Hilti B3600 Alternative: GM 3600 – same 3.6 kW class, significantly cheaper
The Hilti B 3600 is one of the best-known mobile 230 V power supplies for the construction site – but with a list price of approx. €4,380 also one of the most expensive. The GM 3600 delivers the same power class (3,600 W continuous, 18,000 W peak) with slightly more capacity and faster charging – from €2,999 net. Here is the objective direct comparison.
What is the Hilti B 3600 – and why do many look for an alternative?
The Hilti B 3600 ("Battery pack B 3600 230V") is a portable backup power unit with 2.1 kWh capacity and 3.6 kW continuous power for running heavy 230 V construction tools. According to consistent public sources, the device is based on Instagrid technology – as is the STIHL PS3000. The technology is proven, but the brand premium is considerable: with a list price of approx. €4,380, the B 3600 is around €1,400 above the equally powerful GM 3600. Anyone who does not depend on Hilti fleet management pays above all for the logo.
Direct comparison: GM 3600 vs. Hilti B 3600
| Feature | GM 3600 | Hilti B 3600* |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous power | 3,600 W | 3,600 W |
| Peak power | 18,000 W (500 %) · 7,200 W (200 %) continuously sustainable | 18,000 W peak |
| Capacity | ~2.1 kWh (2,134 Wh) | ~2.1 kWh (2,100 Wh) |
| Weight | 20.4 kg | ~20 kg |
| 230 V outputs | 230 V Schuko · pure sine wave | 230 V Schuko · pure sine wave |
| Charging time | ~115 min | ~2.5 h |
| Noise | quiet (low-fan) | quiet |
| Emissions | 0 (emission-free) | 0 (emission-free) |
| Protection rating | IP54 | IP54 |
| Price (net) | from €2,999 | approx. €4,380 |
*Hilti B 3600: public manufacturer/dealer figures (as of 07/2026). Comparison for information purposes.
Honestly compared: when Hilti, when the alternative?
In favour of the Hilti B 3600 is its integration into Hilti fleet management and service: anyone who leases their entire equipment fleet through Hilti and uses the on-site service stays consistent within the system.
In favour of the GM 3600 is the price-performance ratio: same 3.6 kW class, proven 200 % overload capacity in lab testing, slightly more capacity and faster charging – around €1,400 cheaper. Your Hilti tools and chargers naturally run just the same on the 230 V Schuko socket.
Advantages & disadvantages at a glance
- Around €1,400 cheaper than the Hilti B 3600 for the same 3.6 kW class
- 200 % overload (7,200 W) stable in lab testing, 18,000 W peak
- Slightly more capacity (2,134 Wh) and much faster charging (~115 min)
- 230 V Schuko with pure sine wave for high-inrush tools
- Emission-free, quiet, IP54 – also for indoor and night construction sites
- No connection to Hilti fleet management / ONE Track
- No nationwide Hilti on-site service network
- Brand less well known on the construction site than Hilti – service logistics via Green MeOH
- Like all devices in the class: for continuous loads > 3.6 kW, multiple units are needed
Technical data in detail
The GM 3600 is an integrated, sealed industrial energy storage unit – not an assembled DIY system. The core values in detail:
- Continuous power: 3,600 W at 230 V / 50 Hz, pure sine wave – identical to the rated power of the Hilti B 3600.
- Overload and peak behaviour: continuously sustainable at 200 % (7,200 W), peaks up to 18,000 W (500 %) for the inrush currents of inductive loads.
- Capacity: 2,134 Wh usable energy – around 2.1 kWh, slightly above the B 3600.
- Outputs: 230 V Schuko sockets with pure sine wave as well as USB ports for small devices.
- Protection rating & robustness: IP54 against dust and splash water, designed for the harsh everyday construction site.
- Weight & transport: 20.4 kg, portable, fits in any panel van or on the service vehicle.
- Safety: sealed battery management (BMS) with protection against overload, short circuit, deep discharge and overtemperature.
The 200 % overload capacity is not merely a data-sheet promise: it was verified on the 20 kW RLC test bench. The measured values are summarised in the GM 3600 test report.
Charging time & practice
Probably the most noticeable everyday difference compared to the Hilti B 3600 is the charging time. The GM 3600 is fully charged again in around 115 minutes – compared to approx. 2.5 hours for the Instagrid-based devices. In practice, this means: plugged in during the lunch break, the storage unit is ready for use again in the afternoon without needing to keep a second unit on hand.
On construction sites without a grid connection, work is often overlapping – while one unit is in use, a second charges at the nearest grid point or at the service vehicle. Thanks to the shorter charging time, the GM 3600 reduces the number of reserve units required and thus the acquisition costs of the entire setup. Via the 230 V Schuko outputs, you can run any standard Hilti charger (such as the C4/36-350) in parallel and charge your tool batteries directly on site.
Typical usage scenarios
- Rotary hammer, diamond drill & cut-off grinder: high inrush currents safely covered thanks to 7,200 W overload and 18 kW peak.
- Charge Hilti batteries off-grid: run C4/36 chargers directly on the Schuko socket.
- Interior fit-out & night construction site: emission-free and quiet – usable where generators are prohibited.
- Service vehicle: 20.4 kg, portable, IP54 – the mobile 230 V socket in the panel van.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is an affordable alternative to the Hilti B 3600?
The GM 3600 from Green MeOH: same 3.6 kW power class (3,600 W continuous, 200 % overload / 7,200 W sustainable, 18,000 W peak), 2,134 Wh capacity, pure sine wave, IP54 – from €2,999 net and thus around €1,400 below the Hilti list price of approx. €4,380.
Is the Hilti B 3600 identical to the Instagrid ONE?
According to consistent public sources, the Hilti B 3600 is based on Instagrid technology and is in the same 3.6 kW class as the Instagrid ONE and STIHL PS3000.
Can I charge my Hilti batteries with the alternative?
Yes. Via the 230 V Schuko outputs of the GM 3600 you can run any standard Hilti charger (e.g. C4/36-350) off-grid on the construction site.
Does the GM 3600 also run heavy Hilti tools?
Yes. With 3,600 W continuous power, 200 % overload capacity (7,200 W) and 18,000 W peak, it starts high-inrush tools such as rotary hammers, diamond drills and cut-off grinders – with a pure sine wave.
Is it worth buying rather than renting the Hilti B 3600?
The B 3600 is often rented (e.g. via construction equipment rental firms). With regular use, purchasing the GM 3600 from €2,999 net usually pays for itself within a few months compared to long-term rental or the list price of the original.
Conclusion
The Hilti B 3600 is a good device with a high brand premium. Anyone looking for the same 3.6 kW class with proven overload capacity gets the GM 3600 from €2,999 net – around €1,400 cheaper. Technical details: Product page · Instagrid Alternative · STIHL PS3000 Alternative.
Request a quote B2B inquiry / demoHilti and Instagrid are trademarks of their respective owners. Green MeOH has no business relationship with these companies; the mention serves solely for objective comparison. Price and performance figures as of 07/2026, net plus VAT, subject to change.