Makita 18 V Cordless Combi Drill Review: a no-nonsense workhorse for home and site jobs

I’ve been using this Makita 18 V cordless combi drill kit (the one with 2 batteries and charger) for a few weeks on small DIY jobs at home and a couple of heavier tasks in the garden. I’m not a pro carpenter, but I do enough drilling and screwdriving to get annoyed when tools are weak or die halfway through a job. I bought this to replace an old cheap drill that struggled with masonry and had a battery that faded after 10 minutes.

First impression: it feels like a proper tool, not a toy. It’s compact, not too heavy, and the extra battery makes a big difference in practice. I’ve used it to put up shelves, assemble some flat-pack furniture, drill into brick for wall plugs, and drive long screws into timber for a small decking step. So far, it has handled all of that without complaining or overheating.

What stood out right away is the build quality and the simplicity. No gimmicks, no pointless modes, just two speeds, a basic clutch, and a trigger that gives you decent control. If you’ve used Makita before, it’s pretty much what you’d expect: familiar feel, solid casing, and a chuck that doesn’t randomly let go of the bit. Compared to my previous budget drill, this one feels more controlled and less rattly, especially when you push it a bit.

It’s not perfect though. The torque is fine for most home tasks but it’s not a monster, and the quoted 400 RPM top speed is on the low side compared to some rivals. For heavy trade use all day on site, I’d probably look at a higher-torque model. But for regular DIY, furniture builds, and occasional masonry, this kit sits in a pretty good spot between price, performance, and reliability.

Looking at the price bracket and the Amazon rating of 4.6/5 from a few hundred reviews, this Makita sits in that zone where you’re paying more than for a supermarket drill, but less than for the top-end pro kits. For what you get – drill + 2 batteries + charger + case – I’d say it’s good value for money if you plan to use it regularly over several years. One reviewer even said the kit was good value, and I’d back that up based on what’s included and how it performs.

Where it really makes sense is if you’ve been burned by cheap drills before. I was in that situation: I’d saved money at first, then ended up frustrated with weak performance and dead batteries. This Makita feels like a step up without going into silly pricing. It’s not the cheapest combi drill on the market, but you’re paying for better build quality, the all-metal gears, and the extra battery, which matters a lot in practice. You’re also buying into a big ecosystem of 18 V tools if you ever want to expand.

On the downside, if you literally just want a drill for the odd picture frame once every few months, this is probably overkill. You could get away with something cheaper. Also, the spec sheet isn’t as flashy as some newer brushless models that boast higher torque and faster speeds. If you’re a heavy user or tradesperson who pushes tools to the limit, you might feel that this one is a bit modest on paper for the price, and you’d be better off spending a bit more for a higher-torque model.

But for serious DIYers and light trade use, the balance is decent: you get reliability, enough power, and proper batteries in one kit. It’s not a bargain-bin deal, but it feels like money spent on a tool that will actually last and not just end up in the bin after a year, which to me is where the real value is.

Design-wise, this drill is classic black and blue Makita. Nothing flashy, but you immediately know what brand it is. It’s compact and lightweight, which you actually notice when you’re working above your head or in tight corners. I used it to install curtain rails and some shelves, and my arm didn’t feel dead after holding it up for a while, which used to happen with my older, heavier drill.

The 13 mm keyless chuck is one of the key design points. You can swap bits with one hand if you’re used to it, and it grips properly. I haven’t had it slip on me yet, even when drilling into brick with a masonry bit. The variable speed trigger gives you good control for starting screws slowly and then speeding up. It’s not hyper-sensitive – you can find that sweet spot where it turns slowly without suddenly jumping to full speed, which is handy for delicate screws in soft wood or chipboard.

The drill has two mechanical speeds: a low-speed, higher-torque mode and a higher-speed mode for drilling. The selector is on top and clicks into place firmly. There’s also a normal forward/reverse switch near the trigger. No fancy screens or weird extra buttons – it’s all standard, which I like. The electronic brake is noticeable: when you release the trigger, the chuck stops quickly instead of coasting. That’s useful when you’re driving screws and don’t want to strip the head or bury them too deep.

In terms of ergonomics, the handle shape is comfortable, and the rubberised grip doesn’t feel cheap. I’ve used it with and without gloves, and it doesn’t feel slippery either way. The balance is decent with the battery attached – it doesn’t feel nose-heavy or like it wants to tip backwards. In practice, the design is focused on being easy to handle rather than looking fancy, and that’s exactly what I want from a drill. If you’re into ultra-compact or ultra-light models, there are smaller ones out there, but this hits a good middle ground.

The big practical advantage of this kit is the fact that you get two 18 V batteries plus the charger. One of the Amazon reviewers summed it up well: the battery holds charge well, and I’d agree. In my use, I could easily get through a full afternoon of mixed drilling and screwdriving on a single battery, with some charge still left. I’m not drilling all day like a tradesperson, but for a normal DIY session (shelves, a few holes in brick, some furniture assembly), I never actually ran a battery flat mid-job.

What helps is being able to rotate the batteries. While one is in use, you can have the other on the charger. The charger isn’t the fastest on the market, but it’s not painfully slow either. For me, a battery was usually fully charged again by the time I’d finished measuring, marking, drilling, and tidying up one area. I haven’t had a situation yet where I was stuck waiting around for a battery to be ready.

