Makita has a new 18V cordless impact driver, model XDT19. Great! What’s special about it?
Reading over Makita USA’s sell sheet for their newest brushless impact driver, it looks and sounds nearly identical to their last model, XDT16.
Maktia’s XDT16 impact driver delivers 3,600 RPM max speed, 1,600 in-lbs max torque, measures 4-9/16″ long, weighs 3.4 lbs with battery, and features reverse auto-stop, assist mode, 2 tightening modes, and a one-touch 4-speed power selector button under the chuck.
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Their new XDT19 impact driver appears to be largely the same, but with 1,590 in-lbs max torque, measures 4-1/2″ long, and weighs 3.3 lbs with battery.
Makita USA boasts that their new impact driver sets new standards. Such as…? Their website says the same exact thing about the XDT16.
The new Makita XDT19 is priced a bit higher than the XDT16. For instance, the new 2-battery kit is $399 vs. $369 for XDT16T. What do you get for the extra money?
This isn’t a rhetorical question. Makita USA doesn’t answer press/media questions, and so I figured maybe a reader would be in-the-know.
Pricing and Availability
The new XDT19 impact is available as a bare tool, in a compact kit configuration, and a standard kit configuration.
- Compact Kit (XDT19R) – $329-350
- Kit (XDT19T) – $400
- Tool-Only (XDT19Z) – $220
The compact kit comes with a charger, 2x 2.0Ah batteries, and tool bag, and the kit comes with charger, 2x 5.0Ah batteries, and tool bag.
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The battery selection is good to see, although it’s confusing. Makita downgraded the batteries bundled with many of their heavy duty tool kits, with their cordless router, miter saw, and track saw kits now shipping with 4Ah batteries instead of 5Ah. Impact drivers sip energy compared to those power-hungry tools. Maybe the pricing has something to do with it.
The kit with 5Ah batteries seems like a better value compared to the compact kit.
Compared to its predecessor, the tool-only price difference is also around 10% – the XDT16Z is listed at $200 (or as low as $160 at authorized dealers and even less via 3rd party sellers), while the XDT19Z is listed at $220.
Additional Purchase Options
Tool-Only at Acme Tools
Tool-Only at Tool Nut
Compact Kit at Amazon
Compact Kit at Acme Tools
Compact Kit at Tool Nut
XDT16 Kit at Amazon
XT288T Combo Kit at Amazon
GT200D (XGT) Combo at Acme Tools
18V Battery & Charger Starter Kit at Amazon
I should also point out that Makita’s XT288T combo kit, with comes with the 18V XPH14 hammer drill and 18V XDT16 impact driver, 2x 5Ah batteries, charger, and kit bag, is priced at $295-$349.
Why buy the new impact driver kit for $400, when you can get its predecessor and a hammer drill combo kit with the same charger and batteries for less?
If you want to save some money, you can get the tool-only with a starter kit for around $300. Or, wait and see if/when a combo kit comes out. For the best value, wait until November to see what types of holiday season promotions Makita will offer on the kit or potential new combo kit.
If anyone is willing to do Makita USA’s marketing/PR/communications jobs for them, let us know if or how the XDT19 differs from the 4-year-old XDT16 in any meaningful way.
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Jared
Isn’t that a lot of money for the specs? I realize we’re talking MSRP of a new tool – I usually try not to get worked up about that since prices are typically lower once it hits the streets for awhile.
However, $220 for the bare tool seems out of line to me – unless maybe this was a class leader.
E.g. The Dewalt DCF850 makes this Makita look gigantic. The no-load speed of the Dewalt is a little lower, but the max torque is 250 inch/lbs higher. I think the Makita is 0.1lbs lighter with a 5ah battery (but the weight difference is the battery itself).
… and isn’t the DCF850 $200 with a battery?
Rog
I have both the Makita impact driver and the DCF850. And while I really like the Dewalt’s power and size, there’s an intangible quality to the Makita that’s just nicer. It has a finesse that is missing in the Dewalt.
As infuriating as Makita’s aloof marketing efforts are, they do make very nice products.
Jim Felt
Interesting analogy. Perhaps the “hand” as a Texas hat seller once described to me AKA the tactile feel just seems “better” on the Makita?
An old Speed Graphic camera v. a Linhof?
I feel that way about many of my Bosch tools v. the many more Milwaukee tools I use. Both 12v and 18v.
