Power tools · owner-verdict comparison

DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill vs Makita XFD13 Drill: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 89% of 56 DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill owners recommend it, vs 91% of 46 for the Makita XFD13 Drill.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill

89%of 56 owners recommend
89% recommend · 6% neutral · 5% don't
Owners praise
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Powerful for its small size
  • Tough, solid, well-balanced build
Owners complain about
  • Triggers and switches can feel cheap
  • No kickback/anti-rotation protection
Full owner report →

Makita XFD13 Drill

91%of 46 owners recommend
91% recommend · 2% neutral · 7% don't
Owners praise
  • Exceptional longevity, owners report drills and batteries still running strong after 10, 19, even 20 years of regular use, with some calling them 'hard to kill'
  • Plenty of torque and low RPM for heavy-duty mixing tasks like drywall mud, mortar, concrete, and paint that lighter drills can't handle
  • Strong brand loyalty, owners repeatedly describe themselves as satisfied 'Makita guys' who trust the build quality over other brands
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill if
  • ✓Homeowners and DIYers wanting a capable everyday drill
  • ✓Tradespeople needing compact power in tight spaces
  • ✓Owners upgrading from older or entry DeWalt drills
Skip it if
  • Buyers who need a hammer-drill function (get the 805)
  • Anyone wanting built-in kickback protection
Get the Makita XFD13 Drill if
  • ✓Tradespeople who mix mud, mortar, or paint and need heavy-duty torque
  • ✓Anyone drilling large holes in tough material like truck frame steel
  • ✓Owners who want a drill that survives decades of daily jobsite abuse
  • ✓Users who value simple brush replacement and easy DIY repairability
Skip it if
  • Buyers wanting variable-speed control on single-speed D-handle models
  • Anyone comparing raw battery runtime against newer competitor platforms

What DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill owners say

“For the money I would say that this is a great setup for Professionals and DIY/Weekend warriors.”
— @morinbaptiste636 on YouTube
“The DCD800 is the latest and greatest drill and the DCF850 is the newest impact driver.”
— Cyral on Reddit
“definitely not worth the upgrade to the newer ones”
— @jncn1490 on YouTube

What Makita XFD13 Drill owners say

“I just picked up a xfd13 drill and it’s much nicer than the black option and not that much bigger/heavier”
— srrmax on Reddit
“xfd13 is really good also but bigger”
— Late_Chemical_1142 on Reddit
“Been downhill ever since”
— rcb4d on Reddit

DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill vs Makita XFD13 Drill: frequently asked questions

Is the DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill or the Makita XFD13 Drill better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 89% of 56 DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill owners recommend it, vs 91% of 46 for the Makita XFD13 Drill.

Who should get the DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill?

Owners point the DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill at homeowners and DIYers wanting a capable everyday drill, and tradespeople needing compact power in tight spaces.

Who should get the Makita XFD13 Drill?

Owners point the Makita XFD13 Drill at tradespeople who mix mud, mortar, or paint and need heavy-duty torque, and anyone drilling large holes in tough material like truck frame steel.