Best Plasma Cutters – Reviews & Buyers Guide

Plasma cutting technology has had significant improvement in recent years. Previously plasma cutters were known as huge clunky welding machines, but nowadays there is a category known as portable plasma cutters (which is what we will be covering today). The modern-day portable plasma cutter is perfect for professionals who need to be able to transport their tools as well as hobbyists who like to be able to use their tools, and then once the project is complete get the tools out sight and out of mind. This post will outline for you what to look for when purchasing a plasma cutter as well as review the machines known as the best plasma cutters on the market today.

Our comparisons below will be covering details and just about everything you need to know for quality plasma cutter reviews to help in your buying decisions.

These are the plasma cutters that will be reviewed. 

Plasma CutterCustomer ReviewsEditor RatingRecommended Usage
Lotos LTP5000D Pilot Arc
4.8 / 5 Stars DIYer, Light business jobs
Lotos LTP5000D
4.7 / 5 Stars DIYer, Light business jobs
Ramsond CUT
4.6 / 5 Stars DIYer, Light business jobs
Hypotherm Powermax 45
4.39 / 5 Stars DIYer, Light jobs, industrial jobs
Miller Spectrum 375
5 / 5 Stars DIYer, Light business jobs

What criteria do you use to judge a plasma cutter?

Amperage

The amperage of the machine is the features that dictates the thickness of the material that it can cut. Something to keep in mind when we say this is that the amperage dictates the thickness in the upper limit that the welder can cut. Another thing to keep in mind when deciding on the amperage of the welder is the level of neatness that you would like your cut to have. If you want a cleaner cut, it’s probably best that you choose a cutter that has a lower amperage and vice versa for those with a higher amperage.

Price

The price of the item is an extremely important indicator to the overall quality of the plasma cutter as well. While it may not be true for all Plasma Cutters (or any item for that matter) the price will indicate to you how high quality the item is.

Cutting ability and performance

As with any machine, not all welders are created equally. Some have a higher cutting ability than others. In addition to this, not all Plasma Cutters are made with the ability to cut all material types. A vast majority of the cutting performance of a plasma cutter depends on the machines amperage, a quality that will be discussed in more depth below.

Duty cycle

The duty cycle of the Plasma Cutter is the amount of time the welder can operate without overheating. While the duty cycle may not be a major part of our review, it is definitely a necessary piece to know to make an informed decision on which machine is the best for your needs.

What are the types of Plasma Cutters? 

Semi-Portable Plasma Cutter

A plasma cutter that weighs below 100 lbs is one that is likely to be highly portable. These machines are best if you have sheets of metal that are below an inch thick and that can be cut in both the out and indoors.

Heavy Duty Plasma Cutter

Heavy Duty Plasma cutters are good if you have metal that’s between 1 and 1.5 inches thick. If you don’t see yourself cutting incredibly thick metals then it is probably best that you get a semi-portable plasma cutter.

Inverter-type Plasma Cutter

The longevity of this model is it’s saving grace. Inverter type plasma cutters are great because they don’t require their consumables to be replaced as often as other plasma cutters. The flow of plasma in inverter plasma cutters allow them to be a bit more consistent and make them a great choice for anyone seeking to lower their costs in the long run.

Plasma Cutter Reviews

Lotos LTP5000D Pilot Arc & Lotos LT5000D

Lotos LTP5000D Pilot Arc & Lotos LT5000D Best plasma cutters reviews

Catching us off guard as the best portable plasma cutter is the Lotos LTP5000D, it’s one of the cheapest if not the cheapest portable plasma cutter on the marketing, and it’s know to be extremely easy to use while producing top of the quality plasma cuts. This feedback tells us not to necessarily equate price to value in this case.

It’s a perfect low-cost option for hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers, and it even is well suited for light professional usage, however, this is probably not the option you want to use on heavy industrial cuts. It has a severance thickness of 3 /4 inch or 19mm and works best with an ideal material cut thickness of half-inch (this helps put it into perspective as to why we don’t recommend it for heavy duty usage). It has the option to come with or without a pilot arc depending on what you need, a cool and unique feature.

Featuring an input of 110/220 volts with up to 50amp it packs quite a punch in its 22.5 lbs frame. A one-year satisfaction warranty keeps your purchase safe and assures you that if anything fails or goes wrong, Lotos is there to cover their project. In terms of portability options, it’s a lightweight machine that you can carry with two hands or you can also use the attached folding handle for one-handed carry.

