DeWalt vs Makita for cordless drills - which would you pick for serious DIY?

Hey folks, I'm in the market for a new cordless drill/driver combo and can't decide between DeWalt and Makita. I've been using an old Ryobi that's finally giving up, and I want something that'll last. I do a mix of woodworking projects, furniture building, and general home repairs. Budget is around $300 for the kit. Anyone have strong opinions on these two brands for drills specifically?

HammerHank - I've run both on job sites for years. For cordless drills, DeWalt's XR line has better torque and battery life in my experience. We beat the heck out of them daily and they keep going. Makita's LXT drills are lighter and have smoother triggers, but I've seen more chuck wobble over time. If you're doing serious DIY, go DeWalt. The DCD791 combo kit is right in your budget and will handle anything you throw at it.

I'm just an apprentice but my tech school uses Makita for all our training drills! The ergonomics are way better for long sessions - my wrists don't get as tired. Also the quick charger is awesome. But ContractorCarl makes a good point about durability... maybe it depends how hard you're gonna use it? Have you checked out the brushless models from both brands? They're supposed to last longer.

Thanks both! Carl - that chuck wobble issue is concerning. Wendy - good call on brushless, I was looking at those. DeWalt's brushless kit is $50 over my budget but might be worth it. Anyone have thoughts on battery ecosystem? I might want to add other tools later...

Battery ecosystem is where DeWalt wins hands down. Their 20V Max platform has like 200+ tools. Makita's 18V LXT has good selection too, but DeWalt's compatibility is better for expanding. Pro tip: check Home Depot's DeWalt deals - they often have free extra battery promos. And yeah, spend the extra $50 for brushless. You'll thank yourself in 5 years when it's still running strong.