A manual tile cutter is an ideal option while dealing with any repairs or tile project. It is simple, easy to use, affordable, less maintenance, and saves a lot of time and effort to cut the tiles compared to wet saws. Their cutting skills and quality will simplify the tile cutting tasks and offer better results in clean, quick, and accurate cuts. They make tile cutting a snap with its hardened metal wheels (to score the tile’s surface), a lever (to apply force need to snap the tile), and foot (to apply pressure of the score mark). Here is a quick outlook of key factors to consider before investing in the manual tile cutter. Supported Tile Size: The size of the tiles will matter a lot and you need to pick a model that can fit your workpieces. Cutters perform both diagonal (or angled) and straight cuts, in which the cutter make long straight cuts compared to diagonal one. Ensure to choose a bit bigger tile cutter than the tile size you use. Cutting Thickness: The cutting thickness will let you about the maximum thickness of a tile that you can easily and efficiently cut using a manual tile cutter. In general, you can find a cutting thickness rating of 0.24-inch to 0.6-inch, in which a higher rating is better for heavy-duty usage. Supported Tiles: Those who are familiar with tiles and flooring at construction sites would know that there are mainly ceramic and porcelain tiles available out there. Check the supported tile types that go along with your tile cutter. In general, most of these tile cutters will support cutting both ceramic and porcelain tiles for high versatility. We are here with the reviews of some Best Manual Tile Cutter after researching several products. Also, we recommend you read our detailed Buying Guide to make a better buying decision.
Best Manual Tile Cutters in 2023 List
Best Manual Tile Cutters in 2023: Reviews
1. QEP Manual Tile Cutter
QEP is one of the smallest and a fairly new brand of flooring tools and accessories that you can consider if you are looking for something like an affordable manual tile cutter. The QEP 10630Q manual tile cutter comes at the 1st position of this list since it is the cheapest option stated here making it the best option for buyers on a tight budget. Being an affordable option, it’s given cutting length of 24 inch is fairly decent. You also get a 17.5-inch diagonal cutting length rating which is quite great for angled cuts. Moving over to the cutting thickness rating, this is where this budget tile cutter is a bit limited at 0.25 inch to 0.375 inch. Thankfully, you also get fairly accurate cuts thanks to the ⅞ inch titanium coated tungsten carbide cutting wheel used by it. Unlike other budget porcelain and ceramic manual tile cutters, you also get a 1-year long warranty with this one. Best Features:
Offers a cutting length of 24 inches Rated cutting thickness of 0.25 inch to 0.375 inch Supports cutting porcelain and ceramic tiles Comes with a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
Highly affordable tile cutter High precision cutting wheel Decent cutting length
Cons:
Limited cutting thickness rating
2. Seeutek Manual Tile Cutter
Even though Seeutek and its manual tile cutters might be a bit on the expensive side, they can still be a great option for all those who want something made for heavy-duty usage. Seeutek’s manual tile cutter comes at the 2nd position of this listicle as this is the perfect option if you wish to install tiles in a large project. The key feature of this manual tile cutter is that you get a very high cutting length rating of 48 inches with it. As for its minimum cutting length rating, it is rated at 1.38 inch making it fairly precise when it comes to cutting small pieces. One of the most unique things about this manual tile cutter is that you get a laser guide with it that allows you to get a variable cutting thickness of 0.24 inch to 0.6 inch. Its high quality ball bearing and rubber handle ensure proper stability and precision while cutting tiles. As you would expect from a premium option, Seeutek not only offers a well-built tile cutter but also backs it up by a 1-year long warranty. Best Features:
Offers a cutting length of 48 inches Rated cutting thickness of 0.24 inch to 0.6 inch Supports cutting porcelain and ceramic tiles Comes with a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
Perfect heavy-duty usage Excellent cutting length and thickness ratings Uses a laser guide for high precision
Cons:
Slightly on the premium side
3. ZELCAN 40- inch Manual Tile Cutter
CO-Z and its manual tile cutter models can be another viable option if you are looking for something that is made for heavy-duty usage and can be used for large projects. This CO-Z manual tile cutter comes at the 3rd position of this article because it is one of the larger options available out there which justifies its high-end price tag. To be precise, you will get a cutting length of 40 inches with this manual tile cutter. Similar to the previous Seeutek tile cutter, this one also has a fairly low minimum cutting length of 1.38 inch which has been made possible via its inbuilt laser guide Taking a look at the cutting thickness range offered by this tile cutter, it is rated between 0.24 inch and 0.6 inch making it highly versatile. You also get other handy features like a high grip handle, smooth rails, high grip feet, alloy cutting wheel, and others for a better overall tile cutting experience. Unfortunately, CO-Z does not offer any warranty with its tile cutter which can be a bummer for many. Best Features:
