We have seen many professionals and DIY enthusiasts working with the best plasma cutters under $200. These cutters are the best budget plasma machines that offer portability, clean-cut, and dual voltage precision and accuracy.
So being tight on the budget can’t stop you from the metal cutting process, and you can have a low price plasma cutter.
A cheaper plasma cutter will work perfectly for you, but there are a lot of cheaper units on the market, so it’s a great option to choose the best plasma cutter that is low priced but performs the best according to its cost.
Many producers have manufactured several plasma cutters that are under 200$ and are viable solutions for your work.
Choosing a plasma cutter can be a hectic thing if you don’t know how to buy it.
Before buying a plasma cutter, you should know a few things about a plasma cutter, how they work, what consumables are, etc. We will explain it to you so you can choose the best-suited plasma cutter for you.
Related: Best plasma cutter under 300
TOP PICKS
★★★★★
Lotos LT3500
- Weight: 17.55 Pounds.
- Dimension: 14 x 5.5 x 9 inches
- Input power: 110 V
★★★★★
Plasma Cutter
- Weight: 21.2 pounds
- Dimensions: 17.8x 13.8×10.8 inches
- Efficiency: 80%
★★★★★
Mellcom CUT50
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Dimensions: 17.7×9.8×12.6 inches
- Dual voltage: 110/220 V
Contents
Best Plasma Cutter Under $200 in 2023
IMAGE |
PRODUCT |
DETAILS |
PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
Best Overall |
Lotos LT3500 35Amp Air Plasma Cutter |
|
|
Compact Plasma Cutter |
Plasma Cutter CUT50 |
|
|
Combo Plasma Cutter |
Mellcom CUT50 |
|
|
High-Value |
Hynade Plasma Cutter HYC50D |
|
1. Lotos LT3500 35Amp Air Plasma Cutter
BEST Overall
★★★★★
Specifications:
- Weight: 17.55 Pounds.
- Dimension: 14 x 5.5 x 9 inches
- Input power: 110 V
- Output current: 10-35 Amp
- Dual-frequency: 50/60 Hz
- Ideal cutting thickness: 10mm
- Severance thickness: 15mm
- Duty cycle: 30% @ 35A
- Frequency: 50/60 Hz
If you are looking for a portable and lightweight plasma cutter under $ 200, this Lotos LT3500 is a great choice for you.
A plasma cutter capable of cutting up to 10mm metal under maximum output comes with high probability as it weighs only 18 lbs. The LT3500 is the best plasma cutter for personal or home use. It is both powerful and portable at the same time.
You can quickly set up the cutter, and you don’t need a special system for installation. Type D plugs allow you to connect it to an air compressor, and it has a 110v input design meaning it can be connected within a minute in your home.
Furthermore, an efficient cooling system can make this cutter go for about hours without taking a break. It can clean-cut aluminum, stainless steel, alloy steel, copper, etc. Compared with oxyhydrogen, plasma cutting is efficient and safer.
High precision and high-speed combine make this a low-cost but high-quality plasma cutter.
Moreover, it can be set up easily and quickly and can cut up to 10mm with high precision and perfect for home use. All these features make it the best plasma cutter for domestic use or small industrial projects.
Features
Cutting capacity
The plasma cutter provides an easy cutting of metal thickness up to ⅖” (10mm). Moreover, it gives ½” maximum severance thickness cut. Working on single voltage and dual-frequency comes up with high output current. The working parameters are 115-125 V, 50/60 Hz with 12-35 A DC output.
Quick Setup
It features a per installed 1/4” D plug that quickly connects the air compressor regulator to the plasma cutter. The whole setup takes less than one minute to start the plasma cutter, ready for cutting.
Durable and portable
The plasma cutter is extremely lightweight, with a weight of 18 pounds only. The small and compact plasma cutter becomes the favorite of every expert plasma user. The small size helps in easy carrying anywhere in the home, workshop, or site. Moreover, the rugged steel body is strong and offers easy portability because of the handle on its top.
