Hobart
Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter
$2009
Best Plasma Cutters · head-to-head
Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter vs ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter is cheaper at $1734. Every spec and price links to its source.
ESAB
ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter
$1734Cheaper
Which is better: the Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter or ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter is the cheaper at $1734.
See Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter on Amazon See ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter | ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $2009 | $1734 |
| Brand | Hobart | ESAB |
| Released | — | — |
| Cutting amperage (A) | 40 | 40 |
| Rated cut thickness | 5/8 in (16mm) | 1/2 in (12mm) |
| Sever cut thickness | 7/8 in (22mm) | 1 in (25mm) |
| Duty cycle at rated amps | 60% @ 40A/240V, 35% @ 27A/120V | 40% @ 40A, 60% @ 30A, 100% @ 20A |
| Input voltage | 120V/240V (MVP multi-voltage plug) | 110-240V, 1-PH, auto-sensing |
| Pilot arc | Yes | Yes |
| Air requirement | 6.0 CFM @ 90-120 psi | 300-500 cfh (5-8.3 CFM) @ 90-125 psi |
| Weight (lb) | 22 | 22 |
Sources — Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter: store.cyberweld.com (verified 2026-08-11). ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter: store.cyberweld.com (verified 2026-08-11).
What's the difference between the Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter and ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Rated cut thickness: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 5/8 in (16mm) vs ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 1/2 in (12mm)
- Sever cut thickness: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 7/8 in (22mm) vs ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 1 in (25mm)
- Duty cycle at rated amps: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 60% @ 40A/240V, 35% @ 27A/120V vs ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 40% @ 40A, 60% @ 30A, 100% @ 20A
- Input voltage: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 120V/240V (MVP multi-voltage plug) vs ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 110-240V, 1-PH, auto-sensing
- Air requirement: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 6.0 CFM @ 90-120 psi vs ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 300-500 cfh (5-8.3 CFM) @ 90-125 psi