other words, as the battery drains the power delivery slightly drops.

As far as the circular saw (XSS02Z) goes, it delivers up to 3700RPM which is more than enough for cutting through hardwood without any problems. This 6-1/2” saw weighs only about 7.3 lbs. with battery and is suitable for quick jobs and sometimes even some bigger projects, depending on the type of wood you’re cutting. The design is good and more importantly – the safety measures are impeccable. As long as you don’t mingle with the safety features, it should be completely safe for use regardless of how experienced you are.

The flashlight (DML185) comes with a Xenon bulb and runs up to 7 hours per one charge. It offers four different positions for you to fine-tune it to your own liking. It’s a great portable light source and offers an easy solution for working in dark environments.

The power management is pretty efficient thanks to the Rapid Optimum Charger which is equipped with a technology that monitors current flow and thus fine-tunes the power consumption. On top of that, it optimizes battery life by dynamically setting and controlling the voltage, temperature, and current.

XT442


Our Rating: 4.5

The XT442 includes the following tools:

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Hammer Driver-Drill XPH10Z

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Circular Saw XSS02Z

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Reciprocating Saw XRJ04Z

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Xenon Flashlight DML185

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

This is a great kit for both novices and avid hobbyists alike. It comes with four tools included which offer enough versatility for most light-duty jobs. If you’re struggling to find a toolkit that’s also a worthy investment at the same time, the XT442 might be a viable solution. It may not be the best product on the market, but the price-to-quality ratio makes it a pretty lucrative buy.

The variable XPH10Z speed hammer drill offers two speeds that yield 0-600 RPM and 0-1900 RPM respectively. The 4-pole motor delivers 480 in.lbs. of max torque and weighs only about 4 lbs. with battery. As you can tell, it’s a pretty lightweight tool suitable for drilling through tough materials with ease. The ergonomic aspect is pretty good and the overall design is made with comfort and ease of use in mind.

The XSS02Z 6-1/2” circular saw offers fast and precise cutting and can deliver up to 3700 RPM. It weighs 7.3 lbs. with battery and can chop and cut through wood without any issues. The base contains a calibrated measuring tape which comes in handy for precise work. It’s not as precise as one would expect, but it does the job quite well. If you’re looking to cut some beams on the go, this circular saw might be a good solution. The only downside is that it may struggle to achieve high RPM once the battery starts draining out.

The recipro saw (XRJ04Z) features a tool-less system meaning you can change the blade without using any tools whatsoever. It can deliver up to 2800 SPM and weighs only about 8.1 lbs. with battery. This saw is suitable for a wide array of applications and can come in handy even during some of the more demanding projects. The fact that it’s battery-powered is somewhat of a double-edged sword because even though it offers a great deal of portability, it lacks power at the same time.

The Xenon flashlight (DML185) is a nice addition to this versatile kit and it can come in handy if you find yourself working in dim conditions. The great thing about it is that it can run for about 4 hours on a single charge and requires only about 20 minutes of charging.

This kit comes with the Rapid Optimum Charger that has a built-in fan to cool the battery for faster and more efficient charging. It also has a chip which communicates with the battery in order to optimize voltage and temperature for better efficiency. The nice finishing touch for this kit is the bag that comes included which allows you to carry your tools wherever you go and keep your things organized at all times. Many people consider it somewhat trivial, but the addition of the tool bag is actually a great move from Makita because it allows you to keep everything under control. The kit comes with an extra battery included.

The XT442 includes the following tools:

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Hammer Driver-Drill XPH10Z

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Circular Saw XSS02Z

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Reciprocating Saw XRJ04Z

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Xenon Flashlight DML185

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

XT269R


Our Rating: 4.6

The set includes the following tools:

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Brushless Hammer Drill XPH12Z

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Brushless Impact Driver XDT13Z

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

XT269R


Our Rating: 4.6

Unlike the aforementioned kits, this one comes with only two tools – hammer drill and impact driver. In case you’re looking to refresh your collection of battery-powered tools or perhaps try them for the first time, we would recommend starting with this kit. Even though it doesn’t contain a recipro saw or Xenon light, it’s still worth looking into.

