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10 Best Plasma Cutters in Canada in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

Last Updated on Jan 03 2024

To some people, plasma cutters may sound like tools straight out of a sci-fi movie. However, these are incredibly useful and versatile tools used in cutting metal. Using similar principles used in a plasma welder, a plasma cutter can cut through even the hardest of metals. It can cut through brass, steel, aluminum, and other metal varieties.

This method of trimming metal essentially uses an electrical charge to create ionized gas– commonly referred to as plasma, at high temperatures. The plasma is then used to slice through pieces of metal and other sturdy materials into various shapes, forms, and sizes.

It is a great way of cutting metal without the typical noise pollution created by traditional means. These tools, however, vary depending on their abilities, technological advancements, and price. So, shopping for a plasma cutter that can satisfy your needs can be quite frustrating.

We have scrutinized 10 of the best plasma cutters in Canada this year and their specifications to provide you with the necessary information to make an informed purchase decision. Read on to find out.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2024)

The 10 Best Plasma Cutters in Canada

1. Hypertherm Powermax30 Plasma Cutter — Best Overall

The Hypertherm Powermax30xp makes it our best overall choice because it offers the most features compared to plasma cutters in its price range and is ideal for both hobbyists and professionals. It produces clean cuts with a beautiful edge. It can also cut metal up to 5/8” thick plates with finer cuts for decorations.

This plasma cutter is also very lightweight and portable, with a strong case protecting inside components. It also comes with a long 15-inch torch lead that makes the cutting experience even more satisfying. With its drag-cutting technology, tracing is made simpler while limiting double arcing.

You can also expect to find an internal air valve in this model. Unfortunately, it tends to leak when overused, especially in an industrial setting. But it is less likely to leak when used lightly in a home setting; if it does, the spare parts are affordable and easy to replace.

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2. Lotos Plasma Cutter — Best Value

The Lotos LTP5000D Plasma Cutter not only retails with similar features to the Hobart Airforce 40i or the Hypertherm Powermax30Xp but offers the best value worth its price for the quality.

Featuring a cutting range of 10 to 50 amp, and a non-touch pilot arc, this plasma cutter can cut clean and precise welds through rusty or painted metal. Though slightly slower it can cut metals up to 12 inches thick and even thicker if you aim to get rougher cuts.

It also uses drag technology to create clean and precise tracing lines. This plasma cutter is especially popular because it cleans the nozzle while making efficient and effective cuts all through a metal sheet.

It is best suited to hobby welders who need to cut metal plates in no more than 1/2” plate for their weekend welding endeavors. It is light and powerful enough for jobs outside the worksite and robust enough to withstand heavy use.

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3. Hynade Plasma Cutter, Dual Voltage Plasma Cutter – Premium Choice

Unlike their dual voltage counterparts, the Hynade Plasma Cutter offers more options. It features a built-in inverter using IGBT (insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) to cut steel with a metal thickness of up to 14 mm and in special cases, even thicker.

It is designed with a 110/220 V with an auto indicate feature. It does not require a hand switch to crank it up. It also features a two-light voltage located at the front panel which lights up to indicate the different voltage levels (Between 110V and 220V).

This machine adopts the inverter tech that is fan-cooled and comes with a large ventilation window to increase performance and durability. The Hynade plasma cutter is especially ideal for stainless steel because it can do quality cuts up to 8mm#70PSI (0.65Mpa) 220V 50Amps with a max metal thickness of 4mm#70PSI 220V 50Amps; in 110V 35 Amps.

This plasma cutter brand also retails with some of the most affordable and highest quality accessories on the market. They include four meters PT31 cutting torch, two pcs torch electrodes, 110V power plug with conversion wire adaptor, 2pcs tip, and a 2-meter-long air horse. Moreover, they offer two years of free after-sales services, in case your unit experiences any difficulties.

