Exhaust Pipe Cutters · 8 compared side by side

Best Exhaust Pipe Cutters in 2027

Choosing an exhaust pipe cutter starts with size. Check your tubing's outside diameter and wall thickness against the cutter's limits. Then check the material, because stainless steel needs a cutter that lists it. Design matters too: a chain cutter wraps the pipe and suits tight spots under a vehicle, while small tubing cutters swing around a pipe and need more room. We put 8 products on one spec sheet and ranked them by specs. Several are not exhaust tools, and we say so.

Quick answer

  • Best overall: WORKEASE GNQGQSBK (#1, Best Score 66; max pipe diameter 8.00 in)
  • Ratcheting action for tight spots: HalfofLife HOL-C008-BK (#2, Best Score 56; max pipe diameter 1.13 in, cutter design Ratcheting)
  • Chain cutter for tailpipes: KTZCTPCA Tailpipe Cutter (#3, Best Score 54; max pipe diameter 3.30 in, cutter design Chain)

Ranked from 8 exhaust pipe cutters that met our standard, compared on max pipe diameter, max wall thickness, stainless steel capability.

Updated November 202625 reviewed · 8 met our standard13 specs comparedBy Comparabo editors

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Top picks

Largest maximum pipe size
#1
WORKEASE GNQGQSBK

WORKEASE GNQGQSBKWORKEASE 7in Inside Pipe Cutter

Cuts plastic pipe up to 8 in, but it is not an exhaust cutter.

Max pipe diameter
8.00 in
Cutter design
—
Cutting wheels
3 wheels
Check price on Amazon
Ratcheting action for tight spots
#2
HalfofLife HOL-C008-BK

HalfofLife HOL-C008-BKHalfofLife Ratcheting Pipe Cutter

Ratchets in short swings, but it only reaches 1.125 in pipe.

Max pipe diameter
1.13 in
Cutter design
Ratcheting
Cutting wheels
1 wheels
Check price on Amazon
Chain cutter for tailpipes
#3
KTZCTPCA

KTZCTPCA KTZCTPCA Tailpipe Cutter

Fits 0.6 in to 3.3 in pipe with walls up to 2.5 mm.

Max pipe diameter
3.30 in
Cutter design
Chain
Cutting wheels
14 wheels
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Comparison table

Swipe or scroll sideways to see every model.
Top 8 exhaust pipe cutters
Spec
#1
WORKEASE GNQGQSBK
Largest maximum pipe sizeCheck price on Amazon
#2
HalfofLife HOL-C008-BK
Ratcheting action for tight spotsCheck price on Amazon
#3
KTZCTPCA
Chain cutter for tailpipesCheck price on Amazon
#4
RIDGID 31622
Spare wheel in the knobCheck price on Amazon
#5
FALESOUL 005PPI
Chain cutter, identical specsCheck price on Amazon
#6
Godora Pipe Cutter Tool-1-3
Handles iron and steel pipeCheck price on Amazon
#7
MacWork AMZ0072
Clear stainless warningCheck price on Amazon
#8
KNIPEX Knipex - 90 31 01 SBA
Stainless-capable small cutterCheck price on Amazon
Best Scoreout of 1006656545049484646
Min pipe diameterin1.50 in0.31 in0.60 in0.13 in (best in row)0.60 in1.00 in0.60 in0.13 in (best in row)
Max pipe diameterin8.00 in (best in row)1.13 in3.30 in1.13 in3.30 in3.00 in3.30 in1.13 in
Max wall thicknessmm——2.5 mm (best in row)—2.5 mm (best in row)—2.5 mm (best in row)2.0 mm
Cutter design—Ratcheting (best in row)ChainSingle-wheelChainSingle-wheelChainSingle-wheel
Cutting wheelswheels3 wheels1 wheels14 wheels (best in row)1 wheels14 wheels (best in row)1 wheels14 wheels (best in row)1 wheels
Chain lengthin——11.8 in—11.8 in—11.8 in—
Blade materialDiamond gritSteel———Alloy steel——
Body materialStainless steel rod, metal handleAluminum alloyCarbon steelHigh-strength zinc alloyCarbon steelCarbon steel——
Compatible materialsPVC, PP-R, PE, PEX, CPVC, ABSCopper, PVC, PPR, plastic hoses, soft metal pipesPVC, mild steel, copperCopper, brass, aluminum tubing, thin-wall conduitPVC, mild steel, copperIron and steel pipesPPR, low carbon steel, copperCopper, stainless steel pipes
Cuts stainless steel——————NoYes (best in row)
Adjustable handle——Yes—Yes———
Cushioned grip————————
Spare blade includedYesYes—Yes—Yes——
Best in row— not published by the maker yet

How we chose

We reviewed 25 exhaust pipe cutters and kept only the 8 that pass every check below. Those are ranked by a Best Score built from spec fit for this job, sales rank.

