We tested out the new Kobalt 600 PSI power cleaner. This power cleaner is designed to wash away dirt and grime from surfaces from just about anywhere. The Kobalt 600 PSI power cleaner is battery-powered with Kobalt’s 40V Max battery series.
Bottom Line: The Kobalt 600 PSI Power Cleaner has all the right components and was well-built. I don’t really have a use for it but I have found a ton of people that do. You can grab it on Amazon or Lowe’s for a great price.
Kobalt 600 PSI Power Cleaner Review
The Kobalt 600 PSI power cleaner was fun to use. While I have tested many, many electric pressure washers in the past, I’ve only used a handful of power cleaners. I have also tested the Greenworks power cleaner and the Worx power cleaner which operate nearly the same as this Kobalt power cleaner.
The Kobalt 600 PSI Power Cleaner isn’t very powerful
At 600 PSI, the Kobalt Power Cleaner is not made to be a normal pressure washer. For regular electric pressure washers, anywhere between 2000 and 3000 PSI is a great range. 600 isn’t very much – but it is much stronger than a normal garden hose.
If you are the type of person to use a power cleaner then you will have appreciation for the amount of power. In previous reviews of power cleaners, I use a power cleaner to wash off pollen from patio chairs, clean off a bike, and do a quick car wash.
I’ve checked out what others use power cleaners for and it is more of the same: cleaning out animal cages, washing paddle boards and kayaks, and on-the go washing.
Kobalt’s 40V Power Cleaner is easy to use
The 600 PSI power cleaner is super easy to use although it is a bit heavy. You can connect a hose to the bottom of the power cleaner directly, which is what I did to wash off patio furniture. If you don’t have a hose you can use the tube it comes with to draw water from any area.
If indoors, it is easy to fill a bucket up with water and draw from that to clean things like bathtubs or showers. If you are outdoors, you can draw water safely from any fresh water source like a lake or pond. These are great use cases to take your power cleaner with you when you go paddle boarding or mountain biking.
The 5-in-1 nozzle tip is also a really nice feature on the Kobalt Power Cleaner. Simply twist the nozzle to change between five different spray patterns. This nozzle tip makes the Kobalt power cleaner even more portable because you don’t have to keep track of different nozzles.
Is the Kobalt 40V 600 PSI Power Cleaner worth it?
The Kobalt Power Cleaner comes in at under $200 over at Lowe’s. If you already own a 40V battery from Kobalt, then I would definitely give this one a chance. If you are looking for a nice alternative, the Greenworks 24V Power Cleaner is pretty dang good as well.
If you are looking for other Kobalt 40V products, check out some of the reviews we did:
No, Kobalt has not made a pressure washer. The Kobalt 40V 600 PSI is the closest Kobalt has come to making a pressure washer.
Why we review electric lawn tools
We started The Lawn Review out of frustration. We couldn’t find clarity around what type of products were actually good and reliable. All the fertilizers we tried didn’t work. We ended up with a dying lawn, wasted time, and wasted money.
We take this stuff seriously!
So we started buying and reviewing lawn tools and figuring out which ones were the best. And now we’ve moved onto actually keeping that grass nice and healthy all year around.
We’ve spent thousands of hours building this content for people just like you and me – normal people.
Kobalt’s 24V cordless blower is a really nice blower for the average homeowner. I got my hands on this Kobalt blower for some serious testing and have to say – it is super lightweight.
I’ve tested a few Kobalt products in my day and also own the Kobalt 80V blower. I am always impressed by the build quality of Kobalt products, but they are a company that truly flies under the radar.
Bottom Line: The Kobalt 24V blower isn’t super powerful but it is powerful enough for most homeowners to clean off their porch or driveway without a problem. You can grab it for a really nice price over on Amazon.
Right after I picked up my Kobalt 24V blower I took it home and put it through the ringer. Here are some of my observations.
The Kobalt 24V blower isn’t that powerful
Don’t get me wrong, the Kobalt 24V is fine from a power perspective, but compared to some others out there it isn’t very powerful. If you don’t know what CFMs and MPH are, read here.
If you do, the Kobalt 24V blower has up to 500 CFMs and 120 MPH. Mind you, these two specifications are fully maxed out using the Turbo button. Without the turbo button, you’re likely in the 375-400 CFM range and around 100 MPH. This is much more than a light breeze but if you check out some of the more powerful battery powered leaf blowers, you’ll see that there are better options.
The Kobalt 24V blower is perfect for around-the-house activities: blowing off the driveway, back porch, and even moving some smaller piles of leaves. It is not a substitute for a larger backpack blower, however.
