The Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Non-Touch Plasma Cutter is our best plasma cutter and it is capable of dual voltage at 110 volts and 220 volts. So far, it can make a 1/2 inch clean cut and it is capable of cutting through aluminum, mild steel, alloy steel, copper, stainless steel and others using compressed air that is non-hazardous for its plasma cutting capability. It also reduces slag and efficiently cuts even on rusty surfaces, painted surfaces or rough surfaces using its pilot arc torch.
Top Pick: Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Non-Touch Plasma Cutter
Our step-up pick is the Lotos LTPDC2000D Plasma Cutter Pilot Arc and this plasma cutter runs at 50 amps. Being a dual voltage plasma cutter, it also acts as a TIG and stick welder other than being a plasma cutter. It uses pilot arc technology and it also has a 150 inches torch cable and a 70 inches power cable.
The budget pick is the EVERLAST PowerARC 140amp Lift Start Welder and aside from being a plasma cutter, it can also function as a TIG and stick welder with IGBT. It is capable of dual voltage at 120 volts and 220 volts and it uses DINSE 25 mm style connectors to give you a hassle-free connection. In addition, the DC TIG has a lift start setting for welding steel and stainless steel. Likewise, the 17V series also has a built-in torch handle on the manual gas valve. It is capable of processing DC GTAW and SMAW and it runs at 140 amps.
A Little Background
A plasma cutter is a step further when it comes to welding and cutting operations. Some people find it as one of the most convenient ways of welding, cutting and working on metal projects, whether it is a home DIY or for industrial use. Plasma cutting is no doubt a great investment to consider.
Oxy-fuel cutters can be widely dangerous when operated in an unsafe environment. Oxy-fuel cutters might accidentally start fires when not used properly due to the fact that the use highly flammable gas as fuel for welding and cutting. This kind of danger is eliminated with the plasma cutter, as it only uses safe and reliable and almost non-flammable material for cutting metals.
Plasma cutting saves you time and effort. They can cut at a very fast rate as compared to traditional welders and cutters so this will save you more time in the long run and give you more productivity. It also requires almost minimal effort as compared to regular cutters and cutting technology, as you only have to operate and run it smoothly.
In addition, plasma cutting also allows for a more precise operation. Plasma cutters are designed for high precision, hence their price and power. They are used when it comes to delivering high quality results and professional work.
Despite being expensive, hobbyists and professionals still seek the convenience of a plasma cutter. Plasma cutters are considered the priciest in the line of welding and cutting equipment. However, if you are very serious about your job or your DIY metalwork then you should consider getting a plasma cutter for all your meticulous and hassle-free needs.
How We Picked
A plasma cutter should have great cutting power. Look for its efficiency and other specs when judging and picking the best plasma cutter out there. The reason why you picked a plasma cutter over an oxy-fuel cutter is that it is a big investment for power and speed.
Specs such as duty cycle, max cutting thickness and voltage must be considered when buying a plasma cutter. You should at least know any of these before buying any plasma cutter, so you can compare between the products that you are currently choosing from.
Know which types of metal can be cut by the plasma cutter. Most plasma cutters are designed to cut just about any metal around the 1/2 inch thickness scale. It works mostly on aluminum, stainless steel, alloy steel, mild steel, copper and many others.
Do know its air consumption and pressure requirements. Since plasma cutters require an air compressor, you need to know its air consumption measured at CFM and the required pressure measured in PSI.
Know if it comes with all the needed accessories and consumables. Of course, a plasma cutter is not complete without a package of consumables, unless it is extremely cheap and clearly states that it is a cutter only product.
Our Pick
Top Pick: Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Non-Touch Plasma Cutter
The Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Non-Touch Plasma Cutter is our best plasma cutter and it is highly capable of cutting through aluminum, mild steel, alloy steel, copper, stainless steel and others using compressed that is non-hazardous for its plasma cutting capability. With this plasma cutter, you can easily make a 1/2 inch clean cut and it is also capable of dual voltage at 110 volts and 220 volts.
