Tools & DIY · 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 published angle here at 3.2 degrees alongside the widest published 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 a 3 year warranty.
- 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, matching its cordless sibling.
- 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 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
The 8 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Makita XMT03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Multi-Tool Our pick | 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 |
| Published oscillation angle | 3.2 degrees | 3.2 degrees |
| Speed range | 6,000 to 20,000 OPM | 6,000 to 20,000 OPM |
| Power source | 18V cordless | Corded, 3.0 amp |
| Motor type | Brushed | Brushed |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
| Universal adaptor included | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4.9 lb with battery | 3.7 lb |
| Attachment type stated | OIS, adaptor included | Universal adaptor included |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Makita XMT03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Multi-Tool if
general remodelling and trim work where reaching awkward spots without a cord matters as much as cutting speed.
Know before buying: bare tool, so batteries and charger are a separate cost if you are not already on the LXT platform.
Pick the Makita TM3010CX1 Corded Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit if
bench and single-location work where sustained cutting matters more than reaching around a corner without a cord.
Know before buying: corded, which is awkward on a tool whose purpose is reaching into confined spaces.
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 a 3 year warranty. 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).