DeWalt DCD778 18V Brushless Combi Drill vs Makita DDF484 18V LXT Compact Drill Driver (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

DeWalt DCD778 18V Brushless Combi Drill

9.2/10 Excellent

4.8★ (8,400 owners)

Brushless motor, 18V XR, hammer function, 2-speed, LED, 2 batteries. The DIY drill benchmark.

Full Review

Makita DDF484 18V LXT Compact Drill Driver

9.1/10 Excellent

4.7★ (7,800 owners)

18V LXT, brushless, 54Nm, 167mm compact. Lightest professional brushless drill.

Full Review

At a Glance

	DeWalt DCD778 18V Brushless Combi Drill	Makita DDF484 18V LXT Compact Drill Driver
247Verdict Score	9.2/10	9.1/10
Owner Rating	4.8★ (8,400)	4.7★ (7,800)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent
Motor	Brushless	Brushless

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. DeWalt DCD778 18V Brushless Combi Drill: Brushless motor, 18V XR, hammer function, 2-speed, LED, 2 batteries. The DIY drill benchmark. Makita DDF484 18V LXT Compact Drill Driver: 18V LXT, brushless, 54Nm, 167mm compact. Lightest professional brushless drill. Choose based on your specific needs. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

DeWalt DCD778 18V Brushless Combi Drill

Brushless motor delivers more power and longer runtime than brushed alternatives
18V XR battery platform shared across DeWalt's entire cordless tool range
Hammer function handles masonry drilling alongside wood and metal
2-speed transmission optimises for high-torque driving or high-speed drilling
8,400 reviews at 4.8★ — the most validated cordless drill reviewed

Bare tool vs kit pricing varies — check whether batteries are included
DeWalt 18V XR battery platform lock-in for tool ecosystem
Premium vs budget own-brand drills

Makita DDF484 18V LXT Compact Drill Driver

167mm length — the most compact professional brushless drill available
Brushless motor for longevity in regular professional use
54Nm handles hardwood and structural fixings without slipping
Compatible with entire Makita LXT ecosystem — 300+ tools on one battery platform
4.7★ from 7,800 reviews — consistent professional quality validation

Body-only pricing — Makita LXT battery required separately
54Nm slightly less than DeWalt DCD778's 65Nm for the hardest applications
Smaller chuck for the compact form — 13mm vs some 16mm alternatives

FAQ

Which is better, DeWalt DCD778 18V or Makita DDF484 18V LXT?

Is the DeWalt DCD778 18V worth the extra cost?

Yes — DeWalt DCD778 18V Brushless Combi Drill scores higher at 9.2/10 vs 9.1/10.

Who is the DeWalt DCD778 18V best suited to?

Brushless motor, 18V XR, hammer function, 2-speed, LED, 2 batteries. The DIY drill benchmark.

Who is the Makita DDF484 18V LXT best suited to?

18V LXT, brushless, 54Nm, 167mm compact. Lightest professional brushless drill.

What are the main downsides of each?

DeWalt DCD778 18V Brushless Combi Drill: Bare tool vs kit pricing varies — check whether batteries are included; DeWalt 18V XR battery platform lock-in for tool ecosystem. Makita DDF484 18V LXT Compact Drill Driver: Body-only pricing — Makita LXT battery required separately; 54Nm slightly less than DeWalt DCD778's 65Nm for the hardest applications.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — DeWalt DCD778 18V Brushless Combi Drill sits at 4.8★ from 8,400 verified Amazon owners, and Makita DDF484 18V LXT Compact Drill Driver at 4.7★ from 7,800.

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