DIY & Tools · Review

metabo 600574000 Review

4.3 out of 5 stars· 29 reviews

Intro

When a job calls for serious drilling power — boring large-diameter holes through dense hardwoods, mixing heavy construction compounds, or driving fasteners into tough materials hour after hour — a lightweight consumer-grade drill simply will not keep up. The motor overheats, the battery runs flat at the worst moment, and the chuck struggles to grip larger bits. What you need is a corded drill built for endurance: a tool with the raw wattage to maintain speed under load, the mechanical gearing to deliver high torque at low RPM, and the build quality to survive years of daily use. Corded drills offer a fundamentally different proposition than their battery-powered cousins — unlimited runtime, consistent power delivery, and no battery degradation to worry about. For professional tradespeople, serious woodworkers, and anyone who needs to drill large holes or mix heavy materials without compromise, a mains-powered drill with a robust gearbox and a metal chuck is not a luxury — it is a necessity. The question is not whether to buy a corded drill, but which one delivers the right balance of power, control, and longevity.

Generalities

Choosing a corded drill means weighing several key specifications that directly affect how the tool performs in your hands. Motor wattage is the headline number — a 1,300 W motor, like the one found in high-end Metabo drills, delivers the sustained power needed for large-diameter hole saws, auger bits, and paddle mixers that would stall a weaker machine. Equally important is torque, measured here in newton metres: 44 Nm of maximum torque means the drill can drive long screws and bore through dense hardwoods without bogging down. A two-speed gearbox gives you the flexibility to choose between high speed (up to 3,100 RPM) for quick drilling in softer materials and lower speed with higher torque for demanding applications. The chuck is another critical component — a 13 mm keyed metal chuck provides better grip on large-diameter bits than keyless alternatives, especially under heavy load. Build quality matters enormously for a tool that may see daily use: a drill made in Germany by a manufacturer with decades of engineering heritage, using a brushless motor design, will typically outlast and outperform cheaper alternatives.

This review examines the Metabo BEV 1300-2, a 1,300 W corded drill that sits at the top of Metabo's mains-powered drilling range. We cover the drill's core specifications, including its two-speed gearbox, 44 Nm maximum torque, and 13 mm metal chuck. We look at the build quality and ergonomics that set it apart, how it handles in real-world use from precision drilling to heavy-duty mixing, and what accessories are included. We also explore the warranty coverage, customer feedback, and where this drill fits in the broader landscape of professional-grade power tools. By the end, you will know whether the BEV 1300-2 deserves a place in your workshop, van, or job site kit.

Description

The Metabo BEV 1300-2 is a corded electric drill built around a 1,300 W motor — a substantial power rating that puts it firmly in the professional-grade category. It operates on a 240 V mains supply and delivers up to 44 Nm of maximum torque, enough to drive large-diameter auger bits, hole saws, and mixing paddles without stalling. The two-speed gearbox provides a choice between a high-speed range topping out at 3,100 RPM for fast drilling in wood and softer materials, and a lower-speed, higher-torque range for heavy-duty applications. The 13 mm keyed metal chuck grips bits securely and resists loosening under load, a key advantage over keyless chucks when working with large-diameter accessories. Metabo manufactures this drill in Germany — a mark of build quality that carries weight in the professional tool market — and backs it with a 2-year manufacturer warranty.

What distinguishes the BEV 1300-2 from entry-level drills is the attention to engineering detail throughout. The brushless motor design — a feature more commonly associated with cordless tools — reduces internal friction and heat build-up, which translates to longer motor life and more consistent power delivery during extended use. The two-speed gearbox is not simply a switch between fast and slow; it is a mechanical gear change that fundamentally alters the torque-to-speed relationship, giving you the right power curve for each task. The housing combines metal and plastic in a design that balances durability with manageable weight: at 2.7 kg, the drill is substantial enough to absorb vibration and stay planted during heavy work, yet light enough to handle overhead or in awkward positions. The green Metabo casing is instantly recognisable on job sites across Europe and signals a tool built to professional standards.

In daily use, the BEV 1300-2 reveals why corded drills still dominate in applications where runtime and raw power matter more than portability. The 1,300 W motor maintains speed under load far better than battery-powered alternatives — you can bore through a 30 mm hole in hardwood or oak without the RPM sagging halfway through the cut. The 30 mm drilling capacity in wood is a practical limit for most joinery and framing work, and the drill handles spade bits, Forstner bits, and hole saws up to that diameter with authority. The two-speed gearbox is intuitive to use: set it to high speed for drilling smaller holes and driving screws quickly, then drop into low gear when you need torque for large holes or mixing. The 13 mm keyed chuck holds bits with absolute confidence — you will never experience the frustration of a bit spinning loose mid-cut, a common complaint with worn keyless chucks.

