Milwaukee vs Makita: Drill and Driver Listings Compared
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. Prices were listed by the retailer as of Oct 30, 2026 and can change. Confirm the current price and availability on the retailer's page before you buy.
This page compares the drill and driver listings for two brands: Milwaukee and Makita. The catalog holds 83 Milwaukee models and 32 Makita models, so the first thing to notice is that the choice is not evenly sized. Milwaukee has a much larger spread of listings, while Makita's group is smaller and leans in a different direction on how tools are sold.
The listings are grouped in a few ways. By type, Milwaukee has 57 drill/drivers, 16 impact drivers and 10 hammer drills, while Makita has 27 drill/drivers and 5 impact drivers. By power source, 76 of the Milwaukee models and 25 of the Makita models are cordless. By platform, Milwaukee is spread across M12 (40 listings), M18 (23), M4 (9) and MX FUEL (3). Makita's listings sit on LXT 18V (17) and XGT 40V (6). A battery platform is the family of batteries and chargers that a line of tools shares, so the platform you buy into shapes what you can add later.
Configuration differs a lot. A kit listing can include batteries, a charger or a case, but only where the listing says so; a bare tool is the tool alone. Prices are close at the low end, with both sides starting at $209. The median is $319 for Milwaukee and $281.57 for Makita, and the top of the range is $6,199 for Milwaukee versus $1,217 for Makita.
Brushless motors are stated in 76 percent of Milwaukee listings and 72 percent of Makita listings. Keep in mind that these figures describe what each listing states, and a missing mention is not the same as a confirmed absence. Read the sections below for how kits and bare tools differ, then use the choose lists and the FAQ to narrow things down.
At a glance
| Milwaukee | Makita | |
|---|---|---|
| Models listed | 83 | 32 |
| Price range | $209 to $6,199 | $209 to $1,217 |
| Median price | $319 | $282 |
| Battery platforms named in listings | M12 (40), M18 (23), M4 (9) | LXT 18V (17), XGT 40V (6) |
| Cordless models stating a brushless motor | 76% of 76 | 72% of 25 |
| Most common configuration | kit (69), bare tool (7) | bare tool (19), kit (6) |
| Listings stating batteries, charger or case | 55% | 6% |
| Tool types covered | Drill/driver (57), Impact driver (16), Hammer drill (10) | Drill/driver (27), Impact driver (5) |
Kit listings
Kit listings are where the two sides differ most. Milwaukee has 69 kit models, and the examples run from an M12 FUEL screwdriver kit with 2 batteries and a case, listed from $215, to an M18 FUEL SURGE impact driver kit at $492. Makita has 6 kit models. Its examples include 7.2V hex driver kits at $236.38 and $294, an LXT 18V hammer drill kit stated to include 2 batteries, a charger and a case at $279.14, and a 40V XGT kit at $529. Kit contents vary, so check each listing's stated box contents.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee M12 FUEL 12V 1/4 in. Hex 2-Speed Screwdriver Kit w/ (2) 2. 0Ah Batteries, Case with 5-Pc Carabiner Hex Holder
$215 to $300 · Kit · Voltage: 12 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M12 · Size / capacity: 1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 2 Ah
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Hammer Drill/Driver w/ Carbide Hole Cutter Kit (4-Piece)
$329 to $482 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 8 Ah
Milwaukee M12 FUEL 12V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 4-in-1 Installation 3/8 in. Drill Driver Kit W/ Batteries (2-Pack)
$288 to $348 · Kit · Voltage: 12 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M12 · Size / capacity: 4 in. · Battery capacity: 6 Ah
Milwaukee M18 FUEL SURGE 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/4 in. Hex Hydraulic Impact Driver Kit W/ M18 5.0AH Battery
$492.00 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 5 Ah
Makita
Makita 7.2V Lithium-Ion 1/4 in. Cordless Hex Driver-Drill Kit with Auto-Stop Clutch
$236.38 · Kit · Voltage: 7.2 V · Size / capacity: 1/4 in. · Max torque: 71 in-lbs · Max speed: 650 RPM
Makita 18V Lithium-Ion 1/2 in. Compact Cordless Hammer Driver Drill Kit with two Batteries (2.0 Ah), Charger and Hard Case
$279.14 · Kit · Voltage: 18 V · Battery platform: LXT 18V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 2 Ah · Max speed: 1,900 RPM
Makita 40V Max XGT Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Driver-Drill Kit (2.5Ah)
$529.00 · Kit · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 2.5 Ah
