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Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit vs Makita 18V LXT Brushless Hammer Drill and Impact Driver 2-Piece Combo Kit (4.0Ah)
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit ranks higher (#1 vs #3 of 8) and scores better on size & handling, durability. Makita 18V LXT Brushless Hammer Drill and Impact Driver 2-Piece Combo Kit (4.0Ah) wins on power, battery & charging, kit value.
The biggest complaint about the Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit is bulky battery, basic led; for the Makita 18V LXT Brushless Hammer Drill and Impact Driver 2-Piece Combo Kit (4.0Ah) it's bulky, heavy and expensive. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit | Makita 18V LXT Brushless Hammer Drill and Impact Driver 2-Piece Combo Kit (4.0Ah) | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in cordless drills | #1 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Type | Drill/driver | Drill/driver + impact kit |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 5% | 2% |
| Overall score | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| Power | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Size & handling | 4.5 | 2.5 |
| Battery & charging | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Kit value | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 4.5 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $80 · $$ $80–180 · $$$ over $180. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit
- Bulky battery, basic LED
HGTV liked it a lot but says the wide battery spoils its sleek, compact frame and the LED is basic.
Source: HGTV - Chuck operation
Chuck operation is a mixed aspect in Amazon's review summary.
- Not the strongest in its class
In HGTV's drilling and driving tests the DeWalt DCD800 outperformed it; HGTV placed it second.
Source: HGTV
Makita 18V LXT Brushless Hammer Drill and Impact Driver 2-Piece Combo Kit (4.0Ah)
- Bulky, heavy and expensive
HGTV lists bulk, about 4 lb of weight and an expensive kit as its cons.
Source: HGTV - Mode selector sticks in hammer mode
The mode selector is a negative aspect in Amazon's review summary, with owners saying the switch tends to get stuck in hammer mode.
- Some early failures
Durability is mixed on Amazon: some owners say it's built to last, others report it breaking after two weeks.
Who should pick which
Pick the Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit if
Bigger DIY projects (decks, framing, remodels)
Lots of large holes and long screws
Starting on the Milwaukee M18 platform
Skip it if: You only hang shelves and assemble furniture; You want the lightest possible drill; You need a hammer mode for concrete
Pick the Makita 18V LXT Brushless Hammer Drill and Impact Driver 2-Piece Combo Kit (4.0Ah) if
Heavy DIY and renovation work
Drilling into concrete or block
Getting a drill and impact driver together
Skip it if: You mainly do light household tasks; Weight and size matter to you; You want the cheapest way to start
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