Makita 18V LXT Brushless Cordless 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only)

By Makita · Impact Drivers · Power Tools

  • Brushless motor: 1,500 in-lbs torque, 0-3,500 RPM
  • 4-mode: 2 variable speeds + self-tapping fastener mode
  • 1/4 in. hex quick-change chuck
  • Compact 5-3/8 in. length, 2.9 lbs with battery
  • XPT extreme protection technology (dust/water)

Lowest price seen
$159.00
from $159.00 at MaxTool · Checked Oct 8, 2026

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A compact 18V LXT brushless impact driver sold as a bare tool, with 1,500 in-lb of peak fastening torque and a single trigger-controlled speed range. It has no electronic speed or torque modes, so compare the price against the XDT14Z and the XDT131 kit before you buy.

Strengths

  • Independent testing averaged 4 seconds to seat a 3-5/8-inch ledger screw in a plywood stack.
  • The same test measured 15 seconds to insert and 6 seconds to remove 1/2 x 3-1/2-inch lag bolts with pilot holes.
  • It broke loose a test rig’s 300 ft-lb maximum preset and averaged 282 ft-lb after ten seconds of impact tightening.
  • TechGearLab found it among its longest-running tools, completing four full cycles plus most of a fifth.
  • The 5-inch head, broad throttle and dual lights work well inside framing bays and cabinetry.
  • A factory parts breakdown and repair shops stock switch, rotor, stator, hammer, anvil and collet parts.

Weaknesses

  • Only one speed range, so precision on small screws depends entirely on trigger control.
  • It lacks the three-speed Quick-Shift control of the XDT14Z, which costs $10 more at the retailers checked.
  • Measured 97 dBA while driving ledger screws, near the worst in its test group.
  • No standard 1/2-inch drill chuck; it takes only 1/4-inch hex bits and adapters.
  • A large 18V pack dominates the balance and weight, and bare-tool pricing sits close to a full kit.
  • XPT is not waterproof, so clean and dry the body after wet or dusty work.

Verified specifications

ModelXDT13Z, the tool-only version of the XDT13 family; XDT13R and XDT131 are kit and bundle variants of the same base tool.
Motor18V LXT BL brushless with Star Protection Computer Controls for overload, overheat and overdischarge safeguards.
Chuck1/4-inch hex quick-insert collet; the manual gives 9 mm x 12 mm bit-end geometry.
Speed0–3,400 RPM and 0–3,600 IPM, varied by trigger pressure.
Speed selectionone speed power range; no separate 2/3/4-mode dial.
Peak torque1,500 in-lb (approximately 170 Nm), a manufacturer power claim rather than a calibrated setting.
Recommended fastenersM4–M8 (5/32–5/16 in) machine screws, M5–M16 (3/16–5/8 in) standard bolts and M5–M14 (3/16–9/16 in) high-tensile bolts.
Dimensions126 mm (5 in) long.
Weight2.8–3.3 lb with different batteries; Makita lists 3.3 lb with battery in its spec table.
Controlssoft rubberized grip, forward/reverse/center trigger lock, dual front LED lights and one-touch bit insertion; the work light stays on about 10 seconds after the trigger is released.
ProtectionExtreme Protection Technology seals resist dust and incidental moisture, but there is no IP67 or IP68 submersion rating.
Battery fitBL1815N, BL1820B, BL1830/1830B, BL1840B, BL1850B and BL1860B; XGT 40V and CXT 12V packs are not interchangeable.
In the boxthe bare XDT13Z body and its belt hook; no battery, charger, case or bit is included.
Warrantythree-year limited US warranty.
Full research notes and sources

Fastening performance and noise

The independent picture comes from TechGearLab, which bought and tested an XDT13R whose underlying driver is the XDT13. It averaged 4 seconds to seat a 3-5/8-inch ledger screw and, for 1/2 x 3-1/2-inch lag bolts with drilled pilot holes, 15 seconds to insert and 6 seconds to remove. Its bolt-breaking test applied torque with a separate wrench to mounted 1/2-inch Grade 8 bolts and found the driver could break loose the rig’s 300 ft-lb maximum preset, averaging 282 ft-lb after ten seconds. Those numbers describe a specific test procedure, not Makita’s rated driver torque, and should never stand in for a torque wrench. The same outlet ranked the tool 4th of 12 in its 2022 lineup and measured 97 dBA while driving ledger screws near ear level. The 5-inch body, broad throttle and dual lights make it usable inside framing bays and cabinetry, and the tester praised the quick bit insert and included belt clip.

Problems and repairs

Makita’s manual explains that a power loss can be deliberate: star-marked packs stop the tool on overload, overheating or excessive discharge, so cool the tool and battery, reduce load and recharge before assuming a failed motor. Owners have reported uneven trigger response after years of use, sometimes full power and sometimes very weak, and sticky collets that trap or refuse to release a bit. In the trigger thread the model is not clearly identified, so treat both as family-level troubleshooting leads rather than an exact-model failure rate. No XDT13Z-specific defect rate, median service life or model-wide recall was found. The genuine switch is 143975-1 and factory collet parts exist, but repair can approach the tool’s value: a rotor lists at $34.05, a stator at $17.55 and a switch at $36.26, while the original controller is no longer available.

Parts, battery and running costs

Running costs are minimal: no subscription and no proprietary cartridge or filter, and the brushless motor avoids periodic motor-brush purchases. Impact bits are the main routine wear item, and there is no universal annual figure because it depends on screw material, quantity and technique. A collet bit sleeve is $6.40 at PartSelect and $6.34 at eReplacementParts, a collet spring is $6.16, a hammer case is $26.04 and a belt hook is $6.20. An 18V LXT 3.0Ah BL1830B battery lists at $129 and a DC18RC rapid charger at $145.99, neither included with the bare tool, so the complete XDT131 kit is often cheaper than buying them separately. For electricity, one 18V x 3Ah pack stores about 54 Wh, and 100 nominal cycles a year is about 5.4 kWh, roughly $1.35 at $0.25/kWh before charger losses. No measured wall energy or fastener-per-charge figure exists for this tool.

Prices and value

In October 2026 the XDT13Z tool-only listed at $159 at Home Depot, Acme Tools and Tool Nut. The XDT131 kit, which adds a 3.0Ah battery, a charger and a bag, listed at $179 at Home Depot, and the three-speed Quick-Shift XDT14Z listed at $169 tool-only. The cheaper brushed XDT11Z listed at $129, and the higher-end four-speed XDT20Z at $249 in one Home Depot listing, with some snapshots at $202. As a rough guide, under $100 new from an authorized seller would be an especially good buy, $100–129 is reasonable for someone who already owns LXT packs, and $130–149 is fair only if the single-speed setup is what you want. At $159, buy the $179 kit if you need a battery and charger, or the $169 XDT14Z if you already have them. Above $170 for the bare tool, the XDT14Z normally makes more sense. Buying from an authorized dealer protects support and reduces counterfeit risk.

Which model this is

This page covers the XDT13Z, the tool-only version of the XDT13 family. XDT13R and XDT131 are kit and bundle variants of the same base tool, not different driving-speed generations. The XDT14Z is the three-speed Quick-Shift alternative and the XDT20Z is a newer four-speed model. Some sales copy advertises two variable speeds or four drive modes; Makita’s model table states one speed power selection, which independent testing corroborates. XGT 40V and CXT 12V are separate battery systems, not interchangeable with the 18V LXT packs this tool uses.

Sources

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