Best Plasma Cutter with Built-in Compressor: Hobart 500564 Airforce 12ci
Through vigorous tests, the Hobart 50064 Airforce 12ci was the one model that stood out the most.
It might have shallower cutting depth capacities than most, but it more than makes up for its shortcomings with ultra-focused precision and less cleanup.
Here are the Airforce 12ci’s key specifications at a glance—
- 12A Current Output
- 110V Input Voltage
- 35% Duty Cycle @ 12A
- Post-Flow Cooling System
Airforce 12ci is a rare species of plasma cutters in the sense that its current output is capped at just 12A.
This might sound lackluster, but when it comes to performing numerous shallow cuts—up to ¼ of an inch—the Airforce 12ci does it with flying colors.
It features a built-in air compressor that eliminates the need to connect your own. Because of this, you can take the Airforce 12ci to your worksite without lugging around complementary pieces of equipment.
The Post-Flow Cooling System keeps torch within operable temperatures for longer. Ultimately, this system extends the lifespan of the torch to handle more metal-cutting jobs at home.
Here’s what the Airforce 12ci looks like in action:
Pros
- Hardly any slag
- Accurate cuts
- Reduced cooldown breaks
- Plugs into any standard wall outlet
Cons
- Could have a higher amp rating
Overall, the Airforce 12ci is an excellent plasma cutter to have at home or serve as a backup for on-site projects.
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Plasma cutters are extremely handy tools used for slicing through all sorts of metallic objects. The problem is if you need a correctly-sized air compressor to run your plasma cutter safely and efficiently.
However, with a built-in air compressor, you can just start the machine and take the torch for a ride.
We’ve researched over 10 different models and found the best plasma cutter with built-in compressor on the market. Check it out below.
Top Plasma Cutters with Built-in Compressor Compared
Here’s a comparison between Top Plasma Cutters with Built-in Compressor:
| Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Plasma Cutter with Built-in Compressor – Hobart 500564 Airforce 12ci |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best Premium - Forney 317 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best Budget - Mophorn 40 Amp Plasma Cutter |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best Miller Plasma Cutter with Built-in Air Compressor - X-TREME 625 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Best Hypertherm Plasma Cutter with Built-in Air Compressor - Powermax 30 AIR |
| Check Today's Price |
Reviews of the Top Plasma Cutters with Built-in Compressor
Take a look at other noteworthy plasma cutters with their very own air compressors.
Best Premium - Forney 317
Key Specifications
- 12A Current Output
- 120V Input Power
- 25% Duty Cycle @ 12A
- Drag Torch Technology
Like the Hobart model above, the 317 has a current output cap of just 12A. The 317 can cut cleanly through ¼-inch metal sheets, making it an excellent light-duty plasma cutter for many DIY projects.
The duty cycle of just 25% is mainly due to the built-in air compressor needing to recompress air to fill its tank, so there will be plenty of waiting around when using this tool.
To increase productivity, you’ll need to reduce its power to around 5 to 7A.
To start the arc, the tip of the nozzle needs to make contact with your workpiece. Thanks to Drag Torch Technology, the flame stays lit until the cut is completed, producing nearly zero-slag results.
Pros
- Great light-duty cutter
- For hobbyists and DIY-ers
- Increased safety due to limited current output
- Precise cuts with every sweep
Cons
- Could have higher power output
Plasma cutters with built-in vary from modest, residential models to ultra-power, commercial-line tools. The Forney leans toward the former, benefiting homeowners with reliable light-duty performance.
Best Budget - Mophorn 40 Amp Plasma Cutter
Key Specifications
- 20-40A Current Range
- 220V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 40A
- 2-in-1 Cutter and Welder
While testing out various models, what surprised us the most was that some of the more budget-friendly models, like the Mophorn 40, were also the most flexible.
The Mophorn 40 has a power output range of between 20 and 40A, allowing operators to slice through alloy steel sheets of up to a half-inch thick.
There’s also the benefit of a highly efficient air compressor that keeps up with the torch to allow up to a 60% duty cycle at max power.
