Makita DHP481 Review - Best Combi Drill on the Market?

Makita has a bunch of different combi-drill in their 18V cordless range. So to help you understand whether this is the combi-drill to add to your kit, we’ve put together a quick run-down of the benefits you’ll experience once you have it in your hands! Could the Makita DHP481 be the best brushless combi-drill on the market?

First off, watch our exclusive demo of the Makita DHP481 Combi Drill:

What Do You Need to Know about the Makita DHP481 Brushless Combi-Drill?

Makita's DHP481 benefits from a brushless motor. Each new round of product launches from Makita sees the Japanese outfit bring new brushless cordless tools to the market. Brushless tools, because of the construction of the motor, are a much more efficient proposition than their traditional brushed motor cousins. That’s because the motor requires less power from the battery. They also generate less heat, a key strain on any mechanical item. Find out more on brushless tools.

So, in real-world terms, brushless tools will give you much longer runtimes than brushed motor tools, and they last longer, too. Less heat generated in the motor means longer motor lifetime, meaning you get a tool that’ll give you back loads on your investment.

The base of the DHP481 is starred meaning it’s compatibe with all of Makita’s 18V batteries. Although the kit we’re selling comes with 2 x 5.0Ah batteries, you’ll be confident to use your existing 3.0Ah or 4.0Ah packs in it, should you need to. We’ve got more info on Makita’s 5.0Ah batteries here.

Of course, the 5.0Ah batteries are big performers, as you’d expect, delivering up to 66% more runtime than 3.0Ah batteries in like-for-like applications. And if you’re upgrading from a brushed combi-drill, you can expect to get loads more work done with the DHP481 thanks to the brushless motor.

Extreme Protection for Longer Lifetime

We saw this roll out a while ago on Makita’s new drills, and it’s great to see this included as a key benefit for you in the DHP481. Shortened to XPT, what Makita has done is construct the combi-drill in such a way as to make it tougher. So, in real terms, a protective seal engineered inside the drill to make it resistant to water and dust. Let’s face it, job sites are harsh places to work, and we want to know our cash investments are robust enough to deal with it.

Hence XPT.

And then you’ve got all those tough rubbereised areas around the motor and battery housing to help it withstand those knocks and bumps that it’ll inevitably experience.

Great Ergonomics

For all the DHP481 is tough and capable (click here to see all the spec), it’s a joy to hold. Makita’s ergnomics are legendary, and the DHP481 will be comfortable for you to hold all day long, with the trigger and speed selector, along with the torque ring, all being easy to use even when you’re wearing gloves.

And because it’s got that brushless motor, it’s also really light and compact, weighing in at only 2.7kg with the battery fitted, with a head length of a mere 205mm. Even though it outputs up to 125Nm of torque, the vibration K factor is just 1.5m/sec².

We’re excited by the functionality and benefits of the Makita DHP481 brushless combi-drill, but we want to know what you think, plus any questions you may have; is it the best on the market in your opinion?