Hobart
Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter
$2009
Best Plasma Cutters · head-to-head
Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter is cheaper at $309. Every spec and price links to its source.
YesWelder
YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter
$309Cheaper
Which is better: the Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter or YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter?
The YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter is the cheaper at $309. The YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
See Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter on Amazon See YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter on Amazon
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter | YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $2009 | $309 |
| Brand | Hobart | YesWelder |
| Released | — | — |
| Cutting amperage (A) | 40 | 55 |
| Rated cut thickness | 5/8 in (16mm) | 3/8 in (10mm) @ 220V, 5/16 in (8mm) @ 110V |
| Sever cut thickness | 7/8 in (22mm) | 3/4 in (18mm) @ 220V, 9/16 in (14mm) @ 110V |
| Duty cycle at rated amps | 60% @ 40A/240V, 35% @ 27A/120V | 60% @ 55A/220V, 100% @ 42A/220V; 60% @ 35A/110V, 100% @ 27A/110V |
| Input voltage | 120V/240V (MVP multi-voltage plug) | 110V/220V ±10% |
| Pilot arc | Yes | Yes |
| Air requirement | 6.0 CFM @ 90-120 psi | 6.0 CFM max; 55-70 psi @ 220V, 50-60 psi @ 110V |
| Weight (lb) | 22 | 14.48 |
Sources — Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter: store.cyberweld.com (verified 2026-08-11). YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter: yeswelder.com (verified 2026-08-11).
What's the difference between the Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter and YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Cutting amperage (A): Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 40 vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 55
- Rated cut thickness: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 5/8 in (16mm) vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 3/8 in (10mm) @ 220V, 5/16 in (8mm) @ 110V
- Sever cut thickness: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 7/8 in (22mm) vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 3/4 in (18mm) @ 220V, 9/16 in (14mm) @ 110V
- Duty cycle at rated amps: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 60% @ 40A/240V, 35% @ 27A/120V vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 60% @ 55A/220V, 100% @ 42A/220V; 60% @ 35A/110V, 100% @ 27A/110V
- Input voltage: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 120V/240V (MVP multi-voltage plug) vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 110V/220V ±10%
- Air requirement: Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 6.0 CFM @ 90-120 psi vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 6.0 CFM max; 55-70 psi @ 220V, 50-60 psi @ 110V
- Weight (lb): Hobart AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter 22 vs YesWelder CUT-55DS PLUS Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter 14.48