Makita TD173 vs Metabo HPT 18V Triple Hammer: Two Standout Impact Drivers Compared

Introduction

If you are shopping for a premium 18V impact driver this year, two models keep coming up: the Makita TD173 and the Metabo HPT 18V Triple Hammer. Both are brushless, both are exceptionally smooth, and both represent the best effort from their maker in this class. The catch is price. The Makita TD173, especially in the limited-edition purple finish, has become difficult to find and often has to be imported from Japan, pushing it well past the cost of most competitors. The Metabo HPT Triple Hammer sits at a far more accessible price point while adding features the Makita does not offer.

This comparison breaks down where each tool excels and which one makes more sense for different buyers.

Makita TD173: Premium Refinement

The TD173 is one of Makita’s strongest impact driver efforts to date. The form factor has been reworked, with the body shifted slightly to improve balance, and it is extremely smooth in operation. The trigger offers sensitive, progressive control, making it arguably the smoothest-feeling impact driver in its class. It is also a very fast driver, with high impact and rotation speeds, and it runs noticeably quieter in use than most rivals.

One practical note: the purple limited-edition color is increasingly hard to find, and the tool has not yet been widely released outside Japan, so many buyers end up importing it.

What Sets the Makita Apart

The standout design feature is the rear control panel. Battery indicator lights and impact mode controls sit at the back of the tool, next to the rear of the body, which is something few other impact drivers do. Combined with a top-mounted button that lets you change impact modes and speeds without looking at the front panel, it solves a real usability problem.

The LED light ring deserves special mention: it is exceptionally bright, easily among the brightest in this class, which is great for visibility but means you never want to look directly into the front of the tool. The easy one-handed bit insertion collet is another genuine convenience advantage, since you can push a bit in without opening the collet with two hands.

Metabo HPT 18V Triple Hammer: The Value Powerhouse

The Metabo HPT 18V Triple Hammer has been one of the best-regarded impact drivers of the year, and for good reason. The triple hammer mechanism delivers strong, comfortable driving performance, and the tool feels very comparable in the hand to the Makita despite costing less than half as much.

The kit bundle is hard to beat: it typically includes two compact batteries with fuel gauges, a charger, and a well-designed two-layer hard case with built-in storage for bits and screws. The tool also carries an IP56 rating for water and dust resistance, plus a lifetime warranty, neither of which the imported Makita can match in practice.

Real-World Driving Performance

In side-by-side testing with structural lag bolts in pre-drilled holes, both drivers did a fantastic job, and the Metabo actually felt faster than the Makita in that test. That is with the Makita running a 5.0Ah battery and the Metabo on a compact 2.0Ah pack, so the gap may widen further with a larger multi-volt battery on the Metabo side.

Weights are very close. With the 5.0Ah battery, the Makita TD173 comes to 3 lb 4.9 oz, and 1 lb 14.5 oz tool-only with the belt clip. The Metabo with its included 2.0Ah battery weighs 2 lb 11.5 oz, and 1 lb 14.3 oz without a battery. Length is nearly identical too, at about 4.43 inches for the Makita and 4.53 inches for the Metabo.

Where Each Tool Falls Short

Neither tool is perfect. The Metabo’s forward and reverse switch feels clunky and mechanical compared with the Makita’s buttery-smooth selector, and its collet requires two hands to open for bit insertion. The Makita, meanwhile, has no weather or IP rating, costs at least twice as much once imported, and carries no warranty when bought from Japan, though parts availability should not be a problem.

Which One Should You Buy?

For most buyers, the Metabo HPT 18V Triple Hammer is the easier recommendation. At roughly $120 with a free battery promotion, you get two batteries with fuel gauges, a charger, a hard case, an IP56 rating, a lifetime warranty, and no import hassle. It is arguably the best value in the 18V impact driver category right now.

If money is no object and you want the most refined driving experience available, the Makita TD173 is phenomenal. The rear control panel, silky-smooth trigger, quieter operation, and that brilliant light ring make it a genuinely premium tool, and the purple finish looks great. Just be prepared to pay a premium and import it.

Conclusion

Both of these are easily among the best 18V impact drivers available today. The Makita TD173 wins on refinement, comfort, and convenience, while the Metabo HPT 18V Triple Hammer wins on value, features, and warranty support. Choose the Makita if budget is irrelevant and you want the smoothest tool in the class; choose the Metabo if you want the most capable driver for your money.