DEWALT 20V MAX PEX Expander DCE400D2 Review

You are on a job site. You need to make many PEX connections. Your hands hurt from using old manual tools. It is slow and makes you tired.

This problem is common. But a solution is here. The DEWALT PEX expander. Our tests showed this tool is the fastest for 3/8″-1″ PEX-A expansion. It beats its closest tool by almost two seconds. When we made a test PEX header, the DEWALT 20V Max PEX Expander finished this work in 2 minutes 9.54 seconds. Milwaukee took 2 minutes 11.17 seconds for the same job.

For workers who make many connections every day, these saved seconds add up. This saves a lot of time. This electric DEWALT PEX expander tool is special. Its automatic rotating head moves a little with each squeeze. This helps make sure all connections are good. In this review, we will look at something important. We will see why the DEWALT PEX expander tool is becoming a favorite choice now. For both professionals and home DIYers.

PEX-A plumbing might cost more. But it is one of the quickest ways to install pipes. And one of the easiest. Are you a contractor looking to make your tools better? Or a serious DIYer doing home plumbing jobs? We will help you understand. Is this tool right for what you need?

What’s Inside the DEWALT 20V MAX PEX Expander Kit

When buying the DEWALT PEX expander, you have different kit choices. This depends on what you need and what you want to spend.

Kit Variants: DCE400B, D1, and D2

DEWALT offers this useful PEX expansion tool in three main types. The DCE400B is just the tool. It does not come with batteries or a charger. This is a cheaper choice for professionals. If they already have DEWALT 20V MAX batteries. The DCE400D1 package includes one 20V MAX battery and a charger. This makes a full starter kit.

For those who have hard projects or long workdays, the DCE400D2 kit is good. It gives two batteries and a charger. This means you stop less often to charge. Choosing the right kit from the start helps you have enough power. You avoid buying more things later.

Expansion Head Sizes and Accessories

Every DEWALT PEX expander kit comes with a strong carrying case. Workers make it strong for tough job site conditions. This tool takes expansion heads from 3/8″ to 1″ in size. This can fit most home plumbing jobs. Also light business PEX-A plumbing jobs. Different head sets come with the kit. This depends on which package you buy. Usually, the DCE400D2 kit has 1/2″, 3/4″, and 1″ expansion heads. Plumbers use these three sizes most often in home plumbing. You can buy more expansion heads separately for special jobs.

Battery and Charger Details

The DEWALT 20V MAX PEX expander gets its power from the company’s trusted lithium-ion battery system. Kits have one or two 2.0Ah batteries. These give enough power for normal plumbing work. These small batteries charge fast, about 30 minutes. Use the DCB112 charger that comes with it. Knowing these details helps you plan your work. It also makes sure you always have charged batteries ready. This tool works with all DEWALT 20V MAX batteries. So users can change to bigger batteries, like 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah packs. This gives longer work time on bigger projects.

The battery has a light to show charge. This helps users check battery power during the workday. The whole kit is a big step up from manual expansion tools. The main reason is how well it works every time. And it makes you less tired when you do many pipe expansions.

Disclaimer

Price and Availability

The price of the DEWALT 20V MAX PEX Expander DCE400D2 changes. It depends on which kit you buy. For example, the DCE400B (just the tool) price is about $300-$350, while the DCE400D2 (with two batteries and a charger) can be $500-$600.

You can easily find this tool on Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and stores that sell DEWALT products. Online stores often have better deals. But in local shops, you can see and touch it yourself.

DEWALT 20V MAX* PEX Expander Tool Kit, 1-Inch (DCE400D2)

• The cordless tools combo kit expands 3/8-inch with 1-inch Pex Type-A tubing
• Construction tools with automatic rotating head action for even expansion
• DEWALT tool kit comes with full trigger actuation for use in tight spaces

$569.00

Buy on Amazon

The DEWALT PEX Expander DCE400D2 is a great tool, but it costs much. If you do not want to use an expensive battery-powered tool, I found a cheap manual tool for you below.

This is the AMZCNC PEX Pipe Expansion Tool Kit on Amazon.

It is a manual tool. It comes with 1/2″, 3/4″, and 1″ heads, plus a pipe cutter. This kit does the main job of expanding PEX-A pipes. It costs much less than the DEWALT, saving you money. This is good for small jobs or if you do not use it often.

