Metabo has come out with a new cordless air compressor, 160-5 18 LTX BL OF. Thank you to everyone who has sent in tips about Metabo’s social media posts featuring the new tool! We have not yet seen any press materials, but there seems to be enough details for a quick discussion.
Metabo describes their new cordless compressor as having very low weight and with additional battery pack storage.
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Metabo says that the second battery can be stored directly on the air compressor, but it’s not clear if the “storage port” is a dummy connection or whether the air compressor can automatically switch power between the primary and secondary battery ports once the first battery is depleted. We have seen a similar system on Ridgid’s 18V cordless air compressor.
The new Metabo cordless air compressor has a 1.3 gallon air tank. It fills at 2.1 cfm and has a “suction rate,” or max air delivery of 4.2 cfm. The “effective delivery volume” is said to be 1.6 cfm at 80% of max pressure. The compressor has a max pressure of 116 PSI.
- 1.3 gallon air tank
- 116 PSI max pressure
- Weighs 9.9 kg (21.8 lbs) w/ battery
- Oil-free piston compressor
- Tank and output pressure gauges
- Brushless motor
Price: TBA
ETA: TBA
It has not yet been confirmed whether the new Metabo cordless air compressor will be available in the USA.
Compare(Dewalt FlexVolt Air Compressor via Amazon)
Compare(Dewalt FlexVolt Compressor via Acme Tools)
Compare(Ridgid Cordless Compressor via Home Depot)
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Noise Level
- Sound pressure level: 69.4 dB(A)
- Sound power level (LwA): 93 dB(A)
Discussion
The new Metabo cordless air compressor weighs about the same as the Dewalt FlexVolt cordless compressor, reviewed here. However, the Dewalt has a 2.5 gallon tank, which is 92.3% more volume than the Metabo’s 1.3 gallon air tank, and also a higher max pressure, 135 PSI. What this means is that the Metabo holds considerably less air. I should point out that the Dewalt FlexVolt air compressor is a 60V Max cordless power tool, while the new Metabo runs on their 18V Li-ion batteries.
Update: The Metabo weight is 21.8 lbs with a battery, the Dewalt weighs 22 lbs without. Additionally, the Metabo is rated at 0.9 HP, and the Dewalt 0.4 HP. With a more powerful motor and smaller air tank, the Metabo should fill up and refill faster.
Compared to the Ridgid cordless air compressor, the Metabo is heavier but also has a 30% larger air tank (1.3 gal vs. 1.0). The Ridgid has a very slightly higher max pressure (116 vs. 120 PSI). The Ridgid has two battery slots, and can operate with one or two batteries connected.
The idea of “second battery storage” is a good one, although Metabo’s marketing language doesn’t indicate whether it’s an automatic hand-over after the first battery is depleted, or whether you have to swap battery packs manually. Their parts breakdown (PDF) has a wiring diagram that only shows one battery being connected, and their user manual also specifically describes the second battery mount as for storage.
Metabo says this about the second battery storage slot:
Second battery pack can be stored directly at the compressor for work progress without interruption.
While this is a small convenience, an automatic switch-over would be better. It’s still possible that this is a feature, but the marketing language, parts diagram, electrical wiring diagram, and user manual strongly suggest otherwise.
Update 2: Translated Germany language product news says that the new Metabo cordless air compressor can drive more than 1000 nails into softwood per LiHD battery charge (5.5Ah? 8.0Ah?). So, perhaps having a second powered battery slot isn’t quite necessary. If you equip the compressor with a higher capacity battery pack, that secondary battery storage slot perhaps becomes optional, in a “there if you need it, but you might not” kind of way.
It is worth noting that this is only the FOURTH cordless air compressor available, at least that we’re aware of.
Read Also: The Best [and Only] Cordless Air Compressors [so far]
Metabo cordless power tools generally have great build quality, and I would expect no less from their new cordless air compressor.
Metabo Promo Video
Jared
The competitiveness of this compressor would seem to come down to price. Flexvolt having a larger tank and higher max pressure seems like an obviously superior machine – unless it turns out this Metabo is markedly cheaper. I suppose superior build quality might also justify a premium, but the Flexvolt compressor isn’t flimsy either.
