WEN Power Tools Review: Are They Worth the Investment?

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Woodworkers, DIYers and hobbyists often find themselves in a state of limbo. They know they need the finest tools to make amazing projects, but their budget doesn’t permit them to go all out as a professional would.

Cutting-edge power tools are pricier due to their durability and capability, while cheaper alternatives tend to fall short in comparison. WEN is one of the few companies that has addressed this issue. WEN tools are pocket-friendly yet packed with performance. As a result, it’s arguably the best power tool brand hobbyists can get their hands on.

Overview of the WEN Brand

WEN is a well-established company in the power tools industry, founded in 1951 by Nick Anton and headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, USA. WEN is known for being the first company to pioneer orbital technology, a key innovation in power tools.

WEN started out developing just a few products, but has since expanded and sold over 50 million products by 2001. With its long history and legacy of innovation, WEN remains a major player in the power tools market.

In line with their motto: WEN put the “power” into power tools, they also have a huge portfolio of power tools and outdoor equipment available.

WEN might not be as popular as other USA power tool brands, but they have won the hearts of woodworkers, DIYers, hobbyists, and homeowners.

Where are WEN Power Tools Manufactured?

In case you are wondering, WEN tools are actually made in China. But they make parts and keep stocks in Illinois and California

Suggested Article: 8 Lesser-known Power Tool Brands for DIY Enthusiasts: Beyond the Big Names

The WEN Power Tool Portfolio

WEN has an extensive range of power tools. You’ll find everything you need for basic to advanced woodworking and home development projects.

WEN also offers both stationary and portable tools to cater for different needs. For instance, if you have a home workshop, you may prefer a the stationary WEN 3962T 10in Band Saw, while if you need to work on-site, this WEN 5in Portable Band Saw may be a better choice.

We can broadly classify WEN power tools under the following categories:

• Drills and drill presses
• Nailers
• Saws
• Sanders
• Planers and jointers
• Bench grinders
• Compressors
• Lathes
• Rotary tools
• Pole saws and chainsaws
• Log Splitters
• Plate compactors
• Pressure washers
• Snow blowers

With such a wide range of products, it’s natural to have questions about the quality of WEN power tools. Rest assured, WEN doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the quality and performance of its products.

My Review Based on 3 Years of Experience

After using WEN tools for more than 3 years, I think I am qualified to speak about their quality and performance. Like any other company, WEN has both pros and cons. But what separates WEN from other power tool companies are affordability and availability. You can buy WEN tools from Home Depot or Walmart at a very reasonable price.

See this article for the best places to buy power tools online

WEN does the job for hobbyists and woodworking enthusiasts, though professionals may sometimes find it lacking.

Let’s find out more about the good and bad of WEN power tools from this WEN power tools review:

Quality

Many people I’ve talked to are apprehensive about the quality of WEN tools. Their primary argument is that since these tools are imported from China, they are cheap and not durable. Much to their surprise, WEN tools are very durable. They are made with high-quality material and don’t feel ‘cheap’ to use. If anything, they feel like premium products.

Ease of Use

WEN tools are made for hobbyists and DIYers. As a result, it’s easier to use WEN tools compared to other power tools in the market, like DeWalt or Makita. The lightweight and flexible design of WEN tools make them easy to use for beginners.

Performance

Whether you love the performance of WEN tools will rely on your use cases. These power tools are primarily for homeowners and woodworkers. Surely, you can’t expect the same level of performance as you would from professional power tools. Despite that, WEN tools have surprisingly good performance. If you primarily do DIY work and repairs around the home, WEN tools are more than enough.

Cost

WEN tools beat other power tool companies in the market in this area. They makes the most affordable and easily available power tools in the market. These power tools also last for years, making them a great one-time investment. In terms of cost, woodworkers can’t get a better deal than WEN.

