Man of Many was lucky enough to be invited out to good’ole Jacksonville, Florida last month for some southern comfort and an immersive product experience with Kobalt’s new line of battery powered outdoor power tools. After taking the full line of tools for a for a spin in the thick and swampy backwoods of Florida, I can honestly say these are the lightest, sturdiest outdoor power tools I have used. Kobalt is so confident in their slogan “You can’t kill a Kobalt” that they’re backing these tools with a 5-year hassle free guarantee to either replace or fix your tools.
The key ingredient in this nexgen line of tools is its interchangeable 40V lithium ion battery that all the tools use. A powerful, lightweight battery means more maneuverable and quieter tools, no more extension cords to trip on or cut through (it happens more than we’d like to admit), no more fumes to choke on, and no more damn pull cords! Two options to choose from: the 2 amp-hour 60 minute quick charge (standard with all tools) or the remarkably long lasting 4 amp-hour battery. To sweeten the deal they’re backed by a best-in-class three-year hassle-free guarantee.
Kobalt® 40V Max String Trimmer/Edger
This lightweight dual string trimmer cuts a 12 in (30 cm) swath and will get you up to 1.75 mi (2.8 km) of finely trimmed and edged lawn. The adjustable wrap-around ambidextrous handle and variable speed trigger let you tailor your cut and easily switch from trimming to edging. The automatic line feed and battery keep your tools just how you like everything else, low maintenance.
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Kobalt® 40V Max Chainsaw
As you can imagine, we had the most fun with this tool. Built without compromise this 12 in (30cm) chainsaw was lighter than expected and packed all the power and performance you’d expect from any gas powered chainsaw this size. Keeping with the low maintenance theme Kobalt has added on automatic oiling and a tool free blade tensioning adjustment to keep your chain running smooth. With this chainsaw on a full charge you’ll get up to 75 cuts on 4×4 pressure treated lumber. Who’s cutting 4x4s with a chainsaw? All you need to know is that its maneuverable and long-lasting enough to carve that ugly tree in your backyard into a life-size bear. Check out this slow-mo video.
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Kobalt® 40V Max Blower
This thing seriously blows. Pushing 250 ft3 (7 m3) of air per minute up to 140 mph (225 kmph) and only 5.2 lbs (2.3 kg), you’ll never even think about your gas powered, cord bound ex. This tool is so powerful that NASCAR team 48 driver Jimmie Johnson has his crew clear the pit with it.
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Kobalt® 40V Max Pole Saw
Get those pesky branches up to 10.8 in (3.3 cm) off the ground with this powerful pole saw and its extension. Just as simple to maintain as that chainsaw we loved with simple tensioning and oiling, your trees will be the envy of the neighborhood.
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Kobalt® 40V Max 20 in (50 cm) and 19 in (48 cm) Mower
These lawn mowers are perfectly built to take on anything you throw at them. The options for bagging, mulching, or side discharge and 7-position, single-level height adjustment let you customize your cut. By far the greatest feature is the push button start. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough with pull cords. Being lightweight and battery powered means these tools are quieter and easier to maneuver. Both mowers come with a quick charge and long run battery to keep you going no matter the size of the lawn you’re up against. The 20 in (50 cm) mower features dual blades and two battery compartments for thicker grass.
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Kobalt® 40V Max Hedge Trimmer
Graded to a three-quarter inch cut capacity and dealing out 2800 strokes per minute, its no wonder this hedge trimmer cut through those bushes like butter. With that clean cut, nicely balanced and light build, and the 24 in (60 cm) blade I couldn’t help but feel like I was wielding a lightsaber.
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Pick these tools up now at your nearest Lowes. Based on how much we liked these tools and with spring cleaning right around the corner we recommend getting there ASAP.
