11 Highly Useful Makita Tools You Should Consider Adding To Your Collection

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Those familiar with the world's biggest power tool brands will know that there are plenty of Makita tools that are worth the premium price tag. It's often praised by professionals as a steadfast and reliable brand for jobsite-ready gear. However, it also offers an impressive selection that's just as handy for homeowners. It has several cordless battery ranges tailored to different use-cases, from flat-pack furniture assembly and yard maintenance to commercial construction. And among those ranges, there are several tools that are just as useful for trade professionals as they are for weekend DIYers.

Below, we've highlighted just 11 of Makita's highly useful products. Some will help with everyday DIYs, like drilling and driving, while others will help to streamline your garden maintenance routine. There are tools to help you see in low-light working conditions, products to keep you cool in mid-summer, and if you're upcycling old wooden furniture, there's a tool to help with that, too. All come with the brand assurance associated with the Makita logo. Not only that, but as we'll explain in more detail later, all are rated at least 4.4 stars, with at least 20 reviews to-date from buyers at Home Depot.

If harsh cleaning jobs are slowly killing your vacuum cleaner, you may be better off investing in a dedicated shop vac. Makita's 11 Gallon Wet/Dry HEPA Filter Dust Extractor Vacuum is designed to handle harsh clean-up duties. It's ideal for messy home renovations when sawdust, coarse shards, and shavings frequently foul up the floor. In fact, it's built with contractors in mind, but being a wet/dry vacuum system, it's also ideal for wet spills, and in basements and garages that are prone to occasional flooding. Not only that, but the HEPA filter helps to clean without kicking particulates into the air, like dust, pollen, mold, and other allergens.

The only potential drawback is that, as vacuums go, it's expensive. It's currently priced at $819 at Home Depot. However, with a 4.7 star overall rating from more than 20 users, it appears that most are pleased with their purchase. 77% of buyers have awarded it 5 stars, with many citing its powerful suction and dust-extraction capabilities. One user, who bought it while renovating an old house, described it as the "Difference between continuing work vs taking a break due to dust levels." In that scenario, they added, it's "A definite 'must-have'!"

Not every household needs a wet/dry-capable shop vac. However, we'd be willing to bet that most households across the nation have at least a standard vac hiding in the closet. Now, when it comes to the most reliable vacuum brand, you probably think about household names like Dyson or Shark. However, in its bid to cater to the tool needs of the many, Makita has also thrown its hat in the ring with several promising tools. As an example, its 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Handheld Compact Cordless Vacuum Kit currently scores 4.5 stars overall at Home Depot. 72% of more than 475 users have awarded it top marks, which may be of interest to those who thought Makita was mostly about drills and power saws.

It's designed to make household cleaning fast and efficient, and can be used either as a hand vacuum, or along with the floor nozzle for more traditional cleaning. As for price, it's currently available at Home Depot for $281.29, which also buys a 2Ah battery and charger. You will need to upgrade the battery to a 5Ah version if you hope to enjoy Makita's suggested 33-minute runtime on a single charge. Even still, that's a fairly reasonable price tag given that most Dyson units at Home Depot range above $300. Not only that, but according to reviews, it seems that it's very good at what it does. In the words of one user, who went through several other similar appliances before settling on this one, "Long story short, I should have just started with the Makita handheld vacuum. It's powerful and the battery power is reliable."

If you're curious to know which other tools fit the 18V battery system that runs the above Makita vacuum, there are several. One example is this six-speed 36V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Leaf Blower Kit. It, too, comes with the requisite battery and charger. In fact, it includes two 18V batteries, since it uses both to achieve a total power of 36V. It's designed for various clean-up jobs, delivering 120 MPH blow speeds to help landscapers and contractors get the job done. With that said, it could also prove a handy partner for domestic users, particularly those with large yards that become strewn with leaves in the fall.

Diving into reviews, it becomes easier to understand what makes Makita one of Home Depot's most highly-rated power tool brands. It's rated 4.7 stars overall, with 82% of more than 575 users awarding this blower top marks. That's impressive, especially given the $604 that's required in order to take it home. One user, who has had their blower for four years, explained that they couldn't be happier. They said that the power and battery runtimes are decent, and it's held up very well over the years. In their own words, "If you can find a more powerful blower I know it wouldn't beat it by much."

