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“What’s the difference between Makita 40Vmax and 18V? Which tools should I buy first?” —— This article answers those questions, with Mena explaining 10 Makita 40Vmax models that you won’t regret choosing, based on his actual hands-on experience in professional construction sites.
Makita is the top brand for electric power tool market share domestically. The biggest distinguishing feature of the 40Vmax series from the 18V line is the existence of a “dedicated high-output battery platform (40V, actually DC36V)”. You can manage all 40Vmax tools with just one type of battery, and the “expandable ecosystem” that minimizes the number of chargers and batteries needed on-site is its strength.
メナA single 40Vmax battery (BL4025/BL4040, etc.) is compatible with all 40Vmax tools. Being able to use the same battery for impact drivers, circular saws, and hammer drills is a major advantage on-site.
What is Makita 40Vmax? Differences from the 18V Series
The Makita 40Vmax series is Makita’s next-generation flagship charging platform, launched domestically in fall 2019. Compared to the traditional 18V series, the output power has improved by approximately 2.2 times, delivering near-corded power tool performance in a cordless format.
Main Differences from 18V (3 Points)
①Power: The 40Vmax impact driver (max 220N·m) is approximately 1.3 times more powerful than top-tier 18V models (max 180N·m). You’ll experience significantly fewer situations where you feel a lack of power when driving long screws or fastening sheet metal bolts on steel frames.
②Battery life: The 40Vmax/4.0Ah (BL4040) delivers work capacity equivalent to 18V/5.0Ah while supporting rapid charging (approximately 45 minutes with DC40RA). All-day operation is possible with a 2-battery rotation.
③Durability and dust/water protection: IPX4 or higher dust and water resistance (IPX6 for some models) is standard, ensuring stable operation even in dusty or rainy environments.
Differences from HiKOKI MultiVolt
HiKOKI’s MultiVolt (BSL36A18) can automatically switch between 36V/18V, and a major strength is the ability to share existing 18V tools and batteries (see HiKOKI MultiVolt comparison article).
In contrast, Makita 40Vmax takes a “maximize performance with a dedicated 40V platform” strategy. While it isn’t compatible with 18V tools, in environments where you only use 40V tools, you get consistency by managing all tools with just one battery type. Whether one is the “right” choice depends on “how you want to handle your existing 18V tool assets”.
Battery Basics to Know Before Choosing Makita 40Vmax
Battery Types and Compatibility
The 40Vmax series is compatible with the following batteries:
• BL4025 (40Vmax / 2.5Ah) — Lightweight and compact. Ideal for impact drivers and cleaners
• BL4040 (40Vmax / 4.0Ah) — Standard model. Ideal for circular saws and hammer drills
• BL4080F (40Vmax / 8.0Ah) — High capacity. Ideal for sliding miter saws and large tools
Since all batteries work with all 40Vmax tools, you can easily adopt a migration strategy where you first try out tools with a 2.5Ah battery and later upgrade to a 4.0Ah.
Charging Time Guide
Charging time using the rapid charger DC40RA: BL4025 ≈ 19 minutes / BL4040 ≈ 45 minutes / BL4080F ≈ 90 minutes. This means you can charge a BL4040 to nearly full capacity during a one-hour lunch break on-site. Assuming a 2-battery rotation, the standard setup for all-day continuous operation is 2 × BL4040 batteries + 1 × DC40RA charger.
