DeWalt vs Makita for Cordless Impact Wrench: Which One?

Alright folks, I'm in the market for a new cordless impact wrench for heavy-duty framing and deck work. I've been a DeWalt guy for years, but I've heard Makita's XGT line is no joke. Both have 40V and 18V options, but I'm looking at their 18V high-torque models. Which one would you trust to handle lug nuts and lag bolts day in, day out? I'm tired of burning through cheap heat tools.

Haha, you're opening Pandora's box! I've used both (borrowed from friends). DeWalt's 18V is solid, but their 20V max is confusing. Anyway, I was driving 6-inch lags with the DeWalt and it never skipped a beat. But Makita's brake is way faster and it's more compact. If you're on a ladder or in a tight squeeze all day, that matters. I'm a Weekend Warrior, so my opinion might not hold as much weight, but I'd go Makita for the size.

Carl, you're on point! As a Makita guy, I'm biased, but hear me out. I've run the XGT 40V high-torque and the 18V LXT. The 18V has the power (1625 ft-lbs nut busting) and it's lighter than my old DeWalt. Also, Makita's variable speed control is smooth - you can drive smaller screws without stripping them. I've used the DeWalt 20V too, and it's a beast, but I've had overheating issues on a long day of continuous lags. Plus, Makita's battery tech just lasts longer in the cold. If you're in the field all day like us, it's about reliability, not just max torque.

Appreciate the input, Carl and Mike. I do a lot of overhead work, so weight is a factor. Also, I've got a bunch of DeWalt batteries already, so switching is a pain. But I've seen some videos testing both, and the Makita did seem to have better control. Is the anti-kickback as good as advertised? I've had a few close calls with kickback on tough knots.

The anti-kickback is no joke. It's not just a gimmick - when you hit a knot, it cuts power in milliseconds, way faster than you can react. I've had the wrench bind on a lag, and it just shut off instead of twisting my wrist. That's a game-changer for avoiding injuries. And for overhead, look at the 18V XWT15 - it's only 5.8 lbs with a 5Ah battery. But honestly, you can't go wrong with either. Test them out at the store if you can, feel the handle and trigger. That's what sold me on Makita.