As part of our paid partnership campaign with Lowe’s, we’ve been exploring their new Kobalt 24V Max XTR cordless power tool combo kit. I’ve been spending a lot of time with this kit, learning its ins and outs.
See Also: Kobalt 24V Max XTR Cordless Power Tools at Lowe’s – More Features, Power, Performance
I have been debating about what I should focus on for my second post here. Do I talk about how the drill/driver plows through wood with ease? Or how the Kobalt reciprocating saw does a splendid job, even comparing well against pro brands’ models?
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Should I discuss about how this is a superb new brushless power tool lineup that will exceed your wildest expectations?
As part of this sponsored campaign, I’ve been given a list of key selling points to keep in mind. For instance, here are the bullet points Lowe’s and Kobalt used to introduce me to the new 24V Max XTR cordless power tool system:
- Industry-leading motor
- Industry-leading battery technology
- Up to 50% extra performance compared to 1st generation Kobalt 24V Max tools
- Fully compatible with all Kobalt 24V Max batteries
- XTR is an extension to the Kobalt 24V Max lineup
- Focus on heavy DIY users and value-conscious pros
- XTR will be sold alongside (and not in place of) current models
- Industry-leading innovation
I have repeated this here, because it’s good to know.
Different users have different needs, but there’s a singular question that I always try to answer when cutting through marketing details and everything else that’s said on paper.
Why should I care? Or, what do I care about?
I could spend much time expanding upon the on-paper marketing language, and there will be plenty of timed to do so when I write up each tool separately once the sponsored campaign runs its course.
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Here, I’m going to tell you all about 5 things that stood out to me about these tools. These are among the most significant factors that would make a difference to me if I were shopping for a new cordless power tool combo kit and looking at brands aimed at DIYers and value-focused pros.
1. Kobalt Delivers on All Marketing Promises
The new Kobalt 24V Max XTR cordless power tools are said to deliver MORE POWER, MORE PERFORMANCE, and MORE FEATURES, and they do exactly that.
More power and more performance is enough to give these tools a competitive edge against like-priced cordless power tools, even brushless models.
I’m used to there being asterisks next to marketing claims, even invisible ones. Sure, these new Kobalt XTR cordless power tools do deliver more power and performance than the previous generation models, but also a lot more than competing products as well.
With these tools, I’ve learned that there’s no (compared to “standard” tools that went obsolete 5 years ago) “gotcha.” They deliver more power and performance, period.
What does that actually mean? In my experience, more power and performance generally means faster task completion, and the ability to accomplish heavier duty tasks without having to hunt down a larger tool.
Having seen what these tools could do, I can’t think of any drilling, driving, or cutting task that I’ve used cordless power tools for in recent years, where these tools wouldn’t have been enough. Maybe there were certain tasks that demanded more power, but in those cases, these would have been the wrong types of tools.
Buy it Now – 5pc Combo Kit via Lowe’s
2. Compact 4Ah Battery and With a Better Fuel Gauge
Despite having been using larger form factor cordless battery packs for a while, it has been difficult for me to get into the habit of using “compact high capacity” batteries. A compact battery, even a 4Ah battery pack, seems like an unnatural fit for heavier duty cordless power tools, such as circular saws and reciprocating saws.
My hesitation about using smaller batteries with high-powered tools stems from years of being accustomed to the reality behind “you need a high capacity battery for tools like that” recommendations and official advisement. Some brands’ tools were even physically incompatible with their compact batteries.
This compact 4Ah battery has proven itself to be quite capable, powering each tool through any and every task with ease.
This 4.0Ah “Ultimate Output” battery is one of the best parts of the Kobalt 24V Max XTR launch.
Even better, it has a 4 level LED fuel gauge, which I really like compared to 3 level gauges. With a 3 level battery gauge, one light usually means you should really get to a charger soon, two lights span the bulk of the range, and all three usually just means you just charged the battery and didn’t use it for anything yet. It’s helpful, certainly, but having 4 indicator levels better informs me as to how much more work I can accomplish before having to find a charger.
3. Drill/Driver with Anti-KickBack Tech
You know what cordless drill kickback feels like, right? If not, consider yourself lucky. Kickback is the counter-rotational forces that are exerted on users when a high-powered drill binds, jams, or otherwise seizes while drilling a large hole or driving a large fastener.
When kickback occurs, all of the energy that would go into the work is instantly transmitted to the user. Even with a strong grip on primary and auxiliary handles, you’re going to feel a bit of strain – at the least. Fatigue is the least that can happen, and severe injury the worst.
