Drill and Driver Combo Kit Showdown
Makita makes reliable, powerful tools that provide good value for the money. If you’re in the market for a new drill and impact driver kit, there’s bound to be a combo here that meets your needs. Let’s look at all four to see which one will be the best for you.
Makita CT226 12V Max CXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Kit, (2 Piece)
The Makita CT226 combo kit is perfect for light-duty jobs around the house or at work. It contains both the FD05 3/8” drill and DT03 ¼” hex impact driver. Let’s look at the drill first.
The FD05 drill has up to 250 inch-pounds of torque with a 2-speed transmission. Its top speed is 1700rpm. No, it’s not a powerhouse, but it drills well enough into plastic, wood, and mild metal. It weighs only 2.8 pounds with the battery, and measures 7-7/16-inches front-to-back.
The DT03 impact driver puts out up to 970 inch-pounds of torque with speeds up to 2600rpm and 2400ipm (impacts per minute). It is lighter, weighing just 2.3 pounds, and more compact than the drill.Both the drill and driver are more powerful than the LCT209W 12V combo kit described below.
Keep in mind that the impact driver only accepts ¼” hex shank bits. Its chuck makes for quick bit changes. Pull back the sleeve, insert the bit, and you’re ready to fasten. The drill has a 3/8” keyless chuck which allows you to use other accessories like sanding pads.
Both of these tools run on the included 1.5Ah lithium-ion battery packs. These CXT-style packs slide onto the bottom of the tools instead of plugging into the handle. The tools can then stand independently on their feet instead of having to be laid down.
Both tools also have a built-in LED light below their chucks. These help illuminate the area where you’re drilling or fastening. The light turns on when you press the trigger and shuts off automatically after you’re done.
More features of the Makita CT226 combo kit
- Makita offers a 3-year warranty on both tools, the battery packs, and the charger
- Kit includes a soft contractor carrying bag
- The charger refills the included 1.5Ah batteries in 50 minutes
Makita LCT209W 12-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Kit, Black, 2-Piece
The Makita LCT209W 12V combo kit contains smaller and lighter-weight tools than the CT226 kits described above. But they are also a little less powerful. This kit would be ideal for homeowners with occasional repairs or projects, or professionals who need lightweight, light-duty tools.
The FD02ZW 3/8” drill weighs only 2.2 pounds. It has 200 inch-pounds of torque. Select the amount you need with one of the 19 clutch settings. The transmission offers two gears with speeds up to 1300rpm.
The DT01ZW ¼” hex impact driver weighs only 2 pounds. It has a quick-release chuck. Pull back the sleeve, pop in the bit, and you’re ready to work. It has up to 800 in-lbs of torque with up to 2400rpm and 3000ipm.
Neither tool has an LED work-light like the ones in the other three kits, but both have comfortable, soft-grip handles and a balanced feel. Although they are shown standing up in photos, in real life it’s advisable to lay them on their sides or hang them from holsters.
More features of the Makita LCT209W combo kit
- Makita offers a 3-year warranty on both tools, the battery packs, and the charger
- Comes with a hard-sided kit box
- Rapid charger refills the batteries in just 30 minutes
Makita LXT211A 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 2-Piece Combo Kit with Rapid Automotive Charger
The Makita LXT211A combo kit is ready to work wherever you go. The highlight included here is the 60-minute auto charger that runs off any standard cigarette lighter or 12V automobile power outlet. You can recharge between work and home, or on the road to the next job. The lithium-ion batteries can be topped off at any time without causing them to have reduced capacity.
The two 18V lithium-ion battery packs have a capacity of 3.0Ah, which is necessary for the two powerful tools included in this kit. The BHP452 ½” hammer drill has up to 480 inch-pounds of twisting power with speeds up to 1500rpm and 22,500bpm. You can turn on the hammer function to tackle tough jobs in masonry, then switch to regular drilling without impacts for wood and metal. The multiple clutch settings help you choose just the right amount of power for the job.