The package includes the drill itself with a 4-metre power cable, which gives you useful reach around a workshop or job site without immediately needing an extension lead. The side handle is adjustable and provides the extra stability you need when the torque ramps up — essential for safe operation when using large hole saws or mixing paddles. At 2.7 kg, the drill has enough mass to feel planted and controlled during heavy work without becoming fatiguing over a full day. The drill is compatible with the full range of standard 13 mm shank accessories, and the metal gear housing adds durability at a key stress point where cheaper drills use plastic that can crack under sustained load. While no carrying case is mentioned in the standard package, the drill's compact dimensions — measuring approximately 28.5 × 35.4 × 8.7 cm — make it easy to store in a tool cabinet or van racking system.

Buyers have given the BEV 1300-2 a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars based on 29 customer reviews — a solid score that reflects satisfaction with the drill's power, build quality, and longevity. It ranks as the 157th best-selling rotary hammer in the DIY & Tools category on Amazon, though this categorisation is somewhat misleading since the BEV 1300-2 is a drill, not a rotary hammer. The drill is made in Germany and carries the Metabo part number 600574000 and global trade identification number 04007430314352 for authenticity verification. The 2-year manufacturer warranty provides peace of mind, and Metabo's extensive service network across Europe means spare parts and repairs are readily available — an important consideration for a tool that is likely to see years of hard use.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Powerful 1,300 W motor delivers sustained performance under heavy load — bores through 30 mm holes in hardwood without slowing down or overheating
  • Two-speed gearbox with 44 Nm of maximum torque provides genuine mechanical versatility: high speed at 3,100 RPM for fast drilling, low speed for high-torque applications like mixing and large-diameter holes
  • 13 mm keyed metal chuck grips large-diameter bits securely and resists loosening under load — far more reliable than keyless chucks for heavy-duty work
  • Brushless motor design reduces internal friction and heat, extending motor life and maintaining consistent power delivery during extended professional use
  • Made in Germany by Metabo, a manufacturer with decades of professional tool engineering heritage, and backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty with a strong European service network
  • Unlimited corded runtime means no battery swaps, no charging downtime, and no gradual power fade — ideal for workshop use, bench work, and all-day job site tasks
  • Adjustable side handle and 2.7 kg weight strike an excellent balance between stability under torque and manageability for overhead or awkward-position drilling
  • Metal gear housing at the key stress point provides durability where cheaper drills use plastic — a detail that matters when the drill sees daily professional use

Cons

  • Corded design restricts mobility compared to modern brushless cordless drills — you are always tethered to a power outlet, which limits use on remote job sites or scaffolding without power access
  • At €204.80, the price places it well above entry-level corded drills — the investment only makes sense for professionals or serious hobbyists who will use the full power and torque regularly
  • No hammer function or rotary stop, meaning it cannot be used for light masonry drilling or chiselling — the Amazon categorisation as a rotary hammer is misleading
  • Keyed chuck, while more secure, is slower for frequent bit changes than a keyless alternative — a minor but real inconvenience when switching between drilling, screwdriving, and mixing in quick succession
  • Weighing 2.7 kg, it is noticeably heavier than compact cordless drills — overhead work for extended periods will be tiring compared to a lightweight 12 V or 18 V alternative

Use cases

The Metabo BEV 1300-2 is a professional-grade corded drill built for tradespeople, serious woodworkers, and anyone who needs sustained high-torque drilling power without the runtime limitations and power fade of battery-powered tools.

Large-Diameter Drilling in Hardwood

When framing with oak, constructing hardwood joinery, or boring 30 mm holes for cable pass-throughs, the 1,300 W motor and 44 Nm of torque keep the bit turning at speed even through the densest timbers. Battery drills would drain within minutes on this kind of work — the corded BEV 1300-2 keeps going all day.

Mixing Construction Compounds

Tile adhesive, plaster, grout, and levelling compound all require thorough mixing with a paddle — a task that demands high torque at low RPM for several minutes at a time. The two-speed gearbox in low gear combined with the adjustable side handle gives you the control and endurance to mix batch after batch without overheating the motor.

Workshop Bench and Pillar Drill Substitute

In a workshop environment where a dedicated pillar drill is not available, the BEV 1300-2 provides the power and precision to drill accurate, large-diameter holes in timber and metal. The corded design means it is always ready — no waiting for batteries to charge — and the keyed chuck keeps bits perfectly centred under load.

Site Carpentry and Timber Framing

First-fix carpenters and framers drilling repetitive large holes for services, bolts, and structural fixings need a drill that delivers consistent power hour after hour. The BEV 1300-2's 4-metre cable provides useful reach around a room under construction, and the all-metal gear housing survives the inevitable knocks and drops of site life.

Metal Drilling and Light Fabrication

Drilling through steel plate, angle iron, and structural sections requires steady, controlled power — not raw speed. The low-speed gearbox setting combined with the 13 mm chuck handles twist drills and step bits up to 13 mm in steel with confidence, and the corded power supply means you never run out of torque mid-cut through a thick section.