Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt Cordless Brushless Driver Drill & Impact Driver Combo Kit, Power Tool Kit, 2 Lithium-Ion Metabo HPT Batteries and Charger, High Torque, Compact Lightweight Design, KC18DEXQB

A compact combo that punches above its size

A compact drill/impact combo earns a spot in my kit only if it disappears in my hand and shows up in the results. That’s been my experience with Metabo HPT’s 18V brushless combo: a driver drill and an impact driver that are small, light, and surprisingly stout. I put the pair through a run of cabinet installs, basic framing repairs, and a handful of shop builds, using the included 2.0Ah batteries and, on longer days, a larger MultiVolt pack. The bottom line: this is a tidy, no-drama kit with real power, a sensible feature set, and a few quirks to be aware of.

Build, size, and ergonomics

Both tools are compact—6.1 inches long for the drill, 4.72 inches for the impact—and each weighs under 3 pounds bare. With the included 2.0Ah battery, they feel trim and well balanced, ideal for overhead work and tight quarters. The handles are comfortable with a grippy texture, and the triggers have predictable response; I never felt like I was fighting the electronics to dial in speed.

Metabo HPT fits the drill with a metal chuck, which I prefer for durability. The chuck closes down evenly on small bits and holds larger ones confidently, though I did have to re-snug it a couple of times after repeated stop/starts on fasteners. The impact driver uses a 1/4-inch quick-release hex anvil that swaps bits with a single-handed push—positive engagement, no slop.

Fit and finish are solid. The plastics feel dense, the overmolds are clean, and the battery rails engage smoothly. The LED work lights are bright and well placed and stay on briefly after you release the trigger, which makes indexing the next screw easier in cabinets and under countertops.

The kit ships in a soft bag that’s compact and durable enough for transport. It’s not padded, and there’s not much room for extras, but it does the job for grab-and-go.

Performance: plenty of torque, refined control

On paper, the drill is rated at up to 620 in-lbs of torque and the impact at 1,549 in-lbs. In use, those numbers translate to confident power for the most common tasks in wood and general construction.

• Driving and fastening: The impact driver sinks 3-inch decking screws quickly without cam-out and has enough muscle to run structural screws into framing after a proper pilot. It’s not the most violent driver in its class—and I’m glad it isn’t. What stands out is the fine trigger modulation. I could feather the last turns to avoid overdriving hardware, even without multiple electronic speed modes. If you rely on finesse for cabinet hardware or pocket-hole screws, that control matters.

• Drilling: The drill handled spade bits up to 1-1/2 inches in SPF studs without complaint and returned clean holes with brad points in hardwood. With a 2-1/8-inch hole saw in pine, it required a steady hand and a cleared kerf but made it through. Where the drill impressed me most was its consistency; it doesn’t bog unpredictably, and it holds speed well under normal loads.

• Bind-up protection: The drill’s Reactive Force Control (RFC) is a real value-add. When a 1-inch auger bound on a buried nail in a stud, the tool cut power before it twisted my wrist. It’s not intrusive in normal use—I didn’t notice false trips—yet it’s there when you need it.

Noise and vibration are typical for this class. The impact’s strike is crisp without being harsh, and neither tool transmits excessive vibration into the handle. Over longer sessions, the light weight and compact length take the strain out of awkward angles.

Batteries, charging, and platform flexibility

The kit includes two 18V 2.0Ah packs with onboard charge indicators and a charger. In my workflow, that meant 30–40 minutes to bring a depleted pack back to full, and practical runtime for a couple hundred deck screws or a morning of drilling pilot holes and hardware. Two small packs keep the tools light and are fine for repair work, trim, cabinets, and general DIY.

If you need all-day runtime or plan on heavy drilling, the upside of Metabo HPT’s ecosystem is compatibility with their larger 36V/18V MultiVolt batteries. Pop a MultiVolt pack on these 18V tools, and you’ll gain capacity and longer runtimes (with the tradeoff of extra weight). The platform flexibility is a strong point if you’re already invested in, or plan to expand into, Metabo HPT’s lineup.

Features that matter (and a few that don’t)

• Brushless motors: Cool and efficient under load; I didn’t notice heat build-up even during extended driving.
• LED lights: Bright enough to be more than decoration; they illuminate the work area without casting a distracting shadow from the chuck.
• Battery gauges: Simple, accurate, and surprisingly helpful for gauging whether to grab the spare pack before climbing a ladder.
• RFC on the drill: A meaningful safety feature that earns its keep.

What you won’t find here are multi-mode impact settings or programmable controls. Personally, I didn’t miss them—the trigger response is good enough that I could get the same results. If you like a dedicated precision mode for small fasteners, you’ll need to step up to a different model.

Quirks and downsides

• Chuck behavior: The drill’s chuck is metal and generally solid, but I did have it loosen slightly when the motor coasted to a stop after a burst. It’s not a constant problem, and re-tightening it with a firm click helps, but it’s worth noting if you run a lot of short pulses with larger bits.

• Runtime on 2.0Ah packs: These batteries keep the tools nimble, which I like, but they’re not meant for marathon sessions. For deck builds or big-bore drilling, plan on swapping often or use a higher-capacity pack.

• Bag capacity: The included soft bag fits the essentials but doesn’t leave much room for bit cases or a third battery. If you carry more than basics, you’ll want a larger case.

None of these are deal-breakers, and they’re predictable compromises in a compact, value-focused kit.

Durability and warranty

After several weeks of use—jobsite dust, shop time, and a couple of drops onto subfloor—the tools are holding up without hiccups. Switches remain crisp, LEDs are intact, and the battery rails haven’t loosened. Metabo HPT backs the tool bodies with a lifetime warranty, plus two years on the batteries and one year on the charger. That’s competitive coverage that aligns with the sturdy feel of the tools.

Value and comparisons

In a crowded field of compact brushless combos, this kit’s strengths are its weight-to-power ratio, refined trigger control, and ecosystem flexibility. Some flagship impact drivers from other brands hit higher torque figures, and some drills add more advanced electronics or feature sets. But the practical performance here is more than enough for most framing, carpentry, and shop tasks, and the tools feel great in hand. Factor in two batteries, a charger, and that warranty, and the value proposition is strong.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and DIYers who want reliable, compact tools that cover nearly every drilling and fastening task around the house.
• Pros who want a lightweight secondary set for punch lists, cabinet installs, and overhead work, or who are building out a Metabo HPT 18V/MultiVolt platform.
• Anyone who prioritizes safety features like RFC and prefers a metal chuck on a compact drill.

If you need specialized modes, ultra-long runtime out of the box, or class-leading peak specs, you’ll want a higher-end kit and larger batteries. But for a grab-and-go set that works hard without working you over, this combo delivers.

Recommendation

I recommend the Metabo HPT 18V brushless drill/impact combo for its compact size, strong real-world performance, and thoughtful touches like RFC and battery gauges. The included 2.0Ah batteries keep the tools light and charge quickly, and the ability to step up to MultiVolt packs extends the kit as your needs grow. Watch the drill chuck and give it a firm tighten, and consider a higher-capacity battery if you tackle big jobs frequently. For most users—DIYers and many pros alike—this kit hits a sweet spot of power, control, and value.