Dewalt has quietly launched a new cordless fan, model DCE512B, part of their 20V Max cordless power tool system.
The new Dewalt cordless fan very closely resembles its predecessor, model DCE511B.
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I visited a Home Depot store yesterday, and I almost missed that this was a new model. The store had a large stack of these fans, and you have to look closely to tell the differences.
Dewalt DCE511B vs DCE512B Cordless Fans
Like the DCE511, the new DCE512 is said to have multiple hanging options – a freestanding base, hanging hook, and wall mount option.
Both fans are dust and water-resistant to IP54 standards, and they both have variable speed dials.
The new fan is said to run for up to 4.5 hours at max airspeed when powered with a 5Ah battery.
Upgraded Power
The new Dewalt DCE512B cordless fan is said to be more powerful, delivering up to 650 CFM or airflow. The older DCE511B delivers up to 500 CFM.
Since both 11″ fans appear to be nearly identical in construction, this suggests that the newer fan has a more powerful motor. One of the things I liked about the DCE511B is that it was relatively quiet for a small fan. With the new DCE512B delivering greater airflow, it might be a little bit noisier.
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Small fans can sometimes struggle to deliver enough air volume, and so this is going to be a much appreciated upgrade for many users.
Missing Features
The new model does not seem to have the tripod mount that’s available on the older/other model.
The bigger difference will be the absence of AC compatibility. The Dewalt DCE511B has a covered AC port inside its battery slot. The new DCE512B does away with this feature.
Pricing and Availability
It appears that the DCE512B launched exclusively at Home Depot, and listings have appeared at other online retailers as well.
MSRP: $119
Street Price: $99
Buy Now via Home Depot
Buy Now via Amazon
Buy Now via Lowe’s
At the time of this posting, the DCE511B is still available at many online retailers.
Buy Older Model via Amazon
Buy Older Model via Home Depot
Discussion
The reasons for the “upgrade” are unknown, but there are many possibilities.
What’s curious is that Dewalt has upgraded the motors and specs of certain 20V Max cordless power tools in the past, as well as certain corded tools.
Why didn’t Dewalt simply update the DCE511B with the improved airflow of the DCE512B?
Dewalt has also launched upgraded models in the past with new model numbers. Could they have done that here?
I can understand the loss of the tripod mount – is that a feature that a most users don’t need? But the AC power options (via user-sourced extension cord) is a feature that a lot of users are usually very happy to have. Even for those who plan on using the fan exclusively with battery power, an AC plug-in option is usually a “glad to have it” type of feature, just in case.
Is this a cost-cutting measure? Is it in response to safety guidelines, which sometimes do prompt changes in tool features and design?
We know that costs and prices have been going up across the board, affecting all kinds of tools and equipment. Were the changes necessary in order to maintain affordable pricing?
At this time, we don’t know if the DCE512B is a replacement for the DCE511B. There are a couple of product types where Dewalt offers different models with slightly different features and specs, and so that could be what’s happening here.
Which fan would you prefer? The older model with AC power option, or the newer model with upgraded airflow?
This is a tough question. Greater airflow specs mean that the new fan should feel more powerful than Dewalt’s older model. How many people would benefit more from a better-performing fan, compared to an AC power option feature?
What I’m wondering is why users have to choose – why couldn’t the new fan feature a more powerful motor AND the same AC power option? It’s possible that this was a conscious design decision, but as mentioned we’ve also seen design changes prompted by evolving safety guidelines.
Jonathan
pictures are swapped for 12B and 11B comparison.
Stuart
Thanks! Sorry, the images were as I intended, but I swapped caption by mistake.
Kev-Bot
As a daily DeWalt fan user I love my current Model. Losing the AC option is a big hit in my opinion. I often just throw one of my 9.0 batteries on it and it runs for days, but there have been times when it’s my only fan to try and dry up wet spot in the carpet or helping air circulate to help paint dry was my DeWalt. And rather than having to come back and check if the battery has died, I can leave it plugged up. I use the hanging bars sometimes but more often I just sink two screws into some nearby wood and hang it up or just leave it on the ground. I can still feel air 20 ft away. Apart from curiosity I can’t really see a reason to upgrade.
Jared
I have the Ridgid fan that also has the “hybrid” battery and AC options. I use the cord regularly, maybe even 50/50 with battery power. I definitely wouldn’t choose to give up AC. Seems like a surprising choice indeed.
Also, the fan is awesome for camping. Like have a fire “turbo” option at your fingertips. Never struggle with smoke again!
Koko The Talking Ape
Maybe the AC power option… um… LEAKS electricity, so removing it gives more power to the motor?
I’m reaching here.
Seriously, will the 512 replace the 511? Should I buy the 511 while it’s still on the shelves?
Koko The Talking Ape
I notice it’s $99 at Home Depot as a “special buy”, down from $119.
