Metabo HPT has launched a new MultiVolt battery, 380083M, which is described as being impact and water resistant.
The new Metabo HPT MultiVolt battery has a 2.5Ah capacity when used with 36V tools, and a 2.5Ah/5Ah (36V/18V) capacity.
Metabo HPT says “a waterproof barrier exists for the internal cell terminals and twin exit ports for water that gets inside the battery pack.”
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The added water resistance is “for better defense against moisture related short circuiting.”
There is no published IP rating for the water protection.
The battery sports updated impact protection, with a new “protective layer [that] provides 15% more shock absorption and a longer battery life than previous models.”
The new battery is priced at $140, which is the same as for Metabo HPT’s existing MultiVolt 2.5Ah/5Ah battery, 371751M.
Price: $140
Discussion
It’s unclear as to whether the upgraded battery will be replacing the existing model.
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The battery is described as being impact and water resistant, but doesn’t have an IP rating. As it’s described as having better defense against moisture, I think it might be best to assume the battery is water resistant rather than waterproof.
In other words, it’s been toughened up and made more durable, but until informed or corrected otherwise, I’m considering this to be an upgrade and replacement battery, rather than a battery for specific applications where actually waterproofing is required.
Jronman
I can’t complain about an upgraded battery for the same price as the model it is expected to replace. Good move on Metabo HPT’s part to give more value to the customer.
Rob
It feels like the HiKoki branded ones have been on the market since the dawn of mankind.
Mike
Apparently they’ve been real leaders in water and dust resistance ratings for their cordless tools. I’ve seen a YouTube vid where owner left tool out in hurricane and it still works.
I’ve been pleased to be able to use my stuff out in the rain, but batteries are always the weak link. I haven’t had a problem, but I’m no frog man either. It’s amazing they can still have air cooling while making all those electronics water resistant.
It would probably mean a new interface system, but I wonder if someone couldn’t come up with some kind of gasket system with a cam to cinch down battery? Gaskets would probably take a lot of abuse and would need to be easily replaceable.
Maybe there’s just not that much need for truly waterproof power tools.
Bonnie
I’m not sure how water-sensitive modern tool batteries are in general. I’ve left my flexvolt stuff out in the rain overnight by accident with zero issues before.
Harrison
I had a friend who worked as a commercial diver for a few years,
Obviously, there are dedicated waterproof power tools for the diving industry. As you might imagine, these are very expensive niche products.
He told me that in a pinch they would grab a cheap brushless drill kit, tape up the battery and get at it. The tool wouldn’t survive long term, but they’d get at least a day of underwater productivity. Wasteful, but at the hourly rates they were charging, it was inconsequential.
Tom
You may have been lucky. I’ve encountered a ton of Flexvolt batteries badly affected by water, showing up as corrosion at the internal cell terminals.
As far as IP ratings go for these new Metabo batteries: the drainage holes they mention kind of negates the ability to claim ingress protection from water, as well as the need to have battery connection ports.
In practice though, batteries are better protected from splashing or rain once connected to a tool.
I’d be interested to see how they are protecting the cell terminals, maybe potting? A lot of batteries use potting on the electronics.
Dave
I cut open a cast drain line with my super sawzall and a little residual water fell on it, KO’d the tool and the battery. The tool was fixable, but the battery was a total loss. So not as water resistant as one might expect.
AC
I’m mostly Metabo HPT and Dewalt at 18v, but got the Kobalt 7″ miter saw on deep clearance: It is solid with more features and larger cut capacity than the well-reviewed Dewalt 7″ saw. The HPT 7″ miter saw looks amazing, but $1K is too expensive for my needs.
eddie sky
Seeing that Dewalt’s powerstack that is oil-resistant at $249… could see either moving to HPT or having Dewalt cut some pricing to be competitive. Right?
Oh, anyone have a suggestion on cordless miter (7.25″ or metric blade size) for trim work? There is Dewalt model 7 1/4″, Milwaukee 7 1/4″ (Fakespot reviews give 2 stars on HD site), and HPT 7 1/4″ 36V model (WTF? over $1000???).
Big Richard
The Metabo HPT is a precision trim saw. Never used it, but heard it’s nice af.
The DeWalt is a solid saw, have had mine for 6 or 7 years now. It is getting a little long in the tooth. Still using a brushed motor and only single bevel. Still waiting for them to update it, think it would be a great addition to the Atomic line.
If I was buying one today, I’d probably go for the Kobalt. Brushless, dual bevel, large capacity, and relatively inexpensive.
Stuart
The oil-resistant PowerStack battery, in addition to being made with a tougher and more resistant housing, has pouch cells. This battery has 18650-sized cells. Comparing the two is like apples vs carrots.
I like the M18 Fuel miter saw. There are reasons to go with the Metabo HPT, but not if you’re primarily price-conscious.
Goodie
I have the 10 inch single bevel Metabo HPT saw (C1810DFAQ4). It’s not as nice as the 7 1/4″ 36v saw, which gets very good reviews. I like that it’s only 18 pounds and has a drop shadow. Nice saw, not fancy, not a slider.
For precision, I would probably go Makita XGT, but that gets you into the XGT platform and the whole XGT/LXT silliness.
Chip
Bits and bits offer a full kerf 7 1/4 blade for trim. It’s $200 but probably has 30 sharpening in it.https://bitsbits.com/product/negative-hook-miter-saw-blade-185mm/
Scott taylor
The ryobi 10 in hp+ sliding mitre saw is on sale at HD for 219 and works great. If you are not a contractor I think is a great saw, might not take the abuse that others do but at half the price it is great.
Chris S
I’ve seen them in multiple stores (South East) that are on clearance for $200.
