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Head-to-head · Best Cordless Drills

Bosch 12V Max Brushless Compact Drill/Driver vs Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.2 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about DIYers prioritizing driving performance and battery life — read the strengths below before deciding.

Bosch 12V Max Brushless Compact Drill/Driver
Ranked #5 in Best Cordless Drills
Bosch 12V Max Brushless Compact Drill/Driver
4 sources1 derived$159.99as of Jul 31

The Bosch 12V Max EC Brushless Lithium Ion Drill and Driver is praised for its compact, lightweight design that makes it ideal for cabinet installation and fine finish work where larger tools would be cumbersome. Reviewers highlight the brushless motor's longevity and improved runtime, as well as the 20+1 clutch settings for precise screw driving. However, it's not recommended for heavy-duty applications, and some users noted that the bit storage mechanism degrades with use. This tool is best suited for professionals and DIYers doing detailed carpentry work rather than heavy construction tasks.

Strengths
  • — Compact size and lightweight design perfect for tight spaces and detailed work
  • — Brushless motor provides twice the lifespan of previous generation models
  • — 20+1 clutch settings allow for precise torque control during screw driving
Watch-outs
  • — Not suitable for heavy-duty tasks or driving thick screws
  • — Onboard bit storage wears down over time and no longer holds bits snugly
$159.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Cordless Drills
Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver
3 sources2 derived$189as of Aug 3

Makita's XFD14Z is the compact 18V LXT drill/driver: brushless, two speeds, 65 Nm and a 21-position clutch in a 2.9 lb body. It is strongest driving fasteners and doing light drilling, where TechGearLab scored it 4 out of 5 and placed it near the top of its drill comparison, and its runtime is unusually good for a compact battery. Large hole saws are the exception; the drill drops into low gear, slows right down and empties the pack. Best for someone already on the 18V LXT platform who wants a small drill for fasteners and pilot holes rather than sustained heavy cutting.

Strengths
  • — Excellent performance driving fasteners with 21 torque settings for control
  • — Great battery life with 2Ah battery tested
  • — Short length design for use in confined spaces
Watch-outs
  • — Struggled with larger hole saw applications requiring lower gear
  • — Heavier than some competitors in the category
$189 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Bosch 12V Max Brushless Compact Drill/Driver

The Bosch 12V Max Brushless Compact Drill/Driver is more compact and lightweight than the Milwaukee M12 FUEL or Makita 18V LXT, but it lacks the torque and power of the Milwaukee M18 FUEL or DEWALT 20V MAX XR. It's not suited for heavy-duty tasks like the Black+Decker or Ryobi ONE+, making it ideal for detailed finish work only.

Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver

The Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver excels in driving performance and battery life compared to the Bosch 12V Max or Ryobi ONE+, but it's heavier and less powerful than the Milwaukee M18 FUEL. Unlike the DEWALT 20V MAX XR, it struggles with larger hole saw applications, making it less versatile than the DEWALT hammer drill.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBosch 12V Max Brushless Compact Drill/DriverMakita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver
Chuck Size1/4 Hex Chuck (PS22-02)1/2 inch
Battery Voltage12V Lithium-ion18V LXT
No-Load Speed0-1,300 rpm2-speed (0-500/0-2000 RPM)
Torque180 in. lbs (PS22-02)65 Nm
Clutch Settings20+121 torque settings
Battery Capacity2 Ah—
Motor TypeBrushlessBrushless
Weight1.6 lb2.9 lb
Voltage12 volts18 volts
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