We’ve heard of kickback resulting in people falling off ladders, being smacked in the face with their tools, or suffering wrist strain and related injuries.
With the anti-kickback tech in Kobalt’s cordless drills, there is less risk of personal injury, as the tool shuts off the moment kickback conditions are detected.
While there will always be the risk of injury when using tools of any kind, I am very much appreciative of features that work to reduce such risks wherever possible.
Here’s a quick video showing off the anti-kickback feature. The aux handle is only removed for display purposes.
While I’d like to show you a similar test conducted with a powerful cordless drill not equipped with such a feature, there is always risk of bodily injury. I dug out a powerful drill by a pro brand, and using a push stick to avoid injuring my wrists, I tested it with a fastener deeply seated thanks to high impact driver torque.
The kickback forces were enough to propel the spinning drill several feet away, and without anti-kickback tech, all that counter-rotational energy would have went into my hands. Powerful drills have powerful kickback unless there’s an anti-kickback sensor and shut-off programming.
This is a feature you’ll be glad to have.
In my testing experience so far, the anti-kickback tech has done a great job. I’m satisfied with the response time, which seems to be swifter than I can release a trigger once a kickback event occurs with other high-power drills.
Buy it Now: Hammer Drill via Lowe’s
See Also: Drill/Driver via Lowe’s
4. A Circular Saw Without Compromise
I have been having a great experience with the new Kobalt 24V Max XTR circular saw as well.
I have mainly cut 2x construction lumber with it so far, and some sheet goods.
When comparing this against other cordless circular saws, I’d start by looking at the shoe. Three dimensional shoes usually cost more to make than stamped steel shoes, and in my experience they hold up better.
So, off the bat, the circular saw wins points from me for the nice shoe.
What is the blade guard made of? On a cheaper saw, you’ll find a plastic blade guard. Here, the Kobalt XTR cordless circular saw has a metal guard.
Metal is usually more durable than plastic, and for something that contacts the ground every time I put the tool down, greater durability is a plus.
The control levers are large and easy to toggle, and the angle and offset markings are clear.
The Kobalt 24V Max XTR circular saw bare tool is priced at $149, and at the time of this posting, you get a free 4Ah battery with it.
Shown above is a brushless circular saw from Brand-X, priced at $119. That brand’s circular saw is a good model, and I have nothing bad to say about it.
What do you get for the Kobalt XTR’s higher price? First, more speed in the form of faster RPMs.
But also look at the construction – you get a better shoe, metal blade guard, and larger more comfortable user controls.
If you want a cheaper saw with compromises, this isn’t the tool for you. But if you want a more premium user experience, that’s where the Kobalt XTR tools shine.
This isn’t the cheap tool you upgrade from once you get fed up with it, it’s the premium and polished tool you upgrade to.
5. Superb Impact Driver
The Kobalt XTR impact driver is a very comfortable size. It has both power to spare, and lower speed settings that reduce the potential for damage when driving smaller fasteners.
Here’s how fast it can drive in a 5/16″ x 3-1/8″ lag screw alternative, with no pilot hole:
Next it was my first attempt. I wanted to see at which point I could stall the impact, and it drive the large screw an additional 1/2″ or so and then stripped out the hole.
This could very well be the most powerful impact driver I’ve tested so far, and yet its speed control still allows for small fasteners to be driven with reduced risk of damage.
What About the Reciprocating Saw?
Power, speed, a pivoting and extendable shoe, and comfortable use provide for satisfying user experience.
Since I already gushed about the recip saw on social media, I wanted to give some spotlight to the other tools in the 5pc combo kit.
Here’s a look at what I already said about the Kobalt XTR reciprocating saw:
Reciprocating saws are not as glamorous in their use or results as circular saws or other tools used more to create than to break down, remove, or demolish, but they still need to be capable and comfortable to use. So far, this one has not disappointed.
As a Reminder…
All of these new Kobalt 24V Max XTR cordless power tools are fully compatible with existing 24V Max batteries.
If you’re already in the Kobalt 24V Max system, the new 4.0Ah Ultimate Output battery might be a compelling reason to spring for a kit instead of a bare tool.
Thank you to Lowe’s for providing the review samples, and for giving us the opportunity to explore these tools as part of a sponsored campaign.
Adrian
I really appreciate the detailed feedback based on your personal experiences with the tools and I’m looking forward to the individual tool write ups.
I probably won’t buy these in any case since I’m already invested in the M18 platform, but if I were starting over now, these seem like they are a pretty high value option.
