The Makita DHP484Z sits at the centre of Australia's most widely distributed cordless platform. It is the brushless hammer drill in the 18V LXT range — a line that, according to trade industry sources, represents the highest-selling cordless platform by volume in Australia. For anyone already in the LXT ecosystem, or anyone building one, the DHP484Z is the obvious starting point. For everyone else, it is worth understanding what this drill actually offers before committing to the platform.
This page draws on verified specifications from the official Makita Australia and Makita UK product pages, the Makita UK specification sheet (dated September 2026), and other sources listed at the bottom of the article. Letherium has not physically tested this product.
What This Product Is
The DHP484Z is a skin-only (bare tool) product. No battery or charger is included. If you do not already own Makita 18V LXT batteries, you will need to factor that cost into your purchase decision. The drill accepts any Makita 18V LXT Li-ion battery in the 1.5Ah to 12Ah range, which gives you a wide choice of battery capacities depending on how long and how hard you work.
The "Z" suffix in the model number is Makita's standard designation for the skin-only variant. There is no functional difference between the DHP484 and the DHP484Z — the tool itself is identical.
Who This Drill Suits
The DHP484Z is best described as a compact trade-class drill designed for people who need real capability in a manageable package. It is not a budget entry-level drill, and it is not a full-size heavy-duty SDS unit either. It occupies the middle ground where most drilling and driving actually happens on a worksite or in a well-equipped home shed.
It is a strong match for:
- Tradies and serious DIYers who already own LXT batteries and want to add or replace a hammer drill without also buying a new battery system
- Anyone wanting to expand a Makita LXT kit with a drill that carries brushless motor efficiency and a compact body
- People doing medium-to-heavy drilling in timber, steel, and masonry where a full-size SDS rotary hammer is overkill
It is less likely to suit:
- Buyers starting from scratch with no existing battery investment, unless they are specifically committing to the LXT platform long-term
- Anyone needing heavy, sustained masonry drilling — the 13mm masonry capacity is appropriate for occasional concrete fixings, but not for extended work in hard aggregate
- Buyers looking for the absolute lowest entry price, since the skin-only format assumes battery ownership
Verified Strengths
Brushless motor with useful torque output
The brushless motor is not a marketing tick-box here. It delivers a maximum tightening torque of 54 Nm (hard joint), 30 Nm (soft joint), a max lock torque of 60 Nm, and a max peak torque of 65 Nm. These figures come from the official Makita AU and UK specification sources. For a compact 18V drill, these are capable numbers — enough for serious fastening and structural work in timber framing, cabinetry, and steel fabrication within the drill's capacity range.
Compact dimensions with a practical weight
At 182 mm in length and 1.2 kg without a battery, this is genuinely compact for what it offers. With a BL1860B battery fitted, weight rises to 1.8 kg. The full product dimensions are 182 x 79 x 261 mm. The compact body matters in tight spaces — inside wall cavities, roof spaces, and against joists where a longer drill becomes a problem.
Two-speed mechanical gearbox
The two-speed gearbox gives you a low gear (0–500 rpm) for high-torque driving and a high gear (0–2,000 rpm) for faster drilling. Paired with a hammer function reaching up to 30,000 impacts per minute in high gear, this covers a wide range of tasks without switching tools.
21-stage torque clutch plus drill mode
The 21 torque settings plus a dedicated drill mode give you meaningful control when driving screws into different materials. Fine control at the lower settings protects against overdriving into softwood or stripping fixings in sheet materials.
XPT dust and moisture protection
Makita's XPT (Extreme Protection Technology) is built into the DHP484Z, providing protection against dust and moisture ingress. This is a relevant consideration on Australian worksites where conditions are not always clean and dry.
Aluminium gear housing and all-metal gears
The gear housing is aluminium rather than plastic, and the gear construction is described as all-metal. Both details point to durability under sustained use, rather than the cost-optimised internals sometimes found in mid-range drills.
Electronic brake and twin LED work light
The electronic brake stops the chuck quickly when you release the trigger, which matters for precision driving and safety. The twin LED job light includes an after-glow function that keeps the work area illuminated briefly after the trigger is released.
13mm keyless chuck with 1/2"-20UNF mount
The 13mm keyless chuck (range 1.5–13mm) handles standard bit sizes for both drilling and driving. The 1/2"-20UNF mount is the standard industry thread.
Part of Australia's most widely available cordless platform
The LXT 18V range is stocked at Bunnings, Total Tools, Sydney Tools, and other major Australian retailers. Replacement batteries, chargers, and compatible tools in the LXT system are straightforward to source nationally. This matters for long-term serviceability and ecosystem expansion.
Trade-offs and Limitations
No battery or charger included
This is the most important consideration for many buyers. The DHP484Z is a skin only. If you need to buy batteries and a charger on top of the drill, the total cost rises considerably. The LXT system's strength — broad compatibility — only pays off once you own batteries.
Masonry capacity is limited
The maximum masonry drilling capacity is 13mm. For most general-purpose concrete fixing work this is adequate, but if you regularly drill large-diameter holes in masonry or work in hard aggregate, a dedicated SDS rotary hammer drill is a better tool. The DHP484Z handles masonry as a secondary function, not a primary one.
