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Tools & Home Improvement

Makita XPH12Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill (Tool Only)

Drills & Drivers

The Makita XPH12Z is an 18V LXT brushless hammer drill with 750 in-lbs of torque and 33,000 BPM, designed for heavy drilling and concrete anchoring, sold as a tool-only unit for existing LXT platform users. Available on Amazon.ca (ASIN B07B8KK28G) at around $249 CAD.

ClearPick Score
8.9 / 10
Very Good
Brushless Motor
9.5
Variable Speed
9.5
Build Quality
9.5
Torque
9.5
Value
8.5
Full Specs
MotorBL Brushless motor — 50% longer run time, 3× longer life than brushed
Speed0-550/0-2,000 RPM, 2-speed
Torque530 in-lbs (low) / 750 in-lbs max
Hammer Mode33,000 BPM (blows per minute)
Chuck1/2-inch single-sleeve keyless
Clutch16+1 clutch settings
Battery18V LXT — compatible with 200+ Makita 18V tools (not included)
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Makita XPH12Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill (Tool Only) product photo
🏆 Drills & Drivers
Makita XPH12Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Hammer Drill (Tool Only)
~$249 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
View on Amazon.ca → Opens Amazon.ca · Affiliate link
✅ Ships to Canada
✅ Prime eligible (most orders)
✅ 30-day Amazon returns
✅ No extra cost to you

✅ What Works

  • The brushless motor is the defining advantage over brushed equivalents at the same price point. Makita's BL motor delivers 50% more runtime per charge and significantly less heat under sustained load than brushed alternatives — both of which matter in a hammer drill used for anchor drilling in concrete, where sustained load and repeated high-torque cycles are standard operation.
  • 750 in-lbs of torque combined with 33,000 BPM in hammer mode handles concrete anchor drilling up to 5/8-inch diameter without a separate rotary hammer. For most light-to-medium concrete fastening tasks — setting anchors for drywall brackets, installing handrail supports, mounting fixtures to masonry — a high-torque hammer drill is faster and more convenient than renting or owning a full SDS rotary hammer.
  • The 16+1 clutch settings give exceptional granularity over driving depth and torque limit. Position 1-8 for small screws and pilot holes, 9-16 for medium screws and drilling, position 17 (drill mode) bypasses the clutch for full power. The fine spacing prevents the coarse over-shoot that happens with fewer clutch positions on budget drills.
  • Makita's 18V LXT battery platform is the world's largest 18V cordless system — over 200 tools share these batteries. If you're entering the Makita ecosystem, every LXT battery you buy extends utility across all 200+ tools. The runtime advantage of the brushless motor means each battery charge goes further, compounding the platform value.

⚠️ Worth Knowing

  • This is a tool-only purchase — no battery or charger included. Makita's 18V LXT batteries are excellent but premium-priced: a 5.0Ah battery costs $80–$120 CAD and the rapid charger adds another $60–$80 CAD. Budget these costs upfront if you're new to the platform; the XPH12Z+battery+charger investment runs $380–$430 CAD versus the all-in brushed competitors.
  • The XPH12Z is a hammer drill, not a rotary hammer. Hammer drills use a cam-clutch percussion mechanism (forward-backward bit vibration) that is effective in brick and cinder block but significantly less powerful in dense concrete than an SDS rotary hammer. For drilling anchors in structural poured concrete or rebar-reinforced walls, rent or own an SDS rotary hammer.
  • The 1/2-inch keyless chuck accepts standard bits up to 1/2-inch shank — no adapter needed for standard round-shank bits, spade bits, and hole saws. The single-sleeve keyless design tightens with one hand, which is faster than double-sleeve chucks on older designs.
  • At 4.6 lbs (without battery), the XPH12Z is in the mid-range for 18V hammer drills. Add a 5.0Ah battery and it reaches about 6.2 lbs — noticeable for extended overhead drilling. A 2.0Ah or 3.0Ah battery keeps overall weight below 5.5 lbs for most tasks.

What Real Buyers Are Saying

What buyers love

"Been using Makita 18V for ten years. Added this when my old hammer drill died. The brushless makes an immediate difference — I got through a full day of masonry anchoring on one battery where the old tool needed three charges."

Source: Amazon reviewer

"The 16-position clutch is the detail that justifies Makita over the competition for me. Setting 5 on wood screws, setting 14 for lag bolts. Never strip anything."

Source: Reddit

"I drill anchors in brick and cinder block all week. This handles it perfectly. Dense concrete I use an SDS for — right tool for right job. No complaints."

Source: Amazon reviewer

"The battery system is the answer to everything. Same battery in my circular saw, impact driver, light, and now this drill. One ecosystem, endless tools."

Source: Amazon reviewer

Common complaints

Tool-only at $249 — battery and charger add significant cost…

The tool itself is fair but once you add a proper 5.0Ah battery and the charger you're close to $450. That stings. If you're already in the Makita ecosystem it's fine; otherwise the starter kit pricing is steep.

Source: Reddit

Not a true rotary hammer for hard concrete…

I tried to drill into structural concrete for anchor bolts and burned through two carbide bits before giving up. Rented an SDS hammer and drilled the same hole in 15 seconds. Know the difference.

Source: Amazon reviewer

Heavier with a big battery…

Love the tool but the 5.0Ah battery makes it feel like a brick overhead. I use a 2.0Ah battery for overhead work and save the big battery for sustained drilling sessions at bench level.

Source: Amazon reviewer

LXT platform premium adds up…

The tool is great but buying into Makita's battery system is expensive upfront. DEWALT and Milwaukee are comparable in quality and sometimes more available locally in Canada at retail.

Source: Amazon reviewer
ClearPick Verdict

The Makita XPH12Z is the professional standard for an 18V brushless hammer drill — the brushless motor, 750 in-lbs, fine clutch, and LXT platform make it a compelling choice for tradespeople who already own Makita batteries. The tool-only format requires existing battery investment, and the price-plus-battery reality means buyers new to Makita should compare the all-in cost against DEWALT and Milwaukee kit offerings before committing.

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