Are you searching for the best air compressor for a plasma cutter? If yes, then this article is a gold mine for you. Here we have provided 6 top compressors which perform well for plasma cutting.
So plasma cutting is one of the most popular processes for metal cutting. And this process is also very cheaper than most of the other metal-cutting processes.
But if you are in the mood to buy a plasma cutter or you already have a plasma cutter then you need to make sure that it needs secondary tools (depending on the model). So one of the major secondary tools is an air compressor.
And because plasma cutter is one of the most heavy-duty tools which requires very high air pressure with high CFM. So that’s why you need a powerful air compressor to operate this.
So that’s why in this article we have discussed a few of the best performing powerful air compressors for plasma cutters. So that you can select one of the best air compressors to get the best performance from your plasma cutter.
So without any further delay let’s get straight into it.
List of 6 Best Air Compressors for Plasma Cutting
So if you are in hurry then here we have provided the list of all our selected air compressors. So that you can easily find a perfect air compressor for yourself. But if you want to read the full review of all the air compressors then scroll down.
| Image | Name | Tank Size | CFM Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
NorthStar Single-Stage Portable Electric Air Compressor | 20 Gallon | 5.0 CFM at 90 PSI | Check Latest Price |
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DEWALT DXCMLA1983054 30-Gallon Portable Air Compressor | 30 Gallon | 5.7 CFM at 90 PSI | Check Latest Price |
 |
Industrial Air ILA1883054 30-Gallon Belt Driven Air Compressor | 30 Gallon | 5.7 CFM at 90 PSI | Check Latest Price |
 |
Dewalt DXCMLA3706056 60-Gallon Stationary Air Compressor | 60 Gallon | 11.5 SCFM at 90 PSI | Check Latest Price |
 |
SS5 5 HP 60 Gallon Single Stage Air Compressor | 60 Gallon | 18.1 CFM at 90 PSI | Check Latest Price |
 |
Quincy QT-54 Splash Lubricated Reciprocating Air Compressor | 60 Gallon | 15. 4 CFM at 90 PSI | Check Latest Price |
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Table of Contents
Top Compressor for Plasma Cutter Reviews
Here we have provided a complete review of all the air compressors with their benefits, pros, and cons. So that you can get a better idea that which air compressor is best for your plasma cutter. But if you are confused that which one is perfect for you then first go through our comprehensive buying guide.
And here we have also decided the compressor according to the workload. So if you want heavy-duty, medium-duty, and light-duty air compressors then you can easily choose.
1. NorthStar Single-Stage Portable Electric Air Compressor
North Star is a very popular brand when it comes to air compressors because of their high-quality product and long-lasting performance. And this air compressor is powerful but you can use this air compressor for light-duty plasma cutting. So let’s see all its features, pros and cons.
This air compressor comes with a very powerful 2 HP of pump which is very powerful to provide good performance for your plasma cutter. And the best part about this pump is that it comes with a V-style cylinder orientation which helps it to keep the air compressor cool for better performance.
Because the pump is very powerful so that it can deliver very high 5.0 CFM at 90 PSI and 6.0 CFM at 40 PSI. So the CFM rate is very good on this air compressor which helps you to provide optimum performance during the use of the Plasma cutter.
But the problem is this compressor comes with a maximum pressure of 135 PSI 20 gallons of air tank capacity so, for long-term use, this is not the best option. So if you have light-duty cutting tasks then this is the best option available in the market.
So the 20-gallon air tank with a huge powerful v-shaped pump makes the air compressor heavy but the portable wheels of this air compressor can make your job easier and you can move this air compressor easily from here and there.
This air compressor comes with built-in pressure gauges with a built-in regulator. So that you can get desired pressure to your plasma cutter for a better cutting experience.
Because the pump of this air compressor works on belt-driven technology to perform better and provide long-lasting performance.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Super powerful motor.
- High CFM for better performance.
- V-shaped cylinder to provide a better cooling system.
- Highly durable.
- Good for light-duty tasks.
Cons
- Because it comes with 20-gallon tank. So you can’t able to operate your plasma cutter for a long duration.
Why should you buy this?
