After spending around 30 hours on research (consulting experts & manufacturers) and testing 20 different models of tile cutters, we found out that QEP 10630 is the best tile cutter for the money. It is very durable, corrosion resistant, light-weight and provides accurate cuts on both large porcelain and ceramic tiles and provides unparalleled performance while in operation.
QEP 10630 Tile Cutter in Yellow
Our Top Recommendation for Tile Cutter!
The QEP 10630 manual tile cutter can rip and cut tiles up to straight 24 inches and 16 inches diagonally. It large bicycle grip handle made of rubber makes the cutting very smooth and effortless.
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We came down to 5 of the best choices for you after testing around 20 different tile cutters. Here’s a quick comparison of their important features and price. This is a diverse list with the tools having varied functions and cutting ability. All of these are top choices based on our tests and expert opinion, so you won’t go wrong any way.
Top 5: Best Tile Cutter Reviews
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | QEP 10630 Tile Cutter in Yellow | • Easily cleaned with compressed air • Cuts porcelain and ceramic tile up to 24-Inches and 16-Inches diagonally • 7/8-Inch titanium-coated | |
 | Brutus 10800 – Best Porcelain Tile Cutter | • Linear ball bearing slides for smooth scoring • high-leverage bicycle grip handle making cutting easier • Cuts 27″ Rip & 20″ Diagonally | |
 | QEP 10630Q – Best Dry Tile Cutter | • Straight edge adjustable • Rubber Grip Handle • 7/8-Inch titanium-coated | |
 | M-D 49047 – Best Hand Tile Cutter | • Ball bearing carriage • Chromed steel rails • Heavy duty extruded aluminum base will not break | |
 | Roberts 36434 Pro Flooring Cutter | • Long handle provides extra leverage • Movable guide allows 45 Degree angle cuts • Guillotine-style cutter cuts up to 18 in |
If you are a professional woodworker, we are pretty sure you want to dig more than just have a look at our quick picks and learn more about individual tile cutter in detail. Rest assured! Since we have shared all our test results and comprehensive reviews below, so you can choose the one that suits your exact requirements.
1. QEP 10630 Tile Cutter in Yellow
QUICK SUMMARY
- 7/8 inches tungsten-carbide cutting wheel
- Straight edge adjustable measurement guide
- Cut straight 24 inches and 16 inches diagonally.
The QEP 10630 is a top of the line tile cutter, and it’s an all-round tool. It has a 7/8 inch scoring wheel with titanium coating for accuracy.
This tile cutter can also cut through ceramic tiles and porcelain (up to 24 inches and 35 inches diagonally). The cutter also comes with an adjustable straight edge guide which you can use for precision cutting.
Here the cutting wheel really comes into play as it ensures scoring is durable and smooth. The cutter is not just simple to use but easy to clean. Once you’re finished for the day, use soap and water to clean.
If you have an air compressor, that will do fine as well. The cutter is equipped with cutting table extensions, rubber pads and a generously sized aluminium alloy base. All of these features make the 10630 Q ideal for large tiles.
Unlike other tile cutters, the 10630 Q is stable and won’t wobble. The package also comes with a bicycle grip handle for convenient use.
REVIEW & TEST RESULTS
It has dual chrome-plated rugged steel rails which makes it super durable and prevents from corrosion.
The linear ball slides along for the smooth operation on tiles of any size. The QEP 10630 Q even has side arm extensions that support large tiles.
We noticed that the aluminium alloy base had heavy duty rubber pads which helped to stabilise the cutter. Even after doing around 500 sq. feet of cutting, the scoring wheel showed no signs of degradation.
It is very light-weight and has a compact size which makes it really easy to carry along at work or other places. Plus you can easily clean it using an air compressor or just soap and water.
Overall, the build is very sturdy and we can say it’s a strong tile cutter to own.
CUTTING ABILITY
The 10630 Q was designed specifically for porcelain and ceramic tiles.
Few Things We Noticed: The score and snap mechanism is simple but effective. The cutter is effective for both small and medium tasks, but is especially suited for large tasks. The large bicycle grip handle made of rubber makes the cutting very smooth and effortless.
We used it for tiling a bathroom including the floors, walls and the ceiling (on large format of ceramic & porcelain tiles) and it did a great job.
Again we used it for cutting 8×32″ wood grain tiles and it gave great results.
Next on a bathroom remodel and we cut 12″x24″ tiles and the sharp cutting wheel again performed as expected.
