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ToolGuyd > Power Tools > Cordless > 2 More Makita 18V Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit Deal Picks (H2019)
Holiday 2019 Deal Guides: HD Cordless Promo Milwaukee Bosch Dewalt Makita More Tool Deals

2 More Makita 18V Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit Deal Picks (H2019)

Nov 19, 2019 Stuart 7 Comments

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Makita XT281S 18V Brushless Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit

Let’s say you want to buy a new 18V cordless drill and impact driver combo kit this year. Well, your timing is great, because now’s the best time, or at least a good time to score some great deals. This new kit, Makita XT281S, looks to be the best “balanced choice” of all the Black Friday and Holiday deals I’ve seen so far.

Maybe you want an 18V cordless combo kit? Get this one. Just a drill and impact driver on a budget? This will be your best deal. Oh, you want something brushless? A drill and impact driver that will serve you well and for under $200? That’s where this deal discussion comes in.

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With every non-brushless kit or combo kit I mention, the naysayers chime in that brushless is better. Well, it is better, but you also have to pay more. And usually, if someone is budgeting to spend more, they usually have a longer list of criteria to aid in their purchasing decision.

But, sometimes a user only wants a new cordless drill and impact driver, and something a little better than entry-priced. That’s where this post comes in.

Here I’ll be talking about Makita cordless combo kits. I am also fond of Dewalt, Milwaukee, and other brands, but if we’re talking about a budget that’s under $200, Makita’s picks are more compelling. Sure, we could expand this discussing to include options over $200, but at that point the decision isn’t just about drills and impact drivers.

So why this kit?

As you might know, there are plenty of 18V drill kits for $99 this time of year. There are also plenty of impact driver kits for the same price. You can buy a drill kit and an impact driver kit for $198, or sometimes a little bit less. But do you need two chargers and two kit bags?

This Makita kit, XT281S, bundles together the same brushless drill and impact driver as in their $99 special buy kits, along with (2) 3.0Ah batteries, a standard (but not “fast”) charger, and tool bag.

They’re good tools at fair pricing.

Important Specs

  • Drill (XFD13)
    • 440 in-lbs max torque
    • 0-500/0-1900 RPM
    • 6-5/8″ length
    • Weighs 3.6 lbs with battery
  • Impact Driver (XDT13)
    • 1500 in-lbs max torque
    • 0-3400 RPM
    • 0-3600 IPM
    • 5″ length
    • Weighs 3.3 lbs with battery

Price: $179

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Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Tool Nut

Makita CT225R 18V Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit

Alternatively, you could spend less and get the Makita CT225R kit, which is $159 via Amazon. This kit has been a Black Friday deal for $149 in the past. It comes with a brushed motor drill and brushed impact driver, and their specs are actually decent and a little better even than what you get with the brushless kit discussed above. But, the tools are a little larger, and the batteries are lower capacity.

If you’re spending $159 for a drill and impact driver combo kit, you might as well spend $20 more to get brushless versions of the tools and higher capacity battery packs. Right? But I’ll leave it up to you.

See Also(Brushed Motor Kit via Amazon)

You might want to wait to see what kind of pricing Black Friday brings. I would bet that the brushless kit stays at $179, and the brushed motor tool kit dips down to $149 again.

Makita CX200RB Sub-Compact Drill and Impact Driver Kit

As for the other Makita 18V cordless drill and impact driver combo kit to watch or consider this holiday season, let’s talk about their sub-compact brushless kit, CX200RB.

Makita’s 18V sub-compact brushless cordless power tools are popular, but are they right for you?

The tools in this kit are as small as “subcompact” implies, rivaling the size of some brands’ 12V-class power tools.

Here are some important specs:

  • Drill (XFD11)
    • 350 in-lbs max torque
    • 0-500/0-1700 RPM
    • 6-3/8″ long
    • Weighs 2.8 lbs with compact battery
  • Impact Driver (XDT15)
    • 1240 in-lbs max torque
    • 0-1300/0-3000 RPM (2 speeds)
    • Assist mode to help eliminate cam-out and cross-threading
    • 5-5/16″ long
    • Weighs 2.6 lbs with compact battery

We’ve seen better promos in recent years. $199 for this kit is okay, but I’d hope for better, or for a bonus battery – something to make me feel better about the price. But, I suppose strong demand and good value for what you get explains why we don’t see aggressive pricing or discounting here.

Makita’s subcompact tools aren’t for everyone. Personally, I prefer good brushless 12V Max drills to their sub-compact, but only because I don’t like the ergonomics of the adjustable clutch.

The best part of these tools is that they’re compact and lightweight, but fully compatible with Makita’s 18V batteries. They do compromise on torque and speed, but you can’t have smaller motors and top specs.

For a lot of users, this kit provides all the drilling and driving performance they’ll need. But if this Makita subcompact combo is not yet on your wishlist, you might be better served by the “standard” brushless kit described above. That other brushless combo is a safer pick for anyone who doesn’t already know they want this subcompact kit instead.

Price: $199

Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Acme tools

Would you recommend a different brand or combo kit over these to someone who knows they want a “better” drill and impact driver combo kit?

I don’t think we’ll see better pricing on the brushless combo kit, but perhaps we’ll see better promos on the subcompact combo.

Related posts:

Makita 18V XRH06RB Sub-Compact Brushless Rotary HammerMakita 18V Sub-Compact Brushless Rotary Hammer Makita 18V Sub-Compact Impact WrenchNew Makita 18V Sub-Compact Brushless Impact Wrench Makita XFD131 Brushless Drill Driver KitIs This Makita’s New Promo Drill Kit for 2018 Holiday Season? Makita XTU02 Cordless MixerNew Makita Brushless Mud Mixer XTU02

Sections: Cordless, DealGuyd, Drills & Drivers Tags: Holiday 2019, Makita 18V, Makita Tool Deals Holiday 2019More from: Makita

« Dewalt Tool Backpack and Zippered Bag Deals – Pre-Black Friday 2019
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7 Comments

  1. Jason says

    Nov 19, 2019 at 11:16 am

    Ugh. I just ordered an XDF12T driver and bare XDT14Z impact last night. Cost me $110 more than this deal. I did get (2) 5Ah batteries, but now I’m wondering if I shouldn’t cancel those orders and get this instead, then go get the $159 2-pack of batteries at HD.

    Reply
    • XRH07 says

      Nov 19, 2019 at 1:09 pm

      XFD12 is a much nicer drill.

      Reply
    • Stuart says

      Nov 19, 2019 at 5:53 pm

      You got better tools and higher capacity batteries. If you were comfortable spending what you did, keep your purchase as-is.

      Reply
    • Jason says

      Nov 20, 2019 at 9:30 am

      Home Depot is running a special where you buy a battery starter kit which covered with 2 4ah batteries and charger for 199. And then you get a free tool of your choice. I got the 3/8 impact gun.

      Reply
      • Stuart says

        Nov 20, 2019 at 9:40 am

        Yep – here’s the deal discussion for reference: https://toolguyd.com/home-depot-free-bonus-cordless-power-tools-holiday-deals-2019/

        Reply
  2. Stephen says

    Nov 19, 2019 at 10:35 pm

    For what it’s worth, International Tool is offering a comparable Milwaukee M18 brushless kit for $160 and free shipping. That kit also comes with a bit set and driver set. They are charging tax on the value of the “free” accessories, but it’s still a solid buy.

    Reply
  3. Ray says

    Nov 26, 2019 at 8:45 pm

    Makita’s
    gears are metal. How about
    Milwaukee?

    Reply

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