So if you want a powerful air compressor for plasma cutter but if you use this compressor for a short duration or have light-duty tasks then you should go with this compressor. Because it has only 20-gallon air tank which cannot last long.
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2. DEWALT DXCMLA1983054 30-Gallon Portable Air Compressor
If you are also a tool lover then I am pretty sure that you must know the name, Dewalt. Because this is one of the top tool-making companies. And this compressor also comes with lots of features. So let’s see its all the benefits, pros, and cons.
This air compressor comes with a 1.9 HP of powerful V-Twin cylinder oil-lubricated pump. This is very much effective for powerful performance and because this is an oil-lubricated pump it can provide you with long-lasting performance.
Because the pump is super powerful so that it can deliver 5.7 CFM at 90 PSI and 7.0 CFM at 40 PSI. So the CFM rating is pretty good to operate a plasma cutter and it can give you optimum performance.
This air compressor comes with a 30 gallon capacity of an air tank which can sustain maximum pressure of 155 PSI. So the tank capacity is more than enough for medium-duty tasks. So if you have moderate cutting tasks then this can deliver amazing performance.
So because of the portable wheels of this air compressor, you do not feel that it’s too heavy and you can able to move easily from here and there.
The best part is it is equipped with a very advanced dual voltage motor. So the motor is compatible with 120 Volts and 240 Volts
It has also equipped with two different pressure gauges with a regulator. So that you can do all of your tasks precisely.
It also comes with synthetic oil so it can deliver optimum performance for a longer duration.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Deliver high CFM and PSI.
- Good for moderate tasks.
- Highly durable motor.
- It can run on dual voltage.
- A long warranty on the pump.
- Portable air compressor.
Cons
- Not good for heavy-duty tasks.
Why should you buy this?
So if you want a super-powerful air compressor for moderate-duty tasks then this air compressor is one of the best options available in the market which can provide you with good and long-lasting performance.
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3. Industrial Air ILA1883054 30-Gallon Belt Driven Air Compressor
Industrial air is also one of the top air compressor brands and this brand is available in the market. And this air compressor is also one of the top air compressors which you can easily use for your Plasma cutter. So let’s discuss all of its features, pros, and cons.
This air compressor also comes with a 1.9 HP of powerful cast-iron build motor which can provide you good performance. And because it’s a v-shape twin-cylinder pump so it can remove the heat better to keep this machine cool for longer.
This powerful air compressor can deliver 5.7 CFM at 90 PSI and 7.0 CFM at 40 PSI which is powerful enough to run the plasma cutter. So you do not have to worry about its CFM rating at higher PSI.
It is equipped with 30 gallons of large air tank which can sustain up to 155 PSI of maximum air pressure. But 30-gallon capacity is good for moderate duty tasks you can also use this for heavy-duty purposes but you may have to refill the tank in between work.
The motor of this air compressor is also a dual voltage motor. So it can run on 120 Volts as well as 240 Volts.
It has two pressure gauges and a regular one is for the air tank and another is for air exit pressure. So that you can precisely be done with your job. And with help of a regulator, you can regulate the air pressure according to your need.
Because of the heavy motor and a large 30 gallon of air tank, it becomes too heavy, but the pneumatic wheels enhance its portability and easily move this huge machine from one place to another.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Portable air compressor.
- Good for moderate duty tasks.
- Twin voltage support.
- It also comes with synthetic oil for long-lasting performance.
- Super durable cast iron motor.
Cons
- Not good for Heavy-duty or continuous duty plasma cutting.
Why should you buy this?
So if you want a super-powerful air compressor with moderate plasma cutting tasks the let me tell you that this 30-gallon air compressor is one of the best options available in the market.
4. DeWalt DXCMLA3706056 60-Gallon Stationary Air Compressor
As I told you earlier that Dewalt is one of the top air compressor brands in the US market and this air compressor comes with very high performable features which makes it perfect for heavy-duty plasma cutting tasks.
This air compressor comes with a 3.7 HP of powerful cast iron motor. And the cast-iron build enhances its durability and the twin-cylinder pump with aluminum head provides a feaster heat decision to keep your air compressor cool.
