Best Plasma Cutters under $1000 – Reviews & Analysis 2022

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The following cutters all fell in the right price range, had features that our review panel found useful, and were quality products that our experts believed would serve people well.

Comparison Of Our Top Picks

Best Plasma Cutter Under $1000 In 2022

1. Lotos 50AMP Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter

This non-touch pilot arc cutter allows you to cut materials like rusty metal, or painted metal without producing an overabundance of slag. You do your cutting with this machine without the tip making contact with the material you are cutting so the materials you cut do not have to be in pristine condition.

This cutter can be used on aluminum, steel, steel alloys, copper, mild steel and stainless steel. It has a ten to fifty amp DC output and can make a clean cut on ½” material or a severance cut on ¾” material when it is powered by 220V currents. If it is being powered by a 110V current it can make a clean cut on a 1/3” material and a severance cut on a 2/5” material.

This cutter utilizes non-hazardous compressed air to cut and that makes the machine safer to use and cheaper to operate.

This machine is so easy to use that you can be set up and working in less than one minute. It has an NPT ¼” D plug and air filter regulator that provides you with the ability to connect the machine to your air compressor using a standard coupler that is already on your air compressor. You plug the machine in and go to work.

Pros

Cons

2. PRIMEWELD Dual Voltage Plasma Cutter

This is a small product with a lot of power. It is a versatile machine that can be operated by either 110v or 220v. It comes with an adapter that allows it to be powered by either of these voltages. It even comes with a high-quality torch and an extra electrode.

The machine is small enough to easily be handled and moved by just about anyone. It measures 20 inches x 11 inches x 19 inches and weighs only 55 pounds. It can be stored under shelves and cabinets in your storage area, and you do not need a truck to haul it from one location to the next.

The customer service and support you receive when you buy this item are above the rest. It also has a 2-year warranty that helps you to feel more secure about your decision to purchase.

It can be used on a variety of metals including stainless steel, cast iron, steel alloy, copper, and chrome. You will find this device useful if you own a farm or ranch, have outdoor equipment like lawnmowers, or do hobbies that use metal components.

Pros

Cons

3. Reboot Plasma Cutting Machine - Best For the Money

This is a great cutter that can be operated on a regular household electrical outlet at 120V or can be used with a 220v circuit. It is powerful and has a 60% duty cycle at 50A and a 100% duty cycle at 40A. It does not have a compressor inside it has a high-frequency inverter instead.

When powered by the 220V electrical current it is capable of cutting ½” or 12mm thick steel in a clean cut. It can severe materials that are up to 3/5” or 15mm thick. When operating on a typical 110-volt household current the thickest materials it can cut and produce a clean cut will be 3/8” thick or 9mm.

It can be used to cut stainless steel, copper, cast iron, chrome, steel alloy, mild steel, and more. It is handy for homeowner use, hobbyist, farms, ranches, small businesses, and repair shops.

It comes complete with the plasma cutting torch and one electrode holder, plus an earth clamp and each of these items have a 6.5-foot cable. It comes with a 6.5-foot air hose and an air pressure valve but you have to buy the air compressor separately.

Pros

Cons

4. Hobart Airforce 12ci Plasma Cutter with Built-In Air Compressor 120V

This machine can provide you with the ability to make precision cuts while producing thinner amounts of kerf and a lot less slag. That means the cuts look better, and the clean-up takes less time.

The device cuts faster than most cutters that require oxy-fuel to operate. You have no gas pressure settings to contend with, no flame tuning is needed, and the heat affected zone is considerably smaller than the zones on most cutters so you have less material warping to be concerned with.

The air compressor for this device is built-in so you do not need an external air compressor. That allows the machine to operate quieter, and be easier to transport and set-up on location.

This weighs only 27 pounds. You can easily take it with you wherever you are going to work. It can be loaded in the back of a car, or on the back of a side-by-side. It measures 16.5” x 18.5” x 11.5” so you can even store it on a shelf in the garage when you are not using it. It is so simple to use that you literally hook the machine up and pull the trigger. It is that simple.

