Makita Drill Drivers

Makita drill drivers are the go-to for daily drilling and fixing on site, from first-fix timber to metal stud and masonry when you're in a rush.

When you're bouncing between pilot holes, fixings, and the odd bit of brick, you need a drill that doesn't stall, cook batteries, or chew chucks. Makita drill driver tools cover compact 12V for tight spots, 18V LXT for most trades, and 40V XGT when you're into bigger holes and heavier duty work. Pick the right Makita cordless drill drivers for your platform and get your kit sorted.

What Jobs Are Makita Drill Drivers Best At?

Driving screws and coach screws into joists, studs, and sheet materials all day without the tool feeling sloppy in the chuck or bogging down under load.
Drilling clean holes in timber and steel for first-fix and second-fix work, especially when you need a controllable clutch for repeat fixings.
Running Makita combi drill drivers in hammer mode for plugs and light masonry drilling when you're fixing brackets, trunking, or frames to block and brick.
Working in tight cupboards, loft edges, and between studs with Makita compact drill drivers where a full-size body just keeps catching and bruising knuckles.
Fast snagging and maintenance work where a Makita electric drill driver gives you predictable power on tap without dragging leads through finished areas.

Choosing the Right Makita Drill Drivers

Sorting the right Makita drill driver is simple: match the voltage platform and the mode to what you actually drill, not what you might do once a year.

1. 12V CXT vs 18V LXT vs 40V XGT

If you're doing cabinets, second-fix, and tight access, Makita 12V drill drivers keep it light and controllable. If you're on site most days across timber, steel, and occasional masonry, Makita 18V drill drivers on LXT are the sensible workhorse choice. If you're regularly into bigger bits, hole saws, and heavier duty drilling and driving, Makita 40V drill drivers on XGT are built to hold speed under load.

2. Drill driver vs combi vs hammer drill driver

If it's mainly wood and metal with lots of fixings, a straight drill driver is often smoother and more compact. If you need plugs into brick and block on the same tool, go Makita combi drill drivers with hammer mode, but be honest, it's for light masonry drilling, not chasing or big holes all day.

3. Brushless vs brushed motors

If you're using it every day, Makita brushless drill drivers are worth it for runtime and staying cooler when you're driving long fixings or drilling repeatedly. If it's occasional work or a van spare, a brushed model can still do the job, but expect shorter runtime and more heat when you push it.

4. Size, weight, and chuck feel

If you're working overhead, in lofts, or on ladders, pick the most compact body you can that still has the torque you need. A solid, tight chuck and a clutch that clicks consistently matter more than headline numbers when you're doing repeat fixings all day.

Makita Drill Drivers FAQs

What is the difference between Makita drill drivers and Makita combi drill drivers?

A drill driver is mainly for drilling wood and metal and driving screws with good clutch control. A combi drill driver adds a hammer mode for plugs into brick and block. If you rarely touch masonry, a standard drill driver is often lighter and nicer to use.

Are Makita cordless drill drivers strong enough for proper trade use?

Yes, the Makita trade drill drivers in 18V LXT and 40V XGT are built for daily drilling and driving, not occasional DIY. The key is choosing the right class of tool for the work, because a compact model will struggle if you live on big hole saws and long fixings.

Should I go 12V, 18V, or 40V for a Makita drill driver?

12V is ideal when size and weight matter most, like second-fix and tight access. 18V LXT is the everyday site standard for most trades and gives the best balance of power and tool choice. 40V XGT is for heavier duty drilling and driving where you want the tool to hold speed under load.

Is a Makita hammer drill driver the same thing as an SDS?

No. Hammer drill drivers are fine for light masonry holes for plugs and fixings, but they are not made for heavy concrete drilling, chasing, or lots of big holes. If masonry is a big part of your day, get an SDS and let the combi handle the mixed jobs.

Do Makita LXT drill drivers and Makita XGT drill drivers share batteries?

No, they are different platforms. LXT uses 18V batteries and XGT uses 40V batteries, and they are not interchangeable. If you already own Makita kit, sticking to your platform saves a lot of money on batteries and chargers.

Who Uses Makita Drill Drivers on Site?

Chippies and joiners rely on Makita trade drill drivers for first-fix and kitchen fitting because the clutch control matters when you're not splitting timber or stripping heads.
Sparks and plumbers keep Makita cordless drill drivers in the bag for daily bracketry, studwork, and fixings, with a compact body making life easier under floors and in service voids.
Fit-out and maintenance teams use Makita professional drill drivers for constant drilling and driving across mixed materials, where one tool has to cover a full day of small jobs.

The Basics: Understanding Makita Drill Drivers

Drill drivers all look similar, but the way they deliver power and control is what decides whether they feel spot on or a pain on site.

1. Clutch settings (Control for driving)

The clutch is what stops you stripping screws and over-driving into MDF, ply, and softwood. For repetitive fixings, a drill with a consistent clutch saves time and rework because you're not constantly backing out chewed heads.

2. Two-speed gearboxes (Torque vs speed)

Low gear is for driving, larger bits, and anything that needs torque without stalling. High gear is for drilling smaller holes cleanly and quickly. If you're forever swapping between drilling and driving, a positive gear change you can feel with gloves on is a big deal.

3. Hammer mode (Combi and hammer drill drivers)

Hammer mode adds a tapping action to help bite into brick and block for plugs and light fixings. It's handy for quick anchor points, but if you're drilling lots of masonry holes all day, you'll be better off reaching for an SDS rather than punishing a combi.

Makita Drill Driver Accessories That Save Time on Site

The right add-ons stop rounded screws, snapped bits, and constant trips back to the van for chargers and spares.

1. Spare batteries for your platform (CXT, LXT, or XGT)

A second battery is the difference between finishing a run of fixings and standing around waiting for charge, especially in winter when runtime drops and you're drilling and driving back-to-back.

2. Fast charger

If you're sharing batteries across Makita power drill drivers and other tools, a proper fast charger keeps the rotation moving so the drill doesn't become the bottleneck on busy days.

3. Impact-rated driver bit sets

Good bits matter more than most lads think, because cheap tips cam out and ruin screw heads, then you're wasting time extracting fixings instead of getting boards up and moving on.

4. Drill bit sets for wood, metal, and masonry

Keep separate sets so you're not trying to punch steel with a tired wood bit or glazing masonry bits on metal, because that's how you burn time and blame the drill when it's the consumables.

Why Shop for Makita Drill Drivers at ITS?

Whether you need Makita compact drill drivers for tight access, Makita brushless drill drivers for daily trade use, or Makita combi drill drivers for mixed drilling and fixing, we stock the full spread across CXT, LXT, and XGT. It's all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get back on the tools without waiting about.