Hypertherm
Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter
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Best Plasma Cutters · head-to-head
Hypertherm Powermax45 XP 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.
Which is better: the Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter or ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter?
The ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0.
See Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter on Amazon See ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 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 | Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter |  ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter |
|---|---|---|
| US price | — | $1734 |
| Brand | Hypertherm | ESAB |
| Released | — | — |
| Cutting amperage (A) | 45 | 40 |
| Rated cut thickness | 5/8 in (16mm) | 1/2 in (12mm) |
| Sever cut thickness | 1-1/8 in (29mm) | 1 in (25mm) |
| Duty cycle at rated amps | 50% @ 45A, 100% @ 32A | 40% @ 40A, 60% @ 30A, 100% @ 20A |
| Input voltage | 200-240V, 1-PH, 50/60Hz | 110-240V, 1-PH, auto-sensing |
| Pilot arc | Yes | Yes |
| Air requirement | 400 scfh (6.7 CFM) @ 90 psi, clean/dry shop air | 300-500 cfh (5-8.3 CFM) @ 90-125 psi |
| Weight (lb) | 31 | 22 |
Sources — Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter: weldingsuppliesfromioc.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 Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter and ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Cutting amperage (A): Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter 45 vs ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 40
- Rated cut thickness: Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter 5/8 in (16mm) vs ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 1/2 in (12mm)
- Sever cut thickness: Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter 1-1/8 in (29mm) vs ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 1 in (25mm)
- Duty cycle at rated amps: Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter 50% @ 45A, 100% @ 32A vs ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 40% @ 40A, 60% @ 30A, 100% @ 20A
- Input voltage: Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter 200-240V, 1-PH, 50/60Hz vs ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 110-240V, 1-PH, auto-sensing
- Air requirement: Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter 400 scfh (6.7 CFM) @ 90 psi, clean/dry shop air vs ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 300-500 cfh (5-8.3 CFM) @ 90-125 psi
- Weight (lb): Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter 31 vs ESAB (Thermal Dynamics) Cutmaster 40 Plasma Cutter 22