DeWalt vs Makita for cordless drills - which one for home projects?

Hey all, weekend warrior here trying to upgrade my cordless drill game. I've been using an old Ryobi for years but it's finally dying. Looking at either DeWalt or Makita - both seem popular at my local hardware store. Mostly doing basic home stuff: hanging shelves, building simple furniture, occasional deck repair. Budget is around $200 for a kit. Which one would you guys recommend? I want something that'll last but don't need pro-level gear.

Steve, you're asking the right precision-obsessed guy. For cordless drills, Makita's brushless motors have better efficiency and runtime - I've measured 18% longer battery life in my tests compared to equivalent DeWalt models. Their chuck tolerances are also superior (0.002" vs DeWalt's 0.005" typical runout). If you're doing any fine woodworking or need consistent hole placement, Makita wins. The XPH07Z is what I'd recommend.

Gary's not wrong on precision, but as another precision-focused user who actually uses these on job sites daily: DeWalt's DCD999 has better ergonomics for extended use and their battery ecosystem is more robust. I've dropped mine off ladders multiple times and it still holds 0.003" runout after 2 years. For weekend projects, either brand works, but DeWalt's warranty service is faster when you need it.

HVAC tech here chiming in - I use drills daily for ductwork and mounting. Both brands are solid, but Makita's compact models fit better in tight spaces. That said, if you're just doing home stuff, either will work fine. Pro tip: check if your friends/family use one system - battery sharing is clutch. My crew all uses Makita so we can swap batteries when needed. For $200, you can get a decent kit from either brand.