The plasma cutter also greatly reduces slag and efficiently cuts even on rusty surfaces, painted surfaces or rough surfaces using its pilot arc torch. The Lotos LTP5000D Cutter has a maximum thickness of cutting at 1/2 inch. Adding to that, its maximum severance thickness is at 3/4 inch and it runs at 50 amps of power.
The Lotos Cutter comes with everything you need such as the plasma torch, air hose connections, an air regulator, an air hose, and a ground clamp and cable. When it comes to power, it runs at either 50 or 60 Hz of power on either 110V or 220V. When it comes to efficiency, it uses a MOSFET transistor to uniformly cut through thin metal and even cut through thick metal. When it comes to technology, it comes with IGBT power drive matrix with an integrated pilot arc function.
When it comes to its unique feature, it uses an advanced German PAPST cooling system. As a matter of fact, the technology it uses greatly reduces the weight of this plasma cutting device and it is also very applicable for most DIY and business use or professional use. When it comes to accessories, it comes with 2 air hose clamps and 2 air hose couplers.
Likewise, the plasma torch already comes with installed electrode, cup and nozzle. Overall efficiency is increased up to 30 percent due to its switch power inverter technology. The Lotos Non-Touch Plasma Cutter has an air consumption of about 3.6 CFM at 60 to 70 PSI.
Flaws but Not Dealbrakers
The only thing to slightly worry about the Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Non-Touch Plasma Cutter is that it is not meant for cutting material with a thickness of above 3/16, as it is only meant for smaller DIY projects.
Step-up Pick
Lotos LTPDC2000D Plasma Cutter Pilot Arc
The Lotos LTPDC2000D Plasma Cutter Pilot Arc which uses pilot arc technology is our step-up pick and it is a dual voltage plasma cutter which runs at 50 amps. Additionally, it also acts as a TIG and stick welder other than being a plasma cutter and it has a 150 inches torch cable and a 70 inches power cable.
The work piece cable has a length of 80 inches. The Lotos Cutter Pilot Arc also acts as a multi-functional plasma cutter and it can cut 1/2 inch of different types of materials. As for the measurement, the stick holder cable has a length of 80 inches.
With this plasma cutter, the air flow cable spans at 108 inches. On its additional features, as a TIG welder, it runs at 200 amps DC and as a stick welder, it also runs at 200 amps. It is greatly designed for DIY welders and professional operators as it combines the expertise of plasma cutting and stick welding and TIG welding and weighs 43 lbs overall.
Its plasma cutting gas supply requires a dry and clean air supply that is oil-free and it is highly applicable for cutting and welding mild steel and stainless steel and able to cut aluminum and similar metals. You need dry and clean oil-free argon for the TIG welding function. As it is double voltage, you can run it for 110 volts or 220 volts.
The Lotos LTPDC2000D Pilot Arc can also accept a 5/32 size electrode and it also has an output current of 10 to 50 amps for cutting and 15 to 200 amps for welding. The plasma cutter has a duty cycle of 60 percent at 50 amps for cutting and also 60 percent at 200 amps for welding and it is currently backed by a 1 year warranty for your convenience.
Budget Pick
EVERLAST PowerARC 140amp Lift Start Welder
Our budget pick is the EVERLAST PowerARC 140amp Lift Start Welder which is capable of processing DC GTAW and SMAW. Aside from being a plasma cutter, it can also function as a TIG and stick welder with IGBT. Furthermore, the DC TIG has a lift start setting for welding steel and stainless steel. This plasma cutter runs at 140 amps and is also capable of dual voltage at 120 volts and 220 volts.
In addition, the 17V series also has a built-in torch handle on the manual gas valve and it uses DINSE 25 mm style connectors to give you a hassle-free connection. The EVERLAST PowerARC has a max output of 85 amps on 120 volts.
The plasma cutter has a duty cycle of 35 percent, making it industry standard and indeed, it has a very portable build and easy to carry. It also has low power consumption and its DC arc is smooth and stable.
