Tech & Gadgets · Head-to-head
Makita XMT03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Multi-Tool vs Makita TM3010CX1 Corded Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Oscillating Multi-Tools: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The cordless Makita publishes the widest angle here at 3.2 degrees alongside the widest speed range, and adds a 3 year warranty. Its corded sibling publishes identical figures and removes the battery as a limit.
Makita XMT03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Multi-Tool
Buy itThe widest published angle and speed range here without a cord, plus three times the warranty of some premium rivals.
- A published 3.2 degree oscillation angle, the widest in this comparison alongside its corded sibling.
- The widest speed range here at 6,000 to 20,000 OPM, and the 6,000 floor is the lowest, which is what controlled scraping needs.
- 3 year warranty, and Makita publishes the angle rather than leaving it to third parties.
- Cordless, which suits a tool whose entire purpose is getting into places a cord makes awkward, and Makita publishes the OIS attachment type rather than leaving blade fit to guesswork.
- Bare tool, so batteries and charger are a separate cost if you are not already on the LXT platform.
- Sustained plunge cutting through nail-embedded timber will drain a pack faster than the job takes.
- Makita's spec table lists the motor as brushed, so run time is shorter than a brushless equivalent would give.
Makita TM3010CX1 Corded Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit
Buy itThe same published angle and speed range as the cordless Makita, from a corded motor that never runs out mid-cut.
- Makita publishes a 3.2 degree oscillation angle, tied for the widest here and well ahead of the Craftsman's 2.8.
- A 6,000 to 20,000 OPM range, the widest in this comparison, with the low floor that makes controlled scraping possible.
- Corded at 3.0 amps with soft start and electronic speed control, so output holds for as long as the job takes.
- Ships with a universal accessory adaptor and tool-less blade change, so older blade types are not stranded.
- Corded, which is awkward on a tool whose purpose is reaching into confined spaces.
- At 3.7 lb it is the heaviest tool here, and this is a tool held at arm's length in awkward positions.
- Brushed motor, so there is a wear item the cordless DEWALT does not have.
Side by side
| Makita XMT03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Multi-Tool | Makita TM3010CX1 Corded Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | General remodelling and trim work where reaching awkward spots without a cord matters as much as cutting speed. | Bench and single-location work where sustained cutting matters more than reaching around a corner without a cord. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Makita XMT03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Multi-Tool - The widest published angle and speed range here without a cord, plus three times the warranty of some premium rivals. Choose the Makita TM3010CX1 Corded Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit instead if bench and single-location work where sustained cutting matters more than reaching around a corner without a cord.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Oscillating Multi-Tools: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).