Kobalt vs dewalt for a sawzall

bigcountry78 · Nov 3, 2021

Looking at picking up a battery power sawzall, either kobalt or dewalt. I already have a 24 volt kobalt impact, and several dewalt 20 volt max tools so either one would have to be compatible with those batteries. I see some complaints online about the dewalt batteries not lasting. Anyone have any experience with either one?

Ellie Niner · Nov 3, 2021

I definitely have experience with the DeWalt batteries. Have had three that sucked; all were the small 20v 2Ah packs. Seemed to be a problem with the internal charge control circuitry rather than actual bad cells, and DeWalt just sat there and blew raspberries at me. Unfortunately kinda stuck with the DeWilt stuff, since we've got a bunch of their tools already. More recent battery packs have performed up to par, thankfully. Their NiCad-to-Lithium adapters are a poorly designed pain in the ass too.

If I could start fresh, I'd go with something else (have had excellent luck with Milwaukee), just due to how DeWalt handled that battery issue.

oldretiredafguy · Nov 3, 2021

Ellie Niner said:
I definitely have experience with the DeWalt batteries. Have had three that sucked; all were the small 20v 2Ah packs. Seemed to be a problem with the internal charge control circuitry rather than actual bad cells, and DeWalt just sat there and blew raspberries at me. Unfortunately kinda stuck with the DeWilt stuff, since we've got a bunch of their tools already. More recent battery packs have performed up to par, thankfully. Their NiCad-to-Lithium adapters are a poorly designed pain in the ass too.

If I could start fresh, I'd go with something else (have had excellent luck with Milwaukee), just due to how DeWalt handled that battery issue.

bigcountry78 said:
Looking at picking up a battery power sawzall, either kobalt or dewalt. I already have a 24 volt kobalt impact, and several dewalt 20 volt max tools so either one would have to be compatible with those batteries. I see some complaints online about the dewalt batteries not lasting. Anyone have any experience with either one?

Not one of your choices, but I would start buying Milwaukee 18V tools.

73c20jim · Nov 3, 2021

I use 20volt Dewalt with no problems.

Vbb199 · Nov 3, 2021

I use the 24v Kobalt stuff, even in the skill saw, the 4ah battery lasts quite a long time.

I have the 1 handed Sawzall, I like it also.

bucket · Nov 3, 2021

I use the 20v Dewalt stuff, as do most of my coworkers. I've seen a lot of it get abused and it holds up well. This past summer, I finally went and bought a battery powered sawzall. I got the Dewalt 20v XR brushless unit, the one with the more compact body. It's been great and very powerful too. Coupled with an 8ah battery and a good Diablo metal blade, you can basically cut up an entire car on one charge.

John-Ryan · Nov 4, 2021

Voting for the DeWalt compact sawzall here. Run a carpentry business and this one has held up to all we throw it. You won't cut an I beam with it but the 4 way adjustable head is a win.

DoubleDingo · Nov 4, 2021

Vbb199 said:
......I have the 1 handed Sawzall, I like it also.

We all do, it's called an ARM

Marc Rexroad · Nov 4, 2021

The key with the dewalt stuff is they have a homeowner line and a professional line and the batteries' performance varies a ton.

The even numbers, 2 Ah, 4Ah are the homeowner lighter duty and the odd numbers are the commercial line. I bought a kit on the homeowner line with a 2 and a 4 and they suck compared to the 3 and 5 batteries we use at work.

Take a look at Home Depot's kits and you will notice a big price jump to get into the odd Ah batteries.

bucket · Nov 4, 2021

Marc Rexroad said:
The key with the dewalt stuff is they have a homeowner line and a professional line and the batteries' performance varies a ton.

The even numbers, 2 Ah, 4Ah are the homeowner lighter duty and the odd numbers are the commercial line. I bought a kit on the homeowner line with a 2 and a 4 and they suck compared to the 3 and 5 batteries we use at work.

Take a look at Home Depot's kits and you will notice a big price jump to get into the odd Ah batteries.

I don't believe that is correct. I've used a bunch of the 4ah batteries and it's not a big difference from the 5ah batteries that I own. Obviously, the higher Ah rating, the longer battery will tend to last. The little 2ah batteries are best suited to things like flashlights and the little compact impact driver. There's also the newer 6 and 8 ah batteries and as to be expected, they are better than the 4 and 5 ah batteries.

bucket · Nov 4, 2021

Also, prices very widely based on location. For example, you can get a pair of 5ah batteries on sale at Bomgaars for what it costs to buy just one battery at Rural King.

bigcountry78 · Nov 5, 2021

Well luckily for me, both my dewalt batteries are 2ah lol. I need to buy some better ones.

Vbb199 · Nov 5, 2021

DoubleDingo said:
We all do, it's called an ARM

I'm a lazy piece, don't expose me

bigcountry78 · Nov 6, 2021

I appreciate the input everyone, I’ve decided to go with the dewalt. Turns out kobalt is a Lowe’s store brand, they may decide next week to drop it altogether. I know dewalt will be around. I’ll just pick up a couple 4 ah batteries.

bucket · Nov 6, 2021

Not trying to harp, but imho, this one here is the one to get. Powerful, compact and the blade can mount with the deadly side facing 4 different ways.

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