The EVERLAST PowerARC Start Welder comes with an automatic hot start feature that reduces sticking of electrode. When it comes to power, at 120 volts, it has a 100 amp max output. In addition to that, it also has a lift TIG feature. This welder cutter comes with everything you need such as a 17V series TIG torch, a stick electrode holder and a cable, a 6 feet work clamp and cable, a plastic carrying case that is high impact and a wire brush for cleaning. The rods best used for this welder are sized 3/32 inch.
Plasma Cutter with Free Mask
Super Deal Plasma Cutter 50AMP Inverter
The Super Deal Plasma Cutter 50AMP Inverter is a plasma cutter that comes with a wide variety of accessories which runs at 50 amps and it is capable of dual voltage at 110 volts and 220 volts. The main fuse used is 16A / 22A. Its protection class is rated IP21S and the insulation class is rated F.
In addition to that, the Plasma Cutter by Super Deal has an efficiency of 85 percent and a 60 percent duty cycle for the plasma cutter and it has a no-load voltage of 230 volts. It is able to cut materials with a thickness of 1 to 12 mm and it efficiently runs at 60 Hz on either voltage at 3.5 / 4.8 KVA.
Furthermore, the plasma cutter features a pressure reducing valve and it has a current range from 20 amps to 50 amps. When you order, the package comes with an earth clamp, the LG-40 cutting torch, 2 hoops, 2 gas pipe claspers, a PG head, 2 plasma tips, an air regulator, a chipping hammer (wire brush), a welding face mask, goggles and a pressure reducing valve. It also works with around 10 to 15 lbs of air pressure but a bigger air compressor would be better.
Best Multi-Process Plasma Cutter
Missyee Portable Air Plasma Cutter 50AMP
The Missyee Portable Air Plasma Cutter 50AMP can cut stainless steel, mild steel, copper, alloy steel and most color metals as it runs at 50 amps. It already comes with 2 gas diffusers ad 2 shield cups as it is a plasma cutter that will be worth your investment for any project which also includes 2 tips and 2 electrodes.
Being capable of clean cuts, this is a multi-process welder which runs at 220 volts. It efficiently cuts at a significantly higher speed compared to most plasma cutters and it uses DC output and a soft switch. In addition, it uses feedback control technology to keep the inverter precision constant with its current.
It also produces a smooth and narrow kerf as well as a steady and intensive arc and it is highly adaptable to any electricity power grid. This plasma cutter stable cutting current and is a single phase at 50 / 60 Hz. It has a no-load voltage of 250 volts. A total of 25 amps of power is drawn from a 50 amp cut. So far, it cuts 3 inches per minute for 1 inch steel and 3/4 inch thick steel can be cut at 7 inches per minute. With this plasma cutter, your cutting is at 17 inches per minute on a 1/2 inch thickness of steel. It has also been certified by ISO9002 CE and CCC. At a 40 amp cut, it has a 100 percent duty cycle and a 60 percent duty cycle at 50 amps.
The Missyee Portable 50AMP has a power factor of 0.93 and it comes with a user’s manual, air regulator with bracket, a ground clamp, cutting torch and the plasma cutter itself. It requires at least 60 to 75 PSI with an air consumption of 4.5 CFM.
Plasma Cutter with Digital Display
SUNGOLDPOWER CUT50 Digital Display Plasma Cutter
Being completely reliable, waterproof and very safe to use, the SUNGOLDPOWER CUT50 Digital Display Plasma Cutter has an intensive arc and it is complete and comes with accessories. The plasma cutter runs at 110 volts at 50 amps and it produces no noise and is very energy efficient.
As it is a plasma cutter that will surely give you efficiency on your welding and cutting, the plasma cutter by SUNGOLDPOWER cuts very smoothly and at a high speed and it does not require polishing. It also uses a soft switch MOSFET inverter and it uses a DC output.
The front panel air pressure gauge is very easy to read and it conveniently comes with a digital LCD display for easier reading. It is also very resistant to interference and has a very stable cutting current and arc. The current regulation is continuous and the power supply capacity is at 5.4 kVA. Moreover, its maximum cutting thickness is from 1 to 15 mm.
