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Makita XPH16Z

By Makita · Cordless Drills · Power Tools · More from Makita

  • 18V LXT
  • 970 in.lbs Max Torque
  • 0-550 / 0-1,800 RPM
  • 6-7/8 in length
  • 4.9 lbs with 5.0Ah battery

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Summary

A compact brushless 18V LXT hammer driver-drill rated at 970 in-lbs, sold as a bare tool. Check the batteries and the torque claim before you buy: it needs a separate pack to reach its stated weight, and Makita’s torque figures have drawn public questions.

Strengths

  • A compact 6-7/8 in. body and 4.9 lbs with a 5.0Ah battery.
  • Makita claims up to 70% more power than the XPH12 it replaces.
  • Brushless motor inside the large 18V LXT platform.
  • An all-metal gear housing and XPT dust-and-water sealing.
  • Dual LED lights and a rubberized grip.
  • Takes the full line of 18V LXT slide-style batteries.

Weaknesses

  • No battery or charger, so the 4.9 lb figure needs a separate 5.0Ah pack.
  • No independent test or owner reports were found for this model.
  • Makita’s torque rating method has been questioned publicly.
  • Star Protection needs a compatible battery with the star symbol.
  • Starting fresh means paying for the whole 18V LXT battery platform.

Verified specifications

ModelXPH16Z, tool only.
MotorMakita-built brushless.
PlatformMakita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion; battery and charger sold separately.
Max torque970 in-lbs (110 N·m).
No-load speed0-550 RPM low, 0-1,800 RPM high.
Blows per minute0-8,250 low, 0-27,000 high.
Chuck1/2 in.
Capacity2 in. wood, 1/2 in. steel, 5/8 in. masonry.
Overall length6-7/8 in.
Weight4.9 lbs with a 5.0Ah battery.
Housingall-metal 1/2 in. gear housing, with a rubberized soft grip.
Lightsdual LED.
DurabilityXPT dust-and-water sealing and Star Protection computer controls.
Warranty3-year on the tool and battery.
Full research notes and sources

Torque and speed

Makita rates the XPH16Z at 970 in-lbs (110 N·m), with 0-550 and 0-1,800 RPM and 0-8,250 or 0-27,000 blows per minute, and says it delivers up to 70% more power than the previous XPH12. That figure is the maximum rating and is relative to the old model, not a benchmark against rivals. A 2023 ToolGuyd article, “New Makita Cordless Drill Torque Claims Raise Major Questions,” doubts how Makita rates cordless-drill torque generally, so treat the 970 in-lbs as a claim until something measures it. No instrumented test of the XPH16Z itself was found.

Batteries and the ecosystem

The XPH16Z is tool-only, and the 4.9 lb weight is reached with a 5.0Ah battery attached. If you already own Makita 18V LXT packs, this is a compact all-rounder for wood, metal and light masonry.

Is it worth it?

Acme Tools lists the bare tool at $169, which is mid-range for a compact brushless 18V hammer drill. There is no independent data to confirm the premium, and no owner threads to lean on, so the case rests on the 18V LXT ecosystem, the compact size and Makita’s warranty. For someone already on LXT batteries, it is a reasonable compact hammer drill; for someone starting out, price the kit against DeWalt and Milwaukee equivalents before committing.

Which model this is

This page covers the Makita XPH16Z, the tool-only compact brushless 18V LXT 1/2-inch hammer driver-drill. Do not confuse it with Makita Canada’s DHP486Z, a different, larger drill with higher specs. The listing ASIN is B0CB9P53DS.

Sources

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Independent reviews:

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