Makita Vs Metabo HPT Impact Driver Head-to-Head Review

Makita Vs Metabo HPT Impact Driver Head-to-Head Review

This time around, we’re looking at two well-loved professional brands with Japanese heritages. In this Makita vs Metabo HPT impact driver head-to-head review, both brands boast their respective higher-voltage systems. For Makita, it’s the 40V max XGT GDT01 that served as its first-generation model for the line, though it’s built on years of R&D gained from the 18V XGT platform. For Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi—same tools, different name), it’s the 36V Triple Hammer BOLT (WH36DC) model that boasts a three-hammer mechanism along with a host of other features.


We’re laying out what we discovered in our testing, but the final call is up to you. We want to hear who you think makes the better impact driver based on the way you work, so drop a comment below!

Check out our best impact driver recommendations for the year!

Why Not Use the Makita GDT02?

Makita has a second impact driver (GDT02) for the XGT line that’s more recent and we took a close look at it. After careful consideration, the GDT01 is the better of the two, so we’re using it for this flagship impact driver comparison.

Makita Vs Metabo HPT Impact Driver Specifications

Here are the basic numbers to know before we jump into the testing:

Makita GDT01Metabo HPT WH36DC
Top Speeds1100/2100/3200 3700 RPM900/2900/3400/3700
Max Impact Rate4400 IPM4100 IPM
Max Torque1950 in-lbs1903 in-lbs
Head Length4.8 in4.5 in
Bare Weight2.2 lbs2.0 lbs
Weight w/Tested Battery3.7 lbs3.5 lbs

Makita Vs Metabo HPT Impact Driver Test Results

Similar to the 20V Max Vs 18V conversation, Makita’s 40V max and Metabo HPT’s 36V systems are both running the same voltage. They’re 40V at the maximum charge states and 36V once they settle into the nominal charge states. From a pure voltage perspective, it’s an apples-to-apples power source test. For both tools, we selected the smaller 2.5Ah batteries (equivalent to a 5.0Ah battery for 18V systems).

We ran three different performance tests to see what these impact drivers can do with a standard 5.0Ah battery. The first is a medium-load test driving a 6-inch x 1/4-inch GRK Fasteners RSS screw into stacked OSB subfloor. The result is the average of three tests.

Makita Vs Metabo HPT Impact Driver Head-to-Head Review RSS Screws

The second test is timed to see how far each model can drive a 10-inch x 1/2-inch lag screw into the same material in 30 seconds. The result is the average of how much of the screw remained proud in three tests—less is better.

Makita Vs Metabo HPT Impact Driver Head-to-Head Review Lag Screws

The third test is to see how long it takes to break loose a nut that is set to 150 ft-lbs (1800 in-lbs). The result is the total time added together for 5 bolts.

Makita GDT01Metabo HPT WH36DC
RSS Screw Average12.8 sec8.1 sec
Lag Screw Average3.5 in3.8 in
Nut-Busting Total6.0 sec8.0 sec

Makita Vs Metabo HPT Impact Driver Highlight Features

Makita GDT01

  • Brushless motor
  • 4 standard modes
  • 6 assist modes
  • Quick Shift button above the trigger
  • 2 LED lights around the collet

Metabo HPT WH36DC

Metabo HPT 36V MultiVolt Triple Hammer Impact Driver Review
  • Brushless motor
  • Triple hammer mechanism
  • 2 standard modes
  • 3 assist modes
  • 3 LEDs surrounding the collet
  • IP56 ingress rating
  • Available AC adapter

Makita Vs Metabo HPT Impact Driver Price

Makita GDT01Metabo HPT WH36DC
Bare Tool$217.00NA
Kit$429.00 (2 x 2.5Ah)$299.00 (2 x 2.5Ah)
Basic Combo$349.00
Impact Driver
Hammer Drill
2 x 2.5Ah Batteries
Rapid Charger
NA
Warranty3 yearsLifetime
*Prices at the time of writing from Acme Tools

So who’s your winner? Let us know in the comments below—bonus points for telling us why!

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