Product · metabo
Metabo PowerMaxx SB 12 BL: 1.1 kg 12 V hammer drill kit
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Metabo's PowerMaxx SB 12 BL is a 12 V hammer drill for people who want something lighter and shorter than an 18 V tool for jobs around the home: wall plugs, shelves, curtain rails and furniture. Its selling point in our home use guide is that it brings a hammer action to the 12 V class at a listed weight of 1.1 kg, with two batteries and a charger in a case so it is ready to use from the box.
- Voltage
- 12 V
- Max torque
- Not stated
- Weight
- 1.1 kg
- Batteries in box
- 2 x 2.0 Ah
In its favour
- The listing gives a weight of 1.1 kg, so it is easy to hold at arm's length.
- Two 2 Ah batteries and the SC 30 charger are listed as included.
- Hammer mode lets you drill plug holes in brick for shelves and brackets.
Good to know
- Torque and chuck size are not stated in this listing; check Metabo's spec sheet.
- Small 2 Ah packs are best for short jobs rather than whole days.
Our take
A very short listing
Amazon gives the Metabo item number 601077500, a 12 V rating, two 2.0 Ah lithium ion packs, an SC 30 charger and a plastic case. The item weight is 1.1 kg and the package weight 3.072 kg. The drill type is listed as a hammer drill. That is close to everything.
Torque, speed, chuck size and the number of gears are all missing. The BL in the name usually signals brushless on Metabo tools, but the listing itself does not confirm the motor type. If you are choosing on numbers, check the Metabo data sheet for 601077500 before you buy.
What 12 V and 2 Ah mean day to day
Two 2.0 Ah packs are modest. They suit an afternoon of fixing jobs, with one pack charging while the other works. A long session drilling many holes in brick will mean swapping packs and waiting on the charger, whose charge time the listing does not give.
The trade off is weight and size. A 12 V drill sits easily in one hand on a stepladder and fits inside kitchen units where an 18 V body would be awkward.
Metabo or Bosch at 12 V
The Bosch GSB 12V-35 is the obvious comparison. Its listing is much fuller: 35 Nm, 1,750 rpm, a 10 mm masonry capacity and two larger 3.0 Ah packs, plus an L-BOXX. On the information available, the Bosch is easier to recommend because you know what you are getting.
If you prefer 18 V, the Bosch GSB 18V-45 is listed at 920 g, lighter than this Metabo, with a 13 mm chuck and 45 Nm. That makes it a strong alternative for anyone who does not need a 12 V tool specifically.
Who should look past it
Buyers who plan to add a circular saw, SDS or garden tools later may find the 12 V range limiting, and anyone who drills masonry for hours should look at an 18 V combi with larger packs.
Verdict
The PowerMaxx SB 12 BL makes sense if you already use Metabo 12 V packs or want a small hammer drill and are happy to confirm the specs yourself. Most first time buyers will be better served by the Bosch GSB 12V-35, which lists its performance in full, or the lighter 18 V Bosch GSB 18V-45.
Compared with alternatives in: Best combi drills for home DIY
Amazon listing title: Metabo PowerMaxx SB 12 BL Cordless Hammer Drill (601077500) Plastic Case 12 V 2 x 2Ah Li-Ion + SC 30, 12 V, Black, Green, Red, Silver, Black, Green, Red, Silver, Size