Makita 40Vmax Recommended Tools: Top 10 Picks
Makita TD002GRDX Cordless Impact Driver 40Vmax (Blue)
メナ40Vmaxのインパクトはひと味違います。長ビスを打ち込んでも回転数が落ちない。これを使うと18V機に戻れなくなる。
TD002GRDXはマキタ40Vmax世代の主力インパクトドライバです。最大締め付けトルク220N·mは18V上位機種の約1.3倍で、M16ボルトの本締めや長さ150mm以上のコーススレッド打ち込みでも回転数の落ち込みを感じません。4モード＋カスタムモード（好みのトルク・打撃を登録可能）の計5段切替で、繊細な木材仕上げから鉄鋼構造の鉄骨工事まで1台で対応できます。
IP65相当の防じん・防水性能を備えており、粉塵が舞う建設現場や雨天時の屋外作業でも安心して使えます。本体重量は1.6kg（BL4025装着時）と、40Vクラスとして驚くほど軽量にまとまっています。バッテリー残量はLEDインジケーターで4段階表示され、作業の途中で電池切れになるストレスを軽減できます。
HiKOKIマルチボルトの最上位機（WH36DC）と比べると、マキタTD002は「剛性と精密さのバランス」に優れています。マキタ機はカスタムモードによる打撃カスタマイズの自由度が高く、仕上げ工事や木工など繊細なトルク管理が必要な職人に支持されています。デメリットは本体価格がやや高い点ですが、長期使用での耐久性と部品供給の安定さを考えると十分な投資対効果があります。
マキタ DF001GRDX 充電式ドライバドリル 40Vmax
メナUse it instead of an impact driver for drilling heavy-duty holes. Since it has a clutch, it doesn’t damage the material.
The DF001GRDX is a 40Vmax driver drill with a clutch and maximum torque of 150N·m. With a 41-stage clutch, it precisely controls screw tightening torque, preventing material cracks and screw head damage from over-tightening. For pilot drilling, precision screw fastening, and woodworking—situations where an impact driver is “too powerful”—this is the main player.
Drilling capacity includes wood Φ130mm (using hole saw) and steel Φ16mm, with high cutting ability utilizing the 40Vmax power. Equipped with AFT (Automatic Torque Shift function), it automatically detects and stops the dangerous “kickback” that occurs when rotation suddenly stops during screw tightening. It also has high IPX6 water resistance, making it safe for outdoor and bad weather use.
The key to choosing between an impact driver and this is whether there’s impact. Long screws and coarse threads are handled by the impact driver, while pilot drilling, precision screw fastening, and woodworking are handled by the driver drill—this division of roles is ideal. Since the 40Vmax battery can be shared, having a set with the TD002GRDX greatly increases on-site responsiveness.
Makita HR001GRDX Cordless Hammer Drill 40Vmax 28mm
メナConcrete drilling is settled with this. Compared to corded drills, you don’t feel a practical difference in power.
The HR001GRDX is a 40Vmax hammer drill with SDS Plus chuck compatibility and 28mm drilling capacity. With impact energy of 3.5J, it stands at a high level among cordless hammer drills, and can handle concrete drilling of Φ28mm without losing power. With 3-mode switching between impact rotation, impact-only, and rotation-only, it covers 3 functions—drilling, chiseling, and electric drill—in one unit.
With IPX4 waterproofing common to Makita’s 40Vmax tools, it operates stably even in outdoor areas where rainwater hits and dusty environments. The built-in brake function allows rotation to stop quickly as soon as you release the trigger, providing high safety during continuous drilling operations. You can plan your work systematically while monitoring battery level via LED.
Compared to the HiKOKI DH36DPA, the Makita HR001GRDX has a reputation for “tool responsiveness and finishing precision.” The vibration felt during drilling is somewhat less, making it well-suited for delicate positioning tasks like tile and marble drilling. Being SDS Plus chuck, it has a wide variety of bit accessories (bits and chisels), and its high versatility is also a strength.
Makita HS001GRDX Cordless Circular Saw 40Vmax 165mm
メナCordless wood cutting for wooden house framing is now possible. Zero cord routing needed on the job site.
The HS001GRDX is a 40Vmax cordless circular saw that supports 165mm blades. With a maximum cutting depth of 66mm (at 90°), it handles rip cuts, crosscuts, and angle cuts on 2×4 and 1×8 lumber. It features the 165mm blade size most commonly used in wooden building construction and can process many materials including rafters, studs, door frames, and flooring with a single unit.
The 40Vmax power maintains cutting speed comparable to corded models, even for continuous plywood cuts or 42mm thick structural plywood, with no drop in RPM. It features dust and water resistance (IPX4), making it safe to use even in dusty job site environments. The electronically controlled brake stops the blade in about 2 seconds after releasing the trigger, providing a high-safety design.
Compared to the HiKOKI C3606DA (36V multi-volt circular saw), the Makita HS001GRDX excels in “dust resistance performance and cutting accuracy stability.” The aluminum base has high precision and functions as a straight-cut guide when using a ruler. The drawback is that the weight including the battery is slightly heavier than corded models, and prolonged tabletop cutting may cause arm fatigue.
