Best Plasma Cutter In 2020 – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

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.

 Best Plasma Cutters- Comparison Guide

Lotos LT5000DHobartLTPDC2000DLOTOS TIG200AHP AlphaTIG
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.

Portability
While this factor may not be important for every user, it will be for some users.  If you want a portable plasma cutter, you need to consider the size and the weight. If you will want to use the machine in one place, then you don’t have to worry about portability. But if you will want to move with the machine regularly from one workshop to another, then you will need to buy a portable and easy to carry plasma cutter. In this case, you will also need to consider the compactness of the machine.
Control panel
The control panel is an essential component of a plasma cutter as it is the one a user will run the device from. All operations take place here. It is good to pick a device with easy to access and easy to follow controls. This will make it easy to use the plasma cutter, especially for novices.
Your Budget
Your spending power would also make a significant factor to consider when shopping for the best plasma cutter. There has been a misconception that the best quality plasma cutters are costly. However, today, you can still get a top-notch device at an awesome price. Note that the most important thing is to get the best according to your needs.

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

best plasma cutter - Lotos LT5000D Plasma CutterIf 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.

PROS
  • 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
CONS
  • 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
OUR VERDICT
If you’ve been searching for the best plasma cutter without getting one, the Lotos LT5000D will do the metal cutting for you. This dual voltage machine features the latest German cooling system and the pilot technology so you will have all the enjoyable experience you would want to have in your fabrication work.

2. Hobart 500554001 Handler 190 

best plasma cutter - 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.

PROS
  • 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
CONS
  • Its price is relatively higher when compared to other cutters of the same category
  • It may not work well on heavy industrial welding
OUR VERDICT
If you are thinking of starting as a hobbyist or professional fabricator cum welder, or you are working on tasks that involve cutting metals sheets, aluminum, and stainless steel, you need a good quality machine. Although there are plenty of options to choose from, the Hobart 500554001 would be the best option for you.

3. Lotos LTPDC2000D 50Amp Plasma Cutter 

best plasma cutter - Lotos LTPDC2000D 50Amp Plasma CutterIf 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.

PROS
  • 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
CONS
  • 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.
OUR VERDICT
For DIY home welders and experts alike, the Lotos LTPDC2000D proves to be ideal plasma cuter for all your projects, thanks to its incredible and exceptional features. If you are working on a budget this high-speed plasma cutter would be your best choice.

4. Lotos TIG 200

 best plasma cutter - Lotos TIG 200When 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.

PROS
  • 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
CONS
  • 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
OUR VERDICT
If you are searching for the best machine that can offer you consistent results, this robust welder is a good deal. It comes with plenty of useful features that you may not find on other machines of its category. While it is slightly weighty, it would be best for users who want to use it on stationary workplaces.

5. 2020 AHP AlphaTIG/Stick Welder 200 X 200 Amp 

best plasma cutter - 2018 AHP AlphaTIGStick Welder 200 X 200 AmpThis 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.

PROS
  • 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
CONS
  • The foot pedal may require rubber feet when welding
  • The flowmeter may not be accurate as reviewed
OUR VERDICT
If you are a hobbyist or a professional wanting a simple yet a powerful machine, the 2020 AHP AlphaTIG/Stick Welder would be the best for your work. This welder is capable of handling any type of welding and comes with all the latest technology such as IDBT and pulse width modulation. The fact that it is a dual voltage (110 AND 220V) machine makes it ideal for both heavy and light welding.

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.

Power
The power of the plasma cutter is essential when it comes to the kind of work you want to accomplish. It is what determines what the machine can and cannot do. Plasma cutters are basically designed to use 100V and 220V. Another important thing to check is the amperage rating. In fact, it is advisable to buy a plasma cutter with more power than what you think you will require. Also, opt for a plasma cutter that has a unique circuit.
Duty Cycle
The duty cycle is also another great thing that you need to check if you want to get the best plasma cutter. This refers to the amount of time you can use the plasma cutter at certain amperage without overheating. The duty cycle of a plasma cutter is easily findable. If you are going to use the machine continuously for a long period it would be good to pick one with a higher duty cycle. However, some of the latest plasma cutters come with great cooling technologies and thermal protection to maintain a cooling environment as you go on with your metal cutting.
Materials to Cut
While it is true that any plasma cutter can handle different materials, some of them are better than others. It is good to pick a plasma cutter that is designed for the right type of material and also the thickness of the material you intend to cut.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I Need a Plasma Cutter in Your Work?
Well, the answer could be yes, or no depending on what you want to accomplish. If you want to cut metals, you will definitely want a plasma cutter. At the same time, you may want to know the thickness of the material you want to cut. For materials thinner than ½ inches, a high-quality plasma cutter would be ideal.
How Do I Know Whether a Plasma Cutter Is a Low, Mid or Top Tier?
A quick way to distinguish between the three is to check the thickness of the material a plasma cutter can handle as well as the speed. The plasma cutter with a low level of performance is a low tier plasma cutter, the one with mid-level performance is a mid-tier plasma cutter and the one with great performance is a top tier plasma cutter.
What Are the Main Features of a Plasma Cutter?
Basically, the plasma cutter is designed with a compressor, pipes, an inverter, earthing clamp and cables and other guiding accessories. It may come with an integrated compressor or not. Note that the cutting head has its own components which are:

  • Buffer
  • Torch
  • Electrode
  • Cooling nozzle
  • Supply nozzle
What Type of Material Can I Cut with a Plasma Cutter?
Most plasma cutters are designed to cut any kind of electrically conductive metal such as brass, aluminum, stainless steel copper and more. Materials that cannot be cut with the plasma cutter are wood and plastic.
What Results Should Make a Plasma Cutter the Best?
The plasma cutter that delivers smooth and accurate cut is the best. Also, it is best to choose a plasma cutter that doesn’t produce a lot of debris.
Is It a Must I Buy a High-Quality Plasma Cutter?
Of course, yes. There are numerous reasons why you should buy a quality plasma cutter. Note that buying one is an investment. You want to use it for many years. Choosing a poor quality machine would mean frequent replacements which is a costly affair.

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!


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