Lewis
Your Brand-X circular saw, still has the Ryobi logo still visible on the tilt knob on the front. C’mon man!
Stuart
Argh! Will replace the image today. Thanks – I thought I got them all!
Gordon
I’d really like to see a multitool and/or jigsaw. It would be amazing to see some larger cordless tools like a miter saw or even table saw. But that is probably a huge stretch.
But, the 5pc coming in at $399 puts it in the realm of your Red, Yellow, and Teal starter sets. Does Kobalt brushless beat any of those non brushless kits? I’m not sure. I think the big factor is going to be sale price. You know you can get some amazing deals on tools from the usual suspects. How does Kobalt look around Black Friday. If we even have BF sales this year. Father’s Day was already snubbed. Probably making too much money right now.
fred
COVID may well have pushed the cost of production up in China and slowed the supply chain for both raw materials and finished goods. What we may be in for is a period of inflation or even stagflation – so purveyors of tools may not have felt there was an incentive for Father’s Day deals to move product which may be in shorter than usual supply.
Grizzly
Forget the brushed, this Kobalt XTR line is beating out the top models from the big 3: Milwaukee, Makita, and Dewalt. Search the reviews on YouTube. This set is the best value in the Maher right now.
Steve
These seem like they are fantastic tools at an excellent value. However, if I was in the market to move to a new mainstream (18-24V) cordless tool platform I would not even consider these tools.
The problem has nothing to do with the tools themselves either, they look great. My concern is in the platform and the retailer specificity. I will not invest in a cordless tool platform that is the wholly-owned house brand of a single retailer.
When it comes to corded tools, those can be purchased one-off and it doesn’t really matter who owns it, but with cordless tools I, like most people buy into a platform, want stability in that platform. You want to be more certain you can get batteries, chargers, and additional tools into the future. A platform entirely dependent on a single retailer is too risky. If something happens to Lowes there is little chance Kobalt would survive and also a chance they might pull the plug on it when still in business if sales or contractual problems with suppliers arise.
Lowes is the #3 home improvement chain where I live, behind Menard’s (it’s the same reason I wouldn’t consider Masterforce either) and Home Depot. They closed the two Lowes locations closest to me (amongst others), the nearest one is a half hour away now, and they have stores spread very thin throughout the metro area, but we are just a small backwater known as Chicago. So investing in a line of power tools that is that dependent on one retailer worries me. At least if someone were to choose Ryobi, Home Depots are much more common and the brand is only an exclusive for them and not a store brand. Since TTi still owns it, Ryobi could survive at other retailers should something happen to Home Depot, Kobalt? Unlikely.
Now, if Chevron would make a line like this sold under another brand name they own, even a new one they just introduced for it, at Lowes and/or other retailers, it would be highly attractive unlocked from the retailer, but that would be very hard to launch in the current saturated market.
Robert
Chevron makes something similar. The new skill power core system seems like it could be a decent non mainstream tool system.
Steve
I like that Skil line a bunch but that’s more consumer focused, these Kobalt tools are clearly a step above and could compete in the pro space. Skil-Saw isn’t the name that would work either because of that “Saw” in there it wouldn’t be ideal for a full line of pro tools. Skil-Saw is best focused on the pro high end construction saw niche.
Ken
Kobalt come to us via Flex tools.
Toolfreak
Part of the selling point of the Kobalt line is the in-store warranty from Lowe’s. Instead of having to ship your damaged tool back and forth from the manufacturer to have it repaired or receive a refurbished tool in exchange, you just take the tool to Lowe’s and they give you another on the spot. This is part of why I went with the 24V Kobalt stuff over bigger brands.
I agree the longevity of the platform might be in question given the history of Lowe’s with the Kobalt 12V/18V stuff, but they seem to be sticking with the 24V long-term this time.
James
Well it took a year, but you are in luck Steve. Chevron just launched their new power tool line with the FLEX brand. The tools target the pros and look just as impressive as the xtr Kobalt tools.
Tomonthebeach
Consistent with this positive review of Kobalt power hand tools are the 40-volt Kobalt yard tools. I have a 24″ hedge trimmer, 14″ chain saw, and a leaf blower. The leaf blower, my first Kobalt yard tool, is far more powerful than any corded ones I ever owned and competes favorably with a gas-powered blower. Just pop in a battery, and go. It will even remove storm debris resting atop out pool screens looming 16 feet over the pool.