Kobalt’s 24V Max Blower is super easy to use
What the Kobalt 24V Max blower lacks in extreme power it makes up for in extreme ease of use. I think this is why Kobalt’s blower is so darn popular – it is super intuitive and can be used by literally anyone with thumbs.
Once you pop on the 24V Max battery, you simply pull the trigger and you’re ready to blow. No maintenance or prep work is required to use this blower. It also has a nice variable speed trigger so you can have complete control over the speed.
What is not missing from the Kobalt 24V Max blower is the cruise control function. Since I didn’t use this for long and probably wouldn’t use it for a long, intense leaf cleaning – it really doesn’t matter. It is there if you want it.
Lastly, this blower comes in at just over 5 lbs. This makes using the Kobalt 24V blower super easy, from directing it wherever you want with ease, to making your shoulder feel normal again.
The Kobalt 24V Max Blower has a durable brushless motor
One thing I love about Kobalt is that they tend to make a bunch of quality products and hardly skimp on the necessities. The brushless motor on the Kobalt 24V Max blower means that the motor has a longer run-time, a cooler running motor, and will last for years longer than a traditional brushed motor.
The Kobalt 24V Max battery line
Kobalt’s 24V Max battery line is extensive. In addition to this blower, I’ve also used the Kobalt 24V string trimmer which was super powerful and an amazing tool in my arsenal.
And if you haven’t watched my video test of the Kobalt 80V blower yet – you’ll find out that Kobalt has crazy run-times on their products. Like truly absurdly long run times.
My review: Kobalt 24V Max Blower
While I can’t say the Kobalt 24V leaf blower is right for everyone, it is right for most homeowners. This cordless blower is easy to use, lightweight, and affordable. If you need more power or have a larger yard, I would look elsewhere.
I tested this Kobalt blower by taking it home, putting it together (took two seconds), and then walking around my yard with the blower on full speed + turbo. I used the Kobalt 24V blower on mulch, grass clippings, leaves, small sticks, and small rocks.
Why we review leaf blowers
Sounds weird, right? But we got burned dozens of times buying crappy lawn tools with impressive sounding specifications. After that happened enough times, I got serious and started to really study electric and battery powered lawn tools. Once I got wise, I started The Lawn Review to help others find lawn tools that are actually good (or bad) and give my honest, unbiased opinion of any tool I come across.
EGO vs Kobalt lawn mowers is the age-old decision – especially if you’re standing inside a Lowe’s scratching your head. I like EGO, but the Kobalt 80V mower is superior because of its strong metal deck.
Kobalt mowers vs EGO mowers: Head-to-head comparison
Kobalt and EGO mowers are both beasts in the lawn mower game. To ensure we are doing the best like-to-like comparison from both brands, we’ve chosen the Kobalt 80V 21-inch mower (model KMP 6080D-06) and the EGO 56V 21-inch mower (model LM2102SP). We felt these were the most similar comparison in price, size, and features.
Which is more powerful, EGO or Kobalt mowers?
We are diving head-first. We want to know which one of these has the most power. At the same amount of resistance, higher voltage means more power delivery. Therefore, the Kobalt is the clear winner as it is an 80V system.
In reality and out of the worlds of physics nerds, there’s more than just a simple equation. There is certainly a reality around how much power is put out by the spinning of the blades, but that doesn’t always translate to how powerful the mower feels.
Our EGO mower feels very powerful.
Even outside of science, this EGO mower doesn’t have quite the power that the Kobalt 80V mower has. Here’s why:
The Kobalt 80V mower has a higher voltage on the battery
The Kobalt mower is about 20 lbs heavier, giving more momentum to the cutting motion and keeping the blades from bouncing off rough patches of grass
Kobalt’s mower has an auto-sensing technology that adjusts the performance of the motor depending on the grass conditions.
As much as I initially thought EGO was going to crush the Kobalt with power, I’m surprised to say that Kobalt objectively wins the battle. As someone who compared the EGO 56V and Ryobi 40V mowers, the EGO felt so much more powerful because of its sturdiness. But Kobalt just happened to one-up them.
Winner: Kobalt’s 80V Max lawn mower
Well, which mower is more reliable? EGO vs Kobalt
When I evaluate the reliability of a mower there are two main things I look at: the motor type and the deck construction. As I mentioned earlier in this post about what to look for in an electric lawn mower, the motor type NEEDS to be brushless.
Brushless motors provide more torque, a cooler running motor, and a longer life than their brushed counterparts. Up until recently, every electric motor was brushed. You’ll see some of the more premium brands using brushless now, but it will soon be the standard.
Fortunately, both the EGO and Kobalt mowers have brushless motors. We can go ahead and check that box in both categories.