Downsides to this unit are it does not come with a trigger guard for the torch and it also does not come with a 110v pigtail (which needs to be purchased separately). Other than that it’s a solid pick for your need.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Designed for DIYers and professionals

Cons

  • Only a 1-year satisfaction warranty
  • Does not come with a trigger guard

Ramsond CUT 50DX 50  Portable Air Plasma Cutter 

Ramsond CUT 50DX 50  Portable Air Plasma Cutter Best plasma cutters reviews

A budget-conscious option plasma cutter, it is capable of cutting stainless steel, copper, brass, aluminum plate, carbon steel, and even alloy steel. It’s an all-around well-suited product. Perfect for your at home projects or dads side gigs, it’s also a solid option for the plasma cutting business owner and can fulfill it’s job on heavy duty and industrial jobs just as well as it can the DIYer projects.

A built-in air pressure gauge with built-in digital display makes it very easy to see the Ramsond CUT 50DY doing its job successfully or not. It’s capable of cutting objects up to three-quarters inch thick with a severance of up to 1 inch thick.

It’s an advanced unit with a very fair price and power that is incomparable to within its price range for a portable option. It’s a safe buy and something you’re bound to be happy with.

Pros

  • Dual voltage
  • 60% duty cycle

Cons

  • Hard plastic line to connect air regulator
  • Iffy customer support

Hypertherm Powermax 45

This incredibly lightweight Plasma Cutter us one of the best cutters that you will likely see in a long time. The Hypertherm Powermax 45 weighs in at around 37 lbs making it a good choice for those who would need something that they could carry around – it’s highly portable. The straightforward design of this cutter means that it isn’t very difficult to understand the controls, making it a perfect machine for those who are a bit newer to these machines. The Hypertherm powermax features 3 different modes; Continuous pilot arc, Non-continuous pilot arc, gouging. Again, it’s a very simple thing to switch between each of these three modes because of their blatant markings.

Video credits to Miller Welders. It explains what gouging is in relation to plasma cutting.

In addition to the different switch modes on the machine, there is also an amperage control feature that you can adjust based on the thickness of the material that you would like to cut. This Plasma Cutter is built for performance and has a relatively simple design. This makes it the perfect machine for those who would like to get a bang for their buck.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Simple Controls

Cons

  • N/A

Miller Spectrum 375

The Miller Spectrum is great for those who are seeking to cut midrange (3/8 inch) steel. It has the capacity for 30 amps and can cut through a variety of different types of steel.  The spectrum features a multi-voltage plug that allows it to easily switch between 120 and 240V. The cut rating associated with this machine is about 3/8 inch at 18 IPM meaning that you will always have a smooth cut at 18 inches per minute. This makes the Miller spectrum ideal for use during fabrication, HVAC and maintenance applications.

The Miller Spectrum also features Auto-Line technology that allows it to easily adapt to a wide range of different voltages. Lastly, the ergonomic handle featured with this torch reduces the chances of you dropping the torch while also enhancing the overall feel of it during its use.

Pros

  • Portable design
  • Built to last
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Relatively expensive
  • Challenge to master
  • Doesn’t come with an air source

Lotos LTP5000D

The Lotos LTP5000D features a Pilot-Arc function that makes it a go to machine for those who are going to work with rusted deformed material. The Miller Spectrum 375 features an inverter power source that allows it to provide an incredibly high level of output while also maintaining a lightweight design. This machine is best for those who need something that maintains a lightweight design while maintaining a high level of functionality. Another feature that works incredibly well for most individuals is it’s inherently compact torch design.

Also, the Lotos LTP5000D is rated to cut up to 3/4” material which and can even give a decent cut for materials with a 5/8” thickness.

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • 110V or 220V amp
  • HAs inverter technology included

Cons

  • Short ground cable
  • Flimsy torch trigger

How do Plasma Cutters work?

Plasma Cutters send electric arc through a gas that passes through constricted openings. The type of gas used for plasma cutting varies with the type of metal you’re trying to cut but typically you’ll find the following gas mixes being used:

  • Air / Air
  • O2 / Air
  • Nitrogen / Air
  • Nitrogen / H2O
  • Argon Hydrogen / N2

The temperature of the gas then begins to turn into the 4th state of matter (aka plasma). As the metal that’s being cut is part of the circuit the electrical conductivity of the plasma causes the arc to transfer to the pieces being worked on.