Based on that surprising discovery, I tried the 40v hedge trimmer when it came out. It likewise delighted me – no more worry about accidentally cutting the power cord (I did that once). I live in Florida where everything grows 6 inches a week (well it seems that way). The trimmer just zipped through my very extensive hedges lickity-split. But what about palmettos and nasty Sanibel Palm trees with those big woody dead frond stems sticking out of the trunk?
The new 40V chainsaw was amazing at cutting back palmetto. In the past, it took hours and sweat with huge branch loppers to cut fronds back – most our stands are about 10 ft wide, 12 ft high, and 30 ft long – each. The chainsaw cut each frond back like butter in seconds. I was done in an hour – and much of that time was bagging debris. I next turned it on a live 15ft ash about 6 inches in diameter growing out of a palmetto stand in our jungle at the back of the property. I took it down at the base in about 6 seconds. The entire tree was ready for bagging in about 3 minutes.
Oh, I forgot one thing – NOISE. There isn’t any. My neighbors never again will hear the annoying racket from my gas chain saw. It is in storage in case of a hurricane and no electricity to charge batteries. Clean-up is a snap too.
JR
Beware though. I jumped into the 80v line when it first came out and now the stores no longer carry any of the 80v tools. They are still available, but only through the web site. I also am heavily vested in Porter Cable 20v power tools which look like they are being abandoned by Stanley Black and Decker for Craftsman in the Lowes space. Now looking for my 4th platform in 20 years (Makita 6v stick turned into Makita 12v stick and the stick cells were then abandoned. Craftsman 19.8v died when Sears dropped the line. Now Porter Cable being abandoned for a new Craftman owner.) to invest in. On average, a new platform to invest in every 5 years is very expensive if you are not making money with your tools.
csroc
They seem really nice, and I’m a big fan of the color blue in general. That said I have to agree with some other folks who would have a hard time investing in this system over either Red, Yellow, or Teal if I were starting from scratch.
Jeff
I never thought Stewart would be bought out to promote these tools. PTR has been beating the drum on these tools forever and it is clearly paid. Sad to see that advertising money is all it takes to get a good review here.
Stuart
I’m sorry you feel that way.
We’ve participated in sponsored projects and campaigns in the past, and always on terms I found agreeable. I have rejected a number of opportunities that involved tools and retailers I don’t believe in, and will continue that practice.
I wouldn’t have been able to budget the time or effort into as deep involvement with these tools if not for the sponsorship aspect. Or, would you rather I create a paywall to support “pro” or “subscriber” content as other review and media sites have been doing?
The fact of the matter is that this is the direction the industry is headed towards. There’s also the strong possibility that we wouldn’t have had access to these tool samples at all if not for the sponsorship campaign. Some brands (not Lowe’s or Kobalt to my knowledge) don’t even send out press releases anymore, they pay for “excitement” – which too often isn’t disclosed by “influencers.”
This campaign stems from Kobalt’s launch even, which would have taken place in April if not for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lowe’s and Kobalt have proven to be great partners that are perfectly aligned with our ethics, and I have really enjoyed using these XTR tools. If not, I wouldn’t have participated. Reviews on the individual tools will also come soon – AFTER the sponsorship campaign concludes.
We bailed on a different party’s sponsored campaign back in November because the premise was agreeable but then things changed to where it failed to meet our ethics and quality requirements. So, we “left money on the table,” something I will always do if a partnership isn’t a perfect fit for myself or ToolGuyd.
The way I treat sponsorships is that they support “above and beyond” efforts, such as using specific tools exclusively (or at least as much as possible) during an exploration period. So, it pays for time and effort I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to commit. And, there’s also a reader benefit aspect that I’m currently planning on (a ToolGuyd-funded Kobalt giveaway of some kind, or a Lowe’s gift card, I haven’t decided yet).
You will always see clear disclosures when any form of sponsorship is involved, and I have my own set of rules regarding how and what type of content to craft as part of any partnerships.
Quite simply put, I am loving these tools, and have had a surprisingly enjoyable time using them. That’s also why I decided to defer the reviews for after the promotional period ends. The hard part here was to avoid too many subjective endorsements, which is why I tried to focus on objective aspects in this post.
My time and effort can be bought – if conditions are met, but not my words.
We have participated in sponsorship campaigns in the past, and will likely continue to do so (on a case by case basis as before if or when future opportunities arise), and with clear disclosures and honorable practices.
Everything I say here and in the other posts are 100% true and genuine, but there’s a strong chance I wouldn’t have been able to develop such strong sentiments if not for the time commitment to deeply exploring the tools in such a time frame. The campaign could have went in other directions, but I decided to focus on several smaller projects rather than a singular “build,” due to how my schedule has been so fragmented due to the COVID-19 closures.
