Independent reviews

Product Reviews and Buying Guides – 114 / 805

From everyday tech and home products to lifestyle and specialist gear, each review focuses on practical use, strengths, limitations, and who the product suits.

Makita 40V cordless angle grinder on a brushed steel workbench

Power Tools

Makita GA050G Review: Makita's New 40V Max XGT Angle Grinder

A closer look at the Makita GA050G 40V 5-inch angle grinder: claimed specs, real-world cutting speed, and how it compares to the older 40V and 18V models.

10/2/2026
Makita GCU08 battery chainsaw with 20-inch bar on a wooden workbench

Power Tools

Makita GCU08 Chainsaw Review: A Premium 20-Inch Battery Saw With a Break-In Caveat

A well-built 50cc-class battery chainsaw with outstanding chain speed and ergonomics, plus an early cutout issue that improves with use.

10/2/2026
Makita 20-inch cordless XGT chainsaw with long guide bar on concrete surface

Outdoor Power Tools

Makita GCU08E 20" XGT Chainsaw Review: Gas-Like Power Without the Gas

A 20-inch cordless chainsaw with a claimed 50cc gas-equivalent performance, familiar gas-saw ergonomics, and a few trade-offs worth knowing before you buy.

10/2/2026
Makita GPH01 cordless hammer drill on a concrete surface

Power Tools

Makita GPH01 Review: A 40V Flagship Hammer Drill Built for the Jobsite

Makita's flagship XGT hammer drill pairs serious power with a compact frame and active feedback safety tech. We break down specs, test results, and who it makes sense for.

10/2/2026
Two teal and black Makita cordless hammer drills side by side on a concrete surface

Power Tools

Makita GPH01 vs XPH14: Comparing the XGT and LXT Hammer Drills

Makita's 40V XGT GPH01 and 18V LXT XPH14 hammer drills share the same torque rating, but differ in sustained power under load, clutch design, and kit pricing.

10/2/2026
Black 40V cordless hammer drill standing on a concrete workshop surface

Power Tools

Makita GPH03 XGT Review: A 40V Hammer Drill Built for Control

Makita's new 40V flagship hammer drill pairs serious torque with 92 torque settings and a three-speed transmission. Here's how it performed in real testing.

10/2/2026
Makita GRJ01 XGT reciprocating saw standing on a concrete surface

Power Tools

Makita GRJ01 XGT Reciprocating Saw Review: Two Years of Heavy Use

A long-term look at the Makita GRJ01 reciprocating saw, covering runtime, weight, noise, and whether stepping up to the 40V XGT platform is worth the price.

10/2/2026
Large teal and black cordless circular saw on a concrete workshop surface

Power Tools

Makita GSH06 16-5/8" Cordless Circular Saw Review: A Battery-Powered Beast

Makita's massive 16-5/8" XGT circular saw promises corded-level cutting power on a single 40V max battery. We look at what makes it work and who it's really for.

10/2/2026
Teal cordless 1-inch impact wrench with battery pack on a concrete workshop floor

Power Tools

Makita GWT01Z 1-Inch Drive Cordless Impact Wrench Review: Big Numbers, Unusual Engineering

We put Makita's flagship XGT 1-inch cordless impact wrench through dyno, breakaway, and teardown scrutiny to see if the hype around 4,000 Nm holds up.

10/2/2026
Makita-style cordless drill and impact driver kit with batteries on concrete surface

Power Tools

Makita's Hidden Deals: Why the XT288 Combo Is Worth Hunting For

Makita is running more promotions than its main promo pages suggest. Here is where the deals hide, and why the XT288 combo stands out.

10/2/2026
Collection of Makita cordless tools including a planer, stick vacuum, drill and miter saw on concrete

Power Tools

Hidden Gems and Oddities in Makita's Lineup: 7 Tools Worth Knowing About

Makita rarely announces its quieter releases. Here are seven under-the-radar tools, from a new LXT planer to an oil impulse driver, with honest notes on pricing and who each one is actually for.

10/2/2026
Cordless demolition hammer standing upright on concrete beside rubble

Power Tools

Makita HM Z4G Review: A 40V Max XGT Dual-Battery Demolition Hammer That Means Business

A cordless 78.2-joule demolition hammer with strong vibration damping, dual-battery power, and a real trade-off: it weighs a lot.

10/2/2026
Makita impact driver and hammer drill side by side on a concrete workbench

Power Tools

Makita Drill and Impact Driver Holiday Deals: Two Tools Worth Grabbing

A close look at the Makita XDT19 impact driver and XPH14 hammer drill, plus the bundled deals that made this holiday season a smart time to buy.

10/2/2026
Makita 40V hammer drill standing beside a large earth auger bit on concrete

Power Tools

Makita HP001G Review: Can a 40V Hammer Drill Really Drive Huge Auger Bits?

We put the Makita 40V HP001G hammer drill to an unusual test, driving auger bits up to 300mm in diameter through loose soil and harder ground.

10/2/2026
Two Makita XGT 40V cordless drills side by side on a concrete workbench

Power Tools

Makita HP003G vs HP001G: Is the New XGT 40V Flagship Drill Worth Upgrading?

