Home Depot has been advertising Makita XGT cordless power tools as 2023 Innovation Award Finalists.
I was looking at the Makita XGT cordless air compressor, and it’s “out of stock” at Home Depot – both the tool-only and the kit.
Did Home Depot ever sell this? It seems that ALL Makita XGT products now have the same “Innovation Award” badge in Home Depot’s online store.
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It’s not available online and definitely not in stores.
I asked Makita USA if they can share any insights as to why the XGT air compressor isn’t stocked at Home Depot despite being listed as an “innovation award finalist,” but they never answered.
The air compressor is priced at $399 for just the tool, and $559 for the 1-battery kit.
I looked into Home Depot’s 2023 Innovation Awards and found a press release:
Makita XGT is listed as a finalist, for its “high marks in product innovation”:
Makita XGT 40V line of 40V power tools offers powerful battery-powered Pro-grade tools. The 40V tools bring the power of gas to jobsites in a cordless platform.
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The line launched in the USA in mid-2021. So why is it getting Innovation Award “finalist” status in 2023? They gave every XGT product the same “2023 Innovation Award Finalist” badge.
The compressor has been out for a couple of months, but Home Depot isn’t selling it in stores, and doesn’t appear to be available online.
Other retailers have the air compressor for $414, and the kit for $619. Home Depot’s prices of $399 and $559 are better, but it’s moot if they don’t have any products to sell. Maybe these prices are from a price increase or two ago.
Dewalt’s 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage air compressor is currently my favorite, and Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel isn’t far behind. There’s also the Metabo HPT MultiVolt, which is compatible with a plug-in adapter.
Makita’s XGT model is supposed to be quiet, although not as quiet as their similar corded model, which is why I wanted to take a closer look.
I can understand Home Depot not selling the Makita XGT cordless air compressor in stores, but why aren’t they available online?
Home Depot likes the XGT line enough to give “Innovation Award Finalist” badges across the entire system of products, but not enough to carry everything?
Makita XGT cordless power tools still don’t have permanent placements at Home Depot stores – at least not here – with only 2-3 SKUs sporadically available in seasonal or holiday gift center promo displays.
What other tools or brands were in consideration for “Innovation Awards?”
Here are Home Depot’s other 2023 “Innovation Award” Finalists:
- Husky Rechargeable Flashlights
- The KAP-IT Sprinkler Riser
- Kohler Extra Tall Toilet
- The Ridgid Flexshaft
- Ryobi 80V Zero Turn Riding Mower and Riding Lawn Tractor
- TrafficMaster Sheet Vinyl
And the winners:
- Overall Winner: Decora Edge by Leviton (these are pretty neat!)
- First Runner Up: Ecolab Scientific Clean Line
- Second Runner Up: Glidden Cool Touch Exterior Floor Paint
Eliot Truelove
I mean, with the XGT compressor specifically, it’s the same decibel level as the Milwaukee compressor, yet much lighter, 11lbs lighter.
It’s 20.7lbs without battery compared to Milwaukees 31.2 lbs without battery.
Also, compared to the DeWalt compressor which is 21.5lbs, the DeWalt compressor is 80decibels, and decibels are logarithmic, meaning it is very loud.
So Milwaukees level of quiet with Dewalts light weight.
I’d say that’s pretty innovative.
Stuart
Exactly.
But Home Depot gave EVERY Makita XGT product the same “finalist” accolade, and *this* is the (only?) one they’re *not* selling?!
Chris I
WordPress needs to offer text formatting, eh?
😉
Stuart
No?
Especially if I’m replying to a comment from my phone, simple is best; it’s not worth interrupting a thought to worry about styling.
Alexk
I’d like to see more about Metabo and their tools (table saw etc.) that give you the option to use battery or plug into AC. Why isn’t that an option for all brands.
I’ll probably get the M18 miter and tablesaw because I’m on that battery platform but if I didn’t need many batteries and could plug in, which is mostly how I’d use a table/miter saw, then I’d consider other brands.
