Every plasma cutter gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Cutters are grouped by output (up to 45 A, and over 45 A), and rated cut has its own scale for each group.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per inch of rated cut | 30% |
| Cut | rated cut on mild steel | 20% |
| Duty cycle | duty cycle at full output | 15% |
| Pilot arc | cuts painted, rusty and expanded metal | 10% |
| Warranty | warranty on the machine | 25% |
Where the numbers come from
Output, cut thickness, duty cycle, air use and warranty come from the maker’s spec sheet, manual or product page. Prices are checked at Amazon, the maker’s own store and welding retailers, and the lowest is used.
The factors
Value is the current price divided by the rated cut in inches, on a log scale, so going from $4,000 to $2,000 per inch counts as much as going from $2,000 to $1,000. $8,000 per inch scores zero and $400 full marks.
Cut is the maker’s rated (clean or recommended) cut on mild steel, not the thicker sever cut. Up to 45 A, 1/4 in scores zero and 3/4 in full marks; over 45 A, 1/2 in and 1 1/4 in.
Duty cycle is how many minutes in ten it cuts at full output before it must cool: 20% scores zero and 60% full marks. When the maker rates it at a lower output, it’s carried up to full output by the rule that heat goes with the square of the current, and marked as estimated. Ratings at 25 °C flatter a machine against the 40 °C standard, and the product page notes which.
Pilot arc scores full marks with one and zero without.
Warranty is the warranty on the machine: 1 year scores zero and 5 years full marks.
What isn’t scored
Input voltage, sever cut, air use, arc start, CNC port and weight are listed but not scored. 120 V and pilot arc cutters have their own pages.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.