Home Depot has been clearing out Makita XGT cordless tools. ToolGuyd’s Stuart Deutsch floated a scenario on Nov. 4 that would have sounded far-fetched two years ago: FLEX replacing Makita on Home Depot shelves. Nobody has confirmed it. No press release, no retail memo, no store directive has surfaced. But the pieces are in place for it to be a real possibility, and FLEX owners should understand what is actually being reported before they read the headline somewhere else.
Here is the timeline
Late 2023 to 2025. Lowe’s clears FLEX 24V tools off its shelves, and the brand loses its main US retail footprint.
2026. Little has launched. Few new cordless tools, few accessories, no new StackPack storage. Holiday deals are thin.
September 10, 2026. Chervon names Joseph Galli Jr. as CEO of FLEX and Skil. Galli ran TTI and built Milwaukee and Ryobi into Home Depot category leaders.
Later in September. Chervon adds retail and sales executives under Galli, including an SVP of sales, training, and recruiting pulled from TTI.
Fall 2026. Reports surface that Home Depot is clearancing out Makita XGT cordless tools. MakTrak storage sits stagnant in stores.
Nov. 4, 2026. ToolGuyd argues that FLEX could take Makita’s slot at Home Depot.
What the reporting says
ToolGuyd frames this as opinion, not news. Deutsch writes that Home Depot’s Black Friday tool deals are out and Makita is “not prominently featured.” At his local stores, MakTrak boxes carry “a thick layer of dust.” He also lays out why FLEX needs a national chain. It was ejected from Lowe’s. Walmart already has Greenworks Pro. Menards and Ace lack reach, and Tractor Supply did little for Porter Cable.
His argument leans on Galli. Home Depot’s two dominant cordless brands, Milwaukee and Ryobi, were built under Galli at TTI. Deutsch thinks Galli will have to spend hard at Chervon to earn shelf space and end-user attention. Even the piece concedes the alternative: there may be room for both brands.
Why Makita at Home Depot has looked shaky
Makita’s problem is not tool quality. XGT is a serious pro platform. Traffic is the problem. A brand that does not pull shoppers into the store, a retailer has less reason to give it premium floor space. It also runs three cordless platforms in the US (LXT, XGT, and CXT), which complicates a shelf story. Its single 24V line that could be merchandised cleanly next to Milwaukee and Ryobi.
We have covered the Makita side of this before, including the MakTrak boxes going made-in-China, and we have tracked the Chervon leadership overhaul. Our battery platform comparison lays out how these brands stack up on packs and tools.
What it means for buyers
Nothing changes on the shelf today, and you should not plan a purchase around a rumor. Two things are worth watching if you are shopping this season.
Clearance season. Home Depot may really be clearancing XGT, and, the discounts will be steepest on kits and bare tools that are not moving. A clearance Makita saw at 40% off is a genuinely good tool at a good price, not a dead end. LXT batteries are not going anywhere.
Discounting. A brand fighting for its retail life tends to discount. Its 24V platform is competent. Our FX1272 hammer drill and FX1372 impact driver reviews both hold up. Should prices fall further, it is a cheap way into a pro-grade platform.
One real risk to keep in mind. Should Makita pull back from Home Depot, warranty and service still run through Makita directly, so that part is safe. You would lose in-store selection and the chance to handle a tool before buying. Independent dealers and Amazon listings would still carry the line. We will update this story if either company confirms anything.
Sources: ToolGuyd, “Flex Could Replace Makita at Home Depot,” Nov. 4, 2026; ToolGuyd on MakTrak production. Pricing and clearance status vary by store, so check your local Home Depot before driving out.