Best Plasma Cutters Under $500 in 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide

If you lack a budget for an expensive plasma cutter, you can buy a plasma cutter under $500 with fair quality and best results.

Do you lack the money to purchase a plasma cutter? Of course, not everyone has a sizable sum of money to spend on cutting equipment. However, this does not prevent you from owning a top-notch plasma cutter. A variety of low-cost plasma cutters can give you speed, accuracy, and better surface finish, as well as a low cost.

Thomas David – a South Indonesian industrial get a best plasma cutter under 500 that will produce the greatest results. We have covered a list of the top 6 plasma cutters under $500 in the following article. Moreover, they are affordable, extremely effective, and suitable for medium-level industrial usage as well as do-it-yourself and household applications.

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Best Plasma Cutter Under $500 in 2023

Related: Plasma cutter under 300

1. Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Plasma Cutter

Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp is a non-touch pilot arc technology that provides super-fast plasma cutting at low cost and high speed. It weighs only 19.5 pounds, making it a lightweight and portable option for any DIY or site work project. The non-touch plasma torch keeps the cut tidy and clean with minimum or no slag. It is best for stainless steel, mild steel, copper, and aluminium cutting and cuts up to ½” maximum thickness. This low-cost plasma cutter includes the following stylistic features.

Features

 Non-touch pilot arc technology

The Lotos LTP5000D plasma cutter is based on non-touch plasma arc technology. It does not touch the workpiece while cutting and works through the air while keeping at a distance. A smooth and steady arc is established via the plasma torch, and a clean-cut is obtained. The plasma cutter can cut any painted, rusty and rough surface with a clean-cut and has minimum or no slag.

Safe and economical

The plasma cutter hits the sweet spot of safety and low cost. It has overheat protection to control the heat produced during the cutting process. Moreover, compressed air pressure is used to cut ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The metals include stainless steel, mild steel, alloy steel, aluminium, and copper. As the plasma cutter cost is low, it is an inexpensive plasma cutter with optimum safety.

You can also check: Best Plasma Cutters for Thin Metal Sheet

Output and performance

The plasma cutter works on dual voltage and offers multiple thickness cuts. At 110/120V, it gives an output of 10-35 Amp with maximum thickness 1/3″ clean-cut and 2/5″ maximum severance. While at 220/230 voltage, the output is 10-50Amp with ½” ideal clean cut and ¾” maximum severance.

PAPST advanced cooling system

It works on PAPST advanced cooling systems. This prevents the unit from overheating and helps in maintaining high performance and workability. Moreover, the lightweight plasma cutter is durable and reliable and suitable for intricate jobs.

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2. SUPER DEAL DC Inverter

This plasma cutter is a treat for all those looking for the best budget plasma under $500 with less power consumption and pro-technology. It works on high-energy plasma draught. It is rated as the best plasma cutter because of low energy consumption, high speed, and high temperature. Having a top-quality cut with optimum efficiency, it has the following features.

 Strong and sturdy construction

The super deal inverter plasma cutter has a sturdy and robust construction, built with iron to withstand any wear and tear. The strong structure makes it worthwhile and versatile. It is the best choice among hobbyists, DIY workers, professionals, and industrial operators.

   Digital display

Having a digital display makes the user interface an easy option to read out and control the settings. Moreover, the LCD offers a control panel, pressure gauge, and speed control to facilitate the user as much as possible.

Safety

The energy-saving design has no noise and offers convenient operation. Moreover, it has overheat protection layers in its construction material. Moreover, if the voltage exceeds the limit, either overvoltage or under voltage, it has safety measures. The built-in security systems control over and under voltage, overheat, over or under air pressure. The whole package includes a safety mask and a wire that protects you in case any incident happens.

Versatile applications

The plasma cutting machine offers a variety of applications, from DIY projects to industrial applications. Either you are a hobbyist or a professional, it can help auto motives, repair and maintenance, ducting, farms, and other multiple industries.

Cutting capability

The plasma cutter can efficiently handle the cutting of electrically conductive metals and alloys. These metals include copper, aluminium, stainless steel, alloy steel, and mild steel.