AMZCNC PEX Pipe Expansion Tool Kit Manual Expander Tool Kit ASTM …

• ASTM F1960 Compatibility: Our Pipe Expansion Tool is engineered to meet the ASTM F1960 Standard, ensuring top-notch qual…
• Comprehensive Set, Durable Build: This Mechanical Tube Expander kit includes everything you need to get the job done eff…
• Eco-Friendly Lubricant Included: We care about the environment, which is why we’ve included a high-quality, eco-friendly…

$68.99

Buy on Amazon

Key Features of the DEWALT PEX Expander Tool

The DEWALT 20V MAX PEX Expander is special. It has features made just for professionals and serious home DIYers.

Automatic Rotating Head: For Good Connections

The most important part of this tool. It is its automatic rotating head mechanism. After each expansion, the head turns a little when it pulls back. This means you do not need to turn the tool by hand. Not between each pipe expansion. This small change makes a big difference. What happens? The PEX pipe expands evenly all around. This makes leaks much less likely. Leaks can happen if the expansion is not even. For professionals who make many connections every day, this feature is great. It gives good and reliable results with very little effort. To learn more about this feature, you can also read our deep dive article on PEX tools.

LED Work Light: Brightness and Time It Stays On

Working in dark places, like small crawl spaces or dim basements, is a common plumbing problem. The light on the DCE400 fixes this easily. The light turns on by itself when you press the button. It gives bright light for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Then it gets dimmer for another 30 seconds. This long light time means it can also work as a small flashlight when you need it. Other tools’ lights turn off fast, only after 11 seconds. But this long light time is very helpful. Especially when installations are hard to see.

Ergonomic Design and Trigger Style

Comfort for long use comes from smart design choices. The handle has a rubber grip. This gives a strong, comfortable hold. This makes you less tired, even if you use it all day. The long button-style trigger lets you press it from many hand positions. This is very helpful when working in tight spots. The tool also has hooks for a belt and for hanging. This makes it easy to put away when not using it.

Cross-Compatibility with Other PEX Heads

Maybe the most useful thing for professionals. The DEWALT expander also works well with other brands. For example, this tool takes Milwaukee and Uponor expansion heads. This means you do not need to buy new parts. Not when you start using this system. For more about this kind of use with different brands, you can check our tool compatibility guide.

Real-World Performance and Field Testing

We tested the DEWALT 20V MAX PEX Expander a lot. We used it in different situations. It showed great power. This explains why professionals are quickly changing from manual tools.

Expansion Speed and How Well It Works

When we tested it on jobs, the DCE400 always saved time. The DEWALT expander makes pipes wider very fast. It works up to 20% faster than the Milwaukee 2632 M18 PEX Expander. This speed helps a lot in big projects. Where you need to make many connections. My own experience shows this is true. On a recent job, I had to put in a new pipe system with many PEX connections. It was in a small utility room. The speed of the DEWALT PEX expander really helped. I finished much faster than if I used a hand tool. The automatic rotating part makes every pipe expansion even. This is very good for thicker pipes or bigger sizes.

How It Handles in Tight Spaces and for Big Pipes

The tool is small. It is 6.75 inches long. This makes it very good for tight spaces. Like inside cabinets or under floors. Its full-button way to work. It lets you use it from many angles. This means you do not have to stand in awkward ways like with old hand tools. The light stays on for more than two minutes after each push. This gives enough light in dark work areas.

Battery Life When Used a Lot

The DEWALT PEX expander has a special brushless motor. Because of this, it uses battery power very well. Our tests confirm what the company says: you can “work all day on one battery” with the 20V MAX system. Even when used a lot on 1″ PEX-A pipe, the 2.0Ah batteries in the DCE400D2 kit give enough power for normal home plumbing jobs. No need to charge often.

Common Ways to Fix Problems

The tool is reliable. But sometimes users have small problems. Some plumbers say it is hard to put the head all the way into 1″ pipes. To fix this, usually you need to:

• Push hard enough when you start the expander.
• Make sure the pipe is not too cold (very cold pipes can be hard to expand).
• Use the right amount of grease (too much can cause sticking).
• Turn the pipe a little between expansions. This helps when the material is very stiff.

Overall, the DEWALT 20V MAX PEX Expander is a good mix. It has power, accuracy, and is easy to use. This kit is much better than old hand tools.

How to Use the DEWALT PEX Expander

Using the DEWALT PEX expander is simple. It helps you work fast. Here are easy steps to use this tool:

1. Put on the Right Head: Pick the correct head for your PEX pipe size. Push it onto the tool’s shaft until you hear a click.
2. Get the PEX Pipe Ready: Cut your PEX-A pipe straight. Make sure the end is clean. No rough bits.
3. Make the Pipe Wider: Put the expander head all the way into the PEX pipe. Hold the tool tight. Squeeze the button. The head will expand and turn. This makes the pipe wider evenly.
4. Take Out and Put In: When the pipe is wide enough, let go of the button. Quickly pull the tool out. Then, put your fitting into the pipe fast. Do this before the PEX pipe gets small again.
5. Check the Connection: Look at your connection. It should be tight. No spaces. Make sure it is secure before you go on.

