Best Plasma Cutter: Lotos LTP5500D
The one model that comes out on top in nearly every way imaginable is the Lotos LTP5500D. The flexible current range and efficient duty cycle rating make this particular Lotos plasma cutter a king among kings.
Here’s a quick look at the LTP5500D’s key specifications—
- 20-55A Current Range
- 110V/220V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 55A
- Non-touch Pilot Arc
You’ll typically find the LTP5500D used in all sorts of settings, including DIY workshops and professional auto-shops. Its delivers between 20 and 55A with a severance cut of up to an inch through steel.
It comes prewired for 220V outlets, but if you plan on working with half-inch pieces of sheet or expanded metal on 110V, you’ll need to purchase a separate L6 30R adapter.
Even though the LTP5500D is technically CNC-compatible, you’ll need to adjust the pins in the CNC port to get it set up properly. We recommend using another for CNC cutting.
Pros
- Near-zero slag
- Powerful and portable
- Can cut through all metal types
- No contact needed to start the arc
Cons
- Power cord could be longer
Regardless of whether this is your first and 50th plasma cutter, the LTP5500D is a powerhouse that has made numerous customers happy.
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From the vast sea of plasma cutters to choose from, finding the one that suits all of your needs can be a challenge.
Our team put in the effort so you won’t have to. After testing over forty different models, we’ve compiled a list of the best plasma cutter for every category.
Top Plasma Cutters Compared
Here’s a comparison between Top Plasma Cutters:
| Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Plasma Cutter – Lotos LTP5500D |
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 | Best Premium - Hypertherm Powermax 65 |
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| Best Budget - SUPER DEAL CUT 50 |
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|
 | best plasma cutter under 1000 - Lotos Technology LTP8000 |
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 | Best Plasma Cutter Under $500 - Lotos Technology LTP8000 |
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 | Best Budget Plasma Cutter - PrimeWeld 3-in-1 50 Amp Plasma Cutter |
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 | Best Plasma Cutter with Built-In Compressor - Hobart 500564 Airforce 12ci Plasma Cutter |
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 | best plasma cutter for metal art - Hypertherm 088096 Powermax 30 |
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 | best plasma cutter for auto body work - Hypertherm Powermax 45 XP |
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 | best plasma cutter for cnc - CNC Plasma Cutter |
| Check Today's Price |
Reviews of the Top Plasma Cutters
For general-purpose usage, the following top-performing plasma cutters are true works of art.
Best Premium - Hypertherm Powermax 65
Key Specifications
- 20-65A Current Range
- At Least 200V Input
- 50% Duty Cycle @ 65A
- CNC-Enabled
On a premium budget, only the best of the best will do, and the Hypertherm Powermax 65 is exactly that. With a 65A max power output, this plasma cutter cuts through 1-inch slabs of steel with ease and severs up to 1-1/4 of an inch.
Before choosing this unit, make sure you have at least a 200V circuit breaker. At its peak performance, it maintains a 50% duty cycle, improving productivity for heavy-duty cutting in your shop.
If you’d rather outsource intricate cutting jobs to a computer, the Powermax 65 is a great tool. Out of the box, it’s immediately CNC-enabled; just connect it to your table and watch the torch light up.
Watch this video to see how the Powermax 65 is set up:
Pros
- Incredibly easy to use
- Simple setup
- Excellent performance and durability
- CNC-friendly
Cons
- 480V outlet required for max productivity
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty plasma cutter with all of the bells and whistles, the premium Powermax 65 is your best option.
SUPER DEAL CUT 50
Key Specifications
- 20-50A Current Range
- 110V/220V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 50A
- Accessory Kit
Another awesome general-use plasma cutter is the SUPER DEAL CUT 50. It’s a super-compact model that delivers a powerful punch for light- and medium-duty tasks.
Its max power output is 50A at 220V, which allows the pilot arc torch to cut through half-inch pieces of metal cleanly and effortlessly.
Though compatible with a 110V receptacle, we recommend sticking to 220V for the best results.
The amazing thing about this Chinese plasma cutter is the outrageous accessory kit. It comes with all of the hardware and consumables you need to work for quite some time before needing to restock your supplies.
Pros
- Beautiful cutting results
- Compatible with all conductive materials
- Portable design
- Complete accessory kit
Cons
- Replacement parts may be hard to find
The CUT 50 is an excellent starter plasma cutter. Its inexpensive price tag and surprising durability make it a worthy option for first-time users.
Best Plasma Cutter Under $500
If you don’t have a hefty budget but still want the most a top-performing plasma cutter, we recommend the Lotos LTP5000D.
