Makita 40V XGT GDT02 Impact Driver vs Flex FX1371A Quick Eject Impact Driver
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Quick take: The Flex FX1371A Quick Eject Impact Driver costs $15 less bare; the Makita 40V XGT GDT02 Impact Driver is lighter (2.3 vs 2.7 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (Makita 40V XGT vs Flex 24V), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | Makita 40V XGT GDT02 Impact Driver | Flex FX1371A Quick Eject Impact Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $174 | $159 |
| Kit Price | $299 | $249 |
| Rating | 5★ (4) | 4.4★ (31) |
| Category | Impact Driver | Impact Driver |
| Battery Platform | Makita 40V XGT | Flex 24V |
| Voltage | 40V | 24V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 2.3 lbs (bare) | 2.7 lbs (bare) |
| Released | 2023 | 2022 |
| Max Torque | 1,860 in-lbs | 2,500 in-lbs |
| Top Speed | 3,700 RPM | 4,000 RPM |
| Impacts | 4,100 IPM | 4,450 IPM |
| Drive | 1/4 in hex | 1/4 in hex |
| Modes | 4-speed + T-mode | 5 |
| Head Length | 4.75 in | 4.7 in |
Pros & cons
Makita 40V XGT GDT02 Impact Driver
- ✓Smoothest trigger modulation in the class — Makita's speed-control finesse is the thing owners consistently rave about.
- ✓Reinforced metal gear housing and XGT's over-heat/over-discharge protection read as genuinely jobsite-proof.
- ✓T-mode automatically shifts speed when a self-drilling screw bites, reducing cam-out on metal framing.
- ✓Four distinct speed ranges give finer control than the two- and three-speed competition.
- ✓Quieter under load than Milwaukee and DeWalt equivalents, a recurring owner observation.
- ✓Street price around $174 bare undercuts the other flagship drivers.
- ✗1,860 in-lbs trails both the DeWalt DCF860 and Milwaukee 2953, so it loses the spec-sheet war it competes in.
- ✗XGT batteries are expensive and the ecosystem is still far smaller than M18 or 20V Max.
- ✗No compatibility with Makita's own 18V LXT batteries without buying the one-way ADP10 adapter — the LXT/XGT split frustrates longtime Makita owners.
- ✗Thinner US retail presence: Home Depot stocks limited XGT, so warranty swaps and impulse battery buys are harder.
- ✗No US-market One-Key/Tool-Connect-style tracking option.
- ✗Frequently on backorder at major tool retailers, which says good things about demand and bad things about buying one today.
Flex FX1371A Quick Eject Impact Driver
- ✓Monster 2,500 in-lbs of torque with a 4,000 RPM top speed puts it among the fastest premium impact drivers Pro Tool Reviews has tested.
- ✓The Quick Eject collet is genuinely unique - a button above the trigger pops bits out without ever moving your hand from the grip, and insertion is one-handed too.
- ✓Two dedicated self-tapping screw modes sense the torque spike when the screw seats and stop the tool, which sheet-metal and HVAC users say ends stripped and overdriven screws.
- ✓The 4.7-inch head is shorter than most full-power rivals, so flagship torque still fits into tight framing bays and cabinets.
- ✓Stacked Lithium packs hold voltage under load, and the kit's 280W rapid charger refills a battery in under 30 minutes - among the fastest charging in any platform.
- ✓Early registrants got Flex's Founders lifetime warranty covering the tool and even batteries, which owners repeatedly cite as a standout perk.
- ✓Lowe's runs aggressive promos on this driver - the two-battery FX1371A-2K kit has dropped to $159, which deal hunters call unbeatable for the performance.
- ✓Build quality feels premium, and a belt clip and bit holder are included rather than sold separately.
- ✗Weight is the recurring complaint - 2.7 lbs bare and over 4 lbs with a Stacked Lithium pack, and even multi-tool Flex owners on ToolGuyd single out the impact driver as noticeably heavy.
- ✗The 6-cell 24V battery architecture makes every pack bigger and heavier than the 5-cell 18V packs competitors hang on their compact drivers.
- ✗Flex is a Lowe's-exclusive line, and Lowe's cleared out many original Flex SKUs in early 2024, leaving owners uneasy about the platform's long-term direction.
- ✗The tool ecosystem is far smaller than DeWalt, Milwaukee, or Makita, so buying into 24V for this driver means fewer options down the road.
- ✗Availability outside the US has shrunk badly - Canadian owners report Flex essentially disappeared after Lowe's Canada closed.
- ✗The lifetime Founders warranty was a limited-time registration perk; current buyers get the standard 5-year coverage instead.
- ✗Deep holiday clearance pricing on kits undercuts early buyers and hurts resale value, a sore point in owner communities.
- ✗Its Amazon aggregate of 4.4 stars trails segment leaders, with a small review pool that makes long-term reliability harder to judge.