Makita 2026 Tool Releases: Every New 18V LXT and 40V XGT Launch Worth Knowing About

Introduction

Makita’s 2026 refresh is one of the busiest in recent memory, spanning both the 18V LXT platform and the 40V XGT line. There is a lot to sort through: a new top-handle chainsaw, a redesigned multi-tool, a long-delayed brad nailer, a first proper XGT rotary hammer update, and, perhaps most surprisingly, a 40V table saw and mitre saw in one machine.

Most of these tools are already available or about to land, with March cited as the rollout point in some markets. Availability elsewhere varies, with certain regions in Europe and Japan getting them sooner and the US typically waiting a little longer. Here is what matters in each release, and who each tool is actually for.

If you are already invested in Makita batteries, the appeal of this batch is obvious: nearly everything slots into the platform you already own. If you are new to the brand, the 2026 lineup gives a good picture of how wide Makita’s reach now is, from bonsai-scale hedge trimming to a 10,000 PSI grease gun.

The 18V LXT Lineup for 2026

Makita DU258 Chainsaw

The DU258 is a 250 mm 18V chainsaw that mirrors the 40V VC031G almost exactly. It is a compact arborist-style top-handle saw weighing just 2.3 kg without a battery, with variable speed and a maximum chain speed of 24 metres per second.

That weight figure is the headline here. A light top-handle saw that runs on a single 18V battery is a genuinely useful thing for tree work, pruning, and overhead cuts where a full-size saw becomes tiring fast.

Makita DTM53 Multi-Tool

The DTM53 is not a replacement for the DTM52. It upgrades the older DTM50 and DTM51 as a slimmer, brushless oscillating tool. It accepts basic Starlock blades plus old-fashioned OIS blades, but not Starlock Plus or Starlock Max.

Because basic Starlock blades lack the extra cutouts of the Plus and Max interfaces, they allow a longer blade and a bigger cutting area, which translates into faster cuts. The new body comes in at 1.9 kg, roughly 300 g lighter than the DTM51, and slightly shorter, with an oscillation range between 6,000 and 20,000 OPM and a 3.6-degree oscillation angle.

For anyone who has a drawer full of OIS blades from other brands, the added compatibility is a practical plus rather than a gimmick.

Makita DTL302 Right Angle Impact Wrench

The DTL302 has already been shown publicly, and now it is confirmed for release. Specs are strong for the format: 530 Nm max breakaway torque, 340 Nm max fastening torque, 4,000 impacts per minute, and 1.4 kg bare weight.

A right-angle head is the only sensible answer in tight engine bays and framing positions where a regular impact wrench simply cannot swing. At 1.4 kg it stays manageable for overhead or sustained use.

Makita DTD158 Impact Driver

The DTD158 is a lightweight entry-level impact driver delivering 170 Nm with a bare weight of 900 g. It is not chasing pro-site records; it is aimed at anyone who wants a dependable driver without paying flagship money.

For DIY users and tradespeople who want a spare driver for the truck, this kind of spec is usually enough. It is also a sensible first LXT tool if you are building a collection around the platform.

Makita DML819 and ML013G Work Lights

The DML819 (18V) and ML013G (40V XGT) are closely related work lights, both pushing out 1,200 lumens and weighing around 900 g. They were previewed earlier, and are now confirmed as shipping products.

If you already run XGT, the ML013G makes sense. If you are on LXT, the DML819 delivers the same output without forcing a platform jump.

Makita DUP181 Pruner

The DUP181 is finally the pruner Makita arguably should have built years ago. The company was among the first to release a battery pruner over a decade ago, but every version since has been compromised: a heavy 18V x 2 corded setup with batteries on your belt, then an overpriced 12V cordless, then another corded 18V model.

This one takes a single 18V battery directly on the tool, the same straightforward approach competing brands have offered for years. For anyone who has waited for a sensible Makita secateur, this is the one.

Makita DKS515 and DKS516 Dustless Circular Saws

The DKS515 and DKS516 are 18V versions of the 40V dustless circular saw concept, with the blade on the right for these two models. Both catch dust right where the cut happens, so you can use them without a vacuum, tip out the shroud when you are done, or hook up a hose for continuous extraction.

Both use a 125 mm blade with a maximum depth of cut of 47 mm. The difference between the two models is speed: one is single speed while the other runs dual speed. If you make lots of cuts in succession, the vac-connected setup is worth it, since the shroud fills quickly when it is catching this much dust.

Drill Press Attachment and Compatible Drills

Alongside these tools, Makita is releasing a drill press attachment that converts compatible cordless drills into a small press. It accepts bits or screws up to 400 mm long and offers a 375 mm stroke length, which is ideal for drilling long, dead-straight holes that are hard to control freehand.

It works via an adapter with high-end Makita cordless drills, including the HP00001G and HP00003G in the XGT range, as well as LXT models such as the 458, 481, and 486.

20th Anniversary LXT Editions

Makita is marking 20 years of LXT lithium tools with a very limited run of anniversary editions: four impact drivers and two DTM52 Starlock multi-tools. They come in premium blue, premium yellow, premium red, and a muted off-beige grey, with gold lettering and gold detail accents.

These are genuinely hard to find, so if you want one, it is worth checking availability early. They are collector pieces rather than performance upgrades; the standard versions remain the practical choice for work use.

