Metabo HPT 18V Hammer Drill Brings Balance to the Force
The heavy-duty Metabo HPT 18V Hammer Drill is essentially a clone of their MultiVolt model for the 18V platform. We’re taking a look at any performance implications between the two and digging deeper into its design compared to others in its class. This beast claims more than 1200 in-lbs of torque and 2100 RPM, so we’re expecting great things from the brand formerly known as Hitachi.
If you don’t need the hammer drill mode, the Metabo HPT DS18DBL2 is the same tool without the hammer mechanism.
Key Features
Reactive Force Control
With more than 1200 in-lbs of torque, Reactive Force Control is onboard to help reduce the risk of injuries in case you bind up your bit. There are different methods to pull this off and Metabo HPT uses overload sensors to know when to shut the tool down.
Even with it, be sure to keep a solid grip and use the auxiliary handle when you’re drilling tougher holes.
Auxiliary Handle
Metabo HPT’s auxiliary handle is longer than most thanks to the additional torque it’s bringing to the table. What’s a bit more unusual is that they put dust covers on the two installation points. They’re easy to miss since they look a lot like additional rubber overmolding. Even though dust intrusion into the screw points isn’t a major complaint among our Pros, it’s still a nice touch.
18V Power Source
It’s tempting to wonder why Metabo HPT needed both an 18V and MultiVolt version of the tool and it boils down to compatibility. The Metabo HPT 18V Hammer Drill only uses 18V batteries or MultiVolt batteries. It’s not compatible with the MultiVolt AC adapter, though.
The MultiVolt version uses only MultiVolt batteries or the AC adapter. Which one is right for you boils down to whether you need an 18V battery or AC compatibility. You can’t have it both ways.
Standard Features
- Brushless motor
- 2-speed gearbox
- Belt hook
- LED light
Metabo HPT 18V Hammer Drill Performance
Editor’s Note: Take a look at our Best Cordless Drill article to see the details of how we test speed and soft torque.
Torque Testing
Metabo HPT’s listed torque is slightly lower in its 18V hammer drill (1205 in-lbs) than in its 36V MultiVolt model (1220 in-lbs). Those are hard torque values and our compression torque test measures soft torque. They come out pretty close there as well with the 36V producing about 12 in-lbs more torque.
With an average of 454.8 in-lbs of torque, the Metabo HPT DV18DBL2 only ranks above the Metabo SB 18 LTX-3 BL Q I which seems to shift into a protection mode early. Even though the placement isn’t ideal, it’s still a lot of torque and we’re not disappointed by how much it produced.
Speed Testing
We measured the Metabo HPT 18V Hammer Drill’s no-load speeds at 2027 RPM in high and 536 RPM in low, putting right in the middle of the heavy-duty class.
In our high-speed test, we chucked up a 1″ Bosch Daredevil High-Speed Auger Bit to see how high the drill can keep its RPMs. Metabo HPT’s 1595 RPM average (79% of tested no-load) is the lowest, but let’s give it some context.
First of all, it’s more than 100 RPM faster than any of the drills in the medium-duty class. Secondly, the majority of the heavy-duty group only rises to 1656 RPM with the MultiVolt model.
Two models skew the ratings, though. The DeWalt DCD997 posted an impressive 1906 RPM average while Metabo is playing on a different field altogether. Boasting a 3800 RPM no-load speed, it still cranks out more than 3000 RPM in this test.
Bumping down to low speed with a 2-9/16″ Milwaukee SwitchBlade Self-Feed Bit, things even out a bit. The Metabo HPT 18V Hammer Drill rises to 3rd place with a 469 RPM average (88% of no-load). Its MultiVolt counterpart takes 1st place as the only model to keep the RPMs over 500.
In concrete drilling with a 1/4″ Bosch Daredevil MultiPurpose Bit, it takes Metabo HPT 5.11 seconds to drive 3″ deep on average. That’s just 0.05 seconds slower than the MultiVolt. Again, Metabo’s crazy-fast top end speed puts a hurt on the ratings for the rest of the group with its 2.52-second average.
Performance Takeaways
Let’s start by addressing the ratings for this test. Metabo’s high-speed gear is so much faster than everyone else’s that we almost need to throw it out to give this group a fair shake. At the same time, we need to give credit where it’s due and Metabo earned the ratings it got.
Next, take a look at Metabo HPT’s efficiency—79% in high and 88% in low with the bits we tested. Both tell us you can drive larger, longer bits without an issue. There’s a lot of room to go bigger in low speed—just be sure to use the auxiliary handle.
We can also see that Metabo HPT gains an advantage when you kick into low speed for both their 18V and MultiVolt models. It’s the kind of performance that lets you stick with this design longer before reaching for a Hole Hawg-style right-angle drill. For rough-ins, that’s a pretty big win.
Size and Weight
With its 8.3″ height and 8.1″ head length, Metabo HPT puts together the 2nd tightest package, narrowly beaten by Makita. Its 5.15-pound weight including a 6.0Ah battery is 2nd only behind DeWalt.
Even though size and weight aren’t as critical when you’re using a heavy-duty drill, Metabo HPT’s lighter, more compact design combines with near-perfect balance and handle design that makes it the most comfortable to use in its class. That’s just my opinion, of course, but pick one up for yourself and tell us what you think.
Price
As a kit, the Metabo HPT DV18DBL2 runs $209. You can also pick it up for $100 as a bare tool.
That’s definitely on the premium side, but that kit price includes two 6.0Ah batteries—216Wh of total capacity. If that’s not enough, Metabo HPT warrants this hammer drill for life.
The Bottom Line
This premium Metabo HPT 18V Hammer Drill finishes 5th out of 6 in a group of hammer drills where there’s not a single model that we’d consider average. It’s kind of like batting 8th at the All-Star game—you’re still an All-Star!
There’s no question that the Metabo HPT DV18DBL2 is an incredibly capable heavy-duty drill that deserves your consideration. It’s going to be the best fit if size and weight are high on your priority list. If you’re calling it a toss-up between it and the MultiVolt hammer drill, remember that this model works with your Metabo HPT/Hitachi 18V batteries and the MultiVolt gives you AC adapter capability.
Metabo HPT 18V Hammer Drill Specifications
- Model: Metabo HPT DV18DBL2
- Power Source: Metabo HPT or Hitachi 18V battery
- No-Load Speed: 0–2100 RPM
- Impact Rate: 0–31,500 BPM
- Max Torque: 1205 in-lbs
- Height: 8.3″
- Length: 8.1″
- Weight: 3.69 pounds bare, 5.15 pounds with 6.0Ah battery
- Warranty: Lifetime tool warranty
*Also available as the Metabo HPT DS18DBL2 Drill Driver