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4. Forney Easy Weld 251 Plasma Cutter

The Forney Easy Weld 251 is a favorite plasma cutter amongst hobby welders because it is affordable and can cut light sections of material up to a quarter-inch thick. It comes with a two-year warranty and is suitable for metal art, Do-it-yourself, farm, and contractor projects. It is also popular because it uses longer electrodes, reducing the chances of a welder touching the welding arc.

An output range of 20 amps may be lower than most people would like but it gets the job done. You can use the Forney Easy Weld 251 to cut stainless-steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, mild steel, brass, and copper up to a quarter inch thick. It can also cut aluminum up to 3/16”.

This machine also features Drag Torch Technology, allowing the welder to directly drag the tip on the material to create smooth and precise cuts. In addition, it’s great for weekend hobby welders because you can plug it in a standard 120V home outlet for efficient and easy metal cutting at home. It is also generator friendly.

It may be slightly heavier than some of the other cutters on the list, but it is portable, permitting plasma cutting jobs away from the workstation. It is generally a practical tool that is best suited for casual work.

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5. PRIMEWELD CUT50 Portable Plasma Cutter

This is another budget-friendly plasma cutter that is capable of running at 35 amps to cut through a metal thickness of up to 1/2”. These cutters are ideal for hobbyists and non-professionals looking for a weekend repair tool that is not expensive. Primeweld Cut50 is not designed for professional metal fabricators and automotive technicians.

Like most Chinese-made plasma cutters, it retails at a reasonably budget-friendly price without compromising on performance. Unfortunately, they do not guarantee durability, making it unsuitable for professional use where welders use the cutters on a daily basis.

However, with a torch lead that can cut ¼ inches, this plasma cutter can comfortably make clean cuts on alloy steel, mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and other materials. Even if you have limited power input, the standard 110V and 220V will serve your needs.

The consumables used on the PRIMEWELD CUT 50 Portable Plasma Cutter are also easy to repair and replace. You may, however, have to make prior bookings for consumables from your local store, due to availability issues. Previous brands based in China and offering cheap plasma cutters have gone out of business, limiting the availability of spare parts.

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6. Ramsond CUT 50DX Air Plasma Cutters

The Ramsond CUT50DY is one of the most versatile and easy-to-use plasma cutters on the market today. It comes with an output of 50 Amps and can handle dual voltage (110V and 220V). In addition, it has dual frequency convenience (50 and 60Hz).

This plasma cutter also boasts of a high-quality inverter technology that has been perfected through four generations of models.  It has a user-friendly design that features an integrated pressure gauge and an easy-to-read digital amp display with the unit setting information. You don’t have to stop cutting to inspect your work, simply check the control panel for updates.

The Ramsond CUT50DY also retails with a cooling system, a carry handle, and an easy-to-read owner’s manual to assist in setting up and using the plasma cutter. It creates clean and concise cuts with minimal heat input and distortion.

This cutter is capable of cutting through carbon steel, brass, aluminum, alloy steel, copper, and other materials. It is suitable for both novice and professional welders.

At 19 pounds, this unit is lightweight, making it portable and easy to move around. It also comes with a great set of accessories that are easy to set up and use.

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7. Eastwood Versa Cut 40 Plasma Cutter

This is yet another plasma cutter for hobbyists, ideal for light metal fabrication and automotive restoration. It can run on both 110V and 220 V input and requires five to seven cfm of air at 60psi. It also offers versatility, making it a great tool for your farm, ranch, garage, and remote job sites.

With an output of 40 amps, you can cut up to 3/8” thick materials and slice through 24ga. sheet metal. You can use a standard external air compressor from your local store to meet the air pressure requirements.

In addition, this unit features a comfortable torch with a 20ft long lead that allows the user to cut through any electrically conductive metal. No-touch technology makes the Versa Cut 40 suitable for cutting through painted or rusty metals.

This plasma cutter is also made from sturdy materials, making it a reliable unit that offers great value for its price.

The only downside is that the plasma cutter package does not come with a lot of consumables. You need to purchase additional consumables to make the best out of its features. Luckily, the torch is compatible with standard consumables that can be bought from a local welding shop.

