Histories Of Company
Makita Company History
For decades now, Makita has been establishing itself as one of the true leaders in the power tool industry. Makita produces the highest quality tools available on the market at competitive prices.
At the moment, Milwaukee may be superior to Makita in terms of quality and performance in cordless drills and impact driver (and all cordless tools in general)
Makita is also the industry’s most innovative brand.
Porter Cable Company History
Porter Cable introduced the cordless drill in the width of 152 cms. They also invented the NiCad rechargeable batteries in the 178cms. In 2005, the Li-Ion battery was introduced. The company even launched the first brushless tool line eight years ago. It has a long track record.
The Porter Cable name, on the other hand, rose to prominence primarily before 1960, when they became renowned as one of Americas finest power tool manufacturers. During the 152 cms, the company was bought out by Rockwell Inc. Rockwell caused the quality of Porter Cable tools todecrease as they tried to compete with the ultra-affordable toolsbeing sold in department stores.
They experienced a slight revival after Pentair acquired Porter-Cable. Under Pentair they started manufacturing professional-grade power tools again.
Stanley now owns Porter Cable, along with DeWalt. Black and Decker, and Porter Cable tools are kind of regarded as an intermediate between consumer and professional-level. These tools are affordable and of decent quality but not as good as the best in the field.
Makita & Porter Cable Parent Companies
Makita
Makita is just Makita. Its one of the few remaining power tool brandsthat is not owned by a larger company.Makita did acquire the Dolmar brand, increasing its already-impressive line of outdoor power tools.
Stanley Black & Decker (SBD)
Stanley Black & Decker, also known as SBD, is the parent company of Porter Cable. They are the owners of many brands:
- DeWalt
- Black + Decker
- Craftsman
- Stanley
- Lenox
- Irwin
Product Line Depths
Porter Cable and Makita both sell many products. Below you’ll find the product lines of each brand.
Makita Product Line
Makita offers corded, gas-powered, and cordless products. While they may not sell as many products as DeWalt that doesnt mean they wont have what you need. For the average consumer, you can find everything that you need.
Here are some of the specific types of products you can purchase from Makita:
- Blowers
- Chainsaws
- Hedge Trimmers
- Lawn mowers
- Pole Saws
- Circular Saws
- Miter Saws
- Metal Cutting Saws
- Hammer Drills
- Impact Wrenches
- Nailers
- Vacuums
- Area Work Lights
- Random Orbit Sanders
- Polishers
- & More
Porter Cable Product Lines
Porter Cable offers power tools, outdoor power equipment and lighting. They also sell storage, batteries, tools, and accessories.
Here are some of the specific types of products you can purchase from Porter Cable:
- Combo Kits
- Compressors
- Drills
- Grinders
- Polishers
- Hand Tools
- Nailers
- Staplers
- Routers
- Planers
- Jointers
- Sanders
- Chop Saws
- Circular Saws
- Reciprocating saws
- More
Brand Reputation & Cost Of Tools
We will now discuss the cost and reputation of each brand’s tools.
Makita Reputation And Tool Affordability
The high quality and performance of their tools have earned them high praise. Makita tools are truly durable, long-lasting, and tough.
Unlike a lot of other brands, Makita uses high-quality raw materials for its products and holds itself to high manufacturing standards as well. These tools can be dropped on the ground repeatedly and still function as they did the first time you bought them.
Consumers have found that Makita tools last a long time; the electrical components, motors, and other components can withstand high amounts of heat, friction, and general wear. Its also noted how Makita tools are usually comfortable to use, functional, and have a variety of features too.
Overall, Makita tools are viewed as some of the best tools you can buy. Makita tools can be used for DIY, crafts, and home use. Makita tools are designed for professionals and tradesmen who need reliable, high-quality tools to do heavy-duty work every day.
These tools are high quality, but they come with a price. Makita is one the most expensive brands. However, you really do get what you pay for.
Porter Cable Reputation & Tool Affordability
Porter-Cable is the cheaper option. This is why so many homeowners and DIYers love their products. Porter-Cable tools can be described as lightweight, functional, and comfortable. However, product durability and longevity are limited.
In other words, Porter-Cable tools are great for those who will be using the tools occasionally, completing DIY jobs, and light home repairs. However, these tools are not ideal for professionals or those completing heavy-duty projects.
The majority of Porter-Cable tools can be found in Mexico or China. This partially explains their entry-level and mid-level quality.
Warranty Comparisons
Makita Warranty
Makita offers really good warranties on its products. All Makita products come with a 30-day guarantee for replacement. Additionally, all tools have at least a one-year general product warranty for defects. Also, all gas=powered tools have a two-year warranty, and all lithium-ion tools come with a three-year limited warranty.
Porter Cable Warranty
Porter Cable’s warranties are not the most comprehensive. The warranties offered by Porter Cable are much more limited. Porter Cable offers mostly a one-year limited warranty. however, some tools come with a three-year limited warranty.
Top Combo Kits From Makita & Porter Cable
Brushless Tools: Makita Vs Porter Cable
Brushless motors are all the craze nowadays. They offer dramatically improved performance and increased efficiency over brushed motors. (Check out our article on brushless vs. brushed motors here).
