Kobalt didn’t make it in time for our Cordless Hedge Trimmer Shootout, but I’ve been able to spend some quality time getting to know their latest model. Under the model number 2024A-03, the new Kobalt 24V Max Brushless Hedge Trimmer is at Lowe’s for those of you on or considering the 24V line.
Noteworthy Features
24V Battery System
We have covered most of the power tools that go into this line and they’ve performed well, especially considering their price. But the 24V Max designation might be a little confusing. Kobalt uses an extra lithium-ion cell so that’s its working on a 6-cell series instead of 5 cells. Max, of course, refers to maximum voltage and the 24 volts will settle into a nominal 19.6 volts. And yes, that’s more voltage than you see in the 18V/20V Max class. You can check out the whole max vs nominal voltage discussion here .
Brushless Motor
The benefits of a brushless motor include a bump in power, more runtime, and longer motor life. Cordless hedge trimmers don’t usually have any runtime issues. But being on a 24V battery rather 40V, 56V or otherwise means the brushless motor gives you a better chance to get the entire job done on one battery – possibly even the compact battery.
Additional Features
- 3/4-In cutting capacity
- 24-In dual-action blade
- Ergonomic handle design
- Lock-off switch
- Quick stop brake
Ergonomics
The Kobalt 24V Max Hedge Trimmer is pretty lightweight – just 7 lbs, 11 oz with a 4.0 Ah battery. This lightweight trimmer would get the 2nd place ribbon for least-weight in our cordless shootout. That’s a huge benefit when if you’re using your trimmer more than just a few minutes. Balancing the weight from the guide handle, there’s a little bit of backward lean that’s not nearly as bad as some of the other models we’ve tested. It’s closer to an even balance if you use a compact battery.
The main handle is comfortable with its rubber overmold and handle design. The safety lock is a push-in design. It’s effective and easy enough to use, but I prefer a push-down style when I can get it. The trigger itself is a 2-finger design and the whole control area is pretty natural to use.
The guide handle is a typical D-handle so you can work around the sides and tops of your hedges. There’s no overmold and the seam in the plastic may irritate the top of your hand on a long day of yard work. However, it’s really not bad.
Get to Some Cutting Already
Last year, I had the pleasure of taking a chainsaw to my hedges. They’d been neglected for so long that I had to cut through 3″ trunks to get them back down to a reasonable level. This year, it’s just a maintenance cut and the Kobalt 24V Max Brushless Hedge Trimmer got the call.
From a pure performance standpoint, Kobalt hedge trimmer cuts reasonably well. There are certainly more powerful units out there. The cut capacity is 3/4″ and while I didn’t have a lot of that diameter to cut, it did a confident job of tackling them. The only issue is that the tooth design doesn’t invite those thicker branches in quite as well as some of the other options, so I had to work an angle on them.
As expected, the low weight is a big advantage. I spent a little over an hour cutting and didn’t get the arm fatigue I did with Milwaukee’s trimmer. While that’s certainly not an hour of continuous running, I was impressed to find that the I only used 1 bar on the battery indicator over that time and covered the entire landscape around the house and fence.
We also set up the trimmer for the same no-load runtime test as the shootout. Kobalt ran for 1 hour, 27 minutes (and 9 seconds if you’re keeping close data) – good enough for 8th place overall. While that may not sound too impressive, keep in mind that it’s more than enough time to finish most lawns up to an acre or larger depending on how much landscaping you’re covering. It’s also longer than Greenworks, Husqvarna, and Makita, among others. Just sayin’.
Final Thoughts
The Kobalt 24V Max Brushless Hedge Trimmer is a solid bet for homeowners. Pros are going to want more power and the confidence to push through those near-capacity branches more quickly. That said, this model is pretty comfortable to use from both a weight and vibration standpoint and I wouldn’t hesitate to continue using it for my personal lawn care needs.
As a kit, you’ll pay $149 with a 2.0 Ah battery and charger. That matches Ryobi’s 40V offering and comes in a little less than EGO and Greenworks. Given that you get a pretty significant drop in weight and a brushless motor, that’s a win.
Kobalt 24V Max Brushless Hedge Trimmer Specs
- Model: Kobalt KHT 2024A-03
- Power Source: Kobalt 24V Max battery
- Blade Length: 24″
- Stroke Rate: 3000 SPM
- Cutting Capacity: 3/4″
- Weight: 7 lb, 11 oz with 4.0 Ah battery
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $149 (Lowe’s)
