Makita 40V XGT Impact Driver
Makita's 40V max XGT line promises more power than 18V LXT, but its batteries do not cross over. For an impact driver alone, that matters more than the torque figure.
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The Makita 40V impact driver is worth it if you already run XGT tools, or plan to buy heavy XGT saws, hammers or grinders. The well-known GDT02 is rated at 1,860 in-lbs, 4 speeds up to 3,700 RPM and 4,100 IPM, and Makita now lists the GDT04Z as its replacement at 2,040 in-lbs. XGT and LXT batteries are not interchangeable, so if you only need an impact driver, stay on 18V LXT and buy the XDT20.
On this page
Makita 40V impact driver models: GDT02 and GDT04
Makita sells impact drivers on two separate battery platforms: 18V LXT, the long-running mainstream line, and 40V max XGT, a newer high-output line aimed at heavy-duty tools. Two XGT 4-speed impact drivers matter today. The GDT02 is the model most reviews and resale listings refer to. Makita USA now lists the GDT02Z as discontinued and names the GDT04Z as its replacement. The figures below are Makita's published specs. This site does not run its own tests; it researches from manufacturer data, manuals and owner feedback.
| Spec | GDT02 (discontinued) | GDT04 (current) | XDT20 (18V LXT, for reference) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max torque | 1,860 in-lbs | 2,040 in-lbs | 1,590 in-lbs |
| Speeds (RPM) | 1,100 / 2,100 / 3,200 / 3,700 | 1,200 / 2,100 / 3,000 / 3,900 | 1,100 / 2,100 / 3,200 / 3,600 |
| Max impact rate | 4,100 IPM | 3,900 IPM | 3,800 IPM |
| Length | 4.75 in | 5-3/8 in | 4-1/2 in |
| Weight with battery | About 3.7 lb | 4.0 lb | 3.3 lb |
| T-mode | Yes | Yes | Yes (2 T-modes) |
| XPT dust and water resistance | Yes | Yes | Check the current listing |
All three are Makita ratings, so the comparison is fair within the brand. Each brand measures torque its own way, so do not line these numbers up against Milwaukee or DeWalt figures as exact equivalents. Our impact driver torque explainer covers why.
What 40V XGT actually changes
XGT tools and batteries communicate digitally. Makita says this lets the tool manage power under heavy load and protect against overload, over-discharge and overheating, and claims up to 2X longer sustained power under heavy-load applications on the GDT04. In a driver, you notice that most on long structural screws and 1/2-inch lags, where an 18V tool can sag as the pack works hard.
What it does not change is the basic job. Most screws, even 3-inch deck screws, never need more than an 18V driver delivers. The extra headroom matters to heavy daily users, not to someone hanging shelves.
The GDT02's modes
- Four speeds: From 1,100 RPM for small screws to 3,700 RPM for long fasteners.
- T-mode: For self-drilling screws in thin-gauge metal. The tool slows once the screw seats, protecting the threads and the work.
- XPT: Makita's Extreme Protection Technology, built for better dust and water resistance on job sites.
The GDT04 keeps the four speeds, T-mode and XPT, and Makita describes its digitally controlled modes as built to prevent stripping sheet-metal screws. Check the manual for the full mode list.
XGT vs LXT batteries: not interchangeable
This is the most important fact on this page. XGT 40V max batteries do not fit LXT tools, and LXT batteries do not fit XGT tools. If you own a garage full of LXT tools and buy a 40V impact driver, you now need a second set of batteries and a second charger for one tool.
| Factor | 18V LXT | 40V max XGT |
|---|---|---|
| Tool range | Very large, including outdoor and woodworking tools | Growing, weighted toward heavy-duty tools |
| Battery and charger cost | Lower; packs often bundled | Higher per pack |
| Driver weight with battery | Lighter | Heavier |
| Sustained power under heavy load | Good | Better (Makita claim) |
| Best for | Most homeowners and many trades | Crews already running XGT saws, hammers and grinders |
The platform decision should drive the impact driver choice, not the other way round. See choosing a cordless tool platform before committing.
Choosing a battery for the 40V driver
Battery size affects an XGT driver even more than an 18V one, because XGT packs are larger to begin with. Makita's 4.0 lb figure for the GDT04 assumes a battery is fitted, so a big pack pushes it higher.
