5 Best Cheap Plasma Cutter: Why Should You Buy?
Cutting metal is nothing difficult anymore. The plasma technology took place and new tools are using it widely. Plasma cutter is not essential in different industries. The problem is with the price. High-end products used to be pricey.
The good thing is, still there are some cheap options. But it takes hours of research and a huge effort to get the right one. This article will let you know how to get the best cheap plasma cutter. Besides the buying guide, get our recommendation of budget plasma cutters.
In this article, our top pick is the Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter
Cheap Plasma Cutters [Comparison Table]
| Product Name | Ideal Cutting Thickness | Amps | Remark | Our Rating(Out of 5) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Product Name
Best Overall
 Lotos LTP5000D
|
Ideal Cutting Thickness
1/2" (12.7 mm)
|
Amps
10-50A
|
Remark
Affordable, Efficient & Safe plasma cutter
|
Our Rating(Out of 5)
4.8
|
Price
|
|
Product Name
 Primeweld Ct520d
|
Ideal Cutting Thickness
1/2" (12.7 mm)
|
Amps
50A
|
Remark
This is a versatile plasma cutter with combination of welder
|
Our Rating(Out of 5)
4.6
|
Price
|
|
Product Name
 Amico CUT-50
|
Ideal Cutting Thickness
3/4" (19 mm)
|
Amps
50A
|
Remark
It is better to deal with thick metals
|
Our Rating(Out of 5)
4.7
|
Price
|
|
Product Name
 SUNGOLDPOWER 50A
|
Ideal Cutting Thickness
3/4" (19 mm)
|
Amps
50A
|
Remark
This unit is offering the most for its price
|
Our Rating(Out of 5)
4.6
|
Price
|
|
Product Name
 ZENY CUT-50
|
Ideal Cutting Thickness
1/2.1" (12mm)
|
Amps
50A
|
Remark
Cheapest plasma cutter in the list
|
Our Rating(Out of 5)
4.5
|
Price
|
Inexpensive Plasma Cutters Reviewed
To select the best products, we have set some particular standards based on expert suggestions. After hours of research and checking the features and after purchase reviews, we have selected the top 5 inexpensive plasma cutters. Check the products below.
#2. Primeweld Ct520d Review
If you want to best utilize your budget, a versatile product would be best. This PrimeWeld Ct520d Budget Plasma-Cutter is a multifunctional product. With this single unit, you can do MIG welding, TIG welding, plasma cutting, and more. The welding and cutting combo can deal with most of the professional projects.
Despite a higher price, this unit features 200-amp TIG welding and MIG welding. This means when using, it consumes less energy which is a huge saving. The portable plasma cutter is convenient to carry on the project site.
The 50A plasma cutter allows users to cut up to 1/2″ thick metals. This cutting range is good enough for cast iron, aluminum, copper, mild steel, and more. The 50Hz/60Hz input power allows the complete most tasks with less energy. Besides cutting metals, it conveniently handles welding projects such as repairing metal works.
Most customers liked the portability of this unit. Whether you are doing onside projects or at your workstation, nothing to be worried about.
#3. Amico CUT-50 Plasma Cutter, DC Inverter 110/230V
Do you need to carry the plasma cutter to different places?
Well, this is not only you. For most of the professional workers, this is a common scenario. That is why you need to pick something like the Amico CUT-50 plasma cutter. Besides a compact design, it comes with lightweight. The cutter weighs only 21.56 lbs. You can even handle and carry it for transport using only one hand. Other than the portability, this is a quite powerful plasma cutter that is dedicatedly designed only for cutting. Unlike some versatile products, this product provides more power.
Regardless of the power source, you can conveniently connect the cutter. It supports both 110V and 230V. This is so helpful when you are going to some unknown areas and need to use it. it features an improved design that can cut up to 1″ thick metals.
This can deliver enough power to apply on a wide range of metals without any issues. However, its best suits for repairing works and small businesses. For industry-grade projects, it mightn’t be the best. All the essential attachments are included with this product.
