I appreciate your review. I just picked up the Metabo DS18DEX drill. I chose it because it was so well reviewed and the price was so low. My first impression of it was “Wow, that’s loud”. Not just loud but a high pitched unpleasant whine. My second thought was “Huh, the forward/reverse switch feels terrible” lol. I was a little surprised because I had watched some reviews before purchasing it and hadn’t seen anyone mention either of those things. I thought ‘maybe I’m just crazy’… but then I saw your video. I’m sure it’s a good tool, I’m just not sure I want to listen to it in my shop every day for years on end. Thanks again for your review!

I absolutely love that older metabo sub compact. it's a sleeper pick imo. the lowest clutch settings torque is perfect for percision work.

Yeah those subcompacts are really awesome, basically 12v sized but still have a great quality and power for their size

The light position on the HPT is for shadow reduction. You have a point that the light shines in your face, but it does give you better sight of the drill point in the dark. I just picked up the new generation drill and triple hammer. I am generally impressed to see they answered many of my gripes and actually contend with the big boys on form factor and features now...particularly on the triple hammer.

HPT tools are mid tier price-wise, but they perform at a high level. Even the drills, with their flaws, get it done. But the triple hammer impacts and saws (both 18v and 36v) are top-notch and my favorites to use. Are Makita's internals better? Probably. But the price difference is not worth it for me. I largely switched from other brands because of the price and performance of the Metabo HPT line. (Still love the M12 Surge, though. 😄)

I'm glad you brought up how loud the new metabo hpt drills are. Thought it was just me. Hoping they'll update the subcompact kits at some point.

Great review. Like the reasonings.

Metabo HPT doesn't walk off the jobsite the way Milwaukee and Makita do

Are the forward/reverse switches on the Metabo's loose enough that it will switch direction by accident? Has that ever happened to you? Maybe I can live with it, IF it won't change direction by itself or on accident.

Wish metabo hpt would come out with their own hole hawg already!

Im a fan of the Metabo HPT since they were Hitachi. I have the 18v hammer drill and love it but the new version seems lighter even if its louder and Im cinsidering only for the lighter weight. Seems it has the same torque specs and a bit higher rpm.

Your Wife is a smart lady. That compact impact is really good, but it has to be used for awhile, and it will win You over. (Maybe…) The narrow body, and the ‘Assist Mode’ are great. What I don’t get, is that these compact drills were never designed to drill 5 inch holes, or sink 10 inch lag bolts! Yet some KZfaqrs carry on about how they lack power, speed, etc. Come on! I own all brands of tools, mentioned only to affirm I have no allegiance to Makita or any other brand. In fact I’m still P.O’d over Makita’s piss poor stance on why they would not make any 21700 batteries, or a battery bigger than 6.0 Ah, in the LXT line! I really like the Metabo drills/ impacts. The Metabo has quite a ‘whistle/whine’ to them, as You made mention, and I believe this is due to their enclosure and how they achieve their dust/moisture resistance ratings? I just tried out that new Metabo other day at Lowe’s, and wondered the same thing. LOUD! @ 06:57 hey, thanks for highlighting my comment! 😊 ‘Someone?’ 😂 I do find it curious, that the switch on my triple hammer is very good. It is strange, and they haven’t really improved it on the recent models? The old debate of metal VS plastic bodied chucks, will never die. I set high end custom casework in another season of life, and let me tell you, if I were to slip whilst drilling, or running in a screw, I’d rather have the plastic bodied chuck go against a fine interior finish of a cabinet, vs a hard metal chuck! I am not against a nice metal chuck, but the plastic chuck is easier on the hands as well. Plastic chuck on a hammer drill, NO WAY! They have their place, of course. YMMV Excellent take on the lights and placements. Again, there will be disagreement on this point. I DO like the twin LED’s on the Makita, very bright. Now that drills have gotten much shorter, placement under the chuck is not so bad, and avoids the shadows of past models. I see and agree with you on the LED’s on the base. It works sometimes, but if You are drilling/screwing at an odd angle, the light simply wont illuminate where you want it to. I think it would be great if a Manufacturer would place lights in both places, on one tool!? Juss sayin… I appreciated your fair and objective review, don't get me wrong. I look forward to your reviews, and stay safe! XPH12 is a solid drill, as well as the Metabo. My short story is over! 🤣👍✌

Everyone wants to get their panties into a bunch when I call Koki a poor man’s Makita, but knowing what’s inside of these tools, how else can I best describe them? It’s not a put down. I commend them for designing to that price point instead of brands like Milwaukee and Dewalt who appear to cost cut past the engineer’s table. The artist formerly known as Hitachi is still built to last and important bits are available on their own to replace. All of my cordless nailers (but the 23 gauge) are Hitachi/Hikoki/Metabo HPT. I don’t use them for other things, but I wouldn’t have any problems if I did.

That chuck is not sub-compact O.O Flex makes a great SC chuck!