9 Best Plasma Cutter Reviews 2018

What is the Best Plasma Cutter is a personal choice based on your needs?  Plasma cutters are available with different specifications ranging from weight to power to electrical requirements.  If you only want plasma cutters made in the USA, we will point that out in the specifications.

The best plasma cutter reviews will widely be broken down based on your budget.  We have plasma cutters reviews that range from almost $2,000 to only a couple hundred dollars.  The best plasma cutter reviews take the following factors into consideration:

Metal Cut Thickness: Nearly all the plasma cutters can easily cut 1/4” steel.  The selection gets slimmer when you start going over 3/8” and well over 1/2” thick steel.  As the steel gets thicker, you will need to drag your torch a bit slower to get a quality cut.  The alternative to a slow cut is using a grinder afterward for cleanup.

Power Supply Requirements: You need to know your electrical capacity in your home garage or shop.  Do you have 110v or 220v power?  If this is for home use, most breakers have only 15amp breakers.   We’ve suggest increasing the circuit to 20amp breakers to handle your plasma cutter and compressor.

Plasma Cutter Consumables: When making a purchase, you need to account for the cost of consumables.  The best budget plasma cutters tend to use more consumables vs $1000 machines.

Plasma Cutter Reviews Comparison Chart

In the plasma cutter reviews comparison chart, we are going to recommend the best cutters for welding in each category.

#1. Best Plasma Cutter for the Money – Hypertherm 088096 Powermax 30 AIR Hand System

The Hypertherm Powermax30 is considered the holy grail of plasma cutters.  It’s the best plasma cutter for the money for almost any type of metal.  The ergonomically shapes torch cuts through ¼ steel like butter.  Very portable plasma cutter with its integrated air compressor.  The integrated air compressor is less noisy than a traditional external compressor.  The Powermax 30 is a plasma arc cutting system that has consistent cutting by optimizing the airflow from its compressor.  It cuts up to 3/8 inch steel at 20 inches per minute and ½” at 10.  It’s plasma cutter consumables options allow the Powermax 30 more delicate and thicker cuts.  The versatility makes it a best plasma cutter for the money and be less expensive in the long run.

#2. Best Plasma Cutter for Home Use – Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter

The Lotos LTP5000D is the best plasma cutter for home use that clean cuts up to ½ inch of steel.  Many comparable home welders can cost up to 2-3 times more.  The LTP5000D is a compact lightweight machine that weighs only 26 pounds.

The Lotos LTP5000D doesn’t provide the same durability, performance and customer support as some of the more expensive professional welding machines.  On the other hand, it’s a great budget plasma cutter for half the price.  It will cut through steel, stainless, copper, aluminum, rusted and painted metals.  It will do a fine cut on thinner metals and a rougher cut on thicker metals.  In addition, the Lotos LTP5000D plasma consumables are very affordable.

The plasma cutter home use is best for ornamental metal work, plumbing, and auto repair.  It’s meant for a small job and not heavy duty metal jobs used for industrial.  Lotos, the manufacturer, offers free online tutorials.

#3. Best Cheap Plasma Cutter – PRIMEWELD Premium & Rugged 50A Air Inverter Plasma Cutter

The Primeweld Premium & Rugged 50A air inverter is the best cheap plasma cutter for under $500.  It weighs only 22.5 pounds making it a portable plasms cutter and lightweight.  The budget welder cuts through 3/8” metal like it’s butter.  The 50 Amp cuts up to ½” with a maximum severance thickness of ¾”.  The cheap Primeweld Cut50 plasma cutter comes with a generous 3-year manufacturer warranty that covers replacements and repairs.  It’s due voltage compatibility allows the machine to be used in a home garage or professional shop.

