Best Cordless Mid Torque Impact Wrenches: Makita XGT 40V vs Milwaukee M18 Gen 2 vs Makita LXT 18V

Introduction

Mid torque impact wrenches have quietly become the sweet spot of the cordless tool world: compact enough to fit where high torques will not, yet powerful enough to handle most automotive fastening work. Recently, three models stood out in our testing: the new Makita GWT08Z 40V XGT Mid Torque, the Milwaukee M18 Gen 2 3/8-inch Mid Torque, and the Makita XWT17Z 18V LXT Mid Torque.

The headline is simple. The new Makita XGT is making numbers we have simply never seen from a mid torque before, the Milwaukee Gen 2 remains the benchmark for consistent power, and the older Makita 18V remains one of the best values around. Here is how they compare.

How We Compare Them

Each tool was run through three repeatable bench tests. Working torque uses 5 seconds of forward fastening. Max torque uses a 10-second reverse testing method that goes back over 50 years in the impact industry. Best case scenario uses a fresh battery straight off the charger with a 15-second run in each tool’s preferred direction.

One note worth making: nearly every Makita impact tested, including impact drivers, prefers reverse over forward. For anyone working on vehicles, where loosening matters most, that bias works in your favor.

Makita GWT08Z 40V XGT Mid Torque

The GWT08Z is a remake of Makita’s already well-liked 18V LXT mid torque, rebuilt around the 40V max XGT architecture. The rated numbers are on another level: 560 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 810 ft-lbs of nut busting torque in reverse. For context, when someone says cordless mid torque, numbers like 450 still come to mind. 810 is a different conversation entirely.

In testing, the claimed numbers held up. Forward working torque came in at 362 ft-lbs against the Milwaukee’s 360, essentially matching what each brand advertises. Max torque in reverse hit 470 ft-lbs, with gains spread across the whole run rather than a late spike. Best case scenario delivered a standout 568 ft-lbs, above the claimed 560, repeated across 15 total runs. It topped the overall ranking chart with a record 349.2 points.

The catch is price. At $349, it is the most expensive mid torque ever tested here, more than double the $148 average for the category, and only $50 below Makita’s three-quarter inch high torque monster. It is also chunky at 6.7 inches long and roughly a pound heavier than the 3.5-pound Milwaukee. That said, the category average length is 7.1 inches, so it still fits more places than you might expect, and the swivel handle base remains a genuinely useful feature.

Milwaukee M18 Gen 2 3/8” Mid Torque

The Milwaukee M18 Gen 2 3/8-inch mid torque has earned its reputation. Across a full course of testing, it holds the top spot on the average power rank list, which measures nothing but the torque an impact makes across the run. Its forward working torque of 360 ft-lbs sits right where the brand claims, and its curves stay consistent rather than spiking late, which is exactly what you want on a real bolt.

The hidden weapon is battery choice. Run with the HD 12.0 pack, the best case scenario jumped from 475 to 517 ft-lbs, essentially matching half-inch class performance and pushing its average power best run to around 414 ft-lbs. That puts as much money as you can reasonably spend into a mid torque making power, and it does. There is a cost caveat there, though: that $250 battery is what brings the total package close to the price of the Makita XGT.

For overall balance, the Milwaukee is the more compact and lighter tool at roughly 3.5 pounds, and the 3/8-inch anvil keeps it slim for tight access work.

Makita XWT17Z 18V LXT Mid Torque

The XWT17Z is the tool the XGT is based on, and it still deserves a spot on this list. In testing, it beat the Milwaukee 3/8 Gen 2 in max torque, 427 to 406 ft-lbs, and in best case scenario it came in at 502 ft-lbs against the Milwaukee’s 475, with nearly matching curves.

Where it lost ground was forward fastening: 315 ft-lbs against Milwaukee’s 360, a gap that mirrors the brands’ advertised numbers. But at $239 list, frequently found for $200 or even $190, it is a genuine bargain in this class. If you already own Makita LXT batteries, it is an easy recommendation. It shares the same chunky dimensions as the XGT version, so the same 6.7-inch length and swivel handle base apply.

Battery Platform Matters

This comparison is as much about platforms as tools. Milwaukee can lean on its HD 12.0 battery to close a raw power gap, an option Makita has not pursued on the 18V side. On the flip side, Makita’s 2.5Ah 40V batteries have been shown to perform better than the more expensive 4Ah packs, which is the only real cost savings on the XGT path. If you already own either platform, your decision is largely made for you. If you are starting fresh, the XGT route buys you a mid torque that behaves like a high torque.

Size, Weight, and Handling

None of these tools are svelte, but the differences matter. The Milwaukee is the lightest of the group at around 3.5 pounds and the shortest. The Makita XGT and XWT17Z share the same 6.7-inch body, which is longer than the Milwaukee by less than three-quarters of an inch but shorter than the first-generation M18. Compared to lugging around a true high torque all day, both Makitas remain a far more manageable proposition, and the balanced feel of the XGT is about the same or better than the 18V version it replaces.

Buying Advice: Which One Should You Get

If you want the most powerful mid torque money can buy and you are invested in XGT, the Makita GWT08Z is untouchable right now. Its 810 ft-lbs nut busting rating and real-world tested numbers put it in a class of its own, and the argument that it can replace a traditional half-inch high torque is not a crazy one. If you are on the M18 platform, the Gen 2 3/8-inch remains the number one cordless mid torque to beat, and pairing it with the HD 12.0 battery gets you half-inch-class performance on demand.

{{image:4 is not needed here}}

Conclusion

The Makita GWT08Z is a $349 statement that a mid torque can make near high torque numbers, and our testing says it backs it up. The Milwaukee M18 Gen 2 3/8-inch stays the most consistent and compact performer. And the Makita XWT17Z remains the smart budget route into one of the most capable 18V mid torques available. Pick based on your battery ecosystem and your budget; the tools themselves all have a clear story to tell.