Is the XT281S worth it over a brushed combo kit?

Yes for regular use. Brushless motors on both tools give more runtime per charge and longer motor life than brushed equivalents, and the fast-charging batteries cut downtime.

What is included in the box?

A 1/2-inch brushless driver-drill, a brushless impact driver, two 18V LXT 3.0Ah batteries and a charger. No case or extra tools are included.

Do the batteries fit other Makita tools?

Yes. The 3.0Ah packs use Makita's 18V LXT slide mount, so they work across the LXT line, including saws, grinders and outdoor equipment.

How much torque do the tools have?

The drill delivers 440 in.lbs. of max torque with two speed settings; the impact driver delivers 1,500 in.lbs. of max torque.

How long does a battery take to charge?

About 30 minutes to full charge on the included charger, one battery at a time.

Is this kit enough for deck building?

The impact driver handles deck screws well, but you will want a saw and likely a higher-capacity battery for sustained cutting.

Makita

18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 2-Pc. Combo Kit (3.0Ah)

Q: Where is the 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 2-Pc. Combo Kit (3.0Ah) cheapest?

At Diamond Tool Store, for $482.00, as of our latest check.

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$482.00at Diamond Tool StoreChecked Nov 13

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What reviewers say

Owners of Makita's 18V LXT brushless drills and impact drivers consistently rate the power, balance and fast charging highly. Common complaints center on the modest 3.0Ah battery capacity and the bare-bones kit contents rather than the tools themselves.

What people mention

TorquePraisedOwners say the impact driver drives long screws and lag bolts without bogging down.
Charge timePraisedReviewers highlight the roughly 30-minute full charge as a real time-saver.
Battery capacityCriticisedSome owners find the 3.0Ah packs run down fast on heavy drilling or saw use.
Build and balancePraisedUsers describe the tools as light, compact and comfortable for overhead work.
Kit contentsCriticisedBuyers note the kit ships without a case and with only two tools.

About the 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 2-Pc. Combo Kit (3.0Ah)

The Makita XT281S is a two-piece 18V LXT Lithium-Ion cordless combo kit with a brushless driver-drill and a brushless impact driver. The tools use Makita's BL Brushless motor, which has no carbon brushes. It runs cooler and adjusts torque and speed to the demands of the job. The motor is rated for up to 50% longer run time per charge.

The 1/2" driver-drill has two speed ranges and delivers 440 in.lbs. of max torque. The variable speed impact driver delivers 1,500 in.lbs. of max torque. Both tools have Extreme Protection Technology (XPT), which is engineered to provide increased dust and water resistance on job sites.

The two 3.0Ah BL1830B batteries each reach a full charge in 30 minutes or less and have an integrated LED charge level indicator. Star Protection Computer Controls let the tool and battery exchange data to guard against overloading, over-discharging and overheating. The batteries work with other tools in the Makita 18V LXT system. Use only genuine Makita batteries and chargers.

Model

XT281S

Tool count

Voltage

18V

Battery

18V LXT Lithium-Ion, 3.0Ah (BL1830B)

Charge time

30 minutes or less for a full charge

Motor

BL Brushless

Driver-drill