Read the full method

In-depth reviews

These reviews are based on specifications and listing information. Where a ranked product does not fit exhaust work, the review says so.

Largest maximum pipe size

WORKEASE GNQGQSBKWORKEASE 7in Inside Pipe Cutter

Inside plastic pipe cutter, not an exhaust tool

Max pipe diameter
8.00 in (best of the reviewed tools)
Min pipe diameter
1.50 in
Cutting wheels
3 wheels
Max wall thickness
—

This is the wrong kind of tool for exhaust work. The WORKEASE is an inside pipe cutter made for plastic pipe. Its compatible materials are PVC, PP-R, PE, PEX, CPVC and ABS. Metal exhaust tubing is not on that list. It ranks first on our spec score, but that score does not make it right for this keyword.

On paper it covers large sizes. It handles pipe from 1.5 in to 8 in, and 8 in is the largest maximum of the eight products. It uses three diamond grit cutting wheels on a stainless steel rod. A button lock sets cutting depth, and the rod is marked for depths up to 5 in. A 1/4 in hex shank fits a drill.

The listing mentions tight spaces inside walls and under floors, but that means plastic plumbing. It cuts from inside the pipe. An exhaust tube needs an outside cutter that can handle steel. Buy this only for plastic pipe jobs.

Pros

  • Three diamond grit cutting wheels
  • Handles pipe up to 8 in
  • Includes a spare blade

Cons

  • Made for plastic pipe only
  • Not suited to exhaust tubing
Buy it if
you are cutting plastic plumbing pipe.
Skip it if
you need to cut exhaust tubing.

VerdictA capable plastic pipe tool, but the wrong choice for cutting exhaust.

Ratcheting action for tight spots

HalfofLife HOL-C008-BKHalfofLife Ratcheting Pipe Cutter

Compact ratcheting cutter for small copper and plastic

Max pipe diameter
1.13 in
Min pipe diameter
0.31 in
Cutting wheels
1 wheels
Max wall thickness
—

The HalfofLife is a small tubing cutter, so check your tubing size first. It handles pipe from 0.3125 in to 1.125 in, and 1.125 in is the lowest maximum on the page, shared with two others. The listed materials are copper, PVC, PPR, plastic hoses and soft metal pipes. Stainless steel is not listed.

Its ratcheting design is the useful part for tight spots. The ratchet lets you cut in short swings when there is little room to turn a cutter around a pipe. It has one steel cutting wheel, and the body is aluminum alloy. A knob sets the blade to the pipe size. The tool also attaches to a ratchet handle.

A spare blade is stored in the handle. That helps if the wheel dulls on a job. Still, the maker does not publish a wall thickness limit. For exhaust work, this fits only small tubing that falls inside its range.

Pros

  • Ratcheting action for tight spaces
  • Spare blade stored in handle
  • Lightweight aluminum alloy body

Cons

  • Tops out at 1.125 in
  • No stainless steel listing
Buy it if
your tubing is under 1.125 in.
Skip it if
you need to cut full-size exhaust pipe.

VerdictA handy small-tube ratchet cutter that suits tight, light jobs better than real exhaust work, and it ranks second on our list.

Chain cutter for tailpipes

KTZCTPCA KTZCTPCA Tailpipe Cutter

Chain cutter sized for tailpipes and mild steel

Max pipe diameter
3.30 in
Min pipe diameter
0.60 in
Cutting wheels
14 wheels (best of the reviewed tools)
Max wall thickness
2.5 mm (best of the reviewed tools)

This is the first chain cutter in the ranking, and it fits the job well. It cuts pipe from 0.6 in to 3.3 in, with a wall thickness up to 2.5 mm. Check your tubing against both numbers before you buy. The listing says it fits into tight workspaces.

The cutter uses a chain with 14 rolling blades, and the chain is 11.8 in long. That ties for the most wheels on the page, with two others. The body is carbon steel. An adjustable handle lets you change the angle between the two handles, which helps when you have little room under the vehicle.

Stainless steel is the open question. The listed materials are PVC, mild steel and copper, and the data does not mark it as stainless capable. If your exhaust is stainless, confirm with the seller first. The listing also advises lubricating the wheels before use.

Pros

  • Fits 0.6 in to 3.3 in pipe
  • 14 rolling blades on the chain
  • Adjustable handle angle

Cons

  • Stainless steel not listed
  • No spare blade listed
Buy it if
you are cutting mild steel tailpipe under the vehicle.
Skip it if
your tubing is stainless or thicker than 2.5 mm.

VerdictA chain cutter built for tailpipes that ranks third on our list and suits mild steel exhaust in tight spots.

Spare wheel in the knob

RIDGID 31622RIDGID Model 150 Constant Swing Tubing Cutter

Single-wheel tubing cutter for copper, not exhaust

Max pipe diameter
1.13 in
Min pipe diameter
0.13 in (best of the reviewed tools)
Cutting wheels
1 wheels
Max wall thickness
—

The RIDGID Model 150 is a tubing cutter for copper, brass and aluminum tubing and thin-wall conduit. It is not an exhaust cutter. Its range is 0.125 in to 1.125 in, and the data shows no wall thickness limit and no stainless steel listing. Exhaust tubing outside that range is out of reach.