When it comes to deck size, these two are very different. The EGO mower (just like most of the EGO mowers) has a tough plastic decking. While most folks don’t have to worry about this, there are definitely durability issues that can impact this mower. Rocks, branches, and root systems can make this decking more vulnerable to breakage. Fluctuations in temperature will also wear down on plastic over time.
Metal deck is preferred.
On the other hand, the Kobalt mower has a metal decking that is much more durable than plastic.
Winner: Kobalt 80V Mower.
Usability and comfort
When it comes to usability, there are a lot of different features to evaluate that are relatively subjective. Let’s take a look at the usability features of both:
Kobalt’s features:
Self-propelled, rear wheel drive
Variable speed control
7-position height adjustment
LED headlights
Foldable for storage
EGO’s features:
Self-propelled
Variable speed control
6 position height adjustment
LED headlights
Foldable for storage
They’re essentially the exact same if you’re just looking at the specifications. But we want a winner, so let’s look a little closer.
LED headlights can be useful…sometimes.
We personally like EGO’s height adjustment for the handles. I’ve heard from several short people that they like to push the handle bars down almost like they’re preparing to store it, but then pushing the mower from the condensed position. I can’t relate, but appreciate that people have found flexibility with this mower using that function.
It’s honestly a tie here, but I could give a slight edge to the EGO mower.
Price and warranty
Just to make things tough for us, the EGO mower and the Kobalt mower both come in at the exact same price.
Picking a winner between EGO and Kobalt is tough. I came into this thinking that the EGO was far and away the better choice, but after getting our hands on more and more Kobalt products – we were wrong. The Kobalt is the clear winner of this face-off because it has more power, better construction, and is available at the same price.
The surprise winner.
EGO is still a great option though and is the winner if you already own an EGO product with EGO batteries as it is much cheaper.
You really can’t go wrong with either, but if we are just evaluating the two as though you don’t own any tools – the Kobalt pulls away.
Why we review lawn tools
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
What to look for in a battery-powered lawn mower
When looking to purchase an electric lawn mower, you need to make sure you understand what things matter. You will get hit with a lot of technical specifications and marketing tactics. Totally forget them and focus on the things that impact you. Below are my recommendations:
EGO and Kobalt brand quality
Quality is going to be super important here. Just about everyone is in the electric mower game these days and there are a ton of junky mowers out there. Avoid anything from a weird brand on Amazon that takes 9 years to ship. It is probably being 3D printed in a Laotian bathroom. Go for brands that have consistent quality and focus on the details, not just flashy colors.
So hot right now.
EGO is known for making seriously high quality, dense lawn tools. Yeah, we used the word dense here because when you pick up their tools they feel solid as a rock. We’ve reviewed a ton of EGO products and made YouTube videos covering EGO’s leaf blowers and EGO’s mowers.
Most electric mowers are plastic-y. Probably to reduce the weight of the mower so that the battery can get you further, but it feels cheap. Make sure to get metal where it matters – namely the deck. The deck is the part that covers the blades. Don’t get plastic here – a rock can rip through it.
EGO sadly makes quite a few mowers with plastic decking, but a couple with metal decks. While I prefer metal decks, EGO’s reinforced plastic is actually quite durable. It won’t kill you to use a plastic deck, but it can help it last much longer.
Battery interoperability on EGO and Kobalt
A ten dollar word used here, but really just make sure to buy a mower with a battery that is compatible with other electric tools. Luckily with EGO, they only have a 56V battery line, which can be used across all of their products. The only difference you’ll see is in the amp-hours, which increases the amount of time you can spend doing the job.
The Kobalt 80V battery can also be used in their sweet blower.
Kobalt has a few different battery lines, with their 80V line being the premium line usable with other 80V products.
The best battery powered lawn edger is the Greenworks Pro 80V lawn edger because it is super easy to use and comes with a great battery system from Greenworks.
We constantly get compliments about having the best grass in the neighborhood. But honestly, our grass itself looks just like each of our neighbors. So what’s the difference?
Clean, crisp borders around the yard separating the driveway and walkway from the grass. It is a small, subtle change but makes all the difference. Think about it like framing your yard. Imagine the Mona Lisa without a frame. It would look like something your kid would bring home to hang on the fridge (maybe a little better).
The new battery lawn edgers are awesome. So let’s check out which ones are the absolute best.
Bottom line – Here is our ranking of the best battery lawn edgers:
Let’s get started! There are some great brands here, but a few that really stick out for their power, reliability, and price.
5. DEWALT DCED472X1 Edger
Dewalt is a household name, but not necessarily for lawn tools. Mostly known for their power drills, saws, and other contractor-grade equipment, Dewalt is a well-trusted and well-known brand.
