Metabo HPT’s compact brushless 18V cordless drill and impact driver kits just went on sale for Father’s Day 2021, and with aggressively low pricing that’s going to be hard to say no to.
I’ve used both the drill and impact driver, and they’re extremely competitive, capable, and user-friendly offerings. And, don’t forget that they’re also super-compact.
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Here’s what you need to know about the compact/subcompact impact driver kit:
- Best-in-class speed
- 1240 in-lbs max torque
- 5.3″ length
- Weighs 1.8 lbs
- 20% shorter and 15% lighter than its predecessor (WH18DGL)
- 3200 RPM Max
- 4000 BPM Max
- Up to 33% faster than its predecessor
- Brushless motor
- LED worklight
- Kit comes with charger, 2x 1.5Ah batteries
Sale Price: $79
Buy Now via Lowe’s
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Here are some key features and specs for the drill kit:
- Best-in-class power
- 485 in-lbs max torque
- 6.2″ length
- Weighs 1.9 lbs
- 25% shorter and 20% lighter than its predecessor (DS18DGL)
- 1/2″ keyless chuck
- 20 clutch settings
- 0-440/0-1700 RPM
- Brushless motor
- LED worklight
- Kit comes with charger, 2x 1.5Ah batteries
Sale Price: $79
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Buy Now via Lowe’s
Buy Now via Amazon
Should You Buy This Deal?
Metabo HPT is a current ToolGuyd sponsor, and so I’ll try to strip things down as objectively as possible.
The Good
You should buy either of these kits if you want a compact cordless drill or impact driver with competitive specs, small size, and comfortable ergonomics.
The power and performance for their size are respectable if not impressive.
These kits offer a LOT for $79.
The Catch
There’s no fuel gauge on the batteries or on the tool. No belt clip.
The LED worklight is a bit basic.
Perspective
Some might miss the fuel gauge, but you also get two batteries and a hard shell carrying case rather than a soft tool bag. It’s a tradeoff.
Even at the regular $129 pricing of last holiday season’s $99 pricing, you can’t have everything. It seems to me that HPT went big on performance and small on size, and they made hard choices in other areas. Personally, I’m happy with their choice – I’d rather have a tool case than a belt clip, and I’d rather save some money than pay for both.
At the $79 price point, I can forgive these HPT tools for not coming with a fuel gauge or belt clips.
Don’t Buy These Kits if…
The impact has a single range, and so you might want something else (I’d absolutely recommend HPT’s Triple Hammer impact!!) if you want added speed and torque selection features. But, you’re not getting multiple speeds in an 18V tool for anywhere close to this price.
There’s not much to detract from the cordless drill, but I’ll update this section if I can think of anything.
Competitive Analysis
The HPT offerings BEATS the newest Makita subcompact drill and impact driver on specs. The HPT drill can deliver a considerably higher max torque and matches Makita’s top speed (1700 RPM). The HPT impact driver matches the max torque of the Makita (1240 in-lbs) but beats it on speed (3200 vs. 3000 RPM). The new Makita kits each come with (1) 1.5Ah battery, both of these HPT kits come with (2) batteries. They’re also HALF the price.
Learn More:
New Metabo HPT 18V Sub-Compact Cordless Drill and Impact Driver
Reminder:
Metabo HPT has their free swag offer going on right now. Check it out If you’d love a super-soft green Metabo HPT t-shirt.
Vards Uzvards
And the triple-hammer impact (WH18DBDL2Q4 – bare tool) is currently $92.61 on Amazon, which is quite good price for the tool.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P6FHVP3/
Chrisk1970
I have the impact gun. Love it. Super 12v like compact.
Maintenance Essentials
The ergonomics of this drill are outstanding. It packs a solid punch for being lightweight and compact.
