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Head-to-head · Best Cordless Drills

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver vs Milwaukee M12 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about DIYers prioritizing driving performance and battery life — read the strengths below before deciding.

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Cordless Drills
Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver
3 sources2 derived$189as of Aug 3

Makita's XFD14Z is the compact 18V LXT drill/driver: brushless, two speeds, 65 Nm and a 21-position clutch in a 2.9 lb body. It is strongest driving fasteners and doing light drilling, where TechGearLab scored it 4 out of 5 and placed it near the top of its drill comparison, and its runtime is unusually good for a compact battery. Large hole saws are the exception; the drill drops into low gear, slows right down and empties the pack. Best for someone already on the 18V LXT platform who wants a small drill for fasteners and pilot holes rather than sustained heavy cutting.

Strengths
  • — Excellent performance driving fasteners with 21 torque settings for control
  • — Great battery life with 2Ah battery tested
  • — Short length design for use in confined spaces
Watch-outs
  • — Struggled with larger hole saw applications requiring lower gear
  • — Heavier than some competitors in the category
$189 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Milwaukee M12 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver
Ranked #4 in Best Cordless Drills
Milwaukee M12 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver
4 sourcesall derived$103.25as of Aug 1

The Milwaukee M12 FUEL ½ Inch Drill/Driver delivers impressive performance in a lightweight, compact design ideal for finish work and confined spaces. Reviewer Wayne Cormier praised its ease of use, rubber grip, and ability to handle demanding tasks like 2" hole-saws without slowing down. The tool's durability was confirmed through drop tests from 3 to 8 feet. While reviewers noted the battery removal could be improved, the drill's brushless motor and low weight make it a strong contender for professionals seeking a versatile 12V option. It's particularly suited for contractors who need a lighter alternative to M18 drills but still want substantial power.

Strengths
  • — Lightweight at 2.6 lbs, half the weight of larger M18 drills
  • — Key-less chuck accepts all standard bits
  • — LED indicators on top and below chuck for visibility
Watch-outs
  • — Battery removal mechanism feels awkward and could be easier
  • — Limited to 2.0Ah and 4.0Ah battery options
$103.25 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver

The Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver excels in driving performance and battery life compared to the Bosch 12V Max or Ryobi ONE+, but it's heavier and less powerful than the Milwaukee M18 FUEL. Unlike the DEWALT 20V MAX XR, it struggles with larger hole saw applications, making it less versatile than the DEWALT hammer drill.

Milwaukee M12 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver

The Milwaukee M12 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver is lighter and more compact than the Makita 18V LXT or DEWALT 20V MAX XR, but it's less powerful than the Milwaukee M18 FUEL. It's not as versatile as the Bosch 18V or Ryobi ONE+, but it's more durable and better suited for finish work than the Black+Decker.

Specs side-by-side

SpecMakita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/DriverMilwaukee M12 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver
Battery Voltage18V LXTXC4.0 4.0Ah
No-Load Speed2-speed (0-500/0-2000 RPM)Low and high speed settings
Clutch Settings21 torque settings—
Motor TypeBrushlessBrushless
Torque65 Nm350 in-lbs
Weight2.9 lb2.6 lb
Voltage18 volts12 volts
Chuck Size1/2 inchKey-less
Battery Capacity—2.0 Ah
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