Makita 7.2V Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver Kit
$294.00 · Kit · Voltage: 7.2 V · Size / capacity: 1/4 in. · Max torque: 220 in-lbs · Max speed: 2,450 RPM · Weight: 1.2 lb
Bare tool listings (tool only)
Bare tool listings are the tool only, with no battery or charger stated. Makita has 19 of these and Milwaukee has 7. The Makita examples include 40V XGT hammer drivers at $209 to $449 and $259, plus LXT 18V right angle drills at $374 each. The Milwaukee examples include an M18 FUEL SURGE impact driver at $213 and an M18 FUEL Hole Hawg right angle drill listed from $329. Buying bare makes most sense if you already own batteries on the matching platform.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee M12 12-Volt Electric Portable Inflator (Tool-Only) and M12 12V 1/4 in. Hex Screwdriver Kit with 2 1.5Ah Batteries
$209.00 · · Voltage: 12 V · Battery platform: M12 · Size / capacity: 1/4 in. · Battery capacity: 1.5 Ah
Milwaukee M18 FUEL SURGE 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool-Only) w/ Bit Kit
$213.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 1/4 in. · Max torque: 1,000 in-lbs
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 4-1/2 in./5 in. Grinder w/Paddle Switch (Tool-Only) with Drill Bit Set
$288.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 4-1/2 in. · Max speed: 8,500 RPM
Milwaukee M18 FUEL GEN II 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Hole Hawg Right Angle Drill (Tool-Only)
$329 to $578 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: M18 · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 6 Ah
Makita
Makita 40V Max XGT Compact Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Hammer Driver-Drill, Tool Only
$209 to $449 · · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 2.5 Ah
Makita 40V max XGT Brushless Cordless 3 Speed 1/2 in. Hammer Driver-Drill, Tool Only
$259.00 · · Voltage: 40 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: XGT 40V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Max torque: 1,590 in-lbs
Makita 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Right Angle Drill (Tool-Only)
$374.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: LXT 18V · Size / capacity: 1/2 in. · Battery capacity: 5 Ah
Makita 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 7/16 in. Hex Right Angle Drill (Tool-Only)
$374.00 · · Voltage: 18 V · Brushless motor: Yes (stated in the listing) · Battery platform: LXT 18V · Size / capacity: 7/16 in. · Battery capacity: 5 Ah
Which one fits you
Choose Milwaukee if...
- You want a wide choice of platforms, since the listings span M12, M18, M4 and MX FUEL.
- You prefer buying a kit, as 69 of the 83 Milwaukee models are listed as kits.
- You want the most listings to compare, with 83 models across drill/drivers, impact drivers and hammer drills.
- You are comfortable with a broad price spread, from $209 up to $6,199, with a $319 median.
Choose Makita if...
- You want a smaller, simpler set of platforms, with listings on LXT 18V and XGT 40V.
- You plan to buy bare tools, as 19 of the 32 Makita models are listed that way and you may already own matching batteries.
- You are looking at a slightly lower median price, listed at $281.57.
- You want a brushless motor stated in the listing, which 72 percent of Makita models do, close to Milwaukee's 76 percent.
Frequently asked questions
Which brand has more drill and driver listings?
Milwaukee has 83 models in the catalog and Makita has 32. Milwaukee's group includes 57 drill/drivers, 16 impact drivers and 10 hammer drills, while Makita's has 27 drill/drivers and 5 impact drivers. A larger group means more options to compare, not a better tool.
What is the difference between a kit and a bare tool listing?
A bare tool is listed as the tool only, with no battery or charger stated. A kit listing may include items such as batteries, a charger or a case, but only where the listing states it. Milwaukee is mostly kits (69 of 83), while Makita is mostly bare tools (19 of 32).
What does a battery platform mean here?
A battery platform is a family of batteries and chargers shared across a brand's tools. Milwaukee listings include M12, M18, M4 and MX FUEL, while Makita listings show LXT 18V and XGT 40V. Tools on the same platform generally use the same batteries, which matters if you plan to add more tools.
How common are brushless motors in these listings?
The listings state a brushless motor for 76 percent of Milwaukee models and 72 percent of Makita models. A brushless motor is a motor design without carbon brushes.