It did make straight as well as diagonal cuts easily however the only point where it didn’t work was when we tried making a diagonal cut on a 24″ porcelain tile.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Easy to use
- Provides clean and straight cuts
- Affordable
- Lightweight
What We Didn’t Like
- Does not come with a carry case
- Not good for rubber tiles over 1/2″
2. Brutus 10800 – Best Porcelain Tile Cutter
QUICK SUMMARY
- Die-cast aluminium alloy base
- Linear ball bearing
- Bicycle grip handle
- Cuts 27″ Rip & 20″ Diagonally
This multipurpose tile cutter which has Ishii engineering embedded in itself is a great one if you want a long term performance cutter.
It scores in a very smooth way and you can even use it on large format tiles. This porcelain tile cutter is powerful and built for heavy duty use.
REVIEW & TEST RESULTS
It is equipped with rubber pads and a die cast aluminium base, and the cutting wheel is tungsten carbide with titanium coating for reliability.
The Pro Porcelain Tile Cutter also comes with a comfortable grip handle. It provides the Pro Porcelain Tile Cutter – and the user – with greater leverage. Not only does it make the cutter easier to use, but it also minimizes fatigue.
The cutting wheels are well-designed (adjustable to 4 different heights) and look like they will last a long time. However when the time comes you need a replacement, it’s quick to order one.
CUTTING ABILITY
If you’re looking for a good ceramic tile cutter, the Pro Porcelain Tile Cutter is as good as any. It is a versatile tool that you can use to cut ceramic and porcelain tiles. It cuts tile and floor up to 24 inches and it’s also effective on ½ inch thick diagonal tiles and cutting tiles up to 18 inches.
No matter what you’re cutting the cutter remains balanced thanks to the base.
We used it one of the master bath remodels and cut 12×24″ porcelain tiles and it worked great. It could support large tiles and the small strips as well.
The linear ball bearing slides and dual chrome-plated rail bars contribute to dependable scoring. Apart from the chrome-plated rail bars, it’s the aluminium alloy that ensures the unit remains stable.
The Pro Porcelain Tile Cutter is meant for long term use. The cutter doesn’t encounter any problems either when it comes to hard tiles. You can adjust the wheel height four different ways so it does not get in your way.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Durable
- Works great on hard tiles
- Easy to use
- Feature rich
What We Didn’t Like
- No carrying case
- Beginners might need to make some adjustments
3. QEP 10630Q – Best Dry Tile Cutter
QUICK SUMMARY
- Adjustable Measurement Guide
- 7/8″ Tungsten Carbide Cutting Wheel
- Rubber Grip Handle
- Cuts 24″ Straight & 16″ Diagonally
The 10630Q earns a place in our list of the best ceramic tile cutters. One of the things we like about this its solid construction. On top of that, setting this beast up is easy and cutting through tiles takes very little effort.
The unit works fine out of the box so to speak. But if the time comes you need to make adjustments, it is easy to do so.
The 10630Q shares some features with the other QEP products, and this includes being easy to clean up. Most of the time compressed air is enough to remove dirt, but you can also tidy it with soap and water.
One of the more important features on the 10630Q is the table extender. Nothing is more frustrating than running out of room while you’re cutting. With these extensions you’ll be able to work with large tiles comfortably. There are a lot of other features we can add, but what it really comes down to is this is a high quality cutter.
Read more: Brutus 10600BR 24-Inch Tile Cutter Review
REVIEW & TEST RESULTS
The 10630Q is designed for 24 inch porcelain and 16 inch ceramic tiles, both of the diagonal types. The cutter is equipped with a measurement utility so you can cut tiles with precision.
Like the other QEP cutters, the 10630Q comes with a specially coated cutting wheel for reliable scoring.
Porcelain and ceramic are cut using a score and snap procedure. You can use this cutter for various tile cutting projects, and whether it is large or small the cutter should be able to go through them quickly.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Cuts Straight & Square
- Good Looks
- High Performance & Durability
- Both for DIY & Industrial Work
What We Didn’t Like
- No clear Installation Instructions
- Too much plastic (no breakage though, we just prefer metal body)
4. M-D 49047 – Best Hand Tile Cutter
QUICK SUMMARY
- Adjustable Cutting Head
- 2.5HP Powerful Dual Capacitor Motor
- Reduced Vibration & Smooth Operation
- 23-inch Cutting Capacity
M-D tile cutter is one of the best ones out there, and they’re well-deserved. It is constructed from solid materials, indicating it is meant for heavy duty use.
The base is constructed from extruded aluminium and designed so it doesn’t chip, crack or break.
