Kobalt Vs Ryobi: Which One To Choose?

Kobalt and Ryobi are two different power tools brand. Their tools offer the durability and power to handle heavy-duty construction. They are also user friendly and value for money. But which is best? In this article, we focus on which one is best for you based on various factors. We will also dive deep into their power tool kits.

Our Verdict

If you are looking for an excellent product for DIY of home uses, both brands offer great choices. If you need a combo pack, then Ryobi is the answer. They provide great combination and even bigger combo packs with 6 and 12 tools. Kobalt offers a more extended warranty for their products. Also, their 24V product portfolio is impressive. Ryobi is more focused on 18 and 40V.

Kobalt Vs Ryobi: Comparison Chart

Kobalt Vs Ryobi: Differences

1. Range Of Combo Kits

Ryobi edges ahead of Kobalt in this area. Ryobi offers in different combo kits. They also have a wide range of combo kits. Kobalt only offers two combo kits. 2-tool and 4-tool combo kits.

Ryobi offers many kits. 2-tool, 4-tool, 6-tool, and 12-tool combo kits. If you are starting and need more than one tool, then combo kits can be useful.

Bottom Line: Ryobi Wins

2. Warranty

Kobalt and Ryobi offer excellent warranty for their products. Kobalt offers 5-year & 3-year tool & battery limited warranty for power tools and lights. The tools being hand-held power tools. But this warranty does not cover wear and tear due to heavy usage or neglect. For the 24V tool series, they offer a 1-year risk-free guarantee as an extra. They also provide with 5- and 3-year tool, battery warranty along with the 1-year warranty.

Ryobi offers a 3-year warranty for all its products. Also, they offer a 90-day exchange policy. The comparison is considered a draw. This is due to restriction in the warranty provided by Kobalt. Such restrictions ensure that you won’t be able to use the tool to its full extent.

Bottom Line: Draw

3. Product Portfolio

Both Kobalt and Ryobi have different strategies when selling their products. Both air an additional tier. Kobalt is more focused on 24V cordless tools, while Ryobi focuses more on 18V and 40V tools.

Kobalt has a wide range of products in the 24V category. But their portfolio in the 18V category is feeble at best. They have around 40 different tools in the 24V category. Their product category includes reciprocating saws, jigsaws, circular saws, hammer drills, among many. They also produce blowers, fans, lights, and grinders. In terms of portfolio, you can compare Kobalt with Rigid. 

Ryobi has a different approach compared to Kobalt. They have a wide range of products in the 18V category. They manufacture drills, foggers, blowers, lights, among many. They also have a wide range of products in the 40V category. Their 18V ONE+ is the most diverse of both.

Bottom Line: Tie

Kobalt Vs Ryobi: Similarities

1. Availability

Kobalt and Ryobi are available in the US and Canada via Home Depot. In Australia and New Zealand, Ryobi is sold by Bunnings Warehouse. In the UK, Ryobi is available at regular hardware shops. Kobalt is also available in many places via online and hardware stores.

2. Affordability

Both manufacturers produce products oriented for home users. They are cheaper than many other brands. But they are affordable means some compromise. They are only for home users. Ryobi has been producing some decent tools for a while. But they are unable to break the stigma and are still regarded as tools for home users.

3. Target Audience

Both brands produce tools for home users and DIY enthusiasts. Kobalt is for home users. Their warranty ensures this as wear and tear due to excessive usage are not covered for some tools. Ryobi has been producing tools for a long time. They also tried to produce pro-grade tools. But they are unable to break the stigma and are still regarded as tools for home users.

Kobalt Vs Ryobi: A Quick Summary On Their History

Kobalt

Kobalt is a brand owned by the American company Lowe’s. Kobalt focuses on the manufacture of hand and mechanics tools, power tools, among many. But their entry into the market is relatively new. They started operations in the year 1998, and the power tools are manufactured in China. They started manufacturing cordless power tools in the year 2011. Their most powerful ones are rated at 24V.

Ryobi

Ryobi is a big company with a presence in various industries. They manufacture components for electronics, automobiles, and telecommunications industries. They also sell power tools, printing equipment, among many.

Ryobi Outdoor Power Equipment and Ryobi Power Tools are brands of Techtronic Industries. Techtronic Industries gained a license from Ryobi Limited for manufacturing the power tools. One interesting fact is that Techtronic Industries also owns many other brands. The brands being Milwaukee, Homelite, Hoover US, AEG (licensed), Dirt Devil, and Vax.

