Makita has launched a new cordless jobsite radio, XRM10, and it’s priced at a whopping $319.
Yes, that’s right, more than $300 for a jobsite radio.
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The new Makita XRM10 jobsite radio is compatible with 18V and 12V Max CXT batteries. It is NOT compatible with their XGT 40V Max batteries.
It features Bluetooth connectivity, (2) 3.5″ side-firing speakers, AM/FM tuner, and USB power ports.
The new Makita radio comes with an AC adapter and also functions as a battery charger, which is presumably why the radio costs so much.
Makita says that it can recharge an 18V 5.0Ah battery in 80 minutes. Makita’s standard DC18RC charger can recharge an 18V 5.0Ah battery in just 45 minutes.
Price: $319
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Discussion and Comparisons
The new Makita XRM10 largely resembles previous iterations, with a similar form factor, overall design, and user interface.
For contrast, the Milwaukee Packout Bluetooth radio, which retails for $299, features 10 speakers for 360° sound. It has 4x tweeters, 4x full-range speakers, a subwoofer, and a passive resonator.
The Makita XRM10 has 2x 3.5″ speakers.
The Makita XRM06B and XRM09B both feature Bluetooth connectivity and are also compatible with their 18V and 12V Max CXT batteries.
The XRM06B appears to be largely similar to the new XRM10, but without the built-in charger. The XRM06B is priced at $159, or less than half the price of the new model. It is not clear to me how else the XRM10 might differ from the XRM06B. Except for the built-in charger, what else justifies the XRM10 being priced at twice as much as the XRM06B?
There is also the XRM09B, which features a more premium speaker configuration, with 2x 2.5″ side-firing speakers and a 4″ bottom-firing subwoofer. The XRM09B is priced at $179.
See Also: Makita XRM06B via Amazon
See Also: Makita XRM09B via Amazon
It seems that Makita also launched three new XGT-compatible jobsite radios, GRM01, GRM02, GRM03, with all of them being compatible with 36V XGT, 12V Max CXT, and 18V batteries.
Makita GRM01 ($119) is the basic jobsite radio model, with AM/FM tuner and auxiliary input port.
Makita GRM02 ($169) is the next step up, adding Bluetooth connectivity.
Makita GRM03 ($199) is the highest priced XGT/18V/12V Max CXT option, with Makita describing it as delivering “premium sound quality for an enhanced audio experience.”
See Also: XGT Radios via Home Depot
Would you spend $319 on a jobsite radio?
Or, for the same money, you can buy one of the XGT and 18V radios, plus a standalone charger, power strip, and a milk crate to keep everything together for storage and transport. Keep in mind, you do need a power outlet for the charger to function.
Alternatively, you could even buy one of the top of the line Makita XGT or 18V Bluetooth radios, plus one of their $99 holiday season special drill or impact driver kits, which would also give you a battery and a charger, and still have money left over for a power strip.
Makita 18V Radios Compared
In addition to the aforementioned XGT radios, which are also compatible with 18V batteries, Makita now has 5 jobsite cordless radios that are very similar appearance.
Makita XRM05/XRM05W – AM/FM radio with auxiliary port and 3″ speakers.
Makita XRM06B – AM/FM radio, aux port, Bluetooth, and 3.5″ speakers.
Makita XRM09B – AM/FM radio, aux port, Bluetooth, “Premium sound” with 2.5″ speakers and 4″ subwoofer.
Makita XRM10 – AM/FM radio, aux port, Bluetooth, 3.5″ speakers, 18V/12V CXT charger.
The XGT GRM01, GRM02, and GRM03 models appear to be similar to XRM05, XRM06, and XRM09 models, further adding to the confusion.
Rafe
Ive got the older one, it’s really quiet even at max volume. Someone gave it to me because it wasn’t loud enough for their sites.
Lance
I’ve got an older one as well. It sounds decent and is ok for me in my 10×20 garage, but it’s definitely not loud.
“ Would you spend $319 on a jobsite radio?”
Nope! Milwaukee and DeWalt radios are FAR more comprehensive for similar/less money, and they are still overpriced. Job site radios in general are extremely high margin items that put lots of money in the bank. Very low value items when you consider the tools you can buy instead.
Rob
“ Someone gave it to me because it wasn’t loud enough for their sites.”
Ugggh
Noah
I prefer my small Bluetooth speaker over any job site radio. They are so huge.
Mike McFalls
My JBL flip is a great speaker that’s small enough, plenty loud with great sound and easy to take everywhere. The one down side is it doesn’t have a replaceable battery so there are runtime limits.
IronWood
Wow. $300 buys a lot of actual tools or batteries. I guess I’m lucky I work in places that are too loud to even consider being tempted by something like this. Besides I always have circus music playing in my head.
