Makita TD173 vs TD002 vs TD172: Which Impact Driver Makes Sense Right Now

Introduction

Makita has been rolling out new impact drivers across two battery platforms at once, and the latest LXT model, the TD173, has created more confusion than excitement. It carries a suggested price of around $209 in USD, tool only, which is a significant jump compared with what Makita’s LXT impact drivers have typically cost. That makes the Japan-market XGT TD002, which costs less in some channels and puts out considerably more power, an increasingly interesting alternative.

This guide breaks down the three models worth knowing: the new TD173, the XGT TD002, and the current-generation TD172, and explains who each one actually makes sense for.

The New Makita TD173: High Price, Familiar Specs

The TD173 is Makita’s newest LXT impact driver and the headline figure is the price. A $209 tool-only MSRP is unusually high for an LXT impact driver, and there is not an obvious specs-based justification for it. Output sits at 180 newton meters, just under 1,600 inch-pounds, which is roughly on par with the current generation and not a large leap in power.

What the TD173 does offer is a slightly more compact body and a control panel that has been relocated to the rear of the tool. Those are sensible refinements, but they are incremental rather than dramatic, which makes the pricing gap versus the rest of the LXT lineup hard to explain. It also remains unclear whether or when the TD173 will reach the US market at all, so buyers in some regions may be limited to Japanese exports.

The XGT Alternative: Makita TD002

The TD002 is the second-generation XGT impact driver, currently available only in Japan. It is the model that increasingly looks like the smarter buy on paper. Output is around 220 newton meters, just under 2,000 inch-pounds, giving it a clear power advantage over the TD173, and it adds features the newer LXT tool does not have, including Bluetooth capability and Makita’s dual spring technology.

A note of caution for US buyers: the second-generation XGT impact driver appearing at some US retailers is a simplified version that lacks some of the features found on the Japanese-market TD002. If the full feature set matters to you, importing the Japan version is the more direct route. Pricing also works in its favor: new units from Japanese sellers on eBay have been listed for roughly $160 to $170, in a range of colors, which undercuts the TD173’s MSRP while delivering more power and more features.

The Current Baseline: Makita TD172

The TD172, sold in the US as the XDT-19, remains the reference point for Makita’s LXT impact drivers. It has never been an outlier on price; the kit it shipped in sat around $400, comparable to the kit carrying the XDT16, so it has historically offered good value within the lineup.

Spec-wise, the TD172 is closely matched to the TD173, with the newer tool’s main advantages being compactness and the relocated control panel. That raises an awkward question about the TD173’s pricing: if the two are so similar in performance, the TD172 continues to be the rational choice unless you specifically want the newest body design. US availability of the TD172 remains the known quantity here, while the TD173’s launch plans are less certain.

TD173 vs TD002: Head to Head

On pure specifications, the TD002 wins. It delivers roughly 220 newton meters versus the TD173’s 180, it supports Bluetooth, and it includes dual spring technology. It is also XGT, which matters if you are invested in that platform or want the more powerful battery system.

The TD173’s case rests on the LXT platform. If your existing collection is LXT batteries, staying within that ecosystem avoids new battery and charger costs, and the slightly more compact body with a rear-mounted control panel is a genuine ergonomic refinement. But paying a premium above the XGT option for lower output is a difficult trade to justify for most buyers.

Which One Should You Buy?

For most buyers, the decision comes down to platform and price. If you are on the XGT platform or starting fresh, the TD002 is the standout: more power, more features, and in import channels it can cost noticeably less than the TD173’s $209 MSRP. If you are committed to LXT, the TD172 still represents strong value with similar real-world performance to the TD173, and waiting to see whether the new model’s price settles is a reasonable strategy.

The TD173 only makes sense if you want the newest LXT body design and the compact form factor, and you are comfortable paying a premium for it. Otherwise, the older or alternative models offer more for the money.

Conclusion

The TD173 is a competent, slightly refined impact driver, but its pricing is the outlier in the story. With the XGT TD002 delivering more power and features at a lower street price in import channels, and the TD172 still performing comparably on LXT, Makita’s newest LXT driver currently looks like the least compelling of the three. Match your choice to your battery platform first, then let the spec sheet and the price do the rest.