Power tools · owner-verdict comparison

Makita XFD13 Drill vs Milwaukee 2997-22: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Makita XFD13 Drill: 91% of 46 owners recommend it, vs 84% of 105 for the Milwaukee 2997-22.

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 2997-22

84%of 105 owners recommend
84% recommend · 14% neutral · 2% don't
Owners praise
  • Exceptional durability, owners report these tools still running strong after 8, 10, even 15 years of regular use, including daily abuse
  • Excellent value for DIY and homeowner use, described repeatedly as more than enough tool for the price of the kit
  • Holds up to light trade and even full professional/industrial use despite being the non-Fuel line
Owners complain about
  • The bundled flashlight is considered the weakest/most useless item in the kit and goes largely unused
  • Batteries drain quickly or lose punch over time, the angle grinder is called a 'battery hog' and older tools feel like they've lost their get-up-and-go
  • A handful of individual tools eventually failed or smoked out, an impact driver or two, a circular saw, and one drill on first use
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 2997-22 if
  • ✓Homeowners/DIYers wanting a one-and-done starter kit for house projects
  • ✓Light-trade pros (HVAC, plumbing, handyman) needing durable tools without FUEL pricing
  • ✓Buyers who abuse tools daily and still expect years of service on a budget
  • ✓Anyone building a battery ecosystem who plans to add FUEL tools later
Skip it if
  • Commercial/industrial users running tools 8+ hours a day, every day
  • Buyers wanting the angle grinder or included flashlight for real work

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 2997-22 owners say

“These are great. I have both lines in my job as a millwright for concrete plant assembly and they work side by side everyday. Going strong for 2 years now.”
— Nimbian-highpriest on Reddit
“Been using base model brushed drill at least once a week for the better part of a decade now. Keep saying I’ll get fuel when it stops working but it just won’t quit.”
— yemoodle on Reddit
“I was very disappointed with the non-FUEL line. Let the smoke out of the drill the first time we used it.”
— Cody0303 on Reddit

Makita XFD13 Drill vs Milwaukee 2997-22: frequently asked questions

Is the Makita XFD13 Drill or the Milwaukee 2997-22 better?

Real owners lean toward the Makita XFD13 Drill: 91% of 46 owners recommend it, vs 84% of 105 for the Milwaukee 2997-22.

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 2997-22?

Owners point the Milwaukee 2997-22 at homeowners/DIYers wanting a one-and-done starter kit for house projects, and light-trade pros (HVAC, plumbing, handyman) needing durable tools without FUEL pricing.