Andrew Drozd
I have a Ridgid fan, but having the dual power option was one of the huge deciding factors for me not getting a Milwaukee at the time (or maybe Red didn’t have one yet, it’s been several years). Being able to plug it in when I’m stationary, yet take the same tool and clunk a battery into it to crawl where I need to is a huge selling point for me. Buy the older model.
HiggiML
[DeWalt Design Engineer] If a tool is generally stationary, meaning is just sits there and works &/or you bring material to it (e.g.: fans, lights, table/miter saw) then it should accept both battery and AC. If a tool generally moves around, having battery only power seems acceptable.
[Sales/Marketing] Yes but, if your tools use more battery and less AC, consumers will buy more yellow batteries $$
🙂
Tom D
Taking in AC either means having a power brick (like the Milwaukee) or having onboard circuitry to drop the voltage down and rectify it (like the old Dewalt apparently) or having a motor that can run performantly on 120 AC and 20V DC (rare but I think some of the higher voltage DC tools – double battery saws for example – do this).
csroc
Glad I recently picked up the original model, then. Moves enough air for me and I like the AC option.
Sebastain
Who cares about a fan how about explaining the tool line or more boxes to the storage system
Stuart
Dewalt’s older fan has been extremely popular. For the launch of this new model, Home Depot placed a large display in the most heavily-trafficked part of my local store.
Shawn W
Hi Stuart. You are SO right. I have dozens of power tools, and of them all my 511 fan is both favourite and my most used. I have two of them. THANK YOU for this review of the new!
As to the original question, while I would LOVE some more power, I use the cord WAY too much to give it up (about 1/3-cord, 2/3-batts). Hopefully dewalt will give its head a shake and keep AND upgrade the great-ol’ 511 !!
Thanks!!
Shawn W
Oh hell, probably should have mentioned that at this very moment one of my 511’s is helping cool me while trying to fall asleep in my camping trailer while at a Provincial Park where there’s a power outage (no A/C: ( ). THAT’s how often I use them!!!
Thanks again!
SW
Bill
Shawn, I assume you are in Canada. If that’s the case I don’t see any current temps over the low 60s and most show in the 40s and 50s. Come on down to south Florida where it’s almost 90 now and fairly humid.
Cheers!
Bill
PS – I love my Dewalt fan too.
Bob
Taking the AC option away makes this a no go for me. No real good reason to except to drive battery sales. I wish Dewalt would stop slackin off already and produce some actual new tools instead of updating existing tools.
Chris
Go have a look at Lowe’s website
Bob
I’m not seeing anything new there. Or at least anything I didn’t already know about.
MFC
I never use the A/C portion of the fan. I live in Texas and so I primarily use the fan in attics where it can get to 140 degrees F.
I still appreciate A/C ports though as you said. ESPECIALLY ON LIGHTS which are waaaaay more power hungry than a fan.
I own Milwaukee lights specifically for that A/C option, even though I prefer the build quality of the dewalt lights. ANY tool that is stationary should have an A/C option (lights, miter/table saw, fan, air compressor, etc.)
DeWalt has stated that they don’t care about the consumer when they don’t give us what we want: Both options.
Tom D
Nice thing about the A/C lights is you can control them via the A/C if there’s no battery in it. I have one on a HomeKit outlet switch which is nice.
Steve
This fan, the new XR reciporcating saw (DCS382B @ Lowes), the 20V power cleaner (DCPW550), and so many other tools before, Dewalt doesn’t announce them, they just show up at retailers. They just don’t make a big deal of new releases most of the time. I saw these in store and completely missed the fact they were a new model.
Chris
DeWalt isn’t the one to go bat crap crazy like Milwaukee over a new tool
Jim Felt
Or they’ve got a smaller marketing or less savvy team.
Jim Felt
Oops. “…smaller or less savvy marketing team”…
Mike
Dewalt just upgrades tools and doesn’t say a word about it like their 61/2 brushed circular saw when it first came out it 3700 rpm now it has 5150 ,Milwaukee on the other hand acts like the second coming of Christ is here
Big Richard
Don’t forget the new FlexVolt Advantage 20v air compressor (DCC2520), 5-in-1 multi chuck 12v installation drill/driver (DCD703), compact BL 20v 1/2″ wrench (DCF914), compact BL 20v 3/8″ wrench (DCF911), compact BL 20v 1/4″ impact driver (DCF840), ATOMIC 1/2″ wrench (DCF921), ATOMIC 3/8″ wrench (DCF923), ATOMIC 1/4″ driver (DCF850), etc., etc.
Most of those will likely get an official announcement eventually. They definitely are the anti Bosch where they announce a tool and it isn’t available for 18 months.
ca
I waited two years to see any ToughSystem 2.0 after they announced it.
Tom D
Tough system 3.0 is more likely at this time.
Pipe Bender 69
I bought it not realizing it was different untill I opened the box, I own 2 other ones, but my wife and teenager have commondered them. This one is noticably stronger, but also louder, and noticably less run time. I’d say 20% on all three. They seem to be proportionally tied. Lack of ac sucks. I prefer the older one, for these reasons.
