If you are looking for a device to help you when cutting metals, we have prepared the best plasma cutter reviews, comparisons and buyer’s guide. If you are working in the metal industry especially when dealing with cutting work, you must admit that quality plasma cutter can make a difference when it comes to clean cutting.
Plasma cutter is a tool that uses gas that is inserted which is driven out of the nozzle at high temperatures then an electrical arc is applied to the gas driven out of the nozzle. During the process, the gas turns into plasma in form of a hot torch that cuts through metals in the required flow. Plasma cutter cuts stainless steel, aluminum, and other metals.
The greatest thing about plasma cutters is that they can cut metals and other heavy-duty materials easier, with precision and faster. Whether you are a beginner, a hobbyist or a professional dealing with metal cutting; with the best plasma cutter, you can do the work faster, accurately and without consuming time.
With the plenty of plasma cutter options available in the market today, an inexperienced buyer can get confused when it comes to selecting the best. So, this guide will help you select the best plasma cutter for your metal cutting work.
Just continue reading.
Table Of Contents
- 1 Best Plasma Cutters- Comparison Guide
- 2 Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Plasma Cutter
- 3 How We’ve Picked the Top 5 Best Plasma Cutters
- 4 Top 5 Best Plasma Cutters 2020 Reviews
- 5 Our Top Pick among the 5 Best Plasma Cutters Reviewed
- 6 How to Choose the Best Plasma Cutter– Ultimate Buying Guide
- 7 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 8 The Bottom Line
Best Plasma Cutters- Comparison Guide
Lotos LT5000D | Hobart | LTPDC2000D | LOTOS TIG200 | AHP AlphaTIG | |
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Dimensions | 15 x 6 x 12'' | 29.5 x 18.5 x 13.7'' | 17 x 8 x 12.5'' | 28 x 13 x 17'' | 19 x 23 x 12'' |
Weight | 22.5 Lb | 89 Lb | 41.6 Lb | 58 Lb | 69 Lb |
Amps | 50A | 130A | 50A | 200A | 200A |
Cutting Thickness | 1/2 in | 5/16 in | 3/4 in | 3/8 in | 1/4, 3/8 in |
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Plasma Cutter
Truth be told, the availability of a plethora of options can make it difficult for you to get the best plasma cutter for your work. Note that you want to get the best machine to work best for you. Therefore, you want to consider some important things before you can decide to settle with one. Below are the factors that will help you find the right cutter for your projects.
How We’ve Picked the Top 5 Best Plasma Cutters
All the plasma cutter reviews out there are aimed at helping people to buy the best things they are looking for. We have also prepared this article to help buyers to make an informed decision during their purchase.
Whether you are working on a DIY project, repairs and other projects in the metal fabrication industry, you need to have a sharp, good quality, convenient, and reliable plasma cutter.
In this post, we have picked the best devices that offer great results, versatile and fast when it comes to cutting metals.
Top 5 Best Plasma Cutters 2020 Reviews
1. Lotos LT5000D Plasma Cutter 50Amps 1/2in Clean Cut
If you are looking for a tool to cut your metals, the Lotos LT5000D would be your best choice. This is the best plasma cutter for the money. The LT5000D is compact, lightweight and the dual voltage versatility makes it the best unit of its size.
The plasma cutter’s ideal cutting thickness is ½ inches on steel and weighs 22.5 pounds. With this machine, you can get strong cutting performance while at the same time remaining safe. The good thing about this plasma cutter is that it uses C/DC power type so you can cut stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, alloy steel and other kinds of metals faster and accurately.
This machine also enables cutting of much thicker materials and features the Pulse-Width-Modulation Technology that helps to produce powerful DC welding currents. Another incredible thing about the plasma cutter is that the purified and dry air is driven out through the nozzle is sparkling resistant and minimizes the chances of fire outbreaks. This tool features the German cooling system to keep its temperature under control even when used for a long time.
The plasma cutter can produce up to 50A and the selector knob is designed for changing the amperage. What makes this plasma cutter an outstanding tool is the fact that it comes with the pilot arc technology. This technology helps fabricators, especially when cutting irregular surfaces like a wire mesh and perforated sheets. The pilot arc technology will let you cut through distinct types of materials in a single smooth and identical motion even on irregular, rusted and painted surfaces.