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3. Primeweld 50A Air Inverter CUT50D

Primeweld 50 A is the best plasma cutter for every industrial or domestic cutting project. It is an inverter plasma cutter designed to work on heavy-duty projects and works for DIY jobs as well as industrial and professional work. A wide range of output current makes the cutter capable of working on multiple thicknesses of metals. If we lower the output to 15 amp, it gives excellent cutting to thin sheet metals without blowing off the edges. Portability and durability are other benefits of this plasma cutter. The features include:

Features:

 Input power

The plasma cutter is based on dual voltage 120/240 V to plug into household electricity. It comes with a 120 V adapter. It can cut up to ½” thickness at maximum for stainless steel.

 Portable and simple

The Primeweld 50 A is portable and can be carried anywhere for site work or home projects. It has a simple carry handle on its top that makes the portability much easier for you. The smart and simple working process makes the cutter very handy and useful for the users.

  Drag Arc technology

The Primeweld plasma cutter is based on drag arc technology. You just strike the torch to the workpiece, the arc generates the plasma, and you are all set to start your work. No extra time is required to get started.

 Optimized Design

The plasma cutter comes with a protective covering to protect the user from any sort of sparks or any kind of mishaps.

Parts

The plasma cutter also includes many important parts within the box. These parts include one plasma cutting torch, three-prong 9.9′ ground clap, cable, 6’8″ long air filter, air hose connection, four clamps, two couplers.

Warranty

The manufacturer offers a three-year warranty for the plasma cutter. It makes the product reliable to its consumers as they can test, operate and run the machine till they satisfy. There are many working hours where they can claim their warranty if they come across any issues.

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4. Forney Easy Weld 251 20P Plasma Cutter

The Forney Easy Weld 251 20 P is a lightweight, single input voltage plasma cutter that can cut up to ¼” thick steel plate. As it weighs only 21 pounds and gives an output of 20 amps with 110 V, it is best suitable for home use and small DIY projects with any light site work. The portable and small size plasma cutter cannot do heavy-duty work, but any professional can easily use it for household jobs. Let’s see the detailed features of this plasma cutter below:

Features

 Drag torch technology

It works on drag torch technology that helps to touch the workpiece directly while cutting. A newbie can easily start cutting on it without much hands-on experience. The consistent and regular current provides a smooth, steady, and clean-cut with minimum or no slag.

 Portable and light:

The plasma cutter weighs only 21.5 pounds. The small size makes the cutter portable, and it is easily used for DIY projects or household jobs. The single input voltage helps to connect to household electricity. Any professional can plug it into house electricity to start on home projects immediately.

 Strong and sturdy built

The plasma cutter has a strong metallic case. It has a rugged design to withstand wear and tear without undergoing any atmospheric deterioration.

Cutting capability

It can cut ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The maximum cutting thickness is up to ¼” thickness to cut steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, and mild steel.

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5. SUNGOLDPOWER 50A Inverter Air Plasma Cutter

Sungoldpower is one of the inexpensive plasma cutters that work efficiently with a supreme level of quality and accuracy. The plasma cutter is a low-cost plasma cutter, so it provides the work on the lower end of the scale.

It has IGBT inverter technology, also known as the inverter plasma cutter.

Dual voltage input options make the plasma cutter work on 110V and 220V to give a maximum cutting thickness of ½” steel.

The characteristic features of the Sungoldpower 50A include:

• IGBT technology

The plasma cutter uses the latest IGBT technology instead of MOSFET technology. This IGBT technology makes it the top quality inverter plasma cutter.

• Dual voltage

The plasma cutter works on a dual voltage of 110 and 220 volts. Either you can run it on 110V with 50/60 Hz frequency or 2200V with 50/60 Hz. It gives a maximum thickness of ½” and ¾” severance thickness.

• LCD display

It has a digital display that offers an LCD screen, easy readouts, air gauge pressure, and other parameters of the plasma arc. You can easily set and control the input voltage, frequency, and speed through it.

