metabo 600785500 Review

Between the lightweight cordless drill driver that lives in your kitchen drawer and the heavy SDS-Plus rotary hammer that comes out for concrete walls, there is a class of power tool that has been the backbone of workshops and construction sites for decades: the corded impact drill. Unlike a rotary hammer that uses an electro-pneumatic piston to deliver concussive force, an impact drill generates its hammer action mechanically — two ribbed discs press together as the chuck rotates, and the ribs ride over each other, producing a rapid axial chattering that helps the drill bit chip its way through brick, block, and light concrete. It is not as powerful or as fast in masonry as an SDS machine, but it is far more versatile: fit a standard twist drill and it bores clean holes in steel and timber; fit a screwdriver bit and its high torque and two-speed gearbox drive long screws and coach bolts without a separate impact driver. For the serious home renovator, the rural property owner, the metalworker, or the general builder who needs one corded drill that handles everything from delicate pilot holes in hardwood to punching 13 mm anchor holes through brick — and who values the unlimited runtime and consistent power of a mains cable — a quality 1,300-watt impact drill remains one of the most sensible tool investments available.

The corded impact drill market is dominated by a handful of established manufacturers who have refined the format over decades. The key specifications are motor power (typically 600 to 1,500 watts), maximum drilling capacities in steel and wood, torque output, and the quality of the chuck. A 1,300-watt motor sits at the upper end of the practical range for a handheld drill — beyond this, the tool becomes too heavy and unwieldy for the precision work that a drill is also expected to do. The two-speed mechanical gearbox is a critical feature: the lower speed range (typically 0–1,100 RPM) provides high torque for large-diameter drilling in steel, driving heavy screws, and mixing viscous materials, while the higher range (0–3,100 RPM) delivers the speed needed for small-diameter drilling in wood and metal. Metabo, the German power tool specialist, positions the SBEV 1300-2 Futuro Top as the flagship of its impact drill range — a 1,300-watt machine with VTC constant-speed electronics, a two-speed gearbox, a die-cast aluminium gear housing, and the innovative Futuro Top quick-release keyless chuck.

In this review we examine the Metabo SBEV 1300-2 Futuro Top in detail: the 1,300 W Marathon motor and how VTC electronics maintain speed under load, the two-speed gearbox and what 44 Nm of torque means for heavy-duty drilling and screwdriving, the Futuro Top quick-release chuck system, and the suite of safety features — S-automatic clutch, overload protection, and restart protection — that separate a professional-grade tool from a DIY one. We also address how the impact drill format compares to modern SDS-Plus and cordless alternatives, and who still benefits most from a high-end corded machine.

The Metabo SBEV 1300-2 is powered by a 1,300-watt Marathon motor — Metabo's designation for motors built with enhanced dust protection, larger carbon brushes, and winding insulation rated for the sustained high temperatures of professional use. The motor drives a two-speed mechanical gearbox: the first gear delivers 0 to 1,100 revolutions per minute with maximum torque for large-diameter drilling and screwdriving, while the second gear reaches up to 3,100 RPM for faster drilling in wood and thin metal. The VTC (Vario-Tacho-Constamatic) full-wave electronics continuously monitor the motor's rotational speed under load and adjust current to maintain it — so when the drill bit bites into a knot in hardwood or encounters a hard spot in a steel plate, the RPM does not sag and the bit continues cutting rather than stalling. An adjustment wheel on the trigger lets you preset the maximum speed within each gear range, giving you the control to match the speed to the material: slow for stainless steel, fast for softwood. The maximum torque output in low gear is an impressive 44 newton metres — enough to drive large coach screws, hole saws through thick timber, and heavy-duty mixing paddles through tile adhesive and plaster without the motor labouring.