Wood drilling capacity: minor regional variation on record
Our sources show the wood drilling capacity as 38mm on the Australian and UK official pages, while the Makita Singapore page lists 36mm. We have adopted the Australian figure of 38mm as the primary specification for this listing, but it is worth checking the current Makita Australia product page before purchasing if this figure is critical to your application.
Sound levels are typical for hammer drilling
The sound power level is listed at 99 dB(A) and the sound pressure level at 91 dB(A). These are standard figures for a compact hammer drill in active use and are not unusual for the category, but hearing protection is appropriate during extended hammer drilling.
Vibration levels vary significantly by mode
Metal drilling vibration is listed at ≤2.5 m/s², which is low. Impact drilling in concrete rises to 8.0 m/s². Anyone using this drill for extended periods in hammer mode should be aware of cumulative vibration exposure.
Key Verified Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 18V |
| Battery platform | LXT 18V Li-ion |
| Battery included | No (skin only) |
| Compatible batteries | 18V LXT Li-ion, 1.5Ah–12Ah |
| Motor | Brushless |
| Max tightening torque (hard) | 54 Nm |
| Max tightening torque (soft) | 30 Nm |
| Max lock torque | 60 Nm |
| Max peak torque | 65 Nm |
| Torque settings | 21 + drill mode |
| No load speed (low gear) | 0–500 rpm |
| No load speed (high gear) | 0–2,000 rpm |
| Impact rate (low gear) | 0–7,500 ipm |
| Impact rate (high gear) | 0–30,000 ipm |
| Chuck capacity | 1.5–13 mm (keyless) |
| Chuck mount | 1/2"-20UNF |
| Max drilling capacity — wood | 38 mm |
| Max drilling capacity — steel | 13 mm |
| Max drilling capacity — masonry | 13 mm |
| Max drilling capacity — hole saw | 51 mm |
| Overall length | 182 mm |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 182 x 79 x 261 mm |
| Skin weight (tool only) | 1.2 kg |
| Weight with BL1860B battery | 1.8 kg |
| Gear housing | Aluminium |
| Gear construction | All-metal, mechanical 2-speed |
| XPT protection | Yes (dust and moisture) |
| Electronic brake | Yes |
| LED job light | Twin LED with after-glow |
| Sound power level (LWA) | 99 dB(A) |
| Sound pressure level (LpA) | 91 dB(A) |
| Vibration — metal drilling | ≤2.5 m/s² |
| Vibration — impact drilling (concrete) | 8.0 m/s² |
Specifications sourced from Makita Australia and Makita UK official product pages and the Makita UK product information sheet (verified September 2026). Minor regional variation noted for wood drilling capacity; see above.
Buying Considerations
Already in the LXT ecosystem?
If you own LXT batteries, this is a low-friction purchase. The platform compatibility from 1.5Ah through to 12Ah means your existing batteries work immediately, and you are adding a brushless drill to a kit that shares power sources across Makita's widest tool range in Australia.
Starting fresh?
Factor in the cost of at least one LXT battery and a charger. A single 5.0Ah battery and standard charger will add to the purchase cost. That said, if you intend to expand your tool collection over time, the LXT platform's breadth and national availability make it a defensible long-term investment. If your tool use is occasional and limited to one or two tasks, a kit (drill plus battery plus charger) from any reputable brand may give you better value than a skin purchase.
What battery should you pair with it?
Makita confirms compatibility with LXT batteries from 1.5Ah to 12Ah. Larger batteries add weight but extend runtime. For most trade and shed use, a pair of 5.0Ah batteries covers a full working day. The weight with a BL1860B (6.0Ah) battery is listed at 1.8 kg — still manageable for extended use.
Comparing to alternatives
The DHP484Z's main direct competitors in the Australian market are the Milwaukee M18 FPD2 and DeWalt DCD996, both in the same 18V brushless compact hammer drill class. A detailed comparison would require verified data for those models; if you are undecided between platforms, Letherium will publish comparison content when that evidence is available. Platform compatibility — what tools and batteries you already own — is often the deciding factor at this level of the market.
Verdict
The Makita DHP484Z is a well-specified, compact brushless hammer drill built around Australia's most widely distributed cordless platform. Its 54 Nm tightening torque, aluminium gear housing, all-metal gears, XPT protection, and electronic brake reflect genuine design investment rather than spec-sheet padding. The compact 182mm body and 1.2 kg skin weight make it a practical tool in confined spaces.
The skin-only format is both its key value proposition and its main caveat: it is excellent value for LXT battery owners and a harder proposition for those starting from zero. The 13mm masonry limit is worth noting for anyone expecting to do heavy concrete work regularly.
If you are in the LXT ecosystem and need a capable everyday drill, the evidence supports the DHP484Z as a strong, well-documented option backed by wide Australian retailer support.
Check the Makita DHP484Z on Amazon Australia
Sources: Makita Australia official product page (makita.com.au, verified via search; direct fetch blocked by Cloudflare WAF at time of research); Makita UK official product page (makitauk.com); Makita UK DHP484 Product Information Sheet (September 2026); Makita Singapore product page (minor regional spec variation noted). Research confidence: 0.93. This article reflects research conducted in September 2026.