The impact is a solid performer. Nothing spectacular yet it simply works. I’ve install a few dozen windows and doors with this combo, running 3ah batts and the occasional multi volt batt. This brand has grown on me. I’ve purchased the hammer drill and impact, one handed recip, 36v recip, omt and have a few other tools lined up. I work in the real estate/property mgmt sector and by no means work my gear to the max everyday but no matter what work or task I’m performing, these tools show up
Mike McFalls
IMO- comparing this compact to the subcompact Makita is a mistake. The Subcompact Makita is designed for those on the 18v platform who want a “12v like form factor” but not to switch.
Makita has a ‘compact’ drill/driver and impacts which are comparable to this Metabo. I’m not bashing the Metabo HPT, I’ve said as recently as this week in another post that I’d give them a good look if I was looking for a new platform.
So while I think this a solid offering, I think it should be objectively compared to a like offering from another OEMs lineup.
Stuart
Metabo HPT markets these as sub-compact.
Thus, the comparison I made is Subcompact vs. Subcompact. I don’t see how it’s not fair.
For “compact” vs “compact,” I’d look at this Metabo HPT option: https://www.amazon.com/Metabo-HPT-MultiVolt-Cordless-KC18DBFL2C/dp/B09351ZJ6Z/?tag=toolguyd-20 – Triple Hammer impact + and compact brushless hammer drill.
That HPT set vs. any brands’ subcompact would be more apples to oranges.
Mike McFalls
Not lookin got argue; however Amongst other reasons why it’s misleading – the simplist is the title of the post is Metabo HPT Compact…..
Stuart
Metabo HPT describes these as Subcompact, and they’re comparatively sized to Makita’s Subcompact. To me, that’s subcompact apples to subcompact apples.
The title is irrelevant. It’s not a valid argument to say the tools are not subcompact because I saved 3 or 4 characters in the title. I can add that back in if you’d like.
I see this as an objective fact. Both brands describe their tools as subcompact, and both brands’ tools are comparatively sized. So, they’re subcompact in name (fact) and by class characteristics (opinion/personal judgement).
Nobody’s arguing, we’re discussing. If you think I’m wrong for comparing HPT’s subcompact tool specs to Makita’s subcompact tool specs, I’d like to better understand why.
I’m not infallible, but I am stubborn. There’s nothing wrong with civil arguments and discussions. Arguing (civilly) is one of the best ways to learn.
If you’re more comfortable via email, we can take the conversation private.
A-A-Ron
To use your own words, the subcompact is designed for those on the 18v platform who want a “12v like form factor” but not to switch.
Having held these tools on the display at Lowe’s earlier today, they’re more or less the same size as the Makita. If anything, the Metabo HPT are even better suited for 18v users in their platform, as they don’t offer brushless 12v tools stateside (I believe they do overseas, though).
Anyway, I’m really happy for Metabo HPT and these will likely find their way in my house in the near future. It seemed like their days at Lowe’s in particular were numbered with the ridiculous Flex hype and Craftsman’s uninspired cordless presence. Good to see them expand their shelf space!
Ed Lindler
I was impressed with your review & need a replacement for the drill that I was using. So I decided to give this one a try & purchased the last one that my local Lowe’s had in stock, as a Father’s Day gift to myself. I’ve now had a chance to use it several times & have fallen in love with it. Here’s the review that I wrote for metabo HPT:
“Great drill at a great price
I bought this drill a few weeks ago at Lowe’s. I had previously read about it on Toolguyd & needed a replacement for the drill that I had been using. I’ve used it quite a bit to help build an access ramp & guardrail/handrail as part of a Habitat job. I like everything about this drill … from the case it comes in, to the instructions, to the accessories provided, to its weight, to its power, & just how it feels & handles. & you can’t beat the value. For $79, you get the drill, 2 batteries, & charger. & 5% off when you use a Lowe’s card to purchase. What a deal!! This drill has really changed my opinion of metabo HPT.”
So, thanx so much for your review. It helped me fill a need with an option that I would likely not have considered otherwise.