Makita's 36V Innovation: How the 18V X2 LXT System Changed Cordless Power Tools Forever
Mar 12, 2026
Most companies that hit on a winning formula play it safe. Makita didn't. When they launched the 18V LXT Lithium-Ion system in 2005, they created what would become the world's largest cordless tool platform. But instead of just cranking out more 18V tools, they asked a better question: what if we could double the voltage without forcing contractors to abandon their entire battery ecosystem?
That's how the 18V X2 LXT system was born, and when Makita history took its boldest turn since the company sold its first portable electric planer back in 1958. This innovation didn't just deliver 36V power: it proved that cordless tools could finally go toe-to-toe with corded equivalents in the most demanding applications.
Makita History: From Electric Motors to Cordless Innovation
Before we talk about how the 18V X2 system changed the game, it helps to understand where Makita came from. Founded in 1915 by Mosaburo Makita in Nagoya, Japan, the company started as an electric motor sales and repair shop. For over 40 years, that’s exactly what they did: motors, transformers, and lighting equipment.
The shift happened in 1958 when Makita released Japan's first portable electric planer. That single tool redirected the entire company toward power tool manufacturing, and they never looked back. By 1969, they launched the 6500D battery-powered drill, marking their first serious move into cordless technology. The 7.2V cordless drill with a removable Ni-Cd battery followed in 1978, and by the early 2000s, Makita was ready to make a decision that would define the next two decades.
In 2005, Makita pioneered the 18V Lithium-Ion category with the TD130D impact driver. The LXT system offered lighter batteries, faster charging, and longer runtime than anything else on the market. What started as a handful of tools quickly expanded into hundreds of products, all powered by the same slide-style 18V batteries. It became the largest cordless tool platform in the world, and contractors built entire operations around it.
The 18V X2 Solution: Doubling Down Without Starting Over
Higher-demand applications, such as concrete drilling and heavy demolition, required more power. The traditional answer would've been launching a new voltage platform, 24V, 28V, or 36V, that required all-new batteries and chargers. Makita went a different direction.
In 2013, Makita introduced the 18V X2 LXT system. It runs on two 18V batteries simultaneously, delivering 36V of power without compromising compatibility with the 18V platform. Contractors who'd invested in LXT batteries didn't need to replace anything; they just needed two batteries instead of one for higher-power tools.
This wasn't just about convenience; it was about solving a real performance gap. Rotary hammers, large grinders, and outdoor power equipment require serious voltage to match corded performance. Regarding corded models, by 2015, Makita introduced the HR4013C, a rotary hammer featuring its groundbreaking Anti-Vibration Technology (AVT).
The XRH08: The Refinement of Cordless Power
While the X2 system began years earlier, models like the XRH08 (released in 2019) represent the pinnacle of this evolution. The XRH08 is a 1-1/8" rotary hammer powered by two 18V LXT batteries, delivering 36V of brushless motor power with 2.3 ft-lbs of impact energy.
What makes these modern units different is the integration of high-end tech:
- AVT (Anti-Vibration Technology): An internal counterbalance system that significantly reduces vibration to just 9 m/s².
- Star Protection Computer Controls: Real-time monitoring between the tool and battery to prevent overloading and overheating.
- Extreme Protection Technology (XPT): Engineered for improved dust and water resistance in harsh jobsite conditions.
While we don't have this tool at AcmeTools.com, consider checking out the XRH10ZW. This is the next-generation, newest model of Makita's 36V rotary hammer discussed above.
Why the 18V X2 System Rewrote the Rules
Before the 18V X2 rotary hammer, cordless concrete tools were mostly for light-duty work. Serious drilling meant dragging out the corded hammer and finding an outlet. The 18V X2 lineup changed that calculation entirely.
Contractors could now run heavy rotary hammers, 7" grinders, and even lawn mowers without cords, without sacrificing power, and without buying into an entirely new battery platform. The same 18V LXT batteries that powered their drills could run their most demanding equipment.
Shop Top Makita Products for Your Toolkit
Ready to experience Makita's innovation for yourself? Check out these top picks at AcmeTools.com:
The Makita History Lesson: Innovation Without Compromise
What makes Makita's history worth studying isn't just the tools they've built, but the philosophy behind them. From the first electric planer in 1958 to the 18V X2 system in 2013 and the high-output XGT 40V platform today, Makita has consistently pushed boundaries without forcing users to start over.
The 18V X2 system proved that innovation doesn't always mean reinventing everything from scratch; sometimes, the smartest move is to make what's already great work even harder. Over a century later, that approach is still working. Learn more about Makita's history here!
About The Makita Brand
Makita has been building professional-grade power tools since 1915, earning the respect of tradespeople who need equipment that performs in real working conditions. The brand's commitment to cordless innovation is evident in its dual-battery platforms: 18V LXT for versatility across hundreds of tools and 40V XGT for applications that demand maximum power. Makita tools are engineered for the people who frame houses, finish trim, and build structures that last, delivering the performance and runtime that keep jobs moving forward without the limitations of cords and compressors.
