Power tools · owner-verdict comparison

Makita XFD13 Drill vs Milwaukee 2746-20: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Makita XFD13 Drill: 91% of 46 owners recommend it, vs 74% of 19 for the Milwaukee 2746-20.

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

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 →

Milwaukee 2746-20

74%of 19 owners recommend
74% recommend · 5% neutral · 21% don't
Owners praise
  • Reliable, jam-free nailing
  • Cordless, no compressor or fuel cells
  • Worth the money
Owners complain about
  • Misfires needing warranty repair
  • Heavier than air nailers
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

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
Get the Milwaukee 2746-20 if
  • ✓Trim carpenters wanting cordless, compressor-free nailing
  • ✓Daily jobsite use on trim and jamb work
  • ✓DIYers upgrading from pneumatic or fuel-cell nailers
Skip it if
  • Those needing the lightest possible nailer
  • Budget shoppers deterred by the higher price

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

What Milwaukee 2746-20 owners say

“The gun performed fantastically throughout the entire project with no jams of misfires.”
— @ericcaira7338 on YouTube
“Not one issue with this gun. Love it worth every penny.”
— @scottmoore7417 on YouTube
“Mine does it too. But if I put a shim under the red safety so it pushes it in farther it fires.”
— ExtraYogurtcloset771 on Reddit

Makita XFD13 Drill vs Milwaukee 2746-20: frequently asked questions

Is the Makita XFD13 Drill or the Milwaukee 2746-20 better?

Real owners lean toward the Makita XFD13 Drill: 91% of 46 owners recommend it, vs 74% of 19 for the Milwaukee 2746-20.

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.

Who should get the Milwaukee 2746-20?

Owners point the Milwaukee 2746-20 at trim carpenters wanting cordless, compressor-free nailing, and daily jobsite use on trim and jamb work.