Here’s a quick look at the LTP5000D’s key specifications—
- 10-50A Current Range
- 110V/220V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 50A
- Non-Touch Pilot Arc
The LTP5000D outputs up to 50A of power to cut relatively cleanly through half-inch chunks of metal. When fitted for a 110V outlet, it does a decent job at cutting up to a quarter-inch of steel in a single pass.
Out of the box, it’s nearly ready for action. Simply plug your air compressor coupling into this machine, choose your power output level, and watch the non-touch pilot arc begin the cutting process.
The LTP5000D comes in a lightweight shell that’s easy to move. The ground cable is pretty short, which is why we’re thankful for the machine’s portable size.
Pros
- Excellent ratings and performance
- Lightweight and reasonably durable
- Uses consumables efficiently
- Tremendous value for the cost
Cons
- Ground cable could be longer
For under $500, you’ll have a hard time finding a cleaner, more reliable name-brand plasma cutter.
Best Plasma Cutter Under $1,000
With a budget that’s less than twice the cost of the LTP5000D, you can get another Lotos masterpiece that’s packing some serious heat—the LTP8000.
Here’s a quick overview of the LTP8000’s key specifications—
- 20-80A Current Range
- 220V/230V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 80A
- Non-Touch Pilot Arc
The LTP8000 promises 80A power output at on a 230V outlet. With this much power, you can cut cleanly through a full-inch of steel.
We pushed it to 1-1/2 inches and found the sever more noticeable but still within tolerable limits.
This plasma cutter also comes with a non-touch pilot arc. With this torch, you can cut through painted or corroded metals without needing to start the arc on a cleaned-up patch.
This will also come in handy when cutting expanded metals.
The LTP8000 is nearly twice as heavy as other models on our list. Though still portable, it takes a bit of muscle to move it around when readjusting the ground clamp.
Pros
- Astounding cutting power
- Built for medium and heavy-duty cutting tasks
- Durable construction
- Cuts through corroded and painted metals
Cons
- Could be easier to move
The LTP8000 is one of the most powerful home and light-industrial plasma cutters at a reasonable price.
Best Budget Plasma Cutter
Looking at the inexpensive side of the price spectrum, we have the inexpensive but highly versatile PrimeWeld CT-520D.
Let’s take a look at this plasma cutter’s key specifications—
- 10-50A Current Range
- 110V/220V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 50A
- 3-in-1 Cutter and TIG/Stick Welder
The CT-520D delivers an amazing amount of power for such a budget-friendly tool—up to 50A for half-inch cuts. Its also a dual-voltage machine, making it usable both at home and at the office/workshop.
What makes the CT-520D shine isn’t just its super-powerful torch, but also its versatility. This machine doubles as TIG/stick welder with up to 200A output. You can cut and reattach pieces of metal with a single, easy-to-use tool.
The CT-520D undoubtedly does a flawless job when cutting, but it also surpasses all expectations as a welding machine.
Pros
- Cut and weld with one machine
Surprisingly clean cuts
Excellent consumables efficiency
Usable on most types of metals
Cons
- Could release more compressed air
The PrimeWeld CT-520D offers the most bang for your dollar. You won’t find a top-performing cutter-welder combo tool cheaper than this one.
Best Plasma Cutter with Built-In Compressor
If you need a plasma cutter for on-site jobs and don’t want the trouble of taking an air compressor with you, then you need to check out the Hobart Airforce 12ci.
Here’s what the Airforce’s key specifications look like—
- 12A Current Output
- 110V Input Voltage
- 35% Duty Cycle
- Post-Flow Cooling System
The Airforce 12ci is a specialty plasma cutter made for those without spacious trucks for on-site jobs.
It has a limited output of just 12A which hardly sounds like anything, but when tackling quarter-inch pieces of conductive material, it’ll certainly do the trick.
The low-ish duty cycle is mainly due to the limited capacity of the built-in air compressor. The torch could work for longer if only the compressor could keep up.
Curious as to what the Airforce 12ci can do? Take a look at this video:
Pros
- Nearly zero-slag
- Precision cuts every time
- Decent duty cycle for a specialty plasma cutter
- Plugs into standard 110V receptacle
Cons
- Could produce more cutting power
Admittedly, it’s not for everyone, but the Airforce 12ci is an excellent machine for on-the-go cutting or as a reliable backup for shallower cuts.
Best Plasma Cutter for Metal Art
When cutting complex designs out of metal sheets, there’s one tool that outperforms the rest: the Hypertherm Powermax 30 AIR.
Let’s take a look at the key specifications—
- 15-30A Current Range
- 120V/240V Input Voltage
- 35% Duty Cycle @ 30A
- Fine-Tip Consumables
Like the previous model, the Powermax 30 AIR has a built-in air compressor, but that’s not even the most noteworthy feature.
