Once you decide to tile your home, you’ll need to get the best manual tile cutter for the job to save you a lot of headaches and speed up the project.
Manual tile cutters are cheaper and easier to use than the other types of tile cutters that are available in the market. They are also lightweight and more compact than most other cutters.
The issue, however, is that many manufacturers offer slightly different types of manual tile cutters, so one can easily get overwhelmed when trying to choose one for the first time.
And that’s where this manual tile cutters review comes in. It presents you with a list of the top cutters in the market, plus a buying guide that helps you make the right choice.
In this post:
- 10 Best Manual Tile Cutters – Review
- 1. Montolit 63P3 – 24-Inch Super Precise Manual Tile Cutter
- 2. QEP 10630Q – Durable 24-Inch Manual Tile Cutter
- 3. VonHaus 24-Inch – Affordable Manual Tile Cutter
- 4. QEP 10214Q – Compact 14-Inch Manual Tile Cutter
- 5. QEP 10900Q – Extra Large 35-Inch Manual Tile Cutter
- 6. QEP 10220Q – Professional 20-Inch Manual Tile Cutter
- 7. M-D Building 49047 – Heavy-duty Manual Tile Cutter
- 8. Morphon Cutter – 47-Inch Manual Tile Cutter + Laser Guide
- 9. Brutus 10552BR – 20-Inch Manual Tile Cutter
- 10. M-D Building 49194 – Compact & Cheap 14-Inch Tile Cutter
- How to Buy the Best Manual Tile Cutters
- Conclusion
10 Best Manual Tile Cutters – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Montolit 63P3 (24-Inch Super Precise) |
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 | 2. QEP 10630Q (Durable 24-Inch) |
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 | 3. VonHaus 24-Inch (Affordable) |
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 | 4. QEP 10214Q (Compact 14-Inch) |
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 | 5. QEP 10900Q (Extra Large 35-Inch) |
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 | 6. QEP 10220Q (Professional 20-Inch) |
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 | 7. M-D Building 49047 (Heavy-duty) |
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 | 8. Morphon Cutter (47-Inch + Laser Guide) |
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 | 9. Brutus 10552BR (20-Inch) |
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 | 10. M-D Building 49194 (Cheap & Compact 14-Inch) |
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PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Montolit 63P3 (24-Inch Super Precise)
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2. QEP 10630Q (Durable 24-Inch)
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3. VonHaus 24-Inch (Affordable)
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4. QEP 10214Q (Compact 14-Inch)
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5. QEP 10900Q (Extra Large 35-Inch)
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6. QEP 10220Q (Professional 20-Inch)
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7. M-D Building 49047 (Heavy-duty)
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8. Morphon Cutter (47-Inch + Laser Guide)
|
9. Brutus 10552BR (20-Inch)
|
10. M-D Building 49194 (Cheap & Compact)
|
1. Montolit 63P3 – 24-Inch Super Precise Manual Tile Cutter
Photo: Montolit
- Straight Cut: 24 inches
- Cutting Wheel Size: 7/8 inch
- Cutting Wheel Material: Titanium coated Tungsten Carbide
Yes, there are many manual tile cutters out there on the market, but if you want a truly powerful and precise unit, then you need to check out this offer from the Italian Montolit.
The Montolit 63P3 is one of the best manual tile cutters because of its quality design and engineering. It’s lightweight, features a shock absorber, non-slip feet, and a dual splitting mechanism. You can use it for tiles up to 24 inches long, and it’s also available in other sizes and does diagonal cuts easily.
Its frame comes from die-cast aluminum and nickel-plated steel, which offer the best weather-resistance, durability, and strength. The scoring wheel features a tungsten carbide manufacture with titanium coating.
This tile cutter comes with so many practical and professional features that anyone will be glad to have it. You’ll only need to overlook its relatively high price, although when you compare its many features, it’ll always seem worth the price.
