Homeowners Are Loving This Incredibly Lightweight Drill From Makita
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
When you have a long list of home improvement projects to tackle, you want the right tools for the job. If you're going to be driving a lot of screws or drilling dozens of holes — or both — having a lightweight drill that still works effectively is a must. You'll avoid arm fatigue when working with lightweight tools. Using a drill that weighs 3 pounds versus one that weighs 5 pounds might not seem like a big deal the first few times you lift it into place. However, it will start to make a difference the 100th time you lift it during the day.
One lightweight tool that has a lot of positive reviews is the Makita XFD11ZB 18V LXT Sub-Compact Cordless Driver Drill ($120 for the tool only). Makita is one of the best power tool brands, and you may already own some 18-volt Makita tools, allowing you to share those rechargeable batteries with this drill. You can also purchase a charger and 18V Makita battery separately for $70.
This lightweight Makita drill weighs only 2.8 pounds with the battery attached. For comparison, Makita's 40V cordless drill (GFD02Z) weighs 4.85 pounds with the battery and the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Drill (2903) weighs 4.82 pounds with a battery attached. The Makita LXT Sub-Compact Drill performs well according to customers, who give it an impressive 4.6-star rating on Amazon and a 4.7-star rating on Home Depot. Here's more about the features that reviewers appreciate about this small and lightweight Makita drill.
Despite being lightweight, the Makita drill has enough power to handle most jobs around the house
One of the most common mistakes people make with cordless drills is selecting a model that doesn't have enough power for the jobs they want to do. One of the reasons the lightweight Makita tool can still give you a satisfactory level of power is that it uses a brushless motor that makes efficient use of its battery power. It has a maximum speed of 1,700 RPM and offers up to 350 pound-inches of torque. The brushless design also allows the drill's motor to run cooler, creating a longer lifespan for the power tool.
"This is very compact in the hand, but I think power-wise is still quite good," states YouTube reviewer MikeJunior. "It's actually quite impressive for how small and lightweight and compact this drill is. Combined with a small 2-amp-hour battery, I mean it packs a pretty good amount of power, in my opinion, for driving screws."
One Amazon customer reviewer had a similar experience with the Makita tool's ability to generate power. "Everything is great for its size and torque. ... I use it for private contractor jobs and other furniture work." Makita's lightweight drill outperformed one Amazon customer reviewer's larger and heavier Milwaukee drill in terms of the power it generated. "Great for the woodworking and general carpentry I do. You're not drilling into concrete with this thing, but for a fast gun that is easy to carry all day, I've not seen anything better."
Why customers find the compact, lightweight design of this Makita cordless drill easy to use
Even when using the Makita XFD11ZB compact drill for the entire day, reviewers say you should have less strain on your arms and wrists. It has a compact and ergonomically designed handle. At only 6-3/8 inches in length, it's a Makita tool that works nicely in a small space.
YouTube reviewer Concord Carpenter says the Makita platform is consistently strong, meaning expectations were high for this tool, despite its small size. "After using it for a few months, I haven't touched my 12-volt drill or driver. ... If you give the subcompact tool a try, you may never go back." In a Makita Tools USA YouTube video, customer Joseph Giononi, an electrician, says having a small, lightweight drill made it easier to carry all the tools required for the workday. "Our [work] bags are 30 to 35 pounds and we're wearing them all day, so the lighter the better. ... It's very maneuverable, it's very sturdy, more compact, so I'd be able to get in tighter spaces. It felt great. I mean it felt like it could handle any job."
One Amazon reviewer says it's not the best power tool for heavy-duty construction work or high-end general contracting work, but its size is perfect for homeowners. "I love how compact this drill is, and it's very well-balanced and feels good in the hand. ... I bought it as a temporary drill and actually fell in love with its power and compact feel." Whether your DIY project is larger or small, the Makita drill is one its customers seem to stand by.