Makita XGT RT001G Trim Router: How the 40V Version Compares

Introduction

Trim routers go by many names: palm router, laminate trimmer, quarter-inch router. Whatever you call it, the new Makita XGT RT001G is the 40V entry into this category, and it has been one of the most anticipated XGT releases for anyone who already owns the 18V version.

The obvious question is how it compares to Makita’s own DRT50, one of the earliest cordless trim routers on the market, and to the HiKOKI 36V trim router, currently the only other 36V-class tool in this space. This comparison covers what ships in the box, how the power feels in real use, and which tool actually suits which kind of work.

What’s in the Box

The RT001G arrives with a circular aluminium base with rubberized TPE overmoulding for grip, a dust chute, two spanners, and a bushing for following templates. Depending on the market, kits differ: in Japan the trimmer comes with a clear square plastic base or a plunge base, while in New Zealand it ships with the standard round base plus a square base as well.

One small disappointment: the box does not include a template guide bushing insert, which seems to be luck of the draw with trim routers. Also worth noting, the RT001G includes only a single 6.35mm (1/4-inch) collet. Depending on which router bits you use and where you live, you may need to buy extra collets separately, so check before your first job.

Compatibility With Existing Bases

This is the headline for anyone already invested in Makita’s router ecosystem: the RT001G fits the existing plunge base that takes the 18V tool and the AC-powered models. All of Makita’s trim router accessories from recent years, across corded, 18V and now 40V, interchange.

That also means the standard circular base looks essentially identical to the 18V version’s base. If you own an 18V or corded Makita trim router and add the RT001G, you can keep using one base set for all of them. HiKOKI bases and Makita bases also appear to cross-fit, which makes finding accessories easier since you can borrow from either brand.

Design, Weight and Handling

The 40V tool is noticeably chunkier than the 18V DRT50, mostly around the battery area, because XGT batteries use a heavier rail and the motor and electronics package is bigger. It also supports AWS, meaning you can add an AWS Bluetooth chip and have a compatible vacuum turn on and off with the tool’s power button.

The weight difference is smaller than the size suggests. The RT001G comes in at around 1.111kg bare, only about 70g more than the DRT50’s roughly 1.39kg-class bare weight. With the standard base and dust chute fitted, a 2.5Ah-class battery brings the RT001G to about 2.261kg, around 130g more than the equivalent 18V setup. With a large 5Ah-class pack it climbs to about 2.87kg and starts to feel lopsided in the hand.

In actual use, the extra height and weight turned out not to be a problem. It felt basically the same as the 18V tool, with the main difference being that the 18V audibly struggles more while the 40V can be pushed faster. Both tools share the same shaft-locking mechanism for bit changes and both are variable speed from one through five, with the RT001G spinning from 10,000 to 31,000 RPM against the DRT50’s 10,000 to 30,000 RPM.

Power and Real-World Feel

Stall testing tells the real story. In a torture test with a 16mm roundover bit at roughly 10mm depth in hard material, the 18V DRT50 stalls easily. The HiKOKI 36V sits in the middle, stalling under firm pressure. The RT001G is very hard to stall and can be run noticeably faster than either.

The practical takeaway: if you only use a trim router for edge work, chamfers, rounding over and laminate trimming, the 18V and 40V feel essentially the same. Once you move into deeper or wider cuts where torque matters, the RT001G is in a different league, closer to a compact half-inch router in character, though limited to smaller shank bits.

How the Three Compare

The HiKOKI 36V trim router is a very good tool and substantially better than the 18V Makita, but the RT001G appears to have the edge in power thanks to the extra development time. If you want the most capable trim router of the three, the Makita 40V is the one to look at; if you want something proven and slightly easier to find in some markets, the HiKOKI remains strong.

The RT001G is not perfect, though. The standard base lacks fine depth adjustment, which can be frustrating because the whole assembly easily slips while dialing in. That design choice probably exists to keep all the bases interchangeable, but it is a pain point. There is also a fixable hardware annoyance: the small washer that holds the straight guide does not have enough grip, so the guide keeps twisting. Replacing it with a larger washer solves it, and it is worth doing before your first guided cut.

Buying Advice

If you already own an 18V DRT50 and only trim edges with it, there is little reason to swap; the two feel the same in that role. If you want more torque for deep or wide cuts, or you are starting fresh and want a trim router closer to a compact plunge router in capability, the RT001G is the stronger choice.

Availability varies by region. In some markets the RT001G is hard to find and may need to be imported from Japan, where it is sold with a choice of plunge base or clear square base. Check which collets and bases your local kit includes before buying, since the contents differ noticeably by country.

Conclusion

The Makita XGT RT001G is a well-executed 40V trim router that keeps the familiar 18V form factor, fits every existing Makita trim router base, and delivers clearly more power where it counts. Edge-trim users can happily stay on 18V, but anyone who pushes a trim router hard will appreciate what the extra voltage buys.