Best PVC Pipe Bender Heater for Accurate Conduit Bends

Compact Guide: This article compares five reliable PVC pipe bender heaters used to soften and shape PVC conduit and schedule pipe for electrical, plumbing, and irrigation work. Below is a quick summary table of the selected products for easy reference.

Product	Type	Pipe Range	Notable Feature
Greenlee 851 Electric PVC Heater/Bender	Enclosed Heater	1/2″ – 4″	Heavy-duty insulated metal body
Greenlee 849 24″ Electric PVC Heater	Enclosed Heater	1/2″ – 2″	Fast heat distribution, 24″ length
Hoadhen PBH20-4 Electric PVC Conduit Heater	Enclosed Heater	1/2″ – 4″	Temperature detector & auto shutoff
TEMCo TH4001 Heat Blanket Bender	Heat Blanket	1/2″ – 1 1/2″	Longer blanket for wider bends
PVC Bendit 6A Internal Heater/Bender	Internal Pipe Heater	Fits 1/2″ ID and larger	Heats from inside out, multiple lengths

Greenlee 851 Electric PVC Heater/Bender

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This Greenlee model is an enclosed electric heater designed for 1/2″ to 4″ PVC pipe. The unit uses a full-length door and insulated metal walls with a reflective interior to promote even heat. Operation follows a simple sequence: preheat about 10 minutes, insert pipe, rotate until pliable, then remove and form bends.

Key functional points include heavy-duty construction and a full-length door for easy loading and unloading of long sections. The reflective interior and insulation aim to provide consistent temperature distribution for repeatable results in conduit bending tasks.

Greenlee 849 24″ Electric PVC Heater

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The Greenlee 849 is a 24″ enclosed heater configured for 1/2″ to 2″ PVC sections. It uses double-wall metal construction, fiberglass insulation, and a reflective interior to promote fast heat distribution. Typical workflow is a 10-minute preheat, rotation while in the chamber, then removal and shaping.

This model is suited to bending 24″ sections and emphasizes even heating to reduce hotspots. The shorter capacity compared with larger models focuses its use on smaller conduit runs and compact jobsites where a 24″ heating length is appropriate.

Hoadhen PBH20-4 Electric PVC Conduit Heater

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The Hoadhen PBH20-4 is an enclosed electric heater rated for 1/2″ to 4″ conduit sections, operating at 120VAC with 2300 watts and a built-in temperature monitoring system. The unit allows users to preheat to around 500°F, monitor internal temperature in real time, and benefit from an automatic shutoff if excessive temperature persists.

Notable items include a full-length door for loading/unloading and an indicator light on the switch for operational status. The temperature detector and automatic shutdown target enhanced safety and control during repetitive heating cycles.

TEMCo TH4001 Heat Blanket Bender

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The TEMCo TH4001 is a heat blanket designed to wrap conduit externally for bending 1/2″ to 1 1/2″. The longer blanket design aims to allow wider-radius bends and smoother wire pulls compared to shorter blankets. The thermostat is positioned on the outside so the blanket can wrap tighter around conduit.

Blanket-style heaters provide flexibility to form any-angle bends—they are not limited to preformed angles like some molds or forms. This model emphasizes wrap tightness and smooth bending for conduit installations where internal access or enclosed heaters are impractical.

PVC Bendit 6A Internal Pipe Heater

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The PVC Bendit 6A is an internal heater that inserts into pipe to heat from the inside out. It fits inside 1/2″ ID and larger Schedule 40 and 80 PVC and is available in multiple lengths; the 6′ heating length is designed to produce consistent internal softening. The product includes a BendStation to retain heat while warming pipe.

Internal heaters like Bendit provide uniform interior heating and can be advantageous when external wrap or chamber access is limited. The internal approach aims to reduce exterior scorching while providing a controlled internal heat source for forming bends.

Buying Guide: How To Choose A PVC Pipe Bender Heater

This buying guide outlines objective criteria and comparison perspectives to match heater type to application needs. Consider these factors before selecting a PVC pipe bender heater.

Heater Type And Application

• Enclosed Electric Heaters: Best for uniform heating of straight sections; models like Greenlee 851/849 and Hoadhen provide consistent chamber heat and full-length doors for long sections.
• Heat Blankets: Flexible for on-site bending and any-angle bends; TEMCo blankets wrap externally and are useful where portability and varied angles matter.
• Internal Heaters: Devices like PVC Bendit heat from inside out; suitable for longer heat lengths and when preventing external surface scorching is desired.

Pipe Size And Heating Length

• Match the tool to the pipe diameter and the section length you will bend. Enclosed heaters specify diameter ranges and chamber length (e.g., 24″ vs longer chambers).
• Blankets and internal heaters offer more flexibility in length options; ensure the heating length covers the bend area and leave room for forming.

Temperature Control And Safety

• Built-in Thermostats/Detectors: Devices with temperature monitoring (like the Hoadhen) provide real-time feedback and automatic shutoff to minimize overheating risk.
• Look for models with durable insulation and reflective interiors that reduce heat loss and stabilize temperatures for repeatable bends.

Construction, Portability, And Durability

• Heavy-duty metal enclosures offer longevity for jobsite use; blankets and internal heaters often trade enclosure durability for portability.
• Consider weight, handle design, and door access. Full-length doors simplify loading long conduit sections.

Heating Uniformity And Bend Quality

• Reflective interiors and double-wall insulation improve uniform heating in enclosed units.
• Blankets should conform tightly to conduit to avoid uneven heating; external thermostats that encourage tight wrapping can improve results.
• Internal heaters provide heat from inside which can reduce exterior blemishes and may yield consistent wall softening for certain pipe types.

Power Requirements And Jobsite Compatibility

• Check voltage and amperage. Some units operate on standard 120VAC circuits with high wattage; ensure available circuit capacity and jobsite power meet the unit’s requirements.
• Blankets and internal heaters may have lower or different power demands—verify compatibility with on-site power supplies or generators.

Range Of Bend Angles And Tools Integration

• Blankets and internal heaters typically allow any-angle bends, while some setups pair with jigs or forming guides for consistent radius results.
• Enclosed heaters support manual bending after heating; plan for formers, bending springs, or stations to shape the softened pipe.

Maintenance And Longevity

• Inspect insulation and reflective surfaces periodically for wear. Blankets often require careful storage to extend life.
• Internal heaters may need cleaning and inspection for electrical integrity after repeated insertion cycles.

Comparison Perspectives

• Repeatability vs Flexibility: Enclosed heaters provide repeatable, controlled heating for specific pipe sizes while blankets and internal heaters offer flexible angle and length options.
• Safety vs Speed: Units with temperature control and automatic shutdown emphasize safety; higher wattage units heat faster but require proper circuit capacity and monitoring.
• Surface Finish vs Internal Uniformity: External blanket or enclosure methods heat the pipe surface directly; internal heaters focus on wall-softening from within, which can reduce exterior scorching.

Use the above criteria to match the heater type to your workflow: enclosed heaters for shop-style repeatable work, blankets for on-site flexibility, and internal heaters for internal uniformity and long-length bends.