kobalt or ryobi

[skinner1790]

i am wonder what do you prefer for cordless i was looking at ryobi i do a lot of automotive work but now i also looking at kobalt i dont want to spend a lot that why i choosing between the two i don't like craftsman i am looking to start a tool kit impact wrench and driver and drill cordless out of the two if you had to choose what would you pick and why ?

 

[fflintstone]

For cordless tools I can only recommend ridged for the battery warranty, they have a drill/driver and impact set for $200, and you can’t beat it. I used to swear by Milwaukee but with their piss poor battery life I cannot recommend them.

of the two you mention ryobi has a ton of tools.

 

[diesel research]

I used to swear by Milwaukee but with their piss poor battery life I cannot recommend them.

dont forget to mention their 5yr warranty.

 

[Stuey]

Ryobi gives you more expansion options, and because the line is more mature the manufacturer actively develops upgrades and additional tools.

For example, Ryobi just came out with a cordless internal-compressor brad nailer (ToolGuyd preview) and higher capacity li-ion batteries.

Kobalt offers a complete kit and separate impact driver, and the quality of the tools is quite good. Kobalt compares to Ridgid, not Ryobi.

Still, if the choice is between Ryobi and Kobalt, my money would go towards Ryobi.

 

[bigbearcraig]

Can't comment on the Kobalt, but I do have the Ryobi and for the most part I have been very satisfied with them. For homeowner use they are a good buy, and function well. I have had no problems with any of their cordless tools. Don't waste your money on the nicad models if they even make them anymore. There is a huge difference between the nicad and li-on in performance.

 

[davesnothere]

Id say stuey nailed it.

 

[liliysdad]

Neither. Hitachi Refurb for the budget choice.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Neither. Hitachi Refurb for the budget choice.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yep.

If budget, then Hitachi.

Ridgid if you need the lifetime battery warranty (which I;m sure will go away at some point).

If Ryobi or Kobalt, I would choose neither.

I have used both as loaners from friends on jobs.
Total HF territory for tools to me.

 

[928'er]

I have no experience with the Kobalts, so can't comment.

I have quite a few of the Ryobi 18v tools though, and I've been very happy with them. I mainly use the 1/4" hex and 1/2" impacts for automotive stuff. I'm just a DIY'er, but haven't had any problems and nothing has failed me.

As mentioned,skip the nicads. The lithium batteries make a BIG difference.

James

 

[Stuey]

Can't comment on the Kobalt, but I do have the Ryobi and for the most part I have been very satisfied with them. For homeowner use they are a good buy, and function well. I have had no problems with any of their cordless tools. Don't waste your money on the nicad models if they even make them anymore. There is a huge difference between the nicad and li-on in performance.

There aren't any NiCd Ryobi anymore, just Li-ion. Basic Li-ion, and high performance Li-ion.

 

[Zeke]

A vote here for Ryobi. Not my favorite go to brand, but what I have works fine.

 

[cheechi]

Also all the Kobalt 18v tools are on clearance at my Lowe's store.

 

[SlowPoke-Canada]

i HAVEN'T USED kOBALT ANd I'll turn off my caps lock now...
I have a herd of Ryobi in the stable and I haven't been disappointed by a single one. I didn't expect Makita/Dewalt/Milwaukee etc quality when I bought my first set so many years ago but I'll say I got more than I paid for and expected.
Broad range of tools and compatibility have kept me loyal.
If I made a living with my tools (more than casual use), I would have probably opted for a premium brand.
I purchased Ryobi on a very limited budget... budget is no longer a concern and I still don't see a need to "upgrade".

 

[jd_1138]

Ryobi seems to have a diverse and flexible product line. I'd probably go with them. I have a Ryobi saw, and it works great.

 

[the1nonlyjl]

kobalt 20 volt is supposedly to be under the way to hit in lowes...anytime right now. So with new torque of 350 ft/lbs (impact wrench) power drill almost 500 inch. KOBALT over Retardobi.

 

[the1nonlyjl]

Also all the Kobalt 18v tools are on clearance at my Lowe's store.

That's because 20v will take over...

 

[amolaver]

haven't had the best luck with the ryobi LiIon batteries (2 of 4 failed within 2 years), but i have a TON of the tools and have been satisfied with all but the 1/2" impact - its very weak compared to the current competitors 18v impacts. i ended up getting the milwaukee 18v impact and am planning to replace my ryobi stuff if it dies or if the remaining batteries fail. the tools themselves have held up well to quite a bit of use - recip saw, stapler - literally nearly 10K staples driven at this point, drill, little circ saw, their rotary cutter thing - sort of a dremel looking deal but you can side-load the cutter/drills, caulker - laugh if you want, but pumping a case of caulk in a day ***** with a 'normal' gun, not sure what else. i think the milwaukee stuff is made better and their battery tech seems to be better than the rest, although you certainly pay a premium for it. on the upside for milwaukee, they have an ENORMOUS range of M18 and M12 stuff and are fairly quickly migrating to the brushless tech.

overall, i'd guess most people (including myself) would find the ryobi stuff quite serviceable..but the milwaukee is better

ahm