Field-Tested Tool Review · August 2026
Makita XDT20 18V LXT Impact Driver Review
Buy it for control, not chest-thumping torque. Best-in-class lighting and one of the most usable triggers in 18V.
Rear controls stay readable while you work.
The Tool
People call this an impact drill. It is an impact driver: 1/4-inch hex, hammer-and-anvil, built to drive fasteners. The U.S. model is XDT20 (tool-only XDT20Z, kit XDT20T). Everywhere else it is the DTD173 / TD173. Same generation, same idea.
I ran the previous flagship and moved to this one because I wanted the latest layout — not because the old one failed. After months of industrial maintenance work, including an accidental trip through a 190°F dish machine, the XDT20 still feels like the most complete 18V impact Makita has shipped.
Verdict: buy it for control, not for chest-thumping torque. Best-in-class lighting and one of the most usable triggers in 18V. Rear controls stay readable while you work. Torque is mid-pack at 1,590 in-lbs — enough for almost all fastener work, not a lug-nut wrench. Independent score: 4.8 / 5.0.
What Stands This Tool Apart
1. Trigger Finesse
Long, progressive pull. Soft start is honest. You can walk a #6 screw into finished work without cam-out, then bury a structural screw on the same trigger. Quick-Shift button sits above the trigger so speed changes stay one-handed.
2. Ring Light
360° LED around the chuck kills bit shadow. Three brightness steps. Light mode turns the tool into a work lamp for about an hour with the F/R lever centered. This is the feature the later XDT21 walked away from.
3. Rear Panel
Mode and speed live on the back of the foot, facing you. You can read the setting without flipping the tool. Pair it with the Quick-Shift button and you almost never put the driver down to change modes.
Specifications
| Spec | Makita XDT20 / DTD173 |
|---|---|
| Platform | 18V LXT lithium-ion, brushless |
| U.S. models | XDT20Z (tool only), XDT20T (5.0Ah kit) |
| Global models | DTD173 / TD173 / DTD173Z |
| Drive | 1/4" hex, one-touch bit sleeve |
| Max fastening torque | 1,590 in-lbs / 180 Nm |
| No-load speed | 0–1,100 / 2,100 / 3,200 / 3,600 RPM |
| Impacts per minute | 0–1,100 / 2,600 / 3,600 / 3,800 IPM |
| Head length | 4-1/2 in / 111 mm |
| Weight with 5.0Ah | 3.3 lb / 1.5 kg |
| Lighting | 360° ring LED, 3 brightness levels + light mode (~1 hr) |
| Controls | Rear panel + Quick-Shift button above trigger |
| Protection | XPT dust/water seals, Star Protection electronics |
| Warranty | 3-year limited (tool, battery, charger) |
Pros and Cons — Straight Talk
Pros
- Best lighting in the 18V class — ring, not two side dots
- Trigger has real low-speed resolution
- Rear panel is readable while you work
- Quick-Shift is actually used, not a gimmick
- Compact 111 mm head, balance improved vs older LXT impacts
- XPT sealing holds up in wet, dirty industrial work
- Assist and T-modes earn their place on metal and long fasteners
- Lives on the largest 18V battery ecosystem Makita sells
Cons
- 1,590 in-lbs trails Milwaukee and DeWalt flagships on raw twist
- Mode map is busy if you want one trigger and done
- No 12V CXT twin that matches Milwaukee M12 Fuel size
- Kit pricing is steep unless it lands in a combo deal
- XDT21 exists if you want more torque and will give up the ring
From the Shop Floor — Industrial Field Test
I work as a maintenance technician on industrial machines. Most of my days are covers, guards, conveyor flights, pumps, and fasteners that have seen heat, soap, and years of vibration. I do not need a tool that wins a YouTube lug-nut contest. I need one I can feather, see with, and not think about.
This XDT20 went through a 20-foot high-temp flight dish machine twice. It was flooded with 190°F water. It still works. The trigger is the same. The ring still lights. The rear panel still answers. That is not a torture-test recommendation — do not beat up your power tools, and do not send them through a dishwasher on purpose. It is just what happened, and the driver shrugged it off. This thing seems indestructible.
I ran the previous model for a long time. I upgraded only because I wanted the latest layout. I did not need more power. I wanted the ring and the rear pad, and I like owning current Makita tools. I consider myself one of Makita's biggest fans and hope to always be. Their power drills and drivers, in my opinion, are second to none.
I do wish they had a 12V version as small as Milwaukee's M12 line. I will always be happy with my 18V Makita tools. This impact driver has been very impressive to me from day one, and it still is.
— Scott Cooksey, industrial maintenance technician
Who Should Buy the XDT20
Buy it if you already live on 18V LXT, you drive mixed fasteners all day, you work in dark cavities, or you care about how a trigger feels at 10% pull. The ring light alone is a reason if you service equipment.
Skip it if you need maximum twist for stubborn hardware — get an impact wrench, or look at the XDT21 / 40V XGT if torque is the only metric. Also skip a full-price kit if you do not own LXT batteries yet and you only need an occasional driver; a mid-tier XDT14 or a combo deal is the cheaper on-ramp.
Bottom Line
The Makita XDT20 is the 18V impact I would hand to another technician without a speech. It is compact, the trigger has manners, the ring light is the best in this size, and the rear controls stay in your eyeline. Torque is adequate, not class-leading. Durability, in my shop, has been better than adequate.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the XDT20 the same tool as the DTD173?
Yes. XDT20 is the U.S. designation. DTD173 / TD173 is the same generation sold internationally. Features match: 180 Nm, four speeds, ring LED, rear panel, Quick-Shift.
Impact driver or impact drill?
Impact driver. 1/4" hex collet, no chuck, impact mechanism for fasteners. An impact drill / hammer drill uses a 1/2" chuck and a different hammer for masonry. This review is the driver.
How bright is the ring light?
Makita claims roughly 2.5× the illumination of prior 18V impacts, in three levels, with far less bit shadow. Light mode runs about an hour as a work lamp.
Is it waterproof?
No tool is a submarine. It has XPT seals for dust and water resistance. Mine survived two unplanned 190°F washdowns. That is luck plus sealing — not a rated IP procedure. Dry it, do not make it a habit.
Should I wait for the XDT21?
Only if you want more torque and will accept separate LEDs and a slightly longer body. The ring light and 4-1/2" head are the XDT20's identity. That is the one I would still buy for maintenance work.
Review by Scott Cooksey. Specs from Makita USA and regional DTD173 literature. Third-party scores from Pro Tool Reviews, Tool Box Buzz, Popular Mechanics, and This Old House. This document is not affiliated with Makita Corporation. Prices change. Do not put power tools through industrial dishwashers.
View the Makita XDT20 product listing · More product reviews