Head-to-head · Best Cordless Drills

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver vs Milwaukee M18 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.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.

The short answer

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about professional tradesmen needing top-tier performance — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Cordless Drills

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver

4.4

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 Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Cordless Drills

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver

4.6

3 sources2 derived$296.71as of Jul 31

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver earned a 9.4/10 rating from Pro Tool Reviews, praised for its quick drilling, excellent low-speed torque, and consistent top-3 performance in testing against competitors like Makita, DeWalt, and Hilti. Reviewers noted its 1400 in-lbs torque, 33,000 BPM hammering rate, and AutoStop safety feature. While it excels overall, some individual tests showed it was narrowly beaten by other models. This drill is ideal for professional tradesmen and serious DIY users seeking high performance and durability.

Strengths

— Top-tier performance with 1400 in-lbs max torque
— 500 RPM low speed and 2100 RPM high speed
— 33,000 BPM hammering rate

Watch-outs

— High-capacity batteries can affect tool balance
— Not flawless in all individual tests compared to competitors

$296.71 · Check Price on Amazon Full 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 M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver outperforms the DEWALT 20V MAX XR in torque and speed, and is more durable than the Ryobi ONE+ or Black+Decker models, but it's heavier and more expensive than the Makita 18V LXT or Bosch 12V Max. Its 33,000 BPM hammering rate sets it apart from competitors like the Bosch 18V or Makita 18V LXT.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver	Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver
Battery Voltage	18V LXT	M18 FUEL
No-Load Speed	2-speed (0-500/0-2000 RPM)	500 RPM
Clutch Settings	21 torque settings	—
Motor Type	Brushless	Brushless
Torque	65 Nm	1400 in-lbs
Weight	2.9 lb	3.3 lb
Voltage	18 volts	18 volts
Chuck Size	1/2 inch	1/2 inch
Battery Capacity	—	5.0Ah

← See the full ranking of best cordless drills