Recently, they’ve dug into lawn tools and have put out some surprisingly high-quality, competitive stuff.
The gentle slope is a nice detail!
Their edger is actually pretty sweet. One of my favorite things about it is the squeeze trigger, which is way more comfortable on the hand and also provides a bit of a safety to prevent kids from using it.
The edger is really an attachment on their multi-tool, which has a bunch of different heads that give you a full toolkit to craft your yard around.
This one was designed by pros, as it has a gentle slope going into the edger to ensure that it is flush with the surface and providing a deep, clean cut.
The Dewalt battery lawn edger is on sale on Amazon right now and is normally a steep price, but also includes the head that can attach a ton of other tools.
4. Kobalt 80-Volt Max 8-in Cordless Electric Lawn Edger
Kobalt is one of those brands that was exclusively sold in Lowe’s stores across the country, then randomly showed up online and did really well. Kobalt has some high quality products and are a personal favorite of ours in the aesthetics department. They have a nice navy blue and black combo that is sleek and not some fluorescent color.
Kobalt’s 80V Max series is a great series to build a battery powered tool set around. They have an awesome mower and a bunch of really good blowers.
Kobalt’s products look cool.
One of my favorite things about this edger is that it is LONG, which I like for surgical precision when edging. It also has a nice brushless motor, which means more torque, a cooler motor, and longer life.
This one is for sale at Lowe’s – the perfect buy if you already own a Kobalt 80V Max battery.
3. EGO Power+ ME0800 8-Inch Edger Attachment & Power Head
EGO has great products, hands down. The power head is one of, if not the absolute best, top power heads on the market. Super versatile, reliable, and powerful. The EGO power head is a dang steal.
I like EGO Power+ products because they all use the 56V battery, from the lawn mower to the blower to the edger.
EGO products are built to last.
There isn’t anything particularly special or snazzy about this product, but it is one that I know and trust to do the job without fail. Driving around your neighborhood on a Sunday afternoon, I bet you’ll see one of these hanging in your neighbor’s garage. It will still be there in 5 years. Good stuff.
Greenworks is one of our favorites brands – they have great products that are durable and reliable.
Their 40V series is awesome and can be used with over 60 tools. It is a great battery line to go with if you are looking to build out your lawn tool kit around a single battery.
The 40V edger they have is great. It has all the necessary ingredients for a great edger and similar to the EGO, comes with the power head that can be used with a bunch of different attachments.
That brushless motor at the base is cool, but also dangerous.
I ranked this one number two because it has the brushless motor (which is great) down at the bottom of the tool, where it is vulnerable to hitting pavement and breaking. Otherwise, this battery lawn edger is great.
It comes with a ton of reviews and a great price on Amazon, where you can also get the multi tool power head.
1. Greenworks Pro 80V 8 inch Brushless Edger
Greenworks’ Pro 80V battery line is the supreme battery-powered lawn tool line. They have an amazing 80V mower, incredibly powerful blowers, and this awesome edger.
This battery lawn edger is a dedicated edger – not part of a system of interchangeable parts. And it means business.
It has all the things you look for in an edger. Amazing battery system, easy to use handle, 4 year warranty, adjustable handle, brushless motor – the works.
The battery system here allows it to run for over 80 minutes, which is way more than you would ever need but speaks to the power of the 80V battery.
Coming in at about 17lbs, it’s surprisingly light and usable considering how long it is and how much power it puts out.
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
How we spend our time.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
What’s the difference between trimming and edging?
Let’s set the record straight here. Edging and trimming are two very different things that are often mixed up.
Edging utilizes a motorized blade that digs into the dirt between a hard surface (street, driveway, sidewalk) and your yard. Edgers push up dirt and dig a small little trench that cleanly separates the yard and surface. Edgers can do a little bit of trimming if grass is growing over the surface, but are not designed for full-scale grass shredding.
Trimmers are used to cut stray grass not reached or not accessible by mowing. Trimmers can also be used to cut the grass between hard surfaces and the yard, but don’t quite have the capability to edge as well as an edger does.
Nicely edged lawn.
Is it worth buying a battery lawn edger?
In my opinion, absolutely. Most trimmers now come with detachable heads that allow for an edger to pop right on. Edgers are what take your yard from good to great.
Can you edge with a trimmer? Can you trim with an edger?
If you are an absolute pro and have a high-powered trimmer, you can do some mild edging with a trimmer. If you use the GrassKicker weed eater string, you can get a really, really good edging job even with a weaker weed eater. Check it out below.
You still will not be able to dig way down deep to cause the best separation from surfaces, but it will give a similar appearance for a shorter amount of time.
