EGO Power+ is a heavyweight name in the cordless mower market. The brand manufactures a range of self-propelled and push lawnmowers for residential use, some of which are comparable in runtime and performance with gas-powered counterparts. Kobalt is Lowe’s in-house brand of power tools, and it includes lawnmowers cheaper than EGO. But are they worth it? Check out how the Kobalt 40V mower vs. EGO 56V mower compares.
Kobalt 40V Mower Vs. EGO 56V Mower: Side-by-Side Comparison
EGO 56V and Kobalt 40V are two self-propelled lawnmowers ideal for yards up to half an acre. However, a lower-capacity battery pack makes Kobalt a much better choice for smaller yards. Beyond battery capacity, each model comes with advantages and drawbacks. In a quick overview, here’s how the two compare:
| Kobalt 40V Mower | EGO 56V Mower | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Yards up to ¼ | Yards up to ½ acres |
| Operation mode | Self-propelled | Self-propelled |
| Cutting width | 20” | 21” |
| Adjustment options | 7 | 7 |
| Cutting height | 1-3/8” – 3-3/4” | 1.5″- 4″ |
| Waste management | Mulching, bagging, side discharge | Mulching, bagging, side discharge |
| Battery | 40v (5.0Ah) | 56V (7.5Ah) |
| Runtime | Up to 30 minutes | Up to 60 minutes |
| Motor type | Brushless | Brushless |
| Headlights | No | Yes |
- Up to 40 minutes runtime per charge.
- Mulch, rear bag, and side discharge grass.
- Mows up to 0.5 acres.
- 7-position single lever.
Kobalt 40V Mower Vs. EGO 56V Mower: What’s the Difference?
EGO and Kobalt are two of the most popular brands of battery-powered lawnmowers. Machines from both brands are suitable for residential use, with different results due to build quality and performance.
After a 2017 Kobalt 40V mower failure, thousands of units were recalled due to potential fire hazards. Lowe’s – or rather Hongkong Sun Rise Trading, the company that used to manufacture Kobalt and Greenworks mowers – improved the model, and a new 40V mower is now available on the market.
EGO Power+ has never made safety recalls on its products. The EGO 56V lawn mower is one of the most popular options, the battery pack offering longer runtime than similar machines. Power is also excellent with this mower outputting gas-like performance. Before buying either one, here’s a detailed comparison between the two.
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Deck and Cutting
A major difference between the Kobalt V40 mower and the EGO 56V mower is their deck size and cutting performance. The former comes with a 20-inch deck and is ideal for lawns between ¼ and ½ acres, at least on paper. In reality, it is only great for lawns up to ¼ acres due to a lower-capacity battery and relatively short runtime.
The EGO comes with a 21-inch deck and is suitable for larger lawns. One extra inch of cutting swath also means you can complete the chore faster. However, an inch difference can also put Kobalt at an advantage if you have an awkwardly shaped lawn or need to fit the mower in narrower spaces.
Beyond the deck size, EGO has the upper hand in terms of cutting performance. The mower’s multi-blade system enhances cutting efficiency and delivers gas-like performance. Kobalt has a single, dual blade that also cuts grass effectively but could struggle with tougher types of grass, such as zoysia, Kentucky bluegrass, or Bermuda. EGO also does a better job of cutting wet grass than Kobalt.
When buying a lawn mower, you should check the cutting height range and adjustment levels. These factors are crucial because each type of grass requires a specific cutting height during the growing season and another one during the period of dormancy.
The Kobalt 40V mower features seven height adjustments and a cutting height range between 1.375 and 3.75 inches. EGO 56V mower also offers a similar number of height settings, but the range goes from 1.5 to 4.0 inches. This difference makes Kobalt a slightly better choice for warm-season grasses – this turf type requires shorter cutting heights. If you like to keep the grass longer, you can’t go wrong with the EGO.
Power and Runtime
Cordless, battery-powered lawnmowers are often frowned upon due to their limited runtime. Indeed, they might not be ideal for commercial use or very large yards. Everyone else might do fine with such an option, especially if you get a powerful battery pack.
EGO 56V mower comes with a 56-volt, 7.5Ah battery that delivers up to 60 minutes of runtime. That’s how long it takes to mow a ½-acre lawn. Sure, you may not get exactly one hour, but this mower still delivers more runtime than Kobalt. With its 40-volt battery, Lowe’s mower has a runtime of under 30 minutes. This means you’ll either have to buy an additional battery or take frequent (and long) breaks.