Warranty

You can find the detailed warranty statement on the official WEN website. In a nutshell, here’s what you get:

• 500 hours of warranty from the date of purchase for consumer power tools

• For professional and commercial power tools, the warranty is for 90 days

• You have 30 days from the date of purchase to report missing or damaged parts

When sending a WEN product for repair or replacement, you have to bear the shipping cost. Apart from that, WEN provides a good warranty policy for all its buyers. Please keep in mind that, regular wear and tear are not covered under their warranty.

My Top 3 Favorite WEN Power Tools

Now I’ll talk about the best three WEN tools in my opinion. These are tools I’ve used and benefited from. If your favorite WEN tool isn’t on my top 3 list, let me know in the comments.

1. WEN 4214 Drill Press

I love this WEN Drill Press for these reasons:

• It has a variable speed feature that allows maximum flexibility
• It provides laser-guided precise drilling
• It comes with a spacious work table
• The sliding extensions make it easy to work on large pieces

A drill press is one of the must-haves in every wood shop. If you’re thinking about buying a drill press, the WEN 4214 Drill Press is a great option. However, keep in mind that it’s bulkier than your average drill press and not best suited for small workshops.

It handles almost every drilling task and the product is built to last. This drill press runs on a 120VAC motor and has impressive performance. Safe to say, it’s one of my top 3 WEN power tools. Check out our in-depth review for a better understanding of this tool.

Get the WEN 4214 Drill Press Available at:

• Home Depot

2. WEN 23190 1.3Amp Rotary Tools and Accessories Set

With more than 190 components and accessories, the WEN 23190 rotary tools and accessories set is the only rotary tool set you’re going to need. The bits and discs in this set let you do almost any home development and DIY task. On top of that, it comes in neat and lightweight packaging for easy transportation.

The variable speed range of WEN 23190 is 8,000 to 35,000 RPM, and the lightweight 1.3-pound body makes it perfect for a wide range of use cases. Though WEN 23190 is second on my list, it’d be the first on many lists.

Get the WEN 23190 1.3A Rotary Tool Kit Set available at:

• Home Depot

3. WEN 61721 18-Gauge Pneumatic Brad Nailer

Brad nailers are an important tool in the arsenal of any woodworker. The WEN 61721 18-Gauge 3/8-Inch to 2-Inch Pneumatic Brad Nailer is one of the best brad nailers you will find at its price point.

See differences between brad nailer and finishing nailer.

It can shoot 18 gauge brads ranging from 3/8 inch to 2-inch in length and comes with a spring-loaded magazine that can hold up to 106 nails. Apart from that, it also has an easy-to-use nose latch, an adjustable exhaust port, and a depth adjustment wheel. Overall, it’s a great power tool to have in your kit.

Get the WEN 61721 18-Gauge Pneumatic Brad Nailer available at:

• Home Depot

Who are WEN Tools Suited For?

WEN tools are best suited for anyone who wants to take their DIY and woodwork skills to the next level. As we already know, WEN isn’t the brand of choice for professionals. But it is the brand of choice for hobbyists for three main reasons:

1. Affordability

2. Ease of use

3. Wide range of power tools

Have you ever discarded the idea of buying power tools after looking at their price? Or do you lack the confidence to use professional-grade power tools? If you answer yes to either of these questions, WEN power tools are the perfect option for you.

It’s also ridiculously easy to buy WEN power tools. You can get them from Walmart, as well as Home Depot and other online shopping websites. The widespread availability of WEN tools is yet another reason behind their popularity.

Final Thoughts

So, what are your thoughts after reading this WEN power tools review? If you’ve used WEN tools before, did you like or hate them?

WEN is the go-to brand for most American woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts. Despite not being a massive company, WEN is a multimillion-dollar business that has been thriving for many decades now. WEN are the best brand if you want to buy affordable and powerful power tools for your home repairs and DIY projects. It ticks all the boxes that we look for before buying a power tool.

Still accessing your options? Take a look at our Ryobi power tools review

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