Makita Impact XPS Line of Premium Impact Rated Drilling and Driving Accessories Initial Impressions Review

Makita has introduced a new line of impact rated bits called the Impact XPS that are their premium, top of the line bits. Makita was also kind enough to send over (at no cost) some of their new Impact XPS bits to try out. As always, Tool Craze is never paid or swayed to give a positive review and as always are my unbiased thoughts and opinions.

According to Makita, these new Impact XPS bits are rated to last up to 90 times longer than standard (non-impact) bits and are positioned higher than Makita’s ImpactX and Gold lines. Impact rated bits are a must on impact drivers as they produce much more torque than drills and the bit’s have to be strong enough to handle the additional force so they last longer as standard bits tend to fail on impact drivers very early on, which results mostly in broken tips and more wasted bits.

According to Makita, the new Impact XPS bits are designed for even the strongest impact drivers today. They have three main features that help them achieve that. First is exact fitment where the bits are precision machined which make for better contact with the screw head to help prevent stripping (cam-out).

I wasn’t able to test them for durability but I was able to test out their fitment and like their previous bits, the fitment on these new Makita impact XPS bits was exceptional. I did the usual test of driving a screw diagonally into lumber with it sticking up and out at about as close to 45 degrees as I could and was able to hold an impact with a 10 celled fatpack 5.0 ah battery, which is heavier than a compact 2.0ah battery, and it held the tool up like a champ. I wasn’t surprised honestly as Makita’s known for precision fitment and I’ve successfully done this test with their Gold and Impact X bits before it so to shake things up I did the same test but made it harder by driving a screw horizontally.

I expected the bit to slip out and drop the impact but the impact XPS bit locked on and grabbed on for dear life. These tests were done with standard #2 Phillips bits.

Second on the features list is what they call Pulse Torsion Rings and Zone – these are specially engineered pulse torsion rings and a torsion zone to help prevent the screwdriver bit from snapping. According to Makita, the Pulse torsion rings are said to disperse impact energy through the torsion zone and off the bit tip. The torsion zone has been optimized to flex under load to transfer impact energy for improved bit life. The length combined with diameter is a special formula to create an optimized torsion zone. Makita says this engineering works together for longer performance life.

Third on the features list is a unique steel blend that is said to be designed to increase durability and minimize stripping bit tips. The Impact XPS are also coated with a matte nickel surface for corrosion resistance.

While I wasn’t able to stress and durability tests these new bits, they do look like quality bits and it looks like Makita put a lot of effort into designing these and the fitment on the #2 phillips bits is exceptional! I also liked the cases they come in and have bit holder dividers that swing out for easy access.

The Makita Impact XPS line is offering 117 different skus at the time of writing this article and the new line includes insert bits, power bits, insert bit holders, magnetic nutsetters, sockets, and socket adapters. The new Makita Impact XPS impact rated bit line is available now.

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