For construction workers & many DIY enthusiasts and artists, a plasma cutter is a must tool to own. There was a time when plasma cutters were gigantic machines that were impractical for home use. But now with the advancement of technology, they have become lighter and compact enough to keep in your garage. Choosing the best one for your specific needs may require hours of research, web surfing, and product evaluation. To spare you the trouble, we have done that for you and came up with a list of the best plasma cutters brands.
What is a plasma cutter?
A plasma cutter is a device that uses high temperatures, and electrical channels of ionized gas to cut through various types of metals. For example, steel, copper, brass, aluminum, etc. They can generate temperatures of up to 45,000 degrees Fahrenheit provided that they are supplied with enough power. Plasma cutters are much safer and more efficient than alternative cutting methods. But they are quite expensive as well. Of course, they do pay off in the long run which makes them the best choice for anyone who needs metal cutting equipment.
How to choose the best plasma cutter brands?
Before you go to the list of best plasma cutters brands reviews, you must know what to look for in a plasma cutter. There are various properties of a plasma cutter that should be evaluated before making a purchase.
Type: There are plasma cutters of all shapes, sizes, and levels of power in the market. So, choosing the right one depends on the nature of your work. Plasma cutters can cut through almost all kinds of metals. So, the material you work with is not important.
But what is important is the frequency at which you use the cutter, whether you are using it for professional or personal use, or are you using it for cutting thick or thin metals. For occasional and light-duty use a fairly non-expensive cutter will get the job done. But, for serious use, you should be checking out more advanced models.
Rated Output: When using a plasma cutter, the results will depend on the maximum power output. The higher the power output, the higher the generated temperature. This will result in cutting faster, easier and cleaner.
Cutting speed: The cutting speed of a plasma cutter is rated by IPM or inches per minute. This determines the speed at which one can properly cut through a metal sheet of a certain thickness. Evaluating this is very important as a plasma cutter with a high IPM will greatly enhance your workflow.
Duty Cycle: This is another important property of a plasma cutter you must check before buying. The duty cycle of determines how long the plasma can continuously run within ten minutes before overheating at a certain amount of supplied power.
For example, a duty cycle of 240V – 50% means the plasma cutter can run for 5 minutes at 240 volts continuously without overheating. After that, it needs 5 minutes to cool down before being used again.
1. Lotos Plasma Cutter Under $500
LOTOS is a light-duty plasma cutter for home users and DIY enthusiasts. It is like a slightly cut-down version of the LTP8000. But LOTOS LTP5000D is no slouch. It is compact, lightweight, durable, and comes with multiple useful and innovative features that make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to buy a plasma cutter on a budget. It has all the features we’ve previously discussed while reviewing the LOTOS LTP8000 at a much lower price.
The only difference is that it has a maximum output of 50 amps DC and it is much lighter at 22.5 lbs. So, if you are looking for portability or just not interested in paying a premium for that extra power then the LOTOS LTP5000D is perfect for you. LOTOS LTP5000D is super compact with a dimension of only 15 x 6 x 12 inches. It is also very lightweight at 22.5 lbs. This means it is easy to store and carry around making it great for jobs that require a portable device.
2. Best For high-budget- Hobart Airforce
Hobart brand is well known for its quality products among welders. And the Hobart Airforce 40i is an example of their reliability and quality. It is one of the company’s most powerful models. It promises fast and efficient cutting with incredible reliability at a compact form factor that makes this plasma cutter the perfect device for both personal and professional use. It has a decent maximum cutting speed of 9 IPM on 5/8-inch-thick steel. At full bore, the device has a duty cycle of 50% which is no less than impressive. Hobart Airforce 40i promises clean cuts with narrow kerf and minimum required clean-up.
The XT40R Torch is designed for increased ergonomics, trigger safety, more efficient cooling, and cheap replacement cutting tips. It allows you to cut expanded or perforated metals and even painted or coated surfaces, without the need for retriggering the torch. This greatly reduces the hassle of cutting metal. The cooling fans operate only when cooling is needed. Reduces power consumption and the number of contaminants drawn into the plasma cutter.
3. Miller Electric
Other best plasma cutters brands. If you are doing light construction work or just small DIY projects then the Miller Electric X-treme is perfect for you. It is quite lightweight at only 21 lbs. Making it a highly flexible and portable plasma cutter that can be easily moved from one work site to another. Besides that, it is also very well built which allows it to withstand long hours of work. A very powerful & compact 40 amps plasma cutter can cut through 5/8-inch steel with ease with an IPM of 15.
This is more than enough for most personal uses. It comes with a 3 years warranty. The XT40 torch comes with a unique handle with a no-slip grip and a thumb guide. Finger contours to prevent slipping and provide maximum comfort of use. 12 ft long cord adds an extra level of versatility that makes using the torch a breeze. The Auto Line circuitry allows automatic connections to 120–240 VAC. Single-phase power, 50/60 Hertz, without the need for removing the covers for relinking the power source.
4. Primeweld Automatic Dual Voltage Plasma Cutter
The PRIMEWELD Premium & Rugged 50A Air Inverter Plasma Cutter is an affordable solution to your metal cutting needs. At 22.5 lbs. It is super light to carry around. Also, you are getting a highly reliable plasma cutter with three years of warranty without paying a premium. This plasma cutter is made in the USA and promises great durability which is reflected by its long warranty.
Their digital inverter plasma cutter can cut through most metals up to half-inch thick with pinpoint precision. With DC inverter technology this plasma cutter can easily convert DC to AC. This plays a part in the plasma cutter’s lightweight. It supports dual voltages 110 V and 220 V. This means you can use this plasma cutter in various locations without the worry of carrying a converter.
5. Lotos 35Amp Under $300
The LOTOS LT3500 plasma cutter is the cheapest on this list. If you are on a tight budget then this is as low as it gets. But cheap doesn’t necessarily mean a bad product. The LOTOS LT3500 has adequate cut capacity for DIY enthusiasts and light users. It’s very lightweight and super compact making it the most portable plasma cutter on this list. This cutter needs only 110 V to run.
This means it can easily connect to your wall outlet. That does not need extra equipment to run, making this plasma cutter perfect for home users. The plasma cutter is very easy to set up. LOTOS ensures that you can set it up and start working within 1 minute. The price is very affordable. You can try to use it.