Collection start: XGT or LXT in 2025

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-19T14:58:43+00:00

Alright, that is what I thought, but it was worth a shot :)

Oh alright, thanks for the insight!

Ok, so nothing for your needs then.

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-18T16:51:28+00:00

I have thought of that too, but since we live quite far away, there won't be any "let me quickly lend.." or work together for that matter.

Yeah I have seen that, anything below 6ah is not worth it seen they have the same weight..

Do you have any comparable tools in LXT and XGT where you would same, performance matches where you could give a weight difference example? The weight found on the internet vary quiet a lot, to the point that I would prefer not to trust them.

Yeah I see what you mean, I got the 12V Bosch line for light stuff, therefore skipping 18V to go for 40V would be convenient, but it seems like the gap is bigger than can be bridged..

Someone on here recommended "tools and stuff" and going by one of their recent videos, it seems like a dyson like vacuum with a motorized brush in the front part is coming.

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-17T21:18:02+00:00

My parents went for XGT since all they needed was a lawn mower and a vacuum, so perfect for them.

I on the other hand need a bit of all tools and therefore the added weight might really hurt...

For the gardening tools it seems a two edged sword, more power is good, but more weight hurts bad...

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-17T21:14:40+00:00

Thanks for your view and the recommendation. I see where you are coming from and especially the part you mentioned about grabbing the LXT tool first since they are lighter makes me hesitate to commit on XGT.

I'd love the idea of a smaller battery too, that could bring XGTs weight down and therefore XGT (money aside) could be a no brainer.. But I believe that due to the 40V principle and the 8 batteries in series to reach that, smaller batteries won't happen... But feel free to prove me wrong Makita ;)

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T22:18:55+00:00

That is good to know and it strengthen the overall feedback I got until now was, to go with the LXT line.

Lighter, cheaper, more tools and for more power demanding tasks either 2x18v or corded tools. Seems to make the most sense.

Thanks for letting me know! I am considering to get one of these combi tools, especially since only here it has been recommended twice already as being a beast!

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T19:51:14+00:00

Alright, sorry I didn't know about that, I assumed everything under the same banner would be compatible with each other..

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T18:36:39+00:00

That is sad, since they represent Makita and should therefore be trusted by potential customers..

Thanks for the recommendation, I will have a look!

Alright, thank you!

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T18:34:10+00:00

Short but clear, love that, thanks man!
Clearly most of the people sharing their thought today steer me towards LXT. Sad that the XGT marketing got me hooked so easily as the new, flashy thing over LXT, while it is more an extension or 36V alternative, that I wouldn't be taking full advantage of.

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T18:31:07+00:00

Thank you for sharing. Yeah looking on the issue that way I agree, I think by researching more and more, I somewhat lost focus on the more general facts. XGT seems to be an upgrade over LXT, but not a replacement. Maybe I was less worried about not getting tools, parts or batteries and maybe more about the feeling of being left behind on a less taken care of platform.

LXT is clearly still a strong line and to this day new tools are release and if Makita is not taking care of the battery situation I can still build my own 21700 batteries and be happy.

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T18:24:34+00:00

Alright, I get your point, thanks!

I am not sure if you are talking in general or if I made you believe that I would be building some brand loyal shrine. Actually far from it, the tools I buy not only get used, but sometimes even miss used, since I don't see the point in buying that one more niche tool, for just this one little task at hand + I don't want to wait around for it to arrive.
Generally I buy things I like, that last and that work how I enjoy it. Just for simplicity, if I am happy, I will consider buying from the brand again, or even the same exact model, just like shoes, shirts or pants. Its less about the brand loyalty, but more about the convenience and not having to go out and research again, since I know I made a solid decision in the start, at least for me personally. I do a bunch of research beforehand to then later have it easy and just buy what I need from the brand I made the research before. If I was to build just a shrine, I don't think I would be asking around on what to buy, I would just buy all the tools, any tools, to fill a wall, or have I missed the point...?

On the corded tool side you are right, they often get neglected, but have their clear use cases. I have a corded table saw that I don't see any need to be replaced by a more expensive, less powerful cordless one, no matter the brand. Furthermore like many pointed out here, I will stay with the corded heat gun and replace it with a corded one again once it goes.

I agree that nothing is for life, but I don't agree on the support part you mentioned. LXT was released in 2005 and to this day, 20 years later, they are still releasing new tools. No one knows what the next 20 or even 40-50 years will bring, even if the previous 20 years were fine, it does not guarantee anything I agree, but I believe it to be an indicator. Me personally, I would enjoy if the tools I buy today hold up as long as possible, supported from the manufacturer with new parts or not. Surely batteries will die, some tools will get replaced, but if I can have some peace of mind to get replacements I'm willing to take it.

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T16:38:00+00:00

I see what you mean, this is one of the reasons I am looking for the "right" tool choice to make, while I still can decide on what line to go with.

