Metabo HPT WR36DE Review: A 36V Mid-Torque That Punches Above Its Price

Introduction

The Metabo HPT WR36DE is a 36V mid-torque impact wrench that has generated genuine excitement before even hitting shelves. The headline figures are ambitious: 774 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque and 568 ft-lbs of tightening torque. On paper, those numbers pass up the Milwaukee Gen 2 mid-torque (600/550) and even edge past the Makita XGT 40V mid-torque’s 560 ft-lbs tightening figure, despite the Makita’s higher-voltage platform.

What makes that more interesting is the price. The Makita XGT mid-torque retails around $350, and the Milwaukee sits at $219. The WR36DE is expected to sell for $199 bare, undercutting both despite delivering specs at the top of the class.

Design and Handling

Physically, the WR36DE measures 6.6 inches long, which is shorter than the DeWalt (~7 inches) and the Ridgid Octane (7.7 inches), a smidge shorter than the Makita mid-torque, and only about half an inch longer than the Milwaukee M18, which remains the smallest mid-torque on sale. At 4.2 pounds it comes in just shy of both the 18V and 40V Makita mid-torques, feeling slightly less bulky in hand.

The design follows a chunky-proportion approach similar to the Makita, with a rubber nose cover like the high-torque model and a front protrusion of the battery on the 4Ah 36V example. The case appears geared toward the high-torque line, with this tool fitting somewhat loosely.

Test Results

Testing used a working-torque format in both forward and reverse bolt directions, with fresh-off-the-charger batteries for the best-case runs.

In forward working torque, the WR36DE posted 361 ft-lbs, just one ft-lb shy of the Makita XGT’s 362 and ahead of the Milwaukee Gen 2’s 337. In reverse, it reached 480 ft-lbs, surpassing both the Makita XGT (406) and the Milwaukee (470).

In the best-case scenario test with fresh batteries, the Makita XGT hit 568 ft-lbs while the WR36DE posted 522. It could not quite match the XGT at the very tightest end, but the numbers remain impressive for a mid-torque, especially at this intended price.

Real-World Use and the Corded Adapter

Metabo HPT also offers a corded adapter for this platform, allowing tethered, downtime-free operation. Plugged in, the best-case run of 522 ft-lbs dropped to 492, a small but noticeable dip, likely because the tool draws so much current. The adapter’s real advantage is endurance: you can keep impacting until the tool overheats or fails, assuming you have a fully charged battery to compare against.

Rank Chart Performance

On the scoring chart, the WR36DE earned 79.1 points total. Its tightening performance delivered 522 ft-lbs against a promised 568, a 92 percent result worth solid marks within the category. The $199 bare price is what pushes it up the list, earning 39.4 points and helping it leapfrog the 18V Makita LXT into second place overall, coming surprisingly close to the top spot.

On a pure average-power ranking that ignores price, it scored 416, a couple of points above the Milwaukee even with a high-output battery attached. One caveat: since this was a pre-market sample rather than a purchased unit, the scores carry an asterisk until a retail example can be verified.

Battery Platform Flexibility

One of the more compelling aspects of the WR36DE is the MultiVolt platform approach. Metabo HPT mixes 18V and 36V tools in one system: the 36V pack used here works fine in their 18V tools, without the dramatic size mismatch you find between, say, a 60V FlexVolt concrete saw and a 20V drill. The MultiVolt batteries also use 21700 cells, which contribute to strong output. Makita chose to leap from LXT to XGT with an entirely new line of tools, batteries, and chargers, while DeWalt half-bridged the gap with FlexVolt dual-duty packs. Metabo HPT’s approach arguably does it best.

Buying Advice

If you want the most mid-torque performance per dollar, the WR36DE looks like a genuinely strong pick at $199 bare. It out-specifies the Milwaukee in torque figures, gets close to the Makita XGT in most tests while costing roughly $150 less, and runs on a flexible multi-voltage battery platform. If you are already invested in Makita’s XGT line or need the absolute smallest footprint, the Milwaukee M18 remains the size champion, and the XGT still holds the top-end power crown. But as an all-around value proposition in the mid-torque class, this Metabo HPT makes a strong case.

Conclusion

The Metabo HPT WR36DE delivers near-XGT performance, competitive sizing, and a $199 price point that undercuts both of its closest rivals. As a pre-market sample, its verified retail performance still needs confirmation, but based on this early testing it takes the 18V Makita’s lunch money, challenges the 40V XGT where it counts, and stands as one of the most impressive mid-torque options on the horizon.