DeWalt vs Makita 18V Brushless Drill – Which one’s worth the money?

Hey folks, I’m torn between the DeWalt DCD805 and the Makita XFD131. I mainly restore old furniture and do some light framing. I’ve heard the Makita has better ergonomics, but DeWalt seems tougher. Anyone used both? Just want the best bang for my buck.

Used both for 30+ years. Makita’s got a smoother trigger and the XFD131 is a beast for the size. DeWalt’s gearbox feels clunky to me. But if you drop tools a lot, DeWalt’s housing holds up better. For restoration, I’d go Makita – better control for delicate work.

I’m no pro, but I have the DeWalt DCD805. It’s got tons of torque for drilling into oak, but it’s a bit heavy for overhead work. The chuck is rock solid. Never tried Makita, but my buddy swears by his. What batteries come with the kit? That might tip the scale.

Thanks for the input! Steve, you think the Makita’s better for precision? I do a lot of pilot holes in antiques. Felix, the DeWalt kit I’m looking at comes with two 5Ah batteries. The Makita is a bare tool – I have no batteries yet, so that’s a factor.

If you’re starting from scratch battery-wise, go with whichever system you’ll buy more tools into. Makita’s 18V line is huge. But for just a drill, the Makita with a good aftermarket battery might still win. I’d say test the ergonomics in store – that’s what sold me on Makita.