If you want a Kobalt mower with a longer runtime, you should opt for the Kobalt 80V mower, which offers up to 60 minutes on a full charge. In addition to longer runtime, EGO also offers a faster charge. Its 56V battery charges in about 145 minutes, but Kobalt’s 40V requires around 150 minutes of recharge.
The battery capacity – 7.5Ah for the EGO and 5.0Ah for the Kobalt – also makes a difference. The higher amps per hour output impressive torque. Combined with the multi-blade system, the EGO can effortlessly cut through rough or wet grass. Not so with the Kobalt, which struggles with rough or wet grass.
Both lawnmowers come with interchangeable batteries within their ecosystems. So, you can use batteries from compatible tools, such as hedge trimmers or leaf blowers, on the mower as long as they have the same max voltage. By doing so, you get more uninterrupted mowing time. You can also save by buying a bare lawnmower and using a battery pack that you already have.
Waste Management
From a waste management standpoint, both mowers offer mulching, bagging, and side discharge. However, they accomplish each function differently – and EGO does it better. This mower’s advantage is the multi-blade system and the additional blades provided in the pack, each designed for a specific waste management function.
In total, EGO 56V comes with three specialized blades for mulching, bagging, or increased runtime. The deck’s multi-blade system also includes a standard blade that is mounted first, and then the specialized blade goes on top.
The mulching blade is designed to shred grass blades into fine pieces. Likewise, the bagging blade presents a wider surface designed to lift and suck grass clippings right into the rear-mounted bag. Kobalt doesn’t come with any specialized blades. It only has one standard blade that does a decent but not an exceptional job.
Kobalt tends to bag more grass than the EGO when using a standard blade, but it stands no chance when the EGO uses the bagging blade. Kobalt also tends to detect a full bag before the bag is actually full. So, you’ll have to stop and empty it more frequently than you would with EGO.
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Build Quality
When looking at Kobalt vs. EGO, another noticeable difference is their construction. The former has some plastic components, but it is essentially made of alloy steel. EGO is made of ballistic-grade plastic, which is admittedly durable but not as durable as metal.
The surprising thing is that EGO is actually heavier and seems more stable than the Kobalt despite its plastic construction. Design elements and features thought to improve user experience also add to EGO’s appeal. These features include headlights, which make it easier (and possible) to mow in low light conditions, seamless adjustment of the handle height and cutting deck, and a battery housing that is easy to access. With only one hand, you can extract and replace the battery. The battery’s housing enclosure is also transparent, making it easy to keep an eye on the charge indicator lights.
Kobalt doesn’t have any of these clever features. Its battery indicator is not visible unless you open the housing lid. The handle has several positions but comes with an adjustment knob rather than a lever. Turning it makes position adjustment less intuitive. The same applies to the cutting height adjustment, which is easier on EGO.
Price
If there’s one area where the Kobalt 40V mower outshines the EGO 56V mower, it has to be the attractive price tag. Bought new, this self-propelled lawn mower costs around $250 or even less on the used market. EGO 56V costs about $549 without a battery and charger. The 7.5Ah battery will set you back another $359, while the rapid charger is another $140.
A good way to save on EGO’s battery is by choosing a lower-capacity 56V battery. The battery bundle and the charger are available for around $200, but you can expect only 2.5Ah of capacity. The mower can also use 4Ah and 5Ah batteries, provided they have 56V of power.
Kobalt 40V Mower Vs. EGO 56V Mower: 6 Must-Known Facts
- Kobalt 40V mower is Lowe’s entry-level lawn mower designed for homeowners on a budget.
- EGO 56V mower is a battery-powered lawn mower designed to deliver gas-like performance and extended runtime compared to its peers.
- EGO’s multi-blade system delivers excellent cutting and improved mulching and bagging. However, the system requires more maintenance.
- Kobalt comes with only one blade, but maintenance is simpler to perform.
- Features designed to improve user comfort make EGO much better than Kobalt. However, the latter is a lot cheaper.
- Kobalt 40V mower KM2040X-06, no longer available from Lowe’s, was recalled in 2017 due to fire hazards. The retailer has since replaced it with the KM2041B-06 model.
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Kobalt 40V Mower Vs. EGO 56V Mower: Which One Is Better?
