Veteran-built.
Kobalt buying guide
Kobalt is Lowe's house tool brand. Many of its cordless tools are built for Lowe's by Chervon, the company behind EGO and FLEX. Kobalt makes sense for homeowners and for crews that buy most of their materials at Lowe's and want to stay on one battery. This is a buying guide, not a crew review; our crew doesn't run Kobalt as a main platform.
Kobalt at a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Lowe's (store brand) |
| Main platform | 24V MAX (includes the higher-end XTR line) |
| Outdoor | Kobalt 40V and 80V outdoor lines |
| Warranty (24V MAX) | 5-year limited on the tool, 3-year limited on the battery |
| How to claim | Bring the item and proof of purchase to Lowe's |
| Where sold | Lowe's and lowes.com only |
Is Kobalt 24V the right platform?
Kobalt 24V MAX covers drills, impacts, circular and reciprocating saws, grinders, lights, inflators, and some outdoor tools. XTR is the premium line with more power and better features. "24V MAX" is a marketing number: like other brands' "20V MAX," it describes peak voltage, so 24V MAX tools are not stronger than 18V/20V tools just because of the number.
Kobalt is a good fit if:
- You buy at Lowe's every week and like returning tools to the same store.
- You want a 5-year tool warranty handled at the counter.
- You don't need specialty trade tools (press tools, PEX expanders, big SDS-max hammers) that only pro platforms carry.
It is a weaker fit if you need a very deep catalog or rent-to-own equipment on the same battery.
How to buy Kobalt without overpaying
- Lowe's runs Kobalt kit and "free battery" promos around Father's Day, Black Friday and the holidays. Our deals page lists live ones.
- Compare a two-tool combo against the single tool plus battery; combos usually win.
- Keep your receipt or use a MyLowe's account so the purchase is on file for warranty claims.
See it at Lowe's: Kobalt 24V MAX combo kit See it at Lowe's: Kobalt XTR 24V
Warranty steps
- Keep the receipt or the MyLowe's purchase record.
- If a tool or battery fails, bring it with proof of purchase to a Lowe's store.
- Lowe's will repair or replace it under the 5-year (tool) or 3-year (battery) limited warranty. Abuse, normal wear and unauthorized repairs are excluded.
Our take so far
We don't run Kobalt, so we won't rank it against Milwaukee or DeWalt.
FAQ
Who makes Kobalt cordless tools?
Kobalt is a Lowe's brand. Many of its cordless tools are made by Chervon, which also makes EGO, FLEX and Skil.
What is the Kobalt 24V warranty?
Kobalt 24V MAX tools have a 5-year limited warranty and the batteries have a 3-year limited warranty. Claims go through Lowe's with proof of purchase.
Do Kobalt 24V batteries fit FLEX or EGO tools?
No. Even though Chervon builds tools for all three, the batteries are not interchangeable.
Sources
- Lowe's, Kobalt 24V MAX tool manual with warranty (PDF): https://pdf.lowes.com/productdocuments/95673650-a8ae-4110-95f6-625ac18f906e/64625142.pdf
- Lowe's Corporate, Kobalt 24V Max launch: https://corporate.lowes.com/newsroom/press-releases/kobalt-launches-24v-max-brushless-power-tools-06-01-16
- Mas Equipo, Who owns what tool brand: https://masequipo.com/who-owns-what/