Offers a cutting length of 40 inches Rated cutting thickness of 0.24 inch to 0.6 inch Supports cutting porcelain and ceramic tiles
Pros:
Viable for heavy-duty usage Smooth operation at all times Relies on laser and high-performance numbers for precision
Cons:
Does not come with a warranty
4. Mophorn Manual Tile Cutter
If you are familiar with cutting tools and other power tools, then you must have heard about Mophorn in the past since it makes all sorts of tools including manual tile cutters. Mophorn’s manual tile cutter can be another viable pick for those who want a fairly compact tile cutter that can still offer decent performance in most scenarios. Similar to most other manual tile cutters available out there, this Mophorn one also offers a 24-inch cutting length rating. This is combined along with a great minimum cutting width rating of 1.37 inch for precise cuts. Another similarity between this Mophorn one and most other manual tile cutters is that you get a cutting thickness rating of 0.24 inch to 0.6 inch. To ensure that you get precise cuts as per these specifications, Mophorn has included various anti-skid parts along with an accurate scale for measuring your cuts. While you do get a 1-year long warranty with this manual tile cutter, its build quality is a bit limited in terms of durability. Best Features:
Offers a cutting length of 24 inches Rated cutting thickness of 0.24 inch to 0.6 inch Supports cutting porcelain and ceramic tiles Comes with a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
Fairly compact manual tile cutter Various anti-skid and high grip parts for precision Decent precision and accuracy
Cons:
Build quality could have been better
5. ZELCAN Manual Tile Cutter
ZELCAN is a reliable brand when it comes to power tools and machinery. Among their wide product range, manual tile cutter has to made to our list because of its efficiency and performance. It is specially designed with an infrared ray device and special linear bearing which ensures accurate cutting every single time. It comes with maximum cutting length of 48 inches. The scoring wheel has tenacity and rigidity of scoring easily on different materials that include granite, porcelain, ceramic and others. This manual tile cutter comes with integrated steel caliper comes with 60-degree angle adjustment which helps in accurate measurement. It has two supporting adjustable feet with 180 degrees swing up to 180 degrees. It has a wide rubber pad to prevent any skidding. Best Features:
Distinct infrared laser beam Sturdy aluminium bed Durable scooring wheel Removable angle guide Removable caliper Rugged steel rail Non-skid rubber base
Pros:
Durable quality Easy to operate Accurate cutting Comfortable grip Decent value for money
Cons:
Cutting wheel cannot be adjusted
6. Goplus Manual Tile Cutter
Goplus is a popular brand of power tools and cutting machinery, including these manual tile cutter that is a durable and viable option used by most users. The Goplus offer smooth, precise, and fast cutting with its replaceable 7/8-inch titanium plated tungsten carbide cutting wheel, which is on par with most other manual tile cutters in various ways making it a viable option for the average user. Starting with its cutting length, it is rated for up to 24-inch long tiles, which makes it ideal for porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, floor tiles, and others. And a great thing about this manual tile cutter is that it has a highly durable wheel that can last easily for more than 500 meters of tile cutting. Although, this manual tile cutter is a bit limited in terms of its cutting thickness rating which is given as 0.2-inch to 0.47-inch. It has a strong and durable heavy-duty iron frame for stability and precise cutting. Its curved handle design let you press the tile easily, whereas its non-slip plastic grip enhances the comfort to cut. It has a thick and wide base, movable support feet, and antiskid rubber pads that will offer extra stability while cutting larger tiles. It comes fully assembled that won’t require any assembly, apart from measuring scale. Thankfully, this manual tile cutter does make up for the same with its adjustable cutting angle and removable scale which can be done between 0-degree and 60 degrees for high versatility. The main drawback is that it won’t include any warranty. Best Features:
Offers a cutting length of 24 inches Rated cutting thickness of 0.2-inch to 0.47-inch Supports cutting porcelain and ceramic tiles Removable and adjustable rulers Tungsten-carbide cutting wheel
Pros:
Allows for angled cuts for versatility Highly durable cutting wheel Comfortable to use for a longer time Suitable for cutting various kinds of tiles Anti-sliding surface and solid rails for accurate cutting
Cons:
Slightly limited cutting thickness rating Does not cut glass material/tiles.
