Best Plasma Cutter Under $500: Lotos LTP5000D
From the vast sea of plasma cutter manufacturers, Lotos stands out the most, and their competitively-priced LTP5000D is truly a remarkable machine.
With a wide output current range and advanced transistor, you can’t miss with the LTP5000D.
Let’s take a quick look at its key specifications—
- 10-50A Current Range
- 110V/220V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 50A
- V-MOSFET Transistor
The LTP5000D is one of the most unique plasma cutters in the sense that it has dual input voltages and pilot arc.
Without making contact, the LTP5000D’s torch will cut effortlessly through half-inch steel or a sever ¾ of an inch.
Thanks to the advanced PAPST cooling system, the LTP5000D offers increased productivity while working at max power. The results speak for themselves—clean cuts with hardly any slag along sheets of dirty and clean metal.
Pros
- Reliable cutting performance
- Hardly any slag
- Easy to carry
- Long hose means less moving around
Cons
- Ground clamp could be a bit longer
For such an inexpensive plasma cutter, the LTP5000D really does offer quite a bit in terms of cut quality, precision, and reliability.
You should consider picking this machine up if you plan on doing DIY car repairs and furniture making.
Our expert-reviewed articles are fact-based, unbiased, and rigorously researched to help you make the right buying decisions.
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A good plasma cutter doesn’t require a large budget.
Some of the best hobbyist-grade plasma cutters come at affordable prices while still maintaining optimal cutting precision and performance.
We’ve checked the market and tested over a dozen different models to find you the best plasma cutter under $500.
Top Plasma Cutter Under $500 Compared
Here’s a comparison between Top Plasma Cutter Under $500:
| Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Plasma Cutter Under $500 – Lotos LTP5000D |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best Premium - Lotos LTPDC2000D |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best Budget - PrimeWeld CT-520D |
| Check Today's Price |
| SUNCOO Pro. Cut 50 |
| Check Today's Price |
|
 | Lotos LT3500 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best for CNC - Lotos LTP5500D |
| Check Today's Price |
Reviews of the Top Plasma Cutter Under $500
We were pleasantly surprised to find several plasma cutters exceed our expectations in several ways. Here are more noteworthy inexpensive plasma cutters for you to check out.
Best Premium - Lotos LTPDC2000D
Key Specifications
- 10-50A Current Range
- 110V/220V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle
- 3-in-1 Cutter and Welder
If you’re looking for a premium plasma cutter—e.g., goes beyond its line of duty—then take a look at the LTPDC2000D by Lotos.
This plasma cutter has the same 10 to 50A output range as the previous Lotos and performs identically in nearly every way.
Where the LTPDC2000D stands out is its 3-in-1 versatility. This machine doubles as both a plasma cutter and a welder, both TIG and stick.
When working with thick or thin sheets or bars, the LTPDC2000D can crank up to 200A to weld up to around 5/16-inch pieces together.
Pros
- Cut and weld with one machine
- Reliable Lotos performance and construction
- Non-touch pilot arc
- Easy switch controls
Cons
- Does not work on aluminum
The Lotos LTPDC2000D is an excellent, multi-functional tool to get if you’re in need of both a plasma cutter and a welding machine. Best of all, the LTPDC2000D performs incredibly well in both areas!
Best Budget - PrimeWeld CT-520D
Key Specifications
- 10-50A Current Range
- 110V/220V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 50A
- IGBT Inverter
This PrimeWeld CT-520D is another highly versatile machine that offers the same 3-in-1 plasma cutting, TIG and stick welding.
To top it all off, its price tag is the most affordable of the products on our list.
The CT-520D works primarily as a plasma cutter that reaches up to 50A current output for cutting conductive metals, such as steel and copper, of up to half an inch in thickness.
When you need to weld metal pieces together, crank the dial to 200A and let the arc rip. However, we found the CT-520D to produce a considerable amount of slag in the process. A quick sanding removes them easily.
Pros
- Multi-functional tool for metalworkers
- Excellent cutting performance
- Great power and consumables efficiency
- Works on most metals
Cons
- Could release more shielding gas
The CT-520D offers the best of plasma-cutting and decent welding performance from a single machine. The inexpensive price tag becomes apparent when switched to welding mode.