Stuart
It’s an option for Metabo HPT MultiVolt 36V tools – there’s an AC adapter you can buy.
fred
is there an issue with delivering the same current output that an 18V battery can one of those “AC brick-like” converters?
Stuart
It’s my understanding that current isn’t the issue.
Metabo HPT’s 18V tools tend to be compact and lightweight. An AC adapter works well on their 36V tools like their miter saw, table saw, and router.
A separate adapter would be required, and it wouldn’t be very practical.
No brand has an AC adapter for their 18V tools that I know of, and Makita doesn’t have an adapter for their XGT 36V/40V Max tools. I can’t blame Metabo HPT for not wanting an 18V adapter that matches the functionality of their 36V adapter.
I spoke to the company about their MultiVolt 36V impact driver, and was told it’s similar to their 18V, and instead of 18V battery compatibility you can use the larger MultiVolt batteries or their AC adapter.
Josh Walters
Dewalt also went away from the ac adapter with their new flexvolt miter saw, makes me think there wasn’t much demand or the adapters were problematic
Doresoom
Josh, I’ve seen several reports of the miter saw’s motor burning out when used with the 120V adapter. And at least one user reported that the warranty service center told them to stop using it wih the adapter or it would happen again.
Dirk
The Metabo HPT 18v drill and impact driver that I have can run the 36v big batteries (amongst other 18v tools that can as well). The 36v tools CANNOT run the 18v little batteries tho.
Stuart
Correct.
jorhay
It was always my feeling, unsubstantiated of course, that those award labels were just paid-for marketing by the brand.
As a side note, Home Depot has a bad habit of feeding me targeted ads on social media for products that they never have in stock. Those are usually random objects that I would have been surprised that HD carried anyway. Unlike an XGT air compressor, that I would have assumed that they would carry.
Jared
Is this not just an award Home Depot made up presumably to help themselves market? That doesn’t make it bad, but you might be reading too much into it.
E.g. Lee Valley has “staff picks”. While not presented as an award, it’s probably not that much different in practice. Pick a good product from the ones you sell, then market it as a “staff pick” to customers so they perceive it as having been singled out as something special.
James
Meh… The Milwaukee and Ryobi battery kits with free tool have the same “out of stock” status. Clearly Home Depot doesn’t support those platforms enough to carry the items! What a scandal!
For what it’s worth, my local HDs have had fairly large, prominent XGT displays for several months. Not every tool is available, but most of the core tools. I’ve also noticed more XGT showing up on job sites in the PNW, where Makita has been dominate for a long time.
Stuart
Yes, but those Milwaukee and Ryobi tools SOLD OUT.
I’ve been checking on the air compressor and it seems Home Depot NEVER carried it.
XGT had a very slow roll-out in Home Depot’s online store, but I feel they should carry more
They also need to put these in stores. If Home Depot doesn’t have high confidence in tools they label as “Innovation Award Finalists,” how can consumers?
I can understand Home Depot not carrying any “Outdoor Adventure” tools, but they need to do better with XGT. I don’t know if the holdup is on Home Depot or Makita’s end.
All I’ve seen at my local Home Depot stores are seasonal displays, and only 2 maybe 3 times now – total.
BigTimeTommy
Probably because it’s a marketing gimmick that manufacturers pay for an not an actual award that means anything?
Fos
Makita XGT seems like an after thought at the Home Depot or any big box tool stores really. Truth be told XGT are more times than not the better all around tools. I’m guessing the giant corporation “TTI” is the reason why Home Depot doesn’t show Makita XGT more love.
Eliot Truelove
This. Yet those who are in the pocket of TTI and SB&D trash on Makita like a jilted lover that can’t understand that people actually like and still enjoy their ex.
Makita are the only cordless tools company to have a coffee maker, kettle, and microwave; agree or disagree about whether they should exist or not, it’s pure Innovation, no ifs ands or buts.
Makita are putting out products consistently in their 18v and 40v lines, especially now that pipe expanders, belt sanders, an XGT Multitool, and yes; a Framing nailer are on their way amongst many other things.