Brushless motors are also more expensive. Porter Cables new line of 20V brushless drills and impact drivers have raised eyebrows all across the industry, both in terms of performance and price. Let’s have a look at Makitas brushless drills and impact drivers. They are second to Milwaukee’s M18 brushless lines in industry performance.
Porter-Cable 20V Max Li-Ion Brushless Cordless Drill/Impact Driver Combo
The Porter Cable impact driver/brushless drill/drill comes with:
- 2 batteries (2.0 Ah)
- Charger
- Drill and impact driver
With specs like 3.2 and 13 kg (drill and impact driver, respectively) and 1,400 in lbs of torque (driver), its no wonder that these tools are raising eyebrows everywhere.
But, are they as good as Makita’s brushless line? Well, not quite. There is still a distinguishable gap in performance.
It is hard to overlook the price tag. Lets have a look at the Makita and see what were dealing with there.
Makita 18V LXT Sub Compact Brushless Cordless Drill/Impact Driver Combo
This combo comes with the same stuff as the Porter Cable:
- 2 batteries (2.0 Ah)
- Charger
- Drill and impact driver
First, notice the difference between Makita and Porter Cable in terms of battery size. Both come with compact batteries, but the 1.3 Ah Porter Cable batteries are smaller than the 2.0 Ah Makita batteries. You’ll also notice a significant difference in performance and charge/run time with Makitas LiIon batteries, which are significantly better than PCs.
This new Makita line is truly in a class of its own when it comes to compactness. Theyve got nearly double the size battery as the Porter Cable, yet theyre still lighter (13 kg drill, 12 kg driver). As we mentioned, Makita is known for its innovation and quality.
Although the Makita impact driver has slightly less torque (1.240 in lbs) than that of the Porter Cable, its performance is still superior. Better designed motor, better engineering, better overall efficiency.
So what about price. The Makita is more expensive, naturally but only about 18% more expensive. If we had our money, we would spend more every day and choose the Makita.
Makita has an older model brushless drill/driver set, which is slightly more expensive than the current line. If you wish to upgrade to larger 4.0 Ah fatpack battery, this kit includes the two 2.0 Ah batteries.
What About Non-brushless?
Are you not interested in the brushless revolution but don’t want to pay the extra money? No worries, all manufacturers are still offering standard brushed motor cordless tools.
Makita’s older brushed models still outperform the Porter Cable cordless drills, impact drivers, and impact drivers but they are almost 25% more expensive.
You can get into this 20V cordless drill/impact driver combo from Porter Cable for a decent price.
The Makita 18V brush drill/driver combination will be slightly more expensive. Is it worth the extra cost? Like we said, if it were us, wed more than willingly spend the extra money to go with Makita. Porter Cable kits will work fine if you don’t plan to use the tools a lot.
Let’s add another layer of complexity to the Makita-vs. Porter Cable story.
The multi-tool combo kits are where Porter Cable tools truly shine. A 6-tool combo 20V Max is a great option for someone just starting out with cordless tools.
Included is the following:
Thats a serious deal!
Makita’s 6-tool set is 40% more expensive. Porter-Cable could sell a massive 8-tool combination for as low as Makita’s 6-tool. There is a slight compromise in quality but it’s still a great deal if this is your first cordless set.
Whats The Bottom Line: Makita Vs Porter Cable
Generally speaking, Makita manufactures much better tools than Porter Cable. If money was not a consideration, Makita would be the better choice.
However, this brings us to the most important factor: price.
Customers will be most concerned about price when purchasing a product.
If you’re shopping for a cordless drill and know the Makita is superior to the Porter Cable, it shouldn’t be a problem to choose the Porter Cable even if it were 40, 30, or 20% less.
If you can, definitely go with Makita. You get a significant step up in quality over Porter Cable, at not that huge of a price difference. This goes for both the brushless and brushed tools.
Porter Cable’s price value is very important if you are just starting out with cordless tools. Porter Cable is a better option than Makita if we were looking for a 6- or 8-tool cordless kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Makita and Porter Cable the same company?
No, Makita and Porter Cable are not the same company. Makita is only Makita’s company. Porter Cable is owned by Stanley Black & Decker. They own a variety of different brands.
Is Makita good quality?
Makita is often regarded as one of today’s best tool brands. They offer both brushless and brushed options, and the quality is great for DIYers and home use.
Is Makita worth the investment?
Makita tools have been found to perform poorly in comparison with other top brands. However, Makita offers incredible value for its tools.
Are Porter Cable tools the same quality as Makita?
Porter Cable tools are generally less durable than Makita ones. There are some tools that are comparable to the Makita model.
Is Makita better than Porter Cable for cordless hand tools?
There isnt a direct answer to this question.Makita tools are good quality and perform well. Porter Cable tools are cheaper but can get the job done. However, one is technically better performance-wise. But Porter Cable may be better for you if youre just performing tasks around the house. Makita tools are great for heavy-duty jobs and projects, but why spend the extra money if you don’t need them?
Do Porter Cable batteries fit Makita?
Although Porter Cable and Makita are in the same market space, they each have their own accessories, including batteries, to fit their tools. This is how companies ensure customer loyalty.
