PEX expansion tools are great when it comes to joining PEX tubes. You’ll find thousands of products in the market but very few of them can serve you perfectly.
We have spent our time and resources to find top 5 PEX Expansion tools for you so that you do not end up buying a low quality one.
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Our 5 Best PEX Expansion Tool Kit Picks:
Here are the detailed reviews on the 5 top PEX expanders. Keep reading!
1. DEWALT DCE400D2 20V Max 1" PEX Expander Tool Kit
Looking for the best quality, highly durable and easy to use PEX expansion tool? Then this DCE400D2 model from the DEWALT is our pick for you.
This high performance expander kit allows you to expand tubes from 0.375 inches to an inch with automatic rotation for perfect and even expansion.
Because of its great build quality, this is one of the most durable PEX expanders available in the market too.
Its comfortable rubber grip handle reduces strain from your hand while you are working with the machine for a long time.
Plus, it is equipped with double sided hang hook and belt hooks to allow you to move without carrying this in hand.
For its versatility, ease of use and fast working capability, this becomes our best pick for this buying guide.
Highlighted Features
- 0.375 to 1 inch tube expansion
- Automatic rotation for Perfect Expansion
- Expands Fast & Efficiently
- User-friendly design
- Double Sided hanghook & belt hook
- Comfortable Rubber Grip Handle
2. Milwaukee 2432-22 M12 12V ProPEX Expansion Tool Kit
Another great quality PEX expansion tool kit that is a true contender for our best pick. With zero compromises in quality, this is our runner up of the PEX expander buying guide.
This machine works fast and efficiently to make even expansion of the tube with its auto-rotation mechanism.
On top of that, it can be operated with one hand in tight spaces that made it one of the top products in its category.
With its ergonomic design that ensures ultimate comfort, this will make the job effortless.
Like the DEWALT, this cordless PEX expander from Milwaukee also features adjustable PEX expansion from 0.375 inch to 1 inch.
Highlighted Features
- Fast expansion capability
- Great for using in tight locations
- Can operate with a hand
- Continuous Expansion
- Ergonomic Design for Comfort
3. IWISS 1/2,3/4,1-inch ProPEX Expander Tool Kit
Here comes the budget beast of the list. Yes, this ProPEX expander tool kit from IWISS is our pick for the best value for your money category.
A great quality product at an affordable price point that allows you to expand 3 different sizes of PEX tubes, i.e. half inch, ¾ inch and an inch size tube.
Because the product comes with a nice carrying case, you can manage and carry this more comfortably than most other contenders.
Being chrome plated, it is weather resistant and corrosion resistant.
On top of that, it meets ASTM F1960 Standard that hints about its quality.
Highlighted Features
- ASTM F1960 Standard
- Weather resistant
- Includes carrying case
- Perfect expansion
- 3 size expansion, half, 3 quarter and an inch
4. DEWALT 20V MAX PEX Expander Tool, 1-Inch
Another DEWALT product hits the list. It comes with auto rotation mechanism for even and precise tube expansion.
When it comes to versatility, you can use this product to expand tubes from 0.375 inch to 1 inch.
Its compact design with comfortable handle ensures ease of use without straining the shoulder of the operator.
However, the high quality power tool does not come with battery & charger. So, you need to buy them separately.
Highlighted Features
- 0.375 inches to an inch tube expansion
- Automatic rotating head for even expansion
- Great to use in tight spaces
- Comfortable grip
- Need to buy Battery & Charger separately
5. Yescom PEX Expansion Tool Kit Tube Expander
If you are looking for the cheapest PEX expansion kit, then this YESCOM product is our pick for you. It comes at an affordable price without much compromise. It can handle ordinary DIY usage by homeowners and other hobbyists.
This product comes with a long and ergonomic handle that ensures ease of use.
As the expander comes with a storage and carry case, you can easily manage and carry the tool anywhere you want.
Plus, this manual tool is versatile. You can expand 3 sizes of tubes with this cheap PEX expansion tool.
