6 Awesome Makita Innovations You Never Knew You Needed

Narrowing down the selection of Makita tools that we find irresistible was a tough task. Some remarkable Makita gadgets that missed our selection this time around include a brightly colored heated jacket, a cordless coffee maker, and a clever lantern with a built-in radio suitable for late-night fishing excursions or spending an entire night working on your vehicle to ensure you’re ready for work or school.

Advertisement

We will also steer clear of some advanced Makita offerings that do not quite fit the innovative gadget criteria we are aiming for. Despite the fact that the Makita lineup includes various practical tools such as pressure washers, oscillating multi-tools, sliding compound miter saws, and self-propelled commercial lawnmowers among others.

Most of the intriguing Makita gadgets featured here are labeled as “Tool-Only,” indicating that they do not include a battery or charging unit. One factor to take into account before acquiring Makita tools, or any brand of cordless tools, is the compatibility of the batteries. If you are already a member of the 18-volt Makita power tool family, you are well on your way to building the battery collection needed to power these gadgets.

Advertisement

The first fascinating Makita gadget on our list doesn’t actually originate from the Makita tool catalog, but rather comes from Boss Horn. The Boss Horn dual metal trumpet train horn utilizes a Makita drill as its power source. It arrives ready for use straight out of the packaging without any additional assembly necessary and comes with a remote control featuring a range of up to 160 feet. You need not worry that it’s not a directly branded Makita product since all 16 reviewers on Boss Horn’s website awarded the train horn a five-star rating.

Advertisement

When purchasing your Makita train horn from Boss Horn, you have the option to select the color of the 14-inch dual metal trumpets, either black or chrome. The black variant is priced at $185 without a battery or charger, while opting for chrome trumpets raises the price to $215 for the tool-only version. Adding the compatible 18-volt battery and charger to either option will raise the total by $80.

The Makita train horn is designed to work with a new Makita drill and can deliver up to a 150dB train-horn blast, which is louder than many firearms. While Boss Horn claims that the Makita train horn is “perfect for sporting events, graduations, and political rallies,” we advise caution before such applications. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association indicates that “impulse noise [measured as dB peak pressure (dBP)] greater than 140dBP can cause immediate hearing damage.”

Advertisement

Yes, we skipped the cordless coffee maker but included the Makita hot water kettle. Why? Because the hot water kettle offers greater versatility than a coffee maker. Whether you’re tailgating at a favorite sporting event, camping off the grid, or simply trying to get through a chilly day at a jobsite, there are numerous applications for steaming hot water. First, you could brew a hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa to stay warm.

Advertisement

The 36-volt Makita hot water kettle operates with two 5.0Ah 18-volt LXT Makita batteries (not included) and can boil 27 fluid ounces of 50°F water in just nine minutes. This kettle incorporates “dual-layer construction” to maintain the water’s temperature without consuming additional power. Additionally, its “boil-dry protection” feature safeguards against overheating when there is insufficient water present for safe operation.

The Makita hot water kettle is priced at $229 on Amazon, but is available currently for $126. While the Amazon model is a brighter teal shade, it shares the same specifications listed on Makita’s site and benefits from 33 customer reviews, earning a 4.5-star rating.

A portable power station is another useful gadget to have while tailgating or camping. Although larger power stations provide options for powering regular household appliances, the ability to connect to a USB outlet to charge a smartphone or other compatible electronic devices is often just what we need. That is where the Makita Outdoor Adventure 18-volt cordless power source proves beneficial.

Advertisement

Makita’s 18-volt power source comes with two USB ports delivering 2.1 amps each, totaling 4.2 amps when both ports are utilized. The USB ports have rubber covers specifically designed to limit water and dust penetration. The Makita 18-volt cordless power source is priced at $44.40 on Amazon, although it is often available at a lower price. Naturally, a compatible 18-volt battery is required to operate the system. Beyond the two USB ports, the power source is equipped with an integrated belt clip and a convenient on/off switch.

If you’re uncertain whether something so straightforward is worth the cost, consider the reviews. The Makita cordless power source has accumulated nearly 13,000 reviews on Makita’s Amazon store while maintaining a 4.7-star rating there.