Finding a good battery-powered lawn mower is challenging, but EGO 56V is proof that battery tools can deliver gas-like performance. This lawn mower has everything from a generous cutting deck size to an improved cutting system, outstanding mowing performance, to seamless usability. It can tackle all types of grass, including wet turf. One-hand battery extraction and lever handle adjustments enhance maneuverability and ease of use. Undoubtedly, this mower is the best you can find, but you’ll have to pay for all these features.
The Kobalt 40V mower can be a good alternative if you’re on a budget. Sure, it won’t deliver jaw-dropping performance, but it does its job. While ease of use could be improved, this mower is made almost entirely of metal and is easy to maintain. It also folds to compact dimensions for seamless transport and storage. Bought new, this lawn mower is about two times cheaper than EGO. Just remember to check the serial number if you decide to buy it used. Lowe’s recalled the 2017 version of its 40V lawn mower due to fire hazards, but nobody guarantees that all owners returned or repaired their units. Overall, EGO is a safer and better option.
- Up to 40 minutes runtime per charge.
- Mulch, rear bag, and side discharge grass.
- Mows up to 0.5 acres.
- 7-position single lever.
- Simple, automatic operation
- Adjustable handle height
- Self-propelled mower with easy start button
- No noise, fumes, or mess
Alternative Mowers
Both of these electric lawn mowers are great options for your property, but we want to make sure you have considered all of the great options on the market before committing to a purchase.
Here are a few similar alternatives to the Kobalt 40V and the EGO 56V that we recommend:
- Greenworks 40V: This option is a great alternative to the Kobalt specifically because it has a longer battery life and is more affordable, but it’s also less powerful than either mower listed here.
- Stihl iMow: The perfect option for anyone looking for a hands-off approach to landscaping, this robotic, self-automated mower can cut up to half an acre on a single charge.
- Toro 60V: A 60V battery powers this cordless mower that is more powerful, but also more expensive, than either the Kobalt or EGO mowers.
Kobalt 40V Mower and EGO 56V Mower: Technology Updates
In recent times, no significant technology advancements have been noted for the Kobalt 40V Mower and EGO 56V Mower. Nevertheless, both Kobalt and EGO have introduced fresh iterations of their mowers, showcasing enhanced performance and features.
In April 2023, the Kobalt 40V Mower underwent an update that introduced a novel brushless motor. This technological enhancement translated to increased power output and extended runtime, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and operation of the mower.
Simultaneously, the EGO 56V Mower received an upgrade in April 2023, featuring a new self-propelled system. This innovative addition is designed to simplify the task of mowing extensive lawns, offering users greater convenience and ease during operation.
Kobalt 40V Mower and EGO 56V Mower: Looking Forward
In the upcoming six to 18 months, the Kobalt 40V Mower and EGO 56V Mower are anticipated to witness several notable technology updates:
- Battery Advancements: Both Kobalt and EGO are projected to introduce updated mowers featuring batteries that boast extended runtimes and accelerated charging capabilities. These improvements will stem from advancements in battery technology, notably leveraging lithium-ion batteries and potentially even emerging solid-state battery innovations. Such enhancements will result in longer-lasting mowing sessions and reduced downtime for recharging.
- Smart Innovations: The forthcoming updates from Kobalt and EGO are expected to encompass intelligent features in their mowers. This might include the integration of GPS navigation, enabling the mowers to autonomously navigate lawns and optimize mowing paths. Additionally, app-based controls are anticipated, affording users the convenience of remotely managing and controlling their mowers through smartphone applications. These smart enhancements will contribute to more efficient and user-friendly lawn maintenance.
- Enhanced Safety Measures: The next generation of Kobalt and EGO mowers is anticipated to incorporate advanced safety features, emphasizing accident prevention and user protection. This could encompass blade stop mechanisms that halt blade rotation when encountering obstacles or disturbances. Additionally, safety sensors might be integrated to detect potential hazards in the mowing environment, prompting the mower to adjust its operation accordingly. These safety measures will contribute to a safer mowing experience, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Up Next
- HART 40V Cordless Mower vs. EGO 56V Mower: Which One Wins? — HART and EGO are both incredibly popular and reliable brands of electric lawn mowers. Find out which one is the better choice for your landscaping needs.
- Ryobi 40V Mower vs. Ego 56V Mower: Which One Wins? — Next up in our series of mower comparisons, we’ve placed the Ryobi 40V vs. the EGO 56V to see which one is the best on the market.
- Kobalt 40V Mower vs. RYOBI 80V Mower: Which One Wins? — Ryobi has released the powerful 80V mower. See how it fares against the Kobalt 40V mower.
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