They now manufacture and sell a wide range of products. In the US and Canada, they sell them via Home Depot and the Internet. In Australia and New Zealand, it is sold by Bunnings Warehouse. In the UK, it is available at regular hardware shops.

Kobalt Vs Ryobi: Power Tools

Both Kobalt and Ryobi have an extensive product portfolio. You can buy individual products or in combo kits. Let’s have a look at some of their prominent power tools from these brands.

Kobalt

1. Kobalt 24-Volt Max Variable Speed Brushless Cordless Impact Driver

Kobalt 24V impact driver comes with a 24V Lithium-Ion battery. It also features a charger, belt clip, driver bit, bit holder, and soft bag. The brushless motor produces 3,500-IPMs and up to 1,800-in-lbs of torque. The device also features a variable speed motor with 3-speed settings. 0-850, 0-2,000, 0-2,700 IPM. It also has a finished mode for better control. The device accepts ¼ inch bits and has a quick-release collet.

The 24V battery has a built-in fuel gauge system. It also has added features such as a belt clip, quick release collet, bit holder. These features improve ergonomics. The tool also comes with Kobalt’s 5-year limited warranty. The battery has a 3-year limited warranty.

2. Kobalt 10-in 15-Amp Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw

The Kobalt miter saw has a 10-inch blade. The saw features a spindle lock that ensures quick and easy changes of blades. It also features an override button for quick adjustments of angle. As an added feature, it has a vacuum port and extension wings for support.

The saw can crosscut up to 2 in x 12in at 90 degrees and 2 in x 8 in 45 degrees. It can cut up to 55 degrees and 60 degrees left and right. It also has ten positive stops. It also features a toolless adjustable upfront mounted laser guidance system.

The miter saw has a 15.0amp ball bearing motor producing 4,450 RPM for cuts. The saw comes with a 3-year warranty making it ideal for home users.

3. Kobalt XTR 24-Volt Max 7-1/4-in Brushless Cordless Circular Saw with Brake and Metal Shoe

Kobalt 24V brushless motor produces 5,500-RPM and provides longer life. The saw can cut at a bevel angle of 56 degrees for various purposes. For a 90-degree cut, it can cut as deep as 2.5 inches. The device also features an electronic brake that stops blade rotation. This ensures added safety for the operator. The 24V tool is compatible with other 24V Kobalt tools. Kobalt also offers a 5-year warranty for this device.

Ryobi

1. Ryobi P1813 One+ 18V Lithium-Ion 750 Inch-Pound Cordless Hammer Drill Power Tool Kit

Ryobi cordless hammer drill has a 24-position clutch. The clutch can be adjusted to produce up to 750-inch pounds of torque. The tools weigh in at 2.99 pounds. Also, you can use the drill at different materials at different speeds using a 3position knob. The tool also has a magnetic holder for its bits. The 4-amp hr battery is also quite significant incapacity. The battery is again proven to work in extreme temperatures. The batteries also come with an indicator of charge levels. The ergonomic and compact design ensures a better grip. The tool weighs only 3 pounds, ensuring reduced hand fatigue.

2. 40V 14” Brushless Chain Saw With 4AH Battery & Charger

Kobalt produces a 40V brushless chain saw. In normal circumstances, chainsaws are gas-operated. But Kobalt offers electric chain saws of 40V. The chain saw is 16inch in length. The battery is 4Ah with a high capacity 40V lithium-ion battery. The included brushless motor ensures longer life, faster-cutting speed, and higher torque.

The chain saw also has a load sensing feature ensuring optimal power. This ensures optimal performance in demanding conditions. The chain saw also has an automatic oiler, mechanical chain brake, and on-board storage.

3. 18V One+™ Airstrike™ 18ga Brad Nailer

The 18V ONE+™ System is Ryobi’s best product portfolio. They introduce next-generation features in cordless convenience. Their 18-gauge brad nailer (Compare it with pin nailer ) features their propitiatory AirStrike™ Technology. This eliminates the need for compressors, hoses, or gas cartridges. This ensures better portability.

The battery drives up to 1,700 nails per charge with their 4Ah high capacity battery. The battery is lightweight and long-lasting. It also comes with a 3-year limited warranty.

Kobalt Vs Ryobi: Combo Kits

Both manufacturers offer combo packs of varying combinations. You can find two tool combo pack and four tool combo pack for both. But only Ryobi offers combo packs with more than four tools. They offer six combo and 12 combo tool kits. Let’s look at them in detail.