Pros:
- Very precise manual tile cutter
- Comes with a titanium coated wheel
- Ergonomic handle design for efficiency
- Folds easily for compact transport or storage
Cons:
- It’s a relatively costly manual tile cutter
- The package doesn’t include a carrying bag
2. QEP 10630Q – Durable 24-Inch Manual Tile Cutter
Photo: QEP
- Straight Cut: 24 inches
- Cutting Wheel Size: 7/8 inch
- Cutting Wheel Material: Titanium coated Tungsten Carbide
QEP also makes good manual tile cutters. This one has an aluminum base and a rugged design with two chrome-plated steel rails.
It also comes with a titanium-coated tungsten carbide scoring wheel, making it a reliable and long-lasting cutter. The design gets rounded off with a high-leverage handle to make your job faster and more convenient.
You can cut tiles up to 24 inches long on this cutter, and it also does diagonal cuts with ease. Simply adjust the measurement guide, and you’re good to go.
It’s not the cheapest manual tile cutter, but it comes at a good price and when you consider its many good features, then it becomes a very attractive offer.
Pros:
- 24-inch manual tile cutter
- Good for ceramic and porcelain tiles
- Comes with a titanium-coated tungsten carbide wheel
- Durable aluminum base with rubber feet
Cons:
- You can get cheaper tile cutters
- It doesn’t come with any extras
3. VonHaus 24-Inch – Affordable Manual Tile Cutter
Photo: VonHaus
- Straight Cut: 24 inches
- Cutting Wheel Size: 1/2 inch
- Cutting Wheel Material: Tungsten Carbide
If you’re looking for the best manual tile cutter for the money, then check out this offer from VonHaus. It’s a 24-inch cutter with an ergonomic designed and cushioned sidebars.
You can easily fold up its arms to turn it into a compact tile cutter that you can take nearly anywhere with you. The surface features an anti-sliding rubber lining and dual steel rails offer a durable handle and scoring system.
Noteworthy, however, is that the scoring wheel is only tungsten carbide tipped and not additionally titanium-coated like the previous two offers are. The wheel is only 1/2-inch in size, while the previous two had 7/8-inch wheels.
Asides from these downsides, this tile cutter comes at an attractive price and it looks very nice, as well.
Pros:
- Unique and impressive design
- Works for tiles up to 24 inches long
- Features anti-slip rubber feet
- VonHaus offers it at an attractive price
Cons:
- The wheel only features tungsten carbide but no titanium
- It will only cut up to 1/2-inch thick tiles
4. QEP 10214Q – Compact 14-Inch Manual Tile Cutter
Photo: QEP
- Straight Cut: 14 inches
- Cutting Wheel Size: 1/2 inch
QEP makes some of the best hand tile cutters and so, here’s a second QEP offer. This one is, however, a smaller cutter for tiles up to 14 inches in length and 10 inches diagonally.
The included 1/2-inch scoring wheel is from titanium-coated tungsten carbide for durability and the high-leverage long handle makes it easier to cut through most tiles.
Its two limitations include not being able to cut tiles longer than 14 inches and thicker than a 1/2 inch.
If you’re working with smaller tiles, however, or if a compact manual tile cutter that you can easily carry around is more important to you, then this could be a great deal.
Pros:
- Small tile cutter for small tiles
- Comes with a titanium-coated tungsten carbide wheel
- Compact design is easy to transport
- Dual chrome-plated steel rails for durability
Cons:
- The wheel is limited to 1/2-inch thick tiles
- It won’t cut tiles longer than 14 inches
5. QEP 10900Q – Extra Large 35-Inch Manual Tile Cutter
Photo: QEP
- Straight Cut: 35 inches
- Cutting Wheel Size: 7/8 inch
- Cutting Wheel Material: Titanium-coated Tungsten Carbide
If you have to work with large tiles, then no doubt, you need a larger tile cutter like this one. QEP presents this 35-inch cutter with heavy-duty and durable construction.
It comes with the dual chrome-plated steel rails, a 7/8-inch titanium-coated tungsten carbide scoring wheel for extra long life, and rubber pads for stability.
