A tile cutter is an essential tool if you are completing a renovation job and looking to replace the tiles in your home! You could purchase a manual tile cutter – but an electric tile cutter is going to make your life much easier when you are working. They are designed to massively speed up the tile cutting process and reduce the force that you need to put into get the right cut by doing the work for you! Not only will they save you time that can then be spent on putting the tiles in the right place, we also found ourselves saving money thanks to less tiles being chipped or cracked during the cutting process! It really is a win win!
When looking for a tile cutter you need to consider the RPM, the type of blade and the quality of the cutter overall – failing to purchase the right model can be a costly mistake! So here are some of the best electric tile cutters that we have found!
Best Pick – Vitrex 10343000V Power Pro
- Driven by a 650 watt direct drive motor.
- Recirculation system means there is no water mess and leeps the blade at optimum temperature.
- Present table tilts of 22.5° and 45°.
- Double extension for larger format tiles.
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Only Got 5 Minutes?
If you are in a rush to get purchasing the best electric tile cutter on the market then this is where you need to be! If you have a job in mind that you are ready to start, or maybe you’re just sick of manually cutting tiles and the chaos that it causes. If that is the case then keep reading for all you need to know to make your purchase.
Electric Tile Cutter Features
Here are some of the main features that you need to be looking for if you want to purchase the best electric tile cutter you can find! The last thing you want is to be ready to go, with your tiles purchased, and then find that you haven’t bought a tile fitter that is up to the task – what a waste of time and money! So keep reading to avoid that happening to you.
Size
The size of tile cutter that you opt for will massively determine both the size of tile that you are able to work with and also the size of rip cut that you will be able to complete. It is important to remember that the size of the table isn’t going to be the size of tile that you can work with as you need space to maneuver the tile around the saw. Some tile cutters can cut tiles up to 28 inch in diameter, however others can cut as little as 12-13 inches. Make sure to not just consider the size of your tile but also the space around it that you are going to need to stop the job from being frustrating! It is worth thinking about the jobs that you are going to be using your tile cutter for in the future. You will usually find that kitchen tiles are smaller than bathroom tiles, so don’t just buy a tile cutter that is right for THIS JOB, buy one that is right for all the jobs!
TOP TIP: Remember when thinking about the size of your electric tile cutter that this is also going to impact on the places that you can work and also storage of the tool. Many can be broken down into parts and removed from the base and table to make them better to store, but they are still large machines that are going to take up a lot of room!
Blade
The blade is going to impact not only the finish of the cut that you achieve but also how easy it is to achieve this cut! You will also find that different blades can work with different materials, so it is important to check the blade that comes with your tile cutter. Diamond tip blades, or diamond powered blades will allow you to cut through a wider variety of materials and provide you with a much more professional finish due to the strength of the blade that you are using. However, these do tend to be more expensive. Many tile cutters will allow you to change the blade depending on the job that you are completing, but it is important to look at the size of the blade and check that it is going to be compatible.
Many of the best electric tile cutters come with an adjustable cutting blade, which will massively increase the different positions in which you can cut and also the depth at which you can work.
Wet or Dry Cutting
There are two main types of electric tile cutters that you will find – wet cutters and dry cutters (plus not forgetting those fabulous machines that are flexible enough to do both, but these do tend to be a little more expensive!). It is difficult to say whether dry or wet cutting produces more mess – dry cutting will create a large amount of dust and debris, whereas wet cutting leaves you with the water to clear up. However, wet cutting is arguably going to provide you with a better finish, as the water helps to keep the area cool so that the blade can slice through the tile with ease!
If you choose to invest in a wet cutting option then there are some ways to make the job easier and leave you with less chaos to clean up afterwards! Water management systems will reduce the water use when cutting, which reduces the amount of times that you have to empty the water tank. Some wet tile cutters are now specially designed to “splash” the water back down over the tile and the blade, and if these designs are done properly they can massively reduce the mess that is made allowing you to cut tiles in the same room you are working on!
We also found some designs such as separate removable water tanks and drip tray extensions that reduced the mess that you have to deal with when opting for wet cutting.
Power and Speed
As a general rule, the speed that you get from your electric tile cutter is going to be determined by the amount of power that you have to start with – although it is important to mention that there are some exceptions to the rule with this. Look at the voltage that you are getting with your tile cutter, anything less than 100V and you will probably find that your tile cutter struggles to cope with the tiles that you are working with. We would recommend around 115-120V if you want a tile cutter that is going to be able to handle what you throw its way.
The speed of your tile cutter is going to be measured in RPM (Rotations per Minute). The faster the blade can rotate, the faster it can cut through the tile – simple. Decent quality models will range from between 3600RPM all the way up to 4400RPM. Anything over 3200RPM should be enough to get the job done though!
