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

Introduction

Some tools earn their reputation in the workshop. Others earn it in the dirt. The Makita HP001G, the flagship 40V XGT hammer drill, recently faced an unusual challenge: driving enormous earth auger bits, including a 300mm (one foot) diameter bit that most people would assume only a dedicated 40V auger tool could turn. The result was surprising enough that we thought it deserved a proper look.

The Test: A 300mm Auger Bit in Loose Soil

The setup was deliberately intimidating. Alongside the flagship 300mm bit, there was also a 100mm (4 inch) bit at 750mm long, plus an extension for the 150mm bit. The first task was simple: drill a hole in loose topsoil to plant a lime tree, replacing an old, unloved shower base in the garden.

Despite the size difference between the drill and the bit, the HP001G spun the 300mm auger through the loose soil in one go, producing a hole that was almost exactly the right diameter. Honestly, nobody expected that to work as smoothly as it did.

Torque That Surprised Us

Running the drill in gear one with the variable speed trigger, the goal was to keep things as slow and controlled as possible. That is easier said than done with a bit this big, since keeping steady trigger pressure is trickier than with a small drill bit. Even so, the drill never felt out of its depth in the loose ground.

The surprise here is genuine. The expectation going in was that a dedicated 40V auger tool would be needed. Instead, the HP001G had the torque to get the job done, and the 100mm bit was even easier, running essentially flat out on gear one. If you have been putting off buying auger bits for this drill, it handles them far better than you might guess.

What Happened in Harder Ground

Once the hole reached ground that had been undisturbed for years, things got harder. The drill hit something solid, likely a rock, and progress slowed. That is a fair reminder that no cordless drill is magic: compacted earth and obstacles will challenge any tool.

After removing a rock roughly the size of a fist that the bit was catching on, the drill carried on deeper without issue, reaching a depth that was more than sufficient for planting. The hole ended up plenty deep for the lime tree, and the drill walked away unscathed.

The Smaller Bits: Easy Work

If the 300mm bit was the headline test, the 100mm auger was the victory lap. At 750mm long, the 4 inch bit went through loose soil without drama, with the drill barely breaking a sweat. This is the kind of workload where the HP001G feels genuinely effortless, and it is a good illustration of how much torque the XGT platform delivers.

It is worth noting a caveat, though. This drill was not designed for use with huge auger bits, and we would not encourage anyone to push their own drill this hard. Pushing any tool beyond its intended use risks burning it out, and that risk is on you if you try it.

Buying Advice

For anyone shopping in the Makita 40V XGT range, the HP001G (sold as the GPH01 in the United States) has now proven itself in both conventional and genuinely demanding situations. If your work involves drilling large holes, mixing, or auger-style tasks, the torque headroom here is a real selling point. Just pair it with realistic expectations about what a hammer drill should be asked to do.

Conclusion

The Makita HP001G passed a test that many would have failed. A one-foot auger bit, compacted ground, and a fist-sized rock later, it dug a planting hole without breaking stride. For gardeners, landscapers, and anyone who already owns Makita XGT batteries, this is a drill with more capability than its spec sheet suggests. Just use your judgment about how far you push it.