Marc
The Metabo compressor has almost twice as much Watts than the DeWalt and fills way quicker. Also it weighs 9.9 kg with the battery so it is around 4 lbs / 2 kg lighter
Stuart
Thanks!
Metabo gives the weight as 21.8 lbs for the tool-only SKU, and so I missed that it was a with-battery weight.
Jim Felt
My Rolair JC10 generates about 60 Db at normal load. Very low compared to many.
I wonder what kind of sustained sound level these battery operated units put out?
Stuart
They say:
Sound pressure level: 69.4 dB(A)
Sound power level (LwA): 93 dB(A)
RC WARD
That is a great air compressor
Joseph
I think companies are missing the point of cordless. Air compressors inherently have a cord, or hose as it may be.
What is the use case on these? All of the pneumatic tools that would run on such a low volume of air, have actual cordless equivalents. All these battery powered compressors seem to be “me too” tools.
aerodawg
Exactly. I don’t see the utility of these things. I can’t imagine you get many refill cycles per charge which severely limits the usage….
Rami
Ever seen a cordless nailer live? They are huge compared to pneumatic ones, and less parts to fail.
Gordon
It’s far cheaper to have a set, meaning from framing through pin, of pneumatic nail guns than it is to have close to a set of cordless ones.
Dewaltlandlord
The cordless tools are a lot more expensive, they weigh more and as someone else said they are bigger.
If you already have the guns, or want to go on the cheaper side of things, its nice to have the Dewalt Flexvolt cordless air compressor. You don’t have to spend time screwing around with rolling a cord out to where you want to work. And the compressor is light enough to just move around at will.
We as an example just put new siding on a detached garage, poof. A real nice alternative. didn’t have to run the cord out from the house.
The compressor seems to run a fairly long time, under use we were getting 3-4 hours or more on a charge using a siding gun. two batteries easily got us thru the day. Although I suspect a real pro might need another battery or might need to charge one of the batteries up. (the Flexvolt batteries charge really quickly)
Perry
As a trim carpenter for many years, I’ve yet to see a cordless nailer that works with anywhere near the finesse of a pneumatic nailer. I would love to have a decent cordless compressor so I could toss it on the tool cart and not have to run extension cords
Robert
You might think that a cordless compressor is pointless, but I’ve used Ryobi, DeWalt and Milwaukee cordless finish and brad nailers and none of them are passable as a replacement to pneumatic. The power, accuracy, finesse of the tool, and reliability are just not there. I did keep a Ryobi Brad nailer for when a friend asks to pin a piece of trim back onto his wall, or I need to replace one baseboard that rotted out. But the Ryobi only cost me $50, not $300 like the DeWalt/Milwaukee.
I have the Flexvolt cordless trim compressor, and while I prefer to set up my 20 gallon 175 psi vertical compressor, when power is an issue (multiple contractors working onsite and few functioning plugs, or a million extension cords everywhere) that little compressor makes me happy with it’s little footprint and portability so I can stay out of the way of everyone else, and they stay out of mine.
The Flexvolt could use some additional features like a warning that the battery is low instead of just dying, dual port for greater longevity, and the ability to plug it in, but I sold my pancake for $70 and bought the DeWalt brand-new from a returns bodega for $130 (already had batteries) so I’m a happy camper.
Nathan
some times you need a blow gun.
or you need to air up a tire or something.
Hell you might need to inflate some airbags to hold something. And you might be at a location well away from electrical power. That’s how I see this being used.
Or the guy that does trim work – that doesn’t want to drag around long hoses, or long extension cords to put up trim. I know at home I charge up my pancake and unplug it and put it in the room I work in. In the garage I don’t so much care.
Robert Adkins
I see the 116 PSI as a plus. Very few tools require over 100 PSI, and most are quite happy on 90.
A serious flaw in older battery powered compressors is, they traded volume for pressure. In other words, they would pump out 150-250 PSI and you got exceedingly low volume. I much much prefer 100 PSI at 2-3 GPM than 200 PSI at .5 GPM.
RC WARD
No word on how loud it is?
