Strong grip, Makita Akkuschrauber 18V DDF487JX1 keeps things compact

Reviewed: ad hoc news B2B & Pro desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-20, 15:10. Details in the imprint.

With the Makita Akkuschrauber 18V DDF487JX1 you first notice how light it feels when you lift it out of the case, then the tight, confident click of the 2-speed gearbox when your thumb nudges the selector ring. It wants to be the unobtrusive tool you grab without thinking.

What this 18V drill offers

The Makita DDF487JX1 sits in the 18V LXT family as a compact, brushless drill-driver kit with two 3.0 Ah batteries, charger and case. Its brushless motor is designed to waste less energy as heat, extending runtime and reducing wear compared with brushed predecessors.

The housing feels slimmer than older Makita drills, with a short head length that helps when you’re reaching into cabinets or between joists. The rubber overmold around the handle is grippy without being too soft, so the tool does not twist in sweaty hands.

Torque, speed and control

On paper the DDF487 platform aims for a balanced torque figure rather than headline-grabbing numbers, enough to drive wood screws and masonry anchors for typical construction or fit-out tasks. The 2-speed gearbox lets you switch between higher torque for screws and higher speed for drilling.

The 20+1 clutch positions give a clear, audible click when you dial in the setting, avoiding the vague feel that some cheaper 18V drills suffer from. In practice that makes it easier not to overtighten cabinet hardware or strip small screw heads during longer jobs.

Battery kit and ecosystem

Because the DDF487JX1 ships with 3.0 Ah 18V LXT batteries instead of the larger 5.0 Ah packs, the case stays lighter and easier to carry up stairs or onto scaffolding. For installers working overhead, that weight reduction can mean noticeably less fatigue over a full day.

The trade-off is runtime, especially when drilling larger holes where higher current draw chews through 3.0 Ah cells more quickly. Users already invested in Makita’s 18V LXT ecosystem can, however, swap in higher-capacity packs from other tools when needed, keeping the drill in service even on longer shifts.

Daily use impressions on site

On a typical interior job the DDF487JX1 feels like a drill you can leave on your belt without it dragging your trousers down. The belt hook and compact case design encourage that kind of always-ready use, rather than leaving the tool on the floor between tasks.

Noise levels are moderate for an 18V drill, with a clean mechanical whine instead of harsh grinding, which matters if you spend hours drilling in echoing stairwells. The LED work light illuminates the screw head well enough in dim corners, even if it cannot fully replace a separate site lamp.

Where the Makita drill falls short

Heavy structural work is not the natural home for the DDF487JX1. For repeated 20 mm holes in hardwood or thick metal, Makita’s more powerful hammer drills and combis offer higher torque, more robust gearboxes and often a side handle for better control.

Another point to watch is that some professionals now expect 5.0 Ah or even 6.0 Ah battery kits as standard at this price level. For users starting from scratch, buying additional larger-capacity batteries on top of the JX1 set pushes the effective entry price higher.

Price and availability picture

In Europe the Makita DDF487 series is generally positioned in the mid-range of Makita’s professional 18V drills, above entry-level brushed models but below the most powerful flagships. Discounts from specialist dealers often narrow the gap to competing brands.

According to major tool retailers, the DDF487JX1 kit is available through professional channels and online in several EU markets, though exact pricing varies by promotion and regional distributor. For Germany, availability is primarily via specialist trade and online resellers rather than direct sales.

Makita context and the stock

Makita leans heavily on its 18V LXT system as a versatile professional platform, bundling tools like the DDF487JX1 drill-driver with batteries that also fit saws, grinders and outdoor equipment, which encourages long-term customer loyalty. The company continues to expand this battery family alongside newer higher-voltage systems.

Shares of Makita Corp. (JP3862400003) trade in Tokyo under the code 6586, giving investors direct exposure to the company’s global power-tool and outdoor equipment business.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.