7. VEVOR Manual Tile Cutter
Vevor is another premium and high brand of flooring tools like its manual tile cutter stated here which happens to be a possible pick for those who want a tile cutter for large scale projects. This Vevor manual tile cutter can be another viable option when it comes to cutting porcelain and ceramic tiles for heavy-duty usage. For starters, you get a cutting length of 47 inch which is one of the highest ones out there. And thanks to its sliding head with 27 ball bearings, you get smooth and precise cuts in most cases, especially when combined with its alloy cutter wheel. Coming to its cutting thickness rating, it is on par with most other tile cutters since it happens to be rated for 0.24 inch to 0.6 inch. You will also find a heavy-duty steel construction paired with an anti-slip rubber handle resulting in proper stability in most cases. And since Vevor is a fairly high end brand of manual tile cutters, it’s given 1-year warranty is also to be expected. Best Features:
Offers a cutting length of 24 inches Rated cutting thickness of 0.24 inch to 0.6 inch Supports cutting porcelain and ceramic tiles Comes with a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
Excellent performance for heavy-duty usage High quality steel construction Highly precise cutting head with 27 ball bearings
Cons:
Not an affordable manual tile cutter
8. VonHaus Manual Tile Cutter
VonHaus is a brand of flooring tools and machinery like its manual tile cutter stated here that happens to be one of the best options out there if you want a tile cutter made for long term usage. The VonHaus manual tile cutter happens to be the most reliable and durable option stated here without charging a premium for the same. As for its performance numbers, this manual tile cutter is rated at a 24-inch cutting length. This is made possible thanks to its high-end tungsten carbide blade that can be great for glazed, porcelain, and ceramic tiles for high versatility. While the cutting thickness rating is fairly decent at up to 0.5 inch, it is not given as a range, unlike most other tile cutters. Thankfully, checking the thickness should be fairly easy with its inbuilt adjustable measuring guide. You also get a fairly ergonomic and portable design with this compact tile cutter. But the best thing about it is that it comes backed by a 2-year warranty for your peace of mind. Best Features:
Offers a cutting length of 24 inches Rated cutting thickness of up to 0.5 inch Supports cutting porcelain and ceramic tiles Comes with a 2 year long warranty period
Pros:
Great for long term usage Adjustable measuring guide for versatility Decent value for money
Cons:
Cutting thickness not given as a range
9. BestEquip Manual Tile Cutter
BestEquip is one of the reliable brands that provides high-quality tools and home equipment. Their manual tile cutter is a combination of excellence and performance. It is efficient in cutting tiles made up of different materials that include ceramic, porcelain, granite and limestone. It has a minimum cutting width of 35mm and maximum cutting length of 1000mm. The cutting thickness ranges from 6 mm to 15mm or 0.24 inches to 0.6 inches. This manual tile cutter is equipped with laser infrared which ensures accurate cutting every time. And moreover, the rulers make the process pretty quick. The ergonomic design, lifting handle and comfortable grip makes it easy to use the manual tile cutter. Best Features:
Maximum cutting length is 40 inches Upgraded laser infrared Heavy-duty construction Sturdy and durable Alloy blade Multi-angle cutting
Pros:
Versatile applications User-friendly design Precise cutting Anti-skid rubber Ergonomic handle Aluminium base
Cons:
It flexes a bit
Buying Guide for the Best Manual Tile Cutter
A correct tile cutter is essential to properly cut tiles according to your need. With the availability of various manual tile cutters in the market, it would be a challenging task to choose your best option. So, here is a buying guide with all essential information about manual tile cutters and how to choose the best option. Initially, let’s get into the details of what factors to consider while shopping for the manual tile cutter.