Pros

5. Razorweld JRWPC45LT Plasma Cutter

This is a single phase inverter plasma cutter. It is small but does not let the size fool you this is a powerful piece of equipment. The machine has a custom designed torch that has a sure grip on it. That means your torch will be less likely to slip while you are using it.

It has amperage dial that you can use to adjust the amperage from 20 amps to 40 amps according to your needs for the materials you are cutting. You get seamless cuts that are precise because you have the right amperage and total control.

The machine has a low frequency pilot arc when starting so it is reliable and consistent. It does not interfere with the electricity being supplied to other electrical devices in the vicinity of the machine when it is being started.

It is portable and there is a built in carrying handle to make it easy to lift the machine. You can go to where the work needs to be done rather than having to bring the work to your shop or the location of your plasma cutter. This machine comes with a pre-set air regulator and you get a 19.5” sure grip torch with return lead.

Pros

Cons

Things To Consider When Choosing Plasma Cutter Under $1000

Before you rush out to buy a plasma cutter familiarize yourself with the common features and capabilities of these machines. You want to get a cutter that will do everything you need it to do. Careful comparison before you buy can save you from having any buyers’ remorse.

Voltage Requirements

The plasma cutters may be able to plug into a standard household electrical current of 110/115V or they may need to be operated on a 220/240V circuit like you operate a heavy appliance from. Some of these machines come with adapters that allow you to operate them from either electrical source.

You need to know when you buy a machine that can work from either 110 or 220 voltage circuits the thickness of the material they can cut will be increased when you power them by 220V and will be decreased when you power them by 110V.

Air Compressor

Some of these welding machines have built-in air compressors so you do not need an external air compressor to operate them. Some machines do require an external air compressor. Make sure you know if the machine you are considering requires an external air compressor.

Material Capabilities

Pay close attention to the list of materials the manufacture says the machine is capable of cutting. Think about the material types you will cut the most often and then make your decision on whether a machine will do what you need it to do.

Duty Cycle

The duty cycle tells you how long the machine will actually function in a given period of time. If it has a 50% duty cycle, then you run it for 30 minutes it will work actually 15 minutes out of the 30.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hot are they?

A plasma cutter can reach temperatures that are as high as 45,000 degrees Fahrenheit or about 25,000 degrees Celsius. The heat they generate is far greater than the boiling point of water and you could damage your eyes by simply looking at the white-hot flames produced by the machine.

Why are these so expensive?

The majority of cutting devices are manufactured by major manufacturers out of the highest quality materials. The cost of the materials and the technology and tools it takes to develop these machines add to the cost of the machines.

What gas do you need?

Several gases can be used to fuel a plasma cutter. The cutter sends an electrical arc through the gas that is being forced through a restricted opening. Typically shop air, argon, oxygen or nitrogen are the gases used for these devices.

Are plasma cutters dangerous?

Plasma cutters generate extreme amounts of heat and their flames can cut through most materials and can cause severe burns to human skin. These devices should always be used while wearing protective equipment to shield the user from the high heat or possible contact.

Can a cutter hurt your eyes?

The high heat flames produced by a plasma cutter care so intensely that they can burn your eyes if you look at them with a naked eye. You should always wear a welding style face shield to protect your eyes when you are using one of these devices and do not allow people to stand around and watch you while you work unless their eyes are protected.

Final Note

Getting the right plasma cutter can make your projects easier to do and better looking when you complete them.

If you are looking for a plasma cutter that has a duty cycle greater than 50% then consider the Reboot CUT50 Machine. It has a duty cycle of 60% at 50A and a 100% duty cycle at 40A.

If you are interested in a plasma cutter that comes from a manufacturer that provides excellent support and customer service then you need to consider the PRIMEWELD CUT60 Cutter.

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