SUNCOO Pro. Cut 50
Key Specifications
- 20-50A Current Range
- 110V/220V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 50A
- Welding Mask Included
Though basic in built-in features, the SUNCOO Pro Cut 50 performs as admirably as you could hope from a plasma cutter priced under $500. This machine excels at cutting thin materials for basic metalworking jobs.
At 50A, the Pro Cut 50 can cut through sheets of ¾-inch thickness while producing smooth edges with minimal slag.
As a dual-voltage plasma cutter, the Pro Cut 50 is usable in both residential and professional environments, to an extent.
Overall, the Pro Cut 50 suits its price tag just right. The welding mask is the cherry on top of this reliable plasma cutter.
Pros
- Great performance for its price
- Hardly any slag
- Cuts through all metals
- Comes with durable welding mask
Cons
- Can struggle on rusty/painted metal surfaces
The SUNCOO Pro Cut 50 offers just as much value as you’d expect from a budget-friendly plasma cutter.
Lotos LT3500
Key Specifications
- 10-35A Current Range
- 110V/220V Input Voltage
- 30% Duty Cycle @ 35A
- 1-minute Setup
The LT3500 is the smallest plasma cutter of all the products on our list. However, small does not mean bad, especially when it comes to light-duty metalwork.
The LT3500 has a max current output of just 35A that can cut through 2/5-inch sheets with a clean sweep.
It becomes immediately apparent that the LT3500 isn’t made for industrial purposes, but for hobbyist metalworkers and gearheads, this budget-friendly plasma cutter is more than enough.
Upon arrival at your doorstep, the LT3500 is nearly ready for action. Just connect an air compressor that delivers at least 70 PSI at 4 CFM, and you’re ready to cut, thanks to the preinstalled NPT ¼-inch D plug.
Pros
- Ready to go out of the box
- Incredibly portable
- Decent cutting power
- Usable on all metals
Cons
- Could be more consumable-efficient
The tiny LT3500 is packing a mighty punch that cuts cleanly through steel, copper, and aluminum.
Best for CNC
What do you do when you need extra-precision when cutting through metal? Well, you can hook up the Lotos LTP5500D to your CNC table and let your computer cut out intricate designs for you.
Let’s take a look at the LTP5500D’s key specifications—
- 20-55A Current Range
- 110V/220V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 55A
- Non-HF Pilot Arc
The right plasma cutter for your CNC table starts with the torch. The LTP5500D uses a non-HF pilot arc that starts the cutting process without making contact with your workpiece.
This gives the LTP5500D the benefit of cutting easily and quickly through sheets of steel, copper, and aluminum up to an inch in thickness.
The 20-foot power cord and 10-foot ground allow the LTP5500D’s torch to glide across wide sheets of metal without a lot of babysitting. Simply let the machine run on its own, and you’ll have precise metal cut-outs in no time.
Pros
- 1-inch cutting depth
- Easy to install and connect to CNC table
- Long work times
- Uses less consumables on average
Cons
- Consumables may be difficult to come by
For CNC cutting, you won’t find a more reliable plasma cutter on a $500 budget.
FAQs
Now it’s time to address some of your questions. If you don’t find your answer here, please leave your question in the comment section.
Budget-friendly plasma cutters can cost anywhere between $100 and $500. For the most part, they’ll handle light-duty metal-cutting jobs well, but they vary on how long they can operate (duty cycle) and how deep they cut. The items mentioned on our list are all incredibly powerful and, in general, exceed expectations of what an inexpensive plasma cutter can do.
Of the four gas types used for welding and cutting metal, compressed air is the most widely used. It does a great job of shielding cuts at low-amp output without releasing toxic fumes in enclosed spaces. Every plasma cutter on our list needs an air compressor to operate.
For light-duty cutting jobs, 35 and 50A output should be enough. The higher the amp setting, the deeper and cleaner the cut, though for basic DIY metalworking projects, you may never feel the need to crank the dial up to 50A, especially when working with thin sheet metal.
A non-HF or non-touch pilot arc will cut through rust and paint without interference. Pilot arcs will come in handy when working with rusted or painted metal objects, as well as expanded metal since it doesn’t require touching each line to start the flame.
Summary
That concludes our guide.
We hope you found the information on this guide useful in your journey of finding the best plasma cutter under $500.
We’ve gone over a dozen different inexpensive plasma cutters to show you which models work best in nearly all situations.
Our comments section is open to receiving feedback, criticism, and questions.
Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API