Scott Taylor
Here’s the HD link that includes the battery
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-HP-18V-Brushless-Cordless-10-in-Sliding-Compound-Miter-Saw-Kit-with-4-0-Ah-HIGH-PERFORMANCE-Battery-and-Charger-PBLMS01K/319830428
Mark N
Out of curiosity, any word on cell type used in this pack? The previous version was 18650 and the 4/8Ah was 21700. I believe basically they are setting up two tiers of battery: The 2Ah 18V and 2.5/5Ah 18/36V which are 1P and 2P 18650 packs, and the new 4Ah 18V and 4/8Ah 18/36V which are 1P and 2P 21700 packs.
This isn’t based on any actual information (other than the 4/8Ah Multivolt stating it uses 21700 cells), just logical deduction based on the dimensions of the pack and the performance under load of each. I’d love if HPT would just state clearly what cell types they use on all of their packs.
NoDak Farming
I accidentally came across this battery on Amazon a few weeks ago. I have mostly Metabo HPT tools, so I was kinda excited about it. I did notice that some of its specs seemed a little vague. But it’s still a noticeable upgrade in my opinion. I’m really hoping that Metabo HPT starts getting this battery out in front of customers and bundling it with some tools. Or using it in some tool purchase promotions. Personally I want to purchase a new impact wrench, and so that’s ideally what I’d like to see it bundled with.
If anyone is curious, Metabo HPT’s Amazon store is also where you can find their new cordless vacuum and some other new releases. They also have a new 1/2 impact wrench kit. It’s description is horribly vague. But it’s bundled with 2X 4.0Ah batteries that appear quite slim and have charge indicators on them.
I tried finding more info on the new Amazon Metabo HPT impact wrench kit (part number WR18DH ) and came across language that suggests it’s an Amazon exclusive. Visiting Japans Amazon.com I found language suggesting that the HiKoki version is Amazon exclusive also.
Like some other readers out there, I’m an impressed MetaboHPT user. I first bought into them when they were still Hitachi, and the tripe hammer impact driver was getting all kinds of great reviews. It was actually Stuart’s Oct 17, 2017 article on Hitachi’s Affordable Battery Program that cinched the deal for me, and led me to buy into Hitachi as my first cordless tool brand. Hitachi was going to offer a 3.0Ah battery for $40, any day of the week. No promotions necessary. Which was a good deal and very customer focused. Of course things change, and with a new name and new owners, that particular deal isn’t around anymore. And now things change more, and MetaboHPT wants me to sleuth around on Amazon to find their latest offerings. It’s a personal gripe. I just wish MetaboHPT would spring for a TV or internet ad once in a while. Or convince one of their brick and mortar partners, to put some of the newest tools out in their weekly fliers. Anything would help.
On a plus note I will say that MetaboHPT does have a nice Partner Promotions page on their website. And because I live fairly close to a physical Acme Tools store, I do check it frequently enough. Just in case a deal pops up, that lines up with one of my needs (wants), and would allow me to stop into Acme, to pick it up.
*Stuart, I’ve been a reader here since at least 2017. Keep up the great work. I thoroughly enjoy your articles. And I always enjoy reading the comments section too. It’s a great bunch of tool, garage, and shop (& farm!) enthusiasts here.
Saulac
I pretty sure that these multi volt batteries have more built in electronics. And it would be wasteful to “recycle “ the whole thing at the end of the battery cells life. As batterie cells are getting better and better, will we ever see a day when the cells are more replaceable than now.
Michael F
I’m almost positive this is simply a product refresh of the existing MultiVolt 2.5/5.0 battery and not a new product. From the marketing materials I’ve seen it looks like this battery is replacing the existing in all new 36V kits.
Adam Van
I think it’s actually a new product, on the metabo hpt site they list this new battery and the old one still. The new one has the rubberized cover and the internal membrane, but they still have the old 36v batteries too, and so far only the 2.5/5Ah battery, not the larger 4/8Ah batteries in the water/impact resistant shell.
HiKoki has both the 2.5/5Ah and the 4/8Ah batteries, they also say the cell type is 21700. They list the warranty there as only 1 year, in NA on MetaboHPT site they show a 2 year warranty. I had to get a warranty replacement one of these a year or so ago and it was pretty painless.
On the impact wrench they put the ip56 rating right on there, but I don’t see that anywhere for these batteries, I wonder if it’s an issue of not wanting to certify it, or it not meeting a good standard or both.
db11
Battery looks nice and the weather resistance is definitely a plus — especially since many of their tools already have good IP ratings.
I have a bunch of 36V Metabo HPT tools and would love to see them release two additional MultiVolt battery options:
1. a higher capacity 5.0/10.0Ah or 6.0/12.0AH battery for my mitre saw and 1-9/16″ SDS Max Rotary Hammer.
2. a smaller, lighter 2.0/4.0Ah compact battery option for my 36V Bolt Triple Hammer impact. The only thing missing from making it the sweetest one out there.
It’s too bad that when they introduced the 4.0Ah 18v compact battery last fall that they didn’t make it MultiVolt.
Michael F
The minimum cell requirement to generate 36V is 10 cells. That’s why you won’t be seeing a compact MultiVolt battery. It’s the same reason the Makita XGT line can’t have a compact battery. I still suspect some day they might figure out how to do a more compact pouch cell battery for the 36V/40V systems.
Goodie
Posting here, even though it’s an older thread. This seems to be the best place to put it. I really like the Hikoki/Metabo HPT lock buttons on the side of the batteries. Some folks gripe about them, but I find that to remove the battery from the tool, it is pretty natural to grab the sides of the battery (and easily push the button) while holding the tool by the handle in my dominant hand. Very excited to see the new Metabo HPT track saw reviewed.