Makita DHP489Z Review

Whether you are building a deck, installing kitchen cabinets, or running electrical cable through masonry walls, the tool you reach for most often is a drill. But not every drilling job is the same. Some need gentle precision for driving screws without stripping them. Others demand raw rotational force to bore large holes through hardwood. And then there are the jobs that require hammering through brick, block, or concrete — tasks that a standard drill-driver simply cannot handle. That is where a combination drill, often called a combi drill, earns its keep. By merging three functions — rotary drilling, screwdriving, and percussion hammering — into one compact body, a good combi drill eliminates the need to switch between multiple tools on a busy job site. The challenge is finding one that balances power, runtime, ergonomics, and durability without weighing you down after hours of overhead work. For tradespeople and serious DIYers alike, a cordless combi drill from a trusted manufacturer is often the most-used tool in the entire kit, so getting the choice right pays dividends every single day.

When buying a cordless combi drill, the first decision is which battery platform to commit to. Makita's LXT 18V system is one of the largest and most established cordless ecosystems on the market, with over 300 compatible tools sharing the same slide-on battery packs. Choosing a body-only drill like the DHP489Z makes financial sense if you already own Makita LXT batteries and a charger — you avoid paying for duplicates and put your budget into a higher-spec tool. Beyond the battery, pay close attention to torque output, which determines how large a hole you can bore and how easily the tool drives long fasteners into dense material. A brushless motor is another important feature: it runs cooler, lasts longer, and extracts more work from each battery charge than a brushed equivalent. Makita has been manufacturing power tools in Japan since 1915 and built its reputation on professional-grade durability, so a machine-only purchase from this brand is an investment in a platform rather than a one-off buy.

In this review we examine the Makita DHP489Z, an 18V brushless combi drill sold as a machine-only unit without battery or charger. We cover its motor output and torque, the hammer mechanism for masonry drilling, real-world ergonomics during extended use, the protection features that help it survive dusty and wet job sites, and how it compares to alternatives in the LXT range. By the end you will have a clear picture of whether this best-selling combi drill — currently ranked #1 in its category on Amazon.fr — is the right core tool for your work.

The Makita DHP489Z is a cordless 18-volt brushless combination drill built on the LXT battery platform, delivering a claimed 80 Nm of maximum torque and a no-load speed of up to 1800 RPM across two mechanical gear ranges. Its brushless motor is electronically controlled to match power output to the load, which means it draws less current during light screwdriving and opens up fully when boring large holes. The 13 mm single-sleeve keyless chuck accepts a wide range of round-shank and hex-shank bits, and the hammer function — engaged with a simple slide switch on top of the gear housing — adds a percussive axial strike for drilling into brick, block, and light concrete. Wood drilling capacity sits at around 38 mm with an auger bit and up to 76 mm with a hole saw, while metal capacity reaches 13 mm in mild steel and masonry capacity is rated at 13 mm. Makita quotes a maximum power output of 620 W from the brushless motor.

Design-wise, the DHP489Z follows Makita's familiar LXT form language: a compact head with a short overall length of approximately 180 mm from chuck tip to back of the motor housing, making it easy to squeeze between studs and inside cabinets. The body width stays around 80 mm, keeping the centre of gravity close to the grip for reduced wrist strain during horizontal drilling. Makita's signature turquoise housing is built from glass-fibre-reinforced plastic with rubber overmoulding at all contact points. The built-in twin LED job light casts a shadow-free beam directly onto the work area and stays illuminated for several seconds after releasing the trigger — a small detail that makes a real difference when working in dark corners or inside unlit cupboards. The all-metal gear housing adds durability at the business end, protecting the planetary gears from drops and knocks.

In everyday use, the DHP489Z feels balanced and responsive. At 1.5 kg without a battery — roughly 2.1 kg with a standard 5.0 Ah LXT pack fitted — it is light enough for overhead screwdriving yet substantial enough to stay planted during heavy hammer drilling. The variable-speed trigger gives fine control for starting fasteners without camming out, and the two-speed gearbox shifts from 0-400 RPM in low gear (for controlled driving and large hole saws) to 0-1800 RPM in high gear (for rapid drilling in wood and sheet metal). The 21-position torque clutch, plus a dedicated drill mode and a hammer mode, covers everything from delicate cabinet hardware screws to full-bore masonry drilling. The forward-reverse switch is positioned within easy thumb reach, and the rubberised grip absorbs vibration well during extended percussion sessions.

A standout feature on this model is Makita's XPT — eXtreme Protection Technology — a system of integrated seals and channels that guards the internal electronics against dust and water ingress. While the drill is not submersible, XPT provides meaningful protection against the kind of light rain and job site dust that would eventually kill an unprotected tool. The DHP489Z also includes an electric brake that stops the chuck near-instantly when the trigger is released, improving safety and reducing downtime between fasteners. In the box, Makita supplies the machine-only unit with a double-ended Phillips bit and a belt hook — but no battery, charger, or carry case, as this is specifically sold as a supplement for users already invested in the LXT system.

Physically the tool measures approximately 180 × 80 × 260 mm and weighs 1.5 kg bare. It carries an outstanding 4.7 out of 5 stars from 435 customer reviews on Amazon.fr, where it holds the #1 bestseller position in Combi Drills and ranks #4,240 across all of DIY & Tools — a remarkable achievement that speaks to both brand trust and real-world satisfaction. Makita manufactures the DHP489Z in China under its global quality control standards and backs it with a standard manufacturer warranty, extendable via online registration. If you already have LXT batteries on the shelf, this body-only combi drill represents one of the highest-value ways to add professional-grade drilling and hammer capability to your toolkit.

The Makita DHP489Z is ideal for professional tradespeople and committed DIYers already on the LXT 18V platform who need a versatile, powerful combi drill for mixed drilling and screwdriving tasks across wood, metal, and masonry.