Reviews You Can Rely On

Kobalt KWDV 0124B-03 Review

This inexpensive machine performs at the highest level in all areas excluding battery life
gearlab tested logo
Kobalt KWDV 0124B-03 Review
Credit: Laura Casner
Price:  $100 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Kobalt
By Nick Miley and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jan 11, 2022
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 8
  • Dry Work - 40% 9.0
  • Wet Work - 30% 6.0
  • Battery Life - 20% 4.0
  • Convenience - 10% 5.0

Our Verdict

The Kobalt KWDV 0124B-03 is a high-performance vacuum that has a below-average price point and a trim toolbox shape. It has a few shortcomings — most notably in the battery department, but the machine's positive features far outweigh them. The unit comes standard with a HEPA filter and a long, self-retracting hose. Most importantly, the vac has a powerful motor that excels at moving heavy debris, one of the most important jobs for any heavy duty vacuum. See our full cordless wet dry vacuum review to see how the Kobalt measures up to the competition.
REASONS TO BUY
Powerful suction
HEPA filter
REASONS TO AVOID
Short and narrow hose
Heavy
Relatively noisy
Editor's Note: The Kobalt review was updated on January 11th, 2022, with extra information on the products we would buy and help to compare each vacuum better.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Editors' Choice Award
Best All-Around Wet Dry Vacuum
Editors' Choice Award
Best Toolbox-Style Wet Dry Vacuum
Best Buy Award
A Great Value
Top Pick Award
Best for Dust Collection
Price $100 List$99 List
$93.93 at Amazon
$150 List
$121.00 at Amazon
$119 List$109 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
67
71
68
67
60
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line This competitively priced vacuum is powerful and efficient but lacks in battery lifeThis machine performed well across the board but particularly in wet clean-up and runtimeA compact, powerful tool that can handle just about anythingAn affordable vacuum that is tough on wet and dry messesFor capturing loose debris, this machine is a boss
Rating Categories Kobalt KWDV 0124B-03 Craftsman CMCV002B Milwaukee M18 0880-20 Ryobi P3240 Ridgid WD0319
Dry Work (40%)
9.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Wet Work (30%)
6.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
7.0
Battery Life (20%)
4.0
8.0
4.0
4.0
3.0
Convenience (10%)
5.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
Specs Kobalt KWDV 0124B-03 Craftsman CMCV002B Milwaukee M18 0880-20 Ryobi P3240 Ridgid WD0319
Measured height x width x depth (inches) 13" x 17 1/2" x 10 3/4" 13" x 18 3/4" x 10 1/2" 12" x 16 3/4" x 8 1/2" 9 1/2" x 18 1/2" x 12" 15 1/2" x 20 1/2" x 15 1/2"
Measured weight (w/o battery) 10 pounds,12 ounces 7 pounds, 8 ounces 10 pounds, 2 ounces 8 pounds, 6 ounces 8 pounds, 3 ounces
Measured runtime (minutes) 20 min 34 min 23 min 19 min 15 min
Measured hose length min/ max (inches) 24" - 96" 26" - 94" 24" - 90 1/2" 20 1/4" - 84" 27" - 92"
Attachments crevice nozzle, floor nozzle crevice nozzle, wide nozzle crevice nozzle, floor nozzle utility nozzle, crevice tool dusting brush, multi-purpose tool
End of hose diameter (inches) 1 1/16" 1" 1" 1" 1 1/2"
HEPA rated filter Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Canister volume (gallons) 3 gal 2 gal 2 gal 3 gal 3 gal
Washable filter Yes Yes Yes (dry only) Yes No
Battery (volts) 24v 20v 18v 18v 18v
Measured suction (inches of water lift) 22" 19" 25" 22" 29"
Battery life indicator on machine On select batteries On select batteries On select batteries On select batteries On select batteries
Blower feature Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Tool connection adaptor No No Yes (sold seperately) No No
Auxiiary power cord No No No No No
Dry sawdust clean-up (seconds) 13 sec 15 sec 13 sec 15 sec 8 sec
Wet sawdust clean-up (seconds) 51 sec 42 sec 36 sec 42 sec 15 sec

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Kobalt is a great wet/dry vacuum for those who want a low-in price machine but will nonetheless move dry materials without a struggle. To get these benefits, one will sacrifice a bit in wet work performance, battery life, and some convenience features. That said, this machine is at the top of the class for moving heavy debris and cleaning in tight spots.

Performance Comparison



kobalt kwdv 0124b-03 - mountains of sawdust? this vac can handle that!
Mountains of sawdust? This vac can handle that!
Credit: Laura Casner

Dry Work


Simply put, the Kobalt destroys in the dry work department. There isn't a material that fits into its hose that it didn't easily move into its canister. This model is particularly adept at sucking up heavy items like hardware and shared the top score for this sub-metric with the Ryobi. We know this because we had it sucking up everything from wood screws to ⅝ inch machine bolts to 100-gram calibration weights. The Kobalt shot these items up the tube into the canister after another.