Makita LS001GZ Cordless Slide Compound Miter Saw 40Vmax 165mm
メナOn-site wood cutting can be done with the same precision as stationary tools. Because it has a slide, even wide wood materials can be cut cleanly.
The LS001GZ is a 40Vmax cordless slide miter saw compatible with 165mm blades. With a 182mm rip cut width and 64mm cutting height, it can crosscut 2×8 lumber and wide board materials in a single pass. The slide design allows for safe execution of “center point cutting” of a single piece of wood, which is difficult with conventional miter saws, greatly improving the precision and efficiency of on-site wood processing.
It supports bevel cuts in both directions (45 degrees left and 45 degrees right), allowing for processing of complex joints. It achieves cutting speeds equivalent to AC100V machines, ending the era of “cordless means compromise.” While not a silent design, electronic control automatically adjusts the rotation speed during cutting, ensuring stable finish surface quality.
The difference from a miter saw lies in “the stability of the fixed blade.” Hand-held miter saws depend on a guide for straight-cut precision, but slide miter saws can repeatedly reproduce right angles and beveled cuts with high precision through fence positioning. It is the ideal tool for applications prioritizing precision and repeatability, such as carpentry, furniture making, and interior construction.
Makita JV002GZ Cordless Jigsaw 40Vmax
メナIt is ideal for cutting islands in kitchen countertops and flooring materials. Since it is cordless and can move around, curved cutting in tight spaces has become easier.
The JV002GZ is a 40Vmax cordless jigsaw with cutting capacity of 135mm wood and 30mm mild steel. The T-shank blade is an industry standard with abundant compatible products, making it easy to switch blades according to materials such as wood, metal, resin, and gypsum board. The combination of dial-type variable speed (4-stage orbital switching) allows you to set the optimal cutting action for the material.
It adopts a one-touch blade change mechanism, allowing instant blade replacement without using screws or tools. When handling many materials and shapes continuously, such as interior renovation opening work and building fixture notching, there is zero time loss. With cordless capability, it can now be used in places where cords could not be used, such as high work platforms and roofs.
Compared to the HiKOKI CJ36DA, the Makita JV002GZ excels in “blade rigidity and low-vibration design.” The low vibration during cutting makes it easy to maintain precision in curved cutting, which is well-received by professionals. The disadvantage is that straight-line precision is difficult to achieve without a guide (a common weakness in jigsaws), so be sure to use the included fence guide for straight cuts.
Makita TM001GRDX Cordless Multi-Tool 40Vmax
メナFor cutting and grinding in tight corners that other tools can’t reach. With this, finish work is completely different.
The TM001GRDX is a cordless multi-tool (oscillating tool) that leverages 40Vmax power. Through oscillation cutting technology where the tip vibrates 17,000–20,000 times per second, it enables cutting, grinding, and stripping operations in tight spaces where saws and grinders cannot fit. It demonstrates its true value in finish work such as joist cutting under flooring, grout removal from tile joints, and notching doorframes.
By swapping included and commercially available blades, it can process wood, metal, plastic, and drywall with a single unit. It is compatible with Starlock-format blades and has compatibility with general-purpose blades from Bosch, Fein, and others. While checking battery remaining capacity, you can continuously process multiple construction steps for interior work.
The weakness of multi-tools is that cutting speed is slower compared to dedicated tools (circular saws, jigsaws). It is not suitable for cutting large quantities of materials, and the correct positioning is to use it as a complementary tool for places where dedicated tools cannot fit. The 40Vmax power provides sufficient headroom to stably cut even hard materials (OSB boards, lumber under drywall) that would lack power on 18V machines.
Makita UB002GZ Cordless Blower 40Vmax
メナOn-site cleaning can be done without a compressor. Since it functions as both a blower and dust collector, it’s very convenient to use.
The UB002GZ is a compact cordless blower compatible with 40Vmax. With powerful airflow of maximum 3.6m³/min and maximum wind speed of 99m/s, it can handle everything from blowing away chips, dust, and fallen leaves at construction sites to delicate dust removal around precision equipment, with adjustable airflow according to your needs.
