Skip to content
We independently pick everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

Plasma Cutter vs Mig Welder: Which One Should You Buy?

A plasma cutter cuts metal apart and a MIG welder joins it together. This guide explains the difference and ranks four plasma cutters by amperage, cut capacity and features.

GarageToolHQ Editorial
By GarageToolHQ Editorial · 5 min read
Plasma Cutter vs Mig Welder: Which One Should You Buy?
On this page

Top picks at a glance

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

  1. 1SILATU 55A Plasma CutterSILATU 55A Plasma CutterView on Amazon
  2. 2ARCCAPTAIN 55A Non-HF Plasma Cutter MachineARCCAPTAIN 55A Non-HF Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon
  3. 3ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT55 MP [Non-HF] Plasma Cutter MachineARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT55 MP [Non-HF] Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon
  4. 4ARCCAPTAIN 60A Plasma Cutter MachineARCCAPTAIN 60A Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon
  5. 5ARCCAPTAIN 60A Non-HF Plasma Cutter MachineARCCAPTAIN 60A Non-HF Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon
  6. 6ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT60 Pro Plasma Cutter MachineARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT60 Pro Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon

Plasma cutter vs mig welder: the short answer is that they do opposite jobs. A plasma cutter cuts metal apart; a MIG welder joins metal together. That is the whole answer, and it is why most home shops eventually want both. If your work is breaking down scrap, cutting patch panels or slicing plate to size, you want the cutter. If your work is sticking metal together, building, repairing or fabricating, you want the welder. This guide explains what each tool does, how they differ in the shop, and features four plasma cutters, ranked by our scores, as the gear section.

More options to compare

GarageToolHQ earns a commission when you buy through links on our product pages, at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.

What a plasma cutter does

A plasma cutter slices through conductive metals with a superheated ionized gas jet: steel, stainless steel, aluminum and copper. The four cutters in the gear section below run 50 to 60 amps on dual 110V and 220V input, with stated clean cuts from 1/2 in to 3/5 in and maximum cuts up to 2/3 in or 1 in depending on the listing. All four use a pilot arc, which lets the torch start the cut without touching rusted, painted or coated metal. Three add 2T/4T trigger modes, air pressure sensors and LED displays; the bestarc adds Bluetooth app control up to a stated 98 ft.

A cutter needs compressed air, bought separately. The bestarc works with any standard compressor and recommends clean, dry air at 50 to 80 PSI; the ARCCAPTAIN states an external compressor is required and recommends 55 PSI on 110V and 50 to 75 PSI on 220V; the SILATU recommends 70 PSI and notes the compressor is purchased separately. The PRIMEWELD listing states no air figures. It also needs consumables: electrodes and tips wear with use, and the listings mention post-flow cooling and pilot arc time adjustments to extend their life. What it does not need is filler metal, gas bottles or much skill to start: point, pull the trigger and follow the line.

What a MIG welder does

A MIG welder joins metal by feeding a wire electrode through a gun while shielding gas protects the puddle. It builds things: bumpers, brackets, patch panels, frames. Where the plasma cutter removes material, the MIG welder adds it. The two tools share a power supply reality, 110V for light work and 220V for thick metal, and they share the garage, but they answer opposite questions. If you are choosing your first metal tool, the question is not which is better; it is whether your projects need cutting or joining first. See our best MIG welder for beginners when the answer is joining.

Plasma cutter vs MIG welder: the real differences

The comparison comes down to the job. Cutting plate, trimming rust, slicing expanded metal or breaking down scrap: the plasma cutter wins outright, and a MIG welder cannot do any of it. Joining two pieces of steel into one: the MIG welder wins outright, and a plasma cutter cannot do any of it. Speed favors the cutter on straight cuts; a MIG welder lays a bead in seconds but the joint needs prep, fit-up and often grinding after.

Cost of running differs too. A plasma cutter burns through electrodes and tips, and needs a compressor running. A MIG welder burns through wire and shielding gas. Skill curves differ: a plasma cut is comparatively quick to learn, while an acceptable MIG bead takes practice. Shop setup differs: both want 220V for serious work, both throw sparks and need ventilation, and both demand a real welding helmet and fire watch. For the cutting side in more detail, see our best plasma cutter for home use.

The gear: four plasma cutters ranked

Every product below is a plasma cutter from the listings, ranked by our scores. No MIG welders were in this listing set; the comparison above covers the welder side.

1. PRIMEWELD CUT60

The spec pick: a 60-amp non-touch pilot arc cutter on 110V/220V dual voltage with a PT60 blowback torch and Euro central connection. The listing states a 60% duty cycle at 60 amps and a 3-year warranty with USA support, the longest stated warranty in this group. Continuous pilot arc cuts expanded, rusted and painted metals. Top score here on amperage, duty cycle and the stated warranty.

2. bestarc BTC500DP

The tech pick: a 50-amp IGBT pilot arc cutter with Bluetooth app control up to a stated 98 ft, adjusting current, modes and settings from a phone. It states a 1/2 in clean cut and 2/3 in maximum cut, 2T/4T modes, an air sensor with 50 to 80 PSI recommended range, and a rust removal mode. The bullet states 15 lbs. No warranty term is stated.

3. ARCCAPTAIN CUT55

The safety-spec pick: a 55-amp non-HF blowback pilot arc cutter with a stated 1 in maximum cut and 3/5 in clean cuts on steel, aluminum and copper. The listing states E80 and E81 air pressure warnings, overload, overheating and overcurrent protections with error codes, IP21 water resistance and adjustable post-flow cooling of 5 to 15 seconds. It weighs a stated 18.81 lbs. No warranty term is stated.

4. SILATU STC550P

The straightforward pick: a 55-amp non-touch pilot arc cutter on 110V/220V with a stated 60% duty cycle, 2/3 in maximum cut and 1/2 in clean cut, a large LED display, air sensor and 2T/4T modes. The listing gives per-voltage guidance: 15 to 40 amps on 110V for lighter jobs, 15 to 55 amps on 220V for thicker metal. Its spec table states a worry-free 1-year warranty and lifetime technical support.

Garage safety

Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I buy a plasma cutter or a MIG welder first?

Buy the one your projects need first. Cutting and breaking down metal calls for the plasma cutter; building and repairing calls for the MIG welder. Most home shops end up with both because the jobs do not overlap.

Can a plasma cutter weld?

No. A plasma cutter only removes metal. Joining metal needs a welder: MIG, TIG or stick. See our TIG vs MIG welder comparison for the joining side.

Can a MIG welder cut metal?

Not cleanly. A MIG torch can blow through thin metal in a rough gouging pass, but it is not a cutting tool. For real cutting, the tool is a plasma cutter, an angle grinder or a chop saw; see our plasma cutter vs angle grinder comparison.

Do I need an air compressor for a plasma cutter?

Yes. None of these cutters includes a compressor: the bestarc works with any standard air compressor, the ARCCAPTAIN states an external compressor is required, and the SILATU notes the compressor is purchased separately. Recommended pressures in the listings run from 50 to 80 PSI. Factor the compressor into the cost if you do not own one.

What thickness can these plasma cutters handle?

Per the listings: clean cuts from 1/2 in to 3/5 in, maximum cuts from 2/3 in to 1 in depending on the model and voltage. Thicker metal wants 220V input and the higher amperage settings.

Related: our best plasma cutter for home use, best MIG welder for beginners and best portable plasma cutter.

More buying guides