# M18 FUEL 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only) vs Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only): specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the M18 FUEL 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only) (Milwaukee) and Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) (Makita) among impact drivers. M18 FUEL 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only) is the cheaper of the two at $149.

## Side by side

| Spec | M18 FUEL 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only) | Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $149 | $195 |
| Brand | Milwaukee | Makita |
| Released | 2022 | 2019 |
| Voltage (V) | 18 | 18 |
| Max torque in (lb) | 2000 | 1600 |
| Max (rpm) | 3900 | 3600 |
| Max ipm | 4400 | 3800 |
| Brushless | Yes | Yes |
| Speed settings | 4 | 4 |
| Weight (lb) | 2.2 | 1.9 |

## Key differences

- Max torque in (lb): M18 FUEL 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only) 2000 vs Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 1600
- Max (rpm): M18 FUEL 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only) 3900 vs Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 3600
- Max ipm: M18 FUEL 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only) 4400 vs Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 3800
- Weight (lb): M18 FUEL 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only) 2.2 vs Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) 1.9

## What reviewers say

**M18 FUEL 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only)** — Only one whitelisted tester, Pro Tool Reviews, yielded a readable hands-on review; TechGearLab was under maintenance and no Popular Mechanics test exists. PTR scored the Gen-4 2953 9.7/10, calling it their best all-around impact driver to date, praising near-top drive speeds, a 4.47-inch compact frame, and a shadow-killing tri-beam LED. No drawbacks flagged. (1 sourced review.)

**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.)

## Sources

- M18 FUEL 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only): https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/details/m18-fuel-1-4-hex-impact-driver/2953-20 (milwaukeetool.com, verified 2026-06-19)
- Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only): https://makitatools.com/products/details/XDT16Z (makitatools.com, verified 2026-06-19)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/impact-drivers/milwaukee-2953-20-vs-makita-xdt16z/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, M18 FUEL 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only) ($149) vs Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Brushless Quick-Shift Mode 4-Speed Impact Driver (Tool Only) ($195) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/impact-drivers/milwaukee-2953-20-vs-makita-xdt16z/
License: CC BY 4.0.