Metabo HPT vs Metabo CAS: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve shopped for cordless tools lately, you might have noticed two names that sound almost identical — Metabo HPT and Metabo CAS.

They both make great tools, use 18V lithium batteries, and even share a similar green-and-black color scheme. So it’s easy to assume their batteries are interchangeable. Unfortunately, they’re not. Here’s why.

Different Brands, Shared History

Originally, Hitachi Power Tools was a single company making tools for global markets. Around 2018, the brand split into two separate directions:

• Metabo HPT (known as Hitachi Power Tools in the past) became the brand name for North America.
• Metabo in Germany continued to develop its own battery platform called CAS — short for Cordless Alliance System.

Even though the names sound connected, these two companies now operate independently.

Different Battery Systems

Metabo HPT uses its own 18V/36V MultiVolt battery system, while Metabo (Germany) uses the CAS battery platform.
Both systems run on 18V lithium technology, but their battery shapes, contact layouts, and electronics are completely different.

That means:

• Metabo CAS batteries won’t fit or power Metabo HPT tools.
• Metabo HPT batteries won’t work on CAS tools.

It’s not just a matter of voltage — it’s about design compatibility.

The CAS System Explained

The Cordless Alliance System (CAS) is a European initiative led by Metabo Germany. It allows over 30 professional tool brands (like Mafell, Rothenberger, and Collomix) to share the same 18V battery platform.

So a single CAS battery can power tools from many different manufacturers — but not Metabo HPT.

Metabo HPT in North America

Metabo HPT focuses on the North American market with its MultiVolt line. These batteries are designed for both 18V and 36V tools and often include features like AC adapters for plug-in use.

However, their design is unique to HPT tools — and completely incompatible with CAS batteries.

Summary

So while both Metabo systems offer great performance and reliability, their batteries and tools are not cross-compatible.