The variable 2-speed ½” hammer drill (XPH12Z) features a BL brushless motor that has a longer life than brushed motors. On top of that, it delivers 0-500RPM and 0-2000 RPM respectively and 530 in.lbs. of max torque thanks to the brushless technology. It weighs only about 3.6 lbs. with battery and is one of the top lightweight tools in its own category. The design is pretty conventional and it contains a nice rubber coating for a better grip as well as a small LED light just above the trigger. The ergonomics are good and it’s a comfortable tool to work with in general.

The XDT13Z impact driver is also a variable-speed unit that can deliver 0-3400 RPM and 0-3600 IPM. The BL brushless motor delivers 1500 in.lbs. of torque which is impressive in comparison to triple-digits numbers we’ve seen with the previously reviewed models. The overall weight of the impact driver is 2.8 lbs. with battery. In simpler terms, it’s a pretty light unit with great torque and ability to deal with nuts and bolts without breaking a sweat.

The accompanying charger is a subject of some controversies because it’s somewhat heavy and cumbersome. However, this is more a matter of personal preferences than it is an inherent downside. It features a set of LED indicators that show the current charging progress and can even detect faulty circuits. The charger is capable of charging both Li-Ion and Ni-MH batteries. It’s also compatible with all 18V Makita batteries meaning you can charge the battery from your other Makita tools with this particular charger.

The good thing about this kit is the brushless motor technology because it is electronically controlled to optimize battery life and save energy thus resulting with a 50% longer run times than other models. Furthermore, it features the Star Protection Technology which is responsible for preventing overload, overheating, and over-discharging. On top of that, the SPT ensures up to two times more work per charge. The box is made of hard and resilient plastic and it is quite compact. Some people don’t like the fact that it’s made of plastic because metal cases usually do better, but it’s not a deal-breaking thing. Speaking of deals, this kit is among the best price-to-quality deals in this category and is suitable for people who are on a tight budget. It’s affordable, lightweight, and most importantly – a portable solution for light-duty tasks and medium-sized projects.

The only downside we would like to point out is the fact that it features a plastic chuck. It’s somewhat of a vital part and it being made of plastic may discourage some people. However, there’s no need to worry about that; it’s sufficiently durable and resilient.

MT01R1


Our Rating: 4.2

The set includes the following tools:

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Multi-Tool MT01Z

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

This kit is slightly different than the rest because it contains only one multi-tool (MT01Z) in lieu of three or four. However, you can mount multiple add-ons on this tool and turn it into a sander, saw, or a plunge cutter. The unit itself features variable speed control dial that allows you to fine-tune the number of rotations according to your own preferences as well as add-ons you’re using. The range is between 6000-20000 OPM. The design is pretty compact and ergonomic and the unit is 10-7/8” long.

The 3.2-degree oscillation angle is designed for faster cutting and it also alleviates more aggressive sanding. The small diameter of the grip ensures easy handling and prevents user fatigue. The vibration intensity is also pretty low meaning it won’t make you feel uncomfortable and it won’t numb your hands after prolonged use. The large on/off switch features a lock-on button for increased operator convenience. Changing accessories is also pretty easy and simple thanks to the hex wrench slot on the casing. In other words, a hex key is readily available at all times for easy accessory changes.

Another noteworthy thing is the overall weight of this unit. It weighs only about 2.4 lbs. with battery meaning it won’t cause discomfort and fatigue. The Anti-Restart protection is designed to prevent sudden motor startups when the battery is inserted with the switch in the ‘on’ position. The built-in LED is a great addition because it illuminates the work area and increases user precision.

The battery itself features the CXT technology which is the next generation in 12-volt cordless tools. It offers users a more compact solution with greater capacity in comparison to some other models from the same category. The battery is also significantly lighter than other Li-Ion batteries and it allows the drill to stand on its own for added convenience. The great thing about this particular kit is that it comes with two CXT batteries meaning you can use your tool continuously without any downtime reserved for charging. In other words, once one of them gets empty, all you have to do is slide it in the charger and use the other one while the first one is charging.

The included toolbox is pretty durable and resilient but made of plastic. Even though it’s hard plastic, some people simply don’t like it. This isn’t a downside per se, but it’s worth pointing out in case you’re concerned about the materials involved. It’s pretty compact and easy to carry around and it comes with individual slots for different kinds of accessories. In other words, your tools won’t tumble in it but instead stay in place.