The hammer drill motor’s carbon brushes are easy to access for maintenance. Note that this particular model of hammer drill has been discontinued by Makita, so this may be your last chance to get it new. If you prefer an upgraded model, see the next kit below.
The BTD141 ¼” impact driver has a quick-release chuck with a built-in LED light under it. It puts out up to 1330 inch-pounds of torque at up to 2300rpm and 3200ipm. It weighs 3.3 pounds and measures 5-3/4-inches long.
More features of the Makita LXT211A combo kit
- Makita offers a 3-year warranty on both tools, the battery packs, and the automotive charger
- Comes with a hard-sided plastic carrying case
Makita XT211M 18V LXT Lithium-Ion 2-Pc. Cordless Combo Kit with Two 4.0Ah Batteries
The Makita XT211M 18-volt combo kit also contains a hammer drill and impact driver just like the LXT211A kit above. It comes with two larger-capacity 4.0Ah lithium-ion batteries and a charger. These batteries will run a third longer than the 3.0Ah capacity batteries in the previous kit. This kit is made for professionals who need general-duty tools they can depend upon to get the job done.
The XPH01Z is the upgraded, newer version of the BHP452 ½” hammer drill. So far, it has received many more positive reviews. It delivers up to 480 inch-pounds of power, and has a two-speed transmission that offers up to 1500rpm and 22,500bpm. In wood, it can handle up to 1-1/2.” In metal and masonry, the maximum capacity is 1/2-inch.
Turn on the hammer function to drill into masonry or tough metal, then turn it off to work in wood. The ½-inch chuck allows you to use a wide range of accessories from wire brushes and sanding pads to hole saws and augers.
Meanwhile, the XDT04Z ½” impact driver only accepts bits with a hex shank. Its quick-release chuck makes it possible to change bits one-handed. Just pull back the sleeve and place the bit. Let the sleeve go and it locks the bit into place. Pull it back again to remove the bit.
The driver has up to 1420 inch-pounds of torque with speedsup to 2300rpm with 3200ipm (impacts per minute). It weighs just 3.3 pounds and measures 5-7/16-inches long. Both it and and the hammer drill have LED lights under their chucks. Pull the trigger and the light illuminates what you’re fastening. Release the trigger and the light powers off.
One last note about the XPT04Z driver—it’s part of the XPT line of power tools. This stands for “Extreme Protection Technology.” It’s Makita’s patented protection against dust and moisture.
More features of the Makita XT211M combo kit
- Makita offers a 3-year warranty on both tools, the battery packs, and the charger
- Energy-Star charger refills the batteries in only 40 minutes
- Comes with a hard-sided plastic carrying case
Recommendation
If you’re looking for light-duty, lightweight, compact tools to assemble furniture and make small repairs, either one of the 12-volt combo kits would be sufficient. The lithium-ion battery packs hold their charge for months without being used, and can be topped off without having to be emptied first.
If you have other 12V Makita tools, you may want to choose the set that has compatible batteries. Otherwise, pick the CT226 if you want more power and speed. Choose the LCT209W if you want smaller tools at the sacrifice of a little power and speed.
If you’re a professional that plans to use a hammer drill and impact driver on a regular basis, choose the XT211M 18-volt combo kit. Its tools are faster and more powerful, and it comes with larger-capacity batteries. The hammer drill is a newer model, and the driver has XPT protection against moisture and dust.
If you’re a pro that needs cordless tools for light-duty jobs, and the idea of a car charger appeals to you, get the LXT211A kit. Both the drill and driver have decent speed and power.
Click here to purchase Makita CT226 on Amazon.com!
Click here to purchase Makita LXT211A on Amazon.com!
Click here to purchase Makita XT211M on Amazon.com!
Click here to purchase Makita LCT209W on Amazon.com!
Thanks for putting this comparison together. I’ve been looking for something like this all day.