Keep in mind, however, that this tile cute may just be ‘too much’ if you’re only working with small tiles because it’s heavier and occupies more space than smaller units.
For cutting tiles that are up to 35 inches long or 24 inches diagonally, it’s an ideal unit and one of the best manual tile cutters for porcelain and ceramic tiles.
Pros:
- Extra-large 35-inch manual tile cutter
- Tough design for durable, everyday use
- Comes with a 7/8-inch titanium-coated tungsten carbide
- Includes side arm extensions and measurement adjustments
Cons:
- It’s a relatively heavy tile cutter
- It’s overkill for working with small tile
6. QEP 10220Q – Professional 20-Inch Manual Tile Cutter
Photo: QEP
- Straight Cut: 20 inches
- Cutting Wheel Size: 1/2 inch
- Cutting Wheel Material: Titanium-coated tungsten carbide
This cutter might look very basic initially, but it’s designed to professional standards and for those who need a reliable and average-sized tile cutter that’s durable and easy to transport.
It features a steel and aluminum construction. With chrome-plated steel rails for durability and rubber-padded aluminum alloy breaker pads for cleaner cuts.
You also get this heavy-duty rubber pads on the base to keep tiles in place, plus QEP uses a titanium-coated tungsten carbide scoring wheel to guarantee its longevity. QEP also backs it with a 1-year warranty.
Pros:
- 20-inch manual tile cutter
- Includes heavy-duty pads to prevent tile shifting
- The breaker bar is also rubber-padded to protect tiles
- Features dual chrome-plated steel rails
Cons:
- Only cuts up to 1/2-inch tiles
- Not the cheapest offer around
7. M-D Building 49047 – Heavy-duty Manual Tile Cutter
Photo: M-D Building Products
- Straight Cut: 20 inches
- Cutting Wheel Size: 5/8 inches
Here’s one of the best manual tile cutters in the market. This one features a 20-inch cutting length and its base is from heavy-duty and long-lasting extruded aluminum.
It has steel rails anyway, and they are chromed as well. Plus the wheel runs on a ball-bearing carriage for smooth and easy operations.
One issue with this offer is that M-D Building Products doesn’t specify the materials used in making the 5/8-inch scoring wheel. And this simply means it could be a less durable material than tungsten carbide.
On a brighter side, the package includes a carrying bag for easy transportation or storage.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty aluminum construction
- Cuts tiles up to 30 inches long
- Comes with chromed steel rails for durability
- The package includes a carrying bag
Cons:
- The scoring wheel material isn’t specified
- Base and handle are from aluminum
8. Morphon Cutter – 47-Inch Manual Tile Cutter + Laser Guide
Photo: Morphon Cutter
- Straight Cut: 47 inches
For those working with really large tiles, Morphon offers you the best ceramic manual tile cutter for your projects here. It can handle up to 47-inch long tiles without a problem and it’s also built to last.
Its major feature, however, is the included laser guide that helps with precise measurements and correct cuts. In addition to that, you get solid steel rails and a high-leverage handle for easy operations.
You need to keep in mind that this is the heaviest tile cutter on this list, with its 35-pound weight. It’s also a relatively costly unit. But if you want to easily cut large stone tiles up to 47 inches in length, then this is simply one of the best deals out there.
Pros:
- Can cut tiles up to 47 inches long
- Features a laser guide for precise cuts
- Includes rubber pads for stability
- Its rails are from solid steel
Cons:
- This tile cutter is heavy
- It’s also relatively costly
9. Brutus 10552BR – 20-Inch Manual Tile Cutter
Photo: Brutus
- Straight Cut: 20 inches
- Cutting Wheel Size: 7/8 inch
- Cutting Wheel Material: Titanium-coated tungsten carbide
Here’s another impressive offer for anyone looking for the best manual glass tile cutters. It’s made from heavy-duty die-cast aluminum and thick rubber pads to protect your tiles.
You can use it to cut tiles up to 20 inches long or to make diagonal cuts up to 14 inches. The handle doubles as a comfort grip and as storage for extra scoring wheels.