But ultimately isn’t the one you use the most intuitively is the one you reach for first?
Stacey+Jones
Yep. I agree. Pick up a Makita and it just fits like a glove. Feels like a top quality tool. I’d bet this is just engineered better in some way that doesn’t show up on the specs. Maybe it lasts 50 year instead of 30.
Chippy
Lol more like after 5 years breaks down after 3 years
Chris
It’s the difference between a Walther PPK(Makita) and a broom handle(Dewalt).
Luis
Its not all about power. Makita also tends to underrate the power their tools make. For most people, Makita drivers just feel better. The ergonomics, build quality, and durability tend to be better on the Makita drivers than DeWalt drivers.
Gary
That’s probably why Dewalt drills are one of the most popular drills to end up in powertool repair shops ,also because they unreliable
Franck B.
The smaller head makes it a lot more useful to me. Anecdotally, as someone who hasn’t bought into Makita’s full line (I have a few specialized things here and there, but appreciate the quality), the only time I pick up the Makita impact driver is when I’m working in a tight space, and this seems to make it even more suitable.
Franck B.
p.s. Tangentially related to which Makitas, I used to use the Makita rivet gun but have switched to a Pop ProSet because of the Dewalt batteries. Might try an AEG but would prefer that Ridgid released it first. 🙁
Doresoom
Makita files so many patents on new impact drivers it’s kind of ridiculous. I stopped reading through them because they’re so prevalent, and also because Makita has roughly 863 impact driver models and it would be impossible to tell them apart by the patent filings.
Anyway, if anyone wants to read through them and figure out if these apply to the new model, here are a few that were published this year:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20220212320A1/en
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20220203512A1/en
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20220055191A1/en
Kevin
I’ve always viewed Makita as no nonsense workhorses. They were never the fastest or the most powerful, but they were good quality and did what you wanted them to do. They could also withstand pretty harsh use as well. Unfortunately I’ve noticed their quality has gone down in recent times. I’ve seen quite a few failures first hand and they’ve always been electrical failures. It could be coincidence but I only started to have that thought when I realized how large their impact driver selection is. I know for a tool company, impact drivers are a bread and butter product. But c’mon, Makita just offered too many variations of the same tool. It feels like Makita is coming out with a new impact driver every other week.
Will
I’ve worked makita tools professionally for over thirty years starting with multiple saws for my framing business. We use them from table saw to drills and tons of impact drivers. I’m Done there durable and quality has dropped off a cliff. I hate it because there’s over 50 different blue tools in the shop. The red tools are the professional quality now.
Lance
Keeps them ahead in the “largest 18v battery platform” marketing race. Kind of a stupid marketing trick nowadays when there are something like 200 tools in the lineup.
Colin
Seems like the head is slimmer and a hair shorter, it looks like a much nicer profile than the 16. I tend to wish my impacts wee skinnier more often thsn I wish they were shorter. The dcf850 is really cool but its fat and I’ve had two defective ones already.
I think the main reason for this incremental progress impact is to show they aren’t abandoning the lxt line. I’ve wondered if they would come out with a new “just because” impact, as that would seem the best way to show they are serious about continuing lxt.
Jim
Is this not just the TD172 finally released in the US?
If anyone reading hasn’t seen it, Makita has had the successor to the XDT16 out for at least a couple years in Japan as model# TD172. The second-best model in Japan is the TD171, which is the same as the US-spec XDT16.
The TD172 is cool because it comes in several colors. It’s available as an import on eBay, etc. for around $200 as a bare tool.
Jonathan Savell
Just bought the TD172 from Amazon Japan for $157. Came quickly too.
Tom Forward
Really? That’s a better price than EBay. I’m eyeing one. Might have to check out Amazon Japan
牧田うちわ
Read this:
https://www.makita.co.jp/product/li_ion/td172drgx/td172d.html
Very minor upgrades but the redesigned head is very useful for tight space fastening with a tilt angle of 10.5°. Some may just a flexible bit holder instead of buying this unit.
Franck B.
Thank you for the confirmation, it appeared to me it has a smaller body.
Since I’m usually using powerful imact drivers to install large fasteners, my experience has been the 90 degree and flex shafts can’t withstand the impacts of continual use on large fasteners, and the small heads of Makitas excel here.
