Kobalt 24V Cordless Hammer Drill and Drill Driver Increase Power, Decrease Size
Kobalt’s next generation of 24V cordless tools is rolling out at Lowe’s. We wanted to see what’s different, where these tools fit, and who they’re designed for. Up first is the Kobalt 24V cordless hammer drill and its drill driver version.
Kobalt 24V Cordless Hammer Drill Performance
Kobalt has two major lines on the shelves at Lowe’s: a high-value standard line and a high-performance XTR line. The latest tools are taking over for the standard line.
Old Vs New
Here’s a quick overview of the updated hammer drill performance compared to the previous model:
| KHD 524B-03 | KHD 124B-03 (Next-Gen) | |
| No-Load Speed | 0-550/0-2,000 RPM | 0-550/0-2,000 RPM |
| Max Hammering Rate | 26,000 BPM | 32,000 BPM |
| Clutch Settings | 24 | 24 |
| Max Torque | 650 in-lbs | 850 in-lbs |
| Chuck Size | 1/2 in. | 1/2 in. |
Now let’s take a look at the drill driver specs:
| KDD 524B-03 | KDD 124B-03 (Next-Gen) | |
| No-Load Speed | 0-550/0-2,000 RPM | 0-550/0-2,000 RPM |
| Clutch Settings | 24 | 24 |
| Max Torque | 650 in-lbs | 850 in-lbs |
| Chuck Size | 1/2 in. | 1/2 in. |
Comparing the two generations, only two changes stand out, but they’re significant. The extra 200 in-lbs of torque the Kobalt 24V cordless hammer drill and drill driver get is more than 30% better. You don’t have to look back too many years when 850 in-lbs was the highest torque any brushless Pro-level drill was reaching.
The other change is only on the hammer drill. Its shift from a blow rate of 24,000 BPM to 32,000 BPM is a 23% improvement and should make concrete drilling noticeably faster.
We’ve only had these tools for a brief time and we’ll be putting them through a series of comparative tests. We’ll update this review as soon as we have those results.
Kobalt 24V Cordless Hammer Drill Design Notes
Size and Weight
In addition to higher performance, Kobalt also targeted a more compact size for its drill and hammer drill. Here’s how those numbers compare for the hammer drill:
| KHD 524B-03 | KHD 124B-03 (Next-Gen) | |
| Length | 8.1 inches | 7.1 inches |
| Bare Weight | 3.3 pounds | 3.1 lbs |
| Weight w/4.0Ah | 5.0 pounds | 4.8 pounds |
Here’s the drill driver comparison:
| KDD 524B-03 | KDD 124B-03 (Next-Gen) | |
| Length | 7.5 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Bare Weight | 3.1 pounds | 2.9 lbs |
| Weight w/4.0Ah | 4.8 pounds | 4.6 pounds |
Additional Highlights
- 2-speed gearbox
- 24 clutch positions
- Separate mode selection collar
- All-metal Jacob’s keyless ratcheting chuck
- Reversible belt clip
- Foot-mounted LED light
Kobalt 24V Cordless Hammer Drill Price
One of the good things about these drills is that you get additional performance without a big jump in price to match it. The drill kit is $139 with a 2.0Ah battery. The hammer drill is $129 as a bare tool.
These tools just launched today (as we’re writing), so we’ll have to wait and see if any additional bare tool or kit options show up.
Regardless, Kobalt has your back with a 5-year warranty on the tools and 3 years on batteries.
The Bottom Line
The next generation Kobalt 24V cordless hammer drill and drill driver benefit from improved torque and a more compact design. The changes come without a big jump in price, keeping them in the high-value category. While Kobalt is targeting serious DIYers and Prosumers with this line, the price and performance are sure to catch the eyes of value-minded Pros as well.
Specifications
Kobalt 24V Cordless Drill Driver
- Model Number: Kobalt KDD 124B-03
- Max Speed: 2000 RPM
- Number of Clutch Settings: 24
- Max Chuck Size: 1/2″
- Chuck Type: Keyless
- Max Torque: 850 in-lbs
- Warranty: 5-Year (tool); 3-Year (battery)
Kobalt 24V Cordless Hammer Drill
- Model Number: Kobalt KHD 124B-03
- Max Speed: 2000 RPM
- Maximum Beats Per Minute: 32,000 BPM
- Number of Clutch Settings: 24
- Max Chuck Size: 1/2″
- Chuck Type: Keyless
- Max Torque: 850 in-lbs
- Warranty: 5-Year (tool); 3-Year (battery)
