Makita XRW01Z 18V LXT Cordless 3/8" / 1/4" Ratchet Review - Is it Worth Buying?
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The Makita XRW01Z is an interesting cordless ratchet, especially if you're already deep into the Makita 18V LXT platform like I am. It gives you both 3/8-inch and 1/4-inch capability, so it's a pretty versatile little tool for working on cars, trucks, ATVs, dirt bikes, and other equipment.
Overall, I like it. It's fast, easy to use, and exactly the kind of tool that's nice to have when you're dealing with bolts in an engine bay or anywhere you don't want to sit there manually ratcheting forever.
The Biggest Problem: It's an 18V Ratchet
The biggest downside for me is also the obvious one: the battery.
Makita's 18V LXT batteries are great, but they're pretty large for a cordless ratchet. Once you stick a battery on the XRW01Z, the whole thing becomes noticeably bulkier than a smaller 12V ratchet.
And with this type of tool, compactness matters.
I'm usually grabbing a cordless ratchet because I'm working somewhere cramped. Under a hood, underneath a truck, around an ATV or dirt bike — those are exactly the places where having a smaller tool makes a difference.
That's why I actually prefer Makita's 12V option here.
Would I Buy the Makita XRW01Z?
If you already have a bunch of Makita 18V LXT batteries and don't want to buy into another battery platform, absolutely. The XRW01Z is a good cordless ratchet and being able to use the batteries you already own is a huge convenience.
But if you're asking me which Makita cordless ratchet I'd rather use?
I'd probably go 12V.
The 18V XRW01Z works great, but a cordless ratchet is one of those tools where I don't necessarily want the biggest battery. I want something small that I can squeeze into places where a normal ratchet becomes annoying.
The Makita XRW01Z is a good tool. I just think the smaller 12V version makes more sense for what a cordless ratchet is supposed to do. Shop Makita on Amazon!