You cannot trim with an edger unfortunately. The blade is just too big to finely cut small fragments of grass.
Kobalt leaf blowers are popular electric handheld blowers that can be purchased at Lowe’s and a few other places. The best Kobalt blower is their 80V Max handheld brushless leaf blower (that I am holding below).
Why do I like them?
They’re one of the better looking electric lawn tool brands on the market.
They also are very well built and high quality machines. For real. They are manufactured by our friends over at Greenworks, but wrapped in Kobalt colors and sold at Lowe’s. Greenworks is legit and this is a really nice way to get a quality product in your garage or shed.
Anyways – let’s check out some of their best electric handheld cordless blowers.
5Best Kobalt Blowers: 2024
Okay before I jump into the Kobalt leaf blowers, I just want to say that some of this comes down to personal preference. Some if doesn’t. I’ll make sure to give you a heads up when something is just personal preference and when some things are better for certain people. It will make more sense as we move along.
5. Kobalt 40-Volt Max 480 CFM 110 MPH Handheld Cordless Electric Blower
The Koablt 40V Max 480 CFM 110 MPH blower is one of the most popular, but also the weakest of the blowers. Not only does it have the lowest CFM output, but also the slowest speeds on this list.
Great for light duty!
I’d recommend this blower for anyone who is doing light work around the house. Great activities for this blower include doing a quick blow of the sidewalk, driveway, or garage. If you are a woodworker not looking to create a storm with saw dust, this is an awesome tool to help crush saw dust without it blowing back into your mouth.
One downside to this blower is that it doesn’t have a brushless motor. This means it won’t quite have the torque or long-life that its brushless counterparts have.
A positive to this blower is that the 40-Volt Max line of batteries from Kobalt are very popular, meaning you can save big money by purchasing the “tool only” version of this blower if you have the battery already. This puts the blower at just under $100 which is actually an amazing deal.
4. Kobalt 80-volt Max 580-CFM 145-MPH Brushless Backpack Cordless Electric Leaf Blower
The Kobalt 80-Volt Max 580 CFM backpack blower is something out of a sci-fi movie. When you think of backpack blowers, you think of ultimate power. The pinnacle of power in the landscaping game – and almost all of them are gas-powered.
Jetpack to outerspace.
It is really cool that Kobalt offers this product, but it may be a tad unnecessary. It is actually less powerful than our number one recommended Kobalt blower, but actually does put out the highest speeds.
Look familiar?
While it won’t be quite as powerful as its gas-powered counterparts, it can still be a really slick tool. For starters, it is way more comfortable to carry around than a handheld blower if you have a big yard. You get to bear a lot of the weight on your back, instead of your shoulders and wrists.
It’s also significantly lighter than gas backpack blowers because it doesn’t have all the dang fuel sloshing around in the back.
This one is definitely up there for those that are looking for a powerful backpack blower that is light and requires ZERO maintenance. And oh yeah, it is an insanely, insanely low price.
Yeah, you should probably connect these two pieces.
In the name, you get to see a couple of my favorite things: 24 Volts and the fact that it’s brushless. Please don’t be fooled by the lower MPH output here. The fact that this Kobalt blower has 500 CFMs means that it powerfully moves air, but has a wider nozzle that lowers the speed. This is great for larger yards with big piles of leaves.
The Kobalt 24V max blower essentially sends a wide path of air out at a lower speed, exchanging speed for width. Perfect for landscapers or places with heavy leaves. One downside is that wet leaves and wet grass will be more difficult to remove than a higher MPH blower.
I also love that this has a brushless motor and is a part of the 24V series. The 24V series is one of the most popular lines for Kobalt, so you can save big on batteries if you already own some Kobalt 24V stuff or plan to in the future.
This thing just straight up looks cool. Sleek. Black. Means business.
The Kobalt 80V MAX 500 CFM blower is very nice looking.
It also has a brushless blower and is super similar to the 24V blower above, except it has a slightly more tapered nozzle that adds 5 more MPH to the blower. It also runs on 80V batteries, which makes it compatible with some of the higher powered tools offered by Kobalt.
If you’re looking for a cool looking blower that will last you a long time, look no further. This one has the best aesthetics, is second best in handheld power, and allows for you to build a great line of 80V products around it from Kobalt.
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
We get serious when we test blowers.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
About Kobalt
Kobalt power tools have been a trusted name in lawn care for generations. Kobalt’s lineup of cordless and corded tools is designed to help normal folks like us get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Today, Kobalt is known for its innovation and quality, with its products being used in most of the world’s garages. Kobalt’s products are designed to stand up to the toughest lawn conditions, and the company has a darn good reputation. When it comes to power tools, Kobalt is a name that you can trust.