Ross
I think where it feels icky is there is nothing but gushing praise about these. There is no such thing as a perfect tool at any price level, but reading this review people might think they’ve found it. If there isn’t a downside mentioned it’s an advertisement, not a review.
Toolfreak
Actually, I think it’s too bad the site isn’t set up so the gutters of the page have images or ads for the brand the post is about.
I wouldn’t mind seeing cool-looking ads/product images like XTR stuff for the post about XTR tools if it helped pull in more $$$.
Stuart
Gutter ads seem to be disappearing due to mobile browser dominance. We ran side gutter ads once as part of an ad network campaign, and I wasn’t eager to repeat it.
Roadblock ads are very high-value, but as a user I hate them, and so I wouldn’t do that here.
There’s a narrow overlap between “popular advertising and sponsorship practices” and “practices I don’t mind as a reader.”
Toolfreak
That why I like gutter ads – so they don’t appear on mobile and they are non-invasive, just passively there.
I don’t know if they’d pay that much for them, but I just wouldn’t mind them if they’d pull in $$$ and be worth the hassle.
Me
It’s a shame you can’t tell us how much the ‘depot is paying you to try cutting down on kobalt reviewers!
Todd Jones
INR21700-40T cells in the battery packs. Nice cells but the BMS looks like butt cheeks compared to the Milwaukees.
Aaron
Can you elaborate on this? Battery pack quality is one of my questions on this platform. I know enough to ask, but not enough to totally understand what you said. The cells are good but the computer in the battery is dodgy? Does that suggest that in moderate use it will last as long as higher cost but that for heavy use they will overload? I’m not trying to put words in your mouth just I’m really curious on these batteries.
Mike
Simple – will this discussion be relavent in 5 years, or will it be about ‘where can I find batteries for my abandoned system’?
JR
Been there, done that. 3 times now as a hobbyist. Okay, first time I was making money with my Makitas. Can’t even give the old platform tools away at this point.
Robert
I’d love to try out the new XTR hammer drill, mostly to compare it to my DeWalt dcd996 and dcd998(just got it) and see how it does compared to my Ridgid octane hammer drill(I’ve burned it up twice so far)
Toolfreak
As the owner of several of the non-XTR 24V tools, the tests, reviews and teardowns of the XTR stuff make me glad to have the non-XTR tools.
Reason being, the XTR tools seem to be almost the same as the earlier version, just with the brushless motors being overdriven to give the better performance/specs. I’m not sure if this will mean a shorter motor life or problems down the road, but would have preferred the new tools to have an actual new compact motor design, even if that would mean a slightly higher price.
The 4Ah “Ultimate Output” battery also isn’t compatible with all of the tools. It doesn’t fit into the jobsite fan due to the wider plastic case, and if you try to use it in the 24V angle grinder, it runs for a second and then shuts off. It also apparently doesn’t work with the fast charger like the “extended run” 4Ah does, so you have to wait 2-3 hours for it to charge vs. 1 hour with the faster charger.
I also just don’t like the weird design of the XTR impact wrench. The higher torque seems nice for really tough jobs, but I’m not sure I want/need that much torque in a cordless impact for regular use.
Overall the specs are nice and the XTR stuff seems good for the price, but it seems Lowe’s bit too soon when Chervon’s idea for the new 24V tools was to overdrive the motors, change the casing and overmolding, and stick bigger cells in a wider battery.
Andreas
Stuart, you’re a sell out. All you have done is praise these tools.
Try to “objectively” review these tools like someone with integrity if you want people to take you serious.
Stuart
Wow, I’ve never faced such hostility with Bosch, Home Depot, or other campaigns before. Why do you feel so strongly against Kobalt?
Try these tools for yourself, tell me what I’m wrong about.
Plus, where do you see this in any way that this is called a review? Those are to come, but quite frankly my opinion isn’t likely to be swayed.
The *only* detraction so far that I can find is the price, but you’re not going to get premium specs or features at entry-level specs.
Toolfreak
Maybe he works for Home Depot?
Andreas
Well thank you for out right admitting that you are a paid shill Stuart.