1. Tile Specifications
You have to consider the type and size of the tile you want to cut along with the type of cuts you have to do before buying the tile cutter. Usually, manual tile cutters come with different cut capacities/cutting length, which ranges from 20 – 48 inches (or more in some cases based on the thickness). Here the 24-inch option is ideal for portable usage and smaller projects, while larger 48-inch cutters are ideal for large-scale projects and heavy-duty usage. Some cutters handle porcelain and ceramic, while others are designed to cut different types of tile, including mirrors or glass. Most of these tools can cut diagonally, in which one can perform 0° – 60° is a better option, whereas models with 90° are the best option. Check the model for its range and pick the one that is suitable for your requirement.
2. Tile Type
With tungsten carbide scoring wheels, most of these manual tile cutters can easily cut porcelain, glazed, and ceramic tiles. The stock wheel is enough to perform your work unless having any specific requirements. Ensure to pick a power tile cutter when you need to cut harder tiles like fully vitrified porcelain tiles or stone tiles, why because diamond blades are needed to cut harder tile types, which seems unavailable for cutters.
3. Tile Size
The size of tiles will matter a lot in purchasing the tile cutter. Generally, the best manual tile cutters are small and can’t fit everything in them. So, you have to select a cutter that perfectly fits your workpieces. They can easily handle both diagonal and straight cuts. Diagonal or angle cuts can be done through guides that are mounted on the cutting surface. So, based on the places where these guides are set, its maximum tile cutting length will differ (18 – 19 inches, less than straight cuts). It is easy for tile cutters to make long straight cuts rather than diagonal cuts. Measure your biggest tile to know your proper cutting length and then choose the model with suits that size (or go with a bit bigger one) for an efficient cutting of the tiles.
4. Scoring Wheel Size
The scoring wheel of manual tile cutter is available in different sizes that range from 1/4, 5/16, 13/32, 3/4, and 7/8 of an inch. However, its size will directly impact the cutter’s cutting depth and also determine the type of tiles you can cut with this cutter. The small-size scoring wheels are the perfect option to deal with delicate tiles (like glazed or ceramic), which are more likely to crack. Cutter with narrow 5/16-inch scoring wheels will work well for porcelain tiles, whereas a 3/4-inch scoring wheel is used to cut tough ceramic stone tiles. Remember that an occasional replacement of the scoring wheel is required for your ceramic or porcelain tile cutters. Ensure to set manufacturer-made or recommended wheels for replacing in your tile cutter to improve its performance.
5. Cutting Wheel
Another aspect to consider while shopping for a tile cutter is its cutting wheel. The most preferred option is a carbide blade, which is extremely strong and can easily cut through strong/tough materials. Since carbide is mixed with another metal, we suggest you choose a tungsten carbide blade. Here tungsten is a strong, impact-resistant, highly durable, and heavy-duty metal that has high resistance to heat, which makes it a great option for tile cutters.
6. Accuracy
Accuracy is done when you properly hold and operate the tile cutter manually. It is quite easy to make steady cuts with an accurate tile cutter, and this precise cutter is more convenient, especially when dealing with large tiles. So, you have to consider and gather as much information as possible on features, which contribute to its accuracy. While it would be a struggle for the operator to make straight and clean cuts on larger tiles by using a less accurate tile cutter. Also, seek out a high-quality tile cutter while cutting large tiles, even it is expensive.
7. Tile Cutter Bed
It seems like an arbitrary part of the cutter, but there are a few specific features that enhance the usage of manual tile cutter. The cutter has straight ridges running down the center, in which the best cutter has rubber or foam material on either side of the ridge for a nonslip surface. Thus, it won’t let tile move from its place when snapping or scoring, and thereby offer less wastage and better accuracy when you install the tile. Also, the material provides enough support to let the tile absorb the pressure you might apply when snapping. So, without this feature, it is a bit hard to snap tiles and clean the snapping process.
