DeWalt vs Makita Tools | Which Is Better [2023]

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DeWalt vs Makita

DeWalt and Makita are two of the most popular brands we offer at ToolStore UK; both are renowned for producing hard-working, reliable power tools which are great for trade professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike. But, if you’re building a tool kit from scratch, which should you invest in? That’s not a question with a simple answer, so let’s take a look at how the brands compare.

Range and Power

Browse our range of cordless power tools and you’ll see hundreds of options from both DeWalt and Makita. Although we carry a wide range of different power tool brands, DeWalt and Makita have around 70% of UK market share. This means that, no matter what kind of tool you need, DeWalt and Makita will have at least one model of it available; they’ll usually have several versions of each type of tool.

Spurred on by each other, the competing manufacturers have led the way in terms of improved performance and power. As a result, DeWalt now offers a range of 54v FLEXVOLT cordless tools.

The XR FLEXVOLT is a convertible 18/54v battery, which is backwards compatible with your existing 18v DEWALT tools. However, you’ll be able to amplify the voltage to an incredible 54V for a more heavy-duty tool! In fact, the batteries automatically switch voltage when you change tools! Rest assured DeWalt are not intending to replace the existing 18v range, they are simply expanding their range with bigger, more powerful tools.

Makita hasn’t quite matched DeWalt in terms of power, but their new 40v Max XGT range does represent a significant step forward in terms of performance. The 40v Max range is a new standalone cordless system engineered for higher-demand applications. Combining higher battery output, built-in smart technology and innovative tool design, the XGT range will stand side-by-side with Makita’s industry-leading LXT system. There are two Makita XGT batteries, a 40V Max 2.5Ah (BL4025) and a 40V Max 4.0Ah (BL4040), both built with 10 Lithium-ion cells and LED fuel gauges with 4 indicator positions. However, as a standalone range, the 40v Max batteries won’t work with 18v tools purchased previously, which is something to bear in mind.

Reliability and Warranties

Part of the reason DeWalt and Makita are market-leading brands is the quality of their products. No matter whether you choose DeWalt or Makita, you’ll be investing in tools which have been built to last.

However, from time to time, things do go wrong, either during the manufacturing process or when the tool is in use. So, it is worth thinking about the warranty policy operated by each company.

DeWalt's policy is that if your product becomes defective due to faulty materials or workmanship within 12 months from the date of purchase, they may replace all defective parts free of charge, or at their discretion, replace the unit free of charge. This can be extended to three years by registering the product on the DeWalt website. The 3-Year Guarantee can’t be extended or transferred; it is only applicable to the first owner of the tool.

Makita offer similar protection; most tools can benefit from an extended warranty of three years when registered on MyMakita within 30 days of purchase. Like DeWalt, they offer a one year warranty as standard.

READ MORE: How To Use A Power Drill

That’s great, but how do the products compare?

There’s lots of things to think about when choosing power tools.

Performance is obviously a key element, but you might also want to think about the tool’s overall size and weight, whether it is supplied with a battery and if it is supplied with accessories.

You may also need to think about whether you can get the tool you want for the price you’re looking to pay. At ToolStore UK, we understand that power tools are a big financial commitment and constantly check our prices to ensure we offer the best price we possibly can, on every product we sell.

In this section, we’ll look at how cordless DeWalt and Makita products of various types measure up against each other, including:

Cordless Impact Drivers

For this test, we’re going to examine the DeWalt DCF887 Impact Driver with 2 x 5 ah Batteries and the Makita DTD153RTJ 18v LXT Brushless Impact Driver with 2 x 5 ah Batteries. The key specifications of these two tools are as follows:

	DeWalt DCF887	Makita DTD153RTJ
Max Torque:	205 Nm	170 Nm
No Load Speed:	0-3250 rpm	0-3400 rpm
Impacts per Minute:	0-3800 ipm	0-3600 ipm
Bit Holder:	6.35mm (1/4")	6.35mm (1/4")
Weight:	1.56 kg	1.5 kg
Hand/Arm Vibration - Impact:	22 m/s²	13 m/s²
Sound Power:	107 dB(A)	107 dB(A)

In many ways, these machines are very similar. However, the DeWalt Impact Driver provides 20% more torque and an extra 200 impacts per minute so, depending on the task you’re tackling, you might find that the DeWalt DCF887 helps you work more efficiently. Bear in mind though, that the vibration level this tool produces is higher than the Makita machine and this will impact on your comfort levels whilst working.

Cordless Combi Drills

This product category is an example of how the competition between these two power tool powerhouses is driving innovation. For the first time, this buyer’s guide features a tool which runs on a voltage above 18v, specifically the Makita HP001GD202 40v Max XGT Brushless Combi Drill with 2x2.5ah Batteries. It’s not an entirely fair test, but the closest match to this tool in our range as of August 2023 is the DeWalt DCD999T1 18v Brushless Flexvolt Combi Drill with 1x6ah Battery.

The key specifications of these two tools are as follows:

	DeWalt DCD999T1	Makita HP001GD202
Voltage:	18v	40v
Max Torque:	112 Nm	140 Nm
No Load Speed:	0-2000 rpm	0-3400 rpm
Impact per Minute:	0-38250 ipm	0-39000 ipm
Capacity in Masonry:	13 mm	20 mm
Capacity in Metal:	15 mm	20 mm
Capacity in Wood:	20 mm	76 mm
Batteries Supplied:	1 x 6ah FLEXVOLT	2 x 2.5 ah 40v Max

As might be expected, the greater power provided by the Makita 40v Max tool means it has greater capacities in all major material types. Plus, with a maximum torque level 25% higher than the DCD999, it will help you get your work done quickly.

