The Best Tile Cutters For Ceramic And Porcelain Tiles
Six manual and electric cutters for straight clean cuts on wall and floor tiles.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best tile cutter is the Vitrex Power Pro Tile Saw. It's the wet saw we've relied on for years, it cuts cleanly through porcelain, stone and thick floor tiles, and the tilting table takes care of mitred edges. For straight cuts on wall and floor tiles up to 12mm, the Vitrex 12593 Pro Flat Bed Tile Cutter does the job without professional prices.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Vitrex Power Pro Tile Saw
Best Electric
Vitrex Power Pro Tile SawPorcelain, stone and thick floor tiles that need clean electric cuts
- Check price of Vitrex 12593 Pro Flat Bed Tile Cutter
Best Manual
Vitrex 12593 Pro Flat Bed Tile CutterStraight cuts on ceramic, quarry and porcelain tiles up to 12mm
- Check price of RUBI TS-MAX Porcelain & Ceramic Tile Cutter
Best Professional
RUBI TS-MAX Porcelain & Ceramic Tile CutterProfessional tilers and keen DIYers cutting large porcelain tiles
- Check price of Draper 49417 Tile Cutting Plier
- Check price of Einhell TC 618 Tile Cutter
Best Budget Electric
Einhell TC 618 Tile CutterOccasional DIY tiling with smaller tiles on a tight budget
- Check price of VonHaus 430 Tile Cutter
Check the tiles before you look at any cutter. Thin ceramic wall tiles snap cleanly on a manual cutter, but thick porcelain, stone and textured floor tiles need serious breaking force or a wet saw, and any notches or mitres mean going electric.
Treat the maximum thickness on the box with care, because the VonHaus struggled well below its claimed figure. We've used both types on our own jobs, and the six here run from handheld pliers for trims to a wet saw for dense floor tiles.
Tile Cutters We've Used On Our Own Jobs
Over the years we've used manual and electric cutters on everything from small ceramic tiles for a kitchen splashback to thick porcelain, where we turned to professional cutters. The photos below come from recent tiling projects, and they show the range of tools we've had our hands on. The Plasplugs cutter isn't one of the six reviewed here, and we can't read a brand on the other three cutters in the photos, so none of them is tied to a product in the list.
Every cutter was judged on how accurately it cut along the guide and measuring scale, how easy it was to set up and use, the quality of the wheel or blade, its build and how portable it is. For electric saws we also looked at the water system, cutting depth and how well the table supports bigger tiles.
The short below shows one of our top-rated electric cutters in action. The cut is clean and accurate, and because the blade runs through water, it stays cool and the tile doesn't crack.
Effective Tile Cutting: Electric or Manual? We've Tested Multiple Tile Cutters To Find The Best!
When a brand releases a new version of a cutter we rate, we try to buy it and put it through the same jobs. Where we haven't used a cutter ourselves, we've relied on the brand's figures for capacity, power and tile types, and said so. If you're putting together a full kit, our list of the tools needed for tiling covers the rest.
The Tile Cutters We Recommend
Two of these are electric wet saws and four are manual tools, including a pair of tile nippers for small cuts. Each write-up says what thickness and tile type the cutter handles.
Best Electric
Vitrex Power Pro Tile Saw
Best for: Porcelain, stone and thick floor tiles that need clean electric cuts
Check Price On AmazonWe've owned and used the Vitrex Power Pro for many years, and apart from changing the blade it hasn't missed a beat. It's the electric cutter in Vitrex's range that we'd point anyone towards if they're tiling with porcelain or stone.
Vitrex says it cuts tiles up to 30mm thick, which covers almost any floor tile you'll come across at home, using a 650W motor and a 180mm continuous rim diamond blade. The table tilts to 22.5 and 45 degrees for mitred edges, and a double extension table supports larger tiles while you cut. A water recirculation system keeps the blade cool so the tile doesn't overheat and crack.
At 9kg it's light for an electric saw and easy to carry into a bathroom, and it's straightforward to assemble and set up.