#4. Best Plasma Cutter with Built-In Compressor  – Hobart 500564 Airforce 12ci Plasma Cutter with Built-In Air Compressor

Portable plasma cutters have minimum air requirements.  They are air hungry machines.  If you have a Hobart plasma cutter for home use and not enough capacity, you will only be able to make short cuts.  If the compressor capacity reservoir is too small, then you run the risk of damage.  Instead of carrying around an air compressor and a plasma cutter, buy a combination of the two.

The Hobart 500564 AirForce 12ci is the best plasma cutter with built-in compressor.  The inverter design is powerful and lightweight.  It works best on 1/8 steel or less.  The thicker the steel the slower the speed.  It’s ideal for uncoated clean steel and 1/8 or less inches thick.  It’s one of the best welder plasma cutter combo machines with a built-in compressor.

#5. Best Plasma Cutter for CNC – Hypertherm Powermax45 XP

The best plasma cutter for CNC is the Hypertherm Powermax 45 XP.  It’s Duramax welding torch will easily cut through 5/8” steel, aluminum, and stainless steel.  It’s also consider one of the best inverter welder for the money with its built-in technology.

The controls on the Hypertherm Powermax 45 XP are easy and intuitive to operate.  The power control goes from 10 to 45.  With a single button, you can turn it on and off.  It also offers single buttons to change processes and power settings.  The settings allow for flush cutting, gouging, drag cutting, extended reach, and marking.  With its 20 foot cutting cord, it allowed you to roam around your shop with ease.

It’s one of the easiest plasma cutters to setup in a matter of a few steps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=184&v=okUq08eZZxU  It’s a lightweight plasma cutter with compact dimensions.  Compared to the Powermax 45 XP’s predecessor CNC plasma cutter for sale, the updated model is 14% lighter and produces more power.  The new 45 XP offers 7 consumable types and 11 torch styles where the competition typically has less than half.  In our reviews, it’s hands down one of the best invert welder for the money made in the USA.

#6. Best Plasma Cutter under $1000 – Razorweld JRWPC45LT Plasma Cutter

The Razorweld JRWPC45LT is the best plasma cutter under $1000 because it is small and extremely efficient.  At only 20.2 pounds, it’s one of the most portable single phase inverter cutting machines.  Easy to operate machine with a 20-45 amp dial to change cutting capacity.  It’s recommended for a maximum of ½ inch of steel with reports up to 5/8 inches.  The Razorweld comes with a generous 19.5 foot sure grip torch.  It uses s-45 plasma cutter consumables that get used up fast likely due to moist air.  It’s a factor when comparing the cost of plasma cutters.

#7. Best Plasma Cutter under $500 – 170 – Super Deal DC Inverter Plasma Cutter (CUT- 50)

The Super Deal DC Cut-50 is the best plasma cutter under $500.  With a bit of practice, the home hobbyist can make clean cuts with high cutting speeds.  It’s easy to use out of the box.  Maximum metal thickness suggested is 3/8” and maybe up to ½”.  It works fine on 110v but works better on 220v.

The Super Deal DC is lightweight at 22 pounds.  The Cut-50 consumables are inexpensive and affordable when factoring it’s total cost.  Not only is it the best plasma cutter under $500 but it’s less than half the price.

#8. Lotos Plasma Cutter Reviews – Lotos LT5000D Plasma Cutter

The Lotos LT5000D plasma cutter reviewed has impressive cutting performance.  It has a strong exterior for industrial and construction jobs.  It’s considered a best value plasma cutter with its terrific features.  Features include: requires low maintenance, less cleaning, reduces release of dangerous gases, operates quietly, and smooth cuts.

The Lotos torch is designed for a professional or DIY welder to work in tight spaces.  Compared to other DC plasma cutters, the LT5000D cuts quicker and more efficient.  It’s maximum rated clean cut thickness is 1/2” and maximum severance is 3/4”.  The LT5000D can cut alloy steel, mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper.  Some welders think this is one of the best Chinese plasma cutters.

The downside is the LT5000D plasma cutter consumables are expensive.  Compared to other high end cutters, the Lotos plasma cutter consumables burn up quicker.

