Makita BHP454 Review
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Makita BHP454 18V LXT Li-Ion Hammer Drill Driver 1/2" Chuck Price Level: $$$ |
Torque 560 Max In-Lbs |
Speed 1700 Max RPM |
Weight 5.3 Lbs w Batt |
Battery 3 Ah Capacity |
Warranty 3 Year |
| Ratings Guide | Best | Better | Good | Fair | Poor |
| KEY STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES | ||
| POWER | The BHP454 is 20% more powerful than average and ranks in the top 40% of 18V-class drills for torque and power. It generates 92 in-lbs more maximum torque than the average 468 in-lbs drill in its class. | ✔ |
| SPEED | This Makita cordless drill is 8% faster than average and ranks in the top 40% of 18V-class drills for maximum RPM. It can run at speeds that achieve 116 RPM more than the average 1584 RPM drill in its class. | ✔ |
| WEIGHT | It is 13% heavier than average and ranks in the bottom 40% of 18V-class drills for higher weight. It weighs 0.6 lbs more than the average 4.7 lb cordless drill in this class and may increase operator fatigue. | |
| BATTERY | This Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery has a 37% higher than average run-time with an amp hour (Ah) rating that ranks in the top 20% of 18V-class drills. It has 0.8 Ah more capacity than the average 2.2 Ah battery in this class. | ✔ |
| WARRANTY | Makita's 3-year limited tool warranty is a little longer than average for the cordless drill industry where the standard is about 2-3 years. Longer warranties can often indicate improved durability with fewer repairs. | ✔ |
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| PERFORMANCE RATINGS | ||
| Power | 560 in-lbs - The BHP454 is 20% more powerful than average and ranks in the top 40% of 18V-class drills for torque and power. It generates 92 in-lbs more maximum torque than the average 468 in-lbs drill in its class. | ✔ |
| Speed Settings |
2 Settings 0-400 / 0-1,700 RPM - Fitted with both Low and High speed settings that come standard on most cordless drills. Speed selection is an important feature to match drilling or driving RPM to each unique job. | ✔ |
| Max Speed |
1700 RPM - This Makita cordless drill is 8% faster than average and ranks in the top 40% of 18V-class drills for maximum RPM. It can run at speeds that achieve 116 RPM more than the average 1584 RPM drill in its class. | ✔ |
| Clutch | 16 Settings - The Makita BHP454 has a below average number of clutch settings, but is probably still adequate for many DIY jobs. The clutch helps you to avoid stripping a screw with too much torque. | |
| Power Ratio |
106 P/W - The Makita BHP454 has an 6% higher than average power-to-weight ratio and ranks in the top 40% of efficiently designed 18V-class drills. The P/W ratio is 6 higher than the 100 average ratio for this class drill. | ✔ |
| Hammer | 0-6,000 / 0-25,500 IPM - Generates a hammer impact rate that's 6% lower than average and ranks in the bottom 40% of hammer drills for IPM. It delivers 1500 less impacts per minute (IPM) than the average 27000 IPM drill. | |
| DURABILITY RATINGS | ||
| Gear Case |
All-Metal - The Makita BHP454 transmission has all-metal gears that provide superior durability compared to nylon gears found in many drills. Gears spin at high RPMs and are susceptible to material break-down. | ✔ |
| Chuck | Plastic Sleeve - Chuck sleeves made of tough plastic materials save on weight, but they are more prone to cracking than metal sleeves. It generally won't withstand repeated drops onto hard surfaces. | |
| Motor | External Access Brushes - Motor brushes must be replaced periodically and external access makes the job a much easier DIY task. No need to take your drill into the repair shop for complete disassembly. | ✔ |
| Warranty | 3-Year - Makita's 3-year limited tool warranty is a little longer than average for the cordless drill industry where the standard is about 2-3 years. Longer warranties can often indicate improved durability with fewer repairs. | ✔ |
| BATTERY RATINGS | ||
| Type | Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) BL1830 LXT - Newer technology rechargeable battery that provides higher capacity and longer run-time with less weight, but are more expensive than the older NiCd and NiMH batteries. | ✔ |
| Capacity | 3 Ah - This Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery has a 37% higher than average run-time with an amp hour (Ah) rating that ranks in the top 20% of 18V-class drills. It has 0.8 Ah more capacity than the average 2.2 Ah battery in this class. | ✔ |
| Charge Time |
30 min DC18RA Charger - Battery charge-time is quicker than average. Nice feature for those times when you don't have a charged replacement battery ready to go and you're in the middle of a job. | ✔ |
| Fuel Gauge |
No Battery Fuel Gauge - Not equipped with a battery charge indicator that alerts you to remaining battery life or if the batteries are running low. Sudden battery failure during the job is a common frustration. | |
| Backup | 2 Batteries Included - It's important to have a second back-up battery for the Makita BHP454 that's charged and ready to go. Makes it easy to swap-out batteries during the job with minimal down-time. | ✔ |
| CONVENIENCE RATINGS | ||
| Weight | 5.3 lbs Tool Plus Battery - It is 13% heavier than average and ranks in the bottom 40% of 18V-class drills for higher weight. It weighs 0.6 lbs more than the average 4.7 lb cordless drill in this class and may increase operator fatigue. | |
| Length | 9-9/16 in - Cordless drill length is a personal preference, but shorter is generally better to help you in close quarters such as under a sink, or drilling in-between studs. Torque is harder to handle if the drill is too short though. | |
| Spindle Lock |
One-Hand Bit Change - This single-sleeve chuck has auto spindle lock. The drill bit can be changed with only one hand by simply spinning the chuck open to release the bit, and counter-spinning it to tighten. | ✔ |
| LED Light |
Integrated LED Light - The Makita BHP454 illuminates your work area and allows you to clearly see your bit position and depth while you're drilling or driving. Great feature that's now available on many cordless drills. | ✔ |
| Belt Hook |
Integrated Belt Hook - Includes a belt hook or clip that allows you to temporarily hang the drill from your belt or a ladder while you're performing other job tasks. Helps prevent dropped and damaged drills. | ✔ |
| Side Handle |
Side Handle Included - Higher torque levels can cause injury if a bit suddenly binds or the drill slips. A side handle is essential to handle more powerful drills and provides additional stability and control. | ✔ |
| Bubble Level |
No Bubble Level - This feature is only available on a few drills and can be helpful in situations where precision holes are critical for alignment. Most projects can be performed with just visual sighting. | |
| Keyless | Keyless Chuck - Nearly all cordless drills are now equipped with keyless chucks that can be tightened with both hands (double-sleeve) or just one hand (single-sleeve) without the use of a key. | ✔ |
| VSR | VSR - Most cordless drills are equipped with variable speed capability that can be controlled with simple trigger pressure. Reverse is usually performed with the push of a side-to-side button. | ✔ |
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