There are times when you need to use a plasma cutter out in the field, but you only have access to power and not an air compressor. This can pose a problem for traditional style plasma cutters because both a power source and an air source is needed for them to operate. Manufactures have solved this problem by building machines with built in compressors that only require a power source and nothing else. Here today, we are going to give you our recommendations for the best plasma cutters with built in compressors and highlight the specifications you should compare when choosing a machine.

What is great about a plasma cutter with a built in air compressor is that you literally just need your plasma cutter and a power source to start cutting. This makes doing jobs out in the field incredibly easy. If you’re working from home and plan to use this machine in your garage the only thing you need to check is that you have a suitable power source. This will vary depending on what machine you purchase, but generally most plasma cutters with built in compressors operate on a standard wall plug. Very rarely will you find a plasma cutter with a built in air compressor that only runs on 220v. This is because a lot of manufactures figure if you have 220v available than you most likely also have an air compressor close by.

There is little to no difference between the way a plasma cutter with a built in compressor cuts compared to a regular plasma cutter as long as the output amps are the same. If I was to cut a 1/4″ piece of steel with a Powermax 30 AIR and a Powermax 30 XP you would not be able to tell a difference between the two. (Important note: both of these machines are rated for 30 amps output)

The main difference you must look out for when purchasing a machine with a built in compressor is the output power (amps). Typically machines with built in compressors have a lower output due to the fact that the machine must power itself plus an internal compressor.

You’ll find that machines with built in compressors are more expensive than machines without built in compressors of the same cutting ability. This is simply because the machine has both a plasma cutter and air compressor in one unit thus making it more expensive. If you only plan on using this machine in your shop than it may be worth looking into getting a stand alone compressor and a regular plasma cutter for only a few hundred dollars more. This would give you the benefit of a stand alone compressor for your shop that can be used with a variety of tools. However, keep in mind if you go this route you will not have the portability options that a self sufficient plasma cutter offers. This decision really depends on how you plan to use your plasma cutter and whether or not you would benefit from a stand alone compressor. If you would like to view our recommendations for regular plasma cutters check out our Best Plasma Cutters Of The Year List.

The duty cycle of a machine is a term used to define the amount of time a machine can operate at maximum power in a given amount of time. Typically for plasma cutters the machines duty cycle is determined based on a 10 minute testing period. Duty cycle is typically quantified in a percentage. For example, a Hypertherm Powermax 30 AIR running at 30 amps on 240V power has a duty cycle of 35%. This means that this machine can handle 3.5 minutes of cutting at maximum power in a 10 minute period. These tests are based on the machine being in a work environment with an ambient temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are multiple variables when it comes to measuring a machine’s duty cycle such as testing period, voltage, ambient air temperature, metal thickness and cutting speed. The industry standard for measuring duty cycle is a 10 minute testing period in a work environment of 104 degree Fahrenheit. When looking to purchase a plasma cutter make sure to pay close attention to the testing parameters of their duty cycle test. Numbers can easily be inflated by lowering the testing period to say 6 minutes instead of 10 minutes thus yielding a higher duty cycle percentage. This is often times done by non-reputable manufactures to help sell their machines. If a machine does not have a duty cycle rating with clear testing parameters then there is a very good chance its performance is poor and they choose to not display it. This is why we preach so often to purchase a machine form a well established brand like Hypertherm, Miller, Hobart etc.

When it comes to purchasing a machine we always recommend buying a name brand machine like Hypertherm, Miller, Hobart or Lincoln. These are all well supported brands that make quality machines with good warranties. These machines will offer better performance, a longer life span and the assurance that consumable parts will always be available. This is a huge factor that a lot of buyers over look when purchasing a machine. You want to get a machine that is made by a well known company to ensure that parts will be available years from now. With companies like Hypertherm, Miller, Hobart and Lincoln you’ll find parts without any issues. With so many units sold the companies themselves as well as third party vendors will stock parts and consumables for your machine years from now.

If you buy a cheap off brand machine, you are running a high risk of not being able to find parts 5-10 years from now. This can turn your machine into a paper weight and make it useless in a matter of no time. Being that plasma cutters have torch consumables that need to be replaced regularly, you need to be very careful with what you purchase. These Chinese brands sometimes disappear of the map and are never seen again. When this happens, their parts stay available for a few years and then are never seen again. So please keep this in mind.

If you’re in the market for a machine we highly recommend purchasing from Amazon.com. You’ll find that Amazon’s amazing customer service will ensure that you get a fully functional machine out of the box and provide you with the peace of mind that if anything does go wrong you can return the machine without any hassle. This a HUGE benefit to the buyer to ensure that you’re getting what you paid for in a timely manner. Buying machines from places like Ebay can be a huge hassle and the returns can be a pain in the ass. Some sellers have very strict and short return policies making it difficult to make a return if need be. We recommend you stay clear of Ebay and purchase from Amazon simply for the return policy and great customer service.

When purchasing a plasma cutter the only real cost of operation is the torch consumables. These can vary in price and are often times offered at a discounted price from 3rd party manufactures. For the amount of time a plasma cutter will save you compared to an Oxy-Fuel rig or a saw, the price of consumables will be the least of your worries. Typically I purchase a new set of consumables every 8-12 months and it will cost me around $80-$100 for my machine. Keep in mind I use my machine quite often. If you take care of your torch and make smart cuts you will find that your consumables will last a lot longer, thus reducing the price of ownership. This comes with practice and experience of using your machine. Overall you’ll find that it is a very cheap tool to own with tremendous capabilities.

The Hypertherm Powermax 30 AIR is a machine that we love and it has set the bar for every other machine we test. Hypertherm has taken the market by storm by providing the most capable machines with the most impressive performance, part availability and customer service to match. Simply put this is the best machine your money can buy if you’re looking for a plasma cutter with a built in air compressor.

View on Hypertherm.com

The Hobart 12ci is a good machine that gives consumers a quality built rig with reliable performance without the huge price tag. Hobart has always specialized in making mid tier machines that have proven to be a fantastic value time and time again. The Hobart can operate at 12 amps meaning it does not pack as much power as the Hypertherm Powermax 30 AIR which can go up to 20 amps on the same 120V connection. With this 12 amp power you can expect to get clean cuts on 1/8″ steel and can get by cutting up to 3/16″ inch steel. If this fits your work environment than you won’t find a better machine for the price.

View on HobartWelders.com

Having the right accessories for your machine will allow you to work safer and easier. You absolutely need a proper helmet to shield your eyes and gloves to protect your hands. Without these you can seriously hurt yourself. We also highly recommend a leather jacket to protect your cloths and skin from sparks. You’ll find that if you don’t wear thick leather all of your clothes will start to develop holes in them. Also a head beanie is a must as it will keep you from burning the top of your head when using the plasma torch above your head. Trust us, the smell of burning hair is not pleasant! Also a cart can be a good option if you’re looking to move your machine around your shop and keep all of your gear with it. I’ve always used a cart and placed all of my protective gear as well as my consumables on the cart for easy access.

If you have any questions about what type of helmet you need for plasma cutting please refer to our article on the best helmets for plasma cutters. In short you’re looking for an auto darkening adjustable shade helmet with a shade range from 5-13. With this shade range you can purchase one quality helmet that can be used on both on your plasma cutter and welder. Miller Welds has an article on their official website that explains that a shade level as low as level 3 can be used with certain plasma cutters that run 30 amps or less, however we recommend you always use a minimum of shade 5 to protect your eyes. Here are a couple of helmets we recommend.