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 Cutter | Customer Reviews | Editor Rating | Recommended Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
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4.8 / 5 Stars | DIYer, Light business jobs | |
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4.7 / 5 Stars | DIYer, Light business jobs | |
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4.6 / 5 Stars | DIYer, Light business jobs | |
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4.39 / 5 Stars | DIYer, Light jobs, industrial jobs | |
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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
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
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.