Ted Lesch
I actually bought this model on eBay as a “new open box” sale type 2 months ago. At the time I did not realize it was an unreleased in USA model until I started searching for an owners manual online to try and figure out how to use the buttons. Also considering I only paid $120 for the impact. Maybe there was something fishy about the eBay listing but I’ve used the impact daily doing carpentry and its great.
John
Have had the 16 for a few years and it’s quite nice. The 19 is just the updated version, no different than every other company out there. Why do we get new car models every year that appear almost the same as previous with all the hoopla. Just marketing. Unfortunately every company is full of shit somewhere in their business, I mean literally look at GM, most bloted nonsense of a car maker. I have a lot of Makita and virtually all the tools have given me everything I expected but there have been a dud or two for sure.
Makita s just different. It is one of the few remaining wholy owned tool compaines in the world. They haven’t stayed successful by following other people’s rules or guidelines.
When it’s all said and done, the consumer is the final decider, nothing more.
I have more tools than any single person should have, and as Rog said in an earlier comment, there is an intangible higher quality to a lot of Makita tools over others.
JoeM
…Isn’t this the same company that released the same Impact Driver in multiple colours, at a jacked up price, with the tag line “Be Different” or something to that effect?
Or am I thinking of a different silly idea from a different company?
Franck B.
Makita supplies different colors because in Japan, you are supposed to load out your tools in a color based on your trade. Since Makita is a Japanese company, they support this tradition, but mainly in the home market.
Maybe some marketing person noted a few people expressed interest in the other colors, and decided to try using the existing colors with a different spin?
JoeM
I thought Makita was a Scandinavian company with Factories in Japan?
MarkN
1915: Mosaburo Makita founded Makita Electric Works (proprietorship) in Nagoya City. Began selling and
repairing lighting equipment, motors, and transformers.
from https://www.makita.biz/company/history.html
Franck B.
They also had some gold-ish “anniversary” models I think, it seems a lot of Japanese suppliers do that for a lot of different tools.
David T
To Frank B.
AEG, Ryobi (my wife used Ryobi 18v tools , yes saws, drills etc, it our one point of diferentation)and one other which my memory fails to recall ATM are all now produced by a Chinese owned company. I used a few AEG tools over the past few years. They are more expensive than AEG but the results are not that much different. My ex father-in-law is a builder and was sold an AEG combo. He bought it vecause that sales person said it was the highest brussless torque rating available in a impact driver. I purchased the first brussless makita impact drive available in Australia. It was 12 months old when he bought the AEG. We were screwing a patio roof down, I put in 2 screws to his one. I used one 5.0 Amp hour to his two of his 6.0 amp hour batteries.
I would agree makita quality has lapsed some what over the years, probable because it is now made in China to compete on price. But as we are all learning what I have been saying for years, we can build it better in our own countries as the same cost. We don’t incure traipsing costs. We don’t have to worry about the Chinese copying it and selling at a quarter of the cost because the turn it out of the same factory on the night shift with a different label because they only pay the marginal cost of production. Finally, we have less issues with the pandemic problems. We just need managers and CEO’s who can actually manage and inspire people.
I have a makita corded belt sander. I purchased it nearly 30 years ago. You can still buy it today. It has done so much work that I’ve given up counting. The same goes for OM 10.5 inch corded power saw and my 2400W 1/2 router (that’s 20 amps for you 110 volt mains people) I’ll stick with Makita XLT. I’ve just purchased their 1000Nm 1/2 inches impact wrench (my 39th Makita battery tool) and it is a wrist breaker and would loosen the nuts on Hercules. I fugure I buy it once and that’s it. My next choice is Hitachi or Hokki as I think it has been rebounded here in OZ.
P.S. if you want my Rant on the incompetence of managers, CEO and stupid business, let me know. I think it’s time we all start saying to those who think they are worth $10m a year to sack use and send our jobs to Mexico or China what we really think of their easy way out incompetence.
David T
Sorry for the typ I s people, small keyboard large fingers and failing eyesight.
Franck B.
Thanks for your insight, I could read it fine. 😀
Jim Felt
So I’m guessing you’d feel hundreds of millions in CEO payouts is even more egregious/nauseating? Just curious. ;-)~
Jimmy james
Good to hear some good ole true bull shit, enjoyed reading, especially twisting off Hercules nuts 🤣🤣🤣
Jeremy
Makita will always win over any other company for me when it comes to impact drivers. They were the were the first and still the best.
