Ryobi Vs Makita Cordless Drills [Pros and Cons]

In terms of inevitable comparison of Ryobi vs. Makita power tools, there is really only one factor to consider:

Is it worth saving your extra money in going with the Ryobi brand, or will it be more advantageous in the long run to spend a little bit more and get a quality power tool from Makita?

When it comes to quality and performance, Makita hands down makes better tools, longer battery life, better durability, more efficiency and power, and better construction. Makita is simply better in a lot of aspects.

However, it is quite hard to ignore the fact that you can practically save a ton of money by simply going with the Ryobi lineup.

Which is a brand that’s introduced some surprisingly quality tools over the last few years.

Now, in this article, we want to aid you to decide on which is actually the most suitable choice for your specific do-it-yourself projects.

Do you want the professional and quality performance of Makita, or are you good with the budget performance of the Ryobi brand?

That said, we will be comparing key features, price points, and reviews of each brand’s newest lineup of power tools. So make sure to read on and find out for yourself.

A Brief History between Ryobi vs. Makita

Not surprisingly, many consumers presently end up basing their loyalty or buys to a certain brand off of manufacturing regulations.

It seems like more and more consumers are getting fed up with seeing that “Made in China” note on the box of whatever products they’re purchasing and they link it with a general lack in overall quality of a certain product.

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Though this is true in many cases, Ryobi is actually a budget brand that’s able to hold its own in terms of durability, construction quality, and performance.

Sadly, we can’t totally say the same anymore for brands like Craftsman, Kobalt, and Black and Decker.

Furthermore, Ryobi is actually a daughter company that is owned by a huge international conglomerate Techtronic Industries, and yes, most of their products are manufactured in China.

That’s why you can rest assured that when it comes to budget power tool selections, they have been the leaders of the pack ever since Craftsman began going downhill over ten years ago.

In addition, because Ryobi is owned by the same parent company, many of their products come out of the same manufacturing plants like Milwaukee tools, and we all know that Milwaukee is some of the most impressive quality out there.

On the other hand, the Japanese-based company, Makita is entirely their own company. In fact, they don’t fall under the umbrella of certain larger corporate ownership.

Though they certainly take advantage of outsourcing manufacturing to lessen manufacturing costs, built quality has never at all been a problem with Makita as they have always been at the absolute forefront of performance as well as reliability.

Ryobi vs. Makita Cordless Drills Review 

1. Ryobi P277 One+ 18 Volt Lithium Ion 1/2 Inch 2-Speed Drill Driver (18 Volt Batteries Not Included / Power Tool Only),Green

This drill-driver is the most essential power tool to have in your arsenal. It is a necessity for most renovation or construction projects around your household.

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For homeowners as well as do-it-yourself enthusiasts, the Ryobi Li-Ion P277 is the go-to drill-driver. Adjust this drill-driver’s torque to fit the job with the 24-position clutch.

Thanks to its keyless chuck, change bits with only one hand, so now you can swap between driving screws and boring holes without setting the drill down.

Making these bit switches even much convenient is because of its onboard magnetic storage unit at the base of the drill-driver so users can keep whatever they need for the driving task in one place.

Though if this tool is not convenient enough, users can use whichever Ryobi battery they have available to power this impressive power tool.

Either the newer One+ system li-ion batteries or older Ni-Cads can work to get your projects done in just a matter of minutes.

For anything such as simple repairs to complicated construction or assembly projects, you must get the Ryobi P277. You’ll not be disappointed.

