Lowe’s has officially entered the tabless battery market for cordless power tools, introducing new Kobalt 24V Max TXP batteries that rival technology already available from competitors. The move marks a significant shift in battery engineering for the Kobalt platform and gives shoppers more options when choosing between cordless tool systems.

What Kobalt’s New TXP Batteries Offer

The new Kobalt TXP line arrives in two capacities: a 4Ah model priced at $99 and an 8Ah model at $159. According to Lowe’s specifications, the 4Ah battery can generate up to 1200 watts of power while delivering extended runtime, while the 8Ah version produces up to 2400 watts. Both units feature updated charge indicator lights for easier monitoring during use and storage.

The tabless cell design represents an engineering advancement over traditional tabbed lithium-ion cells. These newer cells can deliver improved performance when paired with high-demand applications like heavy-duty drills, impact drivers, and demanding cutting tools. Ryobi introduced tabless battery technology nearly three years ago, giving them a significant head start in this performance category.

Understanding Tabless Battery Benefits

battery charging station organized
Photo by Limor Zellermayer

While tabless cells offer genuine advantages, it’s important to understand when you’ll actually notice the difference. In demanding applications where tools operate at high power levels continuously, tabless batteries provide noticeably longer runtimes compared to their tabbed predecessors. However, users running light-duty tools, worklights, or radios may not perceive any meaningful performance improvement. Think of it this way: an endurance athlete and a sprinter will show different performance levels running a marathon, but both could walk ten feet at nearly the same speed.

Lowe’s claims the new batteries support faster charging, though specific details about charger compatibility and charging times remain unclear. No announcements have been made about new charging equipment designed specifically for the TXP batteries.

Market Context and Competition

Ryobi has maintained innovation leadership in battery technology, launching higher-capacity tabless options earlier this year. By moving to tabless technology now, Kobalt is playing catch-up but still offering shoppers a legitimate upgrade path. The 4Ah and 8Ah TXP batteries represent Lowe’s most advanced cordless tool batteries to date for the 24V Max platform.

Notably, Lowe’s appears to be clearing older inventory. Previous Kobalt Ultimate Output 4Ah batteries have been marked down to $35, while the 8Ah Ultimate Output models are priced at $79 at many locations. These older batteries were not involved in recent safety recalls and remain functional options for budget-conscious buyers.

What This Means for Shoppers

heavy duty construction work tools
Photo by Greyson Joralemon

For consumers already invested in Kobalt’s 24V Max ecosystem, the TXP batteries provide a legitimate performance upgrade, particularly if you rely on power tools for demanding work. The technology isn’t new to the market, but it’s new to Kobalt users at Lowe’s. Anyone currently shopping for a cordless tool system should evaluate whether the tabless advantage justifies the higher price point compared to previous-generation options.

It remains uncertain whether Lowe’s plans to release new Kobalt tools specifically engineered to maximize the higher power output these batteries deliver. Recent tool announcements have suggested performance reductions rather than enhancements, leaving questions about whether the TXP batteries represent a foundational upgrade for future product development.

The bigger picture reveals an industry trend: tabless battery technology is becoming standard across multiple brands and platforms. Milwaukee, Bosch, Skil, and other major manufacturers have already integrated or are planning tabless options. Kobalt’s entry into this space confirms that shoppers can expect this technology to become the norm rather than a premium feature in coming years.

Bottom Line

Kobalt’s TXP batteries bring proven tabless technology to Lowe’s customers at competitive pricing. Whether they represent the right choice depends on your tool usage patterns and budget, but they undoubtedly strengthen Kobalt’s competitive position in the mid-range cordless tool market. For heavy-duty users, the investment may pay dividends through extended runtimes and reliability during demanding projects.