As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you click through and make a purchase.
A compact Makita cordless drill earns its place in a household toolbox on the jobs where a full-size drill gets awkward: installing hinges inside a kitchen cabinet, mounting a curtain rail above your head, or driving screws into a closet shelf where your elbow hits the wall. For those tasks, length and weight matter as much as torque, because a shorter, lighter tool is easier to hold steady at arm’s length and fits into corners a bigger drill cannot reach.
All six Makita listings here run on the 18V LXT battery system, and they split into bare tools and kits. The XFD15ZB sub-compact drill, the XPH16Z hammer drill and the XDT11Z impact driver are sold as tool only, so they suit people who already own Makita 18V batteries. The XFD10SY is a single drill kit, and the CT225SYX and CX203SYB are two-piece combo kits with a drill and an impact driver, batteries and charger. Within those, the sub-compact models are the smallest, and the hammer drill is the most powerful.
Makita Compact Cordless Drill Lineup at a Glance
| Model | Type | Size and weight | Max torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| XFD15ZB | Sub-compact brushless drill, tool only | 5-7/8 in, 2.9 lb with battery | 350 in-lb |
| CT225SYX | Drill and impact kit, 2 x 1.5Ah | Drill 7-1/4 in, 3.3 lb; impact 5-3/8 in, 2.8 lb | 480 in-lb drill, 1,460 in-lb impact |
| XPH16Z | Brushless hammer drill, tool only | Not specified | 970 in-lb |
| XDT11Z | Impact driver, tool only | 5-3/8 in, 2.8 lb with battery | 1,460 in-lb |
| CX203SYB | Sub-compact brushless kit, 2 x 1.5Ah | Drill 5-7/8 in, 2.9 lb | 350 in-lb drill |
| XFD10SY | Drill kit, 1.5Ah | Not specified | 480 in-lb |
The Models in Detail
Makita XFD15ZB Sub-Compact Driver-Drill Compact and ergonomic design at only 5-7/8" long
Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.2/10
The Makita XFD15ZB 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Sub-Compact Brushless Driver-Drill is the smallest drill in this group, at 5-7/8 inches long and 2.9 pounds with a battery fitted. It uses a brushless motor with a two-speed transmission (0-500 and 0-1,700 RPM), a 1/2-inch chuck and a metal jampot design for durability. Dual LED lights illuminate the work area. Maximum torque is listed at 350 in-lb.
The listing describes it as offering the size and weight of lower voltage tools with 18V performance and compatibility. That combination is exactly what cabinet work and overhead drilling reward. It is sold as tool only in a black finish, so you need an 18V LXT battery and charger.
It suits a homeowner who already owns Makita 18V batteries and wants the lightest drill for everyday assembly and mounting. For drilling into brick or concrete, the XPH16Z is the right tool.
Makita CT225SYX Compact Combo Kit 1/2" Driver-Drill with 2-speeds (0-600 and 0-1,900 RPM) delivers up to 480 in
Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.0/10
The Makita CT225SYX 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Compact 2-Piece Combo Kit pairs the XFD10Z 1/2-inch driver-drill with the XDT11Z impact driver. The drill has two speeds (0-600 and 0-1,900 RPM), 480 in-lb of max torque, and measures 7-1/4 inches at 3.3 pounds with battery. The impact driver runs at 0-2,900 RPM and 0-3,500 IPM with 1,460 in-lb of torque, at 5-3/8 inches and 2.8 pounds.
The kit includes two 18V compact 1.5Ah batteries, the DC18SD charger and a tool bag, with rubberized soft grips on both tools. That covers most home jobs: drilling pilot holes with one tool and driving long screws with the other, without swapping bits. The listing’s warranty field simply says “Warranty” without terms.
This is the best starting kit for someone with no Makita batteries yet who wants drilling and fastening covered. If size is the priority, the sub-compact CX203SYB is shorter. Our Makita cordless drill kit guide covers larger kit options.
Makita XPH16Z Brushless Hammer Driver-Drill Makita-built brushless motor delivers 970 in.lbs
Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.4/10
The Makita XPH16Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Compact Brushless Hammer Driver-Drill is the power option. The listing gives 970 in-lb of max torque, up to 70% more power than the previous model, and a brushless motor that is electronically controlled for up to 50% longer run time per charge. Two speeds (0-550 and 0-1,800 RPM) pair with hammer rates of 0-8,250 and 0-27,000 BPM.
Hammer mode is what lets a drill bore into brick, block and masonry, useful for mounting a TV bracket on a brick wall or fixing a mailbox post. It has an all-metal gear housing and a 1/2-inch chuck. The listing does not give its length or weight, so it is likely larger than the sub-compact models, and it is sold as tool only.