Because of the powerful motor, this air compressor can deliver 11.5 SCFM at 90 PSI and 13.4 CFM at 40 PSI which is very high. So with this CFM rating, you can easily operate not only the Plasma cutter but can be used for plenty of other heavy-duty air tools.
The best part about this heavy-duty machine is that it comes with a huge 60 gallons of the air tank. And I can tell you that, this size is perfect for plasma cutters. So if you have heavy-duty metal cutting tasks then you can easily do it with this air compressor.
This air compressor is equipped with pressure gauges and with the help of this you can easily monitor the output pressure and tank pressure to get the optimum performance from this huge machine.
This huge air compressor is also shipped with synthetic oil and these oils are performed better and provide optimum performance for a long time.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- You can use this compressor for a long time at once.
- Very high CFM.
- Large air tank.
- Highly durable and powerful motor.
- It can be used for multiple heavy-duty tasks.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Not a portable machine.
Why should you buy this?
So if you need to operate your plasma cutter for a long duration without taking any brake then this Dewalt air compressor with a large tank can give you optimum performance for a longer time.
5. SS5 5 HP 60 Gallon Single Stage Air Compressor
This is also one of the best air compressors from Ingersoll Rand. Which is also powerful enough to provide great performance during your metal cutting operation. So let’s see all of the features, pros, and cons of this air compressor.
This air compressor is a kind of super machine which is equipped with a highly powerful 5 HP of the single-stage pump. And the cast-iron build of this pump enhances its durability and makes it long-lasting.
The motor is so powerful that it can capable to deliver 18.1 CFM at 90 PSI. Which is very powerful and you can easily operate all the heavy air tools with this machine.
This air compressor can provide you with non-stop long-term performance because of a huge air tank with 60 gallons. So if you have heavy-duty cutting tasks then this air compressor can provide you with amazing work performance.
Because this is huge so it’s too heavy in weight and you can not able to move this from one place to another.
The best part about this compressor is that it comes with thermal overload protection on the motor. So you do not have to worry about electrical damage.
It is also equipped with a pressure gauge to monitor the right pressure. Which helps for better performance as well as safety.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Huge tank capacity.
- High CFM and PSI.
- It’s good for 100% continuous.
- Highly durably and performance.
- Powerful motor.
Cons
- Not a portable air compressor.
- Expensive.
Why should you buy this?
So if you have heavy-duty tasks with then this is also one of the best air compressors for plasma cutting. Because the higher CFM and huge tank can provide you good and long-lasting performance.
6. Quincy QT-54 Splash Lubricated Reciprocating Air Compressor
Quincy is another best air compressor brand available in the market and this air compressor from Quincy comes with very high performable features and let me share with you that this is one of the best air compressors for plasma cutting operation. So let’s see all of its features with their pros & cons.
This air compressor also comes with 5 HP of highly powerful motor which can provide you good performance for heavy-duty tasks. And the v-shaped designed pump helps to dissipate the heat better and keep your compressor cool.
Because of this powerful motor it can capable to deliver 15. 4 CFM at 90 PSI. which is kind of phenomenal and you can do all types of heavy-duty work with this compressor.
The best part is that it comes with a super large tank with 60 gallons so you can get non-stop performance from the air compressor. Which makes it the best compressor for plasma cutters. Because plasma cutting is a long-term process.
This is also not a portable air compressor because of its huge size. So you need to fix this in one place.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Super powerful and durable.
- It can dissipate the heat better.
- Has high CFM rates.
- Good for long-duration heavy-duty tasks.
- Highly durable 2-stage motor.
- 100% duty cycle.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Not a portable air compressor.
Why should you buy this?
So this is one of the top compressors which you can use heavy-duty plasma cutting. Because of its higher CFM rates and large tank capacity.
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Buying Guide to Choose the Best Air Compressor for Plasma Cutting
So if you have any confusion regarding how much powerful air compressor you need or how much large air tank you need to complete plasma cutting. Then this complete guide is for you. Here we are going to discuss each and everything so that you can get a proper idea that which air compressor is perfect for you.
A thumb rule for buying an air compressor is the bigger is better. So I mentioned few points which you have to consider during your buying journey.