- Smallest XGT pack you can get: The best match for a driver. It keeps weight down for overhead work and belt carry.
- Mid-size packs: Worth it for a long day of lags or structural screws, when you do not want to swap.
- Largest packs: Leave these on saws, hammers and grinders. They make a driver top-heavy and gain little.
Check the current listing for which pack a kit includes, since bundles vary. Bare tools (Z suffix) make sense only if you already own XGT packs. Store packs partly charged and out of extreme heat, the same as any lithium-ion battery.
Who should buy the Makita XGT impact driver
- Already on XGT: Yes. Buy the GDT04Z bare and use your existing packs.
- Planning heavy XGT tools: If you are buying XGT rotary hammers, circular saws or grinders anyway, a 40V driver keeps you on one battery.
- On LXT and only want a better driver: No. Buy an 18V LXT driver. The Makita XDT16 and its current successor, the XDT20, have more modes and a shorter head.
- Driving lug nuts or large bolts: A driver is the wrong tool at any voltage. Read impact driver vs impact wrench.
Strengths and weaknesses
Makita 40V max XGT Brushless 4-Speed Impact Driver (GDT04Z / GDT02Z)
Best for: pros already running Makita XGT tools who drive lags and long structural screws every day.
- Torque
- 2,040 in-lbs (GDT04)
- Speed
- Up to 3,900 RPM (GDT04)
- Length
- 5-3/8 in (GDT04)
- Weight
- 4.0 lb with battery
The highest-rated impact driver in Makita's US lineup, with XPT protection and digitally managed power from the XGT battery.
Strengths
- Highest rated torque of any current Makita impact driver
- Sustained power under heavy load (Makita claim)
- T-mode for self-drilling screws
- XPT dust and water resistance
- 3-year limited warranty
Weaknesses
- Batteries do not work with 18V LXT tools
- Heavier with battery than 18V drivers
- GDT04 is longer than the GDT02 and the 18V XDT20
- No published Assist Mode or reverse auto-stop on the product page, unlike the LXT 4-speed drivers (check the manual)
- XGT packs cost more; usually poor value if bought for one tool
How it compares with 18V flagships
Milwaukee's M18 FUEL 2953 is rated at 2,000 in-lbs in a 4.47-inch body on an 18V pack. DeWalt's DCF845 is rated at 1,825 in-lbs at 5.1 inches. Because each brand rates torque its own way, the 40V Makita is not clearly stronger in use than those 18V tools. What it offers is power on Makita's high-output platform. For pro-focused picks across brands, see our best impact driver for professionals. The full Makita range, LXT and XGT, is on our Makita impact driver page.
Safety: Wear eye and hearing protection. Finish lug nuts and any bolt with a torque spec with a torque wrench, never with an impact driver.
Verdict
The Makita 40V XGT impact driver is a strong tool, and the current GDT04Z is the highest-rated driver Makita sells in the US. Buy it if you run or will run heavy XGT tools. Do not jump to 40V just for an impact driver: the batteries do not cross over to LXT, and an 18V XDT20 does almost every driving job in a lighter, shorter package.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Makita 18V LXT batteries in a 40V XGT impact driver?
No. XGT tools take XGT 40V max batteries only, and LXT tools take LXT packs only. The slide rails and electronics differ. Check Makita's current accessory list before relying on any adapter.
Is 40V max the same as 36V?
Makita's 40V max is a maximum-voltage label. Like 20V MAX vs 18V in other brands, the max figure is measured without load and the working voltage is lower. Compare the tools' ratings, not the label.
Is the Makita GDT02 discontinued?
Makita USA's product page lists the GDT02Z as discontinued and names the GDT04Z as the replacement model. New GDT02 stock still appears at some retailers. The GDT04Z is the current 40V max XGT 4-speed impact driver.
Is a 40V impact driver heavier than an 18V one?
Usually, yes, once a battery is fitted. Makita quotes about 3.7 lb with battery for the GDT02 and 4.0 lb for the GDT04, against 3.3 lb for the 18V XDT20. The difference is mostly the larger XGT battery.