Best Tile Cutters of 2022

1. Types of tile cutters

A tile cutter is a great alternative to a tile saw in a DIYers arsenal. Simple and inexpensive, this tool is perfect for small projects that require straight cuts.

Manual vs. electric tile cutters

• Manual tile cutters: Are simple tools provided with a scoring wheel and a sturdy base; they are designed to cut most types of tiles quickly and easily. They are compact, lightweight, and easy to carry in a toolkit. But since cutting tiles manually can be exhausting, they are more suitable for smaller and lighter-duty jobs.
• Electric tile cutters: Also known as tile saws, come in various styles and sizes and are used by professionals for heavy-duty tasks. Capable of cutting faster and better through thick tiles and tough materials, these cutters are ideal for high-volume demands but are harder to transport from a job site to another.

2. Push or pull tile cutter?

Manual tile cutters come with either a push or a pull handle.

Push manual cutters

Are perhaps the most popular due to their ergonomic design. They are easy to operate and come with a series of advantages, such as:

• They give the operator the possibility to manage the incision power and perform a linear and fluid arm movement. This is particularly useful on a rough surface or hard tiles.
• The incision handle splits the tile at the end of the cut without asking to reposition the handle.
• It’s easier to handle the wider cuts and bigger tiles as the handle becomes a natural extension of the arm.

Pull manual cutters

Are very similar in design with the push cutters but require the operator to perform an unnatural cutting movement by pulling the handle towards them instead of pushing it. This reduces the incision strength and also requires to reposition the incision handle after the cut to break the tile.

3. Tile cutter scoring wheels

Perhaps the most important component of the tile cutter is the scoring wheel, as this is the element responsible for cutting. Scoring wheels come in a wide range of styles and sizes, each type being suitable for a certain tile.

Scoring wheel types

The scoring wheels can be classified based on the materials employed in their construction into three categories:

• Tungsten carbide wheels: The most inexpensive but also the least resistant. They provide maximum precision on softer materials like ceramic and porcelain but don’t have an impressive performance on harder tiles like stone or concrete.
• Titanium-coated tungsten carbide wheels: Are slightly costlier due to their titanium coating but have a longer lifespan and provide a better cutting precision. They are designed specifically for ceramic and can handle both rough and smooth surfaces.
• Gold wheels: Are the most expensive but also the most resistant. These wheels can handle all tiles, including the granulated and hard-to-cut tiles.

Scoring wheel sizes

Materials apart, the wheel size is also important. Scoring wheels come in four standard sizes; smaller and larger variants are available from some manufacturers though. The standard sizes include:

• 6mm wheels: Ideal for ceramic and glazed tiles. These wheels are perfect for superficial cutting of the thin tiles and are only capable of producing a shallow line. Deeper cuts can easily damage the tile causing cracks or chipping.
• 8mm wheels: Preferred by the pros for porcelain and floor tiles due to their narrower blade capable of cutting deeper.
• 10mm wheels: Typically used for ceramic, porcelain, and rough floor tiles and are usually used on more textured surfaces. They still give a shallow cut similar to the 6mm ones, but the cutline is slightly wider, making the material easier to snap.
• 18mm wheels: Perfect for rough ceramic or hard-to-cut tiles are designed to provide a deeper and wider cut on textured surfaces. Due to their minimal deviation, these wheels are perfect to use in projects that require multiple scoring, therefore they are perfect for the thicker tiles.

4. Cutting capacity

The cutting capacity of a tile cutter determines the tool’s suitability for your project. Most tile cutters on the market can handle tiles of at least 25 inches, but this isn’t a rule.

• Low-end tile cutters constructed for amateur and light-duty use typically have a rip cut capacity up to 24 inches and 16 inches diagonal capacity.
• Most mid-range tools boast at least 25 inches rip cut capacity and 18 inches in diagonal.
• Higher-end units have larger rip cut capacities of 27 or more inches and 20 inches in diagonal.

Besides the size of the tile, you should also check its thickness. Almost all tile cutters come with adjustable scoring systems that can cut through tiles up to 0.75 inches thick, depending on the tool’s cut capacity and performance.

5. Tile cutter breaker

Another essential component of a tile cutter is the breaker, which can be either fixed or mobile. While the mobile breaker is more versatile, it isn’t necessarily needed, depending on the type of cuts you want to perform.

• The fixed breaker: Is fixed in a single point and always applies pressure from only one end of the tile. This type of breaker is perfect for rip cut operations but is unsuitable for diagonal cuts as its breaking power could be negligible in this case.
• The mobile breaker: Gives the operator the possibility to apply breaking pressure at any point between the cutter’s guides and is perfect for diagonal or intricate cuts.

Choosing one breaker over the other is a matter of needs and preference. We recommend investing in a tool with a mobile breaker if you aim for versatility.

6. Other features to consider

Besides all the above, there are a few other things to consider when buying the best tile cutter for ceramic and porcelain tiles:

• The tile cutter power is an important feature to look for before buying, as it determines how suitable the tool is for a certain project. High-end tile cutters can exert over 1,000 lbs of force when breaking the tile, and they can easily handle all tile materials and thicknesses.
• A rubber mosaic pad is necessary if you want to make intricate cuts or create tile art.
• An interesting accessory is also the baseboard reference system that allows cutting precise tile strips for boarding.
• The side arm extensions are also important if you want some support for the larger tiles. These arms are usually foldable for convenient transport and storage.
• You should also check the overall robustness of the tile cutter. The most reliable tools are made of die-cast aluminum and steel, two metals renowned for their resistance and durability.
• Investing in a unit with a replaceable scoring wheel is crucial if you don’t want to change the entire tool every time the wheel wears out. As odd as it may seem, not all tile cutters come with this feature.
• The tile cutter you buy must be easy to clean and maintain. The best tile cutters for porcelain and ceramic tiles can be easily cleaned with water and detergent and only require periodical lubrication.