For controlling weeds and managing grass along the edges of your yard, a string trimmer is perhaps the most useful tool for the job. Makita's 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless String Trimmer Kit is another tool that fits into that long LXT lineup of power equipment. It's sold as a kit at Home Depot for $259, which buys the tool, battery, and charger, and according to Makita, it's designed for precision trimming and edging. A brushless motor ensures durability, while 6,000 RPM motor speeds should help you to deal with your yard's weeds quickly. You can also use it in more delicate scenarios thanks to a variable speed trigger, which makes things more precise.

As for ratings, it's currently scored 4.5 stars overall thanks to more than 860 users. 74% of those awarded the trimmer top marks, with most agreeing that Makita's string trimmers are worth buying. As one happy buyer put it, "If you are in need of a string trimmer and if you want one that will last forever and weighs nothing and doesn't require gas and is really awesome and is teal, then look no further."

A cordless fan can be very handy to have around. It'll keep you cool if you're DIYing beneath the summer sun. It can help to keep your patio parties breezy during a heatwave, and if you need to deep clean your carpets, it can speed up dry times. Makita's 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 9 ¼-inch Fan yields up to 19 hours of runtime on a single charge of a 6Ah battery. It's capable of all the above jobs, and features an oscillating head to provide optimal air flow. A built-in timer for one, two, and four-hour auto shut-off is also useful if you're drying a room overnight.

As for price, it costs $174, which doesn't include a battery. It's part of the LXT line-up of tools, so you could power it with an existing battery if you own one. Alternatively, you can also run it with an A/C adapter. Either way, it comes with the backing of a 4.5-star rating, with 75% of over 90 reviews awarding it the full 5 stars. "Kicks a good amount of air in all settings. Doesn't use too much juice too quickly," said one buyer. They added that it's not too loud, and that its portability and cord-compatibility make it super convenient. In their own words, "This fan is pretty sweet."

It may not be at the top of your wishlist, but a decent flashlight is among those tools and supplies that every DIYer needs to own. You may find yourself with a power outage, or working on a home renovation late into the evening hours. Either way, while it's hardly the most exciting power tool, a flashlight will at least help you to see. Makita's 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless LED Flashlight/Spotlight is made to be versatile, convenient, and most importantly, bright. A pivoting head helps to adjust it as you need, and with a 7Ah battery, it yields up to seven hours of continuous illumination in spotlight mode. It can also beam light up to 700 yards.

It's among the most favorably reviewed tools in this guide, sitting comfortably on a 4.8-star rating. More than 100 users have tried and tested this particular light, and of those, 89% gave it full marks. "Wow is all I can say," said one buyer. "This flash light is almost too powerful it's that good." Another reviewer, who liked it so much that they bought a second, explained that they use one in the garage and one in their storage area. "Great to have when power goes out."

For driving fasteners into tough materials like metal and masonry, an impact driver or hammer drill is usually recommended over a standard drill. Makita's 18V LXT Lithium-Ion ½-inch Brushless Cordless Hammer Driver-Drill handles tough tasks like this, with a durable brushless motor that delivers up to 540 pounds of torque. Despite this power, it weighs only 4.2 pounds with the battery, and is compact enough for jobs in tight, awkward spaces. As for price, it's currently listed at Home Depot for $154, although you'll need to spend extra if you don't already own an 18V LXT battery.

Looking at the reviews, they're fairly solid across the board. It's rated 4.4 stars overall, with 223 reviews to-date. Out of those, 75% awarded the tool 5 stars. Most agree that it's reliable and a good example of Makita quality, including one who said, "This is the third one of these I have owned." Just note that, if hammer drilling is your primary reason for buying, there are several who have questioned the quality and durability of the tool's hammer function. However, these are in the minority. Not only that, but if drilling and driving are your main goals — and you don't need to regularly hammer-drill through masonry — then this may not become a problem.

