Makita XGT vs Makita LXT 36V: Should You Switch Battery Platforms?

Introduction

A common question from Makita owners: is it time to retire the 36V dual-battery LXT tools and move everything over to the XGT platform? In head-to-head comparisons, XGT tools generally come out on top, and it is hard to find a case where a 36V tool has beaten its XGT equivalent. But that does not automatically mean XGT is the better choice in every situation. The right answer depends on what you already own, what you cut, and how much you are willing to spend.

How the Batteries Compare on Paper

The clearest way to compare the two systems is to look at the bottom of the battery packs. An XGT 5Ah battery is a 40V max pack rated at 180 watt-hours of stored energy. A dual-battery 36V LXT tool runs two standard LXT 5Ah packs at the same time, and each of those holds 90 watt-hours. Put together, the two LXT batteries store exactly the same amount of energy as one XGT 5Ah pack.

That number is only part of the story, though. Watt-hours measure energy storage, not how fast the battery can deliver power, and they say nothing about the motors in the tools themselves. XGT tools tend to use newer motors that are both more efficient and more powerful, which can translate into longer run time and better performance in real use.

What Switching to XGT Actually Costs

The price gap is where the decision gets harder. A well-regarded LXT blower can be found for around $160, while the XGT blower kit currently runs about $369 with a 4Ah battery, and there is no tool-only option yet. More tool-only XGT options are expected over time, but right now buying into XGT often means buying full kits.

If you already own a pile of LXT batteries, that matters too. It is easy to accumulate 30 or 40 LXT packs over the years, and your dual-battery 36V tools keep running on all of them with no real weight penalty or downside beyond not being on the newest single-battery platform.

Are LXT 36V Tools Still Worth It?

For many homeowners, yes. On a typical yard, the dual-battery string trimmer and blower meet every need. A good example: many owners run the string trimmer at speed two rather than speed three, because the top setting is so aggressive it whips grass, dirt, and rocks around, and nobody wants to be hit in the face by debris. If you never need the extra headroom, the extra cost of XGT is hard to justify.

It is also worth noting that XGT is not even the top of Makita’s range. There is an 80V class where two XGT batteries can be run together, but those tools are not widely available in the United States yet. The concrete cutter is one of the few you can pick up, and it runs over $2,000, which is a specialist purchase most people do not need.

Buying Advice: Match the Platform to the Tool

The honest answer is that this is a case-by-case decision rather than a wholesale swap. For heavy-duty tools where power and run time really matter, XGT makes a lot of sense. Chainsaws are the classic example: if you use one a lot and need sustained cutting, the newer motors and single-pack design of XGT are worth paying for.

For blowers and string trimmers, the calculus is different. The additional power is nice, and extra run time is always welcome, but the dual-battery 36V versions handle typical residential work completely fine, especially if you already own plenty of LXT batteries.

Conclusion

XGT is the stronger platform in most direct comparisons, and it is the obvious pick for demanding tools like chainsaws. But LXT 36V dual-battery tools remain genuinely good value, particularly for yard care around an average-sized property. Keep your 36V tools if they meet your needs, and buy into XGT selectively where the extra power and efficiency actually pay off.