A high-performance drill is essential for home improvement and construction projects, but quality tools aren’t cheap. To be certain you’re getting the best value, it’s important to weigh every factor of your purchase.
Makita has established itself as a trusted brand in power tools and consistently ranks close to the top among other popular brands such as Bosch, Craftsman, DeWalt and Hitachi. Mikita’s 18-volt BHP454 earned it a five-star review from Popular Mechanics. An earlier model, the BHP452, costs less, but it also brings less power to the table. Which should you choose?
Features of Makita BHP454:
- Weight: 5.3 pounds with battery.
- Power connectivity: Cordless.
- Number of speed settings: 2.
- Chuck key: Keyless.
- Steel capacity: 0.5 inches.
- Rotation max speed: 1,700 RPM.
- Chuck size: 0.5 inches.
- Voltage: 18 v.
- Wood capacity: 2.56 inches.
- Auxiliary handle: Yes.
- Built-in LED light.
Pros: The Makita BHP454 boasts 20 percent more power than the average drill, delivering 560 inch pounds of maximum torque. At 0-400 RPM in low speed and 0-1,700 RPM in high speed, it’s also eight percent faster than the typical drill in its class. It comes with an auxiliary handle that allows users to hold the drill steady for longer periods — which you’ll need, since its lithium ion battery has a higher-than-average run time.
Cons: At 5.3 pounds, the BHP454 weighs more than the average drill in its class. Some reviewers also found it hard to slide the switch that changes the tool from the hammer function to the drill or drive functions.
Features of the Makita BHP452:
- Weight: 4.2 pounds with battery.
- Power connectivity: Cordless.
- Number of speed settings: 2.
- Chuck key: Keyless.
- Steel capacity: 0.5 inches.
- Rotation max speed: 1,500 RPM.
- Chuck size: 0.5 inches.
- Voltage: 18 v.
- Wood capacity: 1.5 inches.
- Auxiliary handle: No.
- Built-in LED light.
Pros: The Makita BHP452 offers average power and torque in comparison with other 18-volt drills. It’s lightweight, versatile and reliable, with a battery life that exceeds that of most cordless drills.
Cons: The model doesn’t offer quite as much power as the Makita BHP454, and it lacks that model’s extra handle, meaning users can’t get as firm a grip on the tool.
Comparison:
When a project calls for more power, the BHP454 is your best bet. Its higher wood capacity means it eats through wood effortlessly, and its fast rotation speed lets users drill more holes more quickly. The auxiliary handle helps with the grip. The BHP452 has one advantage, though: it’s more portable. Both drills offer a 3-year limited tool warranty, which is a little longer than typical for cordless drills.
Click here to purchase Makita BHP454 on Amazon!
Click here to purchase Makita BHP452 on Amazon!