The Futuro Top chuck system is one of the SBEV 1300-2's defining features. It is a keyless chuck — tighten and loosen by hand, no chuck key required — but it adds a quick-release mechanism: a collar behind the chuck body allows the entire chuck to be removed from the spindle with a single motion, revealing a hexagonal socket underneath that accepts standard 6.35 mm (¼-inch) screwdriver bits directly. This means you can switch from drilling a 13 mm hole in steel with a twist drill held in the chuck to driving screws with a bit in the hex socket in seconds — without the runout and bulk of a bit holder inserted into the chuck jaws. The hex socket also eliminates the need for a separate bit holder or magnetic bit adapter, reducing the overall length of the tool when screwdriving in tight spaces. The chuck itself is a self-tightening design: as the drill bit encounters resistance, the chuck jaws grip tighter, preventing the bit from spinning in the chuck under heavy load — a common frustration with basic keyless chucks on high-torque drills. The maximum chuck capacity is 13 mm, covering virtually all standard twist drills, masonry bits, hole saw arbours, and screwdriver bit holders.

Several features on the SBEV 1300-2 reflect Metabo's engineering focus on durability and operator safety in professional environments. The gear housing is die-cast aluminium rather than plastic or pressed steel — it dissipates heat from the gearbox and motor more effectively, resists cracking if the tool is dropped, and maintains precise gear alignment over years of heavy use. The S-automatic safety clutch is a mechanical coupling between the motor and the spindle: if the drill bit jams — for example, when a large holesaw catches in the material or a masonry bit hits rebar — the clutch disengages the drive instantly, preventing the tool body from spinning violently and potentially injuring the operator's wrist. This is a safety feature more commonly found on large rotary hammers and magnetic drills than on handheld impact drills, and its inclusion signals that Metabo expects this tool to be used for heavy-duty applications where jam events are a real risk. The overload protection monitors motor temperature and cuts power before the windings reach damaging temperatures — if you are drilling 13 mm holes in thick steel plate continuously, the electronics will protect the motor when a less sophisticated drill would simply burn out.

Additional practical features round out the package. The restart protection prevents the drill from starting unexpectedly if the power is interrupted and restored — the trigger must be deliberately released and re-pressed, eliminating the risk of the drill starting in your hand after a power cut or when plugging it in with the trigger lock engaged. The carbon brushes have a wear indicator that signals when replacement is needed, and the brush holders are externally accessible, so brush changes take minutes rather than requiring a service centre visit. The pulse mode — activated by a separate switch — delivers intermittent power to the motor, which is useful for two specific tasks: unscrewing seized or rusted screws where the hammering action helps break the corrosion bond, and starting holes on smooth, hard surfaces like glazed tiles or polished metal where a standard drill bit would skate. The swivelling cable gland at the rear of the handle allows the power cord to pivot freely as you manoeuvre the drill, preventing the cable from kinking or pulling out of the strain relief during extended use. An additional side handle with a soft rubber grip provides a secure two-handed hold for high-torque applications, and a depth stop rod is included for drilling multiple holes to a consistent depth.

The SBEV 1300-2 measures approximately 366 × 79 × 275 mm and weighs 2.8 kg — compact for a 1,300 W corded drill but substantial enough to feel planted and stable during heavy drilling. It carries a 4.4 out of 5 star rating from 245 customer reviews on Amazon.fr, a solid endorsement from a sizeable user base. The drill ships in a Metabo MetaBOX carrying case with custom cutouts for the machine, the Futuro Top chuck, the additional handle, and the depth stop. Priced at approximately €220, the SBEV 1300-2 competes against corded impact drills from Bosch Professional (the GSB series), Makita, and DeWalt in the upper mid-range of the market. It is not the cheapest 1,300 W impact drill available, but the combination of the Futuro Top quick-release chuck, the die-cast aluminium gearbox, the S-automatic safety clutch, VTC electronics, and the comprehensive safety package makes a strong case for the price premium. For the professional who needs a single corded drill to handle everything from precision metalwork to heavy timber construction, and who expects the tool to earn its keep for a decade or more, the Metabo represents a considered investment rather than a casual purchase.

The Metabo SBEV 1300-2 Futuro Top is designed for professional builders, metalworkers, serious home renovators, and rural property owners who need a single high-torque, corded drill that handles everything from precision steel drilling to heavy screwdriving to masonry work — with the durability and safety features to withstand daily professional use over many years.