Also for steering me away from toolguyd as a website to go to for information or as a website i would recommend to others.
fred
I for one read Toolguyd as much for the comments and perspective of its readers as for Stuart’s observations. I think he’s tried to be honest over the years – doesn’t pretend to know it all or that his perspectives are based on years of professional tool use as a contractor. ToolGuyd is his business and he has to earn a living for his family – so I’m not surprised to find that he has fostered relationships with Lowes and others or that he often links to tool-buying opportunities where Toolguyd can earn some money. I’m happy to learn a smattering about Lowes-Kobalt, HD-Ryobi or even HF tools via ToolGuyd although I’m rather unlikely to buy any of these brands at my point in life. Naturally, I’d like to see a diverse mix of tools and tool brands as subject of ToolGuyd posts – but If Lowes helps Stuart pay the bills – so that he can keep ToolGuyd up and running – I can choose to ignore those posts in which I have no interest or think that the subject may be aimed at a market that is different from my experience.
Stuart
Thank you Fred!
As bad as it sounds, skepticism is healthy. There are so many people producing content and not disclosing that they’re sponsored.
We’ve partnered with different brands and retailers over the years, and each time I experiment with a different approach.
With this campaign, things went a little differently because it was supposed to stem from a launch event, and without that I ultimately decided to go with a natural context.
What made this more difficult is that I wanted review content to be kept separate,
So, I approached this post as a way to summarize my surprises and the things that stuck out to me.
Perhaps it was a mistake, as the approach I took here means that in an alternate reality I would have posted this same exact post in the same exact way, except unsponsored, without mention of any partnership, and at a much later date (if it wasn’t caught up in the black hole that is my backlog). Isn’t that how these things should go – that one should’t say anything under sponsorship that wouldn’t still hold true otherwise? But given my schedule and how I rotate testing tools into my mix of go-to’s, it would have taken maybe a year for me to give the tools half the hands-on time.
Just like I didn’t write it in a way I thought Kobalt and Lowe’s would have wanted, I didn’t make an effort to make it not seem like I did, if that makes sense. I can’t really apologize to anyone for not disguising my honest enthusiasm.
The original plan was to focus on a singular tool, but I couldn’t pick a clear favorite.
Saying “yes” to the occasional agreeable opportunity means I can say “no” to paywalls, IN YOUR FACE affiliate links and banner ads everywhere, and other disagreeable measures.
Even with sponsorship opportunities, I approach them with a “I am the reader” philosophy. There are some types of sponsored projects and content I ignore, and others I find benefit in. While I tend to be very strict regarding what I find acceptable and what I don’t, it’s not shocking that there are some even more hostile to the idea of sponsorships, even to the point of being abrasively critical.
fred
Thank you again for what you do and your attempts to be open and honest about how you do it. If we admit it to ourselves we are all more than a bit prejudiced by factors like our family, environment, upbringing, experiential base – and how we earn our living (who pays us.) It would be nice (I think you would agree) if you were independently wealthy – such that you could pursue your apparent passion for tools – without the encumbrance of needing to earn a living. But there it is. Some would say that once someone takes money for what they say – they are too compromised to be honest. But I think that we can all compartmentalize our brains a bit and still call it as it is based on our honest view (with those prejudices and perspectives I talked about) of how we see it. We can work for an employer and still see and comment on their faults and with their products. Hopefully, our employers encourage an open and honest dialog so that we can express and bubble-up issues to make them and their products better.
Stuart
Sorry you feel that way.
suspecterrain
I agree – sick of incentivised endorsements being packaged as unbiased editorial, Cancel my subscription.
David A.
Good grief folks, he tells you right up front this is a promotional campaign. The reviews are coming. Read the copy, and the comments. I am not looking to buy anything now, but I am learning.
Julian Tracy
Knives, flashlights and crappy ugly tools. The practical utility of this site has taken a dive the last few years.
Stuart
Sorry, you can cancel your subscription for a full refund.
Dion
They sound good, look good, and a friend says he loves his drill.
But . . . after investing $1K+ (probably $2K) in another brand that has an extensive line up of many tools, it’s real hard to start over, especially a line with a small line up of tools.
As a previous comment pointed out, relying on a store brand is very risky.
Matt
I’ll back Stuart up here. I’ve been buying the new Craftsman V20 stuff which if you go to Lowe’s is set up back to back with Kobalt to compare. I’m a Craftsman guy and I like the V20 stuff, I don’t love it though. I paid more for most of my V20 tools than I would have for the comparable DeWalt models. If I wasn’t in a battery tool line and wasn’t brand conscious I would seriously consider the Kobalt stuff.