Cordless blowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:
CFM – Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.
Usability – what is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier.
Motor type – brushless motors reign supreme. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower.
These are three things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications.
A Warning
WARNING: If you have a MAX version battery, make sure to get a compatible blower. If you don’t have the MAX version, make sure you get a blower that doesn’t take MAX batteries. This confuses a lot of people because it isn’t super clear online. MAX batteries don’t work with non-MAX tools. Don’t shoot the messenger!
Kobalt’s 40V string trimmer is one of those cool blue lawn tools that can be found at Walmart, Lowe’s and Amazon. Their 40V MAX lineup of tools is pretty expansive and known for being powerful.
Kobalt has some nice lines of batteries. A 40V line, a 40V MAX line (yes, there’s a difference), and some 80V products as well.
Bottom Line: The Kobalt 40V Max String Trimmer is a great lawn tool because it has a brushless motor, a wide cutting swath, and a nice battery series. You can grab it on Amazon or at Lowes.
Kobalt 40V Max cordless string trimmer: Features and benefits
This weed eater is plastered all over Lowes, but you have a ton of others to choose from like EGO’s weed eaters and a bunch more. Here are some of the unique elements of the Kobalt 40V MAX string trimmer.
The Kobalt 40V Max String Trimmer is powerful
Kobalt’s string trimmers mostly come in a 40V battery package, meaning it is optimally designed for yards up to ½ acre. Some people think this sounds weak, but honestly most yards are under a ½ acre – so what does it matter?
Yes, if you are trailblazing in the woods then you may want to step it up to a gas-powered or commercially-focused string trimmer. But most of us aren’t.
The 15 inch version looking nice!
When comparing sizes of Kobalt string trimmers, you want to think about the cutting swath, or width of the cutting path. This is where I like to go slightly bigger. A 15 or 16 inch cutting swath can handle thicker areas of grass and brush. Another benefit to larger cutting swath string trimmers is that they do a tremendous job replacing edgers.
If you are looking for power, most of us are going to be totally content with the 40V max battery offered by Kobalt. If you are wanting to really “max” out the power, go with the 15 or 16 inch model.
Kobalt’s string trimmer is very comfortable to use
Feel is everything.
If you’ve ever used a traditional gas-powered string trimmer, you know how heavy and unwieldy they can be. And if you’ve ever tried to use one for an extended period of time, you know how quickly they can start to hurt your back and shoulders. For me, I am very tall and get wonky shoulder pain pretty quickly.
I love these types of handles that have a “butterfly” trigger.
The Kobalt 40V string trimmer is a game changer in this regard. It’s incredibly lightweight and easy to use, and the battery is positioned perfectly to give it a nice balance. Plus, the adjustable handle means that you can customize it to fit your height and reach. In other words, it’s the perfect tool for anyone who wants to get their yard work done without having to deal with the pain and discomfort of a gas-powered trimmer.
Me when I first held it.
I love having longer, straight string trimmers because they have a nice see-saw effect that, when balanced appropriately, make the job easy. Longer shafts also allow for surgical precision – like using a paintbrush.
You can use the Kobalt 40V Max battery with a ton of other tools
Battery life is everything and it is also nothing. The 40V line of string trimmers from Kobalt throws out “half an acre” of run-time. But what does that mean? Surely, you can’t trim your entire yard like a mower if it is half an acre?
It’s tough to say. Battery life is dependent on the work being done – is it some super thick brush you are cutting? Are you edging and digging into the ground? Are you starting and stopping a lot? Are you using it on a low-speed setting?
Nice looking battery! Has a good battery life indicator on it.
There are a ton of variables, but expect this to last for about 30-45 minutes with normal use. I have never run into a problem with battery power when I have been trimming, but if I tack on edging to that and then put the battery on the blower and do some blower work – then yeah, my battery starts to run lower.
Made by the same people?
Tough to say here, but I think the more important point is to make sure you have a fully charged battery, grab a battery that can be used in a bunch of different tools, and don’t expect to be able to go all day.
The cons: A few dislikes about the Kobalt 40V string trimmer
As much as it pains me to complain about the Kobalt 40V string trimmer, I have to bring to light a few things. I am not a fan of the motor on this. It is a brushed motor, not brushless. This means that it may not last as long as its brushless counterparts, will get hotter, and has slightly less torque.
I have also read that some online ordering can be sketchy. One reviewer at Amazon said that they bought the tool-only version and it looked like someone bought the full version, took out the battery, and then made someone pay for both separately.
Sounds weird.
One secret
The same company that makes motors for Greenworks makes them for Kobalt. Greenworks has a great reputation. While I’m surprised this isn’t brushless, this is probably going to be the best non-brushless electric trimmer series on the market.