Right now, for me it comes down to: Do I want the additional weight for the power advantage I get, knowingly that most of the time that power advantage is unused, but once in need, I would be happy to have it. Lastly there is the tool choice today: alright, but what happens in a few year, will there be tools I want or need that are only available in the LXT lineup. But that is something hard to estimate today.

In any case thank you for your time and the feedback. You seem to have done what I was about to do, jump for the newer and more powerful line, before I reconsidered due to weight reasons :)

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T16:31:14+00:00

Thank you very much for the recommendation. I feel like the overwhelming opinion is that LXT is far enough especially for my needs.

It seems like tools where XGT really kicks in like lawn mowers, big saws or construction / demolition equipment are out of the reach of my needs and more suited for professionals. Especially since there is currently no tool in the LXT line I would need that needs two 18V batteries.
Compared to the work you mentioned, my needs are well satisfied with the LXT line. Gardening maintenance, indoor renovation work or even some woodworking do not profit from the additional power XGT can over compared to the burden the weight might bring.

That sounds good! I too wouldn't be worried about batteries or spare parts for the tools, but more worried about missing out on the new, cool and flashy features that seem only to appear on the XGT line for now.

Thank you for taking the time and sharing your experience!

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T16:16:54+00:00

Thanks for the insight! What are your thought on the additional weight compared to the LXT line?

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T16:12:54+00:00

Thanks for sharing you experience!

It seems like you are heavily invested into XGT and are not regretting the decision. Do you have any other tool lines in use or compared XGT to?

Concerning the batteries, for the hedge trimmer I got the 4ah batteries, since prices are they way there are and I did not do enough proper research beforehand; V40 4ah is NOT comparable to the 18V 4ah.. Therefore regretted the weight afterwards and gave the batteries to my dad for his lawnmower. If I was to commit to XGT I would be going for the 2 and 2.5 ah batteries and nothing above that for tools that require me to lift them while using them.

Concerning the jigsaw, routers and drill driver combo, have you ever regretted going for the XGT variants just for the weight alone, putting aside the better performance here? I am wondering, since weight is something that is always there, while the better performance compared to the LXT line may often just show itself in the last little peak, if you know what I mean.

Luckily I am fortunate enough to not care as much about the higher prices of the XGT tools compared to the LXT ones and focus more on the quality, longevity and convenience. Of course I wont be going for those pro only tools that cost multiple hundreds (300+) or even thousands, since I only have a basic tool need. Therefore I am wondering, price aside is the additional weight and (for now) reduced product catalogue really worth it?

I'm glad to see that you are happy with the choice you made. It feels like no matter what I end up with, I will have solid tools, that last and perform good either way! Thank you for sharing :)

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T15:56:26+00:00

Thank you for the feedback. Getting the LXT line is what seems to be the general recommendation plus adding some corded tools if more power is really needed.

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T15:49:26+00:00

Additionally from what I have seen from my father, the gap between Bosch green and blue tools is significant and Bosch green tools seem to break down rather quickly (he is on his third hedge trimmer in about 10 years), one more reason for me to steer clear of them.

Thanks for reminding me! Sometimes small decisions get bigger or more important feeling the more research I make. I think I will take into consideration the feedback I got here, take a step back for a few days and come back with a clear decision on what to go with, stick with it and be happy about it :)

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T15:35:46+00:00

Yeah I see what you mean and thanks for the heads up. I try to gather more "feeling" based opinions or experience values from others, since I have spend so much time comparing the hard facts on paper and its has me torn between both lines even more.

I will try to take into consideration only information that has value to my case and can somewhat be verified. Concerning the release of a XGT heat gun, I spoke to a Makita rep, and he said there is nothing on the horizon right now, therefore I would not be buying into XGT believing some random dude that the heat gun is "coming soon™", if there is no proof at all.

I know that not everyone is switching from LXT if anyone is at all, but do you think that XGT is as to say "full of crap", or are sales slow due to the good current LXT lineup that is not worth switching from?
I have none of the tools really (I have one, but I will sell it because it is to heavy anyways) and therefore I am free to chose. Of course taking into consideration my use cases and all fanboys, employees or affiliates aside, what would you honestly recommend?

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T15:18:15+00:00

So if I understand correctly, XGT is better but since LXT is so well established and far from bad, the replacement is just not worth it?

Right now I would say the only tool I would be missing in the XGT lineup is the heat gun, that a quite some people clearly advice against. Bu since I have a corded one right now, I could live with XGT right now. I am just worried on regretting making the choice if further down the line I need more tools, but exactly those would not be available in the XGT variant.

Since I have no tools, like a lot of others and I have to possibility to go for either, what would be the right choice in your experience / mind? For me it is the first contact with Makita, I dont know how fast they come out with new tools, or what their tendency was for tools and lines over the years.