Best, most sensitive trigger, and a triple bearing in the bit collet as compared to those other brands with single bearings.
JoeM
Well, and I mean this with all positive intention, when you throw that many products into the ring, as Makita has, you’re bound to end up outstripping the competition at it. For Makita this is Impact Drivers. And I’m willing to bet they’ve created so many variations that they had to go into some of these more advanced comfort features just so they didn’t repeat themselves too heavily.
Obviously, having done that, they get results like yours. Kinda like a puppy, you found one that has its forever home in your workshop… possibly another for a toolbox, maybe three or four on standby, not loved any less… and so on. Makita does what you need, and still finds many ways to do so. Makita is your Impact Driver company. Say it loud and proud. It seems it’s their goal to be that, so there’s no reason not to.
Eric M.
I have atleast 3 of 85% of the products makita offers . Only tools I’ll buy for my company also. I’ve used every brand there is and and makita has always outlasted the others. Dewalt has mostly become a servant of the DIY channel, and have never been a Milwaukee fan.( other lines are for kids and apprentices) There isn’t much difference between the 19 and the 16, the weight and power still keep it towards the head of the pack. The price difference isn’t much to think about just for the fact I know it’s a tool that will last.
Harrison
Lol Makita doesn’t have to go 110% on marketing, influencers, media tours, paid placements etc, because their products have an enduring reputation with those who’ve used them. Would it be nice if Makita was more transparent about their intentions to random tool bloggers? Maybe. Would it make their tools better to use? No.
Brands introduce new products with minor improvements all the time, this is just more of that. Slimmer head design, etc. Same thing every other tool brand does, except you just won’t see 20 influencers tripping over themselves to call it the latest game changer.
Claude
Makita guy here slowly moving to ryobi HP brushless. Can’t beat ryobi price point on bare tools and battery. Still own both but all new tools are ryobi HP.
Alex Baxter
You all ought to view Project Farm on YouTube, he has unbiased and cleverly thought out reviews on almost all tools.
Having said that, I have (and really like) Makita equipment, with the exception of a 18 gauge Ryobi (with a Makita battery adaptor). Once you start with one brand of tools, you’re ‘stuck’ with them, as the batteries are a large investment.
I have a Makita impact driver, it has worked perfectly for 5 years..
Colin
Perhaps off topic, but referring to that hard to pin down superior feel and control that makita impact drivers have, how does the metabo hpt triple hammer compare?
I’m on the fence between the xtd19 and the new metabo hpt bolt 36v driver. Ergonomics is really my primary concern. Metachi really has its good points, but I probably would have went makita a while ago if it wasn’t for the lack of nailers and being unsure whether to go lxt or xgt.
Stuart
The Triple Hammer is my favorite, and I like it better than even the best Makita has/had to offer. I own other impacts, but the Hitachi/HPT is my go-to.
With Makita, LXT vs XGT is definitely a headache, as there’s zero cross-platform compatibility aside from a one-way charging adapter. It seems they’re reserving their best features and engineering for XGT, as well as higher capacity next-gen batteries, but certain tools (nailers, jig saw, etc) are only offered on the LXT platform.
It’s fine to buy one-offs if you don’t mind the hassles involved. If I had to commit to a singular platform, I probably could, but I’m okay juggling a few battery and charger systems. I have to, for ToolGuyd, but I also make my personal purchases across platforms.
Colin
Thank you very much for the good advice!
I think its time for me personally to just go with multiple battery systems. A few hundred more on batteries is getting alot easier to justify compared to trying to marry one brand and deal with its shortcomings.
Dez
So long i’v been waiting for makita to come up with a 40v 2 fix nailer
Stuart
Good luck!
They came out with an XGT brad nailer, and 1) it’s still not available in the USA, and 2) there’s still no matching LXT upgrade version.
https://toolguyd.com/makita-40v-xgt-cordless-brad-nailer/
Colin
It looks like it doesn’t even do 2 inch brads either, which is not impressive.
I ordered the triple hammer 36v bolt yesterday, 2 battery kit for 20% off, so $240, a much better deal than the makita for a very similarly specced tool.
Murray
I am still using brush makitas with 6 ah batteries including high impact drivers on the farm. They are great until I accidentally run over them. The greatest problem I have is with chucks wearing out. In Australia they are about 30% dearer.
Robert
The Makita combo kit XT288T is on sale at Amazon for $269. That to me is the best deal I’ve seen in a while.