The XGT Lineup

Makita UH023G Hedge Trimmer

The UH023G is a compact 40V hedge trimmer with a 200 mm blade, a removable chip sweeper, and an equivalent power output of about 430 W. It cuts branches up to 8 mm in diameter and weighs only 1.1 kg bare.

It is clearly aimed at fine work: boxwood hedges, topiary, and small shaping jobs rather than heavy hedge renovation. The low weight makes it an easy tool to hold at arm’s length for detailed work.

40V Blower Vac

One of the most requested releases is a 40V blower vac described as the equivalent of a 28cc petrol model. The specification sheet is dense: 3.7 kg bare as a blower, 4.8 kg with the vac setup, 97 dB noise level, 380 W max suction power, 3.3 kPa max sealed suction, 244 km/h max air speed, 13 cubic metres per minute vacuum air volume, 13.8 cubic metres per minute blower air volume, 16 N max blowing air force, and a 50 litre vacuum bag.

In some markets it is sold as a blower-only unit and in others as a full blower vac. In the full kit configuration you get a blower pipe set, flat nozzle set, bent pipe assembly, 50 L bag, two vacuum pipes, and a shoulder belt, so there is no need to figure out which variant does what.

Makita GP00001G Grease Gun

The GP00001G is a 40V grease gun with a max pressure of 10,000 PSI, four speeds plus a variable speed trigger, and a weight of around 4.5 kg. It has a lock-on function and an LED display with an auto-stop preset, so you can meter exactly the right amount of grease into a fitting.

For plant and machinery maintenance, the auto-stop metering alone is a strong argument. It accepts both 400 g and 450 g grease tubes.

Makita BS00002G Pipe Belt Sander

The BS00002G is not a conventional belt sander like the existing BS00001G. It is a pipe belt sander with a 40 mm x 760 mm belt, capable of linishing pipe up to 125 mm in diameter. It weighs 3.2 kg and runs variable speed from 3.1 to 13.5 metres per second.

You get the modern expectations as standard: soft start, electronic brake, and a brushless motor, plus a slide switch for lock-on work. Makita is also releasing a range of matching belts, felts, and linishing belts alongside it.

Makita HR011G and HR012G Rotary Hammers

The HR011G and HR012G update the HR00001G, Makita’s first 40V rotary hammer. Both new models share identical internals; the difference is the chuck. The HR011G has a fixed chuck for a shorter tool, while the HR012G has a removable chuck so you can fit a standard three-jaw chuck for plain drilling.

The new spec sheet reads well: 1,130 RPM, 5,000 impacts per minute, 3.1 kg bare weight, and 3.3 J of impact energy, which is said to be about 17% better than the original. Both are rated at 28 mm in masonry, add AWS wireless dust extraction support, use a touchpad speed control with four speeds, and accept the DX17 dust extractor attachment on the front.

Makita BN00001G Nailer

The BN00001G is the 40V XGT version of the existing 18V nailer, effectively the same tool with an adapter for a 40V battery. The visible difference is a differently coloured magazine, though the specifications list it as 11 dB quieter and 50 g heavier than the 18V version.

Cordless nailers do not generate the excitement they once did, but for XGT users the point is simple: a framing nailer that runs on the batteries you already carry, with slightly reduced noise.

The First 40V Table Saw and Mitre Saw Combo

The most talked-about release is Makita’s first 40V table saw, and it arrives as a 260 mm (10-inch) table saw built on top of a mitre saw. Makita made a corded version of this concept years ago, and opinions on the format remain divided: a combo like this is rarely the best mitre saw or the best table saw on its own.

The numbers are still interesting. It weighs just 14.1 kg, less than half of a comparable 305 mm 40V mitre saw, bevels left only, and spins a 260 mm blade at 4,300 RPM no-load. The table saw side gives a 40 mm depth of cut on a 260 mm-wide table 415 mm long, so this is a tool for scribers and small trim work, not ripping framing timber or sheets.

In its home market it ships with a 45-tooth blade, vice, push stick, dust bag, rip fence, hex wrench, and Allen key. For DIY users who occasionally need both functions but have space or budget for only one machine, it is a legitimately interesting idea. For anyone wanting a serious standalone table saw, the message from the range is that a dedicated battery-powered model may not be far away, with multiple sizes rumoured.

Buying Advice

If you are choosing from this batch, start with your platform. LXT users get the most new options, including the DU258 chainsaw, DTM53 multi-tool, dustless circular saws, and the DUP181 pruner. XGT users finally get meaningful upgrades in the rotary hammer refresh, the grease gun, and the pipe belt sander.

A few practical checks are worth making before buying. The new USB-C charger only works at 60 W or above, so power delivery fluctuation could be an issue on the go. The table saw and mitre saw combo suits specific users rather than everyone; if you need a genuine table saw, waiting for a dedicated model may pay off. And the limited-edition anniversary tools are worth pursuing only if you want the collector appeal, since the standard versions do the same job.

Conclusion

The 2026 Makita range is less about dramatic reinvention and more about filling gaps that users have been asking about for years: a direct-battery pruner, an 18V dustless saw, an XGT rotary hammer with more impact energy, and yes, a first crack at a 40V table saw. If you are building out either platform, most of these releases make it easier to stay within one battery system rather than mixing brands.