Intro
Some DIY projects go beyond the reach of a standard drill driver. When you need to bore into a brick wall to hang a heavy mirror, run cable through a masonry partition, or drive chunky coach screws into thick timber, a tool with hammer action and serious torque makes all the difference. A good combination drill — sometimes called a combi drill — gives you three modes in one: regular drilling, hammer drilling for masonry and concrete, and screwdriving with adjustable torque control. This versatility means you do not need separate tools cluttering your workshop, and you can switch between tasks in seconds without changing machines. The best combi drills pair a powerful brushless motor with high-capacity batteries, so you get cordless freedom without sacrificing grunt. For anyone renovating a home, building decking, or fitting out a van or workshop, a dependable 18-volt combi drill is often the single most-used tool in the kit — the one you reach for first, no matter what the job throws at you.
Generalities
Makita has built a reputation over decades for producing tough, professional-grade power tools, and their 18V LXT battery platform is one of the most widely adopted cordless systems on the market. The DHP485 sits in the brand's mid-range combi drill lineup — it is a step up from entry-level models thanks to its brushless motor, hammer function, and 50 Newton metres of torque, but it stays compact enough for comfortable everyday handling. When evaluating a combi drill like this, the things to weigh up include battery capacity and charge time, the quality of the chuck, the effectiveness of the hammer mechanism in real brick and blockwork, and how the tool feels during extended use.
This review examines the Makita DHP485RTJ kit — which ships with two 5.0 Ah batteries, a charger, and a Makpac stacking case — across all the areas that matter: raw performance in wood, metal, and masonry, build quality and ergonomics, battery life under real workloads, and overall value compared to similarly specced rivals. Whether you are a serious DIYer building a workshop from scratch or a tradesperson looking for a reliable daily driver, the following sections will help you decide if this combi drill earns its place in your tool bag.
Description
The Makita DHP485 is built around a brushless 18-volt motor that produces a maximum torque of 50 Newton metres — a serious step up from the 30 to 40 Nm typical of entry-level drills. It offers two mechanical gears and three operating modes: drill, hammer drill, and screwdriver. In drilling mode it spins up to 1,900 RPM in high gear, while the hammer mechanism delivers up to 28,500 impacts per minute for punching through brick and blockwork. The drilling capacity is impressive — up to 38 mm in wood, 13 mm in mild steel, and 13 mm in masonry. A 13 mm keyless chuck grips bits firmly, and the 21-stage torque adjustment (plus drill and hammer positions) gives you fine-grained control for delicate screwdriving tasks.
Makita's design philosophy favours function over flash, and the DHP485 reflects that. The body is compact at just 18.2 cm long, which helps it slip into tight gaps between joists or inside cabinet carcasses. The signature Makita blue and black housing is made from tough glass-fibre-reinforced plastic that shrugs off knocks on site. A rubberised pistol grip provides confident handling even with gloved or dusty hands, and the forward/reverse lever sits within easy reach of your thumb. An integrated LED job light with an afterglow function — it stays lit for a few seconds after you release the trigger — keeps your work area visible without needing a separate torch.
At 1.8 kg with a 5.0 Ah battery fitted, the DHP485 has a reassuring heft without feeling cumbersome. The balance point sits naturally in the hand, so overhead drilling for ceiling fixtures or smoke alarms does not become an endurance test. The two-speed gearbox shifts with a satisfying mechanical click, and the variable-speed trigger gives you precise control when starting holes on smooth surfaces like glazed tile or polished metal. In hammer mode, the drill makes steady progress through engineering brick and lightweight concrete blocks — it is not a replacement for a dedicated SDS rotary hammer on heavy-duty masonry work, but it handles 6 to 8 mm holes for wall plugs with ease.
The RTJ kit comes generously equipped: alongside the DHP485 body, you get two 5.0 Ah 18-volt LXT lithium-ion batteries, a DC18RC fast charger, and a Makpac Type 2 stacking case. The two 5.0 Ah batteries are the real stars here — they provide genuinely long runtime, easily lasting a full day of intermittent drilling and screwdriving on a single charge, and the spare means zero downtime. The charger is one of Makita's faster units, bringing a depleted 5.0 Ah pack back to full in roughly 45 minutes. Makpac cases interlock with other Makpac units, so your drill case clips neatly on top of your impact driver, circular saw, or accessory cases for tidy transport and storage.
