As you are interested in these best plasma cutter reviews, we bet you are either welders or automation mechanics who often involves cutting alloys and heavy metal. Congrats, plasma cutters are worth your investment. They are high-quality, user-friendly, and portable.
However, getting the best plasma cutter out of thousands on the market is not an easy task. This tool comes in different sizes and shapes, and at different price ranges. Which to choose is based on your purposes and budgets.
In this post, we would like to introduce lists of best plasma cutter under $300, under $500, under $1000, and under $2000 so that you do not need to look any further.
What Is a Plasma Cutter?
The cutter converts a power supply into an electronically conductive plasma – the fourth state of matter. The energy generated is powerful to cut on a 6-inch gauge stainless metal. As a result, the plasma cutter supports clean and fast cutting quality and productivity.
Different plasma cutters might feature various components and structures. However, they share three main parts:
- Power supply
- Arc starting console
- Plasma torch
Get insight into how a plasma cutter works in the following video.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Plasma Cutter
Before jumping into the best plasma cutter reviews, let’s look over several key benefits of these tools to find out why plasma cutters are broadly-used and fine-tuned to slide almost all thick and heavy materials effortlessly.
Besides advantages, there are still some flaws that manufacturers should improve to cut time and increase productivity.
Pros of Plasma Cutters
Fast and precise cutting
Compared to other cutting tools, plasma cutter is the winner of cutting thick metals. The tool produces a whopping temperature – around 40,000 degrees F on running. It can cut through metal surfaces like a warm knife through button.
Moreover, plasma cutter create a narrow kerf and small heat-affected slag. Hence, you can expect the cutting to be perfectly precise.
Portability
Those having experienced traditional cutting machines know how painful it is to move them around.
Modern plasma cutters tell a different story thanks to their movability. These tools are portable in design and often supported with mobile wheels and handles so that you can take the cutters anywhere on demand.
Sizes and shapes vary to fit requirements of hobbyists and even of industrial projects.
Versatility
First off, plasma cutters can handle almost all metals, whether they are ferrous or not. To be specific, you can cut through heavy chunks of materials such as carbon steel, copper, nickel alloys, titanium, cast iron, and so on.
Excitingly, these tools are not limited to cutting, but they can also be used as gauges to generate plasma cutter art or align materials precisely.
While some machines are more suitable for small work may be performed by a hobbyist, others are more reserved for high scale production projects.
Low cost
Using plasma cutters is economical since these tools have high performance and productivity. In other words, they cut down on time and other resources.
Just a small note, you should keep the cutter at the lowest settings and at hand to turn on or off quickly. Otherwise, plasma cutter can eat up the electricity bill quickly.
User-friendliness and safety
Believe it or not,
You can use a manual plasma cutter without needing specialized training. They are easy to operate with printed instructions on the tool’s cover. All you need to do is follow the guide and take safety gear in mind.
Automatic plasma cutters are a bit more complex. You have to invest more time in getting familiar with some software. However, this is not a big deal!
More importantly, plasma cutters are safer than other traditional tools such as the oxy-fuel system. You neither have to store explosive gases nor handle a dangerous open flame.
Cons of Plasma Cutters
Besides taking advantage of all pros, you might also get ready for some cons. Noise is the most annoyance. Here is the rule of thumb: the higher the settings are, the louder the cutting process. Over time, such noise can cause hearing problems.
Moreover, you can hurt yourself by contacting to hardened edges, discharging fumes, and too-bright arc.
Safety first is a rule. Whenever you are working on plasma cutters, remember to put on protective equipment such as mask, auto-darkening helmet, glasses, gloves, and lightweight welding jacket.
How to Choose the Best Plasma Cutter?
Whenever you are about to buy something, search for the buying guide first. Useful advice from experts will help to choose the best plasma cutter that is under your budget and on-demand.
Below are several factors you need to take into concern.
The requirement of electric output
Check the required voltage and amperage in product specifications first to ensure that your household/workplace power outlet is matched. Otherwise, you can’t run the cutter or even worse the tool breaks down immediately.