#4. SUNGOLDPOWER 50A Air plasma cutter
This item is offering the best features within a tight budget. Most people sometimes struggle to find a good product just because of a low-budget. Well, if you are one of them, this SUNGOLDPOWER 50A plasma cutter could be your best pick. This unit comes with the most advanced technologies for handiness.
It features inverter IGBT technology which is known for better performance. The air plasma cutter is ready to deal with a wide range of metals. For instance, you can apply this on stainless steel, aluminum, copper, iron, and more. Instead of a single voltage system, it is a dual voltage plasma cutter. This means you can connect the machine wherever you are.
It suits for both 110V and 220V. This helps to stay comfortable in all areas. The adapters come with the cutter. With the 10-50AC output, you can get 1/2″ clean-cut and the maximum range is up to 3/4″.
Besides a good power capacity, this unit is great for users’ convenience. The control panel is user-friendly and there is an LCD display. You can observe the voltage and other reading here.
It is highly portable and allows one to carry easily from one worksite to another.
#5. ZENY CUT-50 DC Inverter
This is the cheapest plasma cutter in our best low cost plasma cutter list. Despite a low price, it can fulfill most of the users’ requirements. Like some expensive products, this one also has a good power capacity and great portability. This unit is designed for high efficiency and energy-saving.
Most people even purchased this item just because to save on utility bills. It is stable and ensures perfection in projects. The portable design allows for comfortable carrying. It doesn’t matter if you are working onsite or at home, you can carry it. The whole unit weighs only 22.05 lbs.
This plasma cutter is not like a regular inexpensive one. With the maximum capacity, it can cut 1-12mm thick metal. This range is not good for industrial projects but better for small projects. The dual voltage system allows connecting the cutter with both 110V and 220V. The current range for this item is 20-50A. it features a 60% duty cycle that means you will have the maximum output.
To have a longer life of this plasma cutter, it comes with all the safety features including heat protection, over-voltage protection, and more.
How to Choose the Best Cheap Plasma Cutter?
Finding a plasma cutter is easy within a particular budget. But it really takes enough effort to find the best budget plasma cutter within a short time. Though plasma cutter features so many things, there are some essential facts that you must have to consider. Here are the things to follow –
As you are looking for something budget-friendly, you know that you are not going to use it for industrial projects. Instead, you may want to use the cutter mostly for DIY projects and small business projects. For this, you should consider the portability of the product. Besides the compact design, the cutter needs to be lightweight. This is essential because when you may have to carry the plasma cutter frequently and a bulky product won’t be convenient. Another point is, you need to store the whole unit in safe storage. When it is compact, this will be easy to fit the machine within a tight space.
When you want to operate your plasma cutter, you need to connect the machine with the power source. Now, most of the units within a low price might come with only single voltage. But that is so inconvenient if you want to go for some onsite projects. Because if the machine is suitable for the only 110V, you can’t connect it to a 220V power supply. That is why it is important to pick something that has a dual voltage facility. Moreover, check if the adapters come with the product or you have to purchase it separately. Buying them additionally will cost you more.
When you are buying a low-priced product, this won’t have much capacity. You may not have the freedom to cut any kind of metal. So, you need to check two different points which are the metals you can cut with the plasma cutter and what would be the maximum thickness. If you consider buying something under $500, the maximum thickness could be between 1/2″ to 1″. Now you need to find out which one meets your requirements most and order accordingly.
The duty cycle of a plasma cutter is the thing that tells you some insight things. Based on the products, this will vary. Now, if you want to complete your tasks faster and want to have more time for other works, go for more duty cycle. For average products, you can expect to have a maximum 60% duty cycle. This means, at a particular amp, if you run the machine for 10 minutes, the output will continue for 6 minutes. This range is enough for most of the works.
Only some products offer versatility. This means you can do multiple works with the same unit. Usually, they combine welding and plasma cutting. This is efficient for some people who might want to do lots of DIY projects at home. But in the long run, this may deprive you of a good performance. For instance, PrimeWeld CT-520D in this list is a versatile product. You can do both welding and plasma cutting with it.
Why Should You Buy an Inexpensive Plasma Cutter?