It supports both blower mode and dust collection mode, and functions as a handheld dust collector when equipped with a dust bag. With its compact design weighing just 2.0kg (battery not included), you can hold it in one hand and freely direct the nozzle in any direction. It’s ideal for cleaning work at high elevations and on rooftops where compressors and air blowers cannot fit.
Compared to the HiKOKI RB36DB (Multi-Volt Blower), the Makita UB002GZ’s differentiation point is the “compactness of dual-function blower and dust collection.” With the dust collection feature, you can cover on-site cleaning needs with a single unit, reducing tool storage space. The drawback is that it has lower maximum air pressure compared to compressor-connected air blowers, so please use it exclusively for cleaning and dust blowing applications.
Makita CL003GZO Cordless Cleaner 40Vmax
メナI was wondering if 40Vmax power was necessary for a cordless cleaner, but after using it, it was on a completely different level. Even with long-haired carpets, the suction power doesn’t drop.
The CL003GZO is a 40Vmax cordless cleaner featuring an integrated cyclone filter. In power mode, it delivers around 100W of suction power and can handle heavy debris that ordinary cordless cleaners cannot pick up, such as large amounts of wood shavings from woodworking, drywall dust, long-haired carpet debris, and pet hair.
The integrated cyclone system prevents filter clogging and maintains suction power for extended periods. The 250ml dust cup can be easily removed and emptied with one touch, and the design minimizes the effort required to clean the filter. The self-propelled nozzle makes carpet cleaning smooth, and it’s a product with high satisfaction even when used by consumers.
The biggest difference from 18V cleaners is the “extended duration of stable suction power that doesn’t drop easily.” With 18V models, you notice a decrease in suction when used for long periods or when debris accumulates, but the combination of 40Vmax battery and large motor eliminates this problem. As a drawback, the unit is larger and heavier than 18V models, so usability in tight or high spaces is somewhat inferior.
Makita BL4040 Lithium Ion Battery 40Vmax 4.0Ah
メナIf you use 40Vmax, you should prepare multiple batteries as a prerequisite. If you have two 4.0Ah batteries, you can work all day with peace of mind.
The BL4040 is the standard battery (4.0Ah) of the 40Vmax series. With a 4.0Ah capacity, it is large in capacity yet compact and lightweight, and can be used commonly with all 40Vmax tools such as impact drivers, hammer drills, and circular saws. An LED indicator with remaining capacity display allows you to check the current charge level in three stages, so you can anticipate sudden battery depletion at the job site.
With the DC40RA charger (sold separately), full charge is possible in about 45 minutes (about 19 minutes for 2.5Ah). With rapid charge support, it can be almost fully charged during break time, making it possible to work all day continuously by rotating two batteries. The protection circuit automatically prevents overcharge, overdischarge, and overheating of the battery, maintaining the battery life for a long period.
The greatest advantage of the Makita 40Vmax battery ecosystem is that you can manage multiple tools with one type of battery. In contrast to HiKOKI Multivolt’s 36V/18V automatic switching, Makita 40Vmax clearly differentiates itself as a high-output battery platform dedicated to 40V tools, bringing out tool performance that maximizes 40V output. By owning two or more, you can build a system that allows continuous work without waiting for charging.
Summary: Strategy for Building an Ecosystem with Makita 40Vmax
For those considering switching to Makita 40Vmax, the most cost-effective entry is to start by preparing an impact driver (TD002GRDX) and two batteries (BL4040×2). The impact driver is used most frequently and allows you to experience the benefits of 40Vmax on a daily basis. After that, as you add tools such as hammer drills, circular saws, and sliding miter saws while sharing batteries depending on your work content, you can complete the ecosystem where one type of battery manages all tools.
メナMakita 40Vmax batteries are shared across all tools. The more tools you add, the lower the battery cost per tool. This is the essence of what is called ‘prioritizing compatibility and ecosystem scalability.’
For those torn between HiKOKI Multivolt, if you have existing 18V tool assets, HiKOKI (battery sharing is possible) is the choice; if you are looking for high power in a new installation, Makita 40Vmax makes it easier to decide. For detailed comparisons, please also refer to the HiKOKI Multivolt comparison article.