Stuart
Sound pressure level: 69.4 dB(A)
Sound power level (LwA): 93 dB(A)
kman
What is the difference between sound pressure level and sound power level. Anytime of have seen sound ratings for tools they only give one rating??
Stuart
I’m still looking into it, which is why I didn’t mention those specs in the original post.
Jim Felt
That’s a great question kman asked! I think a lot of us would be interested to know. Especially with Stewart’s addition of Toolguyd-centric info.
The What?
There’s a great video by Ave /Boltr where he pretty much spells out the BS that goes into how air compressor manufacturers rate the scfm/cfm to psi ratio and shows how they’ve been screwing people for a long time. Especially the smaller size ones. In fact the compressor he used to show that the scfm rating printed on the box is BS was the cordless Dewalt compressor. Wow, that is one weak POS. I’m talking pathetic weak.
The What?
So I’m not sure if this Metabo is going to be much different than the Dewalt other than its a different color and has a different brand printed on it. But I still don’t see the point of these one or two gallon battery powered corded compressors. Why would someone just bring the hose and not the extension cord? And what kind of air tool can anyone use with a one or two gallon compressor with less than one scfm /cfm besides a tire chuck or a blow gun?
Rob
Finish nailers, pinners and upholstery staplers run off these small compressors, somewhat decently.
I was in one of those usage cases last week, repairing a store fixture with no available outlets….before the power went out in the shopping center. I made do.
That said, the trim carpenters and cabinet installers I know, personally, use paintball CO2 tanks instead of compressors or bulky cordless air tools; so, options are as options do.
Rob Potson
“Metabo cordless power tools generally have great built quality, and I would expect no less from their new cordless air compressor.”
I strongly disagree with this statement. Have you evaluated any of their battery powered reciprocating saws (theres 2), their battery powered circular saws (theres also 2 of those), their cordless hedge trimmer, their cordless leaf blower (massively outdated underpowered chinese rebrand).
Metabo is known for grinders primarily, but even in this segment, they’ve begun introducing cheap bottom level entries into the market that receive poor reviews. Most of their drills do receive good reviews. Their old corded compressor is just a rebrand of california air tools. So in the compressor segment, they’re rather new or unknown, and its probably unlikely its an in-house built product, but another 3rd party rebrand.
Stuart
I’ve tried their grinders, drills, impacts, and other fastening tools. I don’t recall hearing about any pattern of bad designs or quality. I don’t recall hearing any complaints about their cordless saws or lawn & garden tools, but that could also be because I don’t know anyone who has used those tools. Metabo isn’t very popular here.
I don’t have any reason not to be optimistic about their newer tools, but will dig into some user reviews on their older saws and others tools I haven’t yet experienced first-hand.
rob
You’ve tried their best stuff. Metabo quality is all over the place.
They can make great (albeit often clunky, poorly finished and with the world’s noisiest gear boxes) in house stuff, but they also rely on manufacturing partners to expand their range with mixed results.
I’ve had to deburr the seams of their handles and file down motor fans that were beating up the housing on drills that were ten years apart from their own German factory….
Arbor runout was hefty on half of their products I’ve owned….the other half were jigsaws and random orbital sanders….
I did recently pick up their newer (offshored) cordless circular saw because it can run on Bosch and Festool rails. It’s a 7 1/4 saw with a brushed motor the size of the brushless motor on Mafell’s tiny KSS 40. I had to push hard in 1/2” plywood with a new Leitz blade and the arbor is wobbly. The KSS 40 with it’s 4.75” blade can eat it’s lunch. Metabo’s batteries have been ahead of the pack (pun intended), so there’s really no excuse. I’m looking forward to the Bosch “Strongarm”, suffice to say.
Finesse and precision has never been something I’ve experienced from their tools. Which would be fine if the home store brands hadn’t significantly improved in those areas (and power) in recent years.
Alas, I do recognize that many of the commentators here (including myself) represent a more spoiled niche of the tool buying public. The fact that I’ve owned Mafell, Festool, Lamello and Elu stuff should warrant a few pinches of table salt while examining my opinion.
Ryan
Does anyone own this compressor? Where does it made in? China?