Mike McFalls
I may have missed it above, but they also have a version that can be paired together and create stereo sound.
I agree with Rafe- they aren’t the loudest even on max; this is obviously a deterrent but also a plus in some conditions. In truth you don’t want the radio so loud that you can’t communicate on the job site. It can be a safety hazard and a health issue of the volume is so loud for long periods of time.
Tim E.
The XRM11! It’s the “spritual sucessor” to the Ryobi Score speakers, use the same SKAA technology if I’m not mistaken… But even better than the Ryobi, the Makita sounds better, can pair in true left/right stereo mode, or connect several speakers in mono mode and play the same out of all of them. The sound is plenty decent, plenty loud for my needs, and the versatility of using one or two or several together is amazing. The only downside is they are fairly pricey, I got mine when they were on a deal, and am very pleased.
Mike B
Who do you work for?
Wayne R.
That last line was excellent, thanks!
Andy
Maybe I’m just a music snob, nut I’ve never heard a jobsite radio that didn’t sound like garbage. Is it really that hard to just use a normal, consumer grade piece of electronics, and just take care of it?
Serendipity
Because jobsites are so well thought out to provide an accoustic performance. All that concrete and bare wood, just an amazing forum for sound.
MM
I am a music snob and I’d go so far as to say that most “normal consumer grade” electronics also sound like garbage.
But for a jobsite radio it doesn’t matter. There are too many distractions on a job to really appreciate the music: there’s work to be done so one’s mental attention is focused on that rather than the sound. The site probably has lousy acoustics and a ton of background noise. More than likely there will be interruptions while you have to talk to co-workers or take calls. You’re likely not even sitting in the correct location relation to the speakers for proper stereo imaging in the first place so there’s honestly no need, or point, for high fidelity or precision.
I built my home stereo over two decades and it ended up costing several times more than my truck. But I’m perfectly happy to listen to a $5 beater radio on the job.
I could see paying extra for a durable jobsite radio, or for extra features like built-in charging, but man, $300+ for this thing is just outrageous IMHO.
Adam
I agree most job site radios don’t sound that good, to me most of them sound to Bassy and not enough treble, and why does makita have so many different model’s and now an XGT model.
Plain grainy
The Milwaukee Packout radio has real poor reception. But the speakers are great when played through your phone. Smaller consumer grade radios probably have much better radio reception.
Plain grainy
I think some may just have faulty antennas.
Serendipity
Just a quick spec reference
It’s got Bluetooth 5.0, that’s good.
But it’s USB TYPE A x 2 (5 V / 2.4 A TOTAL) that’s crap, and typical. Took companies need to do a basic search on charging speeds.
A-A-Ron
Apparently, Makita’s contractually obligated to produce at least one new impact driver a year, and a new jobsite radio with the exact same form factor every two years. Seriously, what’s the deal?
Rob
Too true.
Chris P
There are also committed to never having less than 10 different dust port sizes across the range. Way more than Yellow or Red can manage. Makita wins that contest.
rob
Seriously, super ditto triple double true.
Joatman
There are much better choices out there for less than $300….or even $200. If it’s damage your worried about, build a small wooden box around it….or put it in a tool box….and cut out or drill some holes where the speaker is. I think these “job site” radios are way over-engineered, driving up the cost.
Rog
I mean, I guess the rationale is that you’re getting a charger and radio in one? Even so, does seem incredibly expensive. Especially when Makita offers 1204950 other job site radios.
Nathan
Don’t know I’ve ever heard a jobsite radio that was worth a crap either – vs nearly any consumer electronics product. and who put’s their radio in a place that going to slide off a roof or get driven over. I sort of like the idea of the packout radio but again – dollars vs other devices. 300 buys alot today.
2 things I see in that makita – is ithat dust and water proof – the battery box has a seal. That’s good. but is it 300 dollars good.
now a jobsite TV – that would make perfect sense. . . . . . . .
Now if a consumer audio company could partner with a tool company for a battery dock to power a device – that would be awesome.
Stuart
Actually… they do make a jobsite TV – https://toolguyd.com/makita-18v-cordless-tv-radio/ , although it’s unlikely to ever launch here.
Nathan
the …… was my attempt to be sarcastic. didn’t come though quite right.