What we like
- Owned for years with no faults beyond a blade change
- Cuts tiles up to 30mm thick according to Vitrex
- Tilts to 22.5 and 45 degrees for mitre cuts
- Double extension table for larger tiles
- Water recirculation keeps the blade cool
- Light for an electric saw at 9kg
What to know
- Costs more than the Einhell TC 618 and other budget electric cutters
- Needs power and water so it's messier than a manual cutter
Our verdict
If you're tiling with porcelain, stone or thick floor tiles, this is the saw to get, and the tilting table means mitred corners aren't a problem. It costs more than budget wet saws like the Einhell TC 618, and for simple straight cuts on wall tiles a manual cutter like the Vitrex Pro Flat Bed is less mess.
Best Manual
Vitrex 12593 Pro Flat Bed Tile Cutter
Best for: Straight cuts on ceramic, quarry and porcelain tiles up to 12mm
Check Price On AmazonThe Pro Flat Bed is a heavy-duty manual cutter from Vitrex, sold in 600, 630 and 900mm lengths so you can match it to the tiles you're laying. Vitrex says the tungsten carbide wheel cuts ceramic, terracotta, quarry and porcelain floor and wall tiles up to 12mm thick.
It has a steel frame, an adjustable cutting guide for repeat cuts and twin chrome-plated rails that let the scoring head glide smoothly. It's easy to set up and use, which makes it a good choice for both a DIYer tiling one bathroom and a trade doing it every week.
We did notice one thing in testing. When cutting large tiles, the bed flexes slightly in the middle. Snapping the tile from the top edge rather than the centre gets round it.
What we like
- Cuts tiles up to 12mm thick according to Vitrex
- Sold in 600, 630 and 900mm lengths
- Twin chrome-plated rails for smooth scoring
- Adjustable cutting guide for repeat cuts
- Heavy-duty steel construction
- Easy to set up and use
What to know
- Flexed slightly in the middle when we cut large tiles
Our verdict
For straight cuts on wall and floor tiles without paying professional prices, the Pro Flat Bed is the manual cutter we'd choose. The only quirk from our testing is a slight flex on long tiles, which snapping from the top edge sorts out. Daily large-format work deserves the RUBI's reinforced base.
Best Professional
RUBI TS-MAX Porcelain & Ceramic Tile Cutter
Best for: Professional tilers and keen DIYers cutting large porcelain tiles
Check Price On AmazonRUBI is a name most tilers know, and the TS-MAX is its professional manual cutter for porcelain and ceramic. RUBI rates the breaker at 800kg, the kind of breaking force thick porcelain needs, and the cutter takes tiles up to 15mm thick in lengths from 430 to 750mm.
The base is reinforced so it stays flat under a long tile, which is where cheaper cutters start to flex. RUBI's SMART POWER system is designed for precise scoring, and you can score and snap a tile with one hand, which speeds things up on a big floor. The handles are shaped for comfort over a long day.
It's the dearest manual cutter in this roundup, and RUBI makes longer and heavier-duty models if your tiles are bigger still.
What we like
- 800kg breaking pressure according to RUBI
- Cuts tiles up to 15mm thick
- Reinforced base resists flexing
- One-handed scoring and snapping
- Lengths from 430 to 750mm
- Comfortable handles for long sessions
What to know
- The most expensive manual cutter in our roundup
- More than most DIYers need for wall tiles
Our verdict
If you lay big porcelain tiles every week, the RUBI's stiff base and one-handed scoring will save you time and spoiled tiles. It's the priciest manual cutter here and more than most DIYers need. For a single bathroom or kitchen, the Vitrex Pro Flat Bed does the job for far less.
Best Handheld
Draper 49417 Tile Cutting Plier
Best for: Small trims and detail cuts around pipes and edges
Check Price On AmazonTile cutting pliers are one of the cheapest ways to snap a tile, and the Draper 49417 is a well-made pair that Draper quotes for tiles up to 16mm thick. You scribe a line first, then the jaws grip either side and snap the tile along it. The rubber grips hold the tile firmly without marking the glaze, and the spring-loaded handles give good control.
Draper includes a tungsten carbide wheel on the tool for scribing, but in our testing it didn't score well enough and we ended up using a separate tile scriber. Once the line was scored properly, the pliers snapped it cleanly.
They're for small cuts and detail work around sockets, pipes and edges, not for long straight cuts across a full tile. On bigger jobs, use them alongside a manual or electric cutter.
