Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
XGT is ultimately about higher-performance tools that benefit from higher voltage battery packs. When you get to those tools, it’s good to know Makita also makes some companion tools like the GPH01 hammer drill that let you reach for a tool on the same battery platform rather than having to carry around two different systems. Plus, you get legitimately higher performance and technology from the XGT model. You may find the same thing we are—that there are tools on both lines that make sense for the work you do. Either way, you win.
We’ve been anxiously waiting for the release of Makita’s 40V max XGT line. Focused on higher performance than most of the 18V LXT products, we expected to get more out of the Makita 40V max XGT hammer drill. As a comparison, we tested the GPH01 hammer drill side-by-side with their flagship XPH14 from the 18V line.
Makita geared this hammer drill for higher speeds than most drills in both first and second gears. The lower speed runs at 650 RPM while the higher gear tops out at 2600 RPM. That top speed matches up with 39,000 BPM to make your masonry drilling more efficient. Wrapping up the specs, the GPH01 matches the XPH14 with 1250 in-lbs of torque in low gear.
As always, we want to see how that translates to work, so we ran a few tests to find out. Starting with the PTR Drill Test Track, we ran these tests alongside the XPH14. Check out the video here.
If you’re not familiar with the PTR Drill Test Track, here’s what it entails on a 2×4 stud:
As the dust settled, the Makita GPH01 showed XGT’s higher performance by finishing in 1 minute, 58 seconds—17 seconds faster than the 18V LXT XPH14! That finish was also fast enough to pull into second place, just 2 seconds behind Flex in first place.
Moving over to concrete, we ran 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch concrete bits. Makita’s 18V hammer drill needed an average of 5.23 seconds and 6.85 seconds, respectively. The Makita XGT hammer drill was significantly faster, averaging 4.44 seconds and 5.34 seconds.
Finally, we decided to see what happens if you try to rough in 2 9/16-inch holes with a self-feed bit. The 18V hammer drill had to stay in low gear for all of its holes, averaging 5.53 seconds. The XGT was able to start in high gear, but needed to drop into low after the first couple of holes brought it from its max to nominal voltage. Its final average was more than a second faster at 4.44 seconds.
One thing we noticed through the course of our testing is how smooth the drill operates. Makita generally has very low runout (wobble) in their drills, and that’s the case with XGT as well.
One of the really nice things about moving up to the 40V max XGT line is that the batteries aren’t much bigger than the 18V LXT ones. The footprint is slightly larger and it’s about 4 ounces heavier, but they’re sticking with the 10-cell pack as the foundation. The most obvious difference is that the 18V pack is 5.0Ah and the 40v max XGT pack is 2.5Ah… but they have the same 90Wh capacity.
Inside, it’s different. The XGT line has a different electronics package, more power potential, and even a more durable build. Makita’s tagline is to “outpower, outsmart, and outlast” the competition with this system. You can learn more about those concepts here.
Many of us wondered if XGT batteries would be backward compatible with the 18V system and the answer to that is no. These are two separate systems and the packs have a design that makes them impossible to switch for one another.
Makita didn’t make many changes to the look and feel of this hammer drill. It’s still well-balanced and has excellent handle ergonomics to maintain the comfortable grip you’re used to.
In terms of weight, the GPH01 weighs 3.7 pounds bare and 5.3 pounds with its 2.5Ah battery. That’s just 0.3 pounds more than the XPH14 with a 5.0Ah battery. Keep in mind those two batteries have the same 90Wh capacity.
It’s still a compact drill for its performance level as well. At 7 1/8 inches long, it’s within a 1/4-inch of the XPH14 and a little skinnier through the middle.
The GPH01 introduces Active Feedback Technology (kickback control) for Makita’s drill driver/hammer drill lineup. Like many drills that have this feature, the motor automatically shuts down when it senses the bit bind, and the drill twists about 90°. What’s unusual is that it’s not a hard stop. Instead, it’s more of a quick deceleration.
In a completely new feature, the clutch moves from a collar near the chuck to a dial on the foot. There’s a different number of settings depending on what gear you’re in as well. Low gear has 41 settings and high gear has 21. It’s a very different feel when you’re using it. With a mechanical clutch, you feel the chuck slip over as it as the motor continues to turn. With Makita’s design, it just stops.
When it comes to price, there is a premium to move up to the higher performance and technology of the XGT model. The bare tool is $209 and a kit with two 2.5Ah batteries and a single port Rapid Charger is $399. That’s $60 – $80 more than the comparable XPH14 options.
The warranty is the same as the 18V line—3 years on the tool, batteries, and charger.
XGT is ultimately about higher-performance tools that benefit from higher voltage battery packs. When you get to those tools, it’s good to know Makita also makes some companion tools like the GPH01 hammer drill that let you reach for a tool on the same battery platform rather than having to carry around two different systems. Plus, you get legitimately higher performance and technology from the XGT model. You may even find the same thing we are—that there are tools on both lines that make sense for the work you do. Either way, you win.
On the clock, Kenny dives deep to discover the practical limits and comparative differences for all kinds of tools. Off the clock, his faith and love for his family are his top priorities, and you'll typically find him in the kitchen, on his bike (he's an Ironman), or taking folks out for a day of fishing on Tampa Bay.
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I think everyone got a better xgt hammer drill than me. I’ve gotten two now and have had the same problem where the rotations stop. The motor keeps going even when barely applying pressure. when it works this thing is a beast. However the amount of times i have to stop is a huge drawback. I’ve even experienced this issue with a 1” paddle bit on a 2x which is just ridiculous. My lxt versions doesn’t have this problem. I can’t seem to figure why it does this. Right now it almost seems like the tool thinks it’s binding up… Read more »
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Professional Tool Reviews for Pros