This Makita CT226 12V Max CXT cordless drill and impact driver combo kit is on sale for just $99.
Its regular price looks to be $139, and we’ve seen this kit, model CT226, on sale for $99 before, most notably ahead of Black Friday and Father’s Day holiday shopping seasons..
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This combo is part of Makita’s 12V Max cordless power tool line, which replaces their previous line of 12V Max cordless power tools based on a stem-style battery pack form factor.
This battery style provides numerous advantages, and Makita has shown an interest in actively developing new 12V Max CXT tools.
Makita CT226 Combo Kit Contents
- Makita 12V Max Cordless Drill (FD05)
- 0-450/1700 RPM
- 250 in-lbs max torque
- Makita 12V Max Impact Driver (DT03)
- 0-2600 RPM, 0-2400 IPM
- 970 in-lbs max torque
- Kit comes with 2x 1.5Ah batteries, charger, kit bag
This Makita 12V Max drill and impact driver combo won’t win any best-in-class awards, but is quite possibly the best value and bang-for-the-buck combo I’ve seen.
At the risk of sounding too optimistic – if I were in the market for a 12V-class drill and impact driver kit, there’s a strong chance this is the kit I would buy. It gives you entry to Makita’s growing lineup of 12V Max CXT tools, but the tools are fantastic as-is and apart from a bigger 12V Max investment.
It’s matched by a Milwaukee M12 drill and impact driver combo kit that also typically goes on sale seasonally.
If you’re in the market for some new 12V-class tools, this is a fantastic deal. I’d encourage you to also look at the Amazon user ratings which are overwhelmingly positive.
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Makita typically tries hard to cater towards professional users exclusively, but this would make for a great drilling driving set for everyone – pros, DIYers, hobbyists, and homeowners alike.
Seasonal Sale Price: $99
As I started at the top of the post, there are 2 types of deals. I would definitely buy this set if I had a need for the tools. If I hadn’t already purchased a Milwaukee M18 drill/driver cordless kit for my father last holiday season, this would be on my shopping list. If I were looking to buy a housewarming gift for someone moving into their first apartment or home, this would be it.
That all said, if you were looking to buy into a tool platform, keep in mind that Makita’s CXT lineup is relatively new, and although they seem to have adapted all of their previous post-style battery tool designs, the line still doesn’t have the same breadth as other brands’ 12V-class platforms. If you want a band saw, a rotary hammer, or a brushless circular saw, Milwaukee’s M12 deserves your attention.
Comparatively, I think that Makita’s newish CXT line holds well against Dewalt, reasonably well against Bosch, and very well against all other 12V-class professional power tool lines, excluding Milwaukee’s of course.
In other words, unless you have reason to buy into Milwaukee’s M12 lineup, or specific reasons for going with another brand – maybe you like the size of Bosch’s brushless drill or drivers – this seems to be one heck of a good deal.
Makita vs. Milwaukee?
Just considering the drill and impact driver, I’d lean towards Makita. The slide-style battery pack makes these tools unbelievably compact.
As part of a system? That’s a tougher choice. Milwaukee has a vast selection of 12V class tools. If Makita can catch up, it’ll take them years, although they do already offer the core tools that many users need, plus some.
Cody
Makita 12-Volt MAX CXT Lithium-Ion 3/8 in. Brushless Cordless Driver Drill Kit
Makita 12‑Volt MAX CXT Lithium‑Ion 3/…
$179.00
Home Depot
Stuart
Thanks! I should have clarified – I want to see brushless versions of all the new CXT tools, not just the drill and driver.
Andrew Betschman
Stuart what about the other new makita cxt tools i posted on the toolguyd forum?
Stuart
I don’t think I saw the post, will look in a little bit. Thanks! They have a jigsaw and circular saw, but I don’t think I saw any “new from the ground up” tools.
Stuart
Ooh, nice finds. Where did you see about the radio? I think I saw a glimpse of one, but I thought it was an 18V model.
Forum post for reference:
https://discuss.toolguyd.com/t/new-makita-12-cxt-tools/387
Andrew Betschman
I found it here. http://www.makita.co.jp/product/li_ion/index.html I like the new 12 volt flashlight. Amazon is already selling the flashlight.