What we like
- Rubber grips hold tiles without marking them
- Spring-loaded handles for control
- Snaps glass, ceramic and stone tiles once scribed
- Cheap and small enough for a tool bag
- Cuts tiles up to 16mm thick according to Draper
What to know
- We had to use a separate scriber as the built-in wheel didn't score well
- Only suitable for snapping, not long straight cuts
Our verdict
Small trims and fiddly cuts around pipes and sockets are what these pliers are for, and once a tile is properly scored they snap it cleanly. Buy a decent tile scriber to go with them, as the built-in wheel let us down. They complement a proper cutter rather than replacing one.
Best Budget Electric
Einhell TC 618 Tile Cutter
Best for: Occasional DIY tiling with smaller tiles on a tight budget
Check Price On AmazonElectric tile saws aren't cheap, but the Einhell TC 618 brings the price right down. It's a 600W wet saw with a diamond cutting disc and water cooling, a steel construction and a compact size that's easy to store in a garage between jobs.
The disc swivels up to 45 degrees for angled cuts, and the parallel guide helps you cut accurately. Einhell backs it with a 3 year warranty.
Two things came up in our testing. The supplied blade wasn't the best, so we bought an upgraded disc. The bench is also small at 330 x 360mm, which makes cutting large tiles awkward with the safety guard in place. For wall tiles and smaller floor tiles it's a good-value saw.
What we like
- 600W motor with water cooling
- Disc swivels up to 45 degrees
- Parallel guide for accurate cuts
- Compact and easy to store
- 3 year warranty
What to know
- Small 330 x 360mm bench makes large tiles awkward with the guard fitted
- We replaced the supplied blade with a better one during testing
Our verdict
An electric wet saw for the odd DIY job doesn't have to cost much, and the TC 618 proves it with a 3 year warranty thrown in. Budget for a better cutting disc from the start, as we did. The small table makes large porcelain floor tiles hard work, so the Vitrex Power Pro is the better buy for those.
Best Budget Manual
VonHaus 430 Tile Cutter
Best for: Thin ceramic wall tiles under 8mm on a small budget
Check Price On AmazonThe VonHaus 430 is one of the cheapest manual cutters we'd still recommend. It takes tiles up to 430mm long, and the built-in measuring guide and anti-slip surface keep the tile square and still while the tungsten carbide wheel scores it. The ergonomic handle is comfortable to use, too. At 3kg it's light enough to carry around a house without thinking about it.
VonHaus says it'll cut tiles up to 12mm thick. In our testing, it struggled with anything 8mm or thicker, so we'd keep it for thin ceramic wall tiles. On those, it scores and snaps cleanly and does a good job for the price.
What we like
- Built-in measuring guide
- Light at 3kg
- Takes tiles up to 430mm long
- Comfortable ergonomic handle
- Anti-slip surface holds the tile steady
What to know
- Struggled with tiles 8mm or thicker in our testing despite a 12mm claim
- Not suited to porcelain
Our verdict
Thin ceramic wall tiles for a splashback or small bathroom are exactly what the VonHaus handles well, and it's one of the cheapest cutters worth buying. Our testing found it struggled from 8mm upwards despite a 12mm claim. Thicker floor tiles and porcelain need a stronger cutter.
Choosing Between Manual And Electric Tile Cutters
The tile you're laying decides the cutter more than anything else, so check its thickness and material before you look at tools. Here's what to weigh up.
Tile Material And Thickness
Ceramic wall tiles are soft and thin, so any decent manual cutter will score and snap them. Porcelain is much denser and harder, and thicker porcelain floor tiles need either a strong professional manual cutter with a high breaking force or an electric wet saw. Natural stone and very thick tiles are best on an electric saw. Always check a cutter's rated thickness against your tiles, and treat the upper figure with caution, as our VonHaus testing showed.
The Cuts You Need To Make
Manual cutters only do straight lines. For L-shaped cuts around a door frame, notches around a shower tray or mitred edges on an external corner, you'll need an electric saw. Small curves and trims around pipes can be done with tile nippers or pliers like the Draper. Our guide on how to cut tiles with and without a tile cutter walks through each type of cut.
Cutter Length And Tile Size
A manual cutter must be longer than the tile you're cutting, including diagonal cuts, which need far more length than a straight one. Large-format tiles also need a stiff base, or the bed flexes and the snap wanders. If you're laying big floor tiles, a longer cutter like the RUBI TS-MAX or the 900mm Vitrex is worth the extra. For electric saws, check the table size and whether it has extensions.
