Metabo HPT has come out with new 18V sub-compact brushless cordless drill and impact driver.
They say that these tools go where others can’t and are suited for when time and space are tight. Metabo HPT also says they deliver extraordinary power and torque in a remarkably compact size.
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There are 3 new SKUs:
- 18V Sub-Compact Cordless Drill – DS18DDX
- 18V Sub-Compact Impact Driver – WH18DDX
- 2pc Combo Kit – KC18DDX
So what’s the big deal about these tools?
Quite simply, they’re smaller than Metabo HPT’s current tools, but still highly capable.
Metabo HPT 18V Sub-Compact Cordless Drill (DS18DDX)
- 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
- 0-1700 RPM
- Brushless motor
- LED worklight
- Kit comes with charger, 2x 1.5Ah batteries
Price: $99 for the kit (at the time of this posting, MSRP is $129)
Metabo HPT 18V Sub-Compact Impact Driver (WH18DDX)
- 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
Price: $99 for the kit (at the time of this posting, MSRP is $139)
Price: $179 for the 2-tool combo kit
Buy Now: Drill Kit via Amazon
Buy Now: Impact Kit via Amazon
Buy Now: Combo Kit via Amazon
Discussion
There’s also a new slogan behind these tools: Green Means GO.
Metabo HPT says that the new drill was:
designed with an ergonomic grip and center balanced design for ultimate user comfort, especially during prolonged or overhead use.
And, it does look quite compact indeed. The same is true for the impact driver. Both tools seem to have been designed to be small, but functional.
Both feature brushless motors, which allow for the smaller size.
Metabo HPT says that these tools will be part of a new series of sub-compact cordless power tools. It will be interesting to see what other tools will added to this lineup down the road.
Should you buy these tools? They do seem quite capable for tools as small as they are, at least going by on-paper specs.
For comparison purposes, Metabo HPT’s 18V brushless drill/driver Holiday season special buy kit is currently $79 at Amazon. While more powerful, it’s a little larger and considerably heavier.
This is the Metabo HPT DS18DGL cordless drill kit, which is described as the predecessor to the new model (DS18DDX). The new drill/driver is said to be 25% shorter and 20% lighter, and the aesthetics are also very different.
To me, the new models look more “modern,” subdued, and even more professional.
If Metabo HPT can maintain the current price points of $99 each for the drill and impact driver combo kits, even if only during holiday shopping seasons, these tools should sell well.
The idea of “sub-compact” 18V-class cordless power tools is here to stay. This is an interesting and welcome new development by Metabo HPT.
Note: Metabo HPT was formerly known as Hitachi Power Tools.
Buy Now: Drill Kit via Amazon
Buy Now: Impact Kit via Amazon
Buy Now: Combo Kit via Amazon
Videos
Following are promo videos for each tool, starting with the combo kit.
A-A-ron says
I’m glad to see Metabo HPT put out new cordless tools. They look great, too.
I know Bosch has been brought up a lot and I can’t help but notice how these 2 brands are going in opposite directions.
fred says
When Stuart posted about the KKR buyout of Hitachi-Metabo tools in 2017 – I had some trepidation that that would spell the end of the two tool lines. My worry was that KKR would milk the cow dry then sell off any remaining value. But that does not seem to have happened – which is good news. While I never owned any Hitachi or Metabo cordless tools – I do own some Hitachi-branded accessories and in our businesses we owned and liked many Hitachi pneumatic tools and some Metabo grinders.
Tom D says
Any idea why this tool is so much more? https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/metabo-602396520
They seem similar to above at least superficially.
Vards Uzvards says
You’re looking at Metabo tools (German company – https://www.metabo.com/), but the article is about new Hikoki tools, branded as Metabo-HPT here in USA (https://www.hikoki-powertools.com/).
Tom D says
Inflammable means flammable? What a country!
I didn’t know they were different.
fred says
Hitachi is a very big diversified company that decided it wanted to get out of the hand tool business. Their hand tool subsidiary Hitachi-Koki was divested – with Hitachi accepting a tender offer ($1.3 billion) from KKR in 2017. The new company – Koki Holdings has the tool brands Metabo-HPT (I think for the North American Market) and HiKoki (for other markets) plus Metabo and Tanaka
Metabo had previously been acquired by Hitachi in 2016 for a reported $180 million.
Doug N says
Dr Nick!
Stuart says
Different brand, different class of tool, different battery sizes.
Metabo HPT = HiKoki, formerly Hitachi Power Tools
Metabo = Metabo
Same parent company, different cordless platforms.
Jared says
My first impression was “well it doesn’t look THAT compact, but I suppose Metabo needs tools in this category to be competitive.”
BUT! As I read more I thought: “Those are actually pretty good specs and a very good price-point for what you get.”
Chrisk1970 says
I’ve got that impactor. I also run the Dewalt DCF877 and the Metabo triple hammer. The new gun is stupid compact for an 18v. Seriously small, great little gun it is being used in my shop for cabinet building and I really do like it. Very similar in size to the Makita sub compact.
Chrisk1970 says
DCF887. Fat fingers 😉
Benjamin Romshak says
Although I’m glad to see continued releases from Metabo HPT, myself being a huge HIKOKI Fan. I feel like Metabo HPT needs to focus on bringing more of the up-to-date lines from Hikoki to NA. They have a 12v (10.8) line up that smokes Dewalts Xtreme line, along with several Bluetooth enabled Multivolt Saws, Vacuum, and Batteries to enable non bluetooth tools. They offer a wide range of heavy hitting cordless tools that would give the team yellow on the opposite side of the isle at the big blue box store a run. They have a gen two Triple hammer that should have been released here stateside already but for whatever reason hasnt. NA is such a large market for cordless, I feel that Metabo HPT is really hurting themselves by not being more aggressive with bringing all the top great models offered else where to here. Of course same could be said of the German Metabo as well, a plethora of miter saws, cordless hepa vacs and now a track saw that we might never see stateside.
fred says
So its not only Bosch who are laggards in bringing their EU offerings to North America.
MI Dad says
I guess I need to see them / get perspective. Because the batteries look enormous on the “sub compact” ones. Unless they’re just THAT small that they just look wonky with normal batteries.
Tom D says
I agree – the pack style (Dewalt) 12v tools always look larger than they are – comparison photos would be great.
Mike (the other one) says
I wonder how the change from Hitachhi to Metabo has affected sales. I do think they look better, and less Transformers-ish.
Vards Uzvards says
I don’t think the look changed much (except the string of letters), if you look at the same model, before and after:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZ7WNCK/ — Hitachi
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q4Z9W35/ — Metabo-HPT
If you compare Hitachi to Metabo – these are very different tools, sold at different price points, to different users. And their batteries aren’t even compatible (unlike Hitachi and Metabo-HPT, which are interchangeable).
MI Dad says
Wow. Didn’t know that about the batteries not being compatible. Seems like a huge mistake. I don’t see much aesthetic difference either (so far). As with many things, the brand is the value, and I still cannot fathom why they shifted to Metabo when Hitachi has a history and name recognition. I’m sure expensive market research says otherwise and I’m sure they had their reasons but from the ground… doesn’t make much sense down here.
Tom D says
Hitachi sold them and let them continue using the Hitachi name under license for awhile. They had to change eventually but I never realized Metabo and Metabo-HPT were incompatible.
DAVID says
Technology improvements are bringing us highly capable tools with a physical size that would seem like alien tech not long ago. I’m frequently using pocket screws inside small furniture pieces and smaller drivers are great when space is tight. I just picked up the 2nd gen Flexiclick set for this reason, but smaller is available from nearly all brands now. Good news.