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DeWalt and Porter-Cable brands offer a broad product portfolio that includes power tools you can use to renovate your basement or improve a driveway. In this Porter-Cable vs DeWalt brand compassion, we’ll try to determine which of these brands produces better power tools.
Both brands have long histories that span over an entire century, and during that time they went through countless changes. However, their innovative approach towards the production of power tools has remained constant despite the tribulations they went through.
Today, Porter-Cable and DeWalt are among the most reputable power tool brands in the United States as their products set standards in craftsmanship and durability. Our Porter-Cable vs DeWalt brand comparison will help you understand the differences between these power tool brands.
So, let’s take a closer look at what they have to offer.
Main Differences Between Porter-Cable vs DeWalt Brands
The main differences between Porter-Cable vs DeWalt brands are:
- Porter-Cable was founded in 1906 in Syracuse, New York, whereas the DeWalt brand was established in 1924 in Leola, Pennsylvania
- Porter-Cable’s first power tool released was a circular saw, whereas DeWalt’s first power tool was a radial arm saw
- Porter-Cable products are manufactured in China and Mexico, whereas DeWalt has several manufacturing plants in Canada and United States
- Porter-Cable brand produces affordable power tools, whereas DeWalt’s products are usually pricey
- Porter-Cable’s cordless tools utilize 20V Max battery systems, whereas some DeWalt cordless tools are powered by a Flexvolt battery system that adjusts the voltage automatically
Key specifications
| Porter-Cable | DeWalt | |
| Product portfolio | All types of power tools | All types of power tools |
| Product quality | Average | Excellent |
| Power tool price range | Low to medium | Medium to high |
| Durability | Moderate | Exceptional |
| Warranty | 3-year limited warranty | 3-year limited warranty |
| Country of origin | The United States, but most products are made in China and Mexico | The United States |
| Latest prices | Check latest prices | Check latest prices |
Examining the features of Porter-Cable and DeWalt brands
Porter-Cable brand
Founded by the Porter brothers in 1906, the Porter-Cable is one of the oldest power tools brands in the United States today. Initially, the company was producing gas lamps and pencil sharpeners before venturing into the power tool market.
By 1914, Porter-Cable already introduced its first collection of lathes, while in the 1920s the company started to expand its product portfolio.
Porter-Cable produced the first portable electric sander, and in the subsequent years, it introduced innovations such as a helical drive circular saw or a portable band saw.
In the early 1960s, the brand was acquired by the Rockwell company, and in the next 20 years, it produced power tools aimed at DIYers and hobbyists.
Currently, the Stanley Black& Decker company owns the Porter-Cable brand that continues to produce power tools that are mostly designed for home-based workshops and residential use.
Every Power Tools created by Porter Cable is backed by over a century of innovation and performance. From the workshop to the jobsite, their versatile cordless platform helps you get the job done anywhere.
Key features
- The Porter-Cable brand manufactures all types of power tools
- Excellent performance at an affordable price
- Brand’s cordless tools run on a 20V Max battery system
- Power tools have an agronomic design
- Most Porter-Cable products are made in China and Mexico
- All power tools come with a limited 3-year warranty
- The brand manufactures power tools that have brushed and brushless motors
- A great choice for DIY woodworking and metalworking projects
Functionality and design
The Porter-Cable brand manufactures all power tools you might need in a metalworking or woodworking workshop, so if you’re searching for a chop saw, a finish nailer or a wood router you should go through the brand’s product portfolio.
Also, you should check out our guide to finding the best wood router if you want to find more about the features these tools should offer.
Here are some of the power tools manufactured by the Porter-Cable brand, every workshop should have:
In case you’re searching for several power tools to equip your workshop, getting one of Porter Cable’s combo kits might be a good idea, as they can feature up to 8 tools and they are reasonably priced.
Most Porter-Cable power tools have comfortable handles that manage vibrations well, and they’re also relatively lightweight which enables you to use them at home or a job site.
Power output and usability
Brand’s power tools are designed for different types of applications, and their power output depends on the purpose for which the tool was built. Porter-Cable offers models that are created for most lightweight applications, which means that you might not find a model that meets your project’s demands.
For instance, the PCC740LA cordless impact wrench can deliver speeds up to 1,700RPM, which makes it suitable for moderately challenging fastening tasks. The brand doesn’t manufacture impact drivers that can rotate bits at higher speeds.
Cordless power tools produced by the Porter-Cable brand utilize the 20V Max battery system to provide impressive runtime between two charging sessions.
They are also compatible with different power tools produced by the same manufacturer, so you can use a 20V Max battery to power an impact driver or a jigsaw. Even though Porter Cable tools are usually utilized in non-professional settings, handling them still requires previous experience.
