Porter-Cable vs Milwaukee

Porter-Cable vs Milwaukee is a hotly anticipated tool showdown. Both of these highly reputable power tool brands are notable their top-quality products, extensive product lines, and competitive prices. But which brand beats out the other?

Our comprehensive head-to-head guide will break down everything you need to know about these two brands to help you make the most informed power tool buying decisions. Here’s your guide to Porter-Cable vs Milwaukee.

Porter-Cable vs Milwaukee 101

Porter-Cable and Milwaukee are both innovative brands.

Although both are known for their consistent quality, durability, and performance, their power tools do have some major differences from one another.

Here are the major factors you need to know about these top power tool brands.

Brand History

Porter-Cable and Milwaukee are both American companies.

Based out of Syracuse, New York, Porter-Cable has been in business since 1906, more than 112 years.

Since 1912, Porter-Cable has been focused largely on power tools, consistently finetuning and expanding their product line since this time.

The company is known for a wide variety of power tools, most notably their circular saws and portable band saws.

Porter-Cable is now owned by Stanley Black & Decker.

Milwaukee is based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Short for Milwaukee Electric Tool Company, the brand was founded in 1924 with a lightweight, one-handed hole shooter.

Since then, they’ve grown rapidly. Their comprehensive product line now consists of hundreds of hand and power tools, including hammer drills, jig saws, and much more.

Milwaukee also sells an extensive array of other tool, equipment, and instruments, such as compress meters, digital meters, temperature meters, thermal imaging items, and more.

Top Products

Porter-Cable is known for their 100 years of high-performance power tools.

Among their most popular tools are corded and cordless drills, impact drivers, circular saws, reciprocating saws, and more.

They also sell a variety of accessories, such as replacement parts, batteries, chargers, cutting accessories, dust collection tools, and maintenance kits.

Milwaukee is known for their professional-grade hand and power tools.

Among their most popular tools are impact drivers, chainsaws, circular saws, nailers, table saws, routers, and more.

In addition to power tools, Milwaukee also sells a wide line of gardening tools, pressure washers, work lighting, professional instruments, and even workwear.

This video from Workshop Addict shows you a little more about buying the best power tools.

Pros and Cons

Porter-Cable and Milwaukee share many of the same advantages.

Chief among these are reputability, durability, and performance. The brands have been in the business for a long time and this shines through brightly.

In fact, you won’t find many brands that produce higher quality hand and power tools than Porter-Cable and Milwaukee.

As for disadvantages, these are few and far between (unless, of course, there’s another brand you prefer).

Instead of disadvantages, the negatives about each of these brands has more to do with your individual needs and preferences as well as what you hope to get out of your tools.

Which Brand Is Best for You?

You can’t go wrong with either Porter-Cable or Milwaukee.

That said, Porter-Cable is the best choice for most homeowners. Although the tools are fully capable and long-lasting, they’re also very affordable.

Milwaukee, on other hand, is better for professionals. Their tools are “too much tool” for most homeowners and DIYers. Plus, the high price tag on most of their tools is hard for many non-professionals to swallow.

Tool Showdown

Porter-Cable and Milwaukee are known for their large product lineups.

To make today’s tool showdown easier, we’ve decided to compare the 2-tool combo kits, featuring a drill/driver and impact driver, from each brand.

Here’s how these two combo kits stack up head to head.

Porter-Cable 20V 2-Tool Drill/Driver and Impact Driver Combo Kit

The Porter-Cable 2-Tool Combo Kit is an affordable yet quality option.

It comes with a cordless drill/driver, a cordless impact driver, two 20V batteries, a battery charging device, and a carrying case.

Both tools are notable for their rugged, powerful design. For example, the impact driver boasts a powerful motor with up to 1450 in/lbs of torque.

Other highlights include the ergonomic handles for comfort, slim profiles for working in tight places, and quick-load chuck to easily change bits.

This is one of the best 2-tool combo kits for homeowners and DIYers.

What We Like:

• Slim, lightweight design
• Powerful motors
• Quick-load chuck

What We Don’t Like:

• Batteries lose charge fast

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y7gjVVsPek&w=560&h=315]

Milwaukee 18V 2-Tool Hammer Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit

It comes with a cordless hammer drill driver, cordless impact driver, two batteries, a battery charging device, and a carrying case.

Both of these tools are extremely durable. Both feature powerful motors, such as the impact driver that boasts 1400 in/lbs of torque.

On top of this, these two Milwaukee tools have ergonomic handles, lightweight constructions, and long-lasting batteries.

This is one of the best 2-tool combo kits for professional tradespeople.

What We Like:

• Extremely durable
• Powerful design
• Lightweight construction

What We Don’t Like:

• Expensive

Wrap Up

The bottom line is that Milwaukee is superior to Porter-Cable.

Their power tools are better in almost every way – they’re more powerful, easier to use, more durable, and longer lasting.

But that’s not really our final answer.

Milwaukee tools are superior, but they’re also very expensive. Too expensive for most homeowners and DIYers.

In fact, most of Milwaukee’s product line is created for and marketed towards professional tradespeople that need power tools that will stick up during daily, all-day use.

Milwaukee is just that. Their power tools are sheer beasts in terms of performance and durability – but they’re a little too much tool for most people.

We recommend Porter-Cable over Milwaukee for the majority of around-the-house applications.

Even though they have a much lower price tag, Porter-Cable power tools are completely capable and durable enough for all DIY uses.

Like usual, the best choice between these two power tool brands is the one that most closely meets your needs and preferences. Are you team Porter-Cable or Milwaukee? Tell us in the comments.