Plasma Cutter vs Tig Welder: Which One Should You Buy?
Plasma cutters cut metal apart while tig welders join it together, and this comparison shows how each side works, what power each needs, and which jobs each suits.
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Top picks at a glance
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- 1
ARCCAPTAIN Plasma Cutter Machine9.7/10View on Amazon - 2
Weldpro 200 Amp MIG Welder9.8/10View on Amazon - 3
ARCCAPTAIN MIG205MP MIG Welder with Plasma Cutter9.7/10View on Amazon - 4
ARCCAPTAIN 60A Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon - 5
ARCCAPTAIN 55A Non-HF Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon - 6
ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT60 Pro Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon - 7
![ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT55 MP [Non-HF] Plasma Cutter Machine](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51hLye1tq1L._SL500_.jpg)
ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT55 MP [Non-HF] Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon - 8
Bestarc 50A Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon - 9
Bestarc Plasma Cutter MachineView on Amazon
Verdict: Choose a plasma cutter if the job is cutting metal apart: plate, mesh, rust and paint removal, or gouging out an old weld. Choose a tig welder if the job is joining metal together: thin sheet, stainless steel, mild steel or copper, with fine control over the arc.
A garage project can ask for two opposite things: cutting a piece of metal down, or joining two pieces into one. This plasma cutter vs tig welder comparison covers both sides, then shows examples from current listings: two plasma cutters and two tig welders, with the specs each listing states.
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ARCCAPTAIN TIG 205P Pro Pulse Welder
A 5 in 1 welder with DC TIG, Pulse TIG, Lift TIG, Spot TIG and MMA, app control and 120V/240V input.
Pros
- 5 modes: DC TIG, Pulse TIG, Lift TIG, Spot TIG and MMA
- App control with parameter adjustment and preset recall
- 120V/240V dual voltage input
- 3-year warranty with lifetime technical support
Cons
- DC output only, not suitable for aluminum welding
- No amp figure stated in the listing
- App control connects by scanning a barcode with a phone
- No weight or dimensions stated
ARCCAPTAIN 65A Plasma Cutter Machine
A 65A plasma cutter with a 1-3/16 in maximum cut and a 3/4 in clean cut on 220V, a P80 torch and a large LED display.
Pros
- Up to 65A with a 1-3/16 in maximum cut on 220V
- 3 cutting modes: plate, expanded metal and rust removal
- P80 torch with roller guide wheel
- Large LED display showing current, air pressure and system status
Cons
- Part number reads CUT65 HF while the title describes a non-touch pilot arc
- On 110V the maximum cut drops to 5/8 in
- Metals over 18 mm need a stable 220V input
- No certification standard stated
ARCCAPTAIN 60A Non-HF Plasma Cutter Machine
A 60A plasma cutter with 4 cutting modes, a 1-1/16 in maximum cut and a 3/4 in clean cut on 220V, with a large LED display.
Pros
- Up to 60A on 220V with a 1-1/16 in maximum cut
- 4 cutting modes: plate, expanded metal, rust and paint removal, gouging
- Non-high-frequency blowback pilot arc start
- Smart air pressure monitoring with E80 and E81 warnings
Cons
- External air compressor required, sold separately
- Cutting range on 110V is 12 to 16 mm only
- Nozzle must be replaced when using gouging mode
- No certification standard stated
TOOLIOM 135A 110V Stick Welder Kit with Lift TIG
A 135A stick welder kit with a lift TIG torch, rods and gloves, running on 110V with an LCD display.
Pros
- Stick and Lift TIG in one kit
- Lift TIG torch, E6013 rods and gloves included
- Runs on standard 110V household current
- LCD display with VRD, hot start and arc force
Cons
- No warranty term stated
- 110V only, with no dual-voltage option
- No duty cycle stated
- No certification standard stated
Other tools worth a look
ARCCAPTAIN 60A Plasma Cutter MachineCheck price on Amazon
ARCCAPTAIN 55A Non-HF Plasma Cutter MachineCheck price on Amazon
ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT60 Pro Plasma Cutter MachineCheck price on Amazon![ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT55 MP [Non-HF] Plasma Cutter Machine](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51hLye1tq1L._AC_SL320_.jpg)
ARCCAPTAIN iControl CUT55 MP [Non-HF] Plasma Cutter MachineCheck price on Amazon
Bestarc 50A Plasma Cutter MachineCheck price on Amazon
Bestarc Plasma Cutter MachineCheck price on Amazon
Side by side
| Plasma cutter | Tig welder | Garage note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job | Cuts metal apart | Joins metal together | Different jobs, not rivals |
| Modes in the examples | Plate, mesh, rust removal, gouging on the CUT60 | DC, Pulse, Lift, Spot TIG and MMA on the 205P Pro | Modes differ by model |
| Power in the examples | 110V/220V on both plasma examples | 110V on the TOOLIOM, 120V/240V on the 205P Pro | Check your garage circuit |
| Needs besides power | External air compressor stated for the CUT60 | Not stated in these listings | Read the manual before the first job |
| Warranty in the examples | 2 years on both plasma examples | 3 years on the 205P Pro, none stated on the TOOLIOM | Terms differ by listing |
| Top cut or weld figure | Up to 1-3/16 in max cut on the CUT65 | 135A on the TOOLIOM; no amp figure on the 205P Pro | Listings state different specs per side |
Example figures are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 30 October 2026.
