Greenworks vs Kobalt Brand Comparison | The Saw Guy

If you’re buying your first set of tools or looking to switch to cordless electric power tools from gas or corded models, you’ve no doubt encountered tools from both Greenworks and Kobalt. You’re probably wondering which of these relatively new tool companies you should go with.

Today, we pit Greenworks vs Kobalt in a head-to-head battle to see which electric tool manufacturer is making the best tools for your needs.

Company History

Both Greenworks and Kobalt are relatively new companies. Kobalt has a bit more skin in the game, as they’ve been in the business for twenty years, compared to ten for Greenworks.

Greenworks Company History

Greenworks was incorporated in 2007 by the Globe Tools Group to bring the company’s exciting new lithium-ion-powered products to market. Today, they sell an expanding assortment of battery-powered tools, including lawnmowers, power washers, chainsaws, and more.

Kobalt Company History

Kobalt was incorporated in 1998 by Lowe’s Corporation. Around this time, Sears was experiencing great success with its Craftsman brand of tools, and Home Depot was also finding success with its Husky brand of tools. Lowe’s Corporation launched Kobalt to compete with these two successful private-label brands at their Lowe’s home improvement stores.

What began as a full line of hand tools gradually evolved into one of the most rapidly expanding electric tool brands. Today, Kobalt makes everything from lawnmowers to circular saws in addition to their popular hand tools.

Greenworks and Kobalt Parent Companies

Globe Group

Globe Group is the parent company of Greenworks. They own a few different brands:

• Greenworks
• Greenworks Commercial
• Cramer
• Powerworks

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is the parent company of Kobalt. They own a few different brands:

• Kobalt
• allen+roth
• Project Source
• Utilitech
• Reliabilt
• Harbor Breeze

Product Line Depths

Both Greenworks and Kobalt sell a wide variety of products. Below, you’ll find what each brand’s product line consists of.

Greenworks Product Lines

Husky sells power tools, outdoor power equipment, lighting, generators, storage, hand tools, batteries, and accessories.

Here are some of the specific types of products you can purchase from Husky:

• Lawn Mowers
• Pressure Washers
• Trimmers
• Edgers
• Leaf Blowers
• Chainsaws
• Cultivators
• Snow Blowers
• Vacuums
• Combo Kits
• Accessories
• Batteries
• Utility Vehicles
• Circular Saws
• & More

Kobalt Product Line

Kobalt sells power tools, outdoor power equipment, air tools, storage, hand tools, batteries, and accessories.

Here are some of the specific types of products you can purchase from Kobalt:

• Combo Kits
• Brushless Drills
• Table Saws
• Tile Saws
• Miter Saws
• Jigsaws
• Circular Saws
• Reciprocating Saws
• Band Saws
• Impact Wrenches
• Rotary Tools
• Multi-Tools
• Lawn Mowers
• Leaf Blowers
• Chainsaws
• String Trimmers
• Batteries
• & More

Brand Reputation and Cost of Tools

Here we’ll go over the reputations and cost of the tools of each brand.

Greenworks Reputation and Tool Affordability

Greenworks yard tools are a very reliable option. They’re most often preferred by homeowners who want a battery-powered solution to take care of your lawn and yard. Greenworks has a proven track record in the industry. With over a decade of history, they’ve gained the reputation of providing dependable performance. With all of that said, there have been multiple complaints regarding their customer support.

Greenworks is the more expensive option of the two brands, but not by much. While they do have a range of prices, one of the main things that makes them so appealing is that they offer more in their sets and tools.

Kobalt Reputation and Tool Affordability

When it comes to Kobalt tools, people often rate them between average and above average when it comes to quality. This may be surprising to some because Kobalt is not a massive brand. I would like to mention, though, that while most classify Kobalt tools as pretty good, those same people would most likely agree that they’re also nothing special.

Because of this, Kobalt tools are generally marketed toward homeowners, basic repairmen, and DIYers. With that said, you’re not going to see many large contracting companies using Kobalt tools since they aren’t durable enough for heavy-duty projects.

Kobalt is the more affordable option of the two brands. While they do have a range of prices, one of the main things that makes them so appealing is that they offer quality tools for less. On top of that, Kobalt has slightly more expensive products for professionals and inexpensive hand tools for homeowners.

Warranty Comparisons

Greenworks Warranty

Greenworks Pro products and batteries are protected against all defects in materials, parts or workmanship under normal use for a period of four years (90 days for commercial use) from the shipping date or in-store purchase date.

Greenworks Pro Brushless AC Pressure Washers are protected against all defects in materials, parts or workmanship under normal use for a period of three years (tool) & ten years (brushless motor) from the shipping date or in-store purchase date.

Greenworks products and batteries are protected against all defects in materials, parts or workmanship under normal use for a period of three years (90 days for commercial use) from the shipping date or in-store purchase date.

Kobalt Warranty

Kobalt has a lifetime warranty on all of its hand tools. If anything goes wrong, you can return the item or items easily. However, it’s important to note that while you can bring it back to Lowes, you will still have to abide by their return policy. A receipt or ID is usually required. If you don’t have a receipt and Kobalt no longer makes the item you’re returning, you’ll be stuck with the lowest dollar amount the product sold for.

Most of Kobalt’s lithium-ion power tools come with a five-year warranty. Other items, such as hedge trimmers, also have anywhere between a three and five-year limited warranty. Their storage units also have a lifetime warranty available.

