Makita XGT Cordless Power Tool System (40V Max) USA Launch Info

April 2, 2021

If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.

Makita has finally announced the launch of their long-awaited line of XGT 40V Max and 80V Max cordless power tools here in the USA.

According to Makita, the XGT cordless lineups will coexist alongside their current 18V LXT cordless power tool system.

Makita XGT 40V and 80V Max Cordless Power Tool Systems

First announced in October 2019, Makita’s XGT launch is a sort of 2-in-1, with both 40V Max and 80V Max cordless power tools and solutions.

As with their 18V X2 lineup, which effectively features 36V cordless power tools powered by 2x 18V batteries, Makita’s XGT 80V Max lineup will be powered by 2x 40V Max battery packs.

Essentially, Makita XGT 80V Max cordless power tools can be thought of as XGT 40V Max X2 tools. As far as we are aware, any two XGT 40V Max batteries can be used in Makita’s 80V Max cordless power tools.

Here’s a list of the tool categories that have been announced so far:

Drills and hammer drills
Impact driver
Impact wrenches
Rotary hammers
Circular saws
Reciprocating saw
8-1/2″ miter saw
Angle grinders
Combo kits
Fan
Radios
Flashlights
Batteries, charger, LXT charging adapter

There are several additional tools that are shown in product materials but have not launched yet, such as string trimmers.

Most of these tools offer higher power, greater capabilities, and premium features not found in Makita’s current 18V power tool system.

All of the new Makita 40V Max XGT tools, at least those with moving components, feature brushless motors, including the fan.

The first wave of tools will launch in April 2021.

Makita XGT Batteries

At launch, there will be (2) Makita 40V Max XGT battery packs, a 2.5Ah battery and a 4.0Ah battery pack with a larger (next-gen) form factor.

One of Makita’s core marketing points in press materials was that the XGT system is based on an 18V battery form factor.

You will find that the Makita XGT 40V Max 2.5Ah battery is approximately the same size and weight as their 18V Li-ion battery, and the 4.0Ah battery should compare well against other brands’ 18V 8.0Ah batteries.

Also on the roadmap are a 5.0Ah battery, dual-bay charger, and charging adapter that allows users to recharge their 18V batteries with an XGT charger.

Here are the charging times, with their DC40RA charger:

Makita 40V Max XGT Battery Charging Times

2.5Ah (BL4025): 28 minutes
4.0Ah (BL4040): 45 minutes
5.0Ah (BL4050): 50 minutes

The Big Question – Should You Buy into Makita XGT?

Makita’s 40V Max XGT lineup has some very appealing selling points right out of the gate:

10-1/4″ rear-handle saw with claims of being lighter and faster cutting than corded tools.

2″ SDS rotary hammer (80V Max) with up to 20% faster breaking efficiency than corded.

4-1/2″ | 5″ angle grinder that’s said to be 60% faster than corded tools.

Impact driver with 3 forward and 3 reverse auto stop modes.

Makita XGT launch will include “50+” products. From the product catalog, this includes:

4 rotary hammers (2 more coming soon)
3 circular saws
reciprocating saw
8-1/2″ miter saw (coming soon)
5 angle grinders (2 more coming soon)
3 impact wrenches (2 more coming soon)
impact driver
compact drill, compact hammer drill
drill, hammer drill
combo kits (2pc, 4pc in two configurations)
9-1/4″ fan
2 jobsite radios
2 flashlights
2 batteries (1 more coming soon)
1 charger (dual bay coming soon)
18V charger adapter

Refer to our separate post for a full listing of all the new Makita XGT 40V Max tool SKUs.

By my count, that’s 38 products, not including the combo kits or that there will be bare tool and kit options for most of the tools.

The new Makita XGT platform includes some interesting technologies, such as “AFT” anti-kickback tech that is not available in their current and event recent 18V LXT cordless power tools.

Makita also engineered an electronic digital clutch into their heavy duty brushless drills. This might not be a feature we will ever see in their 18V cordless drills, but it does give us an idea of the modern and next-gen tech coming to the XGT platform.

5 years from now, when Makita has built up the 40V Max and 80V Max XGT cordless power tool systems, the answer will be clearer.

Right now, XGT is off to an interesting start.

It’s hard to really know what direction the 18V and 18V X2 lineups will head in, but Makita’s XGT systems will certainly push the brand closer than ever to a “cordless jobsite” future.

Every professional tool brand’s goal is to eliminate the need for power cords, air hoses, and gasoline tanks, at least as much as possible, and XGT is Makita’s new champion for such efforts.

XGT pricing seems to be a bit high, but it’s not disproportionate to the tools’ premium features and specs.

Part of the difficulty in discussing the XGT system is that it’s a standalone system with no upgrade or expansion path for existing Makita 18V tool users.

Since we haven’t seen any of the tools in person yet, there’s no basis for discussing their capabilities or performance.

Makita 18V LXT and 40V Max XGT Incompatibility

There will be an optional charging adapter, ADP10, which allows 18V LXT users to recharge their batteries in an XGT charger.

Other than this charging adapter, Makita’s 40V Max XGT cordless power tools and batteries will not be compatible with the brand’s 18V LXT lineup.

What Happens with 3rd Party Batteries?

Makita shared something interesting about their XGT tools and chargers.

According to my notes (screen captures and recordings were barred), if you use a knockoff/3rd party battery pack, the XGT charger will not fully charge that battery.

If my notes are correct, you will also get slightly lower power delivery from that knockoff or 3rd party “replacement” battery.

Basically, there seems to be some sort of new handshake that limits the charging capacity, and also the performance output.

My assumption is that this is a safety precaution.

Purchase Options and Availability

The first wave of XGT tools should start shipping later this month (April 2021). The following retailers are accepting orders for the full lineup of tools.

Buy Now via Acme Tools
Buy Now via Tool Nut
Buy Now via CPO Tools