The nozzle through which the gas passes through causes it to squeeze by at high speeds like air that passes through a venturi in a carburetor. The high speed of the gas allows it to cut through the molten metal and the gas is directed around the opening of the cutting area and shield the cut.

Video credits to WeldingProjects. It actually goes over how a plasma cutter works.


What specifications and qualities should I look for in a plasma cutter?

Below are a few questions one should ask themselves before they get a plasma cutter.

Does an inverter exist for plasma cutter?
What are the plasma cutters power specifications?
What is the plasma cutter amperage?
How many volts is the plasma cutter compatible with?
What metal thickness can the plasma cutter cut?
How quick can it cut through certain grades of metal? 
What kind of control capabilities does the plasma cutter come with?
What are the plasma cutters duty cycle specs? 
What materials are the plasma cutter made of? Will the materials require replacement over time?
How is the cut quality of the plasma cutter?
Does the plasma cutter come with an air compressor or do you need to purchase it separately?

Lotos MIG140 Review

The Lotos MIG140 if an extremely affordable MIG welding machine for beginners, producing a power output of 30A – 140A and the ability to process a duty cycle of 20% at 90A is happily capable of welding at an industrial performance level. The perfect unit for beginners and DIY’ers alike, it’s extremely versatile and easy to store away in your garage or home shop.

Lotos MIG140 Welder Review

Something not to forget about is that the Lotos MIG140 is also capable of handling flux-cored welding (something that many welding machines at this price range can’t do). Capable of welding multiple kinds of metals from 24 gauge to quarter inch thick sheet metal, stainless steel, aluminum. It also comes with an additional optional spool gun.

What kind of projects should the Lotos MIG140 be used for?
  • DIY projects
  • Small home projects
  • Auto body workshops
  • Light professional applications
  • Anyone looking to become more familiar with welding
Special Features of the Lotos MIG 140
  • Research against the market and other existing MIG welders on the market shows that this machine has multiple special features to make it more powerful for its money:
  • Thermal overload protection – used to protect the welders from overload and prevents the heating up due to overuse. It allows the lifespan of the tool to increase and increases durability during use.
  • Easy setup – designed to get this MIG welder working quickly.
  • Dual functionality for MIG and flux cored welding
  • Aluminum wire feeder – increased stability and convienece
Pros of the Lotos MIG 140 Welding Machine
  • Simple and easy to use. Easy to setup. Minimal hassle
  • Very light weight, portable, and stable compared to other MIG welders on the market
  • Very affordable
Cons of the Lotos MIG 140 Welding Machine
  • Gas cylinder not included with this tool, it is an optional but separate cost
  • Not compatible with generators
  • Not as advanced features as top welders
Cost & Warranty Related Concerns of the Lotos MIG 140

Lotos offers a 1 year warranty with this machine. It stipulates that if a defect is noticed with the machine that impacts its performance and materials, Lotos will personally repair the damages machine or simply replace it.

What Is A Typical Welders Salary?

Welders salaries may vary depending on exactly where the welder is working location wise, what type of welding they are doing, and how many hours a week they are working. Welding is a very technical skill, and it’s one that pays well even in a hard economy.

If you are a welder who is trained in more recent technologies, you can expect to our earn a welder who is used to working with outdated technologies. Most welders work in a variety of locations ranging from outdoor spaces, indoor spaces, and even on scaffolding high off the ground.

To see the most up-to-date welding equipment click here

National Average Pay

The United States Department of Labor and The Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that in 2016 the average welders pay was just shy of 40,000 dollars. Of course, it important to keep in mind that this is just an average. There are welding professions that make much more than this and there are welding professions that make much less than this. It depends on your field of choice.

Where do welders get paid the most?

StateHourly Mean WageAnnual Main Wage
Alaska $34.57 $71,910
Hawaii $28.42 $59,120
Wyoming $25.47 $52,980
North Dakota $24.19 $50,310
Delaware $22.99 $47,820
Chart Source: CareersWiki.com

What is the outlook for the welding industry?

The welding industry employment is expected to increase roughly six percent between 2012 and 2022, which some sources state as being slower than other occupations. This is generally focused to welders who work with construction of bridges, buildings, and maintaining structures.