This package includes two 7/8-inch scoring wheels, made from tungsten carbide and coated with titanium for strength and durability. It also includes an adjustable rip guide with standard and metric measurements for your convenience.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty cast aluminum construction
- Cuts up to 20 inches straight and up to 14 diagonally
- Comes with two 7/8-inch titanium-coated tungsten carbide wheel
- Also includes an easy to use rip guide
Cons:
- It’s a relatively costly tile cutter
- The package doesn’t include a carrying bag or case
10. M-D Building 49194 – Compact & Cheap 14-Inch Tile Cutter
Photo: M-D Building
- Straight Cut: 14 inches
Here’s another offer from M-D Building Products and this time, it’s a compact and portable 14-inch cutter with aluminum construction and non-slip cutting area.
The highlight here, however, is price. This is the cheapest manual tile cutter in this review and a cost-effective alternative for those on a budget.
It comes with most things you need, but M-D Building Products doesn’t specify the scoring wheel’s material. So, you may just need to consider this.
Pros:
- Compact and portable manual tile cutter
- Ideal for tiles up to 14 inches in length
- Aluminum parts make it lightweight
- Features a replaceable wheel design
Cons:
- Scoring wheel material is not specified
- There are no accessories
How to Buy the Best Manual Tile Cutters
Photo: Getty Images
Trying to select a manual tile cutter can become a daunting experience, especially if it’s your first time. They come in different sizes and with different accessories and designs, making things more complicated.
To choose correctly, you’ll have to understand the relationship between these differences and terms to one another and the job at hand. Following is this buying guide that explains it all.
1. Tile Type
The first issue you should consider before moving on is the type of tile that you want to work with. This is important because manual tile cutters don’t work on all types of tiles.
You can use them successfully for ceramic, porcelain, glass, and terracotta tiles, while you’ll need an entirely different type of tile cutter for natural stone tiles.
2. Cutting Wheel
The cutting wheel, which is also called a scoring wheel, is the part of a manual tile cutter that does the main cutting job. The goal of using a manual tile cutter is to first score the tile before snapping it with a second press.
This scoring simply means an initial shallow cut to create a weak line along the tile’s length. There are different wheel sizes, from 1/4 inch to 5/16 inch, 3/4 inch, and 7/8 inch. The wheel’s size also determines the tile thickness that it can cut.
They come in a variety of materials, such as tungsten carbide and titanium carbide for durability. Still, all wheels wear out with time, so you’ll have to replace it when the time comes.
3. Cutting Length
Manual tile cutters also come in different sizes and offer different cutting lengths. It’s therefore left for you here to know the size of tiles that you’re going to work with and then, get a cutter can match it.
You’ll find manual tile cutters that offer straight cuts from 14 inches up to 24 inches. Although it’s more convenient to get a smaller cut, you may want to consider possible future projects and get a larger tile cutter to give yourself more flexibility.
4. Base & Accessories
Another major difference between manual tile cutters is their base. Some come with very simple bases, while others include more features, such as sidebars to support larger tiles, rubber feet, and so on.
The measuring guides can also vary, and some cutters come with further accessories such as a carrying bag or case, easy angle cuts, and differently sized cutting wheels that are easy to switch for different tiles.
5. The Handle & Ergonomics
You may also like to consider ergonomics, especially if you’ll be using the cutter a lot. You want an ergonomically designed handle for a better grip and less hand fatigue.
6. Budget & Prices
Manual tile cutters vary widely in price. So, you’ll find everything from $20 manual tile cutters to those that cost many hundreds of dollars.
You need to make a personal decision here and set your budget for what you can comfortably afford. Then concentrate only on those tile cutters that fall within the budget.
Conclusion
We’ve reached the end of this manual tile cutters review and you’ve seen the different top offers out there, from the small to the large, the affordable to the costly.
You’ve seen the compact and easily foldable cutters, as well as the giant 35- and 47-inch cutters. It’s now left for you to choose the best offer for your needs.