For your information, almost all plasma cutters run on 110 or 220 volts power outlet. Some premium ones can handle both.
Whatever they might be, make sure you plug them into the same outlet circuit that meets the minimum amperage rating of the cutter.
Duty cycle
The duty cycle is the time between the two safe operations of the cutter in an hour without shutting down, overheating, or torching. To be short, the larger the duty cycle is, the more time the plasma cutter can run for. The tool featuring different amperage output often have more duty cycle.
Those using plasma cutters for hand-cutting should use a 50 percent duty. It means, the arc can remain in operation for 5 out of 10 minutes without causing the system to overheat.
Cutting speed
The very next to consider is the cutting speed. It determines how fast you can cut through thick metals and the quality of the cut.
Generally, plasma cutters support 3 speeds including rated cut, quality cut, and serve cut.
- Rated cut is used to handle mild steel cleanly and smoothly at the highest speed
- The quality cut is good at cutting medium thick materials. However, the cutting takes a bit longer time
- Serve cut can cut through very thick surfaces, but it is very slow
Types of start
Plasma cutters use either high-frequency start or contact start so that they can initiate the pilot arc.
The earlier is a bit risky when using near electronic devices and appliances since it produces lots of interferences. The later – contact start technology, not only gets rid of interference but also allows more visible pilot arc so that you can cut more accurately.
Air supply
Instead of using explosive gases like that of the oxy-fuel cutters, plasma cutters work with an air compressor.
Some units already feature built-in compressors that are both compatible with the cutter and lightweight to take all around.
However, cheap plasma cutters often do not come with the air compressor in the package. Make sure that you buy a powerful external one. It will add extra cost but worthy enough to increase productivity.
Portability
As we mentioned above, movability is among the most advantages of plasma cutters over other units.
To figure out how portable the cutter is, check its dimensions, materials, and construction. Are there any mobile wheels or adjustable handle?
Your demands and budget
It is not always true that the most feature-rich or expensive plasma cutter is the best. Which to choose depends on what you use it for and how much can you invest in the unit.
For household repair or DIY tasks, you just need some portable one that has all the basic features and is user-friendly.
For industrial projects, the ideal plasma cutters must have a high cutting speed and a large duty cycle. It is also movable flexibly from one site to another. It is also better if the unit is equipped with some automatic or smart safety features.
Best Plasma Cutter Reviews 2021
| Plasma Cutter | Voltage | Amperage Range | Cut Thickness | Dimensions | Weight | Editor’s Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 PRIMEWELD Premium & Rugged 50A Air Inverter Plasma Cutter | 110/220V | 50 A | 3/4'' | 15 x 12 x 6'' | 26 lbs | 4.6/5 |
 Amico Power CUT-50 | 110/230V | 50 A | 1'' | 18 x 8 x 14'' | 31 lbs | 4.4/5 |
 Goplus CUT-50 Electric Digital Plasma Cutter | 110/220V | 50 A | 1/2" | - | - | 4.1/5 |
 Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp | 110/220V | 50 A | 3/4" | 10 x 13 x 26'' | 22.5 lbs | 4.1/5 |
 PrimeWeld Ct520d 50 Amps Plasma Cutter | 110/220V | 50 A | 1/2" | 23.6 x 16.8 x 12.8'' | 35.7 lbs | 4.7/5 |
 PRIMEWELD 50A CUT50DP | 110/220V | 50 A | 3/4" | 18 x 14 x 11'' | 25 lbs | 4.3/5 |
 Forney Easy Weld 251 | 120V | 20 A | 1/4" | 15.1 x 8.1 x 12'' | 21.1 lbs | 4.8/5 |
 Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter | 110/240V | 50 A | 3/4" | 15 x 6 x 12'' | 19.4 lbs | 4.1/5 |
 Lotos LTPDC2000D | 110/240V | 50 A | 3/4" | 17 x 8 x 12.5'' | 41.9 lbs | 4.1/5 |
 Mophorn 100 Amp Plasma Cutter | 380V | 100 A | 1.25" | 24 X 10.6 X 18.9'' | 29 lbs | 4.1/5 |
 Everlast PowerPlasma 60S plasma cutter | 220V | 60 A | 1.25" | - | - | 4.0/5 |
 Hobart 500576 Airforce 40i Plasma Cutter | 240V | 40 A | 7/8" | 17 x 18.2 x 11.6'' | 34.3 lbs | 4.9/5 |
 Hobart 500565 Airforce 27i Plasma Cutter | 120/240V | 27 A | 5/8” | 11.2 x 8.2 x 14.2'' | 32.1 lbs | 4.7/5 |
 Hypertherm 088079 Powermax30 XP Building America | 110/240V | - | 5/8” | 14 x 5.5 x 11.5'' | 42.3 lbs | 4.6/5 |
Best plasma cutter under $300
1 – PrimeWeld CUT50D – Best Cheap Plasma Cutter Overall
So far, the PrimeWeld CUT50D is the best plasma cutter under $300. Despite the surprisingly low price, its performance is excellent and reliable.