Michael
I will trade you for the new version if you are in the tx area. I never use the corded option.
PW
Loss of an A/C adapter seems like a big step back to me. I was mildly interested in this fan – very deep into the DeWalt ecosystem, but my use case for the fan was pretty borderline. Without an A/C option, it’s a hard pass.
Juan
I wonder if someone In legal made them get rid of the power cord, because maybe the fan isn’t ip54 rated if it’s plugged in?
Scotty.
What happened to the Milwaukee M18 fan? Haven’t seen any promotion or sales on it all year.
Joatman
I recently bought the 511B and couldn’t be happier with it. The AC power source is certainly a plus. It think every feature they could throw in helps justify the cost compared to the other branded cordless fans. Not sure what their reasoning is for stripping this one down. Sure, the extra power would be nice…..but will it be that noticeable? Just like lumens…..is there really a noticeable difference between 1200 and 1500?
Dominic L
Loss of A/C plug capability is huge. I own the current one and relying on just battery option alone, keeps me wanting the old version.
Big Richard
The new 512 model was rumored to be 12v/20v, but obviously HD wouldn’t advertise that as they do not carry DeWALT 12v. I don’t see any mention of it being 12v compatible in the write up or the comments here, so I’m assuming it is not?
Flotsam
I would really want it to be AC compatible (hybrid)
This seems like a lot of money for a fan. I had found a Ridgid hybrid version that i picked up at Direct Tools outlet for only $25. This was 3 years ago and haven’t seen one at this price since.
Nathan
odd alternate thought – wonder if there is a coming 20V AC adapter kit.
Otherwise I bet the biggest reason for this is to up the airflow to compete with someone else – while also keeping the cost the same ditching the AC. I wonder if their marketing group asked users if they even use the AC.
I assume I would but you know I never bought the fan for all the times I thought about it. I just instead bought larger dedicated corded fans. so the portability of it wasn’t nearly as needed as I thought.
Mike
AC option over a few CFM any day 😉
Tool Junkie
I’ve kept the old one in the bedroom all year for the last couple years, plugged into an A/C cord. We take it camping in the trailer, but we can use the batteries when boondocking. I would not buy the new one without the A/C port.
Slats
I’ll pay the extra $$ for the AC option which I run whenever convenient or possible. DeWalt’s cutting hybrids out of their ecosystem is becoming very frustrating.
Steve S
I have an older Ryobi fan that is hybrid, and really like to have the AC power option. In fact, as a handy small fan, I’ve probably used it more often on AC than batteries.
More recently I’ve heavily invested in the DeWalt system, but would not be interested in a DeWalt fan that was only battery powered. I’ll definitely pass on the new model.
BetweenToledoAndDetroit
I was definitely misled into buying the 512. I see the Home Depot website has finally been updated but when I purchased this fan, I thought I was buying an upgraded version of the 511. The HD site listed the new fan as “Variable speed control up to 1000 CFM”, “Corded or cordless operation” and “Multiple hanging options: freestanding, hang hooks, tri-pod mount” in the Product Overview heading. Not only are one or two of these incorrect, but all three are lies. I’ll be returning it. The lack of an a/c port and the general deception are too much. I have the screenshot still saved to my phone.
meso
did u find it works well tho? better then the 511?
Ryan
Nobody seems to notice…
The DCE512 is XR Brushless, more powerful, and presumably longer run time.
The DCE511 is a brushed universal motor that can run on AC current.
The switch to XR Brushless motor removed the AC compatibility of the universal brushed motor. I own the 511, and occasionally need to plug it in overnight to dry mud or paint in a remodel project, so I will not be getting the 512.
Stuart
The DCE512 is NOT brushless. If it were, Dewalt would advertise it as such.
I could be wrong, but I double checked, and I cannot find any evidence to back what you’re saying.
Doug
I just ran across this myself, as a coworker just bought his, (512), and mine is a 511. I don’t think the motor is any different. Take a closer look at the fan blade. It’s shape is slightly different and the blades have a greater pitch. I am in the process of seeing it I can find a replacement blade for his, and install it in mine. Have to find out first if the are interchangeable, (possibly even the same part number).
paul thompson
Why would Dewalt remove the A/C option. Will not buy the new Fan, guess Dewalt doesn’t use the fan everyday. They messed this one up. Will find another Brand. Thanks Dewalt
Joe
I used my 511 until it started making noises and then quit. This year’s Lowes’ Spring Fest sales offered the 512 for $149 which included a free 20V-5Ah battery and 1104 charger. I was thrilled with the buy. However, when I took it home and pulled the fan out of the box I saw the yellow void where the terminal block was located. I was confounded and then did my research and found out the awful truth.
My reaction: This baby is going back to the store in the morning. And I am going to pick up two Ridgid corded/cordless fans for the same price that each comes with 2 18V, 4Ah batteries, the R86093 18V Charger and a tool bag. I am not sure if I would like it any better than the DeWalt fan, but the DeWalt fan struck out for me because of the loss of the corded option.