Advertisement

Another impressive device from Makita’s Outdoor Adventure collection is the cooler/warmer. The Makita cooler/warmer is adept at maintaining its contents either chilled, cool, or steaming hot while employing various power options. These power options encompass the choice to utilize one or two 18-volt Makita LXT batteries (the additional battery prolongs the unit’s operating time), a 12V/24V DC automobile adapter, or corded AC electricity to connect to a typical household electrical outlet.

Advertisement

The Makita cooler/warmer has a capacity of 21 quarts (20 liters), four cooling levels, including 15°F, 30°F, 40°F, and 50°F, along with two heating levels at 130°F and 140°F. The cooler/warmer is equipped with an LED display that shows the internal temperature and the status of the batteries when running on 18-volt power. Additionally, the unit features built-in USB ports for charging electronic devices, durable wheels for easy mobility, a robust handle, and an integrated bottle opener. When not in use, the cooler/warmer weighs 32 pounds with both optional batteries attached.

Amazon lists the Makita cooler/warmer for purchase at $824. This cooler/warmer boasts 292 customer evaluations, maintaining a 4.6-star rating, with 80% of reviewers awarding it the full 5 stars.

Advertisement

Makita produces a range of cordless vacuums, yet the company’s compact stick vacuums are likely to astonish most individuals, and their user-friendliness adds to their appeal. The Makita 18-volt LXT cordless stick vacuum has garnered the highest ratings on Amazon (at 4.8 stars), specifically the model XLC02XB, priced at $164.46 with the included Cyclonic Vacuum Attachment.

Advertisement

According to the specifications for the XLC02ZB stick vacuum from Makita, the vacuum can provide up to 33 minutes of uninterrupted use from a compatible 18-volt 5.0Ah LXT battery (sold separately). This lightweight stick vacuum weighs 2.7 pounds when the battery is attached and features two-stage cloth filtration that eliminates the need for vacuum bags. The unit also includes an extension, a floor nozzle, and a crevice attachment for added convenience.

We understand that not everyone may consider a cordless stick vacuum to be a remarkable gadget, but anyone who has lived in a compact space can appreciate its versatility. Besides its cordless functionality, the Makita stick vacuum is effective on both carpeted and hard-surface floors. As an added perk, the crevice tool enables the vacuum to access those hard-to-reach areas.

Advertisement

The last Makita device on our roster is quite impressive, but it also carries a hefty price tag, so it’s essential to thoroughly assess how much time and money it could potentially save you before making a purchase. The Makita cordless multi-surface scanner, listed at $1,229.99 on Amazon, is one of those tools that could not only conserve your time and finances but also enhance safety while undertaking tasks at home or on the job site.

Advertisement

What makes the Makita cordless multi-surface scanner intriguing? Makita states it’s “capable of detecting various embedded objects up to 7″ deep” in base materials, including both wet and dry concrete, wood or drywall partitions, and hollow blocks. This means the scanner can identify rebar embedded in concrete or shielded electrical wiring within a wall prior to drilling or cutting into those materials.

The Makita scanner boasts robust construction with a rubberized overmolding that is dust- and water-resistant to safeguard your investment. It also features a four-inch illuminated color display that allows users to visualize embedded objects in real-time; however, some reviewers express concerns regarding the screen’s clarity. Overall, 75% of Amazon reviewers rated the device with either 4 or 5 stars, while 13% found it inadequate in some aspect, resulting in the Makita scanner achieving an overall rating of 3.9 stars.

Advertisement

We sifted through the Makita tool catalog and various online resources to find some lesser-known gadgets that exhibited a certain degree of coolness, ensuring our list had a little something for everyone. You’re unlikely to find any of these showcased in the tool section of a major retail store alongside similar offerings from other tool manufacturers.

Advertisement

In our quest to review reliable products, and not just novelty items, we turned to customer reviews wherever possible. Although some products may not have many customer reviews due to their rare nature, the feedback we uncovered suggests these remarkable Makita gadgets merit our attention.