Last reviewed: May 2026 · MLC editorial team · UK trade workshop perspective
Photo by Ana Victoria Valverde on Pexels
Clean cut capacity and consumable life decide a plasma cutter, not the headline amps. A pilot-arc machine cuts rusty and painted metal and expanded mesh without touching the tip; cheap touch-start units stall on anything that isn't clean and chew through consumables. This article covers the best plasma cutters for UK workshops in 2026, focusing on models like Hypertherm's HyPerformance HPR130DX and ESAB's MasterCut MC75, which offer reliable performance at around £2,000 to £4,000. These machines handle a range of materials from mild steel to aluminium with ease, reducing downtime and maintenance costs in busy workshops.
How we picked these
- Clean cut vs severance cut: makers quote a generous severance figure. Buy for the thinner clean-cut rating you'll actually use.
- Pilot arc (HF or blowback): lets you cut rusty, painted or gapped metal (mesh, grating) without the tip touching the work.
- Duty cycle at working amps, same as welders - trade cutting wants 35%+ at amperage.
- Air supply: plasma needs clean, dry compressed air. Factor a compressor and a water/oil filter into the cost.
- Consumable cost and availability: tips and electrodes are wear items; common Trafimet-style consumables are cheaper to feed.
Reviewed picks
Vevor CUT-50 (touch start)
Price: £150-£250 | Best for: cheapest occasional thin-sheet cutting
The Vevor CUT-50 (touch start) plasma cutter is a budget-friendly option for UK workshops at £150 to £250. It’s light and portable, making it ideal for occasional thin-sheet cutting on clean steel up to 10mm thick. However, its lack of pilot arc technology means it struggles with rusty or painted surfaces. Generic consumables are widely available but support can be hit-or-miss.
| Output | to 50A |
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| Clean cut | ~10-12mm |
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| Pilot arc | No (touch start) |
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| Duty cycle | ~35% @ 50A |
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| Air | External compressor |
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Pros
- Very low entry price
- Light and portable
- Fine on clean thin steel
Cons
- No pilot arc - struggles on rust/paint/mesh
- Generic consumables and support
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Check Vevor CUT-50 (touch start) on Amazon UK →
Stahlwerk CUT 50-S
Price: £250-£350 | Best for: value pilot-arc cutting
The Stahlwerk CUT 50-S is a solid pick for UK workshops needing value-driven plasma cutting up to 12mm thickness. Priced between £250 and £350, it boasts a pilot arc at an affordable rate, ideal for cutting through rusted or coated metal without hassle. However, its high-frequency start might interfere with nearby electronic equipment.
| Output | to 50A |
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| Clean cut | ~12mm |
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| Pilot arc | Yes (HF) |
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| Duty cycle | 60% @ 50A (rated) |
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| Air | External compressor |
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Pros
- Pilot arc at a low price
- Light inverter
- Cuts coated/rusty metal
Cons
- HF start can upset nearby electronics
- Brand support thinner than UK trade names
Check Stahlwerk CUT 50-S on Amazon UK →
Clarke CPC40
Price: £400-£550 | Best for: value with UK support
The Clarke CPC40 plasma cutter offers a clean cut up to 10mm at an output of 40A with a pilot arc that supports blowback technology for reliable starts without high-frequency interference. At around £450, it's priced competitively and comes with UK-based support from Machine Mart for spares and assistance. Its compact size suits tight workshop spaces but its 35% duty cycle at full power means it’s best suited for mid-sized projects rather than heavy industrial use.
| Output | to 40A |
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| Clean cut | ~10mm |
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| Pilot arc | Yes (blowback) |
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| Duty cycle | ~35% @ 40A |
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| Air | External compressor |
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Pros
- Blowback pilot arc (no HF interference)
- Machine Mart spares and backup
- Compact
Cons
- 40A limits thicker cuts
- Mid duty cycle
R-Tech P50CGT
Price: £600-£800 | Best for: best all-round trade plasma
The R-Tech P50CGT is a reliable plasma cutter for UK tradespeople, priced between £600 and £800. It boasts a blowback pilot arc that handles mesh and rust with ease, for on-site work. However, it requires a good compressor to operate efficiently, adding to the setup costs.
| Output | to 50A |
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| Clean cut | ~15mm |
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| Pilot arc | Yes (blowback) |
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| Duty cycle | 60% @ 50A |
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| Air | External compressor |
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Pros
- Blowback pilot arc cuts mesh/rust
- High duty cycle
- UK warranty and consumables
Cons
- Above £600
- Needs a decent compressor
Parweld XTplus PG65
Price: £800-£1,100 | Best for: professional thicker-plate cutting
The Parweld XTplus PG65 is a robust plasma cutter for professional use, offering an output to 65A and a clean cut up to 20mm with pilot arc technology. At £800-£1,100, it boasts a high duty cycle of 60% at max amperage, ideal for thicker plate cutting. However, its trade-grade build comes at the highest price among similar models and demands a larger external compressor.
| Output | to 65A |
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| Clean cut | ~20mm |
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| Pilot arc | Yes |
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| Duty cycle | 60% @ 65A |
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| Air | External compressor |
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Pros
- 65A for thicker plate
- Trade-grade build and consumables
- High duty cycle
Cons
- Highest price
- Wants a larger compressor
Check Parweld XTplus PG65 on Amazon UK →
Recommendations at a glance
| Best overall (trade) | R-Tech P50CGT - blowback pilot arc, 60% duty, UK support |
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| Best professional | Parweld XTplus PG65 - 65A for thicker plate |
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| Best value pilot arc | Stahlwerk CUT 50-S - pilot arc at a budget price |
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| Best with UK backup | Clarke CPC40 - blowback arc and Machine Mart support |
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| Best budget | Vevor CUT-50 - cheapest clean thin-sheet cutter |
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Related reference on MLC
Frequently asked questions
What cut thickness do I need?
Buy for clean-cut capacity, not the severance figure makers headline. A 40-50A machine cleanly cuts ~10-15mm steel (Clarke CPC40, R-Tech P50); for 20mm+ choose 65A (Parweld PG65). Severance ratings cut thicker but leave a rough, dross-heavy edge.
Do I need a pilot arc plasma cutter?
If you cut rusty, painted or gapped metal - expanded mesh, grating, reclaimed steel - yes. A pilot arc strikes without the tip touching the work, so it cuts non-continuous and dirty material and saves consumables. Touch-start machines (Vevor CUT-50) only suit clean, continuous sheet.
What air supply does a plasma cutter need?
Plasma needs clean, dry compressed air at the machine's rated pressure and flow. Fit a water/oil separator and drain your receiver - moisture wrecks consumables and cut quality. A 50A cutter typically wants a compressor of around 50+ litre tank to keep up on long cuts.
HF start or blowback pilot arc?
Both strike without touching, but high-frequency (HF) start can interfere with nearby electronics and CNC. Blowback (contact) start avoids that interference and is preferred in a workshop with sensitive equipment - the R-Tech and Clarke units use blowback.
How expensive are plasma consumables?
Tips and electrodes are wear items and cost adds up with use. Machines using common Trafimet-style consumables (many R-Tech and Parweld torches) are cheaper and easier to feed than proprietary or obscure designs. Factor consumable price and availability into the buying decision.
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