8. Base
The base of the tile cutter will allow you to perform efficiently and quickly. So, features like folding sidebars and rubber feet matter a lot, especially while handling larger tiles. Applying constant downward pressure is difficult when scoring larger tiles. Also, it would be frustrating and challenging to use the tile cutter without a rubber feet base, why because it might slip around on the smoother surfaces. It can even scratch the working surface. However, folding sidebars attached to the base will support wide tiles and offer better stability to do snapping and scoring. The weight of the tiles produces uneven leverage whenever you cut a wide tile far off to one or either side. So, the sidebars generate a wider footprint that lets you make a more precise, yet less awkward cut.
9. Horizontal Ruler and Angle Guide
A built-in measurement tool is featured in several tile cutter models to promote consistency, maximize accuracy, and speed up the cutting process. These features can be used to perform repeated cuts without measuring always. Most manual tile cutters have built-in horizontal rulers for proper tile trimming to its size. A few models let you extend the ruler’s slide to take proper measurements of tiles that overhang the base. When it comes to the consistency and convenience of using the cutter, we need a built-in angle guide. You have to place and lock the adjustable guides after setting your required cut angle. Register the tile against the guide for a stable and precise base to score and snap over it.
10. Cutting Thickness and Width
Apart from cutting long and large tiles, you have to cut thick tiles with this tile cutter. As a result, you should check the cutting thickness rating, which determines the tile thickness you work on in inches. The general cutting thickness range will be from 0.24-inch to 0.6-inch which is quite sufficient to perform most tasks. In some cases, you find a bit higher range, which can be ideal for several users. In some cases, you have to cut thin pieces or strips of the tiles you need to work on. But this is only possible when your manual tile cutter features a decent minimum cutting width rating. The general rating of minimum cutting width is around 1 – 2 inches based on your manual tile cutter.
11. Rails
Rails are quite essential to achieve the accuracy of the lines. In general, the manual tile cutter comes with two dual rails, in which the blade slides to provide the tool additional precision and stability. So, make sure that your cutter comes with two rails before making its purchase. Also, ensure that these rails are made of strong and durable materials (such as chrome steel). The chrome is sleek that won’t let the blade encounter any obstruction and thereby making it run smoothly down the rails.
12. Construction
While checking the overall construction of the cutter, you have to consider certain things like aluminum base (to provide lightweight and stability to the tool), rubber feet (to prevent slipping around), and ergonomic, smooth handle (easy scoring the tile). So, ensure to have these factors included in your model before you make the purchase.
13. Price
The general price range of manual tile cutter will be from $50 – $500. We recommend you choose the best option that balances your budget range and requirements.
14. Warranty
Everyone desires to have a durable and long-lasting product. For this, you have to check the warranty offered by the tile cutter before buying them. You can find the manual tile cutter that is backed by either 1-year or 2-year long warranty. We suggest you choose the model that offers a bit higher warranty for its peaceful usage. Also, check the online reviews and ratings of the particular product to make the proper buying decision.
Frequently Asked Question
Conclusion
There are a lot of things that need to be installed in any home or office during its construction. It includes various things like painting, installing windows, doors, and even the tiles on your floor. Talking about tiles for your floor, you will need something like the best manual tile cutters present above. Thanks to their major features and options explained as well as a complete buying guide explained earlier, choosing the right manual tile cutters should be fairly easy. If not, you can also consider checking out one of our ideal picks for the best manual tile cutters:
Those of you who are looking for a manual tile cutter made for heavy-duty usage, then the Seeutek Manual Tile Cutter can be a great pick. It offers an excellent cutting length of 48 inch which is just perfect along with its laser guide. This guide can be used to enjoy its cutting thickness between 0.24 inch and 0.6 inch. You also get a decent 1-year long warranty with it for decent reliability. Speaking of reliability, the VonHaus Manual Tile Cutter not only includes an excellent build quality, but you also get a 2-year long warranty with it. Talking about its performance, you get a cutting length rating of 24 inch which is on par with most other options. Although, its cutting thickness rating of up to 0.5 inch is a bit limited compared to others. If you are on a tight budget, then you can check out the QEP Manual Tile Cutter Despite being the cheapest option present above, you get a cutting length of 24 inch along with a diagonal cutting length of 17 inches with it. This is combined along with a ⅞ inch titanium tungsten carbide wheels that can be used for cutting 0.25 inch to 0.375 inch thick tiles.
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