Hypertherm
Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter
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Best Plasma Cutters · head-to-head
Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter is cheaper at $399.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Forney
Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter
$399.99
Which is better: the Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter or Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter?
The Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) 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 Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) 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 | Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter |
|---|---|---|
| US price | — | $399.99 |
| Brand | Hypertherm | Forney |
| Released | — | — |
| Cutting amperage (A) | 45 | 20 |
| Rated cut thickness | 5/8 in (16mm) | 1/4 in (6mm) |
| Sever cut thickness | 1-1/8 in (29mm) | — |
| Duty cycle at rated amps | 50% @ 45A, 100% @ 32A | 35% @ 20A |
| Input voltage | 200-240V, 1-PH, 50/60Hz | 120V |
| Pilot arc | Yes | No |
| Air requirement | 400 scfh (6.7 CFM) @ 90 psi, clean/dry shop air | 1.5 CFM (PSI not published by Forney) |
| Weight (lb) | 31 | 21.5 |
Sources — Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter: weldingsuppliesfromioc.com (verified 2026-08-11). Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter: farmandfleet.com (verified 2026-08-11).
What's the difference between the Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter and Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) 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 Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 20
- Rated cut thickness: Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter 5/8 in (16mm) vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 1/4 in (6mm)
- Duty cycle at rated amps: Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter 50% @ 45A, 100% @ 32A vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 35% @ 20A
- Input voltage: Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter 200-240V, 1-PH, 50/60Hz vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 120V
- Pilot arc: Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter true vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter false
- Air requirement: Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter 400 scfh (6.7 CFM) @ 90 psi, clean/dry shop air vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 1.5 CFM (PSI not published by Forney)
- Weight (lb): Hypertherm Powermax45 XP Plasma Cutter 31 vs Forney Easy Weld 251 (20 P) Plasma Cutter 21.5