Three sizes, one compact head
Makita added three angle-head impact wrenches to its 18V LXT platform on May 5: the XLT03Z (3/8" with friction ring), XLT04Z (1/2" with friction ring), and XLT05Z (1/2" with detent pin). All three share a 3-5/16" head height—low enough to fit in wheel wells, HVAC hangers, and overhead steel connections where a standard T-handle impact won’t clear.
Nut-busting torque is 390 ft-lbs across the lineup, which Makita says is the highest in the 18V angle-head class. Fastening torque lands at 250 ft-lbs. Speed control runs three ranges:
| Mode | RPM | IPM |
|---|---|---|
| Speed 1 | 0–1,000 | 0–1,800 |
| Speed 2 | 0–1,500 | 0–2,800 |
| Speed 3 | 0–3,200 | 0–4,000 |
Tool weight with battery is 4.0 lbs. All three ship bare—battery not included—which makes sense if you’re already running LXT on the job.
How it stacks up
Angle-head impact wrenches are a narrow specialty. Milwaukee’s closest comparison is the M18 FUEL Extended Reach series, which is a different geometry: longer reach on a straight head rather than a true 90-degree offset. At 390 ft-lbs nut-busting, the XLT series slots above most compact 18V impact drivers but below Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL mid-torque (450 ft-lbs) and well below high-torque territory.
The applications Makita targets—HVAC installation, automotive, railway maintenance, heavy equipment repair, steel framing—are trades where corded angle wrenches or pneumatics have historically held on because nothing cordless fit in the space. A 4.0-lb tool at 390 ft-lbs with a 3-5/16" head changes that math for most fastener sizes short of lug nuts on commercial trucks.
Additional features: Forward/Reverse Auto-Stop modes to prevent over-torquing, twin LEDs with afterglow, rubberized grip. Standard LXT battery compatibility—your existing 18V BL1820/1840/1860 packs all work.
When and where
Announced May 5, 2026. Pricing hasn’t been confirmed, though Makita typically prices specialty LXT bare tools in the $179–$249 range. The three-model lineup gives contractors the option to match drive size to the application rather than compromise. Watch for availability at Makita dealers and Amazon.
If you’re in the LXT ecosystem, this fills a genuine gap—angle fastening at real torque numbers without adding a second battery platform or dragging out the air compressor.
Source: Makita U.S.A. official announcement, May 5, 2026 (makitatools.com)
Related reading: Best Cordless Impact Wrenches 2026 • Best Cordless Ratchet Wrenches 2026 • Milwaukee vs Makita 2026: Which Brand Should You Choose?