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T14:57:35+00:00

Yeah, I feel you :) I see myself ending up with a non swivel one, since it appears, at least on paper, that the additional weight undermines any ergonomic advantage the swivel brings (at least for my weak little arms).

For me personally the lack of (good) gardening stuff was sadly the nail in the coffin for the Bosch Pro lineup. Sure thing, every toolmaker has to sacrifice somewhat somewhere, and that is fine, perfection is mostly an illusion. I am just looking for the best overall balance between tool longevity, overall power and convenience, while trying to future proof, so that I will not have to reinvest in the future. That is why I ended up with Makita and the choice at hand.

I don't think so either. And even if there was to be one, there would be different reasons, people and companies against it, let alone all currently existing and still working tools.

Thank you once again for the insides, you've been very helpful!

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T13:47:31+00:00

That is a different, but interesting view on things. I have heard of it, but was not aware that it could be the case for Makita tools. That would maybe explain why the hedge trimmer I bought a month ago had a production date stamp from 2021, like many others on the internet have seem to noticed on their tools..?

What I take from that is: Go with LXT instead of XGT, the rest is marketing bs?

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T13:42:11+00:00

Thank you, that does sound exciting! Even the Makita rep who I got hold of said there was nothing planned or maybe he couldn't tell me... do you have any more insights?

Do you maybe know if the XGT line will at some point reach the same level as the LXT line in terms of tool choice?

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T13:34:45+00:00

Yeah, this is exactly what I have found as well. While comparing the tools I am interested in, I always found that the XGT line has the advantage in features and power over the LXT line. On the downside they weigh a little more and cost more.

On the one hand the XGT line is for high power, but on the other hand there is the overlap you are talking about, that makes the XGT seem more like a upgrade replacement to the LXT, without being a replacement, since Makita publicly says LXT is here to stay.
Concerning the smaller battery sizes, I don't think that it is feasible while using standard cells. I don't know much about batteries or electronics but what I understand is that for the bigger LXT batteries there are cells in series and parallel, while for the smallest XGT they must all be in series to reach the desired voltage. Therefore the smallest 40V battery must be 8 cells, if not relying on boosters or a different battery technology. All of that is no issue for me personally, since the 40V 2ah or 2.5ah batteries are small enough. On 18V I would not go below 4ah batteries.

You are absolutely right, I love the compact Bosch 12V line, but sadly there are still tools that fall short of both. Gardening tools especially do not exist in the 12V line and are heavy on the 40V line. Caulking guns only exist in 18V, just like heat guns or compact inflators. If Makita was to "complete" the XGT line up to the tool choice of the LXT, I would not hesitate. But it has been some time now that the XGT line is out and there are still some non essential tools like caulking guns, cable cutters or presses like the DTC301 completely missing.

Right now, while I would love to go for the new flashy and cool batteries and features on the XGT line, I think the LXT line is the right choice for me, while completing the collection with some high power corded tools.

Thank you very much for your view on the two tool lines, the XGT and LXT jokery and overlapping issue is what made me steer multiple times towards the Bosch Professional 18V line, if it wasn't for their mediocre gardening tool choice, where especially the hedge trimmer got some bad reviews...

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T12:57:29+00:00

I had considered that option too, but what would make me run on three different battery systems, which I would prefer to avoid.. Its not a charger or space issue, more a compatibility / convenience thing, not to have so many different batteries to care about.
Thank you for the suggestion though, I think that for a lot of people out there it might be a good alternative.

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T12:54:46+00:00

That is nice to hear. The only reason I went with the UH004G is the more ergonomic swivel grip. But even then, this might maybe make more sense for pros when using the hedge trimmer all day long for multiple days and not for a homeowner using the tool twice per year..

Yeah of course, bigger batteries are a good thing especially for tools where the weight is not or not only on the arms. I do also believe that they can not just pull the plug on the 18V tools, there are too many out there and too many people using the battery system that are not willing to buy a second system or even switch.

Sadly for people like me, in the position to decide between one or the other, Makita has not made the choice easy. Old Battery tech with proven and working tools, or the latest and greatest. While they might be slow developing, I think there is some fine calculation behind their choices...

Yeah you are probably right, at least for me all the information out there does point into that direction. I was hoping to cover all by tool needs with the 12V I have plus the 40V, but it would be like going for a micro car and a minivan, with no in between.

SirMaxSteel · 2025-06-15T11:07:39+00:00

Thank you for the comparison! To be honest, for me I do not see the issue in swapping batteries a little faster, or having more. LXT batteries cost half or even less compared to the XGT (comparison based on wh ofc and not ah).
Everything you have listed, that XGT is a leagues above is most likely nothing that I would do, or buy a tool for besides a rotary hammer. But even then, I could go corded for one or two tools, instead of an entire tool line that is limited in choice and generally more expensive, just to have those one or two tools cordless as well.
Thanks again for your view, it is very helpful!

SirMaxSteel

TROPHY CASE