Makita Impact Driver Sets: Kits, Bare Tools and Bit Sets

Best for
Light fastening and tight spaces

The Makita DT03R1 12V Max CXT Lithium-Ion kit is the lightest way into Makita impact drivers. The listing puts it at 2.3 lbs with the 2.0Ah battery and just 6 inches long, with 970 in.lbs of max torque and variable speed up to 2,600 RPM and 3,500 IPM. That is plenty for flat-pack furniture, wall mounts, cable management trays under a desk and general household repair.

The kit includes two 12V max CXT slide-style batteries, which Makita says improve balance over pod-style packs, and each has an on-board LED charge level indicator. The slide battery also lets the tool stand on its own on a bench. If you like the 12V platform and want more tools on the same batteries, our roundup of the Makita 12 volt combo kit options is a good next read.

Where it gives way: long structural screws and lag bolts. The 18V models here deliver well over 1,400 in.lbs, and on big fasteners that difference shows up as speed and less strain on the tool.

• 970 in.lbs max torque, 0-2,600 RPM and 0-3,500 IPM
• Two 12V max CXT batteries with LED charge indicators
• 6 inches long, rubberized soft grip

Best for
Heavy fastening with fine control

The Makita XDT14T 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless is the performance flagship of this list. Its brushless motor delivers 1,550 in.lbs of max torque and up to 3,600 RPM, and the listing title marks it as a kit with 5.0Ah batteries. Makita claims the electronically controlled brushless motor gives up to 50% longer run time per charge.

What sets the Makita XDT14T apart is control. A 3-speed selector covers 0-1,100, 0-2,100 and 0-3,600 RPM with matching impact rates, so you can drop to low speed for small screws and go full power for lag bolts. Quick-Shift Mode uses the motor electronics to balance speed and torque automatically, and Tightening Mode (T-mode) speeds up self-drilling screws while helping prevent damage to the screw or workpiece. That makes it the pick for decks, metal studs and bigger renovation jobs.

If you only assemble furniture a few times a year, this is more tool than you need, and the 12V kit is easier to handle.

• 1,550 in.lbs max torque, up to 3,600 RPM and 3,800 IPM
• 3-speed power selection plus Quick-Shift Mode
• T-mode for self-drilling screws
• Brushless motor with up to 50% longer run time claimed

Best for
Existing 18V LXT battery owners

The Makita XDT11Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless is a tool-only impact driver: no battery, no charger. It suits anyone already on the 18V LXT platform who wants a dependable driver without paying for more packs. The listing gives 1,460 in.lbs of max torque with variable speed up to 2,900 RPM and 3,500 IPM.

It uses a Makita-built 4-pole motor with a 4-brush design, which the listing says delivers increased RPM without decreasing torque, so this is a brushed tool rather than a brushless one. An all-metal gear housing adds job site durability, and at 5-3/8 inches long and 2.8 lbs with a battery installed, it stays manageable. A one-touch 1/4 inch hex chuck speeds up bit changes, and a built-in LED lights the work area.

It gives way to the XDT14T if you want speed modes and brushless run time, and to the XDT18ZB if you want the smallest 18V body. Watch our list of Makita clearance tools if you are hunting for bare tools like this one.

Best for
Drilling metal and wood with impacts

The Makita B-65399 Impact Gold 14 Pc. titanium drill bit set turns any 1/4 inch hex impact driver into a capable drilling tool. The bits have a titanium nitride coating that Makita says lasts 2.5 times longer than non-coated bits, and a 135 degree split point for faster starts and less walking on the surface.

The set covers 1/16, 5/64, 3/32, 7/64, two 1/8, 9/64, 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 and 1/2 inch sizes, which handles pilot holes through larger clearance holes. The listing rates them for ferrous metal, wood, plastic, non-ferrous metal, cast iron and stainless steel. This is the Makita Impact Gold drill bit set to grab if you want one tool for both drilling and driving.

It does not include screwdriver bits, so pair it with the Impact XPS set for fastening.

Best for
High-volume screw driving

The Makita E-01644 Impact XPS 60 Piece bit set is built for driving. It contains two 1-3/4 inch magnetic nutsetters, a 2-3/8 inch insert bit holder, a Mag Boost, forty-five 1 inch insert bits, ten 2 inch power bits and a 1/4 inch socket adapter.

Makita claims these bits last up to 100 times longer than standard impact bits. The listing credits precision machined tips for a full contact fit, torque absorbing shoulder rings, an optimized torsion zone that transfers impact energy, and high-quality steel. For anyone running an 18V driver on long screws all day, bit life matters as much as tool torque, and this set targets exactly that.

It contains no drill bits, so drilling duty goes to the Impact Gold set.

Best for
Compact brushless power in tight spots

The Makita XDT18ZB 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Sub-Compact is a brushless, tool-only driver in black. At 5-1/4 inches long and 2.6 lbs with a battery, it is the shortest and lightest 18V driver here, and the listing calls it ideal for tight spaces. Speed tops out at 3,000 RPM and 4,100 IPM across two ranges.

Its standout feature is Assist Mode, which drives at low speed until tightening begins to help prevent screw cam-out and cross threading. That is a real help when you are working inside a PC desk, a cabinet or a rack where a slipped bit means scratched finishes. The listing excerpt does not specify a max torque figure, so check the live listing if torque is your deciding factor.

It suits 18V owners who value compactness over outright muscle. For the heaviest fasteners, the XDT14T is the stronger choice on paper.