The plasma cutter has a duty cycle of 60 percent with an efficiency of 85 percent and it has an air pressure of 0.5 MPa. It has been graded F for its insulation capability and it has a rated input current of 24 amps. It also has an output voltage of 102 volts while the power frequency is from 50 to 60 Hz.
In addition, the SUNGOLDPOWER CUT50 uses a touch arc striking model and it has a no-load voltage of 230 volts. In addition, it has a protection grade of IP 21 S and it includes a 10 feet plasma cutting torch and an earth clamp. Moreover, it includes 5 tips, 5 electrodes 5 rings and 5 cups and it comes with an air regulator and a gas hose.
Plasma Cutter with Free Case
Hypertherm 088079 Powermax30 XP Plasma System
The Hypertherm 088079 Powermax30 XP Plasma System comes with free 15 feet lead and a hard case and it is a plasma cutter that will cater professionals with high standards. You can easily and automatically adapts to either 110 volts or 240 volts of input power due to its auto-voltage feature.
Furthermore, it also includes other accessories such as a shoulder strap, welding and cutting consumables, gloves, fine cut consumables and eye shields and it comes with plug adapters. It is proven to be highly resistant to impact and heat.
In addition to that, it also has a comfortable grip when it comes to the torch design and you can get more detailed cutting for thin metal as this plasma cutter can cut up to 16 mm or 5/8 inch material, which makes it pricey. It also has an easy to use one knob interface while the edge preparation is less of your concern due to its superior cutting quality.
Being light weight at only 9.8 kg, the Hypertherm XP Plasma System is very safe to use as it only depends on compressed air, eliminating the need for explosive gases. It runs at 30 amps and it cuts most materials such as mild steel, aluminum and stainless steel. It also has 2 metal wheels, a rotating torch cap holder and adjustable axles and it also includes 4 suction cups for non-metals, a magnetic base, a center and pin holder and an arm measuring 11 inches.
Overall, the Powermax30 XP Plasma System can perform plasma cutting circles up to 20 inches in diameter with its Circle Cutting Guide. Its air consumption is about 3 to 3.5 CFM.
TIG and Stick Welding Plasma Cutter
Primeweld Ct520d 50 Amps Plasma Cutter
As it is a plasma cutter that is very convenient to carry around, the Primeweld Ct520d 50 Amps Plasma Cutter acts both as a TIG welder and stick welder other than being a plasma cutter. The plasma cutting is rated at 50 amps while stick welding is at 200 amps and TIG welding is also at 200 amps.
It has an input power frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz while the power efficiency is at 85 percent. It has a duty cycle of 60 percent on all processes at max amps while it weighs only 32 lbs and very light weight. It can cut most 1/2 inch thickness of steel or metal and you only need an air compressor for this to work. So far, the Primeweld Ct520d Cutter is backed by a 1 year warranty.
Clean Cut Plasma Cutter
PRIMEWELD 50A Air Inverter Plasma Cutter
The PRIMEWELD 50A Air Inverter Plasma Cutter is able to perform clean cuts at 1/2 inch max cutting thickness. It is a plasma cutter that will surely be useful for your projects which has a max severance thickness of 3/4 inch. With this cutter, you don’t need to worry about voltage as it is not just dual voltage and dual frequency but also automatic, switching between 110 volt and 220 volts at 50 Hz or 60 Hz and it mostly cuts stainless steel, copper, mild steel, alloy steel, aluminum and similar metals.
Being rated 50 amps, this plasma cutter gives you less worry about maintenance, cleaning and fire hazards that traditional gas welders might give. In addition to its design, it has a low profile torch head that is fitting for most tight spots. It uses high frequency DC to cut though the thickest of material and the plasma cutter is at high frequency for cutting without much distortion for professional results.
With this plasma cutter, it uses MOSFET transistors for cutting thick metal by providing a high power and steady output as well as for thin metal cutting. The input voltage and current are at 110 to 220 volts 1-phase and it has an output current of 20 amps (10 to 50 amps). Furthermore, its duty cycle is at 60% at 40 degrees Celsius at 50 amps, both on 110 volts and 220 volts.
