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The Best Manual Tile Cutter For Beginners Home Use

A manual tile cutter is an essential home renovation tool. Join us as we review and evaluate the best manual tile cutter for beginner’s home use.

The Best Manual Tile Cutter

For small rooms, the tool is the best option based on affordability compared to its electric counterpart. If you’re working on a small-scale job that requires precision, nothing compares to a manual tile cutter. If you’re looking for a ceramic tile cutter, for example, the manual option would be the wiser choice as it’s easier to use when cutting delicate, smaller tiles.

Below are the 7 best manual tile cutters on the market today.

Let’s Dive In

Before you select the best tile cutter, you’ll need to consider its dimensions. Keep in mind that the tool’s length determines its cutting capacity. 

The scroll wheel is another essential feature to consider. The wheel’s diameter can have a variety of range sizes. You might need a model that allows you to adjust according to the tile you want to cut. 

Another important feature is the rails. Ideally, it would be best if to select a manual tile cutter with two rails as it would increase cutting precision. You can also choose between a fixed or mobile separator. A fixed separator will help you save time because you won’t need to reposition it after every pass of the wheel, but they’re limited with their cutting capabilities.

The last thing to consider is accessories. Some manual tile cutters come with side stops or a guide to help with adjustment, which is useful in helping you complete a job.

How to Choose a tile cutter

First, one must consider the job before deciding which tile cutter would be best. Smaller jobs are easier to handle with manual cutters, while large-scale projects, like commercial jobs or housing floor plans, would better be served with electric cutters.

Manual Cutter

If you’re cutting tile for a bathroom, shower, or washroom, a hand tile cutter or tile snap cutter will be suitable. For projects that involve an entire room or garden wall, for example, would require bigger tools.  Manual cutters are labor intensive since you have to hold and steady the cutter to achieve straight lines. This is also a bit rough on the hands, especially for someone who may have ailments such as arthritis. Bottom line: Use a manual cutter for smaller, easier jobs. This will save you time and effort.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Great for smaller jobs
  • Easy on the hands and arms
  • Cuts the sawing time in half

Cons:

  • Strenuous for larger scale jobs
  • Labor intensive 

Electric Cutter

Electric cutters offer greater power and can easily cut thicker, heavier tiles made with stronger materials. They’re comparable electric saws in terms of power and capability. You can use an electric cutter for larger, longer jobs, as they will get the job done faster than manual cutters. Electric cutters also reduce physical strain on your hands and arms. They are ideal for cutting ceramic, stone, and intricate shapes due to their fine precision blades. Manual cutters can only cut straight lines, so electric cutters are best for elaborate projects. You will find electric cutters on most large job sites like commercial projects or floor tiles for office buildings and residential housing floor plans.

Pros:

  • Faster 
  • Great for large scale jobs
  • Can cut more intricate shapes
  • Less physical labor

Cons:

  • Too powerful for some
  • Unnecessary if a job is small

Differences between Manual and Electric Cutters

Power

The main difference between a manual and an electric cutter is power. An electric cutter is perfect for large-scale jobs as it provides more power to cut thicker, heavier tiles. These powerful cutters are perfect for any large construction job and are commonly used for residential projects. While manual cutters are strong enough for basic jobs, they lack the power to cut industrial-grade tiles and materials. Manual tile cutters are suitable for small backyard projects or cutting new tiles for your shower. Larger projects require extra labor and will exhaust muscle power faster as manual cutters aren’t suitable for extended usage.

Time

An electric cutter can slash labor time in half. For small projects, a manual tile cutter would be your best option and one that would save you the most time. Manual cutters are also perfect for cutting thinner tiles and materials, where an electric cutter may break them. 

Effort

While an electric cutter reduces physical effort, a manual hand tile cutter, for example, would offer similar relief with smaller jobs. You don’t need an electric cutter when retiling your shower, for example, or if you’re adding mosaic tiles on a garden table. It may be more trouble than what it’s worth wrestling with an electric cutter when you only need a few swift cuts. For large, time-consuming projects, or ones that involve thick ceramic or clay tiles, they will help you save time and effort.

Top 7 Best Manual Tile Cutters

1. QEP 10800 28-Inch Rip and 20-Inch Diagonal Professional Porcelain Tile Cutter

Goplus 24 Inch Manual Tile Cutter

This multipurpose manual tile cutter is great for most ceramic and porcelain tiles up to 28-inches in length. It’s made with an aluminum alloy base and uses sturdy rubber pads for stability while cutting. The chrome-plated rail bars and ball-bearing slides both provide for a smoother scoring process. 

Since the ball bearing cutting wheel is coated with titanium, you can be assured of its durability and long-lasting performance. The wheel can be adjusted to four different heights, and the bicycle grip handle facilitates easier repetitive cutting while minimizing fatigue. It’s a great, all-around manual tile cutter that provides solid performance.