This model is no slouch at slurping up mountains of sawdust, either. We piled 9 cups of the stuff on the floor, and the Kobalt gobbled it up in a mere 13 seconds. That's a rate of inhalation that puts it near the very top of the class. Last but not least, this machine's crevice tool has a good design and accomplishes the tasks it is made for with little difficulty.

kobalt kwdv 0124b-03 - a wet/dry vacuum that doubles as a bilge pump? above we see the...
A wet/dry vacuum that doubles as a bilge pump? Above we see the water lifting test that challenges the machine to move 2 gallons of water as quickly as possible.
Credit: Laura Casner

Wet Work


To be clear, the kind of wet work we're referring to here is not what you hear about in cloak and dagger novels or Martin Scorsese films. Although. Humm… There may be some crossover. Anyway, getting back on track. We want to know how well these machines move liquids in common wet mess scenarios. While the Kobalt is not at the very top of the class in this metric, it performs quite well overall.


First off, we wanted to see how well these machines can move water uphill. The Kobalt can slurp up 2 gallons of water from an elevation of 27 inches in just 13 seconds — just under the class average. This tool can also move wet sawdust and clean up liquids spilled on a hard surface at a decent rate. However, this vacuum is a boss when sucking water from the carpet. We poured 2 cups of water on a car floorboard mat and let it soak in. Then we sucked the water back out and measured how much water was retrieved in the process. The Kobalt almost got it all!

kobalt kwdv 0124b-03 - the water lift gauge testing the kobalt. results varied, so a half...
The water lift gauge testing the Kobalt. Results varied, so a half dozen readings were taken and averaged.
Credit: Laura Casner

As a final assessment, we used a water lift gauge to measure the suction power of this model. At 22 inches of lift, this vacuum was right at average for the group in this evaluation.

kobalt kwdv 0124b-03 - the internally stored battery has a battery life meter that reads...
The internally stored battery has a battery life meter that reads out when depressed.
Credit: Laura Casner

Battery


It really doesn't matter how well a vacuum moves liquids and rubbish if its battery runtime is so short that you can't finish the job. With that in mind, we ran a straightforward assessment of battery longevity. We plugged a fully charged battery into the vac in question and ran it without a load (i.e., only pulling air) until the machine died. The elapsed time is what we call runtime.


The Kobalt's runtime is 19 minutes, 35 seconds — which isn't that great. If we look at performance in terms of minutes of runtime/amp-hour as rated by the manufacturer, it's 4.9 minutes per amp-hour—about a minute below average.

kobalt kwdv 0124b-03 - want a tool that removes dust as opposed to just moving it around? a...
Want a tool that removes dust as opposed to just moving it around? A wet/ dry vacuum will fill the bill.
Credit: Laura Casner

Convenience


Let's be honest; vacuums are all about convenience. We look at many different features — such as ease of storage, hose durability, and length, filter type, noise, and weight — to assess convenience. Given a large number of variables, there aren't a lot of machines that can clear all the hurdles to score highly in this metric. While we like the Kobalt's toolbox shape with its streamlined internal storage for the hose and attachments, the machine also has some faults.


It may seem nitpicky, but this model is relatively loud at 80 dBa. Weighing in at nearly 11 pounds, it's also on the heavier side. Additionally, the vacuum has a rather long hose (96 inches fully stretched), which is fine if you need the length. However, it doesn't retract to a short, easily manageable length like some competitors. That said, the Kobalt has a HEPA-rated filter that is wet washable. We find that to be a real plus because the HEPA filter addresses one of the few safety concerns posed by these machines.

kobalt kwdv 0124b-03 - compact and self-contained. the modern shop vacuum design is slick...
Compact and self-contained. The modern shop vacuum design is slick as can be.
Credit: Laura Casner

Should You Buy the Kobalt KWDV 0124B-03?


Although it is not the highest scorer, we like the Kobalt and feel that it is a product worth considering if you want an excellent dry cleanup machine but need to stick to a budget. The compact design and above-average wet work score add to its appeal. However, it has a short battery life, and if this is a deal-breaker for you, you may want to look at some of the other top cordless wet dry vacuums we tested.

What Other Cordless Wet Dry Vacuums Should You Consider?


The dry work score of the Kobalt is only matched by the Milwaukee M18 0880-20. If dry work is your top priority, these are the two best options. If you want a vacuum with a more well-rounded repertoire, the Craftsman CMCV002B earned a higher overall score by being above average in every metric, although it does not specialize in any one task.

Nick Miley and Austin Palmer