If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.
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.
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
Buy Now via Amazon
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
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.
