New Makita Tools Worth Watching: 8 Recent Announcements That Stand Out

Introduction

Makita has been on a serious release streak lately, and the latest batch of announcements covers everything from 12V outdoor gear to the kind of 40V XGT tools that enthusiasts have been requesting for years. Some of these are already out in certain markets, some are trickling in slowly, and a couple are still limited to Japan. What ties them together is that most solve a specific problem rather than simply refreshing an existing number.

This roundup covers the releases that stood out most: pole hedge trimmers, an unusual rotary hedge trimmer attachment, a heavy-duty brush cutter, a battery-powered cooler, a coil-feed screw gun, a much-improved reciprocating saw, a programmable impact driver, and a big track-compatible circular saw.

Pole Hedge Trimming on a Budget of Voltage: Makita MUH300LD and MUH301LD

The MUH300LD is a 12V pole hedge trimmer, which sounds modest until you see what it does. It is essentially a compact hedge trimmer head on a pole, with a tilting head and an extension pole that reaches to around 4 meters. It has a 300 mm (1 ft) cutting width and a telescopically extending shaft, which is genuinely impressive reach for a 12V platform.

The MUH301LD is the same tool on the 18V platform, and with a 6.0Ah 18V battery Makita claims around two and a half hours of cutting. Availability outside certain regions is unclear at the moment, so if you want one it may take some hunting.

A Rotary Hedge Trimmer Attachment: Makita EM407MP

The EM407MP is one of the more unusual additions to the Makita split-shaft system. It is essentially a rotary hedge trimmer attachment, and thanks to its design you can cut in any direction quite easily. It has been available for close to a year now and fits across the full range of Makita power heads: 18V, 18V X2, four-stroke, and 40V XGT.

If you already own one of those power heads, this is a low-friction way to expand what the system can do. Makita has built out a genuinely strong attachment range for these power heads, and this is arguably one of the more interesting pieces in it.

Three Single-Edged 40V Hedge Trimmers: Makita MUH010G, MUH011G and MUH012G

On the 40V XGT side, Makita has introduced a trio of single-edged hedge trimmers: the MUH010G at 500 mm, the MUH011G at 600 mm (2 ft), and the MUH012G at 850 mm, which is one seriously long bar. What makes these different from a typical hedge trimmer is the sweeping, swinging grip design: you hold yourself to the side of the tool rather than directly behind it.

That layout makes them especially well suited to trimming hedge tops and long box hedges at a consistent height, the kind of repetitive work where a conventional trimmer fights you. Expect these to be a special order in many markets; if they reach the US they are expected to carry GHU010, GHU011 and GHU012 model numbers.

An 80V-Class Brush Cutter: Makita MUR012G

The MUR012G, known as the UR012G in much of the world and expected as the GRU12 in the US, is claimed by Makita to be the world’s strongest rechargeable brush cutter. It runs on two 40V max batteries, which Makita says gives it the equivalent of a 40cc motor.

It accepts both blade attachments and nylon string, and a three-speed gearbox delivers up to 6,400 RPM. In New Zealand, the launch kit currently includes two free 4.0Ah batteries, which is a genuinely good deal if you are in that market. Initial model numbers are typically the Japanese ones, so expect regional variations when this lands near you.

A Camping-Ready Powered Cooler: Makita CW001G

The CW001G, expected as the GWC01 in the US, is a 40V and 18V compatible, IPX4-rated powered chiller with a temperature range from minus 18°C, freezer territory, up to plus 60°C, which is close to oven territory. It has a 20-liter internal capacity and comes in classic teal as well as olive green, part of what looks like a growing outdoor range.

Run times are the standout. With two 5.0Ah 40V batteries it will hold around 5°C for roughly 24 to 28 hours, about 8.5 hours at 60°C, and around 10 hours at minus 18°C. On two 5.0Ah 18V batteries you get roughly 6.5 hours at minus 18°C and about 17 hours at 5°C. With two 40V batteries installed the tool switches from one to the other automatically, so you do not have to swap batteries mid-trip.

There is also a built-in USB charger and, most importantly, a bottle opener. Note that you cannot run a 40V and an 18V battery in it at the same time, only pairs of the same voltage. For camping trips, road trips, or keeping the catch cold on the drive home, it is one of the more charming oddballs in the XGT range.

A Coil-Feed Screw Gun: Makita FR451D

The FR451D is a Japanese-market screw gun, expected as the DFR451 elsewhere if it gets a wider release. The headline feature is the collated screw coil: instead of a long strip dangling and swinging below the tool, the screws feed from a compact coil. As far as we can tell, this is the first screw gun to use a coil feed.