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Things to consider when choosing a plasma cutter

Buying a plasma cutter is not an easy task, especially when you are surrounded by tons of cutters available on the market. You choose a plasma cutter according to your requirement, area of use, and application.

Generally, these factors are important to consider before buying a plasma cutter.

Air compressor

The Air compressor is the most important part of a plasma cutter. Air compressors provide the compressed air pressure that creates the plasma of the metal, and it also helps to pressurize this plasma to the workpiece for cutting. So the plasma cutters either come with built-in compressors (link to plasma cutters with built-in compressors) or need an external air compressor for the plasma cutting process. If you buy a plasma cutter with a built-in compressor, it might get an expensive purchase for you in the first place. But it offers a supreme level of cut quality, portability, and ease of use. You can also buy a plasma cutter without an air compressor and can use an external air compressor.

Reliability

Reliability is the most important factor when you decide to buy anything. Plasma cutters are expensive, and you can’t afford something which is not trustworthy. Buying a reliable plasma cutter will make your life easy, and you will not need to claim your warranty again and again. The reliable product saves time, energy and makes your tools foolproof.

Pilot Arc

A pilot arc is an automatic arc generating process that helps to build and maintain a solid arc. It gives a longer consumable life and maintains the arc without striking it again and again to the workpiece. If you are working on painted or rusty metals, a pilot arc can maintain a consistent arc without striking it. All the expensive and high-end plasma cutters have this feature in them.

Input voltage

Plasma cutters come with three voltage options: either 110V or 230V or both in one plasma cutter. So you can have any of the following options depending upon your need, requirement, and the power system available to you. Plasma cutters with 110 V can be an easy option for you, economical, and can be connected to household power. But single input plasma cutters are only suitable for DIY projects or household cutting jobs as they don’t give you much power.

On the other hand, plasma cutters with dual voltage can be put either on household electricity or run on generators for 230 V. They offer heavy-duty cutting work and help you get any industrial job done.

Cut capability and quality

Cutting thickness is the maximum thickness of a metal that a plasma cutter can cut. Different plasma cutters offer different cutting thicknesses. Plasma cutters with high input voltage are generally capable of cutting higher thicknesses than the low input power. The quality of a cut is also an essential factor in a plasma cutter’s rating. High quality means no kerf, warping, and minimum or no slag.

Duty cycle

The duty cycle is the time of a plasma cutter that works continuously without turning off for cooling. Usually, it is measured in ten minutes of working time. If a plasma cutter works for five minutes and undergoes cooling time for the next five minutes, the duty cycle is 50%. The higher the plasma cutter’s duty cycle, the higher the efficiency and productivity of a plasma cutter.

Weight

Plasma cutters vary from lightweight to heavy-weight. You may have a plasma cutter from 20 pounds to 100 pounds. Lightweight plasma cutters are portable, easy to carry, and best for site work. But they can’t do heavy-duty work and are only suitable for DIY jobs or home projects. Heavy-weight plasma cutters are best for industrial applications or professional use. But they are not portable very often and not easy to carry along with you for site projects.

Operating cost

Buying a plasma cutter is a one-time investment. But every time you do cutting, and operating cost is there in terms of labor, electricity, cost of consumables. So keep an estimation of operating cost in your mind too. It will help you to maintain your budget.

Torch

The most crucial consideration in a plasma cutter is the torch itself. If the torch has a long cord/lead, it helps to move around the workshop and do cutting while the cutter remains stationary. So it is not easy to move heavy plasma cutters with you on the site or around the shop. Long torch facilitates work in multiple locations.

FAQs

Why are plasma cutters so expensive?

The plasma cutters are the most authentic and high-technology cutters for industrial, heavy-duty, and domestic jobs. They use high-end technology to maintain the arc, keep the heat in control, control the air pressure, and give a quality cutting with the surface finish. This whole combination makes the cutters expensive as compared to other cutting options.

What should I look for when buying a plasma cutter?

Before buying a plasma cutter, you should consider your requirements first. Always choose a plasma cutter according to the needs.