PROS:
- Compact design.
- Portable
- Durable.
- Best Choice for home users.
- Easy to use and quick setup.
CONS:
- It needs to cool down after working for hours.
2. Plasma Cutter CUT50
Compact Plasma Cutter
★★★★★
Specifications:
- Weight: 21.2 pounds
- Dimensions: 17.8x 13.8×10.8 inches
- Input power: dual voltage 110/220V
- Current range: 20-50Amp
- Efficiency: 80%
- Duty cycle: 85%
- Cutting capacity: 1-20mm
- Warranty: 3 years
CUT50 50Amp is one of the best plasma cutters under $200 because of its advanced inverter technology. It uses top-class components to offer advanced switch power, product life, and 30% increased efficiency.
You can easily carry the cutter as it has a handle on its top. The portability is because of its small compact size and lightweight. Moreover, it has a digital LCD display that shows all the status conditions while an operator works on it.
The plasma cutter automatically switches between dual voltage with an adapter, and you don’t need extra equipment to do the shift. Moreover, the dual voltage facilitates power use of both domestic and industrial sources.
The important features of this plasma cutter are listed below.
Features
Advanced inverter technology
The plasma cutter is based on advanced inverter technology to switch the power. It uses high-quality components that provide long-lasting features and a robust structure of the cutter. Moreover, the high-quality components come up with 30% increased efficiency.
Compact and portable
The plasma cutter is small and compact in design. This makes it highly portable and easy to transport. The handle on the top helps in easy carrying, and anyone can carry the cutter around the shop or the site.
Dual voltage
The cutter works on dual voltage and automatically switches between 90-260V input power(110-220V). So it occurs so naturally that you don’t need any other types of equipment to switch the voltage.
Applications
CUT50 can cut from 1-20 mm with an effective thickness of up to 10 mm. You can easily cut stainless steel, alloy steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and other color metals with this plasma cutter. The cut quality is not only clean, but it also requires no post-treatment.
Package includes
pressure reducing valve, earth clamp, cutting torch, air hose, replacement consumables, and many other important components.
PROS:
- Portable, durable
- Can cut versatile materials
- Inverter technology
- Automatic switch adapter
CONS:
- Surface preparation is required to start the arc.
3. Mellcom CUT50
Combo Plasma Cutter
★★★★★
Specifications:
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Dimensions: 17.7×9.8×12.6 inches
- Dual voltage: 110/220 V
- Maximum Output: 50A
- Technology: plasma cutting, welding TIG/ MMA
- Surface demand: smooth & No polish
Mellcom CUT50 is famous for its two welding modes technology. It comes with a MOSFET power device that offers high-quality technology better than IGBT machines.
You can easily carry the plasma machine to the site or your workplace because of the portability. Moreover, the unique control options give you easy access and freedom of use.
The top handle adds to the portability and makes transportation easy and convenient.
Apart from ease of use, the cutter provides three welding technologies. These technologies help to weld stainless steel, carbon steel, ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
The plasma cutter’s benefits don’t stop here, so we have listed all the detailed features in the list below.
Features:
MOSFET technology
The plasma cutter works on MOSFET technology which keeps the quality high and the cutting process in control. It has unique control options that let you have a strong technical command of the cutter. Moreover, when you run the plasma cutter at low voltage, it works far better than IGBT technology. The performance is even superior when it works on higher voltages.
Compatible with two welding techniques
According to the manual, the plasma cutter is multifunctional, and it acts as a welding machine when you connect it to the interfaces. It facilitates two welding technologies TIG and MMA and helps to weld stainless steel, mild steel, carbon steel, ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The best part is that both welding modes are fully compatible with the cutter and can work on 110V/220V.
High-quality portable cutter
The plasma cutter weighs only 15 pounds and is highly portable. It has compact and small in size, which makes it easy to carry and transport. The size to weight ratio helps to bring quality current performance to the user. The overall portability and easy transportation help to do any DIY tasks, industrial work including metal fabrication, repair, and hobbyist jobs.