Tank Size:-
Plasma cutting is not a short operation it’s a time-consuming process. So during your buying journey, you must need to consider the tank size.
So if you have a lot of metal cutting tasks and you have to cut back to back for a long duration then let me tell you that you need at least a 60-gallon air tank to get the best optimum performance from the compressor.
But if you have moderate cutting tasks and if you have enough time while you work to give your compressor a little break in between the tasks then only you can get a 30-gallon compressor.
And if you have light cutting tasks and you want to use your compressor for less time then only you can go in between 20 to 30-gallon air tank capacity.
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) Rating:-
When it comes to an air compressor for plasma cutter then CFM (Cubic feet per minute) plays a major role. Because plasma cutter required very presided CFM rating.
Generally, you are advised to take 1.5 times the sum of the CFM ratings written on the plasma cutter. For eg: if a plasma cutter requires 3.5 CFM then you need an above 5.25 CFM-rated compressor for optimum performance.
It is so-called because compressor manufacturers always write down the rating of their compressors by raising a few points. So you need to care about this always.
PSI (Pounds per Square Inch):-
PSI is generally an air pressure and it’s also termed as Pounds per Square Inch. So when we talk about PSI requirements for plasma cutter machines then it fluctuates according to its size. A larger machine requires higher PSI and the smaller machines require a lower PSI.
So from the given example, you can easily get an idea that which plasma cutter requires how much air pressure.
For example:
- A 30 amp machine requires almost 70 to 80 PSI of air pressure.
- A 45 amp machine requires almost 80 to 90 PSI of air pressure.
- A 65 amp machine requires almost 80 to 100 PSI of air pressure.
Motor:-
Because motor the most essential part of air compressor. So you always have to select an air compressor with a good motor.
Because the motor is the only component that can help to fill the air. So you need to care about the built quality so that it can provide you better performance for a long time.
Voltage Requirements:-
So most of the air compressor supports dual voltage that means it supports 240 Volts as well as 120 Volts. So as per your requirements, you can adjust the voltage range.
Other than that almost all the air compressor comes with 120 Volts.
Voltage Overload Protection:-
This is one of the most safety features which is really good for voltage protection. These features can protect your compressor from any electrical damage. So you just have to look for a compressor that comes with a voltage protection feature.
FAQs for Best Air Compressor for Plasma Cutting
What compressor do I need for the plasma cutter?
Because plasma cutting is a long-term process so it requires a powerful air compressor that can provide non-stop performance for a long duration.
A 30 amp plasma cutter requires almost 70 to 80 PSI and 5 to 6 CFM.
A 45 amp machine requires almost 80 to 90 PSI and 6 to 8 CFM.
A 65 amp machine requires almost 80 to 100 PSI and 6 to 8 CFM.
And the tank size depends on your usage
For light-duty tasks cutting 20 to 30 gallons is enough.
For Moderate duty cutting tasks, 30 gallons is enough.
For heavy-duty cutting tasks, 60 gallons is enough.
Does a plasma cutter need compressed air?
Plasma cutting is a two-stage process where in the first stage the arc heats the metal and in the second stage, the compressed air is completely blasted onto the metal to complete the cutting process.
What air pressure is required for plasma cutting?
The plasma cutting process needs 5 to 8 CFM and 70 to 80 PSI of air pressure.
What compressor do I need for the plasma cutter?
Plasma cutting is a long-term process and you need a powerful air compressor to complete the cutting process.
For light-duty task:- NorthStar Single-Stage Portable Electric Air Compressor.
For Moderate duty task:- DEWALT 30-Gallon Portable Air Compressor.
For Heavy-duty task:- DeWalt 60-Gallon Stationary Air Compressor.
Conclusion: Best Compressor for Plasma Cutting
We have included everything so that you can find the best air compressor for plasma cutter.
I thought you have selected one of them according to your need. So which air compressor you have selected, let me know in the comment box.
And If you want our recommendation then:-
- For light duty task:- NorthStar Single-Stage Portable Electric Air Compressor.
- For Moderate duty task:- DEWALT 30-Gallon Portable Air Compressor.
- For Heavy duty task:- Quincy QT-54 Splash Lubricated Reciprocating Air Compressor.
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