DeWalt vs Makita Drill/Driver: Which One's Worth the Cash?

Alright, I'm in the market for a new 18V drill/driver combo. I've been going back and forth between the DeWalt DCD791 and Makita XFD131. I do general DIY stuff – shelves, furniture, occasional deck repairs. I don't need pro-level but want something that'll last. Anyone have experience with both? Leaning Makita because of the smaller grip, but DeWalt's got that 3-speed gearbox... hmm.

I've been runnin' Makita for the last 6 years on job sites. The XFD131 is a solid choice – the brushless motor holds up to daily abuse. But if you're just DIY, the DeWalt is also a beast. Honestly, both will drill through anything you throw at them. Test the ergonomics at the store – that'll likely seal the deal. And don't underestimate the chuck quality; Makita's metal chuck is smoother.

I've got a mix in my garage: DeWalt drill, Makita impact. The DeWalt feels more 'punchy' but the Makita has a better trigger control for low-speed stuff. For DIY, I'd grab whichever is on sale. My buddies say the Makita batteries outlast the DeWalt ones. But the DeWalt fast charger is awesome – full charge in 45 mins. Does the brushless really matter for you? If not, you could save some coin with a brushed model.

Yeah, brushless is appealing for the battery life, but I could probably get by with brushed. I might try to find a kit with free batteries. I heard the Makita comes with a soft case vs DeWalt's hard case – not a big deal, but the hard case is nice to haul around. Anyone had issues with the DeWalt chuck wobble? I've read some reviews about that.

I'll chime in on that – I've used a DCD791 a buddy has, and there's a slight wobble in the chuck when you spin it at high speed. Not noticeable when drilling, but it bugs some. Makita's chuck is rock solid. If that bothers you, go Makita. But honestly, for occasional use, you won't notice it. And if you do get a bad one, warranty is good. Just make sure you buy from an authorized dealer.