PROS:
- Advance MOSFET technology
- Portable and durable
- Supports two welding technologies
- Lightweight
CONS:
- Cutting may get tough on thicker sections
4. Hynade Plasma Cutter HYC50D
High-Value
★★★★★
Specifications:
- Weight: 20.7 pounds
- Dimensions: 18×13.7×11.8 inches
- Input voltage: 115V/230V
- Current: 20-50 A
- Clean cut: 10mm
- Max cut: 14mms
- Duty cycle: 60% at 50 Amp, 100% at 40 Amp
- Warranty: 2 years
HYC50D plasma cutter comes with everything you need, including portability, reliability, strong build, and clean cut. It has high-quality components that make the machine strong and robust. Whether you want a DIY project or working on an industrial application, it works fine both ways. Moreover, the dual voltage and high-frequency features make the plasma cutter super strong to cut through thicker metals with a high input current.
The inverter IGBT technology makes the plasma cutter an excellent cutting machine for steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, and mild steel. Interestingly the LED display makes the cutter user-friendly, and one can have easy access to status conditions.
We have listed down all the fantastic features in the following section.
Features
Dual Voltage
The plasma cutter works on dual voltage technology ranging from 115V to 230V. The dual-frequency of 50/60 Hz with a 50 Amp current gives a cutting thickness of 10 mm with a maximum severance of 12mm.
IGBT inverter technology
The plasma cutter is based on IGBT inverter technology. That can easily cut car frames, stainless steel, alloy steel, and mild steel. It is also capable of cutting small thicknesses like 2 mm thin copper, 4 mm thick aluminum. Furthermore, it does not blow off the thin edges, and no post-treatments are required.
LCD current display
The LCD shows the real current during cutting which is a great feature.
Applications
The dual voltage and high-frequency options make the plasma cutter suitable for both DIY projects and industrial applications. It easily cuts the car frame, can help to make maintenance work, repair, farm structures, and small industrial applications.
PROS:
- 100% duty cycle at 40 Amp
- Robust and strong body
- Lightweight and compact
CONS:
- Torch and consumables have no warranty
What is Plasma Cutter:
A plasma cutter uses electrically ionized gas to cut through metals electrically conductive like iron, steel, aluminum, brass, and copper. This method of cutting is highly effective and precise.
A typical plasma cutter has five different consumables: the shield, retaining cap, swirl ring, nozzle, and electrode.
- Shield: Protects the rest of the consumables from sparks and molten metals.
- Retaining Cap: It holds the stack of all consumables together for efficient work.
- Swirls Ring: Guides the ionized gas in a different direction and down the torch to avoid damaging other consumables.
- Nozzle: Focuses on plasma arc; the size of the nozzle orifice determines the cup quality of the cutter—small orifice results in a fine cut.
- Electrode: Conducts the current from the torch to the plate and completes the electric circuit. It is mostly made of tungsten.
Another main feature of a plasma cutter is its duty cycle. It is the ability of a plasma cutter to work efficiently for a specific period. So, we have put the top four plasma cutters under 200$ that will help you choose the best-suited cutter for you.
FAQs
Is Harbor Freight plasma cutter any good?
Yes, these plasma cutter high-end plasma cutters provide excellent performance and cut quality. But wider sections are a little bit harder to cut with these cutters.
How thick of metal can a plasma cutter cut?
The plasma cutters can cut up to 1” of metal thickness.
What are the disadvantages of a plasma cutter?
A plasma cutter is highly restricted to ambient conditions. They are noisy, produce heat and cannot be operated in narrow spaces. You need proper ventilation of your working space. You also need safety gear, including goggles, shields, gloves, and other necessary items.
Conclusion:
In this review article, our experts have covered the best plasma cutters under $200. These cutters come with high portability, durability, and reliability. Anyone who is looking for the best budget plasma cutters may consider these cutters. However, these cutters might not be suitable for heavy-duty, large volume works and can handle only small projects.