Are batteries the weak point?

Yes. Buy quality cells and rotate them.

How does Makita XFD131 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Drill hold up over time?

2 years of ownership has produced no failures we would consider disqualifying. The wear patterns are visible — that is true of anything used daily — but the piece continues to do the work we bought it for. We last revisited the recommendation on 2026-04-30, and the verdict held.

What maintenance does it actually need?

Most of the upkeep is preventative rather than corrective. Follow the manufacturer's care notes for the first six months; after that, the routine you settle into matters more than the one printed on the box. The "Where it falls short" column above flags the specific points worth being attentive to.

Is it worth the price compared with cheaper options?

Sometimes. The alternatives section above lists the genuine contenders, not lookalikes. The cheaper options are not bad — they are different trade-offs. If the strengths in the "In its favour" column matter to your use, the price gap is usually justified; if they do not, the cheaper alternative is the right call.

Long-term review — tools-diy

Eight Years With a Makita 18V Drill

A driver that has built three kitchens, two decks, and a great deal of flat-pack.

By Bram Ostendorf·Published 12 May 2024·Last reviewed 2026-04-30

The reviewed cordless drill on a sawdust-covered workbench beside a measuring tape, drill bits, and a partly assembled bookshelf. — Hearthline — tools desk, photographed mid-project.

How this piece was assessed

Format: Long-term review
Reviewed by: Bram Ostendorf — Editor, Tools & DIY
Evaluation: Real-world use over months or years. Hearthline does not lab-test or instrument-bench products. Read our methodology.
Review date: 12 May 2024
Last reviewed: 2026-04-30

A cordless drill is the tool most owners use longest and replace soonest. The trick is buying the right battery platform once.

This unit has been the only drill in our reviewer's workshop since 2017.

We first published this piece in May 2024 and have revisited the recommendation through 2026-04-30. What follows reflects what survived that review window — the observations we still stand behind, the caveats worth knowing before purchase, and the small ways the piece has aged in ordinary use.

The summary

Cordless drills sit on the wrong side of the marketing/longevity curve. This Makita has stayed on the right side for eight years.

In its favour

Battery platform compatibility across dozens of Makita tools.
Chuck still holds tight after years of abuse.
Brushless motor runs cool on long sessions.

Where it falls short

Original 3.0Ah batteries are nearing end of life.
Belt clip rivet loosened after year five.
Branded chargers are expensive; aftermarket vary.

Who it's for

— Tradespeople and serious DIYers committed to a battery platform.
— Anyone planning to buy more than two cordless tools.

Who should skip it

— You will use a drill twice a year — a corded or smaller 12V is plenty.

Buying guidance

Pick a platform (Makita 18V, DeWalt 20V, Milwaukee M18) and stick to it for a decade.
Buy bare-tool versions of subsequent tools.
Keep batteries at 40% if storing for months.
Plan for the trade-off most new owners only notice in the second month: original 3.0ah batteries are nearing end of life. It is workable, but it is easier to design around at the point of purchase than to discover afterwards.
Take the second caveat above seriously when comparing across price tiers — belt clip rivet loosened after year five. The cheaper alternatives in the category usually share the same limitation, so paying more rarely solves it.

Alternatives we considered

DeWalt DCD800 20V Brushless Drill
Comparable; different ergonomics.
Explore Similar Choices
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Drill
Heavier, more torque, premium build.

Reader questions

Are batteries the weak point?: Yes. Buy quality cells and rotate them.
How does Makita XFD131 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Drill hold up over time?: 2 years of ownership has produced no failures we would consider disqualifying. The wear patterns are visible — that is true of anything used daily — but the piece continues to do the work we bought it for. We last revisited the recommendation on 2026-04-30, and the verdict held.
What maintenance does it actually need?: Most of the upkeep is preventative rather than corrective. Follow the manufacturer's care notes for the first six months; after that, the routine you settle into matters more than the one printed on the box. The "Where it falls short" column above flags the specific points worth being attentive to.
Is it worth the price compared with cheaper options?: Sometimes. The alternatives section above lists the genuine contenders, not lookalikes. The cheaper options are not bad — they are different trade-offs. If the strengths in the "In its favour" column matter to your use, the price gap is usually justified; if they do not, the cheaper alternative is the right call.

Editorial verdict

Eight years in, this is still the tool we'd recommend a first serious cordless owner.

Update history

2026-04-30Reviewer revisited the recommendation against current alternatives; the verdict held with minor copy refinements.
2026-04-10Editorial maintenance pass: cross-checked alternatives for stock status, validated FAQ against current reader correspondence, and re-confirmed recommendation with the desk editor.
2025-05-06Short check-in revisit; no changes to the verdict, two minor copy corrections logged.
2024-05-12Initial publication after the reviewer's testing window concluded.

Written by

Bram Ostendorf

Editor, Tools & DIY

Bram trained as a carpenter and ran a small renovation outfit before turning to writing. He reviews hand tools, power tools, and workshop equipment with a working tradesperson's eye.

DeWalt DCD800 20V Brushless Drill

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Drill