Laser Cut vs Water Jet vs Plasma: What’s the Difference?

🛠️ Introduction

When it comes to cutting metal, you’ve got a few options: laser cutting, water jet cutting, and plasma cutting.

Each method has its place—but depending on your material, design, and budget, one will suit your job better than the others.

At Metalmorphic Laser, we specialise in laser cutting. Here's how it stacks up against the others—and why it’s often the best choice for precision metal work.

🔥 What Is Laser Cutting?

Laser cutting uses a focused beam of high-energy light to melt or vaporise material along a defined path.

Best for:

• Thin to thick metal (up to 35mm mild steel)

• Detailed internal shapes, holes, and sharp corners

• Clean edges and tight tolerances (±0.1mm)

• High-volume, repeatable jobs

Laser cutting is fast, accurate, and highly efficient—especially for stainless, aluminium, and mild steel.

💧 What Is Water Jet Cutting?

Water jet cutting uses a high-pressure stream of water mixed with abrasive material (like garnet) to erode through metal or stone.

Best for:

• Extremely thick or hard materials (including glass, stone, titanium)

• Materials sensitive to heat

• Parts requiring no heat-affected zone (HAZ)

Downsides:

• Slower than laser

• Expensive setup

• Not as clean on fine internal features

⚡ What Is Plasma Cutting?

Plasma cutting uses an electrically conductive gas arc to slice through metal by melting it.

Best for:

• Cutting thicker mild steel (especially 10mm–50mm)

• Rough work in fabrication, scrapyards, or site cutting

• Budget-friendly, lower-precision jobs

Downsides:

• Rougher edge finish

• Larger kerf (cut width)

• Not suitable for high-precision work or thin metal

🆚 Comparison Table

Laser Cutting

• Edge Quality - Excellent, clean

• Precision - High (±0.1mm)

• Speed - Very fast

• Material Thickness - Up to 35mm (mild steel)

• Material Types - Metal (mild, stainless, alloy)

• Cost per Part - Moderate

Water Jet Cutting

• Edge Quality - Good (some grain)

• Precision - Medium to high

• Speed - Slow

• Material Thickness - 1mm to 200mm+

• Material Types - Metal, stone, glass, composites

• Cost per Part - High

Plasma Cutting

• Edge Quality - Rough, oxidised

• Precision - Low to medium

• Speed - Fast on thick steel

• Material Thickness - Best for 5mm to 50mm+

• Material Types - Metal only

• Cost per Part - Low

🤔 Which One Do You Need?

Choose Laser Cutting if:

• You need sharp, detailed cuts

• You want high speed + high precision

• You’re working with thin to medium gauge metal

• You care about repeatability and a clean finish

Choose Water Jet if:

• You’re cutting thick, exotic, or heat-sensitive materials

• You don’t need speed

• You’re working with stone, glass, or composite

Choose Plasma if:

• You need to cut thick mild steel quickly

• You’re OK with rougher edges

• You’re doing structural work or fabrication on a budget

📞 Want the Right Tool for the Job?

At Metalmorphic Laser, we don’t pretend laser cutting is right for every project—but if you’re cutting metal with tight specs, detailed shapes, or want a clean finish… it probably is.

Contact us for a fast quote and let’s get your job moving.