What are the Benefits of These Tools

The tools that Greenworks and Kobalt manufacture are ideal for people who are looking to purchase battery-powered tools for basic home improvement use. Both brands have some significant benefits that you’ll want to consider if you’re in the market for new tools.

First, both brands manufacture affordable alternatives to more expensive brands. While neither brand has been around for long, they each have established strong reputations in the budget power tool category.

Since all tools are battery-powered, it eliminates the need for gas tools, which are harmful to the environment. It may sound surprising, but a gas-powered lawn mower generates as many harmful emissions in one hour as eleven new cars being driven for that same period of time.

Speaking of the benefits of battery power, battery-powered tools also eliminate the need to plug into an extension cord to use the tool, which allows you to avoid all the headaches that are inherent in using extension cords.

What’s the Downside of These Tools?

While battery-powered tools have become the preferred style for many homeowners and even commercial pros, there are a few issues they’re prone to, as well.

Since they all use batteries, you’ll need to be careful to keep them fully charged to avoid situations where you don’t have enough juice to finish the job. Even top-of-the-line cordless tools require at least a half hour to charge batteries.

When it comes to outdoor power tools like lawnmowers or snow blowers, they’re also inherently smaller and less powerful than gas-powered alternatives. So, if you live in an area that gets lots of snow or if you have a particularly large property, these battery-powered tools may not be a good fit for you.

Greenworks vs Kobalt: Who Has the Better Combo Kit?

Both companies are quite similar, and they make a similar range of products. Now, we’ll take a closer look at their most popular drill and impact driver combo kits to determine the winner in the battle of Greenworks vs Kobalt.

Greenworks 24V Lithium MAX Drill/Driver Kit

This combo from Greenworks provides their popular impact driver and cordless drill for one low price.

The drill is powerful, providing up to 2,600 lbs of torque. It has a ½ inch square drive with a durable metal gearbox and keyless chuck. This drill runs on Greenworks’ 24v battery system.

The impact driver delivers an impressive 2,000 pounds of torque and reaches 3,000 RPM. Both the driver and drill feature built-in LED lights to help illuminate your work in darker areas.

This combo carries an impressive 4-year warranty, so you’ll be covered if something goes wrong with your kit.

What We Like

• Affordable
• Strong warranty
• Both tools offer impressive power
• LED lights

What Could Be Better

• Mostly plastic construction
• Durability is a question

Kobalt 24V Lithium MAX Drill/Driver Kit

This 24v combo kit from Kobalt is a direct competitor to the Greenworks kit above.

Under the hood, this kit packs a bit less power than the combo kit from Greenworks. The drill provides only 650 lbs. of torque, which is significantly less than the Greenworks drill, and the Kobalt impact driver provides 200 fewer pounds of torque than its counterpart.

But, Kobalt scores serious points with their build quality and warranty. This combo kit is noticeably more substantial than the Greenworks kit and has features like an all-metal chuck and brushless motors that are absent from the Greenworks option.

This kit also carries an impressive 5-year warranty, which is a year longer than the warranty offered by Greenworks.

The improved build quality does come at a price, however, and this kit is about $50 more expensive.

What We Like

• Impressive build quality
• Great warranty
• LED lights

What Could Be Better

• Mediocre power

Final Verdict

When it comes down to the battle of Greenworks vs Kobalt, picking a winner is a bit difficult as each brand has unique strengths and weaknesses.

Greenworks tools deliver plenty of value and impressive power, but they don’t have the professional quality design and build of the Kobalt tools. Meanwhile, Kobalt’s tools are more expensive and don’t deliver as much power as Greenworks.

Each brand offers impressive battery life and fast charging, and each brand manufactures a full line of quality lithium-ion tools.

But there has to be a winner, and we’ve selected Kobalt as our favorite of the two. While Kobalt loses some points in the power department, their impressive build quality and industry-leading warranty tip the scales in their favor.

If you’re looking for the highest quality battery tools available, Kobalt may be your best choice. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for the most powerful tool possible, or if you’re on a budget, you may want to give Greenworks a closer look. Which combo kit is your top pick? Sound off in the comments.

Greenworks vs Kobalt: Frequently Asked Questions

Are Greenworks and Kobalt the same company?

No, Greenworks and Kobalt are not the same company. Kobalt is owned by Lowes Companies, Inc, which is the parent company. They own a few different brands. Greenworks is owned by Globe Group. They own a few different brands.

Is Greenworks good quality?

Greenworks is often seen as one of the best tool brands that you can purchase today. They offer both brushless and brushed options, and the quality is great for DIYers and home use.

Are Kobalt tools worth buying?

Some Kobalt tool tests have found that their tools underperform when compared to other top tool brands. However, Kobalt offers incredible value for its tools.

Are Kobalt tools as good as Greenworks tools?

For the most part, Kobalt has several tools that are right on par with Greenworks tools, but Greenworks does offer a wider variety of products when compared to the Kobalt product line.

Is Kobalt better than Husky for cordless hand tools?

Greenworks tools are good quality and perform well. Kobalt tools are about the same. The answer to this question is going to depend on your needs. Greenworks offers a wider variety of tools, so they will be the better choice for you if they have what you’re looking for.

Do Greenworks batteries fit Kobalt?

Although Greenworks and Kobalt are in the same market space, they each have their own accessories, including batteries, to fit their tools. This is how companies ensure customer loyalty.