Kobalt 40V MAX string trimmer: Review and recommendation
The jury is in: this is a good string trimmer. It is a GREAT string trimmer if you already have 40V MAX batteries, because you can get the tool only version for significantly cheaper.
It is a good string trimmer if you’re new to electric tools and are looking to start with the Kobalt series.
It is a bad string trimmer if you are working commercially or have over ½ an acre of land you’re trying to clean up.
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
We take tool testing seriously.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
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What to look for in a cordless string trimmer
Cordless weed eaters come in all shapes and sizes. They aren’t highly complicated pieces of equipment, but they do have a few nuances. Here is how I see it:
Feel – Obviously this is subjective, but feel is everything to me. I have had weed eaters in the past where the handle is off to the side, making me torque my shoulders and back. Bad. You are going to be using this often and for a long time, so make sure it is comfortable.
Motor – Brushless motors are king here. They are longer lasting and more durable. Brushless motors also produce more torque and less heat.
Batteries – If you want to save money, make sure to stick to one battery line from one brand. Batteries aren’t cheap!
Curved vs Straight shaft – I always, always, always prefer straight shafts. They are so much easier to use and control. Curved shafts are better for smaller areas that require “mowing”, whereas straight shafts are better for precision and clean lines.
About Kobalt lawn tools
Kobalt power tools have been a trusted name in lawn care for generations. Kobalt’s lineup of cordless and corded tools is designed to help normal folks like us get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Today, Kobalt is known for its innovation and quality, with its products being used in most of the world’s garages. Kobalt’s products are designed to stand up to the toughest lawn conditions, and the company has a dang good reputation. When it comes to power tools, Kobalt is a name that you can trust.
Cordless Kobalt Lawn Mowers are super popular – especially at Lowe’s.
But let’s be honest. They have way too many models – which can be extremely confusing.
Lucky for you, I actually sat and tried to figure out the differences between each one and what it means for you. Then I wrote down my five favorite and listed them below.
Yes, this took about 19 hours to do. But it’s worth it (I tell myself). Because I wish someone would have done this for me.
So let’s get to it:
5 Best Cordless Kobalt Lawn Mowers
Here we go: these are meticulously ranked mowers that hit on all of the best things to look for in an electric mower (see above).
5. Kobalt 40V Max Brushless 19-inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower
The Kobalt 40V Max Brushless 19-inch cordless electric mower is perfect for small yards. Actually may be one of the better mowers for small yards. This is a mower that will last you for a long time, is extremely efficient, and easy to store.
Its not the size of the boat, its the motion of the ocean.
Here is what I like:
Brushless mower: Brushless mowers last much longer, are more durable, and much more efficient.
Can run for 30 minutes on a single 40V charge, which can cover ¼ acre.
A metal deck! This is so important but an absolute must for a mower
Seven different positions for cutting the grass.
A 5 year warranty.
A decent price (Can get the tool only for under $250).
Here is what I don’t like:
Not much to dislike about this mower unless you have a larger yard.
Not many buying options outside of Lowe’s.
All-around, this is one of the best mowers I have seen for a small yard. In fact, it has almost everything I would look for. My only gripe is that there aren’t a ton of places to buy this. If you are a Lowe’s loyalist or already have the Kobalt 40V battery – then this is a perfect purchase if you have a smaller yard.
This one is for sale at Lowe’s but I couldn’t find a better price anywhere else.
4. Kobalt 24-Volt Brushless 20-inch cordless electric lawn mower
The Kobalt 24-Volt Brushless 20-inch cordless lawn mower has 2 24V batteries, which really make it a 48V beast. This mower runs for 60 minutes on a single charge, has a slightly wider steel deck, and also comes with a little self-propelled function (not bad!).
Folds like a dang lawn chair
I ranked this one slightly higher for a few reasons:
Self-propelled is a nice plus if you use it
20 inch deck means it gets the job done quicker and is more versatile
Brushless – which is our favorite, longest-lasting, and most durable motor type for electric mowers
One-handed folding handle for great storage capabilities
Things that concern me:
The 24V batteries from Kobalt are not as common for their lawn tools
This mower is great! I don’t have hardly any complaints with it and it has just about everything you would want in a smaller-to-medium sized yard.
I do get nervous about the 24V batteries because this is one of the only mowers Kobalt offers that battery voltage. If you already have these batteries, then this is a great mower. If not, I’d probably try to find one in their 40V series.
This is also a decently high price for a mower of this size, but its also really high quality. My suggestion here is that you get what you pay for!
The 24-volt brushless mower from Kobalt is only for sale at Lowe’s as far as I can tell.
