Power tools · owner-verdict comparison

DeWalt DCS356B vs Makita XFD13 Drill: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 86% of 35 DeWalt DCS356B 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 DCS356B

86%of 35 owners recommend

86% recommend · 3% neutral · 11% don't

Owners praise

Fast, easy quick blade change
Precise, controllable trigger and speed
Versatile all-rounder, endless uses

Owners complain about

Strong vibration in the hand
Speed switch jams with grit or dust

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 DCS356B if

✓Tradespeople and remodelers using one nearly daily
✓DIYers wanting a versatile all-rounder tool
✓Owners upgrading from other-brand multitools

Skip it if

Those sensitive to hand vibration
Anyone needing a compact head for very tight spaces

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 DCS356B owners say

“well worth it. I've ran my DeWalt multi tool for miles, almost 10 years, and it's still going”
— @Tool_Addicted_Carpenter on YouTube

“The trigger is the best. You can roll on the power very smoothly.”
— @Everythingisgoingtobealright on YouTube

“The Pivot on the bldae holder gets in the way, although its quick to change blades, you cant get the depth of cut or see the cutting edge clearly in tight spaces, like underneath the sink etc, The Fein is so much more compact at the head.”
— @johnr1038 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 DCS356B vs Makita XFD13 Drill: frequently asked questions

Is the DeWalt DCS356B or the Makita XFD13 Drill better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 86% of 35 DeWalt DCS356B owners recommend it, vs 91% of 46 for the Makita XFD13 Drill.

Who should get the DeWalt DCS356B?

Owners point the DeWalt DCS356B at tradespeople and remodelers using one nearly daily, and dIYers wanting a versatile all-rounder tool.

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.