It suits homeowners with masonry walls or outdoor projects. For light cabinet work, its extra power is unnecessary and the XFD15ZB is more comfortable.
Makita XDT11Z Impact Driver Variable speed (0-2,900 RPM & 0-3,500 IPM) and 1,460 in.lbs
Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.0/10
The Makita XDT11Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Impact Driver is not a drill, but it belongs in the conversation because it is the fastening half of the CT225SYX kit and a common companion to a compact drill. It delivers 1,460 in-lb of torque at 0-2,900 RPM and 0-3,500 IPM from a 4-pole motor with a 4-brush design.
At 5-3/8 inches and 2.8 pounds with battery, it is compact, with an all-metal gear housing, a rubberized soft grip, an LED light and a one-touch 1/4-inch hex chuck for quick bit changes. The spec sheet lists a 10 mm chuck and two speeds, which do not match the hex chuck and variable speed in the features. It is tool only.
It suits someone who already owns a Makita drill and wants to drive deck screws or lag bolts without straining the drill. On its own, it cannot replace a drill for making holes with round-shank bits.
Makita CX203SYB Sub-Compact Combo Kit Driver-Drill weighs only 2.9 lbs
Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.6/10
The Makita CX203SYB 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Sub-Compact Brushless 2-Piece Combo Kit combines the sub-compact brushless driver-drill with a brushless impact driver. The drill matches the XFD15ZB’s specs: 5-7/8 inches, 2.9 pounds, two speeds (0-500 and 0-1,700 RPM), a metal jampot and 350 in-lb of peak torque. The kit includes two 1.5Ah batteries.
The listing describes sub-compact tools as giving 12V handling with 18V performance. The impact driver is described as variable speed with two speed settings, but the text is cut off before listing its torque or dimensions, so check the product page. A charger is implied by the kit format but not listed in the available specifications.
This is the kit for cabinet installation, closet systems and overhead work where both tools need to be as small as possible. If you need more drill torque, the CT225SYX offers 480 in-lb.
Makita XFD10SY Compact Driver-Drill Kit Makita-built 4-pole motor delivers 480 in
Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.8/10
The Makita XFD10SY 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Compact Driver-Drill Kit is a single drill with a 1.5Ah battery. It uses a 4-pole motor with 480 in-lb of max torque and a two-speed transmission (0-600 and 0-1,900 RPM), and the listing says it offers 25% more speed than the previous model.
It adds Extreme Protection Technology (XPT) for dust and water resistance, dual LEDs with afterglow and a rubberized grip. The listing does not give length, weight or full kit contents beyond the battery reference, so confirm whether a charger is included. It is the same drill model family as the one in the CT225SYX kit.
It suits a homeowner who wants one drill with a battery and does not need an impact driver. For a right-angle alternative in extremely tight cabinets, see our Makita right angle drill guide.
Matching a Model to Your Setup
- You own Makita 18V batteries and want the lightest drill for cabinets: the XFD15ZB.
- You are starting from scratch and want drilling and fastening covered: the CT225SYX kit.
- You need both tools as small as possible for overhead and closet work: the CX203SYB kit.
- You mount things on brick or masonry walls: the XPH16Z hammer drill.
- You already have a drill and keep stripping long screws: add the XDT11Z impact driver.
- You want one drill with a battery and some dust and water resistance: the XFD10SY.
Before You Buy
Tool-only listings (XFD15ZB, XPH16Z, XDT11Z) do not include batteries or chargers. The XPH16Z does not state its size or weight, the XFD10SY does not list full kit contents, and the CX203SYB’s impact driver details are cut off. The kits come with 1.5Ah batteries, which keep weight down but offer less runtime than larger packs.
None of the listings include drill or driver bits, and only the CT225SYX mentions a tool bag. Warranty terms are not spelled out on any listing.
FAQ
What is the smallest Makita drill here?
The XFD15ZB and the drill in the CX203SYB kit, both 5-7/8 inches long and 2.9 pounds with battery.
Does the XFD15ZB come with a battery?
No. It is tool only.
Which Makita drill can go into brick?
The XPH16Z, which has a hammer mode up to 27,000 BPM.
What is in the CT225SYX kit?
The XFD10Z drill, XDT11Z impact driver, two 1.5Ah batteries, a DC18SD charger and a tool bag.
Sub-compact or compact: which is better for home use?
Sub-compact models are shorter and lighter for cabinets and overhead work. Compact models offer more torque.
Which Makita compact drill should I buy?
With batteries already, the XFD15ZB. Starting fresh, the CT225SYX or CX203SYB kit.