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8. Lincoln Electric Tomahawk 625 Plasma Cutter

The Lincoln Electric Tomahawk 625 is a high-end plasma cutter capable of cutting any electrically conductive metal with ease. You can simply connect the machine to an air compressor and start cutting immediately. It runs on nitrogen or air pressure of 80 to 110 psi. This is slightly higher than most plasma cutters on our list.

It is easy to set up and use because it comes with a parts-in-place system that detects correct installation and consumables. So, if you fail to install some of the torch parts such as the swirl ring, retaining cap, or the drag spacer, it will notify you.

The Tomahawk 625 comes with a power output range of 10–40A, which is capable of cutting ½” thick conductive metal with ease. You can also opt to cut a ¾” severance thickness or 5/6” maximum cut. This cutter may only be a 220V power input machine, but it utilizes the latest innovative technology to allow users to use the lowest power input of 208V. Moreover, you can power the unit up with a generator making it convenient for remote job sites.

The only downside to the Tomahawk 625 is the touch start which can be difficult to get used especially for novice welders. It is, however, a reliable plasma cutter that can cut different types of metal at a decent speed.

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9. Amico CUT-50 Plasma Cutter

The Amico CUT-50 is an affordable plasma cutter that is great for DIY home hobbyists. This plasma cutter is capable of cutting ¾ inch thick metals with a max severance of 1” and can work on cast iron, pig iron, aluminum, stainless steel, steel alloy, carbon steel, and other conductive metals. This results in straight cuts and angles in just a matter of minutes. This makes it great for professional usage, capable of handling demanding construction and industrial work as well.

It is a dual voltage machine running on 110-240 V. It also features auto-voltage that automatically adjusts to the circuit that it is plugged in. You will, however, need an adapter for a 110V power input. Fortunately, it is included in the package. It also incorporates a non-touch cutting technology with a stable Arc.

The Amico Cut-50 is also easy to set up because it features NPT ¼” industry type D coupler that can easily connect with a pre-installed lug on the air compressor. The unit’s filter is located inside the machine as well and comes with an automatic air control solenoid valve. Another impressive feature of this cutter is automatic compensation for voltage fluctuation, temperature control, over-current protection, over-load protection, and fan dormancy. Overall, this plasma cutter has impressive capabilities at a lower cost than you would expect for standard cutters in its price range.

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10. Tooliom 50A Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter

Tooliom is a reputable brand that offers plasma cutters with innovative features at an affordable price. This cutting machine is available in both high-frequency and non-high-frequency models and is a suitable choice for anyone looking for a medium-duty plasma cutter. At 13lbs, it is also one of the most portable cutters on the market.

It comes with a high-visibility LCD screen and useful accessories that assist in cutting through copper, stainless steel, alloy steel, low carbon steel, and other materials with relative ease. Furthermore, the pilot cutting mechanism will allow users to work on rough and rusty surfaces such as corroded steel with absolute precision.

With a dual voltage option, you can customize the plasma cutting process and cleanly cut through materials up to ½”. It also incorporates an IGBT inverter which regulates the temperatures, thus improving circulation.

In addition, the Tooliom50A Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter is certified by ETL and features temperature control, load protection, and over-current protection.

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Buyers Guide: Selecting the Best Plasma Cutter

To avoid post-purchase regrets, there are aspects of a plasma cutter that you need to consider before making a purchase. They include gas supply, duty cycle, cutting capability, and additional features.

Gas Supply

Most standard plasma cutters use oxygen, nitrogen, and argon gas. However, you can still use ordinary air, which is cheaper, efficient, and easier to supply using a compressor. Some models feature inbuilt air compressors, but they are more expensive and can only handle that one job. Separate air compressors are budget-friendly alternatives and offer users more versatility in applications.

While many standard plasma cutters come with sufficient power, it’s wise to check the cutter’s consumption requirements. You need to check out the pressure, given as pounds per square inch (psi), and the airflow value given in cubic feet per minute (CFM).

