Makita has kicked off another busy late-year rollout, and this one lands squarely in the heart of the holiday buying season. Three fresh additions are getting attention fast: two compact drills for everyday fastening and a new impact wrench aimed at tougher jobs, all in the familiar 18V LXT family.
That timing is no accident. Makita tends to lean hard into the U.S. shopping season, and this stretch often brings both new tools and aggressive promotions, making it a magnet for pros and DIYers who have been waiting for the right upgrade.
The newest batch includes the XFD17 driver drill, the XPH17 hammer driver drill, and the XWT20 compact square drive impact wrench. None of them are shipping yet, but retailer listings are already live, which usually means the wait is more about logistics than mystery.
The XFD17 and XPH17 are closely related tools, built for people who want a compact, capable drill without a lot of bulk. Both run on brushless motors and share the same basic performance numbers, so the real split comes down to whether hammer drilling matters.
The XFD17 is the simpler of the two and fits the bill for everyday drilling and driving. It should feel right at home on furniture assembly, cabinet installs, and general shop work, especially when the job is mostly wood, metal, and screws.
The XPH17 adds hammer-drilling capability, which gives it an edge when masonry enters the picture. That means brick and similar hard surfaces are on the menu, and Makita says the tool can deliver up to 28,500 blows per minute in that mode.
Both drills are rated at up to 580 in-lbs of torque and a top speed of 1,900 RPM. They also share a two-speed transmission, a 1/2-inch chuck, and 20 clutch settings, which helps keep fasteners from getting overcooked when precision matters.
Size is a big part of the appeal here. At just 6-9/16 inches long and 3.7 pounds with a 3Ah battery attached, these drills are compact enough to sneak into cramped corners where larger tools become a nuisance.
Pricing already gives the choice some shape. The XFD17 bare tool is listed at $129, while the XPH17 comes in at $139, a small jump for anyone who wants the extra punch for masonry work without buying a separate tool later.
The XWT20 takes a different path and goes after nuts, bolts, and stubborn fasteners. It is a 1/2-inch square drive impact wrench, which means it is built for jobs where brute force and torque matter more than drilling holes.
That makes it a practical pick for automotive work, equipment repair, and maintenance jobs where hand tools can turn a simple task into a grind. At 3.2 pounds with a 3Ah battery, it stays light enough to use in tighter spots without feeling like a brick.
Makita says the XWT20 can deliver up to 170 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 300 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque. It also reaches speeds up to 2,300 RPM and can produce as many as 3,200 impacts per minute, which gives it plenty of muscle for stubborn hardware.
Like the new drills, the impact wrench keeps a compact footprint and adds an LED light for darker work areas. The tool-only XWT20Z is listed at $169, so buyers will need compatible batteries and a charger if they are not already set up with Makita gear.
For shoppers already deep in the LXT ecosystem, these releases fit neatly into the lineup without forcing a platform change. The bigger question is which jobs will get the most use first, because each tool has a pretty clear lane and not much wasted fluff.
