Makita 40V XGT/18V LXT Tower Work Light Sets a New Brightness Record

Makita 18V/40V Tower Light Delivers Outstanding Brightness Right Where You Need It

Makita’s work light lineup is extensive, covering just about every lighting level for a variety of jobsites and work conditions. Until now, the brand has only had two 18V tower light models— and one of them is being discontinued for 2026. Recently, Makita announced a new tower light, compatible with both the 18V LXT and 40V XGT battery systems. It also boasts some innovative design details we haven’t seen before from Team Teal.

While we don’t have an official release date or price yet, I’ll walk you through the features and specs before it hits shelves to see who it would be a good fit for.

Makita 40V/18V Tower Light Overview

Output

The Makita 40V XGT/18V LXT Multi-Directional Tower Light (ML014G) is in a class of its own in the brand’s work light lineup, with the brightest light output from Makita to date. It features a power dial that lets you adjust your brightness between 1,100 lumens and 15,000 lumens.

At the top end, the 15,000-lumen metric is 5,000 lumens brighter than Makita’s next brightest work light, the DML809, which tops out at 10,000 lumens (which is still impressive). Makita describes the ML014G as delivering clear and bright Daylight White light, which can make it easier to distinguish colors and surface textures than warmer yellow-toned lighting.

One of the main design features of this light is its ability to direct light where you need it. You can set the telescoping height between 3.4 feet (when folded) and 8 feet (when fully extended). At the top, you’ll find three light panels that each rotate up to 180° to focus light more tightly or spread it more broadly.

Power Source and Runtime

For power, this light is compatible with both 18V LXT and 40V XGT batteries. This multi-platform power method is a design Makita has implemented in the past for other lighting, audio, and jobsite tools (like the CF003 fan), and it definitely makes sense to bring it into the design of this tower light.

The battery compartment features a 40V max XGT slot and an 18V LXT slot, letting you power the light no matter which of the two battery systems you use. There is no AC port or adapter, though, meaning you’re confined to the runtime limits of your battery.

As expected, the runtimes will be different depending on the pack you use. Makita claims up to 28 hours on the lowest setting, and up to 2 hours at the 15k-lumen max, using a 40V max 8.0Ah battery. While Makita doesn’t provide any runtime estimates for 18V batteries on their own, we do know that you can equip both a 40V and an 18V battery simultaneously. With this configuration, the light runs from one battery at a time and automatically switches over to the other port once the first pack is depleted.

Additional Features

Lockable Battery Compartment: Protects the battery by ensuring water can’t reach it
IP56 Ingress Rating: Protects the light from dust and water damage in adverse weather and jobsite conditions.
One-Button Release Carrying Handle: Convenient handle for transport that makes setup easy.
Shoulder Strap: Offsets the light’s weight when transporting it between work areas.

Makita 40V/18V Tower Light Price

At the time of writing, Makita has not published any pricing information for the 18V/40V Tower Light. However, we do know that it will be sold as a bare tool, so be sure to pick up an 18V LXT or 40V XGT battery and charger if you’re not already on one of these platforms. Makita backs your tower light purchase with a 3-year warranty.

Should You Buy It?

If you’re already invested in Makita’s 18V LXT or 40V XGT platforms, the ML014G looks like a strong choice for serious jobsite lighting. Its 15,000-lumen output, 8-foot reach, and multi-directional light panels give it plenty of versatility for larger work areas. The lack of AC power is a limitation, but the dual-platform battery compatibility helps offset that.

However, the biggest question is the price, which Makita hasn’t announced yet. Makita tends to target the premium jobsite market, and I don’t think the case will be different here. If you’re after something more budget-friendly and don’t mind the trade-off of lower lumen levels, look for multi-platform models from other brands, such as Metabo HPT’s UB18DGQ4 or the Ryobi PCL691 Tri-Power Tripod Light.

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