However, the DCD999 is supplied with a 6ah FLEXVOLT battery which will provide full power to a 54v Combi Drill when DeWalt brings one to market and is compatible with existing 18v and 54v DeWalt Power Tools. The two batteries supplied with the Makita tool have a combined capacity of five ampere hours between them so the single DeWalt battery will run for longer between charges than the two Makita batteries.

Cordless Circular Saws

In the Circular Saw market, both DeWalt and Makita have moved beyond the ‘norm’ of 18v tools, developing machines which utilise the next generation of batteries and motors. As of August 2023, the highest-performing Circular Saws are the DeWalt DCS577T2 54v FLEXVOLT Brushless Circular Saw with 2x 6ah Batteries and the Makita HS004GD203 40v Max XGT Brushless 190mm Circular Saw with 2x2.5ah Batteries. Both are fitted with 190mm diameter blades and supplied with a charger.

The key specifications of these two tools are as follows:

	DeWalt DCS557T2	Makita HS004GD203
Voltage	18v	40v
Maximum Cut at 0º°:	Not specified	60 mm
Maximum Cut at 45º°:	50 mm	43 mm
Maximum Cut at 90º°:	65 mm	Not applicable (bevel cuts to 48º)
Batteries Supplied:	2 x 6ah FLEXVOLT	1 x 2.5 ah 40v Max

The DCS557T2 will produce up to 170 cuts of 200mm x 50mm softwood on a single charge of the supplied 6ah FLEXVOLT battery, while the HS004GD203 has been designed for a similar level of high demand work. Which machine is right for you might depend on the volume and kind of work you’ll need it to do, especially if you’ll be doing a lot of angled cutting.

Cordless Mitre Saws

As they have with Circular Saws, both DeWalt and Makita have developed Cordless Mitre Saws which move beyond 18v power and make full use of new battery technology. The DeWalt DCS777T2 54v Flexvolt 216mm Mitre Saw with 2x6ah Batteries and the Makita HS004GD203 40v Max XGT Brushless 190mm Circular Saw with 2x2.5ah Batteries.

The key specifications of these two tools are as follows:

	DeWalt DCS577T2	Makita HS004GD203
Voltage:	54v	4800 rpm
Blade Diameter:	216 mm	216 mm
Bore:	30 mm	30 mm
No Load Speed:	6300 rpm	4800 rpm
Bevel Capacity	48°	48°
Maximum Mitre Range	50° - 50°	60° - 60°
Maximum Cutting Capicity	270 x 62 mm	312 x 70 mm
Batteries Supplied	2 x 6ah FLEXVOLT	1 x 2.5 ah 40v Max

Looking at how the two saws measure up is interesting. Because the DeWalt DCS577 runs at a higher voltage, the blade rotates much more quickly. The extra 1,500 revolutions per minute make the tool extremely efficient, enabling cuts to be completed more quickly and smoothly than with most similar tools.

Although the Makita machine provides fewer rotations per minute, it does have a greater Mitre Range than the DeWalt machine, plus a larger cutting capacity.

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So, which is better? DeWalt or Makita?

The truth is that there really isn’t a black and white answer to the question of ‘which is better?’. As we’ve explored in this article, there are some areas where DeWalt outperforms Makita and others where Makita tools perform better than their equivalents from DeWalt. Both are fantastic brands in their own right.

It is worth thinking about the kind of tool or tools you need and how they would fit into your existing kit. If you have a shed or lock-up full of one brand, then you’re probably only going to switch to an alternative if doing so represents a massive upgrade on what you’d get from your ‘usual’ brand. If you’re a fan of either DeWalt or Makita and the ‘other’ brand has a machine which is a bit better, ask yourself whether the gain from that improved performance is worth more to you than being able to match the new tool with batteries, chargers and accessories you already have.

If you’re assembling a tool kit from scratch, or don’t feel tied to a particular family of tools, you should think about how to get the most from your money. If you already have a mixture of different tools and just need one machine, you should select the model which most closely meets your needs and fits your budget. This article has featured top performing tools from DeWalt and Makita, but if you need something which comes in at a lower price point, or your work doesn’t require quite so much power, then we have a raft of alternatives. These include Cordless Body Only Machines, which can be a great value option if you already have batteries and chargers and Corded Power Tools, which bring a lot of power to any job, but lack the portability of battery-powered options.

ToolStore UK can help you choose the right option

ToolStore UK is a family-run business with a tight-knit team, many of whom have worked with us for decades. We understand that investing in new tools is a major financial commitment and we want every purchase made from us to be the right one, at the right price.

We constantly compare our prices to offer the best possible deal to everyone and our people are passionate about what they do. If you need any advice before pressing the ‘Buy Now’ button, you can call us on 03330 043777, or fill out the contact form to send us a message. We even have a shop within walking distance of the Wigan railway stations if you wanted to talk to one of the team in person.

We’ve been one of the UK’s leading independent tool retailers for almost 60 years; we have the knowledge and experience to help you get what you need at a great price. For ToolStore UK, that’s #JobDone.