Yet people are salty Makita won’t release a new Table saw, cordless or corded, when the data proves tables saws are at the top of if not the number one cause of injuries in the work places. Just 2 months ago an older friend of mine badly sliced the tops of two of his fingers on a brand new Kobalt tablesaw, and he’s been contracting for decades. Accidents happen.
Makita popularized the Track saw from the specialty tool that it was previously because of this: it’s much MUCH safer than a table saw.
It wasn’t until Makita did it (even though Festool and Mafell had made tracksaws previously) that EVERYONE jumped on the Track saw bandwagon. I’m sure that if and when Makita do ever release a Table Saw, it will have a version of Sawstop and be legendary.
So much of Makitas Tools ARE innovative, but not as fast or powerful as other companies, so they get pushed to the side.
Stuart
Don’t forget about their bicycle: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/makita-18v-lxt-cordless-folding-bicycle/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Or TV: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/makita-18v-cordless-tv-radio/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
No, Makita didn’t popularize track saws, Festool did. Makita’s cordless track saw is a different story – the 18V X2 seemed to be the best balanced option for a few years.
BigTimeTommy
That’s just because they were one of the first major brands to put out a good track saw that beat Festools ridiculous pricing
Andrew
Depot has never carried one XGT tool in my area.
Doresoom
This reminds me of the PTIA recognition given to tools that have only been announced, with none on shelves and no review samples available. Pure pay to play.
Eliot Truelove
I commented this on the Facebook post for this, but I think it’s not so much a “this came out this year and we award it” like the Oscars or the Grammys, it’s more of like a “Best of (City/County/State)” award in categories like “best Italian restaurant” or “best farmers market”. They may be new or they may have existed for awhile.
For instance: “Husky rechargeable flashlights” are also a finalist category which encompasses a broad range. Were “husky rechargeable flashlights” released this year? Because as I figure, according to a post of yours, they’ve been available since at least fall last year with the USB C models, and I’m not sure if they had micro USB models.
I’m not sure what the awards season timetable is, from when to when, but only 2 of them were released in 2023 and early on at that (January and February) so I’m betting many of these are also awards for “continued innovation” as well as this years innovations.
Looking at some of the others listed on the innovations awards page:
Glidden cool touch floor paint was a runner up, and that came out last September.
Ridgid flex shaft has reviews from last November as well, not sure of release date.
I’m not sure when Kap it Sprinkler risers were first available either, but reviews on Home Depot go back to September 2020.
Same with the Kohler extra high toilet that is also out of stock (like a lot of XGT products you state) and has reviews going back to April 2020.
TrafficMaster sheet vinyl has reviews going back to June 2017.
The awards don’t list specific model numbers in many cases, but product lines with varied release dates.
This all may be due to the pandemic delaying subjects for review as well.
Either way, I don’t think it’s unfair to have Makita be listed.
If it is “pay to play” similar to BBB ratings, then there is something to be said for that.
You can’t ignore though that the sheer release of 125+ products in 2 and a half years (during a pandemic) is impressive by any metric, thats over a third of the way to Dewalts 300 total (which has 60v Flexvolt overlap), released 10 years ago in 2013, and halfway to Milwaukees 250+ products in the M18 line, which was released in 2012, 11 years ago.
This is all from a company that isn’t part of a corporate conglomerate either.
Stuart
As far as I can tell, Home Depot only awarded Husky flashlights that launched in 2023.
They launched some models in late 2022, but the ones I’m seeing with “finalist” badges came out in 2023.
XGT launched in the USA in early 2021.
Makita is a large for-profit corporation. Not being “part of a corporate conglomerate” is a red herring.
Eliot Truelove
What about all the other products that I listed that were not released in 2023 that were awarded?
One of the Traffic Master vinyl sheet listings with the same “finalist” innovation logo has reviews going back to 2015, and as I’ve said the other traffic master listings have from 2015- 2017 as their first reviews, how can that be explained? As with the other products? Are these like academy “lifetime achievement” awards? Or like being inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame?
