DeWalt vs Makita: Which 18V Impact Driver Reigns?

Hey guys, I'm looking to upgrade my old corded drill to a new 18V impact driver. I'm on a tight budget and I can't decide between DeWalt's DCF885 and Makita's XDT12. Both are on sale right now for around the same price. Which one is the better buy for a weekend warrior like me? Need some real-world advice!

I've used both and honestly you can't go wrong. But if I had to pick, I'd say the Makita feels a bit more compact and lighter, which helps when you're driving screws overhead all day. The DeWalt has a bit more brute force though. For typical DIY stuff, either will serve you well. Have you held them in person? Ergonomics matter a lot.

I own like 5 impacts from different brands cause I'm a tool hoarder lol. The Makita XDT12 is my go-to for everything. It's got great control with the variable speed trigger and the brushless motor is a beast. DeWalt's DCF885 is solid too but it's brushed and older tech. If you can stretch your budget a bit, look into the DeWalt DCF887 (brushless) – it's a game changer. But if your heart is set on the sale ones, get the Makita.

Thanks for the input guys! I'm leaning towards the Makita now. I didn't realize the DeWalt was brushed. My buddy has a Makita drill and he loves it. I think I'll go hold them at the store this weekend. One more question – does Makita have a good battery platform for expansion? I might want a circular saw later.

Yeah, Makita's 18V LXT lineup is huge. They have everything from saws to vacuums. And their batteries are interchangeable across all their 18V tools. I started with an impact and now I have like 10 Makita tools. Go for it!