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DeWalt DCD778 18V XR Brushless Combi Drill vs Makita DHP484 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill (2026)

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

DeWalt DCD778 18V XR Brushless Combi Drill

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.

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VS
Makita DHP484 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill

Makita DHP484 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill

9.2/10 Excellent

4.7★ (9,800 owners)

18V brushless, 2-speed, 54Nm, 187mm. The lightest and most ergonomic professional combi drill.

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At a Glance

DeWalt DCD778 18V XR Brushless Combi DrillMakita DHP484 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill
247Verdict Score 9.3/10 9.2/10
Owner Rating 4.7★ (12,400) 4.7★ (9,800)
VerdictExcellentExcellent
Voltage18V XR18V LXT
MotorBrushlessBrushless
Torque65Nm54Nm
Length174mm187mm
Clutch15 positions + drill mode16+1 positions

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. DeWalt DCD778 18V XR Brushless Combi Drill: 18V brushless, 2-speed, 65Nm, compact 174mm. The professional home DIY drill benchmark.. Makita DHP484 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill: 18V brushless, 2-speed, 54Nm, 187mm. The lightest and most ergonomic professional combi drill.. Choose based on your specific needs.

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 DHP484 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill

  • 1.6kg with battery — lightest professional brushless combi drill in its class
  • 54Nm is adequate for all home DIY and most professional work
  • Makita's ergonomic handle is the most comfortable for extended use
  • 187mm length balances access and control better than shorter competitors
  • Makita LXT 18V ecosystem covers 300+ tools — the largest professional platform
  • 54Nm trails DeWalt DCD778's 65Nm for the hardest materials
  • 187mm is longer than DeWalt's 174mm for tight space access
  • Body-only pricing requires existing Makita batteries

FAQ

Which is better, DeWalt DCD778 18V XR or Makita DHP484 18V LXT?

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. DeWalt DCD778 18V XR Brushless Combi Drill: 18V brushless, 2-speed, 65Nm, compact 174mm. The professional home DIY drill benchmark.. Makita DHP484 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill: 18V brushless, 2-speed, 54Nm, 187mm. The lightest and most ergonomic professional combi drill.. Choose based on your specific needs.

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 9.2/10.

Also Worth Considering

DeWalt DCD778 18V Brushless Combi Drill

DeWalt DCD778 18V Brushless Combi Drill

9.2/10
4.8★ (8,400)

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

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Makita DHP484 18V Brushless Combi Drill

Makita DHP484 18V Brushless Combi Drill

9.2/10
4.8★ (6,800)

Brushless, 18V LXT, 54Nm torque, hammer, all-metal chuck. The trade drill benchmark.

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Makita DDF484 18V LXT Compact Drill Driver

Makita DDF484 18V LXT Compact Drill Driver

9.1/10
4.7★ (7,800)

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

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