First off, the tool is effective enough for both hobby projects and demanding construction work. The cutter can handle various heavy metals (e.g. alloy steel, stainless steel, copper aluminum) at a breeze.
Secondly, the machine can run directly on dual voltage: 220V or 110V (50/60.) The PrimeWeld CUT50D; hence, can work with both household and industrial power sources.
Air inverter base is another plus. This is the newest technology when it comes to the plasma cutter, which is tested to create a high operating frequency. Consequently, the tool can cut up to 1/2″ and the max severance of 3/4″ thickness and at a rated cut of 55 lbs.
Moreover, this inverter-based plasma cutter weight many times less than other conventional cutting machine.
We also appreciate that the manufacturer offer a warranty of 3 years – an exceptionally long period for a low-priced tag.
Almost all are good, except for the user guide. Since PrimeWeld is a Chinese brand, we bet those writing the manual do not use English as their native language. As a result, many sections of the user guide is so confusing.
We recommend you to refer to tutorial videos whenever you get stuck with the written construction.
Pros
- High-quality materials and reliable components
- Portable constructions
- Dual voltage
- Inverter-based technology
- Low price
Cons
- Mislead user guide
- Lack of consumable replacement
If you have a small budget, the PrimeWeld CUT50D is the best choice which has unexpectedly reliable features under $300.
2 – Amico Power CUT-50 – The Runner-up Plasma Cutter
The fact that PrimeWeld CUT50D is made in China might deter some of you from buying. It is not only due to the suspicion of quality but also the availability of consumables. Then, the Amico Power CUT-50 is an alternative. The company does support in the U.S so you can relax when it comes to replacement or repair.
All features are as good as those of the PrimeWeld CUT50D. Moreover, there are other interesting features to explore.
This tool is also versatile to different metals such as alloy steel, copper, aluminum, and stainless steel. The torch is durable against heat and impact, making a comfortable and sure grid on jobs.
Like the PrimeWeld counterpart, this plasma cutter also features an inverter base. Hence, you can expect the tool to cut a thickness of up to 1 inch. The duty cycle is 60% at 50A and 100% at 38.7A .
The difference between the PrimeWeld cutter and the Amico Power is the outlet power. The latter adapts to 100 to 240V input power with an adapter included.
However, there have been several reports on air leaks or cracks so far. The construction does not seem very sturdy. So, be careful when carrying it around.
Pros
- Low price
- Responsive support in the U.S
- A dual voltage of 100 to 240V
- Comfortable and effective torch
Cons
- Nondurable construction
Though the company must improve the construction to be sturdier, this Amico Power is still worthy due to its powerful features at the price tag.
3 – Goplus CUT-50 – Best Budget Plasma Cutter under $300
If you only use the plasma cutter several times per month, generally for your hobbies and DIY projects, then you do not have to break the bank.