The Plasma Cutter by PRIMEWELD 5Air Inverter has a light weight of only 22 lbs and it requires only oil-free and dry air. The flow rate pressure is about 3.6 SCFM at 65 PSI and the length of the power cable is 6 feet. In terms of cutting capability, its max cutting thickness for stainless steel at 50 amps is 1/2 inches as well as in aluminum. When you order, it comes with the cutting torch, a ground clamp and cable at 3 prong and 9 feet long, a 6 feet air regulator and filter, 6 air hose connections that regulate 0 to 150 PSI, 2 couplers air hose and 4 clamps. The plasma cutter is backed by a 1 year warranty.
Best Dual Voltage Plasma Cutter
LONGEVITY Forcecut 40D Pilot-Arc Plasma Cutter
Being dual voltage at 110 volts and 220 volts using the power plug switch, the LONGEVITY Forcecut 40D Pilot-Arc Plasma Cutter is a plasma cutter fit for just about any job and it can cut 1/2 inch thickness of steel on 220 volts.
On 110 volts, it can cut as much as 1/4 inch thickness of steel as the plasma cutter is rated 40 amps. It comes with a digital display for fine tuning as well as an air adjustment and you can get cleaner cuts compared to an oxy-fuel torch. It is usable on most metals, aluminum and more and it uses air compressor for fuel source. You can save your budget on low price consumables.
It has a 35 percent duty cycle. The air compressor pressure recommended is around 45 to 65 PSI. Backed by a 1 year warranty, the LONGEVITY Forcecut 40D is a great plasma cutter to consider.
The Competition
Plasma cutters that did not make it to our list did not meet standards set by most welders, cutters and DIY or on the job people, and may be too expensive for their budget. We only picked the best plasma cutters here in our list.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the benefits of plasma cutting in general?
A: According to RobotWorx , they cut efficiently at a very high speed, ranging up to 500 inches per minute and they are very economical when it comes down to cost of operations and are more practical than water-jet cutting or laser cutting.
In addition to that, plasma cutters are very user-friendly when it comes to operation. Moreover, plasma cutters are also able to do multitasking without messing up your work. There is absolutely no need to worry about material thickness and type as a plasma cutter can do a variety of materials without worrying about quality being compromised.
One thing you need to know about plasma cutting is that the materials being cut by plasma cutters stay cool which prevents them from warping and getting paint damage. Furthermore, plasma cutting eliminates the risk of fire hazards and explosive gas fuels.
Q: How advantageous is plasma cutting over oxyfuel when it comes down to manual cutting?
A: According to MicroStep plasma cutters can pierce through any material in less than 2 seconds as compared to about 30 seconds, on oxyfuel.
In addition to that, the cutting speed is nearly 12 times faster than oxyfuel when you use plasma cutting, leading to higher productivity. Moreover, the quality of the cut is also advantageous over oxyfuel when you consider plasma cutting. This is why most industrial people will definitely invest on a plasma cutter for precision and for speed for higher productivity.
Furthermore, plasma cutting can also work on a wider range of materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, copper, mild steel and others and it is a great buy when it comes down to metalwork and variety of materials to cut and weld. Moreover, oxyfuel uses high pressure flammable gas, which can be unsafe for work environments – plasma cutting eliminates this hazard by using only safe plasma heating.
Overall, plasma cutting can save you more money than oxyfuel cutting.
Wrapping It Up
As a whole, the Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Non-Touch Plasma Cutter is our best plasma cutter for all your DIY metal work or industrial needs where you will need speed and precision.
Jen Miller is a former electrical engineer and product specialist with more than 20 years of product design and testing experience. She has designed more than 200 products for Fortune 500 companies, in fields ranging from home appliances to sports gear and outdoor equipment. She founded Jen Reviews to share her knowledge and critical eye for what makes consumers tick, and adopts a strict no-BS approach to help the reader filter through the maze of products and marketing hype out there. She writes regularly and has been featured on Forbes, Fast Company, The Muse, The Huffington Post, Tiny Buddha and MindBodyGreen.