Makita 18V Brush vs Brushless Impact Driver?

[lbperry]

I have a Makita LXT 18V 1/4" Impact with a 2 brush motor that I have really liked but have to replace due to my own screw-up. Home Depot is clearancing out a 4 brush version of it for $90. They also have a brushless version of the same tool for $100.
For a $10 difference the price is pretty much irrelevant but brings up the question: Is a brushless design significantly (or any) better than a brushed design? The description implies, but does not explicitly say if the batteries are completely compatible between the two.
Can any of you electric tool gurus enlighten me on my confusion?
Thanks in advance for all replies,

 

[Simplytodd]

I have both of the brushed and brushless lxt models and the batteries are interchangeable.

 

[mrvm]

Generally the 18V Makita brushless version has more in-lb torque and runs more efficient on battery power. Whether this matters to you depends on your usage. Unless there have been changes my 18V lithium chargers-batteries are interchangeable.

 

[jd_1138]

I'd definitely get the brushless one since it's only $10 more. I bought a brushed Makita LXT 18 volt impact driver on clearance at HD for $59. Came with a 4 amp battery, deluxe charger, and a hard case. They had like 10 of them sitting there for a week which was bizarre since it was half the price of the Ryobi impact driver kit. I bought 3 sets to start my Makita assortment.

I gave one of the kits to a friend as a gift. I have never had brushless. The extra power and less maintenance are advantages, but I haven't had to replace a brush in a tool yet. I am just a DIY'er and usually sell or give tools away before they stop working.

 

[KnurledNut]

OP, It’s a four pole motor. It still only has two brushes.

 

[Voi]

In general I think brushed impact drivers are more than powerful enough unless you need to drive a lot of 3/8" T50 lag screws.

I think the main reason to buy brushless impact drivers is if they're noticeably more compact or have advanced electronic speed control that will benefit you.

I have a brushless Makita XDT13 and the compact size is great. But even though it's listed as being a multi speed driver all of that speed control is in the trigger and I don't think the trigger is as good as some other drivers I've used.

It's also very powerful. I've broken bits but also snapped an impact rated nut driver or socket adapter, I can't remember which.

I just looked on Home Depot's site and they're selling an XDT111 with a battery and charger for $90. The XDT13z is $99.

If that's the comparison you're making then I'd probably go with the one with the battery and charger.

Also, the XDT13z is cheaper on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6V8CP4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Rabid Badger]

For $10 difference you might as well get the brushless one. Slightly better power and efficiency and a shorter overall length for getting into small spaces.

Out of curiosity, what happened to your old one?

 

[jetlag]

Brushless design will extend battery life, because the tool is more efficient. There is an additional circuit board, but they rarely fail. Brushless versions cost a little more to manufacture, so are usually around 25 percent more at retail. If the cost and torque is similar, go brushless. Really, there's no reason to save ten bucks on a 100 dollar tool that you'll probably use for several years.

 

[f121]

I've got no complaints about my brushed one, beaten the heck of of it for years, probably my most used tool and no shortage of power.

But for $10, I'd definitely buy the brushless

 

[Stuey]

I'd say go for the XDT111 kit for $10 less.

The XDT131 is a good kit too, but you get only a little more power. Yes, brushless efficiency is good, but you're still going to get a LOT of runtime from the included battery.

Aside for more power (which is very little between the two models) and higher efficiency (meaning longer runtime), premium brushless impacts have multiple speed and torque settings, and sometimes other special modes.

Between a one-mode variable speed brushed impact driver, and a one-mode variable speed brushless impact driver, I don't really know if I'd spend $99 for the brushless over $90 for the brushed.

If I were spending $99, I'd instead go for the Milwaukee compact brushless impact holiday promo, but that's me and my preference for Milwaukee M18 over Makita 18V.

If going Makita, I'd save the $10 to put towards another tool, or even a more featured brushless model down the line.

 

[Stuey]

There is one hesitation.

The XDT111 kits were likely sitting on the shelf since last year.

The XDT111 kit comes with a 3Ah battery, the XDT131 kit comes with a 3Ah battery with fuel gauge. The XDT111 kit comes with the typical rapid charger, the XDT131 kit comes with the "standard" charger.