Purchasing the Goplus CUT-50 can save you dozens of dollars less than the two cutters above. Meanwhile, the feature list is not too different.
For example, the latest inverter technology is used in this tool to reduce the bulky of the unit while increasing the efficiency by 30%. There is also a portable handle, making the portability even easier.
The cutter works well with both 110V and 220V outlets so that you do not have to switch any knobs. Just insert the given chord and the tool will detect the input voltage itself. The output ranges from 50 to 60 hertz.
On the other hand, the unit is equipped with some additional thoughtful features despite the low price.
To be specific, there is a function to supply gas ahead and switch off gas delayed. The cutter is weatherproof no matter how harsh situations you work, especially when the humidity reaches up to 80% and the outside temperature is between -10 degrees to +40 degrees.
Nevertheless, there is no air compressor included in the package. So you have to buy one yourself.
Pros
- Surprisingly low price
- Built-in inverter technology
- Flexible dual voltage
- Movable and weatherproof construction
Cons
- The extra cost of the air compressor
- Unhelpful manual guide
Because of its price category, you can not expect premium features for professional work. However, this plasma cutter is a good-for-budget choice for small projects thanks to its massive power and immense durability.
4 – Lotos LT5000D – Best Portable Plasma Cutter
As you can see from above, almost all CUT50 plasma cutters share similar features: dual voltage, inverter technology, and portable design.
The Lotos LT5000D is no exception.
Even better, it comes at more lightweight and movable construction with a strong metal shell. The overall weight is only 26 pounds, so for sure, you do not have any difficulty carrying the cutter from home to work, and from sites to sites.
Like other best plasma cutters under $300, the Lotos unit supports dual voltage and quick cutting speed to handle different conductive metals from steel to aluminum: 3/4” maximum severance and 1/2” clean cuts under 220/240V and 2/5″ maximum severance and 1/3” clean cuts under 110/120V.
Built-in plug and air-filter regulator makes the installation of air compressor fast and effortless. The installation and user guides are helpful and easy to understand.
The short standoff is what to complain. If you have used the plasma cutter before, then you know how important the standoff is to support a consistent base to the cutter. The short standoff, hence, might affect the quality cut.
You had better buy an additional standoff then.
Pros
- Compact and portable design
- Durable metal shell
- Effective dual voltage and cut speeds
- Easy installation and operation
Cons
- Short and unstable standoff
- Non-guarded torch trigger
Besides the portable design, the Lotos LT5000D is also powerful to handle different types of metals. Not to mention, it is durable and user-friendly.
Best plasma cutter under $500
1 – PrimeWeld CT520D – Best Versatile Plasma Cutter
If you pay a little more than 300, you can get a plasma cutter with some interesting adds-on. Take this PrimeWeld CT520D for example.
The tool adopts all basic features like those of the best plasma cutter under $300.
For instance, the CT520D can work with different types of heavy metals (e.g. alloy steel, stainless steel, copper aluminum) at a breeze. Moreover, it runs directly on dual voltage: 220V or 110V. This is really handy and helpful when you are working in places where the standard 220V outlet is unavailable.
More importantly, the PrimeWeld CT520D is not limited to cutting but also welding functions. On the one hand, the unit can cut metals up to 1/2″ at 50A. On the other hand, it can switch between the stick welder and TIG welder in a matter of minutes. The power efficiency is 85% and the duty cycle is 60%.
Like other PrimeWeld brothers, this plasma cutter comes with a 3-year warranty and dedicated support 7 days a week.
However, the instruction documents still need improving. They are incomprehensive and mislead sometimes. Also, there is not a pilot arc in case you want to automate the plasma cutter.
Pros
- 3-in-1 function
- Portable construction
- High efficiency and reliable duty cycle
- Affordable price
Cons
- Unhelpful manual guide
- Lack of pilot arc
If you are a welder or have a hobby of welding, this CT520D packs all your needs in a unit. Its features are unexpectedly richer than its price tag.