I don’t pretend to know the criteria that Home Depot uses to award innovation awards, but it doesn’t seem it HAS to be released in 2023.
Either way, why was Makita XGT awarded and not some other tool brand that Home Depot offers? Did they pay HD off like some may feel, or did they perhaps, maybe of maybe, kinda sorta earn it? Is it so inconcievable that XGT is actually innovative?
James
Not sure about any of the marketing but I have the non-cordless version in my shop that I bought from Tenaquip and we love it.
Eliot Truelove
I absolutely love my Quiet Series MAC320Q, I’ve done many things including tongue and groove oak floored with it and you can’t even tell it kicks on unless you are right next to it. You can almost whisper right over it and have a conversation.
James
Well…….its not quite THAT quiet. I can still hear it in my office when it kicks on in the shop. It’s definitely a pleasure to work around because conversation is easily possible, but it isn’t silent.
Your devotion to Makita is admirable but ………… your credibility gets a bit undermined with the hype.
Understanding that all major tool brands make some really good tools and make some mistakes is key to a balanced perspective and a balanced tool arsenal.
Eliot Truelove
I am devoted, yes, and I can certainly be one for a bit of hyperbole because of it. I said almost whisper, but in reality you don’t really have to raise your voice around the compressor either.
In general though, I’m not blind to tools and brands faults and failings, not even Makitas.
In no uncertain order: Makitas nailers are pretty garbage, their first version of a Hackzall that’s still sold as an extra tool is very weak and overheats easily, the lasers are far too expensive, the miter saws are in general too heavy and can be a pain to adjust at first if out of square; the battery size cap on LXT is very regrettable in high draw tools like chainsaws, weedeaters and blowers; and the XPH14 Drill has had consistent gear assembly issues since it was released that have soured many to the brand (which is why the paradoxical seeming XPH16 just released seems a decent mid power stopgap until the next gen XPH14 successor is released that has patents out with anti kickback features).
These are just a few off the top of my head. I have a mix of Teal, Yellow, and Red that makes the back of my van look like a Romanian flag, but I prefer the Makita.
James
Fair comment. I don’t know what flag my van looks like, but it’s definitely exotic.
I venture that hyperbole is fun and effective when at the pub or shooting the poo with buddies. When writing, the hyperbole comes across as blowharding and takes away from the point you may be trying to make.
Michael F
XGT has a serious pricing problem. I suspect, if anything, that’s why HD is reluctant to stock it in numbers. I’m not sure what Makita is doing with XGT but if they want it to replace LXT at some point they’re going to need to get competitive with Red and Yellow pricing.
Harrison
As a Makita user and someone who generally appreciates what Makita is doing with XGT, I’m gonna have to say this ‘award’ is just marketing BS. The fact that half the ‘award winning products’ are house brands should make that pretty clear.
Here’s my theory- Home Depot has hitched their wagon to TTI. Between Milwaukee, Rigid and Ryobi, the vast majority of HD tool sales have got to be TTI products. While this must be highly profitable, eventually it undermines HD’s ability to negotiate. You can’t create competition between brands for floor space and promotions when all your products are controlled by the same manufacturer….
Maybe this is just a small way for Home Depot to twist the knife as they negotiate next year’s pricing with TTI.
“Don’t forget there ARE other tool brands out there”.
This is why I buy most of my tools from real tool stores like Atlas, Tegs, Mississauga Hardware, IHL, etc. Yes, Home Depot is convenient, but their selection is simply too limited and consumer-focused to be taken seriously.
JR Ramos
The only award worth paying attention to is a patent.
The rest is just blurb, whichever level of product flow it originates from or comes to rest upon. If I see that award badge on a website, I’m not giving it any value – at all. Don’t let marketing run the market – it’s gotten way out of hand in so many ways (everywhere but perhaps in tools/industrial items especially, often to the point of omitting real knowledge or proliferating misinformation).
This probably feels really fun for the HD marketing and promotion employees, Makita probably smiled a little, and some trade rag will probably pick up on it and get the art for publication. Nothing more.