What’s even better is that the Mophorn 40 doubles as a welding machine. A simple flip of switch converts it into an MMA welder.
Pros
- Flexible cutting range
- Reduced downtimes
- User-friendly torch
- 2-in-1 versatility
Cons
- Must have dedicated 220V outlet
Who’d have guessed that on a tight budget you could pick up a plasma cutter and an MMA welding machine in one purchase? The Mophorn 40 makes this possible.
Best Miller Plasma Cutter with Built-in Air Compressor
For those looking for a Miller-made plasma cutter, we have something for you: the X-TREME 625.
Here’s what the X-TREME 625’s key specifications look like—
- 20-60A Current Range
- 120V to 240V Input Voltage
- 50% Duty Cycle @ 60A
- Optional Inline Moisture Filter
The X-TREME 625 is an impressive plasma cutter that cuts cleanly through 5/8-inch steel at a rate of up to 15 inches per minute. It also maintains a decent 50% duty cycle, ensuring greater productivity at the job site.
However, this machine does not have a built-in compressor.
Instead, you can purchase an inline moisture filter that connects the machine to your stand-alone air compressor to capture minuscule moisture particles from ruining the cut.
Take a look at the X-TREME 625 in this video:
Pros
- Heavy-duty cutting power
- Perfectly shielded arc
- Compact and durable
- Carrying case included
Cons
- Moisture filter sold separately
If you’re a Miller fan (many of us are) and have your own air compressor at home, the X-TREME 625 and inline moisture filter will produce perfect cuts with minimal to no slag every time.
Best Hypertherm Plasma Cutter with Built-in Air Compressor
Hypertherm is one of the most popular manufacturers of plasma cutters. Their Powermax 30 AIR is an incredible plasma cutter with a built-in air compressor.
There are the Powermax 30 AIR’s key specifications—
- 15-30A Current Range
- 120V/240V Input Voltage
- 35% Duty Cycle @ 30A
- Auto-Voltage Technology
The Powermax 30 AIR has a fairly limited power output range, making it suitable for DIY purposes and light industrial-level cutting.
It’s also compatible with both 120V and 240V outlets, and auto-voltage technology detects input power to automatically adjust its power cap.
Like so many other plasma cutters with built-in air compressors, the Powermax 30 AIR has a limited duty cycle of just 30%.
This gives the air compressor enough time to recompress and refill its tank for the following rounds of cutting.
Take a look at what the Powermax 30 AIR is all about:
Pros
- Excellent cutting performance and precision
- Hardly any slag
- Great for hobbyists and light-industrial purposes
- Portable design
Cons
- Cutting speed could be faster
Overall, the Powermax 30 AIR doesn’t stray too far away from the norm in terms of power range and efficiency.
FAQs
Now it’s time to address the FAQs about plasma cutters with built-in air compressors.
Air compressors can be bulky pieces of equipment that are inconvenient to take to multiple job sites. Having a built-in compressor not only saves time but also how much energy you end up using. Basically, unless your job calls for on-site cutting without an available source of compressed air, you should consider picking one of these machines.
As you can see, the products listed above suffer quite a bit in the duty cycle department (except for the budget-pick Mophorn 40). This is mainly due to the compressor’s inability to keep up with the machine’s actual duty cycle. Overall, your productivity and bottom line may be affected by such a machine, unless you’re one of the few people who absolutely needs a built-in compressor.
You’d have to ask them, but if we had to guess, it’s because the market for such a device is tiny. Without a doubt, plasma cutters with built-in air compressors are specialty tools made for a very specific demographic. Plus, the price of such a plasma cutter is roughly the same as the combined prices of a high-quality plasma cutter and a high-quality air compressor.
Ultimately, it depends on your budget. However, as you can from our list, the budget-pick Mophorn is actually a sound investment considering its flexible power output range and 2-in-1 versatility.
Summary
This is the end of our guide on the best plasma cutter with built-in compressor.
We tested more than 10 models to create this list of the top-performing products, including those by Miller and Hypertherm.
We’re open to feedback and questions—just let us know by leaving your thoughts in the comment section.
Last update on 2024-12-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API