DeWalt
20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only)
$149Cheaper
Released 2015
Best Impact Drivers · head-to-head
20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) vs Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) is cheaper at $149. Every spec and price links to its source.
Makita
Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only)
$195
Released 2019
Which is better: the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) or Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only)?
The Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) wins 2 of the 2 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) is the cheaper at $149. Get the Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) for the stronger spec sheet, the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) to spend less.
See 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) on Amazon See Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) on Amazon
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) | Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $149 | $195 |
| Brand | DeWalt | Makita |
| Released | 2015 | 2019 |
| Voltage (V) | 20 | 18 |
| Max torque in (lb) | 1825 | 1600 |
| Max (rpm) | 3250 | 3600 |
| Max ipm | 3800 | 3800 |
| Brushless | Yes | Yes |
| Speed settings | 3 | 4 |
| Weight (lb) | 2 | 1.9 |
Sources — 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only): burnstools.com (verified 2026-06-19). Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only): makitatools.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) and Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Voltage (V): 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) 20 vs Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 18
- Max torque in (lb): 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) 1825 vs Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 1600
- Max (rpm): 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) 3250 vs Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 3600
- Speed settings: 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) 3 vs Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 4
- Weight (lb): 20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only) 2 vs Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 1.9
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
20V MAX XR 3-Speed 1/4 in. Impact Driver (Tool Only)
Based on one whitelisted hands-on tester (Pro Tool Reviews). PTR calls the DCF887 a 'tried and true' brushless driver that outperformed DeWalt's own lighter DCF850 Atomic, but its measured 12.6s RSS-screw, 3.8in lag and 6.6s nut-busting times all trailed the Milwaukee 2953 (8.6s / 1.7in / 2.5s) in the same head-to-head. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Consistently higher real-world drive/nut-busting performance than DeWalt's own lighter DCF850 Atomic in PTR testing; Proven 'tried and true' brushless platform with years on the market.
Flagged: Trailed the Milwaukee 2953 on all three PTR tests (RSS screw, lag screw, nut-busting); Bulkier and longer (5.3in head) than the same-spec DCF850 Atomic.
Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only)
One whitelisted hands-on source: Pro Tool Reviews (9.5/10) timed the XDT16 (XDT16Z bare tool) through their impact-driver test track, finishing in 1:59, and clocked ~8.5 sec on GRK 8-inch RSS screws in stacked OSB. They praise its compact, lightweight build (2.9 lbs with battery) and class-leading, sustained driving speed but flag limited torque for large lag or timber screws. This is a single-source review. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Incredibly compact and lightweight (under 3 lbs with battery); Excellent, sustained driving speed vs competitors; Advanced controls: 4 standard plus 4 smart assist modes with programmable switch.
Flagged: Limited torque (1,600 in-lbs) for large timber/lag/ledger screws; Premium price.