Makita XGT 40V Max AS001G Dust Blower Review: Small Tool, Endless Uses

Introduction

Few recent tools have generated as much curiosity as the Makita XGT 40V Max AS001G Dust Blower. At first glance it looks like a novelty, but it quickly proves itself as a genuine everyday workshop companion, replacing jobs many people currently do with a noisy, bulky air compressor.

Out of the Box: Weight and First Impressions

The New Zealand and Australian version supplied for this review ships with five nozzles, though nozzle selection varies by region. Straight out of the bag the tool looks slightly bulky in the head area, yet it weighs just 850 grams. For reference, the Makita DTD171 impact driver weighs 885 grams, so this blower is lighter than an impact driver while being considerably larger overall.

Nozzle changes are quick and one-handed, working like a quick-release chuck: push the attachment on until it clicks top and bottom, then pull the collet back and twist to release it. A poorly seated nozzle produces a strange air sound, so it pays to make sure each attachment is fully locked in.

Attachments and Suction Capability

The five included nozzles cover a range of tasks: a standard blower tip similar to an air compressor gun, a large nozzle for inflating big items like air beds, a smaller nozzle for beach balls and similar inflatables, a mystery nozzle that the manual describes as useful for blowing air into confined spaces, corners, and along walls, and a soft rubbery wide duster that spreads air across roughly 120 degrees.

Beyond blowing, the tool also sucks. Remove the rear section and you expose an air filter; a HEPA filter is available for this area. With a hose attachment fitted at the back, it can draw air out of mattresses or vacuum-seal clothing bags for travel and storage, with additional rubber nozzles for deflating things.

Two more notes on carrying and extras: there is a metal loop on top for a lanyard or carabiner, plus standard bit-holder style slots on both sides for an optional clip, though no clip is included in the box. Makita also sells a nozzle designed to blow dust out of drilled concrete holes before fitting anchors, plus a tube-ended nozzle for awkward spots; neither ships in the kit, though 10mm clear vinyl tubing fits the standard nozzle nicely if you want to make a long dusting wand.

Performance: Airflow and Speed Settings

The AS001G runs on the 40V Max (36V) XGT platform and is brushless, as you would expect from a modern XGT release. It moves 1.1 cubic metres of air per minute and reaches a claimed air speed of up to 200 metres per second. Notably, the smaller 18V version actually moves more volume at 2.6 cubic metres per minute, but this 40V tool accelerates air far faster and pushes it out more than twice as quickly.

There are four speed settings, a variable speed trigger, an LED light, an optional trigger lockout, and a trigger lock-on button. Speed modes can be set without pulling the trigger, which is a small but welcome touch. One interesting behavior: when the nozzle is blocked, the tool ramps down to protect itself and slowly builds back up once airflow is restored.

Real-world testing tells the story. Inflating a queen-size air bed took roughly a minute and a half of actual blowing, compared with roughly three minutes using a conventional pump, making the Makita about three times faster for that job. On the lowest setting it still feels a touch powerful for delicate work, and the jump between settings three and four is subtle, so a genuinely finer low mode would be a welcome tweak in a future version.

Cleaning Keyboards, Cars, and Filters

A dusty old keyboard that was destined for the bin came back to life in seconds, with debris flying out and the surrounding desk surface cleaned in the process. Cars are another natural fit: dust trapped in dashboards, door handle wells, and awkward engine bay gaps is exactly the kind of job vacuums struggle with.

Filters are where this tool really earns its keep. A clogged Dyson vacuum filter normally requires washing and a full 24 hours of drying before the vacuum will work again; blowing it clean saved an entire day of waiting. A Samsung washing machine lint filter with tiny holes cleaned up noticeably, though not quite as thoroughly as an air compressor with a finer tip managed. If the filter is wet, results are less impressive, so this may not fully replace an compressor for every job.

Who This Tool Is For

It is genuinely hard to think of a trade or profession where this would not come in handy. The most common jobs here are blowing down other tools after cutting or drilling, cleaning out computers and electrical boxes, dusting venetian blinds and drawers, blowing dust off clothes and hair, and cooling yourself down on hot days using the soft wide nozzle on low. There is also a Makita 40V fan, the CF002G, which is quiet enough to run while filming, but this blower handles spot cooling just as well.

Things to Consider Before Buying

There are a few trade-offs worth knowing. The rapid pull-and-release of the trigger introduces a brief delay before it responds again. The lowest speed is still stronger than ideal for very delicate work, and the middle speed settings feel somewhat redundant. Availability is also a real concern: the tool is still hard to find outside New Zealand and Australia, and extra nozzles and suction attachments may not be readily available everywhere yet. Finally, with so many small attachments, storage is a genuine problem, as there is no clip-together case or caddy included.

Buying Advice

If your only need is inflating air mattresses, a dedicated pump is cheaper and slower but does the job. But if you clean filters, tools, keyboards, cars, or computers regularly, this blower is a far more convenient alternative to an air compressor: no power cord, no oil, no two-tonne tank, and no long hose dragging behind you. Pair it with 10mm clear vinyl tubing and a locked-on trigger for hands-free dusting around a workbench, and it gets even more useful.

Conclusion

The Makita XGT 40V Max AS001G Dust Blower is one of those rare tools that surprises you with how often it leaves its shelf. It is light, brushless, powerful for its size, and endlessly versatile, with only minor speed-control niggles and limited availability holding it back. For anyone who regularly blasts dust out of filters, tools, or tight corners, it is an easy recommendation.