The design suits small tube work. It has one cutting wheel and a high-strength zinc alloy body. An enclosed feed screw is meant to stop clogging and jamming. Grooved rollers allow close-to-flare cuts, and a fold-away reamer is built in. The X-CEL knob gives a firmer grip.

A spare cutter wheel sits in the knob, and a ball detent pin lets you swap wheels without tools. That is useful for copper tubing jobs. Its largest size, 1.125 in, is tied for the smallest maximum among the eight products. For exhaust pipe, pick a cutter with a stated wall thickness and larger range instead.

Pros

  • Tool-free cutter wheel changes
  • Spare wheel stored in knob
  • Fold-away reamer built in

Cons

  • Small 1.125 in maximum size
  • Not made for exhaust tubing
Buy it if
you cut copper, brass or aluminum tubing.
Skip it if
you need an exhaust pipe cutter.

VerdictA single-wheel tubing cutter for small copper work that ranks fourth on our list but does not suit exhaust jobs.

Chain cutter, identical specs

FALESOUL 005PPIFALESOUL Exhaust Pipe Cutter

Same chain specs as rank three, built for exhaust

Max pipe diameter
3.30 in
Min pipe diameter
0.60 in
Cutting wheels
14 wheels (best of the reviewed tools)
Max wall thickness
2.5 mm (best of the reviewed tools)

FALESOUL calls this an exhaust pipe cutter, and the numbers support that. The chain has 14 rolling blades and is 11.8 in long. Pipe size runs from 0.6 in to 3.3 in. Maximum wall thickness is 2.5 mm, the highest among the four models that list it, shared by three products.

Its spec sheet matches the KTZCTPCA on every spec we track, including a carbon steel body and an adjustable handle. That leaves little to separate the two on specs. It sits two places lower in our ranking. The adjustable handle changes the angle between the two handles, which helps in cramped spots.

Like that model, it lists PVC, mild steel and copper, and it does not mark stainless steel support. Confirm your material before you order. The listing also mentions an adjustable chain lock and a non slip coated surface. It is also described as easy to carry and store.

Pros

  • Handles walls up to 2.5 mm
  • Carbon steel body
  • Adjustable handle for cramped spots

Cons

  • Stainless steel not listed
  • No spare blade listed
Buy it if
you want a chain cutter for mild steel exhaust.
Skip it if
your exhaust tubing is stainless steel.

VerdictA capable chain cutter with the same specs as the third-ranked model, so pick whichever listing suits you.

Best among the reviewed tools

Buying guide

Match diameter and wall thickness

Measure your exhaust tubing's outside diameter and wall thickness first. Then compare both to the cutter's stated limits. Among the models that list a wall limit, 2.5 mm is the highest and 2 mm is the lowest. A cutter with no stated wall limit leaves you guessing.

Check stainless steel support

Stainless is harder to cut than mild steel. On this page only the KNIPEX lists stainless steel capability, and it is a small cutter that tops out at 1.125 in. The MacWork says it is not for stainless. For the others, confirm with the seller before you buy.

Chain cutters for tight spaces

A chain cutter wraps around the pipe and cuts with short back-and-forth swings of the handle. That suits the limited room under a vehicle. The chain models here use 14 cutting wheels and an 11.8 in chain. Single-wheel cutters need room to travel around the pipe.

Plan for blades and handle

Cutting wheels wear, so a spare blade helps. Four products here list one: WORKEASE, HalfofLife, RIDGID and Godora. The chain models list an adjustable handle, which changes the angle between the handles for leverage in cramped spots. Their listings also advise lubricating the wheels before use.

FAQ

What size exhaust pipe can a chain cutter cut?

The chain cutters here cut pipe from 0.6 in to 3.3 in with a wall thickness up to 2.5 mm. Measure your tubing first. If it is larger or thicker than those numbers, these models are not rated for it.

Can a pipe cutter cut stainless steel exhaust?

Only the KNIPEX TubiX S lists stainless steel support, for pipe from 0.125 in to 1.125 in and walls up to 2 mm. The MacWork says it is not for stainless. The other chain cutters do not list stainless steel.

Is a plumbing pipe cutter okay for exhaust?

Usually not. The RIDGID and HalfofLife cutters top out at 1.125 in, and the WORKEASE is an inside cutter for plastic pipe. The Godora handles iron and steel pipe from 1 in to 3 in but lists no wall limit.

Do these cutters come with a spare blade?

WORKEASE, HalfofLife, RIDGID and Godora list a spare blade. The three chain cutters and the KNIPEX do not list one in our data. Wheels wear, so check your replacement options before you buy.

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Top pick · #1WORKEASE GNQGQSBK
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