Best Plasma Cutters Ranked

33 plasma cutters, scored on price per inch of rated cut, cut thickness, duty cycle, pilot arc and warranty.

Last updated: November 2, 2026

A plasma cutter slices steel, stainless and aluminum with a jet of ionized air, far faster and cleaner than a grinder or a torch. These rankings compare what the makers publish on the same terms: how much cut you get for the money, how thick it cuts cleanly, how long it runs at full power, whether it has a pilot arc and how long it’s covered.

Rated cut, not sever cut. Makers print up to three thicknesses. The rated (or clean) cut is what it cuts at a usable speed with a clean edge; the sever cut is the most it gets through at all, slowly and with a ragged edge. We score the rated cut.

Pilot arc lets the torch cut through paint, rust and expanded metal without touching it, which matters on farm and salvage work.

Air is the hidden cost. Most cutters need a compressor that keeps up with their air use, listed on each product page, and dry air: water in the line wears out consumables fast.

Top Picks

Shop by Size

Up to 45 A

12 ranked

Up to 45 A: sheet metal, car bodies and steel up to about 1/2 in, and most run on 120 V.

Top rated: Hobart AirForce 40i $2,009

Over 45 A

21 ranked

Over 45 A: plate, trailers and farm repair, cutting 5/8 in and thicker on 240 V.

Top rated: Everlast PowerPlasma 82i $1,269

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Prices were last checked November 2, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.

Best Small Plasma Cutters

  1. Hobart AirForce 40i
    #1 of 124.1Full review

    A light dual voltage cutter for farms and shops that cut steel up to 5/8 in, backed by Hobart’s long warranty. Hobby users on a budget can get similar cut ratings for much less.

    Cyberweld $2,009 Welding Supplies from IOC $2,095
    $2,009
    40 A5/8 in60%
  2. Hypertherm Powermax 45 SYNC
    #2 of 123.8Full review

    A professional 45 A cutter for fabrication shops and farms with a 240 V circuit that cut 5/8 in steel regularly. Pick it for long consumable life and easy setup, not low price.

    Amazon $2,940 Welder Supply $2,785
    $2,785
    45 A5/8 in50%
  3. Hypertherm Powermax 33 XP
    #3 of 123.6Full review

    A compact, dual voltage cutter for home shops and repair work that cut up to 1/2 in steel. It costs more than import brands but brings Hypertherm consumable life and a six year warranty.

    Amazon $1,595 Welder Supply $1,384
    $1,384
    33 A1/2 in35%
  4. Miller Spectrum 625 X-TREME
    #4 of 123.6Full review

    A light, dual voltage Miller cutter for shops and job sites that cut up to 5/8 in steel day after day. Worth it for buyers who value Miller build and dealer service; hobby users can pay much less.

    Amazon $2,917.20 Cyberweld $2,508
    $2,508
    40 A5/8 in60%
  5. Hobart AirForce 27i
    #5 of 123.4Full review

    A light dual voltage cutter for sheet metal and steel up to 3/8 in, with Hobart’s long warranty. Buyers who cut thicker steel should step up to the 40i.

    Amazon $1,617.99 Cyberweld $1,565
    $1,565
    30 A3/8 in40%

See all 12 best small plasma cutters

Best 50 to 80 Amp Plasma Cutters

  1. Everlast PowerPlasma 82i
    #1 of 214.7Full review

    For a fabrication or farm shop that regularly cuts 3/4 to 1 in steel and has the 240 V power and compressor to feed it. It costs far less than the big brand 80 A machines.

    Amazon $1,269
    $1,269
    80 A1 1/4 in60%
  2. Everlast PowerPlasma 62i
    #2 of 214.4Full review

    For a 240 V shop cutting 1/2 to 1 in steel for trailers and farm repairs, with room to add a CNC table later. Its long duty cycle suits long cuts.

    Amazon $999
    $999
    60 A1 in60%
  3. Everlast PowerPlasma 52i
    #3 of 214.2Full review

    For a home or farm shop cutting up to 1/2 in steel on 240 V that wants a pilot arc and a long warranty. The dual voltage input lets it trim sheet metal on a household outlet too.

    Amazon $799
    $799
    50 A3/4 in60%
  4. Everlast Hatchet 60
    #4 of 214.1Full review

    For a hand-cutting home or farm shop that wants a 60 A pilot arc cutter on a budget, with 120 V use for thin metal. It is not for CNC tables or long continuous cuts.

    Amazon $659 Everlast $649
    $649
    60 A7/8 in35%
  5. Lotos LOP55D
    #5 of 213.9Full review

    A low-cost pilot arc cutter for garage and farm repair on steel up to 1/2 in. It suits buyers who want non-touch starts on rusty metal without spending more.

    Amazon $199.98 Lotos $165.98
    $165.98
    55 A1/2 in60%

See all 21 best 50 to 80 amp plasma cutters

How We Rank

Each cutter is ranked against others of a similar output, and scored on its price per inch of rated cut, its rated cut, its duty cycle at full output, its pilot arc and its warranty.

FactorMeasuresWeight
Valueprice per inch of rated cut30%
Cutrated cut on mild steel20%
Duty cycleduty cycle at full output15%
Pilot arccuts painted, rusty and expanded metal10%
Warrantywarranty on the machine25%

How we rank explains each factor in full.