Makita
Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only)
$195
Released 2019
Best Impact Drivers · head-to-head
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) is cheaper at $159. Every spec and price links to its source.
Makita
$195
Released 2019
Bosch
$159Cheaper
Released 2021
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 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) is the cheaper at $159. Get the Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) for the stronger spec sheet, the 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool) to spend less.
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✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $195 | $159 |
| Brand | Makita | Bosch |
| Released | 2019 | 2021 |
| Voltage (V) | 18 | 18 |
| Max torque in (lb) | 1600 | 1860 |
| Max (rpm) | 3600 | 3400 |
| Max ipm | 3800 | 4100 |
| Brushless | Yes | Yes |
| Speed settings | 4 | 3 |
| Weight (lb) | 1.9 | 2.6 |
Sources — Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only): makitatools.com (verified 2026-06-19). 18V Freak Connected-Ready Two-In-One 1/4 in. & 1/2 in. Impact Driver (Bare Tool): boschtools.com (verified 2026-06-19).
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
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.
Only one whitelisted tester, Pro Tool Reviews, hands-on tested this exact model, scoring it 9.0/10. They measured 3240 in-lbs breakaway torque and a 14.05-second average screw-driving time, praising the hybrid hex/square drive and unchanged price. Downsides: the hybrid drive lengthens the tool and it uses a single LED instead of the preferred 3-LED chuck ring. No other whitelisted outlet reviewed it. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Combination 1/4-in hex and 1/2-in square drive eliminates socket adapters; More torque than predecessor; drives tough screws ~2 seconds faster; No price increase over the prior model.
Flagged: Hybrid drive makes the tool longer; Single LED below the handle instead of the preferred 3-LED chuck ring.