Weight
The weight of your electric tile cutter is important as it is unlikely that you are going to be able to leave your machine in one place at all times – unless you have a particularly large workshop! Most electric tile cutters are designed so that they can be placed on any flat surface and be ready to go – or some come with a base and table that they are connected to so that you really can work anywhere! But this means that it is important to consider the weight of your tile cutter and the areas that you are going to be working in.
Some models weigh as little as 18lbs, whereas others go all the way up to 130lbs! This is a massive difference so is something that you definitely need to be checking for!
TOP TIP: If you opt for one of the larger, heavier models then make sure it is designed in a way that it can be broken down into smaller parts and then reassembled quickly! This will not only save you a lot of time but a lot of back ache when moving between jobs!
The Cut
All of the above features come together to help you create the perfect cut for the tiles that you are working with, but there are additional features that will impact on the cut that you can achieve. For example, some electric tile cutters will come with a tilting head, which increases the angle of miter cut that you are able to complete and helps you to even achieve a professional finish in these cuts, as the machine will be stable and secure throughout the process. We would recommend looking out for models that have the ability to cut between a 22 and a 45 degree miter cut for true flexibility in the jobs that you are completing.
Also look out for a saw head that will allow you to complete plunge cuts. We have found some models that can work with up to 38 inches when completing a plunge cut, allowing you to work with much bigger pieces of material.
Best Budget – VITREX 103402 Tile Cutter
- Torque Master Power Tile Cutter with a diamond cutting blade
- Hi-Torque gear for maximum cutting performance
- splash guard with a variable height adjustment.
- Input Power: 450W - No Load Speed: 4,600/min
- Blade Size: 110mm - Cutting Depth: @90°: 25mm, @45°: 17mm - Weight: 6kg
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Additional Electric Tile Cutter Features
Now that you know the main features you need to be looking for when purchasing an electric tile cutter, here are some of the extra features that we think will be worth their weight in gold when helping you achieve a professional finish every time.
- Side extension – Fantastic if you are wanting a more versatile electric tile cutter as this will allow your tool to be smaller and more portable but also still work with larger tiles if you need to!
- Adjustable fence – a variety of guides and adjustable fences are perfect for those of you that are new to tile cutting, or anyone that is wanting to complete harder miter cuts.
- Ground fault interrupter – An important safety feature that you should make sure is found in any tile cutter that you purchase. This will shut off the power to the tool should something go wrong with the electrics whilst you are working.
- Motor – A good quality motor will not only improve how effectively your machine can work but it will also improve the life of the machine. Look for at least a 400W motor if you want to get the job done.
Best of the Rest
- Diamond tipped cutting disc (included)
- Water cooling system for strenuous tile cutting tasks
- Parallel guide for increased accuracy
- Bench size: 330 x 360 mm
- Cutting Speed: 3000 rpm
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- Laptronix 450W Tile Cutter is a robust and easy-to-transport tile cutter.
- This device is ideal for working on small and medium-sized wall and floor tiles
- Max Cutting Depth: 34mm - No Load Speed: 2950rpm - Product Weight: 7.5kg
- Table Size: 360 x 330mm with bevel cut angle range of 0-45 Degree
- Wheel Diameter: 180mm - More detaiols in the description below
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Alternative Options
If you are thinking that maybe an electric tile cutter isn’t for you, then it could be that a manual tile cutter is going to be better. Admittedly, you are going to have to put more effort into each cut but they are going to be cheaper, more portable and arguably there is less to go wrong!
We have an article that looks at a wide range of manual tile cutters, so maybe there will be one that suits what you are looking for here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What warranty will I get with an electric tile cutter?
Most electric tile cutters come with a 2 to a 3 year warranty. However, make sure to check the details of the warranty as some specific that this has to be for home use – perfect for if that is what you are using it for, but then if it is overused and looks as though it has been used commercially you won’t be covered!
How often does the blade of a tile cutter need replacing?
This really depends on how often you are using the tile cutter, however if you start to find your tiles chipping or cracking when you are cutting then it is overdue being replaced. Low quality blades can sometimes offer you as little as 12 hours cutting time, whereas the best diamond cut blades can offer upwards of 120 cutting hours!
Can I only create straight cuts with an electric tile cutter?
No! Many electric tile cutters will allow you to create bevelled or other curved cuts on tiles, making them perfect for work in the bathroom around your toilet, or other more complicated angles you might be trying to complete. However, this does take some practice, as you won’t be able to follow along the fence, so make sure to give yourself time on some “less important” tiles before trying the real thing!
Why does my tile keep cracking when I cut it?
Sadly, as tiles are fragile they can be prone to cracking when you are cutting. If this is only happening occasionally, it is probably nothing to worry about, but if it is happening regularly it suggests there is an issue with your tile cutter. It is important to check the blade of the cutter and ensure that there isn’t too much pressure being put on the tile when cutting. Also, look out for score and snap cutters as these tend to help to avoid cracking!
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