Compared to my new Brushless V20 line, not only is Kobalt cheaper on most tools, they’re built better. The forward reverse switches are far beefier on the Kobalt impact/drill tools whereas my V20 stuff they’re chintzy and break easily. The circular saw has a metal bottom blade guard, mine’s plastic. It also has a rafter hook, mine doesn’t even offer it as an option. The Kobalt sawzall is a beast, the V20 brushless sawzall is MIA despite their advertising that there is one. Much like the mysterious V12 line that never came… Kobalt has anti-kickback on the drill as well as an extra handle, my V20 drill has neither.
I bought into V20 mostly to support the return of Craftsman. If I had to do it all over again I’m not sure I’d do it since Stanley doesn’t seem to want to go all in on it or even care. Would I buy Kobalt? I don’t know. Since I Am a bit brand conscious maybe not. I’d probably just go Milwaukee or maybe Makita. Paid or not paid though, Stu is being completely honest here. The Kobalt stuff is great. Priced right and quality right there with ‘pro’ lines IMO. The only thing I don’t like about them is they look a bit like Rigid/Porter Cable tools with the blocky overmolded designs. I’m not a big fan of that. I like tools to look a bit more cleaned up but that’s personal preference.
Aaron Harmon
A lot of this article including most of the replies seems fake/staged… I have really liked this website in the past, but to be honest, you come across like a corporate shill. You were transparent in noting that they are a paid sponsor which is great, but overall, as someone who has enjoyed coming here for several years, this post comes at the expense of credibility as far as I’m concerned. I’ll treat everything that you post with skepticism from now own and that is a shame… I also really like Lowes and have no problem with Kobalt but this may as well have come out of one of their marketing fliers…
Frank D
Is it a stand-alone non-sponsored article?
No, but at least Stuart was totally upfront about it.
Good luck getting that from some of the other mainstream tool sites and blogs, which are mostly PR rehash and OEM optimized blurbs with AMZ/HD/LOWE’s referral links. Totally for the clicks & $, not for the tools or the readership. I’d suggest sticking around and maybe just skipping TG’s sponsored article rather than sending everybody to greener pastures elsewhere.
Stuart
Here’s the challenge – how do I treat tools I really love using, and with features that stood out and even surprised me?
I kept delaying, scrapping each idea for the next, and finally thought I’d sum my experiences into 5 main bullet points.
With a past pro-grade higher-voltage platform campaign, I focused on a giveaway.
With pro brand compact cordless lineup, I focused on the cabinetry benefits.
With a certain cordless power tool accessory, I performed comparative testing.
Here, I walked into the sponsorship campaign expecting the tools to be a good upgrade, but they delivered much more than that.
That said, it’s my stance that you should treat EVERYTHING from EVERYONE with skepticism. There are so many fake sentiments and undisclosed monetary connections that it’s a good attitude to have really.
So far, it seems that the major complaint is that I’m overly positive about tools we were sponsored to spend time with.
I tend to say things as I see them, without much regard to how it might seem, but you’ve been reading ToolGuyd long enough to know that. if you don’t like that, take the information and sidestep the subjectivity.
But, I do encourage you to point out which of my positions you have issue with.
I tend to be sensitive towards marketing claims, but Kobalt’s seem to be true, and not in any creative way. I don’t like too-powerful drills or impact drivers. The anti-kickback works, and the impact seems like balanced and a one-tool-fits-all solution until you need a higher powered impact wrench. The saws surprised me most, as that’s where brands cut corners, make compromises, or otherwise hold back, at least at the DIY level. This was one of few saws I very much enjoyed using.
I am always happy to share the “why” behind any of my comments, and this is always true whether the comments result from a brand partnership or not.
ktash
I have the previous Kobalt 6 1/2″ circular saw and am happy to see they are keeping the battery platform. My 6 1/2″ saw was super cheap on sale. I mainly got it for the extra depth of cut due to the design. I’ve been very happy with it, so much better than a 6 1/2″ comparable Ryobi purchased as part of a kit. It doesn’t wimp out like the Ryobi. I’ve seen Kobalt kits that were ridiculously low priced, but with the same model tools as the stand-alones. Unlike Ryobi and other brands that will give you lesser models with the kits. They should keep that up.
The key will be to keep the same platform, have some good sales and expand the range of tools offered. You can’t beat the battery price. I see these as good tools for someone who mainly wants a basic set for DIY, especially if there is a good BF price, especially if the kits have the better models.
Curtis
I’ve never used the Kobalt saw, but I have a 6.5″ Ryobi, as well as their 7.25″ and a 6.5″ Milwaukee fuel and 7.25″ Dewalt.
The 6.5″ Ryobi is a gutless saw. 5 years ago it didn’t compare poorly with the competition given it’s very low price, but today it just doesn’t measure up and there’s no way I’d recommend it.