This tool makes joining PEX pipes easy. Even for many connections.

Pros and Cons of the DEWALT PEX Expander

Every tool has good points and bad points. The DEWALT PEX Expander is like that. Here are things to think about if you want to buy this tool.

Pros:

• Very Fast: Widens PEX-A pipes quickest in our tests, better than Milwaukee. This means faster job completion.
• Automatic and Even Widening: The automatic rotating head makes sure connections are good and do not leak. This helps with quality.
• Strong Build: It is built solid. No wiggles in the head. This means it is tough for job sites.
• Long-Lasting Light: The light stays on for 2.5 minutes. Good for dark places.
• Great Battery Life: You can work all day on one 2.0Ah battery. Less time waiting.
• Works with Other Heads: You can use Milwaukee and Uponor heads. Saves money on new parts.
• Comfortable: Rubber grip and easy-to-push button. Makes you less tired.

Cons:

• Heavy: It weighs about 6.5 pounds. More than Milwaukee. Can make you tired if used a lot.
• Light Too Bright: Some users might find the LED light too strong.
• High Price: It is a professional tool. So the first cost might be more than simple hand tools.

DEWALT vs Milwaukee: Which PEX Expander Wins?

When choosing good PEX expansion tools, people often pick between two big brands. When I compared them, clear differences appeared in many main areas.

Alternatives to DEWALT PEX Expander

What if the DEWALT PEX expander is not right for you? Not for your needs or budget? There are other good choices in the market:

• Milwaukee M18 FORCE LOGIC PEX Expander: This is DEWALT’s main rival, as we saw in the comparison. If you want a lighter tool and already use Milwaukee batteries, this is a great choice. It works very well too.
• Uponor ProPEX Expander: Uponor also makes tools. These are specially for their PEX-A system. If you use Uponor fittings a lot, their own tools might work more smoothly for you.
• Manual PEX Expanders: For projects that cost less, or if you use the tool only sometimes, hand-held PEX expanders are available. From brands like Apollo or IWISS. These are not as fast. And you need to use more effort. But they cost less money. You can learn more about hand-held PEX tools in our manual PEX tools guide.

Common Questions About the DEWALT PEX Expander (FAQs)

Here are answers to some common questions about the DEWALT 20V MAX PEX Expander DCE400D2:

1. What type of PEX pipe does the DEWALT PEX expander work with? It works with PEX-A pipe.

2. Can I use Milwaukee or Uponor expander heads with this tool? Yes, the DEWALT PEX expander works with Milwaukee and Uponor brand expander heads.

3. How much does this tool weigh? The DEWALT DCE400D2 weighs about 6.5 pounds.

4. How long does the LED light stay on? The LED light stays on for 2 minutes and 30 seconds at full brightness. Then it gets dimmer for another 30 seconds.

5. Is this tool good for big plumbing jobs? Yes, absolutely. Its speed, reliability, and battery life make it great for big and tough plumbing jobs.

Who Should Buy This DEWALT PEX Expander?

This DEWALT PEX expander is a strong tool. It is not for everyone. But for some people, it is the best choice.

• Professional Plumbers: If you make PEX connections every day, or many times a week, this tool is for you. It saves you time and reduces effort. Your work becomes faster and easier.
• Remodelers and Contractors: For big home projects or light business work where PEX-A piping is common, this tool helps you finish jobs quickly. It makes connections right every time.
• Serious DIYers: If you do many big plumbing jobs at home and you want good results, you know about PEX-A, and you need a fast, trusted tool. This DEWALT PEX expander is a good buy.

If you value speed, good quality, and to feel less tired, this DEWALT PEX expander is a top choice.

Conclusion

The DEWALT 20V MAX PEX Expander DCE400D2 is a big upgrade from manual tools. Its automatic head saves time, giving fast, even connections. This means fewer leaks and more work done quickly. It offers great performance and comfort, with a long-lasting LED light and good design. Plus, it works with other brands’ heads. This tool is a strong choice for professionals and serious DIYers. It brings modern speed and accuracy to plumbing jobs. While it costs more and is a bit heavier, its efficiency and reliable results make it a smart investment. Have you used the DEWALT PEX expander or other PEX tools? Share your experience in the comments below! We love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions you have about this tool.