New Makita XWT02 Brushless Impact Wrench

Makita has come out with a new 18V cordless brushless impact wrench, model XWT02 (XWT02M for the kit kit and XWT02Z for the bare tool), that features a 1/2″ square drive and 3 torque and speed settings.

Torque and Speed Settings

• Low: 59 ft-lbs (708 in-lbs), 0-1,600 RPM, 0-1,800 IPM
• Medium: 129 ft-lbs (1548 in-lbs), 0-2,100 RPM, 0-2,600 IPM
• High: 210 ft-lbs (2520 in-lbs), 0-2,800 RPM, 0-3,500 IPM

The new impact wrench measures just 5-3/4″ long and weighs 3.8 lbs with a BL1840 4.0Ah battery pack.

MSRP: $369 for the 2-battery kit, $189 for the bare tool.

The kit comes with (2) 18V 4.0Ah Li-ion battery packs, a 40-minute charger, and a carrying bag.

Buy Now(Kit via Amazon)
Buy Now(Bare Tool via Amazon)

First Thoughts

Although disappointed that Makita didn’t base this impact wrench on the super-compact impact driver that was announced internationally 6 months ago, it is still quite compact and with appealing on-paper specs.

The impact wrench measures less than 6 inches long, weighs less than 4 pounds, has multiple speed and torque settings, and peak torque of 2520 in-lbs. Its brushless motor means high power efficiency, and Makita’s finally-available-in-the-USA 4.0Ah battery pack should provide for serious runtime.

It looks like Makita sought out to match Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 1/2″ brushless impact wrenches, which also offer 3 torque and speed settings and 210 ft-lb max torque. The Milwaukee Fuel 1/2″ impact wrench measures 6″ long and weighs in at 3.9 pounds. Milwaukee’s offerings are less expensive than Makita’s, and Milwaukee’s 5.0Ah batteries will soon be available. Makita has not yet announced (or acknowledged) their 5.0Ah battery pack for the USA market.

Pricing is a little steep, but not too much higher than competing offerings. On paper, the Makita bests Milwaukee’s comparable offering by ~1/4″ in length and ~0.1 lb in weight.