A pipe cutter makes a clean, square cut without a saw. Plastic pipe usually calls for a ratcheting shear-style cutter, while steel and iron pipe call for a wheel cutter that rolls around the pipe. The main choices are the pipe material, the largest diameter and whether a spare blade is included.
The six cutters below include three for plastic or mixed pipe and three wheel-style cutters for metal. Capacities, materials and weights come from each listing page and are the makers’ own claims. We have not used these cutters ourselves. Where a listing is vague, we say so. Copper tubing cutters are covered in a separate roundup.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Pipe material | Plastic, steel and copper need different cutters |
| Capacity | The largest outside diameter it will close around |
| Action | Ratcheting needs one hand; wheel cutters need turns around the pipe |
| Spare blade | A spare wheel keeps a dull cutter from stopping the job |
Specs at a Glance
| Cutter | Capacity | Pipe type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bates ratchet | Up to 1-5/8 in | PVC and plastic | Manganese steel; 9.1 oz |
| Klein 50080 | 2 in ID, 2-3/8 in OD | PVC, CPVC, PEX | Die cast aluminum body; 1.25 lb |
| RIDGID RC-1625 | 1/8 to 1-5/8 in OD | Plastic, PEX, hose | Quick change blade; lifetime warranty |
| Godora 1-3 in | 1 to 3 in OD | Iron and steel only | Ball bearing feed; extra blade; 6.25 lb |
| QWORK | 1/8 to 2 in | Iron and steel only | Replacement blade included; 1 lb listed |
| TOLESA 4 in 1 | 1/8 to 2 in (5-50 mm) | Metal and plastic | Cutter, mini cutter, reamer, deburring tool |
The 6 Best Pipe Cutters
1. Bates Ratchet PVC Pipe Cutter, Up to 1-5/8 in
A ratchet-type cutter made of manganese steel with a rubber-textured handle. The maker says the triangular blade edge helps it get into the pipe and that a few presses finish the cut. The handles fold shut and lock for storage. It weighs 9.1 ounces. The page names plastic pipe and tube as the target.
Suits: PVC and plastic tube up to 1-5/8 inches. Strengths: light and compact. Weaknesses: the smallest capacity here for PVC. Skip it if you cut 2 inch pipe.
View Bates- PVC Pipe Cutter, Cuts up to 1-5/8″, Ratchet Pipe Cutter on Amazon
2. Klein Tools 50080 Ratcheting PVC Pipe Cutter, 2 in
A ratcheting cutter for Schedule 40 and 80 PVC, CPVC and PEX, listed for up to 2 inch inside diameter and 2-3/8 inch outside diameter. The body is die cast aluminum alloy with a steel blade and soft-molded handles. The blade retracts when you pull the handles apart. It weighs 1.25 pounds.
Suits: larger plastic supply and drain lines. Strengths: clear capacity figures and a wide material list. Weaknesses: bulkier than the Bates. Skip it if you cut metal pipe.
View Klein Tools 50080 Ratcheting PVC Pipe Cutter, 2-Inch Cutting Capacity on Amazon
3. RIDGID RC-1625 Ratchet Action Plastic Pipe and Tubing Cutter
An aluminum ratchet cutter with a 1/8 to 1-5/8 inch outside diameter capacity, listed for PVC, CPVC, PP, PEX, PE, rubber hose and multilayer tubing. It has a replaceable quick change blade, a bottom handle marked at half inch steps that works as a quick measuring scale, and a lifetime warranty against defects according to the maker. It weighs 0.5 kg.
Suits: plastic and multilayer tubing. Strengths: replaceable blade and the long material list. Weaknesses: 1-5/8 inch limit. Skip it if you need to cut steel.
4. Godora Heavy Duty Steel Pipe Cutter, 1 to 3 in
A wheel cutter for iron and steel pipe from 1 to 3 inches in outside diameter, with a steel ball thrust bearing feed, an alloy steel cutting wheel and an extra-long handle for leverage. One extra wheel comes in the box. The listing states it is not suitable for copper or aluminum. It weighs 6.25 pounds.
Suits: larger steel and iron pipe. Strengths: the top capacity here and a spare blade. Weaknesses: heavy at 6.25 pounds. Skip it if you cut small or soft pipe.
View Heavy Duty Steel Pipe Cutter 1–3 Inch with Extra Blade on Amazon
5. QWORK Heavy Duty Pipe Cutter, 1/8 to 2 in
A steel pipe cutter for rigid pipe from 1/8 to 2 inches (3 to 50 mm). The maker lists a ball thrust bearing feed, wide rollers on a reinforced frame and a replacement blade in the package. It is described as not for aluminum or copper. The details table lists 1 pound and a 1 inch cube, which look like placeholders, so treat the weight as unconfirmed.
Suits: small to mid-size steel pipe. Strengths: a wide size range and a spare blade. Weaknesses: vague weight and size data. Skip it if you work with copper.
View QWORK Heavy Duty Pipe Cutter, 1/8-inch to 2-inch Steel Pipe Cutter on Amazon
6. TOLESA 4 in 1 Pipe Cutter Tool, 1/8 to 2 in
An aluminum alloy kit with a heavy duty cutter (5 to 50 mm), a mini cutter (3 to 19 mm), a pipe reamer (5 to 33 mm) and a deburring tool with a 360 degree rotating design. The maker lists SKD cutter wheels and six high-density ball bearing rollers, and names metal, stainless steel and copper pipe. The set weighs 1.91 pounds.
Suits: a toolbox kit for mixed pipe. Strengths: four tools in one pack. Weaknesses: an aluminum body, not forged steel. Skip it if you only need one large cutter.
View Pipe Cutter Tool Heavy Duty 1/8”-2” with Deburring Reaming Tool on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Match the cutter to the pipe material named on the listing.
- Tighten the wheel a little after each turn instead of forcing it.
- Remove burrs from the cut edge with a reamer or deburring tool.
- Keep spare blades with the cutter and store it dry.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a steel-only wheel cutter on copper or aluminum.
- Judging capacity by inside diameter when the page lists outside diameter.
- Forcing a ratcheting cutter on pipe larger than its listed size.
- Skipping the reaming step before joining pipe.
Pipe Cutter FAQ
Can one cutter handle both plastic and steel pipe?
Not usually. The Bates, Klein and RIDGID are made for plastic, while the Godora and QWORK are for iron and steel only. The TOLESA lists metal and plastic use.
Which cutter has the largest capacity?
The Godora lists 1 to 3 inches for steel pipe. The Klein lists up to 2-3/8 inches outside diameter for plastic.
The Short Version
For small plastic pipe, the Bates. For 2 inch PVC and PEX, the Klein. For plastic tubing with a replaceable blade, the RIDGID. For large steel pipe, the Godora. For a 2 inch steel cutter, the QWORK. For a multi-tool kit, the TOLESA.