Makita Cordless Drills

Looking for a Makita cordless drill that perfectly matches your needs?

Cordless drills hit their stride when manufacturers introduced the lithium-ion battery several years ago. These batteries combine huge energy density with light weight. (It's no wonder they're slowly replacing nickel-cadmium batteries.) Tool companies launched their lithium-ion revolution with big 28- and 36-volt models--tools that had great power but were also unwieldy. Now, virtually all manufacturers have added much nimbler 18-volt models. That kind of shift is PM's signal to get to work, testing to see how well these drills meet a homeowner's real-world needs. We gathered seven drills and spent two days hammering them for all they were worth. Here's what we found.

Cordless Drill Reviews:

How We Tested

Drill Test
We've learned the hard way that testing cordless drills by simply boring holes or driving screws can yield a distorted picture of performance. A better method is to combine the two activities in a way that reflects a day's work. Contributing editor Joe Truini developed our test, which pushes a drill to its limits. First, we used a fresh 1-in. spade bit in each drill and bored 24 holes with it. Next, we drove 12 2-in. lag screws into pilot holes bored in a pressure-treated beam. Finally, we counted the number of 3-in. coarse-thread drywall screws each drill could drive before its battery quit.

Craftsman 19.2V 315.119100 | $180

Specs	Amp-Hour: 1.5 / Weight: 3.9 lb. / 3-in. drywall screws: 43
What we liked	With a body nearly 2 in. shorter than that of pro models, this is an agile tool. It's hardworking and smart as well, with a gauge that tells you how much battery life is left, good battery-mounting design and a well-positioned work light at the base of the handle. Also, its bottom-heavy bias helps it stand firmly upright on a bench.
What we didn't	The forward and reverse switch can easily end up between the two positions, especially if you're right-handed and using your thumb to click it over.
Bottom Line	*** * ***

DeWalt 18V DC927 | $349

Specs	Amp-Hour: 2.2 / Weight: 5.5 lb. / 3-in. drywall screws: 33
What we liked	This is an easy-to-handle, pro-grade product. It has the smoothest-turning clutch ring and a cool three-speed transmission with graphics that match speed to the task. In separate tests, we learned it will bore 18 1-in. holes through 4 x lumber or 38 holes through 2 x stock, or drive 256 screws into our beam--impressive.
What we didn't	The DeWalt has great boring and driving chops, yet when those activities were combined, the drill drove relatively few screws before the battery gave out.
Bottom Line	*** * * ***

Hitachi 18V DS 18DL | $279

Specs	Amp-Hour: 3.0 / Weight: 4.6 lb. / 3-in. drywall screws: 156
What we liked	The Hitachi rapidly bores holes and drives screws, and it was loaded with useful features, such as a pivoting work light. To conserve its battery, the tool has a power-limiting switch for low-speed applications such as driving and removing screws in appliances.
What we didn't	The High/Low switch is so stiff you could sprain a thumb moving it.
Bottom Line	*** * * ***

Ridgid 18V R86006 | $189

Specs	Amp-Hour: 1.5 / Weight: 4.2 lb. / 3-in. drywall screws: 41
What we liked	Among pro tools, it has the slimmest profile, so it's easy to handle. Also, Ridgid gave more than passing thought to its bit clip, which holds firmly but not too aggressively--a feature that eluded other designers.
What we didn't	We'd vote for a bigger battery, letting the drill drive more screws, and simpler icons on the battery charger.
Bottom Line	*** * * ***

Makita 18V BHP454 | $329

Specs	Amp-Hour: 3.0 / Weight: 4.9 lb. / 3-in. drywall screws: 227
What we liked	All three testers agreed the Makita was one of the best power tools they'd ever used. Some talented engineers designed its high-torque motor and driveÂtrain to squeeze every ounce of performance from the battery. It also exhibits excellent industrial design. For a large and heavy drill, it's well-balanced and handles easily due to a nicely shaped handle with lots of rubber overmold.
What we didn't	The switch to change from hammer to the drill or drive functions is just too hard to slide.
Bottom Line	* * * * * BEST OVERALL

DeWALT, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, Black & Decker, Ryobi, Hitachi, Panasonic, Skil, Ridgid, Porter-Cable and Kawasaki. Thisiswanted

The Makita BHP454 is a really great drill because not only is it a driver-drill, it's also a hammer-drill as well. If you're the person that often uses both types of drills, then you might want to kill two birds with one stone and just purchase the Makita BHP454HW. This particular Makita is great for drilling into masonry and concrete, fastening anchors, woodworking, carpentry, and anything else that you need a durable, powerful drill for.

Coming equipped with a 4-pole motor and 2 separate speed settings, the Makita BHP454 cordless drill delivers sufficient power when needed. Operating at 450 inch pounds of max torque, there's not much that this drill can't handle. You can then tone it down to the lighter speed setting when you're working on an easier project that doesn't need as much torque and power.

Due to the Makita BHP454 weighing only 3.6 pounds and coming in at a length of 8-3/4 inches, this drill is also great for squeezing into tighter areas that a lot of other drills can't reach. If you find yourself working in small spaces often, this Makita is perfect for you.

Battery life and charge time is critical when choosing a cordless drill and the Makita BHP454HW is superior in this area. The 18-V Li-Ion batteries that it comes with last for a long time, and even when they run out of juice, they recharge in about 15 minutes. I don't know of many other brands of cordless drills that charge that quickly. Another benefit is you get two batteries instead of just one so you can always have the extra one ready.

Several other features I really enjoy about this Makita cordless drill are the Ergonomic grip design and the L.E.D light. The unique grip design makes sure that your hand stays comfortable while you're drilling into tough material, and the L.E.D light is perfect for working in dark spaces.

So if you're in the market for a new drill and you need either a hammer or driver-drill, or both, I think you will really enjoy the Makita BHP454HW.