The 7.25″ Ryobi on the other hand is very good. Its lightweight, inexpensive, uses 7.25″ blades and has the power to handle them and Ryobi was smart enough to put the blade on the correct, (left), side. For me, the plastic guard and stamped shoe haven’t been a problem and weren’t on the 6.5″ saw either.
Nathan
I will say thank you for being upfront about the marketing connection and the brief discussion. For a intro pass it strikes most of the marks I was looking for.
In a direct comparison I would like to see some more depth. I agree the Kobalt power tools of the past seemed to look good as options. One thing that keeps me away from Kobalt cordless tools is their single place sale, and routine abandonment. They seem to have gotten better on that last part. HD seems to have gotten in with Ridgid which is atleast sold elsewhere.
Otherwise I would like to see the following comparisons. 1 – shelf neighbors kobalt vs craftman since they are put together in the store. I think it would be interesting but I think the XTR line is more like a Dewalt. 2- against the Dewalt, Milwaukee, Metabo etc’s.
I would be interested in that circular saw. Meanwhile I will say I’ve thought about the Kobalt Miter saw thinking non-cordless
Mick Cayless
Great feedback on a Kobalt set. I am a homeowner wanting something with more umph when drilling/driving. I don’t do a lot of DIY/household repairs . But a good quality tool combo kit would serve me well. My old 12V cordless blue Ryobi was frankly bad quality and all four of my batteries are now trash.
So, just yesterday, I purchased an 18V Ryobi combo kit from Home Depot for $199. It came complete with a drill, impact drill, recip saw, flashlight, charger, two batteries, and bag. I thought I did good until a talked to a plumber today. I showed the kit to the plumber and he told me to return the kit to HD and go buy myself a brushless kit as the tools will serve me better in the long run. He also told me he will never use Ryobi as their warranty is just one year and also questioned the quality of Ryobi.
I noticed the Kobalt combo kit #KLC 4024A-03 at Lowe’s for $299. It’s 24V and comes with all the above with the exception of having one 4ah battery instead of two 2ah’s as with the Ryobi. Yes, it’s about $100 more than the Ryobi, but does come with the 5 year warranty on the equipment and 3 year on the batteries. Your review of the Kobalt swayed me to return the Ryobi and to purchase the Kobalt.
Am I making a mistake? Should I stay with the Ryobi. Thanks for any feedback.
Stuart
You seem to be describing the Ryobi P1818 combo kit, and there is also the 6-tool P1819 combo kit at the same $199 price.
If you’re looking for more power, the Kobalt 24V Max brushless combo kit you mentioned will deliver a better experience compared to the entry-priced Ryobi tools in the P1818 and P1819 combo kits.
The Kobalt 24V Max XTR brushless tools discussed in this post will deliver more, but it also costs $100 more and ends up being double what you initially spent/planned on spending. The 5-tool combo kit is also eligible for a free bonus battery offer right now. So for $100 more than the kit you listed, you get another battery, a circular saw, tool box, and a free bonus battery.
For more casual use, it’s usually better to spend less, but when you need more power, you need more power.
Here is Ryobi’s warranty as specified on their website:
Ryobi’s tools aren’t bad, and you might be happier having more tools than fewer tools that are more powerful. It all depends on what your needs might be in the short and long-term future.
Mick Cayless
Thanks for your feedback . I ended up purchasing the Kobalt brushless combo kit after doing some math with the Milwaukee 18V brushless kit. Great quality. Though, I could not justify the higher price point in the Milwaukee brand. Thanks again.
Michael Vinson
Can you find out from Lowes when the 5 piece combo kit will be available again? I cant get customer service to give me any information, but think this line will be great for this heavy use DIYer.
Stuart
I asked a month or two ago and was told “Fall/around the holidays.”
Pamela Kennedy
My fiance is wanting to purchase a set of power tools this would be nice to give him for his birthday coming up in April.
thaisin
too big and bulky for my taste, plus the circular saw and reciprocating saw cut out too soon, heavy unbalanced tools imo. But to each their own.
Joe
Just came here to say I’ve been using the xtr drill and impact since they came out and I have zero complaints. I am a metal fabricator by trade, have a small business in which I beat the shit out of them and they do very well. I have hole sawed 6” holes in 11ga aluminum sheet with the drill and it eats it up. I have the angle grinder and with the 24v max battery it way out performs my (4 years older) Milwaukee grinder. Y’all can yell about him being too positive in his review but in my experience kobalt is a contender provided Lowe’s will stay committed.