Positioning themselves as an entry-level professional brand, they pack plenty of power in this model with 330 foot-pounds of torque. That should be enough to get the attention of most impact-wrench users in their target market of residential contractors and mechanics.
Other noteworthy features
In addition to a versatile power tool portfolio, the Porter-Cable brand also produces job site lights and job site radios. The brand offers a broad spectrum of accessories that ranges from batteries and chargers to nails and sandpaper.
Hence, you won’t have too much trouble finding bits for a Porter Cable impact driver or hammer drill, since the brand manufactures most accessories you might need while using one of their power tools.
It is also worth noting that Porter-Cable has a huge network of service centers across the United States that can repair the tool or provide any other type of support you may need.
Reliability
Durability isn’t one of the advantages Porter Cable power tools can offer, as they aren’t built from materials that can withstand heavy daily usage for long. The brand’s manufacturing facilities are based in Mexico and China, which reflects on the quality of the products.
On the other hand, the Porter-Cable power tools are affordable, since you get a reciprocating saw like the Porter-Cable PCC670B for less than $60.
The manufacturer provides a 3-year limited warranty for all its power tool products, which makes them a great choice for homeowners or hobbyists who don’t want to spend a lot of money on their equipment.
If you’re looking for an economical all-around saw that provides mobility, power, speed, and ease of use to use around your home and property, this is one of the best buys you can make, period.
DeWalt brand
Stanley Black & Decker is the owner of Porter-Cable and DeWalt brands, but their histories are somewhat different. The DeWalt Company was established in 1924, and unlike the Porter Cable Company, its focus was on the development of power tools from the start.
The II World War sped up the gradual development of the company, as the US government contracted it to manufacture wartime machinery. Soon after the war, the company was acquired by the American Machine Foundry, and it was sold to its current owners in the 1960s.
During the second half of the 20th century, the DeWalt brand established itself as one of the industry-leading power-tool manufacturers that set the quality standards.
This brand manufactures hundreds of power tool models and accessories that are suitable for use in professional and non-professional settings.
Dewalt offers a full range of corded and cordless drills to meet every drilling need. Designed to withstand the toughest jobsite conditions.
Key features
- DeWalt is one of the most popular power tool brands in the United States
- Most brand’s products are manufactured at facilities based in Canada and the United States
- Versatile product portfolio
- Some cordless power tools are powered by 20V Max XR and Flexvolt battery systems
- All DeWalt’s products are yellow and black
- Some of DeWalt’s power tools are equipped with the Tool Connect feature
- The brand offers a limited 3-year warranty for all of its power tool models
- Rugged design allows for heavy-duty applications
Functionality and design
The performance capabilities of DeWalt’s power tools are well-documented, as they have been the go-to option of professional carpenters and metalworkers for decades.
The innovative technologies, sturdy design, and versatility are some of the facets that set DeWalt’s power tools apart from the models produced by competing brands.
The Porter-Cable and DeWalt brands have similar product portfolios, but DeWalt offers a wider range of products. In addition to a broad spectrum of impact drivers and wrenches, routers, planers, and joiners or saws, the DeWalt brand also produces specialty tools as well as outdoor power equipment.
The vast majority of the brand’s products are designed with the user’s comfort in mind, which is the reason why they’re highly functional. Also, all of DeWalt’s power tools are easily recognizable by their yellow and black colors.
Check out our guide to the best DeWalt table saws for more information about the quality of table saw this brand produces.
Power output and usability
How much power you can get out of a DeWalt power tool depends on the motor type and the power source. Corded power tools usually have higher power outputs, but DeWalt’s cordless models are also capable of supplying high power outputs.
This is mainly due to the powerful battery systems they’re using, as the brand’s tools are usually powered by 20V Max and Flexvolt battery systems. Flexvolt batteries are compatible with more than 200 products and they can also be used instead of 20V and 60V Max batteries.
DeWalt’s power tools can either have a brushed or brushless motor that determines their power output capabilities and their maintenance requirements. Nevertheless, most models are capable of performing the most demanding fastening, drilling, or sawing tasks regardless of the type of motor they’re using.
Consequently, professionals or DIYers can utilize DeWalt’s power tool models in a broad range of contexts. Go through our guide to the best DeWalt band saws and jigsaws to learn more about their performance capabilities.
The Dewalt DCD771C2 is a 20-volt cordless, lithium-ion compact drill kit. It provides a lot of torque and speed for the money. Dewalt is well known for its tools that are integrally and structurally strong to handle almost every task.
Other noteworthy features
Finding the drill bits, saw blades, or apps and software for DeWalt power tools is easy because the brand produces a wide range of accessories that make using the tools more convenient. Power tool models that have a Bluetooth feature can be controlled via the Tool Connect app for iOS and Android devices.
