Quick verdict
Same platform, same chuck, same hammer idea, very different power. The XPH14Z is the drill for augers, hole saws and concrete; the XPH16Z is the drill for screws, pilots and a light hand. Most LXT households that build decks and sheds want the XPH14Z; most that garden and fix things want the XPH16Z.
Makita XPH14Z 18V LXT Brushless Hammer Driver-Drill
The XPH14Z is the full-power 18V LXT hammer driver-drill: 1,250 inch-pounds of max torque, 0 to 550 and 0 to 2,100 RPM, 31,500 BPM in hammer mode. It pulls big augers, bores hole saws and hammers concrete, and it runs the LXT batteries that power the largest outdoor range on 18V.
Makita XPH14Z full-power hammer driver-drill versus Makita XPH16Z compact hammer driver-drill: torque, speed, weight and which yard jobs each LXT drill suits, from published specifications.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score /100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makita XPH14Z 18V LXT Brushless Hammer Driver-Drill | Best for Heavy Yard Work | 8.8 | Check price |
| Makita XPH16Z 18V LXT Compact Brushless Hammer Driver-Drill | Best for Light Work and Long Sessions | 8.3 | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Makita XPH14Z 18V LXT Brushless Hammer Driver-Drill
The XPH14Z is the full-power 18V LXT hammer driver-drill: 1,250 inch-pounds of max torque, 0 to 550 and 0 to 2,100 RPM, 31,500 BPM in hammer mode. It pulls big augers, bores hole saws and hammers concrete, and it runs the LXT batteries that power the largest outdoor range on 18V.
Reasons to buy
- More than twice the torque of the XPH16Z
- 2,100 RPM top speed
- Handles augers, hole saws and masonry
- Same LXT batteries
Reasons to avoid
- Heavier and longer
- Costs more
- More than light work needs
Makita XPH16Z 18V LXT Compact Brushless Hammer Driver-Drill
The XPH16Z is the compact brushless LXT hammer driver-drill: 530 inch-pounds, 0 to 500 and 0 to 2,000 RPM, 30,000 BPM, in a shorter lighter body. It drives screws, drills pilots and small holes and hammers a small anchor, and it is the one to hold all day.
Reasons to buy
- Light and short
- Brushless with hammer mode
- Lower price
- Same LXT batteries
Reasons to avoid
- 530 in-lbs limits big bits
- Slower on deep masonry
- Not a full-size replacement
Where these two differ
Two Makita hammer driver-drills on the same batteries, one with 1,250 inch-pounds and one with 530. The XPH14Z is the full-power tool for heavy drilling and the XPH16Z is the compact for light work and long sessions. Everything else, from the chuck to the clutch feel, is Makita in both.
This comparison is based on the published specifications and manuals for both drills and on recurring owner feedback. We have not run either drill ourselves.
| Specification | XPH14Z | XPH16Z |
|---|---|---|
| Torque | 1,250 in-lbs | 530 in-lbs |
| Speeds | 0 to 550 / 0 to 2,100 RPM | 0 to 500 / 0 to 2,000 RPM |
| Hammer rate | 31,500 BPM | 30,000 BPM |
| Chuck | 1/2 inch | 1/2 inch |
| Weight | Heavier | Light |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
Heavy jobs
A two-inch auger through a 6×6 post, a hole saw for a vent, a paddle in a bucket of post mix, a dozen deep anchors in a slab: the XPH14Z does these with its torque and a low gear built for them. The XPH16Z slows, stalls or heats on the same jobs. That is the whole case for the heavier drill.
Light jobs
Deck screws, fence pilots, hardware, bulb augers, a few small anchors, repairs around the house: the XPH16Z does these with less weight in the hand and a battery that lasts longer per charge because the motor draws less. Over an afternoon overhead, the lighter drill is the one that does not tire the arm.
Platform
Both run every 18V LXT pack, and LXT runs more outdoor tools than any other 18V system, including the X2 36V mowers and blowers that take two packs. Either drill joins the same shed.
Choosing
A drill is kept for years and the right one is bought for the heaviest job likely in that time, not the lightest. A household planning a deck, a shed base or a fence with set posts wants the XPH14Z. A household that gardens, hangs things and fixes what breaks wants the XPH16Z.
Batteries and runtime
Both take every LXT pack. The XPH16Z runs a long afternoon on a 2 Ah pack and keeps the tool light; the XPH14Z wants a 5 Ah pack on heavy work and both the drill and the pack weigh more for it. An LXT household with an X2 mower already has 5 Ah packs on the shelf, which suits the XPH14Z. One starting with a drill and a trimmer can begin lighter with the XPH16Z.
Setup tips
Use the low gear on either drill for augers and hole saws and let the bit do the cutting; forcing a compact drill is what stalls and overheats it. A 5 Ah pack suits the XPH14Z on heavy work and a 2 Ah pack keeps the XPH16Z as light as it was built to be.
Common owner complaints
XPH16Z owners mention stalling on big bits. XPH14Z owners mention weight and a stiff mode collar when new. Both drills have the Makita record for lasting.
Which one should you buy
Buy the XPH14Z for heavy and mixed yard work. Buy the XPH16Z for light work, long sessions and a lower price. Owners who buy the compact and then build a deck usually buy the full-power drill as well.
Our verdict
The XPH14Z is the more capable drill and the better long-term buy for a working yard. The XPH16Z is the better tool for the lighter jobs that make up most days.
How we research
This comparison is built from the published specifications, manuals and warranty terms of both products and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run either product ourselves; where the makers do not publish a figure we say so rather than guess.
What to look for
Heaviest planned job
A two-inch auger or a dozen anchors in a slab means the XPH14Z. Screws and small holes mean the XPH16Z.
Time overhead
Pergolas and fence rails all afternoon favor the lighter XPH16Z.
Price
The XPH16Z is cheaper. The XPH14Z gives more for the difference.
Future jobs
A drill is kept for years; buy for the heaviest job likely, not the lightest.
Our verdict
Same platform, same chuck, same hammer idea, very different power. The XPH14Z is the drill for augers, hole saws and concrete; the XPH16Z is the drill for screws, pilots and a light hand. Most LXT households that build decks and sheds want the XPH14Z; most that garden and fix things want the XPH16Z.
FAQs
For pilots and hardware, yes, with an impact driver for the screws. Large augers through posts are where it falls short.
No electronic bind control on either. Brace a hand with big bits.
Yes, any 18V LXT pack. Larger packs suit the XPH14Z on hard jobs.
The XPH14Z if any heavy drilling is planned; the XPH16Z for a lighter, cheaper start on the platform.
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