High quality plasma cutters are uniquely designed to easily cut through aluminum, copper, mild steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel, and more. But is it possible to find superior cutters with a budget of less than 500 dollars? The short answer is a yes. Just have a look at our reviews of the top 10 best plasma cutters under 500 in 2022 below.
10. Plasma Cutter, Max Cutting Thickness 20MM, 50A Inverter DC Inverter 110/220V Dual Voltage Cutting Machine with Free Accessories Easy Cutter Welder,Making Our Planet More Productive
It is uniquely designed for cutting automotive sheet metal with optimum speed and accuracy. It is also equipped with premium precision 0.65 millimeter cutting tip that offers a narrow cut with less slag. As well, it removes the requirement to weld-prep panels for welding and delivers a superior 15 amps of output to easily cut up to 0.135-inch thick metal. Furthermore, it has compact case which is very simple to pick up and carry weighing only 20lbs and operates anywhere on standard 110-volt current.
9. CTS-200, 50A Plasma Cutter, 200A TIG-Torch & Stick Arc Welder, 3-in-1 Combo Cutting & Welding Machine
It is an ideal choice for repairs and projects around your home or auto body shop. As well, it is equipped with advanced IGBT technology and synergic controlled thus very simple and easy to operate. It also features an automatic compensation for overload protection, over current protection, under voltage protection, over-voltage protection, and voltage fluctuation. Additionally, it has an automatic temperature control, steeples amperage control, fan dormancy, and all generators friendly thus very simple to operate.
8. Plasma Cutter 50Amp Pilot Arc – Reboot CUT50 Non Touch 110V/220V IGBT Air Plasma Cutting Machine
This amazing plasma cutter under 500 is ideal for cutting cast iron, copper, mild steel, alloy steel, chrome, and stainless steel. Also, it is made of high quality materials for maximum stability, strength and durability thus ideal for use in any condition. Moreover, it has high frequency inverter thus has a maximum of 0.5-inch rated clean cut thickness. In addition, it features overload protection, over current protection, under voltage protection, over-voltage protection, and voltage fluctuation for maximum protection and safety.
7. 50Amp Non-Touch Pilot Air Plasma Cutter 110V / 220V Dual Voltage Inverter DC Digital Display IGBT Portable Cutting Machine
It incorporates enhanced non-touch pilot arc cutting technology with remarkable arc stability. As well, it easily cuts through rough, rust, oil and painted metal materials thus you finish your work quickly. It is also great for cutting aluminum, aluminum alloy, cast iron, pig iron, iron, copper, low carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, and many more. Furthermore, it is designed for most demanding construction and industrial work. Besides, it features an automatic compensation for overload protection, over current protection, under voltage protection, over-voltage protection, and voltage fluctuation.
6. Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter, Non-touch, BTC500DP CUT50DP 50Amps Plasma Cutter 110/220V Dual Voltage Plasma Cutting Machine Clean Cut(BTC500DP 110/220)
The plasma cutter has three-in-one combo set including 200A STICK/MMA welder, 50A pilot arc plasma cutter, and 200A TIG welder thus great for DIY user. It also effectively cuts rusty, painted and rough metal surfaces as well as produce less slag. As well, it is great for cutting plates with an optimum thickness of more than 0.314-inch. Additionally, it perfectly welds nonferrous metals, carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel.
5. PrimeWeld Ct520d 50 Amps Plasma Cutter
This is amongst the best plasma cutters under 500 currently on the market. It is a multipurpose three-in-one unit that offers wide range of several cutting and welding functions. Also, it cuts different kinds of metal up to 0.5-inch and can be switched between DC STICK Welder and DC TIG Welder rapidly and easily. In addition, it weighs only 32lbs thus reliable and portable to take anywhere you want.
4. Forney Easy Weld 251 20 P Plasma Cutter
It cuts stainless steel, aluminum and mild steel from thin material to 0.25-inch with ease. It is also equipped with drag torch technology which permits you to drag the cutting tip in direct contact with the metal for smooth clean cuts. As well, it has an in-built air dryer and regulator for easy operation even in extreme working conditions. Besides, it is generator friendly thus allows for on the go cutting and moving to various job sites.
