5 Best PVC Cutters of 2024 – Review & Buying Guide
PVC cutters are a must-have for plumbers and anyone else who deals with PVC materials. There could be other tools for the job, but PVC cutters are made for the best performance in this type of undertaking.
Read on as we scour the market for the five best PVC cutters of the year.
Last update on 2024-10-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
PVC Cutter Buying Guide
When faced with so many PVC cutter models and brands on the market, what do you do? PVC cutters, being simple tools with few moving parts, are deceptively hard to buy. The designs look standard in pretty much all models.
For instance, they basically all include a ratcheting cutting mechanism; however, a few differences in cutting circumference, build material, and handle design could make quite a difference in the efficiency they deliver.
Like many first-time buyers, when I bought my first PVC cutter, I didn’t take heed to any of these crucial factors. I learned the hard way, after a few days of frustration and struggle, that my device wouldn’t work flexibly with all pipe sizes.
Working with it was a nightmare given its unergonomic design, which made it hard for me to achieve precise cuts. I knew I had to find a better PVC cutting solution; the efficiency of my job depended upon it.
One of the challenges I had to overcome when buying such tools is putting total faith in sales descriptions. Most manufacturers out there do not hesitate to feed you lies so they can close more sales. Beware — research thoroughly and deeply before you make your purchase.
What to consider when buying a PVC cutter:
Flexibility
The best PVC cutter is flexible and made for versatility. You’ll want to find a cutter that can accommodate different pipe sizes and still deliver the same cutting accuracy and efficiency.
A significant number of PVC cutters out there do not have adjustments for larger and small pipes. They might crack your smaller pipes or make it a painstaking task to cut through thicker pipes.
Material of construction
Just like all handy tools, your PVC cutter should be strong and sturdy. Consider the amount of money you are investing in it. Do you want to keep spending money on the exact same thing several months down the line? I bet you don’t. We all want to buy a reliable tool once and for all. So, go for steel-made PVC cutters. They are durable and resistant to rust and corrosion.
The needs of your job
Which materials do you work with most in the line of your job? Even though PVC cutters are meant for cutting plastic pipes, some models on the market can allow you to work with other materials including rubber, PEX, wood, etc. A versatile cutter can, therefore, save you on costs because you may not have to buy different cutting devices for each material that you work with.
Ergonomics
There is no joy in working with a poorly designed PVC cutter. The strain that it will put on your hands will be unbearable. You may also take longer to cut your pipes compared to the time it would take using a well-designed cutter.
When evaluating ergonomics on your PVC cutter, look at the handles. The handles should be sturdy and designed to fit well in your arms. Larger handles are better as they double the force reaching toward the cutting fulcrum. Also, choose PVC cutters that have a rubberized non-slip handle to support your grip when using the tool.
Weight
The weight of your PVC pipe cutter affects its ease of use. Lighter models are less tiring and can, therefore, be an excellent choice for those seeking ergonomics and efficiency. Lighter PVC cutters are also easier to carry around.
Pipe support
The pipe hold feature is a must-have if you want ideal functioning from your pipe cutter. The pipe support helps to hold the PVC in place so you can deliver a precise cut.
Blades
The cutting strength of any PVC cutter is only as reliable as the type of blades used. The best models use heat-treated steel blades that can stay sharper for longer.
The right PVC pipe cutter should also allow easy replacement of blades. Fitting new blades on your cutting device helps to maintain its reliability down the line, for blades inevitably grow blunt or wear out.
Similarly, you should go for models with a locking mechanism. The safety feature will help to minimize the risk of accidents.
The Best PVC Cutters in the Market
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KNIPEX PVC Pipe Cut- For cutting thick walled plastic and composite pipes of 26-40 mm dia
- Cuts pipes according to the ratchet principle in several strokes
- Movable pipe support positions pipes of various diameters correctly for a rectangular cut
Last update on 2024-10-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
The KNIPEX 90 25 40 PVC cutter features a steel frame that’s oil hardened and tempered. This cutter could be ideal for those looking for strength and durability with their hand tool.
Design
The KNIPEX cutter accommodates plastic and composite pipes of a diameter between 26 and 40 mm. You might, therefore, be able to get a satisfying performance from this cutter when working with thicker pipes. There is an included pipe support feature that should help you achieve steady and precise cuts with this device.
Like many other PVC cutters, this model is a ratchet cutter that eats away at your material, gradually, every time you squeeze your hands. There are two handles included for the cutting action. The handle grips are rubberized, a design that could increase your comfort when working with the cutter.
Power and efficiency
The pipe support positions are adjustable. This means you may be able to work with different sizes of pipes while getting the same performance.
The blades on this PVC cutter are replaceable, so you can keep your device working optimally by getting new blades when the included ones wear out.
With the oil-hardened steel construction of this device, durability and strength are a given.
The other inspiring quality of the KNIPEX 90 25 40 PVC cutter is its lightweight design, which should help to improve ease of use.
Pros
- Made for versatile pipe sizes
- You can achieve precise, smooth cutting with the pipe support
- Durability and strength guaranteed by the steel construction
- Ergonomically designed handles
Cons
- Difficult to open
- Smaller handles
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Last update on 2024-10-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
This MCC tool bears a slight resemblance to the KNIPEX 90 25 40 PVC cutter. In this case, however, the frame is made of steel alloy, and the cutter has an exposed blade design. This PVC cutter could be ideal for those looking for simplicity and power.