- It’s a budget-friendly plasma cutter
- Features a German cooling technology to prevent it from overheating
- It’s a dual voltage versatile plasma cutter
- Great for cutting thinner metals
- It is a compact machine
- The safest plasma cutter
- Requires low pressure when cutting metals
- lightweight
- It doesn’t come with the user manual so you will have to search it online
- Can only do well on a ½ inch thick metals
2. Hobart 500554001 Handler 190
Coming from Hobart, a reliable brand that manufactures high-quality welding machines and accessories, the 500554001 Handler 190 is the second in our list of the best plasma cutters for 2020 that delivers all the features you would want to get from a plasma cutter.
First, it has a great welding power that can weld up to 24 gauge steel. You also get an opportunity to decide on the thickness of the steel so you don’t have to get concerned about the performance of the plasma cutter as it will complete the job for you.
Secondly, this plasma cutter can work on multiple metal options such as stainless steel, aluminum, and sheet metal. Thirdly, a motor that produces power up to 190 amps that is sufficient and suitable for cutting hard metals. In addition, the machine features 7 voltage settings so you can adjust the current accordingly. The 7-voltage settings make this tool incredible versatile since it enables you to set the power when it comes to cutting different metals. Hence, this tool is perfect for novices and professional fabricators as well.
Another incredible feature of this plasma cutter is the SpoolRunner 100 Gun. This feature weighs only 5 pounds and lets you cut different kinds of metals such as steel, aluminum and stainless steel with high speed and hassle-free. If you buy this tool to work in an industrial environment, you will get a warranty of 1 year.
Incredibly enough, the Hobart 500554001 is ideal for farm projects, home repairs and also on auto bodies. The versatility that this machine offers makes it convenient for working in different workplaces and get value for your money.
- Versatile design
- Great for working with different types of metals
- Adjustable voltage
- Ideal for beginners and experts alike
- Lightweight and compact
- Great even on thick materials
- Incredible power output
- Its price is relatively higher when compared to other cutters of the same category
- It may not work well on heavy industrial welding
3. Lotos LTPDC2000D 50Amp Plasma Cutter
If you deal with different shapes and sizes of steel sheets, the LTPDC2000D plasma cutter is the ultimate tool for you. The plasma cutter comes at a budget-friendly price, highly reliable and efficient when working with a small garage or other welding tasks.
The Lotos LTPDC2000D is among the machines that opened the market for multipurpose welding equipment.
If you are looking for a versatile welder for use on different welding projects, this portable, compact and high-quality plasma cutter, Stick and TIG welder will be suitable for you. It’s a dual voltage welder and ideal for novices and expert alike.
With a single switch, you can change from Stick to TIG and then go back to plasma cutting, hence saving your energy, time and money. The good thing about this machine is that it is compact and 3-in-1 so you can use it on various metals and surfaces. In addition, the 50amp pilot arc technology lets you cut metals soundly and the tip doesn’t come into contact with the metal surface. This makes it last longer while delivering quality work.
Whether you are a new welder or a professional, this machine can give you the results you want to get from a high-quality welder. Thankfully, it is portable, compact and lightweight so carrying it from one place to another isn’t a hassle.
The machine can cut various kinds of metals of ½ inches as it is a 50A pilot plasma cutter. You will also love the 200AMP DC power current this tool produces that increases its performance and the fact that it lets you cut metals such as stainless or steel smoothly and fast.
- Powerful 3-in-1 welder and plasma cutter
- Portable and compact machine
- Adjustable on various welding and fabrication work
- Highly reliable and efficient plasma cutter cum welder
- Multipurpose plasma cutter
- Compact design
- Solid and durable construction material
- Affordable
- Some users state that, while the machine is said to cut up to 1/2 –inch steel, it can let you cut up to 3/8 inches of steel. However, if used well it is capable to penetrate up to ½ inches.
4. Lotos TIG 200
When it comes to welding accessories, Lotos beats other brands. First, it is a reputed brand and secondly, it produces top-selling machines and accessories and Lotos TIG Welder 200 is no exception. This machine is easy to use and will let you cut metals accurately. The good thing about it is that it is ideal for experts and beginners as well.
The plasma cutter cum welder will let you change from 110V to 220V and back. In fact, it can detect when to switch between the two power supplies so if you are just starting to use this welder, you don’t have to worry about switching between the two voltages.