Makita's new HP003G flagship drill claims 180 Nm of torque, but the older HP001G remains lighter, narrower, and faster at the top end. We compare both to see who should actually upgrade.

10/2/2026
Makita HR4013C combination rotary hammer standing on a concrete surface

Power Tools

Makita HR4013C Review: A Midweight Combination Rotary Hammer That Gets the Details Right

A two-mode SDS-Max combination rotary hammer with 8.4 ft-lbs of impact energy, low vibration, and a genuinely well-thought-out accessory kit.

10/2/2026
Two compact 125mm cordless circular saws side by side on a concrete bench

Power Tools

Makita HS005G vs HiKOKI C3605DB: Two 125mm 36V Circular Saws Compared

Two Japan-market 125mm 36V circular saws go head to head for flush cutting, speed, and everyday usability.

10/2/2026
Two Makita 40V cordless circular saws side by side on a concrete floor

Power Tools

Makita HS009G vs HS001G: 40V Circular Saws Compared

A close look at Makita's 235mm and 270mm 40V circular saws, covering cut depth, power, track compatibility, and which one actually makes sense to buy.

10/2/2026
Makita HS011G 40V top-handle circular saw on a concrete workshop floor

Power Tools

Makita HS011G Review: The 270mm Cordless Circular Saw That Cuts 4x4 Posts in One Pass

Makita's 40V max top-handle circular saw brings a 270mm blade, track compatibility, 60-degree bevels and a depth of cut that handles a 100x100 post in a single pass.

10/2/2026
Two cordless impact drivers side by side on a workbench

Power Tools

Makita Impact Drivers Compared: XDT13 vs XDT19

Two Makita impact drivers for different buyers: the dependable mid-range XDT13 and the newer, quietly released XDT19.

10/2/2026
Five Makita impact drivers lined up on a concrete workshop surface

Power Tools

Makita Impact Drivers Compared: XDT20, TD173, XDT19, XDT16 and GDT01

A practical look at five Makita impact drivers, what separates them, and which one actually makes sense for your setup.

10/2/2026
Makita cordless cooler, coffee maker, and microwave arranged on concrete

Outdoor & Jobsite Gear

Makita Jobsite Gear You Probably Missed: A Cooler, a Coffee Maker, and a 40V Microwave

Three Makita outdoor and jobsite products worth a second look: an 18V cordless cooler/warmer, a battery-powered coffee maker, and a newly announced 40V cordless microwave.

10/2/2026
Three cordless reciprocating saws lined up on a concrete workshop floor

Power Tools

Makita JR002G vs JR001G vs HiKOKI Godzilla: Which Reciprocating Saw Cuts Fastest?

Makita's second-generation 40V orbital reciprocating saw goes up against its own predecessor and the HiKOKI Godzilla in timber, aerated concrete and rebar testing.

10/2/2026
Two cordless reciprocating saws side by side on a concrete workbench

Power Tools

Makita JR002G vs Hikoki CR36DA: Which Cordless Reciprocating Saw Cuts Faster?

A head-to-head look at two of the most talked-about cordless reciprocating saws, including the new Makita 40V model and the widely praised Hikoki CR36DA.

10/2/2026
Makita XGT 40V barrel grip jigsaw on a concrete workshop surface

Power Tools

Makita JV001G XGT 40V Barrel Grip Jigsaw: Hands-On Review and 18V Comparison

Makita's 40V XGT barrel grip jigsaw finally arrives. We look at how it compares to the 18V DJV181, what ships in the box, and where it shines.

10/2/2026
Teal and black cordless power planer with battery pack on a workshop bench

Power Tools

Makita KP00001G 40V Planer Review: A New Benchmark for Cordless Planing

The Makita KP00001G 40V planer brings a 4mm depth of cut, 15,000 RPM, and 25mm rebate capacity. Here is what stands out and what to check before buying.

10/2/2026
Makita cultivator attachment standing upright with tines and shaft visible

Outdoor Power Tools

Makita KR401MP Cultivator Attachment Review: Small Tool, Surprising Grit

The Makita KR401MP cultivator attachment turns a power head into a capable soil tiller, but how well it works depends heavily on which power head you pair it with.

10/2/2026
Two Makita 40V battery lawn mowers side by side on a mown lawn

Lawn Care

Makita LM001G vs LM002G: Two 40V Electric Lawn Mowers Put to the Test

We ran the 480mm LM001G and 534mm LM002G side by side through thick grass to see how far one charge really goes, and which one is worth picking first.

10/2/2026
Lockable adjustable spanner with locking lever on a concrete workbench

Hand Tools

Makita Lockable Adjustable Spanner Review: A Clever Twist on a Classic Tool

The Makita lockable adjustable spanner clamps onto fasteners like mole grips, reducing slip and rounded-off nuts. Here's how it works and whether it earns a spot in your toolbox.

10/2/2026
Makita LS003G 40V 12" Sliding Compound Miter Saw Review cover image

Power Tools

Makita LS003G 40V 12" Sliding Compound Miter Saw Review

A deep dive into Makita's flagship 40V XGT 12-inch sliding miter saw: huge cutting capacity, consistent brushless power, and one setup flaw you should check before buying.

10/2/2026