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PROS:

  • Quite and smooth performance
  • Comes with better grip, perfect shape, and selectable speed better than the auto-speed they have had recently
  • Its battery last a long time and is strong enough to drive heavy-duty screws
  • This unit of drill itself is very simple and easy to use, and come with enough power and usage time from a battery charge to do certain tasks
  • One+ compatible so you can power this drill-driver with Ryobi’s 18 volts batteries from the one+ system li-ions
  • Easy handling using its notched rubber grip that improves friction so users can use the drill in different weather settings
  • Convenient storage with its magnetic bit holder so users can keep all of their drill accessories in one place, which ultimately makes the task a breeze
  • Users can now control the torque with its 24-position clutch attached to a 2-speed gearbox to fit a number of jobs that need driving fasteners or drilling holes
  • Easy bit changes with its ½ inch keyless chuck which can easily switch bits without any kind of tool at all
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CONS:

  • Quite hefty

2. Makita XPH10Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Driver-Drill (Tool Only)

This cordless drill from Makita amalgamates torque and speed in a compact size. For improved versatility, it can be operated as a drill driver or a hammer drill-driver, and is crafted for applications in concrete, masonry, metal, and wood.

The Makita XPH10Z 18V LXT Lithium-ion cordless ½ inch hammer driver-drill comes with a four-pole motor that gives 480 inches per pound of max torque and up to 1,900 revolutions per minute, not to mention that it also offers 28,500 BPM in its high-speed setting.

It also weighs only 3.4 pounds with the battery not included for extra comfort.

Furthermore, with its extra XPT or Extreme Protection Technology, this drill is designed for improved water and dust resistance and is perfect for use in harsh workplace conditions.

It is part of Makita’s expanding 18 volts li-ion series, which is the world’s largest cordless tool line-up powered by an 18 volts li-ion slide-style battery.

And lastly, Makita 18 volts li-ion batteries have the fastest charge times in their class, so they spend more time working and less time sitting on its charger.

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PROS:

  • Compatible with Makita 18 volts li-ion batteries with a star symbol
  • All-metal gears for improved durability
  • Rubberized soft grip gives enhanced comfort on the project
  • Comes with Dual LED lighting system with afterglow which helps illuminate your workplace
  • Weighs only 3.4 pounds with battery for less operator fatigue
  • Compact and ergonomic design at only 8-3/4 inch long
  • Comes with variable 2-speed design which covers a vast range of hammer, driving, and drilling applications
  • Makita-built 4-pole motor gives 480 inch per pounds of max torque
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CONS:

  • Quite hefty
  • Not really powerful

What Can We Say About Ryobi vs. Makita

Okay, so this is why we are here, let’s take a look at some actual power tool reviews.

In terms of power tools, multi-tool combo kits usually represent the best value for the money, and this is where budget choices such as Ryobi can actually save you some significant amount of money.

Though if you are in the market looking for a single tool, that is only a drill then there’s usually not enough of a price discrepancy to justify the savings you will get on a Ryobi tool, unlike the reliability and performance you will get with Makita.

For instance, take cordless drill combo sets. You can select Makita’s brand new XPH10Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Driver-Drill – two of the best-rated power tools on the market behind only Milwaukee’s Fuel – for only slightly more than Ryobi’s new P277 One+ 18 Volt Lithium Ion 1/2 Inch 2-Speed Drill Driver.

Recommendation

Now, let’s proceed with the final say here.

If you are only seeking to choose a cordless drill, then for us there is not enough of a price discrepancy between Makita and Ryobi to skip out on the performance that you can get with Makita – spend a little more extra bucks and get yourself the ideal cordless drill.

On a side note, we can’t really high enough the insane value that you can get with a Ryobi 4 or six-tool combo.

If you’ve got realistic expectations of what the power tools are built for light, standard do-it-yourself projects, then you can certainly save yourself a chunk of change by going with Ryobi over Makita.

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Furthermore, you do have a couple more options when it comes to combo tool kits if you are not looking to get one of the full-blown 4 or six-piece sets.

For instance, Ryobi offers their cordless drill and circular saw combo with a charger and battery that you can pick up for next to nothing.

Moreover, Makita’s best value combo set is also available in a 3-piece kit, where you can get a reciprocating saw, impact driver, and cordless drill with the rock-solid 18 volts LXT battery platform.

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