3. Amico CUT-60HF, 60 Amp Non-touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter
This plasma cutter under 500 incorporates enhanced non-touch pilot arc cutting technology with remarkable arc stability. It is also great for cutting aluminum, aluminum alloy, cast iron, pig iron, iron, copper, low carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, and many more. As well, it easily cuts through rough, rust, oil and painted metal materials thus you finish your work quickly. Furthermore, it features an automatic compensation for overload protection, over current protection, under voltage protection, over-voltage protection, and voltage fluctuation.
2. Plasma Cutter, CUT50 50 Amp 110V/220V Dual Voltage AC DC IGBT Cutting Machine with LCD Display
It provides a multipurpose unit that offers a wide range of cutting and welding functions. As well, it cuts all kinds of metals up to 0.2-inch with the 50A plasma cutting function. It also weighs only 32lbs thus highly portable and easy to take anywhere you want. Additionally, it combines arc welding, TIG/stick and plasma cutting functions in one thus offers everything you require to get started.
1. Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter
The affordable plasma cutter efficiently cuts through rusty, painted and rough metal surfaces and produces less slag. It is also equipped with pilot arc technology which permits you to cut without touching its tip to the metal. As well, it easily cuts through aluminum, copper, mild steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel. Moreover, it is equipped with advanced cooling system which ensures that it has a stable and long lasting performance.
The above are indeed the top 10 best plasma cutters under 500 that will perfectly meet all your demands. They are designed to easily cut through aluminum, copper, mild steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel, and many more. They are also designed with a compact and lightweight design thus very easy to take whenever you want. Therefore, you should choose and purchase any of the above plasma cutters.
Buyer’s Guide
When you’re shopping for your budget plasma cutter, you’re in luck these days, with more features than ever before in this price range. Here are some of the main features and factors you need to consider for plasma cutters under $500.
Power Level Requirements
Some plasma cutters offer the ability to run on either 120 volts or 240 volts. You may see power ratings that mention 110 or 115 volts. These are just other names for the same level of power, 120 volts that are left over from the past.
The same is true of 240 volt power, which is sometimes expressed as 220 volts. These are actually the same power rating, and the true number is 240 volts.
Metal Thickness and Type
If you only need to cut metal that’s 1/4-inch thick or less, then you’re not going to need 50 amp power that can cut metal that’s twice that thick.
If you can, then you’ll find that these plasma cutters tend to be more inexpensive or offer more advanced features for the same money as the larger, heavier-duty units.
On the other hand, if you want to leave the option open for cutting thick metal, or if you’re working on heavy-duty projects like trailer hitches or cutting thick-walled pipe, you will have to have 240 volt power to reach the kind of amperage levels you’ll need for plasma cutting thick metal like that.
There is one last consideration when choosing the power level of your new plasma cutter. Some metals, like aluminum and copper, take more power to cut than ferrous metals like iron or steel. You need to take that into account when you’re choosing your machine.
If you only want to cut 1/4-inch metal, but that metal is going to be aluminum most of the time, you won’t be able to make single-pass cuts to get the job done.
If you will be doing a lot of that kind of work, you should probably step up to a 240 volt plasma cutter or one with dual voltage input power.
High Technology Features
While buying a budget plasma cutter in the sub-500-dollar range may exclude some features, there are still a lot of advanced features available in this class.
Drag torch cutting lets you literally drag the torch along the surface like the Forney Easy Weld 20P rather than having to maintain a gap above the surface for a proper cut.
Other plasma cutters will offer a standoff torch, which features an attachment on the torch head that keeps it a certain distance above the cutting surface for the highest quality of cut.
Multi Process Plasma Cutters
There are some machines that offer more than one process in one box, for instance, a TIG or MIG function alongside a stick welder and a plasma cutter.