Serendipity
You can’t be sarcastic when it comes to Makita, there is a good chance they have made something.
https://www.makita.co.nz/products/model/BBY180
AlexK
“would you spend $319 for a job site radio “? It depends. Can I rationalize and afford it? Would it make my life more enjoyable? For me, no. I love my m12 2951 that was $119 and came with a free battery. It recharges the battery when plugged in, drowns out my out of tune singing next to the shower without damage from moisture, has impressed people at work with its sound quality and volume, good radio reception and size. A winner for me. If I needed more volume, I’d look into bigger work radios, but wouldn’t pay a premium of $100+ for a built in charger. The Milwaukee is very loud and clear regardless of size. My work radio is always on. I set up my husky work table, put the radio, my 64oz insulated water bottle and some tools on it. Find a tree or bush. Then, if it’s sunny, I put a canopy up and get my ryobi battery fan set up. By then I’m too tired to actually do any work. But enjoyed all that time listening to my radio.
X lu
This is a 149$ product at most. But it serves to illustrate what happens when a brand loses its way as this one has. The alternatives listed in the comments are far better.
Perry
Agreed. I’ve been a makita fan since the 90’s and I’m looking for a replacement brand. It’s not that any other brand has become better, just that makita has become “out of touch” on so many different levels.
I’d love to get something like their refrigerator since it fits in with my tool line and coffeemaker, but the price is beyond ridiculous, amd now that they’re pushing XGT, I doubt we’ll see it over here anyway
Dominic S
“looking for a replacement brand” the answer is RED.
Perry
Not for me. I live in a fairly rural area with a lowes but no home depot, and the local lumberyard and ace hardware don’t carry much Milwaukee. Plus, the ergonomics don’t fit my hands well for long use, since I use drills/drivers a lot. I wish they did, because Milwaukee makes a lot of great tools.
AlexK
Forgot to mention the USB charging on the Milwaukee radio We lose power in Ulster County NY pretty often and it’s one way to power phones until it’s gone on long enough to start my champion inverter generator. For me, it’s my power bank. With 10 batteries, the radio can power what I need for a long time.
MT_Noob
I always thought they price some items (like radios and lights) way over the top and then bundle them into packages with other items (like saws, drills, drivers) to make the total package price look great. Because honestly the features/quality of job site radios never approach the list price cost (in my opinion).
PW
It seems like Makita is rapidly losing its way in the US. From the XGT fiasco to recent product releases – it all seems incoherent and uncompetitive.
I can’t imagine any world in which this is worth $300. Hell that’s an entire starter kit for most platforms.
A couple years ago I thought Makita was underappreciated in the US market. I liked their ergonomics, quality pedigree, and impressive tool catalog.
Now I wonder how long until attrition forces them out of this market. Do these moves make sense in Japan?
Rob
XGT a fiasco? I beg to differ.
Perry
I agree with PW. The marketing rollout was unclear and seemed to compete with its own 18v lineup.
Is it an upgrade? Sure, but they’re also still marketing new 18v tools alongside XGT, and its confusing the way they’ve done it.. Had they done a better lead-in and really sold this as the new pro-level line up, along with at least a 40v/18v charger, it would make it seem like they were looking out for the customer.
Koko The Talking Ape
There are ordinary consumer Bluetooth speakers sound good and cost less than $100. Some are even waterproof.
But I always wondered if outdoor crews had some way to get warning of bad weather. For that I think you need an actual radio, not just a cellphone and a Bluetooth speaker. Here in Denver they announced a tornado warning while the sky was blue, though a little cloudy. Within an hour we had a downpour. Two hours later it was over and the streets were dry.
Jim Felt
Naw. I’ll stick with my 18v Bosch boom box. It’s even served at job sites and even Pool Parties.
Much cheaper and certainly has been more then rugged enough over the past few years.
Kent E Hanson
Best job site radio for the last decade easy.
Maps Bam
That price is absolutely insane. Just more proof, to me, that Makita is overpriced.
Jake
Hardly, makita is the longest lasting and most comfortable set up for pros.
Paramount
Does anyone make a Sirius jobsite radio? I’d buy that in a heartbeat.
Sure, I could get a seperate reciever and connect it, but I don’t want to.
Stuart
No, but isn’t there the option to stream it from a smartphone via Bluetooth?
Kent E Hanson
The Bosch job site radio is the best hands down. Great sound, 4 power outlets on the side and heck the old version even had a CD player in it.
Thomas Herbst
This radio doesn’t even have DAB+ which means its already out-dated!!!
Jake
Professional carpenter and landscaper. I’ve had a Makita 18v six pack set for 12 years. Drill, impact, circular saw, jig saw, reciprocating saw, grinder. Use them all. Maybe bought two extra batteries over the years. Doesn’t make sense for me to switch brands just for a slightly different radio. It will be nice to have a radio that runs off a battery and can also charge one in addition to my regular charger. All in all this really isn’t that overly expensive for someone who is already committed to Makita who makes the most comfortable and long lasting tools on the market.