Lowe’s has launched a new Kobalt 4-drawer ball bearing tool box, which suggests the brand is trying to reenter the tool storage market.
The new Kobalt tool cabinet has fairly low specs – its ball bearing drawers are rated to 50 lbs, and its 4″ casters can support a total of up to 600 lbs.
Features include a color-matched tubular handle, keyed lock, and precut drawer liners.
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It measures 26.7″ wide, 18.1″ deep, and 33″ tall, and weighs 83 lbs.
There are 6 color options – black, blue, white, red, lime green, and grey.
A top chest is also available.
Price: $269
Compare to Husky
A similar Husky 4-drawer tool cabinet, measuring 26.5″ wide, 18″ deep, 32.76″ tall, with 50 lb drawer slides and 650 lb total load rating, is priced at $169 at Home Depot. It’s only available in Black.
Compare to Craftsman
Lowe’s also has a 4-drawer Craftsman rolling tool box, 1000 Series, which measures 26.5″ wide, 18″ deep, and 32.5″ tall. The Craftsman has 50 lb full extension ball bearing drawer slides and a total load rating of 500 lbs on its 4″ x 2″ casters.
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The Craftsman is $159 at Lowe’s.
Compare to Craftsman Upgrade Model
Lowe’s also has a Craftsman 2000 Series 5-drawer rolling tool cabinet with 100 lb drawer slides, 4-1/2″ casters, and 650 lb total load rating, for $284. This is just $15 more than the price of the Kobalt 4-drawer model.
Discussion
The 4-drawer rolling tool box is economically and competitively spec’ed, and with some differentiation, such as with a color-matched tubular side handle, and 6 color options.
The pricing is considerably higher than competing options; Lowe’s has the Kobalt tool cabinets priced at $269 each whereas comparable Husky and Craftsman options are $100 less at $169 and $159, respectively.
Maybe we’ll see these tool cabinets on sale during the upcoming Father’s Day deals season.
It’s good to see Lowe’s trying to get the Kobalt brand back into the workshop and steel tool storage space.
Joe E.
Those will be a much welcomed addition to the same old childish red Craftsman boxes. *Yawn*. Now that they’re not going to make mechanics tools in the USA, I wish the Craftsman brand would just go away.
I’m actually liking that lime green Kobalt cabinet. I think I’ll buy one when they hit the stores.
Jared
I like the look of those Kobalt units, price aside. The tubular handle is might nicer looking than the folded metal of the Husky, even if probably makes little to no difference in use. The colors are nice too.
Awfully light duty for the price though.
eddie sky
If they threw in a free side towel holder (magnetic), the white one would be ideal for my wife’s laundry. I guess our next trip to Lowes, we’ll see if the drawer handles are lift kind or just pulls. Wow, those Husky and Craftsman have cheap side handles…
Al
WAY TOO EXPENSIVE for what you get. Although I am thoroughly pissed at CRAFTSMAN, last you reported, their carts are at least constructed here (USA), and the price is comparable.
Sean
I bet the price will be reduced for Father’s Day and a “new lower price” a few months after that.
Julian Tracy
No doubt cheap AF in person both in feel and operation, but at least they don’t have the Kobalt plastic toolbox top/cap of just about every Kobalt box sold in the last 10-15years. Those cheap plastic top/covers are probably chipped, cracked and/or broken on many folk’s otherwise mint steel toolboxes in garages around the country.
M
Having seen these and the 50# capacity craftsman in stores. They’re complete and utter shit. Everything about them is cheap as hell
Stuart
That’s to be expected, but a lot of users don’t have the need or budget to spend hundreds more.
Tom
For anyone looking for a cabinet in this form factor, my personal recommendation (if you can wait, and watch for a deal) is to pick up a husky heavy duty 5 drawer cabinet. The Husky garage storage offerings go on HD’s “deal of the day” page often, and the 5 drawer cabinet drops in price to compete with these flimsy 4 drawer units.
This 18 gauge box was on sale for $249 last week. I almost bought one even though I don’t have a space for it! I paid $305 for it pre-COVID, and up until last week I hadn’t seen it on sale for anywhere near pre-COVID pricing. The $249 price may have been an error, but if you’re in the market for one of these boxes I would keep an eye on the Deal of the Day page! https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Heavy-Duty-Welded-18-Gauge-Steel-5-Drawer-Garage-Base-Cabinet-in-Black-28-in-W-x-32-in-H-x-21-5-in-D-HTC100007/306903547
Patrick T
I see those Husky items going on sale pretty regularly. Never paid much attention. I like the lower height option of those when without the casters. Would be perfect for my use to fit under an existing counter/shelf that I have no desire to move/change. Gonna keep my eyes on these. Thanks.
Tonya Lillie
It’s on sale now for what it claims is 50% off at $315 – and you saw it for only $249 last week? Wow.
Jason
USGeneral, otherwise take out a loan for 10 years on a tool truck!