Highlighted Features
- Cheapest PEX Expansion
- Long and Ergonomic Handle
- Storage and Carry Case
- 3 Size Expansion Heads, ½, ¾, 1 inch
- Lightweight & Easy to Use
How to Choose the Best PEX Expansion Tool?
Now that you have read the 5 top PEX expanders, you may want to know how these are selected for this buying guide. Here are the criteria that we have followed to pick the best of the best products.
1. Build Quality
The first thing we have considered to make the list is the build quality of the product. No one loves to spend hundreds of bucks on a product that is not so durable.
As we could not use the product to check where they are durable or not. We have used the experience of the real users to measure the overall build quality of the product. We considered factors like how often a product needs to be repaired, how much time before the product is useless, how much time before the first maintenance of the product is done, etc.
2. Ease of Use
The next thing to consider is the comfort when using the machine. If you are a professional, then you should not skip this criterion.
We have considered the overall design of the product, its ergonomics, and comfort when using it. Poorly designed products can make your job tiresome and can give you some serious pain when used for a long time.
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3. Versatility
When we talk about versatility, we mean versatility in the sizes of the tubes. Not all expanders allow you to expand many sizes of the tubes.
Generally, mid range products come with 3 different size settings while high end products offer more. Unless you are taking the product for a project only, you should go for the most versatile option as it would save you from buying a new machine to make a bigger or smaller sized tube.
4. PEX Expander Price
When I check a product, I check its price before anything else. This is because price tells many things about the product. While there are exceptions to this, higher priced products are generally come with high configuration and endless features.
And you can’t ignore the budget too. That’s why keep your eye on the price tag also when making the decision.
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5. Tool Carry Case
Some PEX expanders come with handy tool organizing and carry case while some skip it. Without a proper carry bag, it will be very hard for you to carry the machine and its attachments.
If you are taking the product only to use once, then you can skip this step. But in other cases, we recommend getting a product that gives you a nice and handy case to carry the expansion tool kit.
6. Weight
The final and an important criterion of our buying guide is the weight of the product. Taking an excessively heavy product can strain your hand too early before you even do half of your job.
Nowadays, most of the high end and mid range products are lightweight, but again, you shouldn’t buy the product without checking.
How to Install PEX with a PEX Expander?
Installing PEX with a PEX expander is an easy task. You need to have an expansion tool with an expansion ring to place on the PEX tube.
1. Measure the Pipes
Before you start, measure the pipes carefully and cut them in perfect sizes to have a perfect and reliable pex connection that lasts long.
2. Expansion Ring Placement
After cutting the pipe, you should now place the proper expansion ring at the toe end of the pipe. Make sure you are using the current sized expansion ring to use, as slight variation in sizes can ruin your job.
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3. Connect the Tube with Expander
Now, connect the tube to the expansion tool head. You may need to get help from another person if your expander is too heavy. With a lightweight PEX expansion tool, you can do it yourself.
4. Expand it
Finally, press the trigger to expand the tube. You need to press the trigger for more than 5 times to get the pipe in a perfect position to take the fittings.
Generally, manual expansion tools require more presses than automatic expansion tools. And the number of presses required is also dependent on the weather condition. Warmer temperatures make the expansion process quick, but the pipe will shrink faster in warm weather. So, you may not get enough time to slide the fittings perfectly if not expanded sufficiently.
On the other hand, you will require more expansion to get the pipe in perfect shape to fit the fittings, it will not shrink fast and will give you enough time to fi the fittings.
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Final Verdict
As you end up reading this, you should have already gone through the whole article and know a lot about PEX expansion products.
If you are confused till now, then we recommend going with our best pick DEWALT DCE400D2 20V Max 1" PEX Expander Tool or the Runner up one from Milwaukee.
These two products are almost the same and they provide almost the same result. Because there must be a number one, we have chosen DEWALT for its design and lower price point (at the moment we have reviewed)
Finally, remember this line. Best PEX expansion tool must come with great versatility, ease of use, carry case, strong build quality and reasonable price point.
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