Pros:

  • Heavy rubber pads facilitate stability while cutting
  • Smooth scoring
  • Durability and long-lasting performance
  • Bicycle grip handle for easier repeat cutting

Cons:

  •   Some have mentioned that it isn’t great with porcelain

2. Manual Tile Cutter with Tungsten Carbide Scoring Wheel for Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles

Goplus 24 Inch Manual Tile Cutter

As a manual porcelain tile cutter, it’s reputation is impeccable. The tool is also great for cutting ceramic tiles. It’s has a simple scoring and snapping process that allows you to rip and cut tiles diagonally. Its chrome-plated steel rails and linear ball bearing slides allows smooth scoring on larger tiles.

The heavy-duty rubber pads, along with cutting table extensions, also provide extra stability, while the bicycle grip handle will make cutting easier. This particular model also comes with a titanium-coated scoring wheel. For an easier cutting process, this model includes an adjustable measurement guide. You can also easily clean your manual tile cutter with compressed air or soap and water if needed.

Pros:

  • A simple score and snap process
  • Smooth scoring
  • Comes with an adjustable measurement guide
  • Easy to maintain

Cons:

  • Some have mentioned that they get some tiles with jagged edges

3. Roberts 10-900 Vinyl Tile Cutter

Goplus 24 Inch Manual Tile Cutter

For easy maneuverability and stability, you’ll want this manual tile cutter. Not only does it have a clearly marked measuring guide, but it’s also got a 45-degree miter guide to help with simplifying the cutting process – perfect for those just starting.

Other features include cutting capabilities for 12-inch horizontal, and a 9-inch diagonal tile, and built-in casters for maneuverability and uses rubber feet for stability. Overall, this is a great manual tile cutter for those new to tile cutting.

Pros:

  • Clearly marked measuring guide
  • 45-degree miter guide
  • Easy maneuverability
  • Has good stability

Cons:

  • Some have issues with the wheels as they don’t roll at all

4. Sigma 6053820 Pull Tile Cutter 2B3 26 Inches

Goplus 24 Inch Manual Tile Cutter

As another fantastic manual tile cutter for beginners, it’s designed to cut any variety of tiles up to 20mm thick and features a high-pressure breaker. Made with aluminum, and it also comes with spring-loaded base plates that help to absorb the impact of the cut.

For convenience, this model utilizes a swiveling measurement bar that can rotate through 45 degrees in both directions to determine cut angles. The measurement bar has two scales that allow for the length of the tile to be measured in either centimeters or inches.

Pros:

  • Sprung-loaded base plates to absorb the impact of the cut
  • Swiveling measurement bar
  • Rotates through 45 degrees in both directions
  • Two scales on the measurement bar

Cons:

  • Some have mentioned that the tile snips are short

5. Montolit Masterpiuma Evolution 3 29″ Push Porcelain Tile Cutter 75P3

Goplus 24 Inch Manual Tile Cutter

If you’re looking for power and precision, this manual porcelain tile cutter is the ideal choice. It can cut any type of tile that has a thickness of up to 22mm, quickly and accurately and even comes with a large protractor square that makes diagonal cutting safe and simple.

Other features include an ergonomic push scrib handle along with a self-adjustable patented, scoring system. Setting up your manual tile cutter is also a breeze with its patented foldable design.

Pros:

  • Ergonomic push scrib handle
  • Cuts tiles quickly and accurately
  • Comes with a self-adjustable patented scoring system
  • Comes with a patented, foldable design

Cons:

  • Some have mentioned that the tiles are a little chipped when cut

6. Tomecanic 29″ Supercut 2175 Tile Cutter

Goplus 24 Inch Manual Tile Cutter

This fantastic manual tile cutter easily cuts porcelain, tile, mosaics along with other materials. It’s got nine ball bearings in the cutting head, which facilitates both accurate and easy scoring. The larger breaker and spring-loaded pads also allow for easy snapping of tiles, and the lever is incredibly powerful and produces 2,500 pounds of pressure.

Another great feature includes a single rail guide that won’t flex when breaking tile. As a manual porcelain tile cutter and ceramic tile cutter, this model is a top choice among home renovation experts.  Consumer reviews have confirmed the cutter works great on both smooth ceramic and porcelain tiles.

Pros:

  • Easily cuts through various materials
  • Nine-ball bearings for accurate and easy scoring
  • Spring-loaded pads allow for easy snapping of tiles
  • Comes with a single rail guide

Cons:

  • Some have mentioned that the slide arm is not square to the fence

7. Goplus 24 Inch Manual Tile Cutter

Goplus 24 Inch Manual Tile Cutter

For a smooth and accurate cut, this manual tile cutter has you covered. It has a durable titanium-plated wheel that helps ensure a smoother cut. It also comes with a removable scale that helps with parallel and angle precision cutting.

Its ergonomic curved handle design makes it easier to press tile, while its non-slip plastic grip makes cutting less strenuous for your hands. Anti-skid rubber pads provide additional stability and an iron frame that’s both strong and durable. Best of all, it’s suitable to cut every type of tile, plus assembly isn’t required.

Pros:

  • Durable
  • Provides a smooth cut
  • Comes with a removable scale
  • No installation required

Cons:

  • Some have mentioned that they get chipped cuts

The Bottom Line 

And there you have it, some of the best manual tile cutters available today. There are plenty of options to choose from, so you’re sure to find a manual tile cutter that meets your needs. The great thing about these options is that they come with various features, so you’re sure to find whatever suits your needs from the options listed above.