Compared to cheaper drills that come with a single low-capacity battery, this setup is just more practical. You don’t get that annoying moment where you’re halfway through building a piece of furniture and suddenly everything stops and you’re stuck. With two batteries, it feels a lot more like a tool you can rely on for a proper project, not just quick fixes. The batteries also hold their charge in storage decently – I left one unused for over a week and when I popped it in, it still had enough juice for light jobs.

If you already own other Makita 18 V tools, these batteries are obviously compatible, which adds value. If this is your first Makita tool, you’re basically starting a small ecosystem, which can be handy later. The only downside is that Makita batteries aren’t the cheapest if you want to buy extras, but at least with this kit you’re getting two right away, which covers most needs for home and hobby use.

The drill uses all-metal gears, which is one of the reasons I went for it. I’ve had plastic-geared drills before and they start to sound rough or slip after a while, especially if you push them on heavier jobs. With this Makita, the gearbox feels solid and consistent so far. Shifting between the two speeds is clean, no crunching or weird noises. The casing also feels sturdy – I’ve knocked it over a few times on concrete and wooden floors, and apart from a few scuffs, nothing has loosened or cracked.

The keyless chuck is another part that often gives away a cheap drill. On this one, it grips well and doesn’t wobble. When drilling into metal, the bit stayed perfectly straight with no visible runout. I’ve swapped bits a lot, and the chuck still tightens and releases smoothly. No signs of it wearing out quickly. The electronic brake also still reacts instantly, which is reassuring because a lazy brake is usually a sign of wear or cheap electronics.

In terms of overall durability, the Makita brand reputation seems to hold up here. Several Amazon reviews mention reliability and good quality, and that matches my experience so far. Obviously, I haven’t used it for years yet, but the way it’s built doesn’t scream “temporary tool”. The rubber overmould on the handle hasn’t peeled or become shiny, and the trigger still feels consistent, not mushy.

If you’re planning to use it on site every single day, I’d say it’s good, but you might want to look at higher-spec brushless Makita models for heavier, constant use. For regular home DIY, occasional renovation work, and weekend projects, this feels more than tough enough. It’s the kind of drill you can toss in the van or garage and expect it to work every time, rather than something you’re babying or replacing every year.

On paper, this drill has 17 Nm of torque and a maximum speed of 400 RPM. Those numbers aren’t outrageous compared to some higher-end or brushless models, but in real use, it’s more than enough for normal DIY. I’ve drilled into brick, softwood, and a bit of metal, and it handled all of that without stalling as long as I used the right bits and didn’t try to force it too hard.

For woodworking, I tested it on 36 mm holes in softwood using a flat bit, which matches its stated capacity. It got through cleanly, just needed steady pressure and low speed. For screwdriving, I drove 6–8 cm screws into timber for a small outdoor step and some structural studs in a partition wall. In low gear, it drove them in fine without me feeling like I was at the limit of the tool. The clutch settings are useful when working with smaller screws so you don’t sink them too deep or strip the heads.

On masonry, I used it with 6 mm and 8 mm masonry bits to drill into brick for wall plugs. It’s not as fast as a dedicated SDS drill, obviously, but for hanging shelves, curtain rails, and a TV bracket, it was perfectly workable. The hammer action is decent but not brutal – you can tell this is more of an all-round combi drill than a specialist masonry tool. If you do heavy masonry all the time, you’d want something stronger, but for occasional holes in brick or block, it gets the job done without drama.

Compared to my old no-name 18 V drill, the difference is clear: this Makita doesn’t bog down as quickly and feels more controlled. Noise and vibration are reasonable – it’s not whisper quiet, but it’s not obnoxious either. The overall feeling is that it’s a pretty solid performer for home and light trade tasks. Just don’t expect it to behave like a top-tier brushless model with huge torque; it’s more of a reliable workhorse than a powerhouse.

Out of the box, the kit is pretty straightforward. You get the Makita 18 V cordless combi drill, two 18 V batteries, a charger, and a carry case that also has space for a few bits and even another small tool if you pack it right. Officially, the included components are listed as batteries, charger, pilot case, screwdriver, and speed gearbox, but in reality it’s the standard drill + 2 batteries + charger + case setup most people expect.

The case is decent. It’s not some super rugged toolbox, but it’s sturdy enough to throw in the car or keep in a shed without worrying. One user mentioned they can fit their angle grinder in there too, and I can see that – there’s a bit of extra space if you’re not precious about neat cable management. For me, I just keep the drill, both batteries, charger, and a small bit set in there and it closes fine.

All the core specs are printed on the drill: 18 V, two speeds, 13 mm keyless chuck, and it’s rated for 13 mm in metal and 36 mm in wood. You also get a simple manual, which I glanced at once and then ignored – it’s really not a complicated tool. The Amazon page says it’s made in Germany, which fits with the overall feeling that it’s not cheaply thrown together.

In use, the package feels like a complete kit – you don’t immediately need to buy extra batteries or another charger. That’s a big plus if you’re starting from scratch and don’t already own Makita 18 V tools. On the flip side, you don’t get any drill bits or wall plugs, so if this is your first drill ever, plan on buying a basic bit set at the same time, otherwise you’ll unbox it and then realise you can’t actually drill anything yet.