Best Reviewed
Cordless Drills
- Best cordless drill for homeowners Milwaukee 2410-22 *Est. $150
- Budget cordless drill Porter-Cable PCL120DDC-2 *Est. $90
- Professional cordless drill DeWalt DCD760KL *Est. $220
- Cordless impact driver Milwaukee 2450-22 *Est. $140
- Cordless combo kit Porter-Cable PCL212IDC-2 *Est. $135
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- Compact, light and powerful
- Excellent 3-speed control
- Brushless 4-pole motor
- Lights warn of low battery
- Three-year warranty
- Expensive
- No onboard bit storage
The top-ranked Makita BTD144 impact driver is powered by 18-volt Li-ion batteries that recharge in just 30 minutes. Impact drivers can be tricky to control, with some risk of stripping screw heads, but reviewers say the three speed ranges and variable-speed trigger on this model provide excellent control. Tests also show that it provides excellent run time and plenty of power for driving big fasteners. At 5.5 inches this driver is more compact than most, and the 3.3-pound weight hits the "sweet spot" for minimizing both fatigue and vibration. Reviews also praise this driver for many conveniences, including a work light that stays on a few seconds after the trigger is released, plus lights that flash when the battery needs recharging. As a budget pick for driving mostly small fasteners, consider the 10.8-volt Makita TD090DW (*Est. $130).
ConsumerReports.org hadn't tested the Makita BTD144 at the time of our report, but detailed June 2010 comparison tests at Popular Mechanics rank this model above eight others. The Journal of Light Construction tests even more impact drivers -- 13 in all -- with the Makita BTD144 the winner. A single-product review at Fine Homebuilding also praises the Makita BTD144, and this driver is named one of the best tools of the year at both Popular Woodworking and at Wood Magazine. Fewer than a dozen owners have rated this expensive driver at Amazon.com, but they give it above-average ratings with only minor complaints. It may also be relevant that the latest survey of cordless-drill consumers at J.D. Power & Associates gives Makita a 5-star rating as a brand. The 2007 brand survey at Builder Online may be less relevant, since the Makita BTD144 wasn't available then.
| Makita BTD144 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver | |
(30 reviews) In Stock. |
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| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  50 store reviews | In Stock. New | $151.76 | See It |
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Our Sources
The Makita BTD144 earns a 5-star rating here, outranking the other eight impact drivers tested -- with praise for its compact size, light weight, power and three-speed finesse. The charger is called "over-engineered" but this statement isn't explained.
Review: Impact Driver Comparison Test, Roy Berendsohn, June 2010
2. The Journal of Light Construction
The Makita BTD144 earns top ranking here based on objective tests and field use, compared with three other new impact drivers as well as nine tested in Oct. 2008 by the same reviewer. This well-illustrated review explains the driver's unique features especially well.
Review: New 18-Volt Impact Drivers, Chris Kennel, Nov. 2009
This single-product review of the Makita BTD144 gives it a perfect 5-star rating, with special praise for its three speed ranges and excellent variable-speed trigger. Price is the only drawback.
Review: Makita BTD144 Cordless Impact Driver Review, Justin Fink, Oct. 2009
4. Popular WoodworkingDetails/Subscribe
Popular Woodworking names the Makita BTD144 impact driver one of the best new tools of 2009, saying it became "an object of envy" in the magazine's workshop. No drawbacks are noted.
Review: Best New Tools of 2009, Christopher Schwarz, Jan. 2010
5. Wood MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Editors of Wood Magazine name the 18v Makita BTD144 impact driver one of the top new tools for 2010, praising the extra control provided by its three-speed transmission combined with an excellent variable-speed trigger.
Review: Top New Tools for 2010, Editors of Wood Magazine, 2010
6. Amazon.com
The Makita BTD144 impact driver earns above-average ratings from the owners reviewing it here (fewer than a dozen at the time of our report) -- with praise for its extra control. One owner finds it tricky to get a screw started slowly enough, and another wishes it built in some storage for extra bits.
Review: Makita BTD144 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver, Contributors to Amazon.com
Makita as a cordless-drill brand earns a perfect 5-star rating here based on a survey of nearly 5,000 consumers, ranking well above average but fifth among brands.
Review: 2010 Cordless Drill/Driver Satisfaction Study, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, June 2, 2010
Makita ranks sixth as a power tool brand, compared with 14 others that make cordless drills, in this 2007 survey of 3,428 builders and contractors. Since the innovative Makita BTD144 impact driver wasn't available back then, it's not clear whether or not this earlier survey is relevant to its quality.
Review: 2008 Builder Brand Study, Hanley Wood, 2008
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