DeWalt DCD778 18V XR 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 XR Brushless Combi Drill

9.3/10 Excellent

4.7★ (12,400 owners)

18V brushless, 2-speed, 65Nm, compact 174mm. The professional home 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 XR Brushless Combi Drill	Makita DDF484 18V LXT Compact Drill Driver
247Verdict Score	9.3/10	9.1/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (12,400)	4.7★ (7,800)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent
Voltage	18V XR	18V LXT
Motor	Brushless	Brushless
Torque	65Nm	54Nm
Length	174mm	167mm

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the DeWalt DCD778 18V XR Brushless Combi Drill edges ahead with a 9.3/10 vs 9.1/10. 18V brushless, 2-speed, 65Nm, compact 174mm. The professional home DIY drill benchmark. That said, the Makita DDF484 18V LXT Compact Drill Driver is worth considering if 18V LXT, brushless, 54Nm, 167mm compact. Lightest professional brushless drill. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

DeWalt DCD778 18V XR Brushless Combi Drill

Brushless motor rated 100x longer lifespan than brushed equivalents
65Nm torque handles structural fixings and dense hardwood without binding
174mm length fits into tight spaces standard drills can't access
2-speed gearbox optimises for driving (speed 1) and drilling (speed 2)
Compatible with entire DeWalt 18V XR battery ecosystem — 200+ tools

Body-only pricing requires existing DeWalt batteries or kit purchase
Heavier than Makita DHP484 at 1.7kg with battery
Premium brand pricing vs Ryobi entry equivalents

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 XR or Makita DDF484 18V LXT?

Is the DeWalt DCD778 18V XR worth the extra cost?

Yes — DeWalt DCD778 18V XR Brushless Combi Drill scores higher at 9.3/10 vs 9.1/10.

Who is the DeWalt DCD778 18V XR best suited to?

18V brushless, 2-speed, 65Nm, compact 174mm. The professional home 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 XR Brushless Combi Drill: Body-only pricing requires existing DeWalt batteries or kit purchase; Heavier than Makita DHP484 at 1.7kg with battery. 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 XR Brushless Combi Drill sits at 4.7★ from 12,400 verified Amazon owners, and Makita DDF484 18V LXT Compact Drill Driver at 4.7★ from 7,800.

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