Travis
Lets not leave out the new 12v Brushless 1/4″ Hex Cordless Drill / Driver
DF032DSYE
http://www.makita.ca/index2.php?event=tool&id=3022&catid=2
These really make me want to ditch my Bosch 12v tools but I just bought the brushless drill and the barrel grip jigsaw. ugh.
Paul
If they threw in a flashlight at $99 it would have been the same deal as the Hitachi kit I saw at Lowe’s over Father’s Day. Individual kitted tools were at $69!!! The 12V impacts are awesome, power and size.
I think Hitachi doesn’t get the call outs it deserves but I would suggest people look at the deals they have been running.
Mahalo
I was impressed by the 12V impact driver recently. Oddly, it felt almost as heavy as a competitor’s 18V, which made me wonder about it’s innards.
Matt J
I’m curious, how do newer 12v tools compare to the forgotten 14v? I was contemplating getting one of the kits for a Father’s Day gift since all my dad has is an aging hitachi 14v down to its last battery, but wasn’t sure if I should recommend going up or down in voltage.
B
Why do people buy 12v tools? I can understand a small pistol drill/driver for its shape, but why anything else?? This is an honest question from an 18v user.
Stuart
We’ve touched upon that in past posts, but it might be time to revisit it.
It’s the same reason some people might buy smaller cars, or computers/tablets/phones with less cutting edge tech. Sometimes it’s just what’s needed.
Dan
Easy to answer for me: I’m a homeowner who does a lot of projects, not a pro. I might use a drill or driver every week, but I’m rarely driving 3″ screws all day. Given that my usage us usually light work, and then considering the weight and size of 12v vs. 18v, it’s a no-brainer. When I’m 10′ up on a ladder trying to get some screws driven I’d much rather have my small 12v impact driver than a bigger 18v.
And after doing some research I found there is very little 18v can do that 12v can’t. I have the Milwaukee 12v, which gives a choice of battery sizes. The smaller battery makes for a very small tool. That still does all the work I need.
I would turn it around on you: why would you go 18v if 12v works and is smaller and lighter.
I’ll acknowledge there can be limits to 12v. I recently got the 12v Fuel Hackzall – not very useful. Tried to do some light demo work with it and was fairly frustrated. Blade stroke is too short to get much cutting done. It’s probably going back.
B
I just have never found 12v powerful enough, or the run time long enough. I run all 5amp batteries and have top of the line top in class tools that no 12v could touch. The tdt170 from makita for example is small and obliterates any 12v impact by a country mile. I understand the DIY aspect, but it seems all companies are making them bigger and more powerful which begs the question–are they not just headed right back to 18v?! I love the form of Milwaukee 12v drills, they have the nicest 12v line that makes the most sense to me. These Cxs just seem too big
Brian A
I purchased both the Makita 12V CXT drill/driver and impact set, and the Milwaukee M12 set for $99 at Home Depot a couple weeks ago. I have been alternating using them for some projects I am working on. I suspect that the M12 impact driver might be a TINY bit more powerful than the Makita, but the Makita tools are certainly lighter, smaller, better gripped, and better balanced. The Makita has a better LED light, but the Milwaukee has a battery gauge, which the Makita does not. After a couple of weeks of use, I like the comfort of the Makita, and haven’t found it lacking for power
Dan
Agree that the CXs seem too large. Could be that the 12v can’t touch the 18v in terms of power. But for my needs the 12v are great. There’s really nothing I’ve needed to do that the 12v didn’t do well for me. And the size and weight of them is a huge plus.
I have the non-Fuel (brushed) version of the 12v impact driver. Not a great tool. It won’t drive 3″ long 1/2″ lags very well, for example. Fuel 12v 1/4″ impact drives everything I’ve needed. Built a 17×50′ deck using all 12v tools. Never missed a beat.
Brian
If I can figure out to attach pictures, I will post side by side of the CXT and M12 so you can see how small the CXT really is…
Stuart
You can’t attach images here, but that’s one of the reasons there’s a ToolGuyd forum! https://discuss.toolguyd.com/
Todd K.
Your comment regarding brushless tools, “not just the drill and driver” makes it sound like this is a brushless combo kit.
The impact driver is NOT brushless. You should edit this, as it sounds from your wording that this is a brushless kit.
Stuart
Good point, thanks!