3. Kobalt Gen4 40V 20 inch self-propelled cordless electric lawn mower
The Kobalt Gen4 40V 20 inch cordless electric lawn mower is sweet. While it isn’t a part of the 40V MAX series, it still uses some of the legacy 40V batteries. If you have had a Kobalt tool in the past with a 40V battery, you are still good to use this mower.
Still looks cool to me!
Here are some of my favorite things:
20 inch deck is great for small to medium yards
3-in-1 mulching and bagging system gives you versatility (we prefer letting the grass clippings fall onto the grass and not the bag)
A brushless motor just like the rest of the cordless mowers from Kobalt
Self-propelled if you’re into that
A great price
Here are some things I don’t love:
Not a part of the 40V MAX series
Basically, this is one of the highest value mowers in the Kobalt series. Huge fans over here.
2. Kobalt 40V MAX Brushless 20-inch cordless electric lawn mower
A slightly newer, sexier version of the Gen4 model, the Kobalt 40V MAX Brushless 20-inch cordless electric mower is my personal top choice. This is exactly what I would look for in an electric mower, but taken to the MAX.
The newer, cooler version of the 40V mower.
Seriously, most people like self-propelled mowers so I am the weird one, but this one has all the things that fit my checklist. You may like self-propelled, but I think it drains too much battery and don’t mind pushing (I’m jacked).
The things I look for in an electric mower that this mower has:
The Steel Deck: durable, going to last you a long time
The 40V battery: this 40V MAX battery can be used with the huge line of Kobalt 40V MAX batteries
No self-propelled function: longer lasting battery
A high quality brand
Oh, and an insane price. Lowe’s is practically giving this thing away.
This puppy can mow up to ½ an acre. With a self-propelled function, it would probably get cut in half.
It also comes with a powerful 5 Ah battery and all the other bells and whistles that customize this mower to your grass style.
1. Kobalt 80V 21 inch Brushless mower 6 Ah and 5 Ah (Tool only and regular)
The Mac-daddy Kobalt 80V 21 inch brushless mower is the king of them all. By far the biggest and baddest, it has all the bells and whistles.
The last thing you see before I steal your girl.
The Kobalt 80V 21 inch brushless mower series comes in both a 6 Ah and 5 Ah power battery set – which is why it looks like there are 10 of the same mower on any of the websites. They also come in tool-only or regular. Tool only is the version without the battery, assuming you already own them – this is a much better price.
If you are looking for serious power, the 6 Ah set is going to take you the furthest.
Here’s what I love about the 80V series and why I ranked it number one:
The 80V batteries give you an hour of run-time
The 21 inch deck is the largest in class and also the standard for most gas mowers, so it can easily replace your gas mower
Self propelled with speed control. Whew. That is serious business
It can adjust its motor depending on grass conditions, great for those with mixed-grass yards (heathens)
A little dashboard on the handle that shows you remaining battery life
A dang 5 year warranty.
The Kobalt 80V MAX brushless self-propelled mower is quite literally a beast.
Despite the 80V series being ranked #1, I actually like the #2 choice – the Kobalt 40V MAX 20 inch mower. It is just as durable, covers almost as much ground, is less expensive, and is a part of the 40V MAX series, which is what most of the new Kobalt products are working with.
Grab it at Lowe’s or Amazon – however I think Lowe’s currently has a lower price!
*We do not have an affiliate program with Lowe’s
Why we review lawn tools
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
How we spend our time now.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
What to look for in an electric lawn mower
When looking to purchase an electric lawn mower, you need to make sure you understand what things matter. You will get hit with a lot of technical specifications and marketing tactics. Totally forget them and focus on the things that impact you. Below are my recommendations:
Brand quality
Quality is going to be super important here. Everyone is in the electric mower game these days and there are a ton of junky mowers out there. Avoid anything from a weird brand on Amazon that takes 9 years to ship. It is probably being 3D printed in a Laotian bathroom. Go for brands that have consistent quality and focus on the details, not just flashy colors.
Metal where it matters.
Most electric mowers are plastic-y. Probably to reduce the weight of the mower so that the battery can get you further, but it feels cheap. Make sure to get metal where it matters – namely the deck. The deck is the part that covers the blades. Don’t get plastic here – a rock can rip through it.
Battery interoperability.
A ten dollar word used here, but really just make sure to buy a mower with a battery that is compatible with other electric tools. Ryobi has this, so does Dewalt, and so do some of the Greenworks products. This will save you garage clutter and plug space.
Self-propelled or not.
I actually don’t like the self-propelled feature. It doesn’t help you that much and it drains battery – I would pass here. This is a marketing gimmick in my opinion.