With your purchase, the Powermax 30 AIR comes with a set of fine-tip consumables that allow users to make curved cuts through thinner pieces of metal.
At its peak power rating, the Powermax 30 AIR cuts cleanly through 5/8-inch steel pieces with a 35% duty cycle.
Granted, you’ll need to wait quite a bit to allow the machine to cool down to operable temperatures, but it’ll give you time to evaluate your work and plan the next cut.
Here’s a quick look at the Powermax 30 AIR in action:
Pros
- Automatically detects input voltage
- Flexible power range
- Can cut complex designs with fine-tip consumables
- Incredibly portable
Cons
- Duty cycle could be longer
To create metal-based works of art, you’ll need a keen eye, a steady hand, and the Powermax 30 AIR’s fine-tipped torch.
Best Plasma Cutter for Auto Body Work
Plasma cutters are used in garages across the world to replace or cover damaged car parts. If you plan on doing this often, the best plasma cutter you can get is the Hypertherm 45 XP.
Key Specifications
- 20-45A Current Range
- 240V Input Voltage
- 50% Duty Cycle
- FastConnect Torch
Car panels are generally around 1/3 of an inch in thickness, though you may need to cut through thicker pieces to replace parts underneath the car or hood.
The Powermax 45 XP has a flexible cutting range of between 20 and 45A, which roughly translates into up to 7/8-inch clean cuts.
The FastConnect Torch reduces the amount of time needed to set the pilot arc torch up.
Here’s what the Powermax 45 XP looks like in practice:
Pros
- Great for pro metalworkers
- Easy to use
- Long torch hose
- Clean cuts
Cons
- Ground system could be longer
When taking care of your baby, you’ll need the precision and quality that only Hypertherm’s 45 XP can promise.
Best Plasma Cutter for CNC
When setting up plasma cutters for CNC, the HeroCut 55i outclassed all of its competition by a wide margin.
Take a gander at the 55i’s key specifications below—
- 15-55A Current Range
- 120V/240V Input Voltage
- 60% Duty Cycle @ 55A
- No HF Interference
Everything you need to connect this machine to your CNC table and computer is available in the box. The key component, the non-HF pilot arc torch, is what makes this a CNC-friendly machine.
Without striking, the computer-guided arm can glide the torch to make complex designs when needed.
In terms of performance ratings, the 55i has everything covered. It has a max power output of 55A at 240V with a 60% duty cycle, allowing the machine to work for longer with infrequent breaks between cuts.
The arc can cut through 7/8-inch steel with little to no slag.
Pros
- No high-frequency interference
- Long cables and cords
- 2T/4T
- Air regular pre-installed
Cons
- Could be easier to set up
Whether you rely on a computer to make the cuts or a steady hand, the HeroCut 55i is an incredibly reliable piece of equipment.
FAQs
Let’s take a time out and answer what most people are wondering.
Plasma cutters are made for cutting metals, such as steel alloy, copper, and aluminum, though the types of cuttable metal vary from model to model. Plasma cutters are widely used for car repairs, furniture making, and other businesses that involve cutting thin sheets of metal.
The cost of a plasma cutter for DIY workshops ranges between $200 and $3,500. After looking at our list, you might have noticed the key specifications and performance ratings of many of these products, both expensive and not-so-expensive, can be similar. Though it’d be easy to say that the plasma cutter’s price shines some light on its overall performance, our tests showed us differently.
We could go into greater detail about the differences between plasma cutters and cutting torches (oxy acetylene torches), the main takeaway points are 1) plasma cutters are more efficient, 2) plasma cutters don’t distort metal objects as much, and 3) plasma cutters can cut stacked pieces with high precision.
Yes, you do, though there are exceptions. The Hobart Airforce 12ci and Hypertherm Powermax 30 AIR come with built-in air compressors. Plasma cutters are not air-intensive tools, so a smaller pancake-style air compressor might do the trick. Check the plasma cutters compressed air figures to determine whether your current compressor is up to the task or if you need to invest in a new compressor.
They certainly can be. The costs of the plasma cutters on our list range from nearly-dirt-cheap to a-bit-on-the-costly-side. We personally researched and tested every model on our list (and many, many more) to find the ones that stand out the most, either as general-purpose plasma cutters or for specializes purposes.
Summary
Folks, we have come to the final section of our guide on the best plasma cutter that the market has to offer.
We’ve researched over forty different plasma cutters from popular manufacturers and not-so-well-known companies, and we’re extremely confident that you’ll find the plasma cutter that suits your needs best on this site.
If not, our comment section is open to feedback, criticism, and questions.
Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API