2 – PRIMEWELD 50A CUT50DP – Best Budget Plasma Cutter under 500
As its name might already suggest, this PrimeWeld 50A CUT50DP is the advanced version of the CUT50D. A slight increase in price turns out more powerful features to explore.
First off, you can still take advantage of all CUT50D functionalities. Accordingly, the cutter features a portable and user-friendly construction with non-hazardous inverter compressed air. You can expect the tool to cut through copper, stainless steel, or aluminum up to 1/2’’ thickness. The max severance thickness is 3/4’’.
Secondly, this plasma cutter supports a dual voltage, meaning it can work well on 110V 50/60 Hz and on 220V 50/60 Hz powers.
What makes this CUT50DP more advanced than its predecessor is the non-touch pilot arc. This adds extra cost to the cutter – of course. However, the CUT50DP is still far more affordable than other pilot-arc cutters.
A pilot arc is truly helpful, especially when you are newbies to plasma cutters. It creates no HF interference so you won’t burn yourself while cutting or welding. Moreover, it can cut through painted or rusty surfaces with minimal slag.
Again, the user guide is suck. You had better refer to some tutorial videos to get more information rather than challenge your brain with the confusing words in the manual documents.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Non-touch pilot arc
- Portable construction
- Powerful features
Cons
- Confusing user guide
If you seek for the best plasma cutter under $500 that is both reliable and pocket-friendly, take this PrimeWeld CUT50DP into account.
3 – Forney Easy Weld 251 20 P – Best Overall Plasma Cutter
This Forney Easy Weld 251 20P is the top-rated plasma cutter under 500. This big love makes sense due to its almost-perfect functionalities at the price tag.
The unit is as lightweight as 21.5 lbs so you can transport it to various job sites without bothering anybody to help. The Forney Easy Weld 251 20P is also built to last with the all-metal case.
The Drag Torch technology is another excitement. It provides a more smooth and precise cut than other plasma cutters since you can drag the tip directly on the metals. As a result, it can cut through mild and stainless steel, copper and brass up to 1/4’’ and through the aluminum up to 3/16”.
Furthermore, the machine runs on standard 120V power source. This outlet is common and user-friendly.
The package comes with cutting torch, clamp, 20A-15A adapter, additional nozzle, and electrode. Almost all are ready to plug and play.
You just need to buy the air compressor cable.
Pros
- Lightweight and durable construction
- High cutting speed
- Advanced Drag Torch technology
- Diverse accessories
Cons
- Lack of compressor cable
- Single voltage outlet
Although this plasma cutter only supports 120V power source, which is a bit shortage compared to other dual-voltage cutters, hardly plasma cutter under 500 can beat its durability and effective features.
4 – Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp – The Best Pilot-arc Plasma Cutter
Developed from the Lotos LT500D, the Lotos LTP5000D features dual voltage, inverter technology, portable design and more importantly, the non-touch pilot air technology.
Like other products of Lotos, this unit has an impressive power out of its diminutive size. It can handle a 3/4” maximum severance and 1/2” clean cuts under 220/240V and 2/5″ maximum severance and 1/3” clean cuts under 110/120V. You can use the cutter for aluminum, copper, stainless or mild steel.
The built-in compressed air even enhances the efficiency with safe cuts at a low cost.
Even better, this Lotos cutter comes with the non-touch pilot arc technology, which can’t be found in the LT5000D. It allows cutting the metals without interfering with the tip to their surfaces. As a result, the cutting place is cleaner and smoother. Not to mention, it lengthens the consumable life.
The installation is effortless thanks to helpful manual documents and the unit’s simple construction.
The short standoff is still the matter. It might not support enough balance and firm for the cut. Hence, you should purchase an additional one.
Pros
- Compact and portable design
- Sheer cutting performance
- Non-touch pilot arc plasma cutter
- Effective dual voltage
- Easy installation and operation
Cons
- Short and unstable standoff
- Lack of a pigtail
The Lotos LT5000D is functional and fully-controlled. Especially, the pilot arc ensures deeper and cleaner cuts without too many slags.
