DeWalt DCD805 20V Max XR Compact Hammer Drill vs Makita XPH14 18V LXT Hammer Drill
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Quick take: The Makita XPH14 18V LXT Hammer Drill costs $4 less bare; the DeWalt DCD805 20V Max XR Compact Hammer Drill is lighter (2.95 vs 4 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (DeWalt 20V Max vs Makita 18V LXT), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | DeWalt DCD805 20V Max XR Compact Hammer Drill | Makita XPH14 18V LXT Hammer Drill |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $179 | $175 |
| Kit Price | $199 | $319 |
| Rating | 4.8★ (33) | 4.6★ (157) |
| Category | Hammer Drill | Hammer Drill |
| Battery Platform | DeWalt 20V Max | Makita 18V LXT |
| Voltage | 20V | 18V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 2.95 lbs (bare) | 4.0 lbs (bare) |
| Released | 2022 | 2021 |
| Max Torque | 796 in-lbs | 1,250 in-lbs |
| Top Speed | 2,000 RPM | 2,100 RPM |
| Max BPM | 34,000 | 31,500 |
| Chuck | 1/2 in metal ratcheting | 1/2 in all-metal self-ratcheting |
| Speeds | 2 (0-650 / 0-2,000) | 2 |
Pros & cons
DeWalt DCD805 20V Max XR Compact Hammer Drill
- ✓796 in-lbs and 850 UWO is genuinely mid-flagship power - Pro Tool Reviews measured 40% more output than the DCD796 predecessor in a body a half-inch shorter.
- ✓At 7 inches long and 2.95 lbs bare it works between studs and overhead all day without the flagship's wrist fatigue.
- ✓The 3-position, 3-mode LED with 70-lumen spotlight setting is repeatedly singled out by owners as the best work light on any compact drill.
- ✓34,000 BPM hammer mode covers Tapcon and occasional masonry work the cheaper non-hammer DCD800 can't touch.
- ✓Constantly discounted: Home Depot ran the $179 bare tool at $99.50 in May 2026 and clearance units have hit $81-90 - it may be the best deal-watch tool in the lineup.
- ✓All-metal ratcheting chuck and optional Tool Connect chip compatibility carry over from the premium XR drills.
- ✓Strong retailer scores across the board: 4.8/5 at Toolup, 94% at Tool Nut, and a 4.6-star average at Home Depot.
- ✓Buys you into the massive DeWalt 20V Max ecosystem (250+ tools), and pairs with compact PowerStack batteries for an even smaller package.
- ✗Chuck issues are the recurring owner gripe - bit slip/loosening under load and runout (wobble) complaints show up across DeWalt owner-feedback roundups, even on newer units.
- ✗No anti-kickback protection - DeWalt reserves the E-Clutch bind-up sensor for the flagship DCD999/DCD1007, so a jammed hole saw will twist your wrist.
- ✗2,000 RPM top speed trails the 2,250 RPM of premium flagships, costing drilling speed with small bits.
- ✗No auxiliary side handle in the box, despite enough torque to genuinely need one in bind-ups.
- ✗796 in-lbs still gives up real ground to the flagship on big self-feed bits, long augers, and large hole saws.
- ✗Bare tool ships with just a belt hook - and DeWalt 20V batteries cost more per amp-hour than Ridgid or Ryobi promos.
- ✗Hammer mode is a convenience, not a rotary-hammer replacement - owners report slow going in cured concrete past Tapcon-sized holes.
- ✗List price of $179 bare is poor value versus its own frequent promos - patient buyers routinely pay 45% less, which stings if you don't wait.
Makita XPH14 18V LXT Hammer Drill
- ✓Delivers 1,250 in-lbs of max torque - the most in Makita's 18V LXT drill lineup and enough for large self-feed bits, hole saws, and lag work.
- ✓The 7.0 in head is 14% shorter than the XPH07 it replaced, making it unusually compact for a flagship-torque drill.
- ✓ToolGuyd commenters consistently praise Makita's build quality, calling out the Japan-made chuck engineering as superior to Milwaukee's.
- ✓The all-metal 2-speed gearbox and self-ratcheting chuck grip bits strongly, and owners report minimal slippage under load.
- ✓Home Depot buyers rate it 4.6/5, repeatedly praising its power, balance, and excellent battery life on 5.0Ah packs.
- ✓One owner summed up common sentiment: 'You won't find a better drill for the price - lots of power, small and compact, and just well balanced.'
- ✓It runs on Makita's enormous 18V LXT ecosystem (280+ tools), so batteries and chargers are cheap and probably already in your shop.
- ✓At roughly $175 bare it undercuts the street prices of DeWalt's and Milwaukee's flagship hammer drills.
- ✗No anti-kickback protection - ToolGuyd and multiple readers flagged this as a significant omission at 1,250 in-lbs, and bind-ups can wrench your wrist hard.
- ✗Heavy in the hand at 6.0 lbs with a 5.0Ah battery; ToolGuyd noted it weighs far more than Milwaukee's flagship for only slightly more torque.
- ✗Only a 2-speed transmission with a 550 RPM low gear - no middle gear, unlike DeWalt's 3-speed flagship or Makita's own newer GPH03.
- ✗Its 2021-era torque crown has been eclipsed - the Milwaukee 2904 (1,400 in-lbs) and Makita's XGT models now out-spec it.
- ✗A Home Depot reviewer raised durability concerns about the handle after jobsite use.
- ✗ToolGuyd's launch coverage advised buyers to wait, arguing the value proposition was weak versus lighter competitors at similar kit pricing ($319 vs $299).
- ✗The bare tool includes only the side grip handle - no belt clip or bit holder in the box.
- ✗No smart features at all - no kickback-sensing electronics, no tracking chip, and no app connectivity that DeWalt and Milwaukee flagships offer.