The built-in guide is very useful when making diagonal cuts. The cuter is easy to use, but you do need to exercise caution so the score is over the middle of the cutter prior to snapping.
Unlike those on other cutters, the guide remains in place and is accurate. With all the features on the M-D, it’s powerful enough to be used for extensive renovations, i.e. tiling up your kitchen.
REVIEW & TEST RESULTS
The M-D is also equipped with a ball bearing carriage, and this is the feature that ensures operation runs without a hitch. The cutter is designed for professional use by contractors, it cuts through 20 inch square tiles with a maximum thickness of 5/8”. Because the cutter is light you won’t feel fatigued during or after use.
The aluminum base and the chrome rails contribute to its efficiency. In spite of its power, the M-D is easy to use.
You can use it to install irregular porcelain tiles, and operation is straightforward. The M-D in particular is good for straight cuts and as we have mentioned this is also good for diagonal cuts.
The time it takes to do cuts depends on the material. But as per the instructions there is no need to score more than once.
And there really is no need for it as the M-D cuts clean each time. Bottom line: snapping and scoring is easy here.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- It has a long handle for effortless cutting.
- Cuts through most flooring materials.
- Made of durable materials.
What We Didn’t Like
- No clear Installation Instructions
- Too much plastic (no breakage though, we just prefer metal body)
5. Roberts 36434 Pro Flooring Cutter
QUICK SUMMARY
- It comes with a replaceable blade.
- Has extra power options.
- The cutter is made from robust and durable materials
One of the things that we like about the Roberts Pro Flooring Cutter is its versatility. This heavy-duty, high-power cutter is designed for laminate flooring and all other flooring types. Thus, we refer to this as our premium choice.
Cutting through tiles takes a little effort, thanks to the guillotine style of the cutter. It can cut up to 18 inches wide, 12.5 inches diagonally, and 5/8 inches thick material. More so, the long handle allows you to tackle any flooring materials more comfortably, lending more power.
If you need 45 degrees angle cuts, a movable guide will make it easy for you. There are a lot of impressive features of this Roberts Pro Flooring Cutter, including its material cutting abilities.
REVIEW & TEST RESULTS
The blade is so strong and sharp that you can cut through a VCT tile, engineered wood, and luxury vinyl tile. In other words, this cutter is ideal for most flooring materials.
On top of that, you get a comfortable space to work on, made of aluminum and plastic. Overall, this cutter does cost quite a hefty sum, but it’s worth the penny.
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- It has a long handle for effortless cutting.
- Cuts through most flooring materials.
- Made of durable materials.
What We Didn’t Like
- Heavy
- Expensive
Tile Cutter Buying Guide – Things to Consider
Let’s admit it, choosing the right tile saw is a difficult and confusing task. Keeping that in mind I decided to personally write the simplest buying guide for tile saws using which you can easily narrow your search and choose the tile saw that suits your needs from out top 7 picks.
An appropriate tile saw can take away a lot of burden from your shoulders and can benefit you in multiple ways.A tile saw is a uniquely designed, safe and easy to operate power tool that helps you to cut any kind of natural or man-made tiles (porcelain, stone, ceramic etc.) with ultimate precision and proficiency.
The ability to cut a hard as well as a fragile tile with different angles is what qualifies a good tile saw.In this section, I will discuss the advantages, features you need to consider and the different types of tile saws which you can go for depending on your needs.
Features to Look For in a Tile Saw
- Overload Protection. A good tile cutter will act as a safeguard for burning and overheating. This feature is essential if you’ve got a direct drive motor model. Most units have this safety feature but it’s best to check the product specs.
- Blade Torque. Blade horsepower determines what types of tiles it can cut. Tile cutters with .5 HP or less are ideal for thin, small tiles. If you’re going to work with bigger tiles, look for the best wet tile cutter with more power.
- Adjustability. How easy is the blade to adjust? Most of the time you’ll need to do mitered and beveled cuts. If you’re going to do this, make sure the cutter has the right attachment.
- Blade Capacity and Adjustment. Blade capacity determines how well the cutting head can work with different blades. If you’re going to use just one type of blade this won’t be an issue. But if you’re going to work with various blades this will be necessary. Generally speaking, the more varied tiles you work with, the more blades you’ll need.
- Blade Type. There is an assortment of blade types to choose from, and they’re sold online. A dry/wet blade is compatible with a portable wet tile cutter, and you can use it for dry cuts. For wet cutting you’re going to find wet diamond blades the most useful. Note that wet diamond blades are only for wet cutting.
