Meta title: Latest Makita 18V LXT and 40V XGT Power Tools Now Arriving in UK | July 2026
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A fresh batch of Makita power tools is landing at UK trade suppliers, with the latest LXT 18V and XGT 40V impact drivers among the new arrivals. If you have been waiting on a specific model or looking to expand a Makita kit, availability is active now.
18V LXT vs 40V XGT: the core difference
Makita runs two major professional cordless platforms in the UK market. Understanding the difference saves money and avoids buying into the wrong system.
18V LXT is Makita's most established platform, with over 300 tools sharing the same battery. For most tradespeople, 18V LXT is the default choice: it covers drills, impact drivers, circular saws, jigsaws, grinders, and a substantial range of accessories. The batteries are widely available from trade suppliers, and the tool choice is broad enough to cover nearly any general trade application. An 18V LXT impact driver delivers roughly 180 Newton metres of torque, which is enough to drive a 150mm structural screw into engineered timber without predrilling in most cases.
40V XGT is Makita's higher-power platform, introduced for applications where 18V tools were being pushed to their limits. This includes heavy-duty demo work, sustained grinding, concrete work, and site-class circular saws. The batteries are not compatible with the LXT system. The XGT range is smaller, so if you switch platforms you are committing to a narrower tool selection and a higher battery cost. An XGT impact driver produces over 350 Newton metres of torque, roughly double the LXT equivalent. To put that in context, 350 Nm is close to the torque a standard car manufacturer uses when torquing wheel bolts.
Which platform makes sense for new buyers
For most general-purpose trades, 18V LXT remains the better starting point in 2026. The battery is cheaper, the tool selection is larger, and the performance covers the vast majority of site tasks. Adding an LXT garden tool or outdoor range product also runs from the same batteries.
For groundworkers, steel fixers, demolition teams, or anyone routinely driving large-diameter fixings or cutting structural steel, the XGT platform starts making sense. The performance jump is real and measurable.
If you already hold a substantial LXT battery collection, it is also worth noting that Makita produces an XGT-to-LXT adapter that lets 40V tools draw from twin 18V batteries. It is a workaround rather than a recommendation, but it reduces the barrier to trying XGT tools without replacing all your batteries at once.
Impact drivers specifically
The new Makita impact driver arrivals at UK stockists cover both platforms. Key specs to compare when choosing a model:
- Max torque: Higher torque handles larger fasteners and denser materials
- Brushless motor: Look for brushless (BL) in the model designation for longer motor life and better battery efficiency
- Speed settings: Three-speed impact drivers give more control on smaller screws where the highest setting would strip heads
- Compact vs standard body: Compact models are lighter and better in restricted spaces; standard models typically run longer per charge
For trade buyers, the brushless models in both ranges are the better long-term investment. The motor lasts significantly longer under sustained site use, and Makita's brushless tools carry a longer warranty period.
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