The thing worth pointing out is the affordability of this kit. While some professional-grade tools can cost quite a lot, this versatile unit costs only a fraction of that and it’s more than suitable for light-duty medium-sized projects. It can cope with more demanding projects as well, but the fact that it’s battery-powered may cause some downtime and lack of power in some instances.

The set includes the following tools:

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Multi-Tool MT01Z

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Choose an Ideal Power Tool Set by Makita – Buyer’s Guide

While the whole process of buying a new tool seems pretty simple and straightforward, there are some things you should keep an eye on in order to get the best possible deal. Regardless of whether you’re a novice or perhaps an expert, there are always some new things on the market that may bring confusion and make things a bit difficult. However, we encourage you to take a moment and check some of the tips we have to offer that may prove helpful and make your purchase much easier. Here are the things you should pay attention to

Brushless vs. Brushed motors

The first thing that needs to be settled here is that, contrary to popular belief, brushless motors aren’t a marketing gimmick. They work differently than brushed motors and offer several different advantages as well as some shortcomings in comparison to their counterpart. To simplify things a bit, we can focus on the fact that brushed motors contain brushes that are constantly in contact with the motor. As you can imagine, this causes friction and friction causes wear over time. With brushless motors, the rotor isn’t in contact with anything meaning they are much more efficient and last significantly longer. Thanks to the lack of contact with the motor, brushless units offer more power at same voltages and aren’t prone to overheating as much as the brushed units.

On top of that, some brushless motors contain electronic sensors that control the amount of power and current going through the motor thus preventing overloads.

Speed Control / Trigger Sensitivity

Good control at lower speeds is essential for success and good results. Many people tend to oversee this fact and they end up buying a unit with a stiff trigger that doesn’t allow them to fine-tune the RPM according to the application. Thankfully, Makita has pretty good triggers on their machines meaning you shouldn’t worry too much about that if you opt for a Makita model. However, if you’re planning on expanding your search to other manufacturers, keep the trigger sensitivity in mind because it’s one of the crucial elements for the success of your projects.

As far as speed control goes, it’s pretty straightforward. You should always aim to get a unit that offers at least some speed control so that you can adjust it accordingly because every job requires different speeds and intensity.

The Price

There’s often a narrative that expensive stuff must be super high-quality. Needless to say, that’s a completely wrong way of looking at things, especially when it comes to power tools. Many companies sell their tools and adjust their prices based on the brand itself. In other words, even top-rated brands can issue a faulty batch of tools and people will still buy them because of the history behind the brand name. The right course of action here is to always conduct thorough research and search for other people’s opinions instead of basing your judgment solely on the company’s product description. Take a few hours of your day and search the Internet for reviews and ratings about a particular model you’re planning to buy. Running into both positive and negative results will make your decision much easier.

It’s also important to avoid suspiciously cheap units because more often than not they aren’t worth the hassle. You might benefit from them during the first or second project, but it won’t last long. When it comes to tools, it’s always better to pay a bit more for proven quality instead of gambling with unknown models for a trivial financial benefit.

Battery Type

The most important thing here is to go with Li-Ion batteries instead of obsolete Ni-MH ones. Truth be told, not too many companies include Ni-MH batteries with their products, but there are still a couple of them. Li-Ion batteries are the best when it comes to delivering high-range power. On top of that, they have a longer lifespan in comparison to other batteries.

It’s a good idea to get more info about the included charger as well. Contrary to popular belief, the quality of the battery is not the only thing you should worry about because if you have a suboptimal charger, it won’t yield good results regardless of the battery quality.

The Conclusion


Makita’s power tool sets offer a versatile solution for most light-duty applications. As we have mentioned, some of these kits can cope with demanding tasks, but most of them aren’t foreseen for massive projects. Battery-powered tools tend to output less power in comparison to the corded ones which is one of the main reasons why they aren’t foreseen for large projects.

If you’re looking for a quality set that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance and previous experience, some of these might come in handy. The good thing about them is the fact that they come at slightly different price ranges meaning you can get your hands on one of them even if you don’t have a big budget. It’s important to conduct thorough research before you place an order to avoid getting something that won’t meet your expectations and requirements.

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