DeWalt vs Makita for Compact Drill/Driver - Which One's Worth It?

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a new compact drill/driver. I've been looking at the DeWalt DCD708 and the Makita DF333D. Both look solid but I can't decide. I mostly do light DIY, hanging shelves, assembling furniture, maybe some deck screws. I've got a couple of DeWalt tools already, but I heard Makita's got better ergonomics. Anyone have experience with either? Should I just stick with DeWalt for battery compatibility?

I'm a DeWalt guy through and through, but I've used a friend's Makita. For your kind of work, honestly, you won't notice a huge difference. DeWalt's 12V line is pretty awesome though - that DCD708 is brushless and light. If you already have DeWalt batteries, stay with that. You'll save on battery cost and have more tools in the same ecosystem. Plus, DeWalt's warranty is top notch.

I've got a garage full of tools, and I've used both. Makita's compact drill is smooth, but I've heard some issues with their chuck in the past. DeWalt's newer stuff has been solid for me. That said, if you're not a pro, either will last you years. Just make sure you get a brushless motor. And if you go DeWalt, grab the kit with the impact driver too - you'll thank me later.

Thanks for the input! Yeah, I'm leaning toward DeWalt since I already have a couple of batteries. The DCD708 seems compact and I like that it has a LED light. But I saw a review saying the Makita has better torque for its size. Is that true? I don't want to bog down on deck screws.

Torque specs are close, but in real-world, you won't notice unless you're driving huge lags. For deck screws, both will eat them up. I've driven tons with my DeWalt 12V (I've got the older DCD710). It's never stalled unless I'm really leaning on it. Plus, the DeWalt grip is more comfortable for me. Go with your gut and battery ecosystem. You'll be happy.