Type of WelderSalarySource
General Welder Salary $26k - $63k Source
Underwater Welding Salary $25k - $80k Source
Pipe Welder Salary $35k - $105k Source
TIG Welder Salary $28k - $ 63k Source
Certified Welding Salary $44k - $68k Source
Union Welder Salary $40k - $51k Source
Offshore Rig Welder Salary $42k- $66k Source
MIG Welder Salary $24k - $51k Source
Aerospace Welding Salary $53k Source

What are the highest paying welding jobs?

If you’re considering making your profession welding you’ll also probably want to consider finding out what the highest paying welding jobs are. It is also recommended that welders keep current on technologies in order to keep their job prospects trending upward. Below we have a list of the highest paying welding jobs categorized by pay.

Underwater Welders

How much do Underwater welders make?

This is one of the highest paying welding jobs for a reason. Underwater welders can make anywhere between $54,750 to $300,000 per year. The average underwater welder makes between $53,990 per year however, and makes $25.96 an hour.

It involves a fair amount of risk and is in relatively high demand because of that fact. This job requires you to weld under pressurized circumstances and to be comfortable doing so. Not only are underwater welders working in pressurized conditions, they’re also working with up to 400 amps of direct current at their disposal (and if we know anything about water and electricity we know they don’t mix well).

The largest determinant of underwater welder pay is their experience level (aka Diving experience). The second most important determinant of welder pay is their location.

Other factors that affect an Underwater welder’s pay are (in no particular order):

  1. Depth of work: Saturation divers can make up to $90,000 a month and near $500,000 per year. These divers get something called “depth pay” which adds between $1 to $4 per foot. It’s typically $1 each 100 feet and then moves up to $2 a foot afterwards. Pay greatly depends on depth and length of the project and the tenure of the diver.
  2. Distance offshore: Offshore underwater welders tend to make more than welders who stay inland / closer to the shore.
    • Off shore underwater pay 
      • Rookie underwater welders (who go off shore) tend to have a starting pay of between $40,000 – $60,000.
      • Veteran underwater welders with between 3 to 5 years of experience tend to have salaries between $75,000 to $100,000 or more.
    • On shore underwater pay
      • Rookie underwater welders (who stay on shore) tend to have a starting salary of between $25,000 and $40,000.
      • Veteran underwater welders with 3 to 5 years of experience tend to have salaries between $50,000 to $80,000.
  3. Overtime: One job that can pay very well with overtime is underwater welding. Why? Well, underwater welders tend to work well over 12 hours per day for up to 2 weeks in a row. During overtime pay tends to move up by 50%.
  4. Dive methods: The term dive mode is used to refer to dives that require certain pieces of equipment and procedure. The less insulation a welder has from the environment (usually) means the welder will receive higher pay. The typical dive mode for underwater welding is through surface-supplied air. Other diving modes are:
    • Mixed gas saturation
    • Scuba
  5. Underwater welding equipmentUsually, as a welder moves further from the coast, emergency medical services become scarce. While large ships and oil rigs must have diver emergency and first aid kits available, they won’t be able to offer long-term solutions to sicknesses such as broken bones and the bends. The more risk involved (as we can see) the higher a welders pay is.
  6. Performance: A welder who produces high quality welds will typically have a better reputation than a welder who does not which will result in a higher salary for other projects.
  7. Travel Frequency: The more you, as an underwater welder, are able to relocate the higher your earning potential is.
  8. Education Level: As with most welding jobs the more degrees and certifications one has (from facilities that’re credible) the higher your propensity for salary bumps.
  9. Employment Competition: The more competition you have (the more underwater welders/marine welders) the higher an employers pricing power (the less you’ll get paid).

Video credits to Weldtube. It shows you what Underwater Welders do.

Offshore Oil Rig Welding

How much do Offshore Rig Welders make?

The average (starting salary) for offshore oil rig welders can be as high $60,000 a year. And, as time goes on (usually a few years or so) an offshore oil rig welder can make as much $100,000 per year. The great thing about Rig Welding is that it is only an entry level position, usually. This is a great gig for any individual who would like to move up through the ranks in time.

What factors affect Offshore Rig Welder pay?

The factors that affect Offshore Rig Welder pay are:

  1. Employer Demand
  2. Geographic Location
  3. Education Level
  4. Certifications
  5. Experience

Video credits to Kishore nair. It talks about how Offshore Rig Welders stay safe.

