If you’ve been wondering what’s been happening with FLEX tools vanishing from Lowe’s shelves, part of the answer just came into focus: Lowe’s has switched manufacturers for its Kobalt outdoor power tools, and the new partner is Greenworks.
For years, Chervon — the company behind FLEX and SKIL — supplied the cordless tools sold under the Kobalt name at Lowe’s. That arrangement appears to be ending. Lowe’s has already pulled most FLEX and all SKIL cordless products from its shelves, and new Kobalt outdoor tools are now being developed and manufactured by Greenworks.
What’s New: Kobalt 24Vx2 Universal Outdoor Power System
The first product from this new arrangement is a modular outdoor power tool platform called the Kobalt 24Vx2 Universal Connect System. The system centers on a universal power handle that accepts interchangeable attachments and runs two 24V batteries simultaneously — about 43-44V effective.
The entry kit — a 21-inch sweeper brush bundled with the power handle, two 3Ah batteries, and a multi-port charger — is priced at $299 at Lowe’s. Additional attachments including a 22-inch pole hedge trimmer and a pole saw are sold separately.
Key specs:
- Runtime: up to 30 minutes per charge
- Charge time: ~100 minutes
- Battery: dual 3Ah USB-C rechargeable packs
- Brushless motor with variable speed control
The USB-C batteries match the Gen-3 24V cordless indoor tools that just landed at Lowe’s. It’s a convenient feature for everyday charging, but the 3Ah capacity raises questions about sustained power for demanding outdoor work like hedge trimming or pole sawing.
What This Means for Kobalt Buyers
This is a significant shift worth understanding before you spend money at Lowe’s on outdoor power.
Chervon’s brushless tools — including the now-discontinued FLEX line — built a solid reputation for performance. Greenworks’ own 24V line has historically been positioned more toward value shoppers than prosumer performance. Whether the Greenworks-built Kobalt outdoor tools can match what Chervon delivered remains to be seen, but at least one reviewer noted the switch as a potential downgrade in performance expectations.
There’s also a practical concern about platform longevity. Kobalt has cycled through OEMs before, and some buyers have questioned whether committing to a Kobalt outdoor system is wise given this kind of supplier volatility. If you’re building an outdoor power ecosystem and want stability, comparing platforms first is smart. Our battery platform comparison covers EGO, Ryobi, Milwaukee, and others side by side.
For existing Kobalt 24V tool owners: your current tools and batteries aren’t going anywhere. The Gen-3 indoor lineup and the new outdoor system share the same 24V battery family.
Sources: ToolGuyd – Lowe’s Partners With Greenworks, ToolGuyd – Kobalt 24Vx2 System
