Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless Drill KXDD 1424A-03 Review

Performance Comparison

Drilling

Our first and most important test metric for evaluating and rating every drill is the drilling metric, which comprises 35 percent of each model's overall score. We broke this metric into three real-world types of tests. The first test recorded how quickly each drill put a 5-inch hole, using a holesaw, in a solid 1 ¾ inch wooden door. Our second test measured the speed of drilling a 1-inch hole in a 2x12 using a 1" spade bit, like what you might do if pulling electrical through framing. Lastly, we drilled through 16 gauge steel sheets with a ¼" and a ½" spiral drill bit.

Our test team was able to bore a hole in a 1 ¾ inch thick door, made of solid wood with a 5-inch hole saw with the Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless in an impressive 17 seconds, easily making it a top contender alongside just a handful of other models for the submetric. It didn't perform quite as well when faced with boring 1-inch holes through 2x12 lumber housing a spade bit. Although it got off to a great start in the high speed lower torque setting of '2', it bogged down after a few seconds and required the switch to the lower speed higher torque setting to easily complete the task at hand.

The Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless impressed our team again in our sheet metal tests, making a ¼ inch hole in 16 gauge steel in 1.13 seconds, and then repeating that performance for a larger ½ inch hole that it made in 2.56 seconds. These were some of the most impressive test results we've seen to date and helped secure this model's status as a very capable cordless drill, suitable for nearly most tasks.

Driving

Our secondary major metric contributes to 35 percent of the total score for each model and evaluates their driving performance. We conducted tests where we drove five-inch lag bolts through an untreated 2x4 stacked atop an untreated 4x4, assessing the remaining exposed length of each bolt after a model ceased making progress. Additionally, we tested the capability of each model to drive 3-inch number 9 Torx T25 flat head deck screws into the same material, observing their ability to countersink screws flush with the wood surface.

Much like its performance in our drilling tests, the Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless produced excellent results. It drove a five-inch lag bolt in the high speed low torque setting with 2 ⅝ inches left to go before our testers finished the task on the low speed high torque setting.

Our 3-inch number 9 Torx head deck screws also proved to be no problem for the Kobalt XTR 24-volt, which easily drives countersunk screw heads perfectly flush with the decking material surface.

Battery Life

Our evaluation of battery life contributes to 20 percent of the total score for each drill. As the name suggests, it focuses on assessing the battery's longevity under normal working conditions. Our team used each drill to drive 16 Torx T25 flat head 9 x 3 deck screws into dimensional lumber, as well as drilling three 1-inch holes using a spade bit in a 2 x 12. We repeated these tasks in rounds until the drills were no longer capable of drilling or driving.

The Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless offered good battery life in these tests, but was outshined by a number of 18-volt drills. Although not the top performer, the XTR has plenty of stamina to drive 144 3-inch number 9 deck screws into 4 inches of lumber, and bore 26.5 1-inch holes in 1.5-inch boards with a spade bit before its 2.0 amp hour battery taps out.

The battery life performance is nearly as good as the best models tested, but where it fails to be as good as the best models is in its recharging speed. The 2 amp hour battery requires 85 minutes, or just shy of an hour and a half, of charging before it is ready to return to work.

Our testing is designed for fairness, and the tests were conducted with a 2 amp hour battery, not the included 4 amp hour battery. So you will get a lot more mileage out of the battery included with this kit, but you can also expect much longer charging times as well.

Convenience

Our final test metric gauged each model'sconvenience, accounting for 10 percent of the total score for each drill. Our team specifically interrogated user-friendliness, features such as ratcheting chucks, chuck size, tool belt clips, bit holders, work lights, buttons, triggers, size, battery changing ease, and weight.

The Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless is a larger and heavier model, weighing in at a hefty 4 pounds 1.4 ounces, with an overall length of 7 inches. You will feel the weight in hand if you are accustomed to a more compact 12v drill driver, and even the ergonomics of the handle is slightly larger and less comfortable for smaller hands. Trade-offs of size and power aside, we like that it includes a solid metal ratcheting chuck with a ½ inch diameter, work light, battery level indicators, belt clip, and even a bit holder, which seems to be a less common feature of modern drill drivers.

Two speeds which also alter the torque settings are on par with most competent drill drivers, and there is little to complain about outside of some slightly smaller battery tabs, that if larger, could make swapping batteries slightly easier. Finally, the tool is blue, which is a nice departure from the abundance of tool lines that are all similar shades of red, lime green or green, and yellow --if it matters to you.

Should You Buy the Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless?

The Kobalt XTR 24-volt 1/2-in Keyless Brushless Cordless drill demonstrated outstanding performance across our comprehensive testing, showcasing its capability to tackle demanding tasks, such as drilling holes in a variety of materials or driving large screws. Its top-notch performance and strong battery life are noteworthy, especially when considering its affordable price. Including a battery and charger deserves serious consideration for anybody in need of a drill driver with exceptional performance at an outstanding value, and is one of our top recommendations for a tool and battery combo.

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