Best Metabo Hammer Drills of 2026 (And Why BS Models Are Not Hammer Drills)
Metabo builds two very different things that shoppers keep mixing up. The SB (cordless) and SBE (corded) models are true hammer drills with a percussion mode for brick, block and concrete. The BS models are plain drill/drivers with no hammer function at all, no matter how much torque they make. We compared Metabo's published specifications and the current US catalog to sort out which is which.
Quick answer
The corded Metabo SBE 1100 Plus is the best overall Metabo hammer drill for masonry work, and the cordless brushless SB 18 LTX BL I is the best pick if you want hammer mode without a cord. The SBE 650 covers light anchor holes. If you only need a drill/driver, the BS 18 LTX BL I is the right tool, but understand that it does not hammer.
Why trust ToolBuyerHub
- Specs checked against Metabo's published data (watts, torque, impact rate)
- Hammer function verified model by model
- Battery & ecosystem compared
- Build quality & warranty checked
- Brand reliability
- No fake hands-on claims, no invented review counts
Research updated August 2026.
Metabo SBE 1100 Plus
Corded 1100W two-speed hammer drill with a 1/2 in. keyless chuck.
| Product | Best For | Hammer Mode | Key Spec | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metabo SBE 1100 Plus | Overall masonry work | Yes, percussion | 1100W, 2-speed, 1/2 in. chuck | 4.7/5 |
| Metabo SB 18 LTX BL I | Cordless hammer drilling | Yes, percussion | 18V brushless, 60/120 Nm | 4.6/5 |
| Metabo SBE 650 | Light duty anchor holes | Yes, percussion | 650W, compact, 1/2 in. chuck | 4.4/5 |
| Metabo BS 18 LTX BL I | Drilling and driving only | No | 18V brushless, 60/120 Nm | 4.5/5 |
Metabo or Metabo HPT? Check Before You Buy
Two separate brands sell under the Metabo name in the United States. Metabo is the German manufacturer based in Nurtingen, and its model codes look like SBE 1100 Plus or SB 18 LTX BL I. Metabo HPT is the former Hitachi Power Tools line, and its tools use codes like DV18DBL2. The two do not share batteries, chargers, or accessories, so read the listing carefully. Every pick on this page is German Metabo.
What to Look for in a Metabo Hammer Drill
Start with the letters. SB and SBE models have a percussion mode that adds rapid forward blows while the bit spins, which is what breaks up brick and block. BS models do not. After that, the things that matter are motor type (brushless runs cooler and gets more work per charge), the two-speed gearbox, the chuck size, and the impact rate in blows per minute. Note that a percussion drill is rated in blows per minute, not in joules of impact energy. Joules are how Metabo rates its SDS-Plus rotary hammers, which are a different family of tool entirely (models beginning KHE or UHE).
Mistakes to Avoid When Buying
The most expensive mistake is buying a BS model and expecting it to drill masonry, then blaming the tool when it just polishes the hole. The second is buying a percussion drill for work that really needs an SDS-Plus rotary hammer. A hammer drill with a standard chuck is fine for anchor holes in brick, block and light concrete, but poured or reinforced concrete over about 1/2 in. diameter is rotary hammer territory. Also check whether a cordless model ships bare, since Metabo sells most of its 18V tools without a battery or charger.
Metabo SBE 1100 Plus
Best OverallPros
- Steady mains power, no battery to manage
- Two-speed gearbox with a high impact rate in second gear
- Safety clutch protects your wrist if a bit binds
Cons
- Corded, so mobility depends on an extension lead
- Standard chuck, not SDS-Plus
The SBE 1100 Plus is a 1100W corded percussion drill, which is Metabo's term for a hammer drill with a conventional chuck. In hammer mode the second gear runs to roughly 3,100 rpm with an impact rate in the tens of thousands of blows per minute, which is enough for anchor holes in brick, block and light concrete up to around 13/16 in. It does not have an SDS-Plus chuck and Metabo does not publish a joule rating for it, because percussion drills generate their blows from a pair of ratchet plates rather than a piston.
The two-speed gearbox is what makes it worth the money over a single-speed drill. First gear gives you torque for large hole saws and mixing paddles, second gear gives you the speed that percussion drilling needs. The mechanical safety clutch is a genuine safety feature on a tool with this much torque.
Metabo SB 18 LTX BL I
Best Cordless Hammer DrillPros
- Genuine percussion mode, unlike the BS models
- Brushless motor and two-speed gearbox
- Runs on the same 18V LiHD packs as the rest of the range
Cons
- Usually sold bare, battery and charger extra
- Cordless hammering is slower than corded in dense material
The SB in the model name is the part that matters: this is the hammer drill version of Metabo's brushless 18V drill platform. Metabo publishes torque as a soft/hard pair rather than a single figure, and this one lands at roughly 60 Nm soft and 120 Nm hard, with hammer mode adding around 31,000 blows per minute in top gear. That is enough for anchor holes in brick and block, and it will start holes in concrete, though it works harder at it than the corded SBE.
