New Makita XGT Tabless Batteries and Impact XPS Bits: Three Releases Worth a Look

Introduction

Makita’s press releases tend to arrive quietly, and this one is easy to miss: the brand is extending tabless cell technology across more of its 40V max XGT battery line. After introducing a tabless 4.0Ah pack not long ago, Makita has now added a high-power 8.0Ah option alongside it. There are also new Impact XPS fastening bits in the mix. Here is what each release actually brings, and who should care.

What Tabless Cells Actually Change

The industry expected the next battery leap to come from pouch or stacked-lithium style packs, but most major brands have instead shifted toward tabless cylindrical cells. The design removes the tab connections inside the pack, and that single change has real consequences.

Tabless cells offer higher power output, which eliminates much of the “sag” you feel when a circular saw bogs down mid-cut. Lower internal resistance means the pack runs cooler, addressing the frustration of a hot battery refusing to charge or a tool shutting down on a summer job site. Faster charge times and better energy efficiency follow from the same design, so less power is wasted as heat and the pack runs longer than a comparable conventional cell.

There is also less power drop-off as the battery drains. Think of how an electric car feels noticeably quicker at an 80% charge than at 20%: a tabless pack keeps more of its output available as the charge falls. In practice, a tabless 4.0Ah can deliver more usable performance than a larger conventional 5.0Ah pack.

Makita 40V max XGT 8.0Ah Tabless Battery

The new flagship of the pair. Makita claims the 8.0Ah high-power tabless battery delivers up to 35% more power and runs up to 32% cooler than comparable packs, and it reaches a full charge in 76 minutes or less. That combination of capacity, thermal behavior, and charging speed is aimed squarely at high-draw tools rather than everyday drilling.

Makita 40V max XGT 4.0Ah Tabless Battery

The 4.0Ah tabless pack brings the same cell technology in a lighter, cheaper format. It currently sells for around $269, and early user reviews are largely positive, with only isolated complaints about overheating. Makita’s batteries have a strong track record for durability; packs stored through freezing Ohio winters and hot summers have consistently charged and performed well years later. That reputation is worth factoring in when comparing these prices against the competition.

Makita Impact XPS Bits

The third release is not a battery at all. Makita’s Impact XPS line is positioned as the brand’s best line of bits and fastening accessories, lasting up to 100 times longer than standard bits. The new engineering emphasizes exact fitment and a unique carbon alloy steel blend that flexes rather than snapping, extending bit life under impact driving.

One caveat worth knowing: Makita updates its accessory lineup frequently, and a favorite magnetic accessory may be revised or replaced over time. Sometimes the change is an improvement, sometimes it is not, so it pays to check the current version before stocking up.

Who These Batteries Are Really For

These packs are not for everyone. A weekend drill user will not notice the difference enough to justify the premium. But if you run high-output tools all day, such as demolition hammers, jackhammers, large saws, string trimmers, chainsaws, or lawnmowers on the XGT platform, the reduced sag, cooler running, and faster charging translate directly into getting work done with fewer interruptions.

Conclusion

Makita’s move to tabless cells across the 40V max XGT line is a meaningful upgrade for demanding users, even if the pricing reflects it: roughly $269 for the 4.0Ah and around $600 for the 8.0Ah high-power pack. Pair either with Impact XPS bits if fastening work is part of your routine. Match the pack size to your actual tool load, and both releases make a compelling case.