Makita DHP458Z Review

There comes a point in every DIY enthusiast's journey — and certainly in every professional tradesperson's daily routine — when a standard cordless drill simply runs out of muscle. Driving long coach screws into hardwood, boring through joists, or punching holes into concrete demands more than a compact drill-driver can deliver. This is where a cordless percussion drill, sometimes called a combi drill, earns its place in the toolbox. It combines three functions in one tool: smooth rotary drilling for wood and metal, percussion drilling with a hammer action for brick and masonry, and high-torque screwdriving that can sink fasteners most drills would stall on. Modern lithium-ion battery technology means you get all this power without a cable trailing behind you — freedom to work on a ladder, in a loft, or at the far end of a garden without hunting for a socket. For anyone who regularly tackles heavy-duty fastening or needs to drill into tough materials away from mains power, a capable cordless percussion drill is not a luxury — it is the difference between finishing the job in an hour and fighting it all afternoon.

The cordless percussion drill market is dominated by a handful of brands that professionals trust, and Makita sits firmly among them with its distinctive turquoise-blue professional range. When choosing a combi drill, the headline numbers to watch are torque — measured in Newton metres — which determines how much twisting force the tool can apply before stalling; the impact rate, measured in blows per minute, which governs how quickly it chews through masonry; and whether the tool has a two-speed gearbox, which gives you a low gear for high-torque screwdriving and a high gear for fast drilling. The DHP458Z is Makita's most powerful 18-volt combi drill in the range, aimed at intensive professional use, and it is sold as a body-only unit — meaning you supply your own Makita LXT batteries and charger. This keeps the price down for users already invested in the Makita battery platform.

In this review we examine the raw power, build quality, and real-world handling of this cordless percussion drill. We cover the two-speed gearbox, the 91 Nm maximum torque figure, drilling capacities across wood, steel, and concrete, and how the tool performs during extended use. We also address the body-only format — what you get in the box and what you need to buy separately — so you know exactly what you are signing up for before you click buy.

The Makita DHP458Z runs on the brand's 18-volt LXT lithium-ion battery platform and houses a brushless-equivalent motor that delivers serious numbers: a two-speed all-metal gearbox offering 0 to 400 RPM in low gear and 0 to 2,000 RPM in high gear, with corresponding impact rates of 0 to 6,000 blows per minute and 0 to 30,000 blows per minute respectively. The maximum torque figure of 91 Newton metres in hard-joint applications — and 58 Nm for soft joints — places it among the most powerful 18-volt combi drills on the market. Drilling capacity is equally impressive: up to 76 mm in wood, 16 mm in concrete, and 13 mm in steel. For screwdriving, it handles wood screws up to 10 × 90 mm and machine screws up to 6 mm without breaking a sweat.

Makita builds the DHP458Z around a robust metal-gear transmission that stands up to daily site abuse, wrapped in a rubber-overmoulded grip that absorbs vibration and improves control. The 13 mm keyless metal chuck grips bits firmly and resists loosening under the high torque this drill can generate. The two-speed selector is a physical sliding switch on top of the housing — simple, tactile, and impossible to knock accidentally. A built-in LED job light illuminates the work area, which is genuinely useful when drilling inside cabinets or in poorly lit corners. At 225 × 79 × 259 mm and 2.3 kg (EPTA weight, excluding battery), this is not a compact tool — it is a full-sized combi drill that prioritises power over portability.

In everyday use, the DHP458Z feels planted and authoritative. The variable-speed trigger gives you precise control for starting holes without wandering, and the two-speed gearbox means you can dial in the right balance of speed and torque for the task: low gear for driving long screws and drilling large holes, high gear for rapid drilling in softer materials. The auxiliary handle — included in the box — is almost essential when using the drill in percussion mode or when the torque ramps up, as the 91 Nm figure is enough to twist the tool in your hands if you are not braced. Vibration levels are measured at 2.5 m/s² for standard drilling and 9.5 m/s² for percussion drilling, with a sound pressure of 84 dB(A) — typical for this class of tool, though ear protection is advisable for extended percussion work.

The box includes the drill body, a depth stopper, an auxiliary side handle, a belt clip, and two double-ended driver bits — but critically, no battery and no charger. This body-only format makes sense if you already own Makita 18V LXT batteries and a compatible charger, which is common among professionals who have standardised on the Makita platform. If this is your first Makita tool, you will need to budget for at least one 3.0 Ah or 5.0 Ah battery and a DC18RC charger on top of the €114.36 price. The drill is compatible with Makita BL1815, BL1815N, and BL1830 batteries, and using a higher-capacity 5.0 Ah pack will give you longer runtime during heavy drilling sessions.

Measuring 225 × 79 × 259 mm and weighing 2.3 kg without battery, the DHP458Z is a substantial tool that rewards a firm grip and good technique. It holds a 4.4 out of 5 stars rating from nearly 2,000 customer reviews on Amazon France and ranks #30 in Drill Drivers with an overall bestseller position of #5,888 in DIY & Tools — strong numbers for a professional-grade tool sold body-only. Makita backs the drill with its standard manufacturer warranty, and the brand's extensive service centre network across Europe means spare parts and repairs are readily available. At €114.36 for the body only, it is a serious investment, but for users already on the Makita LXT platform who need maximum torque in a cordless combi drill, it delivers professional power without stepping up to a heavier 36-volt system.

The Makita DHP458Z is built for professional tradespeople and serious DIYers already invested in the Makita 18V LXT battery platform who need maximum cordless torque for heavy-duty screwdriving, large-diameter drilling, and percussion work in concrete and masonry.