Best Pipe Cutter UK: Copper And Plastic Pipe Cutters For Plumbers

Rothenberger TUBE CUTTER 35 (70027) is a manual screw-feed cutter listed at 6 to 35mm, which spans 15, 22 and 28mm. The body is DURAMAG magnesium, cutting depth is 3mm, and the page lists a retractable internal deburrer, a spare cutter wheel stored in the handle, and a knob for adjusting the working area quickly. It cuts close to flares. Spare wheels are a separate item (070017D, five pieces).

REMS RAS Cu-INOX 3-35 (113350 R) covers 3 to 35mm in copper, thin-walled stainless steel, thin-walled steel, aluminium and brass. REMS lists it as a compact version with a telescopic spindle. REMS also lists a 3-28 Mini for difficult access and a 3-35 S with needle bearings (113351 R).

Rothenberger MINI MAX (70015) is listed at 3 to 28mm for copper, brass, aluminium and thin-walled steel. The page describes a small working radius for hard-to-reach places and guide rollers that cut close to flares.

Rothenberger ROSLICE 15mm (88815) is a manual copper pipe cutter that Rothenberger describes as self-clamping and self-aligning, which it says prevents pipe deformation, and it cuts in a few turns. The page lists a small working area for tight spaces and a non-slip grip. A cutting wheel for the ROSLICE 15+22mm (088841D) is sold separately.

OX Pro Ratchet Copper Pipe Cutter 22mm (OX-P449622) uses a ratchet action to cut copper pipe in tight spaces, with a heavy-duty surround and a ribbed grip. The page lists plastic as the body material and a 90-day manufacturer warranty. Its description text mentions the 15mm model once, while the title, heading and SKU all say 22mm, so check the size on the box.

Both are one-hand cutters you keep for the awkward joints. Neither replaces a screw-feed cutter that covers several sizes.

Rothenberger ROCUT Plastic Pro 15-22mm (1000003051) is a manual cutter for PE, PP and PVC pipes at 15 and 22mm, with a stated wall thickness of up to 2mm and a 3.5mm cutting depth. It cuts at a right angle in a few turns and suits confined spaces.

OX Pro POLYZIP Plastic Pipe Cutter 22mm (OX-P562022) is listed for 22mm plastic mains water and waste pipe, with square, swarf-free cutting and no pipe deformation.

UK push-fit pipe is usually PEX or PB. Check the cutter's page names your pipe: the ROCUT lists PE, PP and PVC, the TUBE CUTTER 67 PL lists PEX and PB.

For larger plastic or multilayer pipe, REMS lists the RAS P range from 10 to 40mm, 10 to 63mm and above for plastic and multilayer composite tubes. Rothenberger's TUBE CUTTER 67 PL is listed at 6 to 67mm for PE, PP, PEX, PB and PVDF pipe.

An automatic cutter retracts the wheel as you cut, which helps on larger pipe. Rothenberger's automatic pipe cutter size 2 (70142) is listed at 50 to 127mm for copper, brass, aluminium, thin-walled steel and sound-insulated pipes, with a 5mm cutting depth. That is larger than 15, 22 and 28mm domestic copper, so it is not a replacement for the cutters above.

• Size range: confirm 15, 22 and 28mm are inside the stated range, not just the one you cut most.
• Pipe material: copper cutters list metals. For plastic, check the cutter's page names your pipe (PE, PP, PVC, PEX or PB).
• Working radius: a small one matters behind boilers and in joist voids. Rothenberger lists it for the MINI MAX and ROSLICE.
• Deburrer: Rothenberger's TUBE CUTTER 35 has one built in. Deburr every cut before you fit.
• Spare wheels: check the maker still sells them for your model.
• Square cut: a cutter that clamps and aligns itself (as the ROSLICE does) helps get a square cut first time.

For the next tool in the van, see the best pipe bender and the best blowtorch for plumbers. For the office side of a plumbing business, see the plumbers' job management guide.