It looks like a serious piece of kit, but there are practical catches. It is not available outside Japan through normal channels, so importing is currently the main route, and you will likely need to source the collated screws from Japan as well, which adds cost. If you want the coolest screw gun on the block and do not mind the hassle, it is worth a look.

A Serious 40V Reciprocating Saw: Makita JR002G

The original 40V XGT reciprocating saw was the weak link in the first six-piece XGT kit, and Makita has moved fast to fix it. The JR002G, expected as the GRJ02 in the US, is claimed to be the world’s fastest and strongest cordless reciprocating saw. The big change is a reconfigured cutting mechanism with counterweights and, for the first time on a Makita cordless recip saw, an orbital function that can be switched on and off.

The result is claimed as 50% faster cutting through steel pipe and 25% faster through wood compared with the previous model, with less vibration despite a 300 g weight increase. It is IP56 rated too. That is a big leap for a tool that arguably needed it, and it finally makes the 40V reciprocating saw platform exciting again.

A Programmable 40V Impact Driver: Makita TD002G

Makita’s 40V impact driver lineup has been thin, and the TD002G, expected as the GDT02 in the US, changes that with something different: app-based programmability. Torque is rated at 220 Nm, and you can set lower values such as 180 or 170 if the job calls for it. Bluetooth connectivity comes via an adapter that sits between the battery and the tool, which is a slightly clunky approach compared with competitors that build it into the battery.

Once connected, the app opens up an enormous amount of control: trigger responsiveness, start and maximum RPM, trigger pressure, light brightness and shut-off timing up to two hours, and fine control over wood, tech, and bolt modes, including timed fastening between 0 and 4 seconds to hit consistent tightness without stripping screws. You can save and name up to 10 settings per tool, copy them to other tools via the adapter, and even write notes about each setup.

The adapter is a one-time setup tool: once programmed, you remove it and use the driver normally, with the physical mode buttons still available for manual switching. One small loss to note: images suggest the glow-in-the-dark ring found on many Makita impact drivers is gone. Set-and-forget users will get the most out of this tool, programming it once and leaving it dialed in for daily work.

The Big One: Makita HS011G Track-Compatible Circular Saw

The HS011G, expected as the GSH11 in the US, is a top-handle circular saw with a groove in the base for running on a track or rail. The base model uses a 185 mm (7-1/4 in) blade with a 97 mm cutting depth, already a couple of millimeters deeper than the rear-handle equivalent’s 95 mm.

The genuinely interesting part is headroom. There is enough clearance that a 270 mm blade may fit, which would push the depth of cut to 100 mm, enough to cut straight through 4x4 posts in one pass. The front of the saw is also believed to be removable. Details are still limited, but on paper this saw could solve a lot of problems for framing and site work, and it is one of the most anticipated XGT tools in the pipeline.

Also Worth Noting

A few more releases fill out the picture. The DUS054 18V sprayer has quietly launched and is already generating strong demand, with a DUS053 12V version also appearing. The ML003 is a 40V light with a review incoming. And the most requested tool of all, a 40V XGT planer, has been confirmed as in development: based on the 18V 82 mm design, expected to run at 15,000 RPM for 55% faster cutting, with a 25 mm rabbet capacity and a 4 mm depth of cut. No release date yet, but it is coming.

Buying Advice

If your work is outdoors, the MUH300LD and EM407MP are the low-risk entries here, especially if you already own compatible power heads or 12V CXT batteries. The MUR012G and MUH012G suit professionals who need serious outdoor cutting capacity and are already invested in XGT batteries. The CW001G is a lifestyle purchase that makes genuine sense for campers and road-trippers with existing Makita batteries.

For construction users, the JR002G and HS011G are the tools to watch, and the TD002G is worth considering if you value repeatable, programmable fastening settings, provided you accept the adapter-based setup. Importing the FR451D only makes sense if the coil-feed format genuinely appeals and you can source collated screws reliably.

Conclusion

This batch of Makita releases is notable for how few of them are simple refreshes. A 12V pole trimmer with 4-meter reach, a rotary hedge attachment, a dual-battery cooler, a coil-feed screw gun, an orbital reciprocating saw, a fully programmable impact driver, and a track-compatible 10-inch circular saw all push into territory the platform has not covered before. If any of these match a job you actually do, they are worth tracking down early, because several of them are already selling fast in the markets where they have landed.