Going for an economical plasma cutting tool could be another puzzling scenario. Your mind might begin to question the machine’s performance just because it could be purchased without losing a fortune. So, before you start misjudging it, let’s find out why numerous hobbyists and professionals still prefer an inexpensive plasma cutter.
Don’t want to lose a considerable amount but still want to have fun completing some welding jobs? Wait no more because many plasma cutters come in affordable price ranges as compared to some heavy-duty welders.
And due to the affordability factor, many households have personal cutters at their homes. So, whenever they feel like welding something, they don’t rely on service providers unless there’s an emergency. Instead, they unpack the equipment, make the adjustments, plug it in, and finish the task without effort.
Although inexpensive plasma cutting tools aren’t suitable for commercial projects, you can still use them in several ways at your home, or workshop. However, if you’re into some serious industrial business, and working on tons of metal sheets is what your every day looks like, then you surely need to upgrade to some high-strength welder like lincoln square wave 200 or ahp alphatig 200x.
On the other hand, when you have a low-priced cutter, you can still be extraordinarily creative and produce some outstanding masterpieces, such as a stylish nameplate and outdoor furniture. Moreover, you can make and repair the entrance gates for your garden or backyard, and many more.
And guess what? If you have a suitable torch attached to it, you can also weld some of the most common metals. So if you see from that perspective, the tool already possesses a 2-in-1 feature.
Depending on the quality of your low-priced plasma cutter, you can turn numerous surfaces into an artwork. Yes! Your plasma cutter can cut different materials including brass, copper, aluminum, steel and stainless steel, and many other conductive metals.
A good plasma cutter is also fast and has a long-lasting life. Plus, some cutters are equipped with the latest modifications and specifications, such as an ideal duty cycle, to ease your welding and cutting experience.
And lastly, when you opt for some cost-effective plasma cutters, you save yourself from upcoming expenses. How? It is because if there’s any need to replace a specific part, then you get your equipment fixed at a nominal price.
How Reliable Are Cheap Plasma Cutters?
Before buying any cheap plasma cutter, you should know that the unit can be useful unless you choose any non-recommended brand. Also, it is important to understand that purchasing eye-candy products don’t guarantee longevity or quality results.
Again, the entire scenario depends on the model you’re choosing. There are times when even inexpensive equipment would work for years in contrast with expensive machines.
However, as everything has its limitations; therefore, after getting a low-priced tool, try your best to operate it as suggested by the manufacturers. For example, if you are warned to put the machine at rest after using it for a few hours, follow the advice. Otherwise, the overload could burn the internal mechanism.
Likewise, avoid cutting or welding non-supportive metals and never cross the max thickness level. And in case there’s a need to do that, then it’s suitable to get a model that goes with your cause.
Nevertheless, there’s no perfect parameter to evaluate the reliability. But through your experience and machine’s performance, you can identify how well, or threatening the machine would be in the long run.
Usually, cheap plasma cutting tools come with no major faults. In general, if it has completed a few tasks, then chances are that it won’t trouble for years. So, you can see the instructions and start working immediately. But we would also suggest to keep the unit clean and tidy and protect it from extreme weather conditions to save the exterior from getting caught by rust.
FAQs About Budget Plasma Cutters
A plasma cutter used to work by sending an electric arc through a gas. This is a controlled process and which gas performs better depends on the product you are using. However, in most cases, a plasma cutter uses shop air, argon, nitrogen, or oxygen gas. But it is not constant and may vary based on brands.
Plasma cutter and welder both work with metals. But these two machines don’t perform the same work. A plasma cutter is designed to cut through metal while a welder is for connecting to metal parts or repairing. However, some modern products offer to do these both things in a single item.
The first thing is, a plasma cutter is a convenient thing. It can easily cut through metal which is not possible in the traditional way. You will save time on projects using a plasma cutter. Moreover, this is instant and save energy.
It depends on which types of metals are you going to cut using it. If you are going to use it for small metalworks, a simple good cheap plasma cutter could do the work. We would recommend reading the buying guide here to know the essential features.
Did you read each part of the article? Then you know how to pick the best cheap plasma cutter. You can order any of the items from this list that best meets your requirements and the budget. To avoid any mistake in the buying process, we recommend reading the buying instructions.
