Makita 18V LXT XDT19 Impact Driver vs DeWalt DCF860 Impact Driver
Quick take: The DeWalt DCF860 Impact Driver costs $21 less bare; the DeWalt DCF860 Impact Driver is lighter (2.7 vs 3.3 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (Makita 18V LXT vs DeWalt 20V Max), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | Makita 18V LXT XDT19 Impact Driver | DeWalt DCF860 Impact Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $220 | $199 |
| Kit Price | $329 | $299 |
| Rating | 5★ (7) | 4.7★ (968) |
| Category | Impact Driver | Impact Driver |
| Battery Platform | Makita 18V LXT | DeWalt 20V Max |
| Voltage | 18V | 20V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (with battery) | 2.7 lbs (bare) |
| Released | 2021 | 2024 |
| Max Torque | 1,590 in-lbs | 2,500 in-lbs |
| Top Speed | 3,600 RPM | 3,800 RPM |
| Impacts | 3,800 IPM | 4,500 IPM |
| Drive | 1/4 in hex | 1/4 in hex |
| Modes | 4-speed + A-mode + 2 T-modes | 3-speed + Precision Drive |
| Head Length | 4.5 in | 4.84 in |
Pros & cons
Makita 18V LXT XDT19 Impact Driver
- ✓Assist mode genuinely prevents cross-threading and cam-out — finish carpenters and cabinet installers single it out.
- ✓At 4.5 inches it's among the shortest full-featured impacts, excellent between studs.
- ✓The 18V LXT ecosystem is enormous (280+ tools) and batteries are cheap on the secondary market.
- ✓Two dedicated self-tapping modes for thick vs thin gauge metal is a level of tuning nobody else offers.
- ✓Makita's reputation for motor longevity holds here; long-term owners report years of daily use.
- ✓Noticeably smoother and quieter than the torque-war flagships from Milwaukee and DeWalt.
- ✗1,590 in-lbs is the lowest peak torque of the flagship class — heavy lag work is better served elsewhere.
- ✗At $220 bare it costs more than higher-torque rivals, a value equation owners grumble about.
- ✗LXT is capped at 18V and Makita's attention has shifted to XGT, leaving LXT owners wondering about the platform's future.
- ✗No app connectivity or tool tracking of any kind.
- ✗The 3.3 lb with-battery weight is mid-pack despite the compact length.
- ✗Makita's US promos are rarer and shallower than Home Depot's Milwaukee/Ryobi deal cadence.
DeWalt DCF860 Impact Driver
- ✓Class-leading 2,500 in-lbs of torque — Pro Tool Reviews measured it beating Milwaukee's best M18 Fuel and Makita's top XGT drivers.
- ✓The 9-LED ring around the collet kills fastener shadows completely, and the 20-minute flashlight mode doubles as task lighting.
- ✓Ran cooler than the DCF850 in head-to-head testing, which matters on long ledger and deck days.
- ✓Precision Drive mode gives controlled low-speed starts so it doesn't strip small fasteners despite the huge peak torque.
- ✓Frequent promos push the bare tool under $120, making its dollars-per-torque the best in the pro class.
- ✓Backward compatible across the entire 20V Max battery range including PowerStack pouch packs.
- ✗Bigger and heavier than the compact class — at 2.7 lbs bare and 4.84 in long it gives back the size advantage the DCF850 built.
- ✗List price sits above the Milwaukee 2953 while the fit-and-finish (rubber overmold, mode button feel) draws mixed reviews.
- ✗Three speeds but no dedicated self-tapping mode like Milwaukee offers.
- ✗DeWalt's 3-year warranty trails Milwaukee's 5-year coverage.
- ✗The high-torque tuning is overkill for cabinet and trim work — owners doing finish work often prefer the DCF850's finesse.
- ✗XR/PowerStack/PowerPack battery-tier confusion makes kit shopping harder than it needs to be.