We have seen a lot of new Bluetooth radios, speakers, and adapters from power tool brands in recent months. Makita has decided to join the fray with their new 18V XRM04B speaker.
Here’s a list of recent Bluetooth radios and speakers:
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- Milwaukee M18 Bluetooth Radio
- Milwaukee M12 Wireless Speaker
- Dewalt Bluetooth Speaker
- Dewalt Bluetooth Adapter
- Craftsman Bluetooth Radio
- Power Cable Bluetooth Radio
Users like Bluetooth-enabled radios because it allows them to stream music, podcasts, and other audio from their smartphones and devices, without having to physically connected the devices.
The new Makita XRM04B looks a lot like the MakitaLXRM03B radio we reviewed (and really liked), but with new Bluetooth connectivity. There’s also no mention of an iPhone dock, which means Makita might have nixed it on this model.
Other than the added Bluetooth connectivity and presumed absence of an iPhone dock, many of the features seem to be carried over from the preceding model.
- 3.5″ speakers
- Digital AM/FM radio
- Auxiliary audio input
- USB charger
The new Makita 18V Bluetooth radio is listed at $280 on Amazon, which is nearly DOUBLE the release price and more than double the current street price of $130-$138 of the previous model.
Runtime of the new model is also noticeably lower. The new radio is said to run for up to 20 hours on a 5.0Ah battery and 6 hours on a 2.0Ah battery. The previous radio offered up to 16 hours of runtime with a 3.0Ah battery and up to 8 hours with a 1.5Ah battery.
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First Thoughts
I seriously hope that the $280 list price on Amazon is inflated, and that it will drop a bit once the radio is released.
If the retail price of Makita’s new Bluetooth radio is in fact $280, that would make it the most expensive jobsite radio currently on the market, at least among the many models I am familiar with. At that price, the Makita radio would eclipse Milwaukee’s premium Bluetooth radio, which is priced at $229.
It’s good to see Makita finally jumping onto the Bluetooth bandwagon as most of their competitors had already done, but at the current preorder list price of nearly $300, its hard to find much appeal in the new model. If Makita had drastically changed up the design, then maybe I would feel differently. But given from what I could see and tell, this is merely another update of their previous design.
Jason
I would hope that the $280 pricing is just a placeholder at msrp pricing and not the actual street price. I think with this Makita radio Bosch is the only company that doesn’t have Bluetooth on any of their job site radios.
NoDeuces
This is gross. I was hoping their new model would resemble something closer to the Milwaukee M12. I guess jobsite guys listen to the radio, like my grandfather.
Josh
I was really hoping to see a brushless motor and wireless charging in the new radio models. Kind of disappointing.
Tim zeneg
What motor on a radio would be brushless? Duh!
PlasmaPod
But it is “Brushless” cause it has no brushes
John
Great product but IMO this is a swing and a miss
kman
I have the previous model (MakitaLXRM03B). I love the radio as it is lightweight and still has good sound. I made one major improvement that would probably work with all the similar models including this one. I use a 5 amp hour 12 volt sealed lead acid battery instead of the makita batteries. All you need to do is order a battery from amazon or ebay and make a positive and negative lead with typical 1/4″ female connectors. The battery storage compartment holds the battery in place with the charger retainer clip. I bought two batteries so I charge one when one goes dead (after about 4 work days). Saves money on batteries and saves constantly changing the batteries. Since the radio can run on 12 volts it is an easy modification.
BikerDad
Not only is that $280 more than any other radio, it’s more than any other radio/charger. Perhaps Makita is planning on giving a bunch of them away? If so, an inflated MSRP means they can take a bigger write off. Then after a few are sold at the high MSRP, they lower it to be competitive with the market and laugh all the way to the tax audit.
Kurt Greiner
I prefer a radio/speaker with an internal ipod dock rather than bluetooth so I don’t run the battery of my phone down. I have an older iPhone and it doesn’t last long streaming music via bluetooth.
Mike47
At first glance it looks like a camera my Dad had in the 1950’s.
Barri
How many more versions of this radio are makita gonna bring out. I think that’s 5 total now since LXT was released and still no battery charger, battery life is even worse than any of the older models, even at $120 that’s a lot for what this radio offers, Bluetooth has a max range of about 20ft line of sight which is useless on a jobsite which is the reason I installed AirPlay on my Bosch.
It about time they bought out a model that can charge battery’s, has power outlets, AirPlay and Bluetooth connectivity, bigger speakers, USB charging from battery mode and line voltage mode, remote and a nice solid frame.
Jon
And a fridge, beer tap, shower, etc.
I prefer small radios on a job, like this, over the huge monstrosities that are out there. You don’t need much to listen to tunes.
ron
How did you install AirPlay onto a Bosch radio?
Barri
Airport express in the media bay and wired Into the power block inside the radio. Do a google search for Bosch radio AirPlay. There’s a guide on there I done it should be first search result. Very easy to do. Only down side is it don’t run of battery but I never run it from battery.
C Mango
Does it seem wrong to anyone else that the two stereo speakers point in opposite directions on these Makita radios?
Marco
It is what’s called an omni directional array. It’s stereo image can be made directional by placing it in a corner at a 45 degree angle. This also improves the bass response.
andy
ill stick to my old makita dab. i put in a 12-5v transformer to feed a usb port.
so i have had blutooth in the radio for ages, i can plug anything in that has a 3.5mm jack as well (the blutooth is just to connect my phone)
WENDY
How do you do that? And what in the wirld is a 12-5v transformer! Lol Feed USB port? I was wanting to buy one for Fathers day… besides the Rediculous difference in Price between just the FM and the Bluetooth. . You cant buy bluetooth one locally. Home Depot even says out of stock on line
Jay
If I run an 18V battery in this radio do I need an 18v-5v converter or a 12v-5v one?
This is what i was looking at:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/bar-strip-accessories/12vdc-to-5vdc-voltage-converter-/1549/3652/
Where to find a USB port?
Shane
So far I have bought 3 of these, not a one works! Love the tools, but something is wrong with this radio!
Brick Mudge
Darn! I just bought one. What’s the outcome of your situation?
Brick Mudge
I just purchased a new XRM04B on Ebay for $135, with free expedited shipping, can’t wait to get it!
john Taylor
i have the previous model LXRM03 but the source button stopped working, so no ipod connection any ideas what to do,as it would be cheaper to buy the XRM04B ? cheers
Adam
Here is an idea makita !!! Make the radio have a built in charger !!!!!!!!
How can this have been overlooked on so many models ???? We the working people would want as many charging options at our disposal as possible and still you guys are so money hungry you would rather us buy a radio and a charger separately… we advertise your product every day and you still can’t give us a radio with a built in charger !!! That’s awesome
TRY AGAIN !