Because it uses the standard Metabo 18V interface it accepts any of the brand's LiHD packs. Check the exact version before you order, since Metabo sells Quick chuck variants (the Q in the model code) alongside the fixed-chuck version, and the specifications differ slightly between them.
Metabo SBE 650
Best Light DutyPros
- Compact and easy to control one handed
- Plenty for small anchor holes
- Light for overhead work
Cons
- Single speed range, so less low-end torque
- Not enough for sustained concrete drilling
The SBE 650 is the small corded percussion drill in the range, at 650W with a variable-speed trigger running to roughly 3,100 rpm and a 1/2 in. keyless chuck. Masonry capacity is around 5/8 in., which covers wall plugs, conduit clips and small anchors in brick and block. Like the SBE 1100 Plus it is a percussion drill, not a rotary hammer, so it has no joule rating and no SDS-Plus chuck.
It suits electricians and plumbers who need one drill that handles wood, steel and the occasional wall fixing without carrying a heavier tool. Ask more of it than that and you will feel where the 650W ends.
Metabo BS 18 LTX BL I
Best If You Do Not Need Hammer ModePros
- Same brushless motor and gearbox as the SB version
- Slightly lighter and shorter without the percussion mechanism
- Excellent for driving long fixings
Cons
- Cannot drill masonry properly, there is no hammer action
- Sold bare in most listings
This is the model most often mislabeled as a Metabo hammer drill, including in a lot of marketplace listings. It is a drill/driver. The brushless motor, two-speed gearbox and roughly 60/120 Nm torque are the same as its SB sibling, but there is no percussion mechanism, so in brick it will spin, heat the bit and go nowhere.
Judged as what it actually is, it is very good. The extra torque handles large spade bits and long structural screws, and dropping the hammer mechanism makes it a little shorter and lighter for cabinet work. Just do not buy it for masonry.
FAQs
What is the difference between Metabo BS, SB and SBE models?
BS models are cordless drill/drivers with no hammer function. SB models are the cordless hammer drill versions of the same tools. SBE models are corded hammer drills. Metabo's SDS-Plus rotary hammers are a separate family and use codes beginning KHE or UHE.
Are Metabo hammer drills good for concrete?
They are good for anchor holes in brick, block and light concrete. For poured or reinforced concrete, or holes above about 1/2 in., an SDS-Plus rotary hammer will drill faster and last longer than any percussion drill.
Why is Metabo's impact rated in blows per minute rather than joules?
Percussion drills like the SBE and SB models create their blows from ratchet plates behind the chuck, so output is quoted as an impact rate. Joules of impact energy apply to piston-driven SDS-Plus rotary hammers, which is a different mechanism.
Do Metabo hammer drills come with batteries?
Most cordless models are sold as bare tools, so you need to buy batteries and a charger separately unless the listing specifically says it is a kit.
Can I use other brand batteries with Metabo drills?
Yes, within limits. Metabo's 18V packs are the basis of the Cordless Alliance System, so tools from CAS partner brands such as Mafell, Rothenberger, Starmix and Eisenblatter run on the same batteries. Batteries from unrelated brands like DeWalt or Makita will not fit, and neither will Metabo HPT packs.
Is Metabo the same as Metabo HPT?
No. Metabo is the German manufacturer from Nurtingen. Metabo HPT is the former Hitachi Power Tools brand. They are sold under the same parent group but use different tools, batteries and model codes.
What is the Metabo Quick chuck?
Quick is Metabo's tool-free chuck interface, marked by a Q in the model code. It lets you pull the chuck off and fit a bit holder or angle attachment directly, which is useful in tight spaces.
What is the warranty on Metabo tools?
Metabo offers a standard limited warranty plus an extended XXL warranty of three years on many tools if you register within the period stated by your regional distributor. Confirm the terms at the point of purchase, since coverage differs by market.
What is the best Metabo hammer drill for home use?
The SBE 650. It is light, corded so it is always ready, and it has enough percussion for the wall fixings most homeowners drill.
How do I maintain a Metabo hammer drill?
Blow the vents clear after masonry work, keep the chuck jaws free of dust, and store batteries part charged in a cool dry place rather than flat or in a hot vehicle.
Our verdict
The corded Metabo SBE 1100 Plus is our best overall pick for masonry, with the two-speed gearbox and steady mains power that percussion drilling needs. The SB 18 LTX BL I is the cordless choice when you want hammer mode without a cable, and the SBE 650 covers light anchor work. The BS 18 LTX BL I is an excellent drill/driver, but it has no hammer function, so it is not the tool for brick or concrete no matter how it is listed.