This TIG/Stick Welder is also ideal for anyone who deals with cutting metals like aluminum, stainless steel, mild steel and other kinds of metals. Although it sells at a relatively higher price but not costly, it is guaranteed to give you value for your money.
The fact that it is a dual voltage welder makes it suitable for use in aluminum and steel. For expert users, this machine has many features but beginners can also use it. Unlike other plasma cutters that don’t come with manuals, the Lotos TIG 200 comes with a good manual that makes new users learn how to use it.
Another good thing about this machine is that it is pretty robust and it weighs 58 pounds. Although you can get other lightweight welders out there, this plasma cutter is still portable and comes with an integrated handle. Its front control panel features all the control so you don’t have to look around when you want to access the switch or any dial you need.
- Flexible
- Auto Dual voltage and dual frequency
- Easy to use
- User-friendly construction
- Precise cuting
- Affordable
- Quick access front control panel
- Reliable performance
- Powerful duty cycle
- This machine is great for beginners and experts alike, however, its replacement parts are not readily available
- It is a little heavy for its size
5. 2020 AHP AlphaTIG/Stick Welder 200 X 200 Amp
This 2020 AlphaTIG/Stick Welder is an accurate machine that is capable of cutting thin aluminum and mild steel. If you want a welder that can handle ¼ inches thick of aluminum and 3/8 inches of steel, you will not go wrong with the 2020 AHP AlphaTIG.
The machine is designed to deliver flawless welding both on thin gauge metals or alloys.
It’s a user-friendly welder as it is designed with an HF start TIG and foot pedal. The machine uses 110V and 220V power phases and this makes it best for heavy and light duties.
Setting the machine is easy and lets you control it easily, to produce the best results. The device features a high-tech inverter that produces width modulation for more accurate welding. The good thing about this unit is that you can use it right outside the box since it combines all the features and capabilities you would want to have on a welder.
Another incredible feature that the machine comes with is the powerful torch which is replaceable for different kinds of welding. If you are just beginning on the welding industry or you are a professional, this machine will deliver the best results ever in a convenient way.
Also, the machine accepts AC and DC option thus making it ideal for use on a thin and thick surface of metals. The fact that it comes with a duty cycle at 200A means you can use it in heavy-duty welds without having to leave it to cool off. The machine weighs 69 pounds so it will not be suitable for mobile welding needs.
- Ideal for thin gauge metals and alloys
- User-friendly operation foot pedal
- Ideal for novices and experts as well
- Dual input voltages
- Accurate and smooth welding
- Compact welder for stick/TIG work
- The foot pedal may require rubber feet when welding
- The flowmeter may not be accurate as reviewed
Our Top Pick among the 5 Best Plasma Cutters Reviewed
If we could recommend the best plasma cutter from the list we have reviewed, then it would be the Lotos LT5000D. This machine is great when it comes to cutting metals up to ½-inch thick and weighs 22.5 pounds so you can carry it wherever you want to use it.
When it comes to the cost of the machine, the plasma cutter is the best for the money. The fact that it uses dual voltage makes it suitable for both heavy-duty and light-duty metal cutting. With this machine, you can cut stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, alloy steel, and other kinds of metals fast and accurately. This is, in fact, the ideal machine you must have since you have nothing to lose. It will give you the best results while offering you the portability you want.
How to Choose the Best Plasma Cutter– Ultimate Buying Guide
Although it is good to know about the best plasma cutters out there, you also need to have good information about what makes a good plasma cutter. We aim to provide you with the useful information to enable you to make an informed decision when buying your machine. We understand it is difficult and confusing to get the best out of the plenty of plasma cutter options out there and that’s why we have prepared this guide.
Just continues reading to know how to choose the best plasma cutter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Buffer
- Torch
- Electrode
- Cooling nozzle
- Supply nozzle
The Bottom Line
If you have some metal work to do whether you are a novice or an expert, you will need the best plasma cutter. While searching for a plasma cutter you need to consider a lot of things. However, the user-friendliness and high-quality performance of the machine are always the topmost factors to consider.
We understand that choosing the best from the plenty of options out there can be confusing and that’s why we have prepared this best plasma cutter review article to make the work easier for you. While there are many reviews online, it is good to do enough research about the best brands and best products sold in the market today.
We hope this article will make your selection process simple and help you make an informed buying decision.
Good luck!