In addition, some of DeWalt’s models come with the Crimp Connect software that enables you to keep track of the power tool’s usage and calibration properties. The brand manufactures BREAKAWAY reciprocating saw blades that allow you to remove the used parts of the blade and continue using it.
Reliability
As the result of the brand’s effort to stop outsourcing production to developing countries, the majority of DeWalt power tools are manufactured either in the United States or in Canada. This is also a part of the reason why all the brand’s tools often exceed the industry standards.
The power tools produced by this brand are among the most reliable on the market, as they are designed to perform challenging tasks daily. Their price can be too steep for non-professional users, but the remarkable features they offer make DeWalt power tools a worthy investment.
Also, all of the brand’s power tool models are covered by a limited 3-year warranty that includes free repairs in case some of the tool’s parts break down.
Porter-Cable Pros and Cons
Pros
- Vast selection of power tools
- Excellent price-performance ratio
- Suitable for most DIY projects
- The brand produces a versatile assortment of accessories
Cons
- Not designed for use in professional contexts
- Porter-Cable power tools are often made of flimsy materials
DeWalt Pros and Cons
Pros
- Rugged and durable design
- Some models can be tracked or controlled through an app
- Cordless DeWalt power tools utilize advanced battery systems
- DeWalt brand produces hundreds of power tool accessories
Cons
- More expensive than most power tools on the market
- Short warranty period
The best alternatives to the Porter-Cable and DeWalt brands
The market is saturated with brands that produce power tools for all types of users. So, while searching for a new power tool you don’t have to consider just the models produced by Porter-Cable and DeWalt brands.
Makita, Bosch, or Ryobi are among the options you’ll have whether you’re looking for an affordable or professional power tool. We’ve shortlisted several alternatives to the Porter-Cable and DeWalt brands, so let’s see what they offer.
Festool
Sawing, drilling or laying floors are some of the tasks you can perform with power tools manufactured by the Festool brand. Most models are equipped with advanced features that enable you to control the power output or keep the work environment clean.
Festool manufactures accessories for its power tools, so getting a replacement battery for a cordless power tool or finding the protective equipment won’t take too much effort. Like DeWalt and Porter-Cable, Festool offers a limited 3-year warranty for its power tool models.
Keep in mind that products manufactured by this brand are a poor choice for novice users as they are not budget-friendly.
Hilti
Construction workers who are searching for a brand that offers power tools with performance capabilities similar to those provided by DeWalt models should consider getting Hilti power tools.
The brand produces saws, rotary hammers, fastening tools, and numerous other types of power tools that come with an impressive set of features. However, when compared to DeWalt’s product portfolio, Hilti’s range of products may seem limited.
The brand’s customer care is among the best in the industry, as well as the 20-year limited warranty period. The durability of Hilti power tools makes them a great investment despite their relatively high price.
Makita
The quality of Makita power tools is undeniable, as their power output, ease of use and durability can be matched by only a handful of brands. The Japanese manufacturer is perhaps best known for its cordless power tool models that can tackle most tasks effortlessly.
These tools are powered by 12V, 18V, and 36V battery systems that enable you to use the tool for a long time without having to recharge the batteries. Like most power tool manufacturers, Makita produces models that are equipped with brushed and brushless motors.
The power tools manufactured by the Japanese brand have similar prices to DeWalt models.
The Makita Power Tools are necessary to do gardening, cleaning, carpentry, and drilling jobs rapidly. Each tool is used for a different purpose. 
Frequently asked questions about Porter Cable and DeWalt brands
Answer: The brand manufactures products that are best suited for moderate and lightweight applications, so a Porter Cable’s power tool may not be able to complete a challenging task.
Answer: Most models come with a basic set of safety features, and you may not be able to control the speed at which the tool operates or efficiently dispose of the dust it generates.
Answer: The noise level a DeWalt power tool produces depends on the model. Some of the brand’s models can produce high levels of noise that require you to have ear protection.
Answer: The brand’s power tools don’t break down often, and most owners continue using them long after the warranty period expires.
The Verdict: Why Choose Porter-Cable over DeWalt power tools?
Even though the same company owns both brands, the differences between Porter-Cable and DeWalt power tools are considerable.
The products offered by these two brands are aimed at different target groups, since Porter-Cable’s power tools are affordable but not very durable, while DeWalt’s products are durable but not budget-friendly.
We recommend getting a kit like the Porter-Cable PCCK617L6 if you’re new to DIY projects. On the other hand, any of DeWalt’s power tools is an excellent choice for all types of users who don’t mind the extra cost.
Are you going to opt for the Porter Cable or DeWalt brand? Let us know in the comments or continue reading our Bosch vs Makita power tools comparison to find out how they stack up.
Every Power Tools created by Porter Cable is backed by over a century of innovation and performance. From the workshop to the jobsite, their versatile cordless platform helps you get the job done anywhere.
