Product · Makita
Makita DDF485RFJ: compact brushless driver, 2 x 3 Ah
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The DDF485RFJ is a compact brushless Makita drill driver sold with two 3.0 Ah batteries, a charger and a Makpac case. It is for kitchen fitters, electricians and DIYers who value a short, handy drill for screws and pilot holes. Makita describes it as particularly handy thanks to its compact and short shape, and that size is what sets it apart from the larger DDF484 and DDF486 kits in our comparison.
- Type
- Drill driver (no hammer)
- Max torque
- 50 Nm
- Motor
- Brushless
- Supplied as
- Kit: 2 x 3.0 Ah, charger, Makpac
In its favour
- Compact, short shape according to Makita, with double LEDs.
- Brushless, maintenance free motor and two speeds up to 1,900 rpm.
- Two 3.0 Ah batteries keep weight down compared with 5 Ah packs.
Good to know
- No hammer mode, so plug holes in brick need another drill.
- 50 Nm is mid range and slower on large hole saws.
Our take
Listed features
Makita highlights a brushless, maintenance free motor, deep discharge protection that switches the drill off when a pack is nearly empty, and double bright LEDs with pre and afterglow functions. The afterglow keeps the light on briefly after you release the trigger so you can see the screw head.
The spec table gives 50 Nm, 1,900 rpm, two speeds, a 38 mm wood capacity, 13 mm in metal and a weight of 1.7 kg.
Daily use at 50 Nm
Fifty newton metres is a middle figure. It drives most wood screws, hinges, brackets and cabinet fixings, and drills pilot and clearance holes in timber and metal. Large hole saws will be slow, and long coach screws are better left to an impact driver.
There is no hammer mode, so wall plugs in brick need another tool.
Batteries and case
Two 3.0 Ah packs strike a balance between run time and weight, keeping the drill light enough for overhead work. A charger and Makpac case are included. The listing does not name the charger model.
Among the Makita drills
The DDF484RTJ adds all metal gears, an electric brake and two 5 Ah packs, at a slightly heavier 1.8 kg. The DDF482RFEB is a 62 Nm drill driver with 3 Ah packs but no brushless claim in its listing. The DHP483Z is a brushless combi at 726 g if you need a hammer mode and already own packs. For heavy boring, the DDF486RTJ lists 130 Nm.
The DDF485RFJ is the one to pick when you want brushless efficiency and a short body but do not need the larger 5 Ah packs. Its listed 1.7 kg makes it among the lighter Makita kits in our comparison, and the short head length helps inside carcasses and under sinks.
Verdict
Choose the DDF485RFJ if you want a compact, brushless Makita drill driver kit for everyday fixing and fitting work. If you prefer bigger batteries and an electric brake, the DDF484RTJ is the next step, and the DHP483Z is the brushless combi to pick if masonry drilling matters.
Compared with alternatives in: Makita 18V LXT drills compared
Amazon listing title: Makita DDF485RFJ Cordless Drill Driver 18 V/3 Ah with 2 Batteries + Charger in MAKPAC