Aerospace Welding

How much do Aerospace welders make?

The average aerospace welder makes, on average, $28 per hour and between $37,906 and $68,763 per year. Aerospace welders are in such high demand because of the need for work on spacecrafts. This job is such a highly paid one because of the skill that is required.

What factors affect Aerospace Welder pay?

Factors that affect Aerospace welder pay are:

  • Certifications
  • Education
  • Secondary Skills
  • Tenure

Video credits to KRWGnews. It shows a welder at Nasa.

Industrial Pipeline Welding

How much do Industrial Pipeline Welders make?

In 2017, pipeline welders earned an average salary of $58,998. Pipeline welders essentially do the work that deals with our infrastructure. Regardless of the substance the pipe allows to travel through it (water, gas, oil) it’ sending something that we use currently.

Military Support Welding

How much do Military Support Welders make?

Military support welders can make between $160,000 and $200,000 depending on where they’re located.

What is Military Support Welding?

Military support welders are responsible for a number of things but the main jobs of a Military Support Welder are to maintain equipment, gadgets, and the transportation used by soldiers in combat.

Video credits to American Welding Society. It talks about welding in the military.

Nuclear Industry Welders

How much do Nuclear Industry Welders make?

Nuclear welding tends to offer pay on the higher end of the pay-scale (not to mention that certified underwater welders make more in this industry). Nuclear welder pay is so high because welders are willingly exposing themselves to radiation as well as fatigue themselves quickly because of their exposure to high water temperatures inside of reactors.

Nuclear Diver Welders have the potential to make between $100,000 to $200,000 per year. However, to make this dollar amount a welder must be highly skilled as they must be available (and able) to make repairs as quick as possible.

Why? Well, any nuclear reactor shut-down can result in the loss of several thousand dollars each minute it’s down.

Nuclear welders who don’t go underwater however (who don’t have diving certifications) tend to make salaries between $35,000 to $42,000 on average. These welders must still go through special safety training (as you’re exposing yourself to radiation).

Video credits to CGTN. It talks about the problems that nuclear power plants pose for welders.

How much do welder’s make in each state?

StateWelders Median Hourly PayTop 10% Hourly Pay
Alaska $33.97 $43.83
Hawaii $31.10 $39.75
North Dakota $20.68 $39.05
West Virginia $18.21 $37.88
Wyoming $22.18 $35.23
Nevada $17.73 $34.38
New Mexico $19.10 $33.99
Maryland $20.51 $33.55
California $18.54 $31.56
Delaware $21.74 $31.32
District of Columbia (DC) $26.81 $31.30
New Jersey $19.82 $31.28
Washington $20.55 $30.69
Massachusetts $21.48 $30.57
Colorado $18.44 $29.91
Connecticut $19.19 $29.55
Texas $17.29 $29.25
Louisiana $20.17 $28.45
New York $17.91 $28.29
Montana $16.23 $27.93
Maine $22.18 $27.88
New Hampshire $19.83 $27.56
Utah $17.25 $27.36
Rhode Island $20.27 $27.33
Arizona $17.92 $27.30
Virginia $18.86 $27.22
Mississippi $18.63 $26.98
Oklahoma $17.29 $26.93
Indiana $16.59 $26.73
Minnesota $18.64 $26.69
Pennsylvania $18.06 $26.22
North Carolina $17.65 $26.03
Florida $16.88 $25.87
Michigan $16.56 $25.84
Oregon $18.94 $25.47
Wisconsin $18.16 $25.35
Alabama $17.11 $25.19
Illinois $17.15 $25.14
Kentucky $16.98 $24.49
Ohio $16.99 $24.42
South Carolina $16.74 $24.14
Idaho $16.12 $23.86
Missouri $16.67 $23.77
Kansas $16.10 $23.55
Georgia $16.25 $23.40
Tennessee $16.69 $22.75
Vermont $16.63 $22.57
Nebraska $16.51 $22.56
Arkansas $16.28 $22.42
Iowa $16.62 $22.10
South Dakota $15.33 $19.54
National Average $17.81 $27.20
Chart Source: EconomicModeling.com

Here is a list for the highest paying companies for welders

  • GE
  • Caterpillar INC
  • Huntington Ingalls Industries
  • Freightcar America
  • BAE Systems
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