EmailBest Reviewed
Cordless Drills
- Best cordless drill for homeowners Makita DF030DW *Est. $150
- Cordless drill for construction projects Makita BDF452HW *Est. $200
- Budget cordless drill Hitachi DS12DVF3 *Est. $75
- Best cordless screwdriver Hitachi DB3DL *Est. $65
- Best cordless impact driver Panasonic EY7540LN2L *Est. $315
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Cordless drill for construction projects
- 15-minute charger
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Lightweight
- Excellent comfort, balance
- Overkill for small projects
- Some users report battery problems
Reviewers recommend the compact 18-volt lithium-ion (Li-ion) Makita BDF452HW drill/driver for big household construction jobs such as building a deck or shed. The lithium-ion batteries hold their charge well between uses, so this Makita drill is especially good for homeowners who don't use it daily. The compact batteries keep the tool's weight down to 3.5 pounds, and their limited runtime is offset by the 15-minute fast charger. Reviewers say the batteries are easy to change, and that the drill itself is very comfortable to use, with excellent balance. The main drawback with the Makita BDF452HW is that some users report battery problems; apparently, leaving the batteries on the charger shortens their life. You can get the Makita LCT200W kit (*Est. $250), which adds an impact driver, useful for driving big fasteners like lag screws. For ordinary household use, however, consider the smaller, lighter and less expensive 10.8-volt Makita DF030DW (*Est. $150).
We found three excellent comparison reviews of the Makita BDF452HW cordless drill/driver. ConsumerReports.org compares it with 42 other cordless drills in a 2007 test. More recent tests at Tools of the Trade and Popular Woodworking cover fewer models, but all use comparable batteries. Reviews at Wood Magazine and the Journal of Light Construction are also based on testing, but provide fewer details. The Makita brand is also included in a 2008 customer survey by J.D. Power and Associates, and we found reviews by owners of this specific drill at Amazon.com and HomeDepot.com. An informal review at ToolGeek.com focuses on women users with smaller hands. A video review at YouTube.com (by Tool King) is an advertisement but still provides useful details.
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
This review compares the Makita BDF452HW cordless drill with 42 other cordless drills, based on earlier tests published in December 2007. Each drill gets separate ratings for speed, power, runtime, battery-charging time, noise and ease of handling.
Review: Cordless Drills, Impact Drivers, Cordless Combo Kits, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, June 2009
Tools of the Trade Online compares eight compact Li-ion cordless drill/drivers based on objective tests plus jobsite use, ranking the Makita BDF452HW second only to the Milwaukee 2601-22. The Makita earns kudos as "a well-balanced tool and at the height of comfort" plus smooth performance and a 15-minute charger -- but loses points for a stiff clutch adjustment.
Review: Tool Test: Compact & Subcompact Drill/Drivers, David Getts, Feb. 2009
3. Popular WoodworkingDetails/Subscribe
The Makita BDF452HW is the Editor's Choice at Popular Woodworking, based on detailed comparison tests of seven 18-volt, Li-ion cordless drills. The Makita earns kudos for its balance, light weight, LED light and ease of battery change.
Review: Lithium-Ion Drills, Editors of Popular Woodworking, April 2008
4. Wood MagazineDetails/Subscribe
The Makita BDF452HW is judged the better of the two cordless drills recommended in this brief Wood Magazine review. Tester Doug Hicks praises the Makita for its power, fast charges, LED light and versatile half-inch chuck.
Review: Top Buys in 6 Basic Power Tools, Doug Hicks, May 2009
Tools of the Trade doesn't rank or rate the Li-ion cordless tools reviewed here, but the brief summaries of each model make it easy to tell which ones perform best with the most comfort, and any drawbacks are noted. The Makita BDF452HW earns praise for great ergonomics, easy battery changes and smooth, quiet performance.
Review: Lithium Ion Hands On, Rick Schwolsky and Michael Springer, Jan. 2007
Makita ranks fifth in this large customer-satisfaction survey of 10 cordless drill brands, though it still ranks above the industry average. The J.D. Power and Associates' rankings are based on six factors, with drill performance most important, followed by ease of use, battery performance, price, versatility of battery system and warranty.
Review: Cordless Drill Owners Particularly Pleased with Lithium Ion Battery Technology, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, June 5, 2008
7. Amazon.com
The Makita BDF452HW compact lithium-ion drill is one of the top-rated cordless drills at this retail site reviewed by over 160 owners. However, a few report getting one with a bad chuck (that makes bits wobble) or with batteries that fail prematurely, apparently if they're left in the charger too long.
Review: Makita BDF452HW 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2-Inch Driver Drill Kit, Contributors to Amazon.com
Nearly two dozen owners review the Makita BDF452HW at HomeDepot.com, making it one of the top-rated cordless drills at this retail site. Most owners say they love this drill, but a few report premature battery failure.
Review: Makita 18V Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2 In. Driver-Drill Kit, Contributors to HomeDepot.com
The Power Tool Geek blog post reports on informal tests of cordless drills by three women. They agreed on the 4.6-pound Makita BDF451 as the favorite for its overall ergonomics and handling. Later the compact Makita BDF452HW gained the edge with its even lighter weight. The reviewer notes that this has become the most popular drill (among both men and women) at the related retailer site.
Review: Buying Advice - Cordless Drills for Women, Brian Mark, Feb. 20, 2006
10. ToolKing.com
This video, posted at YouTube, is basically an advertisement, but it does give a good indication of the relative size and power of the Makita BDF452HW LXT drill. About two dozen owners add comments, with a few reports of durability issues.
Review: Makita BDF452HW LXT 18v Drill Demo, Editors of ToolKing.com, Sept. 24, 2007
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