#9. Thermal Dynamics Plasma Cutter -Victor Thermal Dynamics 1-3835-1F Drag-Gun Plus Plasma System

The Victor Thermal Dynamics Plasma Cutter 1-3835-1F is the most expensive machine reviewed on our site.  Though, unlike most of the plasma cutter reviews, this welder comes with a built-in air compressor.  A built-in compressor adds value to the total price when accounting for consumables.  The manufacturers recommended cutting capacity is ½ inch thick.

Though the Victor Thermal Dynamics Plasma Cutter is only 11 inches x 10.5 inches.  But, the plasma welding machine, torch, power cable, and leads weigh 76 pounds in total.  Wow, that’s heavy!  The 1-3835-1F is not the best portable plasma cutter reviewed weighing over 75 pounds.

The best welding cart we recommended is the Hot Max WC100 plasma cutter cart for the heavy unit.

Best Plasma Cutter Reviews Conclusion

Plasma cutters are used on different types of metals including steel, steel alloy, stainless steel, copper, and aluminum.  The specifications vary from price to consumables to weight.  Consider your needs when purchasing a plasma cutter for home use or professional welding.

Buying the best welding gloves is important because welding is one of the most dangerous jobs in construction.  There are over 500,000 welders in the United States work force.

There is a tremendous amount of heat required to put together two-pieces of metal.  While your welding helmet protects your eyes from burning, you also need to protect your hands and arms from the high heat burns, splattering molten fragments, and sparks.  Electrical shocks from the cable coming from the electrical supply is another reason to wear the best insulated work gloves for protection.  Wearing the right types of welding gloves, wearing protective equipment, and staying dry will prevent most accidents.

Please comment below if you have any questions.

Additional Plasma Cutter Review Questions

Best place to buy a cheap plasma cutter for sale?  Who has a good return policy?

The answer to both is Amazon.com.  They will carry a cnc plasma cutter for sale with Prime shipping and a fair return policy.  We have found the speed of delivery with the best budget plasma cutters for sale to be terrific.  You are taking a risk buying a used cnc plasma cutter for sale on eBay.com.  Even if you buy it from a reputable seller and with a credit card, you may have a long fight with your credit card company and the seller proving the machine was defective.  Plus, your used plasma welding machine may already be past the warranty expiration date.

Who makes the best plasma cutter?

There are many different welding machine manufacturers and it’s hard to pick a single one.  In our reviews, we tend to like the welding machines made in the USA.  I would recommend a cheaper Chinese plasma welder for home use and less frequency.  In comparing the plasma cutter reviews, we definitely think there is a welder for all budgets and all jobs.  There is a value to be had based on your particular needs.

What is the best welding cart?

Our recommended best welding cart is the Hot Max WC100 plasma cutter cart.  It turns a heavy unit into a portable welder.  The 34.5 pound heavy duty steel cart has a strong handle and two hooks for your power cord and torch tubing.  The welding cart wheels are 6 inch leads with 2.5 inch castors.  The large cart wheels make it easy to move around your shop and work area.  The Hot Max WC100 welding cart doesn’t have drawers for plasma cutter accessories but it does have an extra storage tray.

What’s the best plasma welding table for the money?

We recommend the Metal Man FWTD Deluxe Folding Weld Table for its price and portability.  The work surface is 36” x 20” and has folding legs for storage or put in a work truck.  A thoughtful feature is the removable debris tray in the middle for easy cleanup.  You can buy a better plasma cutter table for sale but they cost anywhere from $500 to thousands of dollars.  To be fair, the Metal Man is the best plasma welding table for the money.

Who sells the best plasma cutter accessories for the price?

In our experience, Amazon.com has been a terrific source for plasma cutter accessories.  Many of the items are prime delivery with competitive pricing.  They sell accessories like nozzles, safety glasses, plasma tips, air filter for plasma cutters, welding pliers, and other plasma consumables.  Click here for a list of plasma cutter accessories.