Lowe’s has a new Kobalt cordless screwdriver, and if I had to guess, I’d say this is destined to be a featured promo for the winter holiday or Black Friday 2022 shopping season.
From what we can see so far, the new Kobalt 4V cordless screwdriver actually has some nice features.
To start off, it looks to have a compact size and measures 5-1/2″ long. Although online images can be deceiving, we can try to go by the 1/4″ screwdriver bit holder for scale.
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This Kobalt looks much smaller than the Craftsman Gyro screwdriver. I purchased the Craftsman a while back, but very rarely use due it to its larger size – among other reasons.
The Kobalt cordless screwdriver has a built-in rechargeable battery, which I know some tool users really don’t like, but that’s typical for simple power tools like this one.
It recharges via USB-C.
Lowe’s says the screwdriver comes with a type-C cable, but there’s no charger listed. They don’t specify if the included cable has USB-C connections on both ends, or USB-C and USB-A plugs to fit older-style charging adapters.
The Kobalt cordless screwdriver also has a ring-style LED light at the front, and simple direction selection buttons on the side.
According to the on-tool label as seen in product images, the screwdriver operates at 280 RPM, and its battery has a 1.5Ah charge capacity.
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Kobalt and Lowe’s have not yet provided torque specs, but 3.6V and 4V Max cordless screwdrivers typically deliver up to around 40 in-lbs of max torque.
It will come bundled with a bit extension, (20) 1/4″ hex-shank insert screwdriver bits (1″ length), and a charging cable (but presumably no charger).
Details are subject to change.
Price: $25
Discussion
Frankly, this looks like something I’d be inclined to use, and the $25 price seems reasonable for what you get.
My only criticism is that every good cordless screwdriver needs a flashy name. This is the Kobalt 68686, which doesn’t sound very exciting, although I like that it’s a palindrome.
Can’t Wait?
The Skil 4V Circuit Sensor cordless screwdriver is also $25.
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Frank D
At this point, after half a dozen gimmick Kobalt tools – primarily from around the holiday season – and considering non user replaceable battery … it will be a skip.
I still have an old Black & Decker I can put 4x AA batteries in, to help with electrical cover plates.
Steve
I have the Craftsman one, pretty much the same thing.
Jim Felt
I’ve always preferred various versions of this Klein Tools 670-6 Screwdriver, 3/16-Inch Cabinet Tip, Rapi-Driv with 6-Inch Shank over any low speed low torque low voltage low battery replacement probability “tool”…
And I use them in slotted, square drive and Phillips versions. Perfect nope. But fast and handy for repetitive fittings.
Jeremiah Ducate
Yeah, I havent used mine enough yet, but its the perfect tool for cover plates. Makes me gappy when U use it. They make a version with 1/4″ socket for swapping bits too.
Rob H
Yay for usb-c!
Jared
How is it activated – do you just push one button for forward, another for back?
The ring of LEDs is a nice touch – as is the price and size. It looks handy.
I use the Dremel cordless screwdriver a bit now. It’s not bad, handy even, but I do wish for different speeds at times. I certainly appreciate that it has buttons along with the push-to-go mechanism (where I think the original didnt).
Stuart
That’s what I’m thinking – on/forward, and on/reverse.
LEDs can be problematic, such as with the Craftsman Gyro. I find the light too bright and intrusive, and you can’t turn it off.
Robert
If Lowes had made it available 12 and 13 July then I would have liked that it was a prime number.
PW
Interesting, but integrated batteries are a no go for me.
Wish more tool makers would go with a 18650 or similar battery for these, it can’t be that hard…
Stuart
This would cost more, add to complexity and size, and most target users wouldn’t care.
Those that do have replaceable battery 4V tools went with a proprietary battery pack. For instance, Ryobi: https://toolguyd.com/ryobi-usb-lithium-cordless-power-tools/
MM
I think cost is a major factor when it comes to battery replacement. If one has a fairly expensive tool and its built-in battery craps out then it could make sense to take the tool apart and solder in a new battery. But this? Which costs $25? If the battery craps out after years of use why not replace the whole tool?
I generally hate to advocate “disposable technology”, but for situations like this it’s difficult to advocate holding onto and repairing an older tool when a new model is not a significant expense and would likely be all-around better anyway.
I can think back to an old B&D cordless screwdriver that I had as a teenager. It took the “VersaPak” 3.6V NiCd stick batteries. Suppose I still owned and used that tool and the batteries failed with no new ones available…I wouldn’t lament the lack of new batteries, I’d go buy a whole new cordless screwdriver instead–which would be a fraction of the size and weight with better performance to boot.
In my opinion this tool is too inexpensive and too likely to be made obsolete by newer models to be worried about long-term support.
Stuart
There are advantages to replaceable batteries, such as being able to quickly swap out a depleted cell to keep working, but this isn’t going to be such a tool.
MM
Yes of course, for many tools you want to swap batteries so you can keep working, but as you said I don’t think this is such a tool. Anyone who needs to drive a sufficient volume of screws that they would need to swap batts on this tool would likely be using an entirely different form of electric driver. Or they could simply have two of these and keep the spare on charge like one would an extra battery.
Matt the Hoople
Can’t see needing to swap a battery. I use my 6-7 year old skil screwdriver when I have a handful of screws that need turning. Normally 4 to 15 or so. If the job is larger, I’ll break out the 12v impact driver and run it on low power. My skil cost less than $20 and has lasted close to 7 years so far. It uses an 18650 and I was planning on replacing the battery when it dies. At $25 for a new screwdriver pre-sale price, I likely will just replace the whole thing.
Jacob
Funny you mention, those VersaPack cells are easily available today aftermarket and as a result those tools still enjoy some resale value despite the age
James Ouzts
Non replaceable batteries are not impossible to replace. Be careful and do some research but it’s not impossible.
Nathan
but is it usb4 with lightning capability?
Interesting idea – and I can see how it might be a good hobby drawer solution. does it have internal bit stowage?
I will not buy one however.
Joe S
$25 seems reasonable for what you get, but this will definitely be discounted for the holidays and maybe even labor day. $19.99? 14.99? Much more appealing at those price points.
Jwctech
Any news on a release date of this screwdriver?
Stuart
Not that I’ve seen yet.
Jason
I’ve been checking on this about once a week for months and on Lowes it always says no longer available for sale.
Stuart
The product might have been cancelled, which would be a shame. Or, its launch might have pushed into 2023.
Mason M
Ayyyyy! I found and bought one of these about a week ago. This is my new favorite 4V screwdriver and probably will be for the foreseeable future. I’ve bought nearly every one of these kinds of things I could get my hands on and every one has disappointed me in some way. This one seems to correct all of my complaints from all the other brands: Good form factor (actually resembles a real screwdriver handle), 1/4″ locking chuck, decent LED lighting, a clutch that engages immediately when the screwdriver stops (this is my biggest complaint with other brands), tactile buttons that you can reach without contorting your fingers and actually see against the surface of the screwdriver, actually pretty decent torque, and USB-C charging. Every other 4v driver misses at least two of these things, but this one actually manages to nail every single point. My only complaint is that they ended up going with a smooth chuck rather than the knurled texturing shown in these pictures but I don’t even care about that when this dumb little impulse buy effortlessly knocks everything else out of the water.