Best plasma cutter under $1000
1 – Lotos LTPDC2000D – Best Budget Plasma Cutter under 1000
The more you pay, the more features you might get.
This Lotos LTPDC2000D adopts all functionalities of the LTP5000D. Even better, it packs three demands into one unit: a plasma cutter, a stick welder, and a TIG welder. However, the price is still affordable.
You can find all features such as dual voltage, non-touching pilot arc, compressed air, the air filter regulator, etc. Hence, there is no need to go over these features once again.
Instead, let’s discuss the 3-in-1 benefits.
First off, the tool can cut almost everything from steel to aluminum thanks to its dual voltage and frequency. You do not have to worry about cracks or leak since this cutter is made of robust IGBT power drive matrix.
Just one flip over the switch then Lotos LTPDC2000D can serve as a welding tool. Choose either TIG welder mode to weld on stainless steel or thinner-gauge materials or the stick welder to handle deep weld pool and shape.
The only problem is, the welding leads are quite smaller so you might feel it inconvenient sometimes.
Pros
- 3-in-1 multiple function
- Durable construction
- Fast and clean contacts
- Affordable unit
Cons
- Small welding leads
- Short standoff
The Lotos LTPDC2000D saves you lots of money, not only thanks to its powerful performance but also to its multi-functional design.
2 – Mophorn 100 Amp 380V – Best Energy-Saving Plasma Cutter
Plasma cutters are far more economical than other traditional cutting tools.
However, if you do not pay attention to their settings or switching the cutter off properly, it can still eat up your electricity bill. Besides powerful features, it is better to choose a plasma cutter that has smart features to save on energy consumption.
This Mophorn 100A 380V is the best plasma cutter under $1000 when considering these conditions.
The tool has wide applications on most metals, even the rough or painted surfaces thanks to its high efficiency and pilot air technology. To be specific, it can cut through 1-1/3 inch (35mm) thickness like a warm knife over the butter when running on the maximum 380V outlet.
What we appreciate the most about the Mophorn 100Amp 380V is its compensation function. It adjusts its performance according to the fluctuation of your power network. As a result, the PWM output is well-controlled while the power consumption is lower.
There is also IP21 protection to ensure safe welding and prolong product lifespan.
This plasma cutter is definitely beyond your expectations at its price. If we have to point out what to improve, it is the size. The total weight of 29 lbs is acceptable. However, the smaller – the more portable.
Pros
- High efficiency and duty cycle
- Easy to operate and control
- Economical energy consumption
- IP21 protection
Cons
- Large construction at the price
- Single voltage
All in all, this Mophorn 100 Amp 380V is powerful enough to perform top-notch cuttings.
3 – Everlast PowerPlasma 60S – Best Plasma Cutter Around $1000
As its brand name, this Everlast PowerPlasma 60S is built to last for a long time. Moreover, its performance is reliable and efficient.
The productivity is at the product’s core. The cutter adopts the IGBT technology, which not only reduces the total weight of the unit but also increases the cuttings for the professional environment. Accordingly, it offers higher heat tolerance and voltage capacities than the common MOSFET technology.
As a result, this plasma cutter can handle different cutting capabilities: 3/4″ daily cuts; 7/8″ clean cuts, and 1 1/4″ severance cuts.
The duty cycle is as high as 60% at 60 Amps.
Durability is another benefit to praise. This plasma cutter comes with blow black pilot, adjustable post flow timer, and various consumables – all are helpful to improve the cutter long life.
We are satisfied with the high-quality functionalities. And, of course, you should not pay too cheap for an excellent tool. However, this cutter is a bit pricey.
Pros
- High duty cycle
- Effective and durable IGBT technology
- Portable design
Cons
- Unreasonably high price
“Powerful” and “efficient” are what we feel about this Everlast PowerPlasma 60S. However, if it is cheaper, then it might be even worthy.