2-Tool Kits

1. Kobalt 2-Tool 24-Volt Max Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) Cordless Combo Kit

The kit includes:

• 1/4-in impact driver
• 1/2-in drill/driver
• 24-volt max high-capacity Li-ion battery
• charger

The 1/4-in impact driver has a brushless motor. It produces up to 1,800-in-lbs of torque. The tool is also equipped with an electronic speed control with 3-speed settings. The speed settings are 0-850, 0-2,000 and 0-2,700 RPM.

The 1/2- in drill/driver also has a long-lasting brushless motor. It delivers up to 650-in-lbs of torque. The drill/driver also has a 2-speed gearbox, an all-metal keyless chuck. It also features a variable-speed trigger. It also has a ¼-in quick-release collet.

Both tools have built-in LEDs to illuminate the workspace. Compared to 18V products, the 24V battery provides 50% more power and 3.6 times more runtime.

2. Ryobi P1832 18V One+ Handheld Drill/Driver And Impact Driver Kit

The kit includes:

• P277 Drill/Driver
• P235 Impact Driver
• Batteries
• Charger
• Soft bag.

The drill/driver has a 24 setting clutch and a dual-speed gearbox. It also features a keyless chuck.

The Impact Driver produces 1600 in-pounds of torque. It has an 18V battery, which is a part of their ONE+ ecosystem. The tool also can accept either Nickel-Cadmium or Lithium-Ion batteries. The gearbox of the tool is housed in cast aluminum with molded rubber offering grip.

Both the drill and impact driver features a magnetic bit holder. They also have belt clips and superb performances.

4-Tool Kit

1. Kobalt 4-Tool 24-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Kit

The kit includes a drill/driver, circular saw, flashlight, and a power source. It also comes with a 2.0-Ah battery, 45-watt charger, belt clip, bit holder with a screw, and S2 drill bit.

The drill/driver features a brushless motor developing 500-in-pounds of torque. The circular saw has a 6 ½ inch blade. It has a 2-speed gearbox with two variable speeds.

The LED work light produces 200 lumens. It has a pivoting head and a tool hook.  Apart from the tools, the special one is the power source. It has 2 USB ports and an on/off switch.

All the tools use their 24V batteries and come with charger having charge indicators.

2. Ryobi P1837 18V One+ Cordless Brushless 3 Tool Combo Contractor Kit

The kit includes a Drill/Driver and Impact Driver and a Circular Saw. It also consists of a 7-1/4 in Blade, 2.0 & 3.0 Ah Batteries, Bag, Blade Wrench, and charger. All the tools have a brushless motor. This helps to increase the life span of the motor.

The Brushless Drill/Driver has a dual function 1/2 in. chuck. It secures bits with the chuck jaws. It also has a 1/4 in. collet. The Brushless Impact Driver delivers up to 2,000 in.lbs. Of torque. The circular saw has a 7 ½ inch blade. It can cut at a bevel angle of 56 degrees.

The included 18V battery offers compatibility with the rest of the ONE+ ecosystem. The charger also possesses a battery level indicator.

4+ Tool Kits

As of present, Kobalt does not offer any combo kits with more than four tools. Their combo kits are also limited by the combination. In 2-combo kits, Ryobi provides a far greater number of kits with a different combination of tools.

Ryobi offers a 6-tool combo and 12-tool combo kits. Their 6-tool combo kits contain the following:

• Drill / Driver
• Impact Driver
• Dual Chemistry Charger
• 18V Batteries
• Tool Bag

Their 12-tool combo kits include the following tools:

• Drill/Driver
• Impact Driver
• Reciprocating Saw
• 6-1/2 in. Circular Saw with blade
• Jig Saw
• Job-Plus Multi-Tool
• AirStrike 18G Brad Nailer
• Corner Cat Sander
• 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder
• Cordless 7-1/4 in. Miter Saw
• Hybrid Fan
• Area Light stand
• Batteries
• Charger
• Bags

FAQs

Final Talk

Choosing a brand over another is often based on your needs. Each brand has its signature products or product categories. Each manufacturer now has a vast product portfolio. This makes the buyers happy and often spoiled by the sheer number of products.

Both Kobalt and Ryobi are for home users and DIY enthusiasts. They are cheaper than others and offers decent performance. But many choose to use them for less demanding tasks. Even though Ryobi tried to break in into the pro-grade tool system, they were not successful. This is due to the stigma that they are for home users.

If you are looking for an excellent product for DIY of home uses, both are great choices. If you need a combo pack, then Ryobi is the answer. They offer great combination and even bigger combo packs with 6 and 12 tools. Kobalt offers a more extended warranty for their products. Also, their 24V product portfolio is impressive. Ryobi is more focused on 18 and 40V. You should check out its comparison with Makita.