Makita has a new 18V cordless impact driver, model XDT19. Great! What’s special about it?
Reading over Makita USA’s sell sheet for their newest brushless impact driver, it looks and sounds nearly identical to their last model, XDT16.
Maktia’s XDT16 impact driver delivers 3,600 RPM max speed, 1,600 in-lbs max torque, measures 4-9/16″ long, weighs 3.4 lbs with battery, and features reverse auto-stop, assist mode, 2 tightening modes, and a one-touch 4-speed power selector button under the chuck.
Their new XDT19 impact driver appears to be largely the same, but with 1,590 in-lbs max torque, measures 4-1/2″ long, and weighs 3.3 lbs with battery.
Makita USA boasts that their new impact driver sets new standards. Such as…? Their website says the same exact thing about the XDT16.
The new Makita XDT19 is priced a bit higher than the XDT16. For instance, the new 2-battery kit is $399 vs. $369 for XDT16T. What do you get for the extra money?
This isn’t a rhetorical question. Makita USA doesn’t answer press/media questions, and so I figured maybe a reader would be in-the-know.
Pricing and Availability
The new XDT19 impact is available as a bare tool, in a compact kit configuration, and a standard kit configuration.
- Compact Kit (XDT19R) – $329-350
- Kit (XDT19T) – $400
- Tool-Only (XDT19Z) – $220
The compact kit comes with a charger, 2x 2.0Ah batteries, and tool bag, and the kit comes with charger, 2x 5.0Ah batteries, and tool bag.
The battery selection is good to see, although it’s confusing. Makita downgraded the batteries bundled with many of their heavy duty tool kits, with their cordless router, miter saw, and track saw kits now shipping with 4Ah batteries instead of 5Ah. Impact drivers sip energy compared to those power-hungry tools. Maybe the pricing has something to do with it.
The kit with 5Ah batteries seems like a better value compared to the compact kit.
Compared to its predecessor, the tool-only price difference is also around 10% – the XDT16Z is listed at $200 (or as low as $160 at authorized dealers and even less via 3rd party sellers), while the XDT19Z is listed at $220.
Additional Purchase Options
Tool-Only at Acme Tools
Tool-Only at Tool Nut
Compact Kit at Amazon
Compact Kit at Acme Tools
Compact Kit at Tool Nut
XDT16 Kit at Amazon
XT288T Combo Kit at Amazon
GT200D (XGT) Combo at Acme Tools
18V Battery & Charger Starter Kit at Amazon
I should also point out that Makita’s XT288T combo kit, with comes with the 18V XPH14 hammer drill and 18V XDT16 impact driver, 2x 5Ah batteries, charger, and kit bag, is priced at $295-$349.
Why buy the new impact driver kit for $400, when you can get its predecessor and a hammer drill combo kit with the same charger and batteries for less?
If you want to save some money, you can get the tool-only with a starter kit for around $300. Or, wait and see if/when a combo kit comes out. For the best value, wait until November to see what types of holiday season promotions Makita will offer on the kit or potential new combo kit.
If anyone is willing to do Makita USA’s marketing/PR/communications jobs for them, let us know if or how the XDT19 differs from the 4-year-old XDT16 in any meaningful way.
