Porter-Cable and Black and Decker are both very popular tool manufacturers and are owned by the same parent company, which is Stanley works. Portable-Cable is an American tool manufacturer that was founded in 1906 in New York, and in 2004 Stanley Works Purchased the company. And Black and Decker was founded back in 1910 in North of Baltimore, but in 2010 merged with Stanley Works and have become Stanly Black and Decker.
Black and Decker offer almost everything from accessories, hardware, fastening systems, power tools to home improvement products. But it is a large company that has around 30.000 employees. And on the other hand, Porter Cable is focused only on power tools and accessories but is a much smaller company with around 3.000 employees.
Porter-Cable vs. Black and Decker Quality
Black and Decker are known as a high-quality tool brand, their tools are pretty comfortable, lightweight, and functional, and they offer decent durability for an affordable price. Their tools are technically good but not as good as some of the higher-end best power tool brands. That is why Black and Decker is not seen as a professional tool manufacturer, and their tools are marketing more towards DIY enthusiasts, homeowners, and light work.
And Porter-Cable is pretty much the same. They offer an average quality, and their tools are comfortable and functional to use and come at a low price. But when it comes to the durability of the tools, they are not as durable as Black and Decker tools. However, their tools are performing well for occasional and lightweight work.
Porter-Cable vs. Black and Decker Warranty and Product Portfolio
Right from the beginning, we have to say that Black and Decker is the winner here. They offer two-year warranties to most of their tools, and for some, they even offer a limited lifetime warranty. They have a massive selection of products. and are known to offer some of the best impact drivers on the market. But despite the tools, they also offer garden and lawn equipment, home cleaning solutions, outdoor power equipment, all kinds of appliances, and even car and pet products.
On the other hand, you have Porter-Cable, who mostly offers a one-year warranty, and only some tools come with a three-year warranty. Their tool selection is a lot smaller, but they still manage to produce some of the best impact wrenches for affordable price. They offer power tools, accessories for these power tools, and some mechanical tools. Their selection is nice but not as big as Black and Decker.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, both of these companies offer the same things basically. Their tools are mostly known for the quality that you get for an affordable price.
If you are not looking for something specific, you will surely find it in Porter-Cable’s selection. But the Advantage of Black and Decker is the fact that they have a massive selection, where you can find almost everything. And, of course, they offer better warranties. So in our opinion, the safest way to go would be with the Black and Decker tools.