Plasma cutter vs tig welder: how they differ
A plasma cutter severs metal with a constricted arc, while a tig welder melts the edges of two pieces together into one joint. That difference decides everything else: the plasma side is about removal, the tig side is about joining. Neither machine replaces the other, and a garage that does both kinds of work may end up wanting both.
Power and air
Both plasma examples run on 110V/220V, with full output on 220V: the CUT60 reaches up to 60A on 220V and the CUT65 reaches up to 65A. The plasma examples work with compressed air; the CUT60 listing states an external air compressor is required and sold separately, and it monitors pressure with E80 and E81 warnings. On the tig side, the TOOLIOM runs on standard 110V household current, while the ARCCAPTAIN TIG 205P Pro runs on 120V/240V. The tig listings here do not state a gas supply, so check the manual for what each welder needs beyond power.
Jobs each side suits
On the plasma side, the CUT60 covers plate cutting, expanded-metal cutting, rust and paint removal, and gouging, while the CUT65 covers plate cutting, expanded-metal cutting and rust removal. Both cut steel, stainless steel and aluminum according to their listings. On the tig side, the TOOLIOM kit handles stick and lift TIG work, and the TIG 205P Pro covers DC TIG, Pulse TIG, Lift TIG, Spot TIG and MMA for thin metal, stainless steel, mild steel and copper. Note the limit on the larger tig welder: its listing states DC output only with no AC function, so it is not suitable for aluminum welding.
Choose a plasma cutter if
- The job is cutting metal apart, not joining it
- You cut plate, expanded metal, or strip rust and paint
- You want gouging for weld repair prep, as on the CUT60 example
- Your garage has a 110V or 220V circuit
Choose a tig welder if
- The job is joining metal, not cutting it apart
- You weld thin metal, stainless steel, mild steel or copper
- You want pulse control, as on the TIG 205P Pro example
- You want a kit that includes a torch, rods and gloves
Example machines
For a closer look at the cutting side, see the best plasma cutter for home use, and for the joining side, the best plasma cutter and tig welder combo.
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.
Garage Fit Check
- Both plasma examples run on 110V/220V, while the TOOLIOM runs on 110V and the TIG 205P Pro on 120V/240V, so check the circuit before buying.
- The CUT60 listing states an external air compressor is required and sold separately, so allow floor space for it.
- The CUT60 ships with two 0.9 mm and two 1.1 mm nozzles, and the TOOLIOM kit includes a lift TIG torch, rods and gloves, so compare the box contents before ordering.
- The TIG 205P Pro is DC output only, so it is not suitable for aluminum welding, and its app control connects by scanning a barcode with a phone.
FAQ: garage tools
Can a plasma cutter weld metal together?
No. A plasma cutter cuts metal apart; joining metal is a welder job. If the job is joining, pick the tig welder side.
Can a tig welder cut metal apart?
No. A tig welder joins metal; it does not cut it. If the job is cutting plate or mesh, pick the plasma cutter side.
Does a plasma cutter need an air compressor?
The CUT60 listing states an external air compressor is required and sold separately, and the CUT65 listing monitors air pressure on its display. Allow for that extra machine before buying.
What power do these machines need?
The plasma examples run on 110V/220V. The TOOLIOM runs on 110V household current, and the ARCCAPTAIN TIG 205P Pro runs on 120V/240V. Check the circuit in your garage against the listing.
Can the ARCCAPTAIN TIG 205P Pro weld aluminum?
No. Its listing states DC output only with no AC function, so it is not suitable for aluminum welding.
Related: the best plasma cutter for home use, the best plasma cutter and tig welder combo, the best argon gas regulator for tig welding and the 110V vs 220V welder comparison.