Design
The steel alloy construction makes this PVC cutter a little heavier than the previously reviewed item. Please note that the weight might interfere not only with your ease of use but also the precision of your cutting task.
Be that as it may, the manufacturer promises a stronger blade that’s been heat-treated. Therefore, you might be able to get clean and smooth performance for longer before replacing this blade.
Performance
Like the KNIPEX 90 25 40 PVC cutter, the MCC PVC cutter can work with versatile plastic sizes. The cutting diameter is adjustable, between 1-1/4 and 1-5/8 inches.
Unlike the earlier reviewed item, the design of the MCC model facilitates a smooth opening and ratcheting action.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Faster blade change
- Smoother opening and closing
Cons
- A tendency to crack smaller pipes
- Slightly heavier than the previous option
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Sale
Milwaukee 48-22-4200 Pex/Tubing Cutter
- The product is easy to use
- The product is durable
- The product is manufactured in China
Last update on 2024-10-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
The Milwaukee 48-22-4200 Pex/Tubing Cutter is ideal for smaller pipes of up to one inch thick. This device could be the right choice for DIY jobs.
Design
The Milwaukee 48-22-4200 Pex/Tubing Cutter features steel construction. You might, therefore, be able to use this cutter for many years to come. Rust and corrosion are the two nemeses to the efficiency of such hand tools, but steel is impervious to both of these problems.
This device is a ratchet cutter, just like the other reviewed models. The only difference is the cutting blade design. This model uses a V-shaped blade, a feature that could increase cutting precision on small pipes, according to the manufacturers.
Beware, though, that this tool does not offer prominent pipe support. You might struggle to keep the pipe in place during cutting, which could potentially affect your accuracy and precision.
There is a locking mechanism included. This safety feature helps to reduce the risk of anyone accidentally touching the sharp blade when the device is in storage.
Performance
The blades are replaceable to maintain the cutting efficiency of the device.
A rework groove is also included, which could come in handy in fine-tuning and correcting cutting errors.
Pros
- The simple design facilitates ease of use
- It uses replaceable blades
- A rework groove helps in refining cuts
Cons
- Doesn’t deliver straight cuts
- The blades become blunt easily
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Last update on 2024-10-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
It is often challenging to find a hand tool precisely designed for ease of use. The AIRAJ PVC Cutter might be the solution to that problem.
Design
The exposed blade design of the AIRAJ PVC Cutter bears a close resemblance to the MCC PVC cutter. In terms of user-friendliness, what you have here includes ergonomic handles that are textured to provide a reliable grip.
A spring design around the hinges facilitates snap opening and closing of the tool — the cutter similarly features a safety lock feature that retracts the blade when not in use.
Performance and durability
The AIRAJ PVC cutter is made of manganese steel. This steel alloy delivers satisfactory levels of strength and rust/corrosion resistance. Therefore, you should be able to get many years of use from this PVC cutter.
The AIRAJ cutter works on the same ratchet technology as the earlier reviewed items. The manufacturer promises stronger bites and faster cutting with this device. How that is attainable is unclear, given that this is yet another simple hand tool.
One factor that could be advantageous here is the versatility of the cutting device. Going by the product specs, you should be able to work with it on other materials including wood and rubber.
The AIRAJ PVC cutter is also flexible for different pipe sizes. The PVC cutter can accommodate thicknesses between 1/8 and 1 1/4 inches.
Pros
- Durable steel construction
- Lightweight, weighing only 8.8 ounces
- Cuts straight
Cons
- Cannot work on thicker pipes
- Does not cut straight
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Last update on 2024-10-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
Plumbers looking for large cutting capacity may want to settle on this option. The Superior Pipe Cutter can work with thicker pipes of up to two inches, making it the model with the most extensive cutting size in the review.
Design
The Superior PVC cutter is bigger than the hand tools reviewed earlier, but the operating concept remains the same—ratcheting. The handles are longer in this case, an aspect that might increase the mechanical advantage and thus make your work easier.
The blade and pipe-holding space are large enough to accommodate PVC pipes of up to two inches. The wide jaw, with its secure hold on big pipes, could help to deliver cleaner and accurate cuts.
Performance
The Superior PVC cutter’s design, accompanied by its sharp blade, should guarantee efficiency. You might even be able to cut through your pipes in one slice.
Though the PVC cutter works well on bigger pipes, it might crack your smaller pipes. It also demands constant adjustment of the blade before cutting to achieve accurate, precise cuts.
Pros
- Efficient for thicker pipes
- Longer handles make the cutting task an effortless one
Cons
- Weighty and a little cumbersome
- Cracks smaller pipes
The Best Pick
In my opinion, the KNIPEX 90 25 40 PVC cutter is the best in the review. It features sturdy construction of oil-hardened and tempered steel, making it a long-lasting model.
The PVC cutter works with versatile pipe sizes, from 26 mm to 40mm. This flexibility is ideal when working with different pipes for various applications.
The included pipe support feature should help you achieve smoother cuts. The manufacturers have similarly considered ergonomics, evidenced in the rubberized grip handles.
The blades are also made for easy replacement when they wear out. These features and more make the KNIPEX 90 25 40 PVC cutter our recommended buy out of the five options above.
Last Updated on August 7, 2020 by Tom Bradly