Kobalt is one of those names that’s synonymous with tools, OPE, and otherwise. And on the outdoor power equipment side, they’re a consistent player in electric/cordless gear. In light of that, we think it’s worth your while to take a look at the Kobalt 40V Max Blower (KLB 1040A-03).
We had a chance to put this model to the test. Here’s what we thought of it.
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Kobalt 40V Max Blower Background
Driving this tool is a brushless motor, along with a 40V (4.0Ah) lithium-ion battery. Together, Kobalt says that they produce a blowing force of 520 CFM, 120 mph.
Specs
- Model: Kobalt KLB 1040A-03
- Motor: Brushless
- Battery: 40V (4.0Ah)
- Blowing force: 520 CFM, 120 mph
- Weight: 12.92 lbs
Based on the numbers, this combo should make quick work of cleanup tasks. Moreover, Kobalt tells us that you’ll enjoy extended runtimes, power, efficiency, and dependability. During our field tests, we kept a close eye on these factors.
Don’t miss our Best Leaf Blower Reviews list, as well.
Kobalt 40V Max Blower Performance Notes
Weight, Balance, and Ergonomics
Before we get to power, our immediate observation was how light the KLB 1040A-03 was. Actually, the weight of this tool belied the specs themselves (a lesson in basing your judgment solely on the numbers). In short, the blower did not feel like it was 13 pounds. Indeed, it was highly maneuverable and easy on the wrist, forearm, and shoulder.
Compared to many other blower batteries, the Kobalt 40V Max is compact, which only adds to the balance and comfort that we noted. The controls, too, were easy to reach and operate. No problems there.
Power
When it comes to a blower’s power, there are three core metrics that we often use: miles per hour, CFM, and Newtons. In this case, we’re going to focus on the first two.
We’ve tested a lot of blowers, and 120 miles per hour isn’t a mighty wind. However, 520 CFM is a respectable performance. And the KLB 1040A-03 lived up to it. (As an aside, we prefer higher CFMs over higher speeds. It gives you broad coverage, and, thus, enables you to tackle wide swaths of debris much faster.)
We had no trouble clearing strips of grass clippings, displaced mulch, a filthy garage floor, and even twigs.
And, don’t forget, this tool is for residential applications on relatively small properties. In our case, we ran our tests on a quarter-acre plot, and there’s no getting around the fact that, for its class, it’s strong.
Runtime
We took the 40V Max blower out for three sessions, and Kobalt delivered. We used the KLB 1040A-03 during standard maintenance mowings, after which we ran staged tests. In total, each of these outings ran about 25 minutes (a shade under 10 minutes on turbo), and on average, the battery life dropped two bars.
So, extrapolating from those numbers, you might get between 35 and 50 minutes depending on how hard you run it. For sure, your choice of speed will dictate runtime results.
Kobalt 40V Max Blower Bottom Line
Overall, this is among the nicest residential-grade blowers we’ve handled in a while. For one, we have a soft spot for solid CFM capability, and the KLB 1040A-03 has it all day long. Yes, the velocity is on the low end, but for your typical suburban property, we’re confident in saying that this unit is an excellent solution.
When you pair all of this with the kitted price, you get a tool that is worth a second thought.
Kobalt KLB 1040A-03 Price
This blower retails as a kit for $169 and comes with a 40V battery and a charger. You can also get it as a bare tool for $64.87. Kobalt backs their blower with a 5-year limited warranty.
