Product · Makita
Makita DHP453RFE: classic LXT combi with 3 Ah packs
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The DHP453RFE has been part of Makita's 18 V LXT line for years, and it remains a sensible starting kit for home owners and light trade users. Its draw is not raw power but the complete package and the platform: two 3.0 Ah packs, a 30 minute fast charger and a case, all on the LXT battery system that Makita uses across a huge range of tools.
- Voltage
- 18 V
- Max torque
- 42 Nm
- Weight
- 1.8 kg
- Batteries in box
- 2 x 3.0 Ah
In its favour
- Metal gearbox and 16 torque settings are listed for controlled driving.
- Two 3.0 Ah batteries give a good amount of work between charges for home use.
- The LXT batteries fit a wide range of Makita tools and garden kit.
Good to know
- At 1.8 kg in the listing it is heavier than the compact drills in this guide.
- The listing does not say if the motor is brushless or give the chuck size.
Our take
What the listing confirms
Makita's bullets are brief: a metal gearbox, 42 Nm of torque in high speed and 16 torque settings. The spec table adds 18 V, a 1.8 kg weight and a combination drill type, meaning it has a hammer mode for masonry. The box contains a carry case, the fast charger and two 3.0 Ah batteries.
The listing does not state the chuck size, the speed range, the number of gears or whether the motor is brushless. Since there is no brushless claim anywhere in the listing, do not assume one.
Daily use at 42 Nm
Forty two newton metres is enough for most household fixing: drilling for wall plugs in brick, hanging doors, assembling a shed kit with ordinary screws. It will labour with large augers and hole saws, and coach screws are better driven with an impact driver.
The 30 minute charger is a practical plus. With two packs you can usually keep working, putting one on charge while the other runs.
Against other Makita and home kits
Within Makita's range, the DHP483Z is a brushless combi listed at 726 g, far lighter than the 1.8 kg given here, though it is sold body only. If you will buy batteries separately or already own LXT packs, the DHP483Z is the more modern tool.
Against the Bosch GSB 18V-45, the Makita offers larger packs and a similar torque figure but more weight. The DeWalt DCD799P2T gives you 74 Nm and two 5 Ah packs for heavier work.
Who it suits less
Users who need a light drill for overhead work or long sessions will notice the weight. Trades who regularly bore large holes in timber should look at a stronger drill.
Verdict
Choose the DHP453RFE if you want a complete LXT starter kit with two batteries and a fast charger for general home jobs. If weight matters, the Makita DHP483Z or Bosch GSB 18V-45 are lighter, and the DeWalt DCD799P2T suits buyers who want more torque and bigger packs.
Compared with alternatives in: Best combi drills for home DIY, Best combi drill kits with batteries and charger, Makita 18V LXT drills compared
Amazon listing title: Makita DHP453RFE cordless combi drill - cordless combi drills (Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), Black, Blue)