As mentioned in my Kobalt Xtreme Access preview, I am very heavily biased against the universal-styled sockets in these sets. I just don’t trust their fit as much as I do traditional 6pt hex socket designs. But, I’m open-minded and spent some more time with the 27-piece Kobalt Extreme Access socket set on a couple of projects.
The 27-piece set is currently priced at $25, and seems to be selling quite well since they’re sold out at all the local Lowes stores around me. (They’re still available for sale online.) There are a number of other socket set configurations available, as described in the Extreme Access buying guide.
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Pros:
- pass-thru design eliminates need for deep sockets
- ratchet, sockets, and adapters appear to be well made
- thin-wall design
- sturdy case with sturdier-than-it-looks latch
- complete range of adapters included – this makes it easy to integrate the set with other ratchets and sockets
Cons:
- 1/4″ sockets require use of an (included) adapter – this increases the working height of the ratchet
- universal-style inch-metric sockets
- no additional ratchet styles available (yet?)
- future expansion of the Xtreme Access line is uncertain
Xtreme Access = Extreme Innovation?
I keep flip-flopping, but in the end I just don’t like the 27pc Xtreme Access set as much I do other pass-through socket designs. The new system is not as revolutionary or game-changing as Lowes and Kobalt might try to convince you, but it is an evolution of a tried and true concept.
Buy This If:
- You have no ratchets or sockets and don’t want to be caught tool-less should an unanticipated need arise in the future
- You want a compact all-in-one kit for less than $30
- You don’t have any deep sockets
Avoid These Tools If:
- You don’t like universal all-in-one sockets or primarily work with precision fasteners
- You need a more mature system that can be easily expanded with compatible tools and accessories
- You already have so many sockets that you even have duplicates of sizes you never use
- You have no idea why they’re special
Conclusion
Ignoring for a moment the fact that I am inherently opposed to universal all-in-one combination inch-metric sockets, I found the tools and accessories in the 27pc set to be quite well made. Everything is thoughtfully designed, and I can’t find any flaws with the chrome finish. Kobalt really did a nice job with their Xtreme Access lineup.
The only major complaint is that the tools do not provide extreme access when pairing the 1/4″ sockets to the 3/8″ tool.
Buy Now – Kobalt 27pc Set (via Lowes)
Update: It appears that the 27pc set is no longer available.
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Other sets:
Kobalt 14pc Set
Kobalt 38pc Set
Kobalt 49pc Set
Thank you to Kobalt and Lowes for providing the review sample unconditionally. Review samples are typically given away, donated, or in some cases retained for benchmark and comparison purposes.
jesse
Why are you thanking Kobalt? Kobalt is not a company; it’s just a private label tool brand at Lowe’s.
Stuart
The thank you is part acknowledgement and part disclosure so that readers are made aware that the sample was not purchased out of pocket. No reason not to thank both Lowes and Kobalt.
Rachel McCaulla
Ok, here goes…Yes I am a woman and really have no clue with tools. Looking for a Father’s day gift for my husband and he does have lots of tools. But seeing the commercial, this seems to be something compact that he could put in his truck or take with us on camping trips or 4 wheeler rides instead of packing tools in his toolbox to take with us. Would this be a good purchase and are they sturdy tools, like not stripping out or such?
Allen
Advice on buying tools for a man, from my viewpoint at least :
Buy something small and of very high quality, something he might not splurge on for himself. A $20 pair of pliers say, like some of the high end ones reviewed on this site. Knipex for example. It will always be remembered as “that great pair of pliers my wife gave me”. Rather than “that cheap socket set I got for father’s day” I am not knocking this particular set, but in my mind the sentiment applies.
The pliers are just a suggestion, let’s go guys, give her some ideas of something you just can’t seem to justify for yourself. Something not that costly but a little over the top for what they do.
Stuart
If he already has a lot of tools, then chances are that he might not have as much a need for a set like this.
So far the ratchets and sockets do feel sturdy, although personally I feel regular sockets are a better all-around option.
If you really want to get him tools, ask him what’s on his wishlist.
Brad
Truthfully, I actually used these the other day at a buddies house. I can see how these could be seen as special, but I wasn’t at all impressed. I own a set of Craftsman industrial and compared to these, I rather go through the work to find the correct socket and have the socket work the first time. Also my Craftsman industrial are 100% made in the United States Of America and carry a full lifetime warranty. These Kobalt I don’t think are America made and I’ve noticed past 30 days there is no warranty with these sockets.
I’ve seen commercials for this product and I can’t but feel this is all to gimmicky. If this lady’s husband truly wants socket that will likely last an entire life time, I suggest the Craftsman Industrial line, the Wera brand, Wiha brand and even the Armstrong industrial line as well. All these companies produce some of the best sockets in today’s market.
Skyler
Xtreme Access has a lifetime hassle free warrenty. It also qualifies for the sockets for life program. Lose, damage or have any socket stolen, kobalt will replace it. Just have to register it at socketsforlife.com
Mark Hutchens
You would have to double check but when Lowes decided to venture into the tool market more heavily their truck was traveling the country advertizing the Kobalt tools and the race truck even made point of saying these are lifetime warranty and made here in America by the same company that makes Snap on tools right here in East Tennessee.
All the Lowes here have signs saying lifetime warranty, I have never had a problem with Lowes taking back any tool they sell when used properly.
As far as the multi-point as in this kit, from my review it is primarly designed as a multi purpose tool for those emergency needs just ToolGuy said above, and to minimize the amount of tools you have to carry. Would I use them in a everyday work situation like mechanics do, I again agree with ToolGuy in that they are not as good as the ones made for a specific job. I did however have to use this set recently when camping and needed to fix something and the guy camping next to me had a set, and they performed as expected, I made the repair even though it was temporary it held until I got home to my regular tool set and was able to make the repairs with my foriegn tools which I am replacing as of this last weekend when I sold them all in a yard sale.
Sarge
walt peifer
Looks like a knock off of the Craftsman set!
scott mauie
I purchased a kobalt 110 piece thru-ratchet set from Lowes about 4-years ago and I just recently cracked one of the 14mm sockets (3/8″ drive) 6-point. How do I go about getting a replacement for this particular socket?
Stuart
If you contact Lowes, they should be able to steer you in the right direction. I think they’ll have to order it for you.
David
Is this ratchet what they call a gearless Design. Essentially having a sprague roller clutch design. This design does not make a ratcheting sound.
Stuart
This design is not gearless.
Ed
Kobalt 57334 is a pice of junk took black to Lowe’s said I had to call kobalt they will not answer phone to hell with junk from now on SAndK or Mac