Climbing a ladder with a chainsaw in order to trim your tree is the kind of job that's best left to professionals. With that being said, you could potentially do it yourself from ground level with a telescoping pole saw — depending on the size and diameter of the branches. Makita's 18V LXT X2 Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 10-inch Telescoping Pole Saw can handle branches equivalent to 4-by-4 cedar. The handle telescopes between 9 and 13 feet for out-of-reach branches, and Makita claims that it delivers more power than a 30cc gas pole saw. Just note that Home Depot's $659 price tag only buys the tool. Not only that, but the tool requires 18V LXT batteries.

This doesn't seem to bother the majority of reviewers — in fact, the tool overall is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars. That's because 84% of more than 35 users have awarded it 5 stars, with most saying it's lightweight, smooth, and easy to use. "I have now used this pole saw several times around the yard keeping my numerous trees looking good," explained one buyer. They added that the chain has remained very sharp, and that they appreciate the batteries' compatibility with their other Makita tools. In other words, they explained that they're "Completely satisfied with this pole saw."

Similarly useful to the pole saw, Makita's 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 6-inch Pruning Saw is ideal for pruning shrubs and small trees. It's capable of cutting branches equivalent to 2-by-2 cedar, and while you probably won't need to, Makita suggests that it can make up to 140 cuts per charge. A brushless motor is designed to ensure tool longevity, while a lightweight build (3.7 pounds, including the battery) helps reduce fatigue during long days of yard maintenance. It's also fairly compact with a 6-inch bar and chain, which is likely to be more useful than a full-sized chainsaw in the tightest corners of your garden.

Again, it's sold as a tool only at Home Depot, where it costs $229. It also scores similarly well in the reviews to the pole saw, landing a 4.5-star overall rating from more than 105 users. 77% of reviewers gave it 5 stars. "Had it a year now. Works excellent," said one buyer. "Sings thru a 3 or 4 inch branch in record time. Easy to handle with one hand." Another 5-star user explained that they were skeptical when they first made their purchase. However, they said, "Turns out this is a gem. A must have for any home/property owner."

As one of the world's leading power tool brands, it'll come as no surprise that Makita makes more than its share of power grinders. Several of these are available at Home Depot — however, its 7.5 Amp Corded 4 ½-inch Paddle Switch Grinder is among the highest-rated. One reason could be the cost; it's priced at $124, which buys the corded tool, plus a handy and durable aluminum carry case. It also comes with grinding wheels, plus a diamond blade for cutting tough materials like tile and concrete. It features a dual AC/DC switch for use with alternative power sources, and since it's corded, you can make the most of your home's high voltage without the worry of limited battery runtimes. It's also built for durability, with seals that protect the motor and bearings from dust and debris.

Back to those ratings, and it scores 4.8 stars overall thanks to more than 465 reviews. Of those, an impressive 85% awarded the grinder 5 stars. Buyers have cited various uses, including cutting pavers ceramic tiles, with plenty voicing their appreciation for the supplied diamond blade and carry case. "This is a great and versatile tool I wish I'd bought years ago," explained one happy shopper. They added, "It was well worth the price and has paid for itself several times."

Whether you're upcycling furniture or sanding down your deckboards, a random orbital sander is widely considered the best type of electric sander for wood. Makita's 3 Amp 5-inch Corded Variable Speed Random Orbit Sander delivers speeds of up to 12,000 orbits per minute, enabling smooth and fast sanding. Since the speed is variable, it provides control during use to ensure you don't accidentally damage the surface. The included dust bag helps keep mess to a minimum, and it also has a built-in vacuum port for hooking up to your shop vac to further improve on-the-go cleaning.

As for reviews, more than 540 users to-date have rated this product, with 80% awarding it top marks. It scores 4.7 stars overall, with feedback suggesting that it's both stable and smooth to use. Buyers also seem to appreciate the variable speed for different applications. And there are some, it seems, who can't speak highly enough of the tool. As one buyer said, "This is by far the best sander I've bought, it works really good on wood surfaces with little to no vibration."

In order to create this guide, we focused on Makita tools that are currently available online via Home Depot. We narrowed our search to include products with a minimum overall rating of 4 stars, ending up with no featured products rated lower than 4.4 stars. Finally, to ensure that those ratings represent a fair appraisal of the products' quality, we searched for tools with at least 20 reviews to-date from real Home Depot shoppers.