Duty Cycle

The plasma cutting process tends to produce a lot of heat. Therefore, these machines need to have safety circuits in place to prevent overheating, but they require some time to cool down.

The active period of using a cutter is referred to as the duty cycle and is given as a percentage of a unit’s amp rating. The higher the percentage, the longer the time it will take to cut a metal continuously.

For instance, if a machine has a duty cycle of 60%, it will work continuously for 6 minutes then cool down for 4 minutes. So, before purchasing a machine that will slow your job, check out the relevant information about the duty cycle.

Cutting Capability

Plasma cutters are rated depending on their amperage. When the output amps are higher, the thicker the material it can cut and the faster the machine can cut for an equivalent thickness. However, two different 50-amp machines can have different performance levels.

So, you need to have a closer look at the specific details of a plasma cutter to determine the actual thickness that the cutter can handle.

Most entry-level plasma cutters can only cut up to a 1/8” metal thickness. However, the more high-end models can comfortably slice through 1” thick materials. Remember to avoid exceeding the machine’s cutting limits because it affects the cut quality. Also, you will likely use more consumables, which shortens the machine’s lifespan.

Other Considerations

Dual Voltage

Many plasma cutters have dual voltage input settings and can work on either 110V or 220V. Such cutters are great for both industrial and home usage.

Torch

The plasma cutter’s torch lead is an important tool because it can impact the user’s working comfort. Ensure that you get a touch lead that allows you to work comfortably for long without getting fatigued. The standard length is 12 feet, but you can extend up to 25 feet for heavy-duty plasma cutters.

The torch size also matters because it affects the ability to work in tight spaces. There are different torch sizes and shapes, so ensure to get one that is long enough to hold comfortably while working.

Nozzle

Cheaper varieties of plasma cutters require contact between the nozzle and the metal to work. So, you need to have a very steady hand to get accurate results. Non-touch models on the other hand allow users to easily direct the torch onto the surface. They are suitable for cutting metal with an irregular surface.

Drag Technology

With drag technology, users can drag the nozzle on the surface of the metal once the cut has started. This will allow you to accurately trace complex shapes on the metal.

Pilot Arc

Also known as a high-frequency starting, this feature is common in most plasma cutters. It can, however, interfere with TV and radio signals. Non- High=frequency pilot arcs do not experience the same problem.

Weight

This is an important consideration, especially for users who work at a remote job site. The majority of plasma cutters in the market retail with carrying handles. However, you should go for a lighter machine that is easier to move around.

Consumables

Plasma cutters usually come with consumables such as nozzles and electrodes. These accessories affect the total price of a plasma cutter, so it’s best to compare different alternatives. You may not have to buy from the manufacturer but it’s best to always invest in quality consumables. Cheap options will affect your results and can harm the plasma cutter.

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Conclusion

Whether you are looking to purchase a plasma cutter for hobby work or one for daily professional use, you need one that can quickly create clean cuts in different types of metals. It can be daunting selecting one that suits your needs, but we have narrowed down to 10 of our top picks to assist in your purchase decision.

The Hypertherm Powermax30 Plasma Cutter is our top overall pick because it can comfortably cut metals with 5/8” thickness, has drag tracking technology and a 15-foot lead. The Lotos LTP5000D Plasma Cutter combines great performance and affordability providing great value for its price. It is also simple to use and can cut ¾” thickness. The Hynade Plasma Cutter is great for professional use because it offers versatility compared to other dual voltage cutters and uses IGBT the to cut metals up to 15mm or even thicker.

Generally, all the machines listed here are worth taking a look, but it’s best that you go through the buying guide to help you narrow down the specifics to choose an ideal plasma cutter best suited to your requirements.

You may also be interested in: 

• 10 Best TIG Welders in Canada
• 10 Best MIG Welders in Canada

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Featured Image Credit: junpiiiiiiiiiii, Shutterstock