MultiVolt 36V Platform Guide
13 tools shown below from a lineup of hundreds
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Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi Power Tools, rebranded in 2019) built the MultiVolt system around one idea: a single battery that runs both 36V and 18V tools. Every MultiVolt battery outputs 36V in 36V tools and drops to 18V in 18V tools automatically. No adapter, no switch, no second battery inventory. The lineup targets professional tradespeople who frame houses, pour concrete, and run finish trim. Metabo HPT manufactures fewer tools than DeWalt or Milwaukee, but the ones it makes tend to punch above their weight class on power-to-weight ratio. The brand has a deep following among framers because of the decades-long Hitachi nail gun legacy.
Battery Lineup
Every battery below fits every MultiVolt 36V tool. Pick batteries based on how you use your tools, not which tools you own.
| Battery | Capacity | Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSL36A18 MultiVolt | 2.5 Ah (36V) / 5.0 Ah (18V) | 1.55 lb | Impact drivers and drills where compact size matters. Light enough for overhead work |
| BSL36B18 MultiVolt | 4.0 Ah (36V) / 8.0 Ah (18V) | 2.00 lb | Circular saws, miter saws, and sustained cutting where the 2.5 Ah runs short |
| BSL36B18X MultiVolt | 8.0 Ah (36V) / 16.0 Ah (18V) | 3.30 lb | The table saw and rotary hammer. Maximum runtime for all-day concrete and framing jobs |
Drills and Drivers
Brushless, 1,400 in-lbs torque, 3-speed with side handle. Handles concrete anchors and lag bolts.
Brushless, 1,832 in-lbs, 4-speed with auto mode. Senses fastener resistance and adjusts speed.
Three-anvil mechanism reduces vibration. Less wrist fatigue on long fastening runs.
Saws
7-1/4" rear-handle, brushless, 6,000 RPM. Cuts 2x lumber at 45 degrees with capacity to spare.
1-1/4" stroke, orbital action, tool-free blade change. Compact body for demolition in tight spots.
10" dual-bevel sliding, brushless. Cuts 4x6 stock. Runs on one MultiVolt battery without the bulk of two-battery systems.
StarlockMax interface, variable speed, brushless. Flush cuts, sanding, and scraping.
Concrete and Masonry
1-1/8" capacity, 2.8 ft-lbs impact energy. UVP anti-vibration housing cuts shock to your hands.
1-3/4" capacity, 7.4 ft-lbs. Handles core drilling and chipping in reinforced concrete.
SDS-Max, 8.3 ft-lbs impact energy. Breaks up concrete slabs and tile without a cord.
Framing and Finishing
Drives 2" to 3-1/2" framing nails. No gas cartridges, no compressor. Fires as fast as pneumatic.
18-gauge, 5/8" to 2-1/2" brads. Depth adjustment dial. Clean finish work without a hose.
23-gauge pins. Nearly invisible holes for trim and molding. Cordless pin nailers are rare.
Best Starter Kit
KC36DHL MultiVolt Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Kit
Both tools run at 36V out of the box and the same batteries drop into any 18V Metabo HPT tool you add later. The kit undercuts Milwaukee and DeWalt equivalents by $30-$50 while matching them on torque specs. The 2.5 Ah batteries handle drilling and fastening fine but upgrade to 4.0 Ah if you plan to add a circular saw.
Best Expansions After the Starter Kit
Once you own the drill and impact driver, these are the next tools that earn their keep.
Rear-handle design that framers prefer. Runs on one battery instead of requiring two like the competing Makita X2 setup.
A cordless 10-inch miter saw that runs on one battery is unique to this platform. Other brands need two batteries or a higher-voltage system.
Demolition and rough framing. Compact enough for overhead work in floor joists.
Hitachi/Metabo HPT nailers have a 40-year reputation with framers. This cordless version fires at pneumatic speed without the compressor and hose.
Battery Compatibility
MultiVolt batteries are dual-voltage: they run at 36V in 36V tools and at 18V in 18V Metabo HPT tools. The switching is automatic and requires no adapter. Older 18V-only batteries do NOT work in 36V tools because they cannot deliver the higher voltage. If you own 18V Metabo HPT tools, buying MultiVolt batteries upgrades both platforms at once. The charger handles both battery types.
Price Positioning
Mid-range, competitive with DeWalt and Makita. Bare tools run $130-$450 for most categories. Metabo HPT typically costs 10-15% less than Milwaukee for comparable specs. The brand runs fewer promotions than DeWalt (no Home Depot exclusivity deals), so street prices stay closer to MSRP. The value proposition is the dual-voltage battery: one battery inventory covers 36V heavy tools and 18V compact tools.
Before You Buy Into a Platform
Picking a battery platform is a commitment. Every new tool you buy locks you in deeper. Before you spend $300 on a starter kit, borrow a friend's tools and try the platform. The grip, the weight, the battery swap mechanism, the trigger feel: these things matter and you cannot judge them from spec sheets.
See how FriendsWithTools worksCommon Questions
Is Metabo HPT the same as Hitachi?
Same company, same factories, same engineering team. Hitachi sold its power tools division to private equity firm KKR in 2018. The new owners renamed it Metabo HPT in 2019 because the Hitachi brand license expired. The tools did not change. If you owned Hitachi 18V tools, MultiVolt batteries work in them. The Hitachi battery back-catalog is the same physical platform.
How does the dual-voltage battery actually work?
The battery pack contains ten 3.6V cells. In 36V mode, all ten cells run in series (10 x 3.6V = 36V nominal). In 18V mode, the cells run in a series-parallel configuration (5S2P) that outputs 18V with doubled amp-hours. The tool connector has pins that tell the battery which configuration to use. There is no switch and no user action required.
Can I use 18V-only batteries in 36V MultiVolt tools?
No. An 18V-only battery cannot deliver 36V regardless of the tool's request. The battery physically fits the slot, but the tool will not start. This is the main caveat of the platform: if you want to use 36V tools, you need MultiVolt batteries specifically. Standard 18V batteries only work in 18V tools.