How to Use a Wet Tile Cutter ?
Whether it’s the best glass tile cutter, ceramic or porcelain, you need to know how it works to get maximum performance. The following is a general guideline, but refer to your instructions manual as well.
- Place the wet tile cutter on an even surface.
- Pour water into the cutter’s reservoir.
- Make sure the water pump is immersed completely.
- Place the tile on the table. Make adjustments to the fence so the blade corresponds to the area where you want the cut to be.
- To cut diagonal tiles: place a speed square or miter guide between the fence and tile. If you want to do partial cuts, position the tile similar to a complete cut. The only difference is you set the tile as deep in the blade to get the depth you want.
- Turn on the tile cutter. If the tile is properly positioned you can turn the switch on.
- Start feeding the tile in the cutter slowly.
- When you are done, turn the cutter off. Prepare any additional tiles you want to cut before turning the cutter on again.
Types of Tile Cutters
If you’re looking for the best porcelain tile cutter, you’ll have a better chance if you know the different types of tile cutters available.
Wet Tile Cutters
This is the simplest and practical choice if you’re a beginner (and even experts use it). A wet tile cutter can handle most home improvement projects. They’re simple to use and designed specifically to work with common household tiles. These tools can produce seamless cuts, and he ergonomic design keeps you from tiring. As for the name, they’re called wet tile cutters because they rely on water to keep the blade cool. Aside from preventing the blade from overheating, the water acts as a lubricator for the blade, keeping dirt and dust away.
Handheld Tile Cutters
These are portable tile cutters and ideal if you travel a lot and like to bring the tool with you. This can be used for small tile cutting jobs, but make certain the tile is properly secured before doing any operation. There are two types of handheld cutters, cordless and corded. Corded handheld cutters just need to be plugged into a power source. Once that’s done, you can start cutting tiles. There is no need to mess around with the cutter, and you can use them to cut stone tiles. While handheld cutters can work through stone tiles, they are not good with deep cuts. There are three types:
- Dry Handheld: Does not come with a water motor. Good for multiple cuts but can overheat.
- Wet Handheld Cutter: Does not overheat but needs water to do cuts.
- Wet/Dry Cutter: Can be used with or without water.
Table Tile Cutters
These are ideal if you want smooth results when scoring a large tile or have to do multiple cuts. These tile cutters have large blades that make them the suitable choice for working on thick tiles. Their depth capacity is also larger than compared to other tile cutters.
What Type of Tile Cutter is for You?
The best tile cutting tool is not going to do you any good if it isn’t the right one for the job. If you want to know what is the best ceramic tile cutter, you will need to use the right tile cutter to get the results you want. Here are some suggestions:
- Get a manual tile cutter (called rail or snap cutters) for small tile jobs. You just put a tile on the unit and move a scoring wheel on the tile, snapping it. These cutters are most useful for window ledges and bathroom tiles. They’re also good for other types of tiles except for hard ones like stone.
Just make sure the rail cutter is big enough for your tiles. You will also find these useful if the tiles are under baseboards or on walls. If you need smooth and precise cuts, chrome plated steel rails will be necessary.
- A handheld wet tile cutter is appropriate for cutting large and heavy tiles. You need to grab the saw firmly and move it along the tile. A container filled with water is connected to the cutter, preventing dust from flying all over the place.
Handheld wet tile cutters are the most ideal for work on the kitchen and bathroom tiling. A handheld cutter can also be used to make custom cuts on almost any tile but stone.
- You will need a table top wet tile cutter for complex projects that necessitate feeding and holding several large tiles in the wheel. If you’re going to buy one of these, make sure there is a drain plug for easy water disposal.
Tabletop cutters are great for large projects, but they’re not the most accurate. They are also likely to produce some friction. As long as your project doesn’t require a high degree of precision, these will do.
- An overhead tile cutter is also ideal for large projects. The difference from the tabletop is they’re more accurate. However, these units have to be assembled, and they are also the biggest tile cutters available. Most of these cutters also come with lights or lasers for extra precision. Get one with a mechanism that allows for delivery of fresh water, as that is essential for superior cuts.
Final Words – Over to You!
When we created review guide, we took into consideration all the factors that buyers would look for. We know that all tile cutters have their own pros and cons, but we spared no effort in choosing only the top of the line products. Considering how many options are available, it’s easy to get confused.
With our review guide, hopefully you now know how to find the best tile cutter (handheld, table top etc.) or whatever model you prefer. No matter which among the five you chose, we’re confident of the results.
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