Blades, Wheels And Water
The scoring wheel on a manual cutter wears over time, and a blunt one gives a ragged snap, so check that replacement wheels are easy to get. On electric saws, the blade makes a huge difference to the finish. We upgraded the blade on the Einhell and changed the blade on our Vitrex over the years. Keep the water tray topped up, as a dry blade overheats and chips the tile edge.
Setting Up For A Clean Finish
Plan your layout before cutting so cut tiles land in less visible spots, and use tile spacers to keep grout lines even. Score once with firm, steady pressure rather than going over the line twice. If you're replacing old tiles, our guide to removing tiles shows how to strip the wall back without damaging the surface underneath.
Common Questions About Cutting Tiles
Can a manual tile cutter cut porcelain?
Yes, a manual tile cutter can cut porcelain as long as it's rated for porcelain and has enough breaking force. Professional cutters like the RUBI TS-MAX are designed for it, while cheaper cutters struggle with thicker porcelain and can leave a ragged snap. For very thick or textured porcelain, an electric wet saw gives a cleaner result.
Is a wet tile cutter better than a manual one?
A wet tile cutter is better for thick, hard tiles and for L-shaped, notched or mitred cuts, because its diamond blade cuts rather than snaps. A manual cutter is better for fast straight cuts on ceramic and thinner porcelain, with no power, water or mess. Many tilers use a manual cutter for most cuts and a wet saw for the awkward ones.
Why do my tiles crack when I cut them?
Tiles crack when cutting because the score line is weak, the wheel is blunt or the tile is too thick for the cutter. Score once with firm, even pressure and snap straight away. On an electric saw, cracking points to a dry or worn blade, or pushing the tile through too fast. Keep the water topped up and let the blade do the work.
Can you cut tiles with an angle grinder?
Yes, you can cut tiles with an angle grinder fitted with a diamond tile blade, and it's useful for curves and cuts in tiles that are already fixed. It throws up a lot of dust and it's harder to get a perfectly straight edge than with a tile cutter. Clamp the tile down, mark the line clearly and wear eye protection and a dust mask.
Is the VonHaus 430 tile cutter any good for floor tiles?
No, the VonHaus 430 is best kept for thin ceramic wall tiles. VonHaus says it cuts tiles up to 12mm thick, but in our testing it struggled with anything 8mm or thicker. On a splashback or small bathroom wall it scores and snaps cleanly for the price. Thicker floor tiles and porcelain need a stronger cutter.
Is the Einhell TC 618 worth buying as a budget wet saw?
The Einhell TC 618 is good value for wall tiles and smaller floor tiles, with a 600W motor, 45 degree swivel and a 3 year warranty. Two things came up in our testing. The supplied blade wasn't the best, so we bought an upgraded disc, and the 330 x 360mm bench makes large tiles awkward with the guard fitted.
Do I need a separate scriber with the Draper tile cutting pliers?
Yes, we'd buy a separate tile scriber. The Draper 49417 includes a tungsten carbide wheel for scribing, but in our testing it didn't score well enough. Once the line was scored properly, the pliers snapped it cleanly. They suit small trims around sockets and pipes, not long straight cuts across a full tile.
How do I stop the Vitrex Pro Flat Bed flexing on large tiles?
Snap the tile from the top edge rather than the centre. In our testing the bed of the Vitrex 12593 Pro Flat Bed flexed slightly in the middle when cutting large tiles, and snapping from the top edge gets round it. For daily large-format work, the RUBI TS-MAX has a reinforced base that stays flat.
The Tile Cutters We'd Reach For
The Vitrex Power Pro is the tile cutter we'd recommend first, a wet saw we've used for years that handles thick porcelain, stone and mitres without fuss. For straight cuts on wall and floor tiles, the Vitrex Pro Flat Bed is the manual cutter to pair with it.
Professionals laying large porcelain should look at the RUBI TS-MAX, and the Einhell TC 618 is the budget electric choice if you can live with a smaller table.
Dave, or Demolition Dave as the team calls him, worked as a builder for over 10 years before joining DIY Works. He now concentrates on his own properties and writes most of our construction content, along with tools, carpentry and plenty more.