The best plasma cutters at a checked price under $500.
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 Plasma Cutters Under $500: Up to 45 A
- Forney Easy Cut 255#1 of 1Full review
For occasional auto body, HVAC and thin sheet cutting on a 120 V outlet. Anyone cutting plate should buy a larger dual voltage machine.
Amazon $399.99$399.9920 A3/16 in35%
Best Plasma Cutters Under $500: Over 45 A
- Lotos LOP55D#1 of 12Full 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$165.9855 A1/2 in60% - Lotos LTP6300D#2 of 12Full review
A 63 A dual-voltage cutter for farm and fabrication work on plate up to 5/8 in. The blowback pilot arc suits rusty stock and shops with sensitive electronics.
Amazon $459.98 Lotos $359.98$359.9863 A5/8 in60% - ArcCaptain CUT55 Pro#3 of 12Full review
A very light 55 A pilot arc cutter for DIY and repair work on steel up to 1/2 in. It suits buyers who carry the cutter to the job and like app control.
Amazon $269.96$269.9655 A1/2 in60% - Lotos LTP5600CD#4 of 12Full review
For mobile repair and field cutting where no air compressor is on hand. Shop users who already own a compressor get more for the money from a cutter without one.
Amazon $599.98 Lotos $499.98$499.9856 A5/8 in60% - PrimeWeld CUT50DP#5 of 12Full review
For a hobby or farm shop that wants a cheap dual voltage cutter with a pilot arc for 1/2 in steel and below. Look elsewhere if it will run on a CNC table.
Amazon $399$39950 A0.472 in60% - ArcCaptain CUT55 HF#6 of 12Full review
A low-cost 55 A pilot arc cutter for home shops cutting steel up to 1/2 in. Pick a non-HF model if it will sit next to electronics or a CNC table.
Amazon $229.99$229.9955 A1/2 in60% - YesWelder CUT-65DS PLUS#7 of 12Full review
A 65 A cutter for home fabricators who cut 1/2 in plate and want gouging in the same box. Check that the compressor keeps up before buying.
Amazon $309.98$309.9865 A9/16 in60% - YesWelder CUT-55DS NHF PLUS#8 of 12Full review
A light non-HF 55 A cutter for garages with computers or a CNC nearby, cutting steel up to 1/2 in. It suits buyers who also want to gouge out welds.
Amazon $299.28 YesWelder $288.15$288.1555 A1/2 in60% - Lotos LT5000D#9 of 12Full review
A budget touch-start cutter for clean steel up to 1/2 in in a home shop. Buyers who cut rusty, painted or mesh stock should pay more for a pilot arc.
Amazon $199.97 Lotos $139.98$139.9850 A1/2 in60% - PrimeWeld CUT50#10 of 12Full review
For a hobbyist who cuts clean steel up to 1/2 in now and then and wants the lowest price. Spend more on a pilot arc model for rusty or expanded metal.
Amazon $289$28950 A0.472 in60% - VEVOR CUT-50#11 of 12Full review
A cheap 50 A pilot arc cutter for hobbyists cutting sheet and steel up to 1/2 in now and then. Its short duty cycle and high-frequency start make it a poor fit for heavy or CNC work.
Amazon $198.90$198.9050 A1/2 in20% - VEVOR CUT-65 Non-HF#12 of 12Full review
A low-cost 65 A pilot arc cutter for occasional home and farm cuts in steel up to 5/8 in. Buyers who cut plate for long stretches should look at a machine with a higher duty cycle.
Amazon $259.90$259.9065 A5/8 in20%