4 – PRIMEWELD CUT60 60Amp Non-Touch Pilot Arc PT60 Torch Plasma Cutter
Updating
Best plasma cutter under $2000
1 – Hobart 500576 Airforce 40i – Best Premium Plasma Cutter
Plasma cutters can go as cheap as under 300. However, it might be also expensive up to 1000 and over. It makes sense since premium cutters support adds-on for professional demands. They are also more durable and reliable.
And, the winner of the best plasma cutter under $2000 is Hobart Airforce 40i.
Featuring the XT40R top-notch handheld torch and consumables, the tool can slide through both light and heavy conductive metals faster and cleaner than other medium or low-price plasma cutters.
It can handle up to 3/8’’ aluminum/stainless steel/galvanized; 5/8’’ mild steel, 3/16’’ copper, and 1/4’’ brass.
The ergonomic handheld design also offers comfortability, even if you work with the cutter for a long time.
Besides the XT40 torch, this plasma cutter provides a bunch of bells and whistles such as the fan-on-demand component, engine-driven welders, wind tunnel, thermal overload protection, and so on.
All contribute to the cutter’s efficiency and low power consumption.
If there is one thing we love the least about this plasma cutter, it is the size. As a premium cutter, the manufacturer should continue optimizing the size and weight for portable purposes.
Pros
- Various cut capabilities
- Durable construction and materials
- Rich in bells and whistles
Cons
- A bit heavyweight
So far, so good. If you are doing a professional job of cuttings and weldings, you should invest in one Hobart Airforce 40i.
2 – Hobart 500565 Airforce 27i – The Lightweight Premium Plasma Cutter
If the price and weight of the Airforce 40i is your concern, then this Hobart Airforce 27i is an alternative.
Although the feature list is not as rich as that of the 40i, the overall performance is still excellent. Not to mention, you can save hundreds of dollars.
Instead of the XT40 torch, this cutter uses the XT30R along with consumables and 12ft lead. Hence, cutting capabilities are a bit less. Still, you can cut up to 3/8″ thin metal sheet and 5/8″sever steel plate.
More importantly, the Airforce 27i is much lighter than the 40i. It weighs only 32.1 lbs including the torch, clamp, and inverter air. This design is very compact and portable.
Moreover, there is a dual-voltage plug to connect whether 120V or 220V outlet power as wished.
Other safety and cooling features like a fan, trigger guard, or thermal overload protection are included.
However, noise generated during the operation is a bit loud and annoying, you must prepare some protective gear to not hurt your hearing.
Pros
- Durable and lightweight design
- Dual voltage
- Efficient cutting performance
- Safety and cooling adds-on
Cons
- Annoying noise
- Easy-to-rust clamps and contacts
Those looking for a lightweight, easy to use, and efficient cutting tools, this Hobart Airforce 27i is our recommendations. Despite its price tag, the unit is worth for its durability and power.
3 – Hypertherm 088079 Powermax30 XP – The Runner-up Premium Plasma Cutter
The Hypertherm Powermax30 XP is the last on these best plasma cutter reviews, but definitely not the least. Its features are as good as the Hobart Airforce 40i.
First to mention, this cutter is durable. The Duramax LT torch is not only resistant to impact or heat, but it also provides a comfortable grip so that you can work with the cutter continuously.
Secondly, it is lightweight. The overall weight is just 42.3 lbs, so moving it between job sites will not be problematic.
Moreover, the tool features an auto-voltage function so that it will automatically adapt and switch from 110V to 240V according to your place’s power source.
The cutting power is tested to increase by 50% compared to other plasma cutters so you can expect to have the job done more quickly.
Essential features are almost packaged. However, the unit still lacks safety and cooling features as those of the Hobart units.
Pros
- Light and portable design
- Durable and comfortable torch
- Auto-voltage function
- High cutting power
Cons
- Expensive price
- Lack of safety and cooling features
Generally, this plasma cutter is a combination of portability and efficiency. However, the pricey tag might make you think twice.
Conclusion
We already complete the best plasma cutter reviews at all prices range. Have you picked your most suitable? We recommend giving every product a look so that you can make the right choice. The buying guide is available for your reference.