The drill measures 18.2 × 7.9 × 25.5 cm and weighs 1.8 kg ready to go — a compact footprint for a tool with this much capability. Makita provides a manufacturer's warranty (terms vary by region; typically 1 to 3 years when registered), and the DHP485 enjoys a strong 4.6 out of 5 stars rating from nearly 2,000 customer reviews on Amazon. It ranks in the top 100 Cordless Tool Battery Packs and holds a solid position among best-selling Makita drills. Manufactured in China to Makita's quality standards, the DHP485 is part of the expansive 18V LXT ecosystem — meaning its batteries work with over 300 other Makita tools, from angle grinders to blowers and everything in between.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two 5.0 Ah batteries and a rapid charger included — exceptional runtime that keeps you working through long projects without waiting for a recharge.
- 50 Nm of torque from a brushless motor — drives long screws and large holes through hardwood and metal without bogging down.
- Hammer function adds masonry capability — drills clean 6 to 8 mm holes into brick and lightweight concrete for wall plugs and anchor fixings.
- Compact 18.2 cm body length — fits easily between studs, inside cabinets, and in other tight spaces where bulkier drills struggle.
- Part of Makita's enormous 18V LXT ecosystem — the same batteries power over 300 tools, from impact drivers and circular saws to garden equipment.
- Makpac stacking case included — clips securely to other Makpac boxes for organised transport and compact storage on the van or workshop shelf.
- LED job light with afterglow function — illuminates the work area and stays lit briefly after releasing the trigger, so you can see your results before moving on.
Cons
- Premium price point — the kit with two 5.0 Ah batteries costs significantly more than entry-level combi drills, putting it in semi-professional territory.
- At 1.8 kg with battery, it is noticeably heavier than compact 12V drills — extended overhead work may tire your arm faster.
- The hammer mode is suitable for light masonry only — for sustained drilling into reinforced concrete or hard engineering brick, a dedicated SDS drill is still the better tool.
- No battery charge indicator on the tool body itself — you need to check the battery's own button for remaining power, which is less convenient than an on-tool gauge.
- The belt clip is not included as standard — for a drill positioned at the professional end of the market, a clip for hanging the tool on your belt or pocket would be a welcome addition.
Use cases
The Makita DHP485 is built for serious home improvers and tradespeople who need a single drill that handles wood, metal, and masonry — backed by high-capacity batteries and a professional-grade brushless motor that delivers day-long reliability.
Home Renovation and Construction
Knocking through walls, fitting stud partitions, and installing kitchen units all demand a drill that switches between wood, metal, and masonry without breaking stride. The DHP485's hammer mode handles brick walls for running cables and pipes, while the 50 Nm of torque drives structural screws and timber fixings with authority. Two 5.0 Ah batteries keep you going from morning to late afternoon on a single swap.
Decking and Fencing Projects
Building a deck or erecting fence panels means sinking hundreds of screws into treated timber — often in all weather. The DHP485's brushless motor runs cool and efficiently under continuous load, and the 38 mm wood capacity makes short work of clearance holes for coach bolts. The Makpac case keeps the kit protected from rain and sawdust between jobs.
Tradesperson's Daily Driver
For electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and kitchen fitters, the DHP485 covers the vast majority of on-site drilling tasks without needing a second drill. Its compact body reaches awkward spots behind pipework and inside joist bays, and the LXT battery compatibility means your existing Makita batteries slot straight in. The rapid charger ensures a dead battery is ready again before you finish your tea break.
Metal Fabrication and Automotive Work
Drilling holes in steel plate, aluminium extrusion, or vehicle body panels requires steady speed control and a sharp bit — both of which the DHP485 delivers with its variable trigger and 13 mm metal capacity. The two-speed gearbox lets you drop to low gear for torque-intensive metalwork or shift to high gear for smaller pilot holes. The afterglow LED is genuinely helpful when working under a car or inside an engine bay.
Van Conversion and Workshop Setup
Fitting out a campervan, building workbenches, or installing wall-mounted storage systems in a garage puts a drill through its paces across multiple materials — plywood, metal brackets, and sometimes the van's steel body itself. The DHP485 handles all three with the same chuck and battery system, and the Makpac stacking case integrates neatly with other Makpac units so your growing tool collection stays organised in a small space.