tool hire - head to head
Festool vs Makita
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| Festool | Makita | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | Germany | Japan |
| UK availability | Good UK dealer coverage | Widely available - large UK network |
| Range covers | plunge and track saws, dust extraction, sanders, jointing systems | Cordless and corded power tools, Outdoor power equipment, Site lighting and accessories |
| Best known for | TS 55 FEBQ-Plus | LXT and XGT battery platforms |
Choose Festool if...
Festool is bought by joiners, shopfitters and finish carpenters who want a matched system of track saws, extraction and sanders rather than individual tools. Its higher price is generally justified to buyers by dust extraction integration and finish quality rather than raw power.
Look at: TS 55 FEBQ-Plus, DF 500 RQ-Set, CTL 26 EI
Full Festool profile →Choose Makita if...
One of the two cordless platforms most British trades have already committed to, and battery platform lock-in is the real story in power tools - once a van is full of LXT batteries, the next tool is usually a Makita too.
Look at: LXT and XGT battery platforms
Full Makita profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK tool hire companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
Festool vs Makita - common questions
Is Festool better than Makita?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. Festool is bought by joiners, shopfitters and finish carpenters who want a matched system of track saws, extraction and sanders rather than individual tools. Its higher price is generally justified to buyers by dust extraction integration and finish quality rather than raw power. One of the two cordless platforms most British trades have already committed to, and battery platform lock-in is the real story in power tools - once a van is full of LXT batteries, the next tool is usually a Makita too.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Festool or Makita?
Festool: Sold through specialist woodworking and joinery merchants rather than general trade counters, reflecting its position as a premium system aimed at joiners and shopfitters rather than a general-site brand. Makita: Available everywhere tools are sold or hired in Britain.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK tool hire companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.