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

Introduction

Makita has a habit of releasing tools without much fanfare. No big retail push, no splashy announcement, sometimes nothing more than a kit model number quietly bumped by one digit. As a result, some genuinely interesting tools slip past even dedicated fans of the brand.

This roundup collects seven of those: new releases nobody noticed, older tools that never got pushed, and a couple of lineup decisions that are honestly hard to explain. Some are worth hunting down. Others are worth knowing about purely so you don’t overpay. All of them are sold through Makita’s own store, and several are rarely discounted.

Makita XPK02: The Quietly Released LXT Planer

The XPK02 is the new LXT version of Makita’s cordless planer, and it looks nearly identical to the XGT model that launched first. The original XPK01 remains a great planer and could often be found for around $99, while the new version sits at roughly $300. That is a serious jump, though you do get added features, including a deeper cut and AWS, Makita’s Bluetooth system that lets the tool switch on a compatible vacuum when you start it.

If you already own the XPK01, there is little urgent reason to upgrade. But if you have been waiting for this platform in the 18V LXT family, it finally exists, and most people had no idea it had arrived.

Makita XLC11: A Stick Vacuum With a Very Specific Job

Makita’s stick vacuums are easy to lose track of because the company releases them sporadically and at widely varying prices. The XLC11 is the newest one, and it is a capable little cleaner with one big caveat: it is not designed for job site use. Do not expect it to happily swallow sawdust all day on a construction site. It is aimed at cleaning and hospitality work instead.

Pricing is the other sticking point. The XGT versions of these vacuums have appeared in kits around the $400 to $500 range, while the current LXT versions sit closer to $70 to $80. For light household or cleaning-business duty they are genuinely good tools, but the pricing swings make it worth waiting for a deal.

The XPH16 Hammer Drill Kit Pricing Puzzle

The XPH16 is Makita’s newly released compact-style hammer drill, positioned alongside rather than replacing the XPH14. It trades a little power for a smaller, lighter, more ergonomic body, which matters because the XPH14 is a big, heavy tool. Pricing is set at $329 for the bare tool.

Here is where it gets strange. A kit with the drill plus two batteries lists at $359, meaning the two batteries cost you about $30 extra. And the two-tool combo kit bundles the XPH16 with an impact driver that turns out to be the older XDT14, a model several generations removed from Makita’s current lineup. To complicate things further, that kit reportedly includes a new, more basic charger rather than the rapid charger, based on unconfirmed reports from tool publications and Japanese sites.

Makita XPH16

The XPH16 itself looks like a solid compact hammer drill for users who found the XPH14 too bulky. Just check the kit math carefully before buying, because Makita’s own pricing makes the bare tool oddly attractive.

Makita XPH14

The XPH14 remains a strong, powerful hammer drill. Some users have reported issues with the chuck and transmission over time, though plenty of units have run trouble-free. It is heavy, but it is proven.

Makita XDT14

The XDT14 impact driver showing up in a brand-new 2026 kit is genuinely puzzling, since it predates Makita’s newer compact impact drivers by several generations. It still works fine as a driver, but it is an odd pairing with a brand-new hammer drill at a premium price.

Makita XSL05: An 18V Miter Saw Most People Never Knew Existed

Almost everyone following Makita’s miter saws knows the 36V XGT models. Far fewer know the company also makes a compact 18V version, the XSL05. It is a 6-1/2 inch saw with a rear-mounted battery layout reminiscent of the HiKOKI/Metabo HPT style, plus a small work light built in.

At $620 it is expensive for what it is. Makita’s larger 36V saws regularly dip into the $500 to $600 range on deals, which makes the compact 18V saw a tough sell at that price. If it ever sees a real discount, it could be a neat space-saving option for trim work and small shops. Until then, it remains a curiosity.

Makita Oil Impulse Driver: Rare, Quiet, and Hard to Find

If you have never heard of an oil impulse driver, the concept is simple: instead of a conventional hammer-and-anvil impact mechanism, it uses an oil-filled system. The result is a dramatically quieter tool with smoother motion, at the cost of lower power and slightly slower driving speed.

Makita has made one for years, and it almost never goes on sale or appears in stores. Used examples on eBay rarely drop below $180, while competing versions from other brands sell used for $70 to $90. If quiet fastening matters to your work, Makita does make one; just know that it is one of the hardest tools in the lineup to find at a good price.

Buying Advice

A few patterns emerge from this list. First, check Makita’s own store regularly, because that is where these quiet releases actually live. Second, be skeptical of kit pricing: the XPH16 kits demonstrate that bundle math does not always favor the buyer, and an included accessory is not always the current-generation model. Third, patience pays. Tools like the XPK02 planer and the XSL05 saw are priced at a premium at launch, and Makita’s quieter releases do eventually see deals, even if the wait can be long.

If you are brand-loyal to LXT and need one of these categories filled, several of these tools are the only cordless option of their kind. If you are flexible on brand, compare carefully before paying full price.

Conclusion

Makita’s lineup is deeper than most people realize, and its reluctance to advertise means useful tools can sit unnoticed for years. The XPK02 planer and XPH16 drill are worth watching for price drops, the XLC11 fills a niche niche well if you catch it cheap, and the oil impulse driver remains a rare specialty pick. Know what each tool is actually for, and you will avoid overpaying for the ones that do not fit your work.