Impact Drivers 2021 Test: Which Brand Wins?
In our 2021 test we compared 2 impact drivers options head to head. Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red) came out on top. See the measured results, the runner-up, the budget pick, and a link to the full test video.
Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)
Price shown in test: $225
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Makita XDT16 (made in China, blue)
Price shown in test: $225
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The quick take
The short version of why each pick lands where it does, built straight from the measured results.
“the red Makita definitely performs better...my opinion is definitely worth the extra money if you plan to use the tool a lot and keep it for a long time”
The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Products are listed in the order they finished.
All measurements (15 more)+
No Load RPM Forward
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)3,330 rpm
92 rpm slower than the blue Makita
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)3,418 rpm
182 rpm slower than its 3,600 rpm rating but 92 rpm faster than the red Makita
No Load RPM Reverse
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)3,391 rpm
81 rpm slower than the blue Makita
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)3,472 rpm
81 rpm faster than the red Makita
Low RPM Control
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)around100 rpm
slightly better low rpm control than the blue Makita
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)
slowest stable rotation was 114 rpm, slightly worse low rpm control than the red Makita
Noise Level
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)about79 decibels
measured 24 inches from the tool, slightly quieter than the blue Makita
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)about80 decibels
measured 24 inches from the tool, slightly louder than the red Makita
Max Torque Forward
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)
pegged the 2,000 PSI gauge, reaching about 2,200 PSI
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)1,950 PSI
Max Loosening Torque
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)
pegged the gauge again, reaching about 2,400 to 2,500 PSI
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)1,900 PSI
Trigger Lag
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)
faster to respond than the blue Makita in both trials
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)
slower to respond than the red Makita in both trials
Lug Nut Removal Speed
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)
slightly faster than the blue Makita on both lug nuts tested
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)
slightly slower than the red Makita on both lug nuts tested
Screw Driving Speed
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)
won 2 of 3 timed screw driving trials, barely edging out the blue Makita each time; the blue Makita won one trial after the presenter said his tired hand cheated
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)
lost 2 of 3 timed screw driving trials, winning one trial after the presenter said his tired hand cheated for the red Makita
Lag Bolt Driving Speed
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)
won 2 of 3 timed 5 inch lag bolt trials
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)
lost 2 of 3 timed 5 inch lag bolt trials, though it started faster and won one trial
Eight Inch Lag Bolt Progress
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)
made more progress than the blue Makita, with about 3.5 inches of the bolt left to drive versus 3.875 inches for the blue Makita
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)
made less progress than the red Makita, with about 3.875 inches of the bolt left to drive versus 3.5 inches for the red Makita
Lag Bolt Breakaway Torque
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)385 inch pounds
49 inch pounds more than the blue Makita's 336 inch pounds
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)336 inch pounds
49 inch pounds less than the red Makita's 385 inch pounds
Engine Rotation Test
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)4.5 rotations
in 30 seconds simulating a rusty or galled fastener, versus 3.5 rotations for the blue Makita
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)3.5 rotations
in 30 seconds simulating a rusty or galled fastener, versus 4.5 rotations for the red Makita
Drop Test Durability
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)
survived a 12 foot drop onto concrete with no damage to the tool, only the socket adapter bent badly
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)
survived a 12 foot drop onto concrete, handle flexed but did not break, only the socket adapter bent
Vibration
- 1Makita TD172 (made in Japan, red)
presenter reports it vibrates a lot less than the blue Makita, no numeric measurement given
- 2Makita XDT16 18V LXT (made in China, blue)
presenter reports it vibrates noticeably more than the red Makita, no numeric measurement given
How it was tested
- no load rpm forward and reverse at top speed setting
- lowest stable rpm control
- noise level 24 inches from the tool
- maximum torque forward using a hydraulic ram and PSI gauge
- maximum loosening torque using a hydraulic ram and PSI gauge
- trigger lag response time
- speed removing 130 ft lb lug nuts
- speed driving 3.5 inch screws
- speed driving 5 inch lag bolts
- maximum progress driving an 8 inch lag bolt plus breakaway torque to restart it
- number of engine rotations in 30 seconds against a 60 inch pound brake load simulating a rusty fastener
- 12 foot drop test onto concrete
- internal teardown and parts comparison
“the red Makita definitely performs better...my opinion is definitely worth the extra money if you plan to use the tool a lot and keep it for a long time”
