DeWalt Plastic Tubing Cutter (20V MAX)

A cordless cutter that makes plastic pipe work cleaner and faster

I’ve been looking for a way to speed up plastic pipe work without the dust and chatter you get from saws, especially on larger diameters. After a few weeks with DeWalt’s 20V tubing cutter, I’m convinced it fills that role. It’s not a flashy tool, and it’s heavier than you might expect, but it delivers consistently square, burr‑free cuts on common plastics up to 2 inches and does it with a level of control that saves time downstream.

Build and design

The cutter has a substantial, jobsite-ready feel. At 8.7 pounds (bare tool), it’s not featherweight, but the D‑handle balances the mass well so you can keep the cut steady. The stainless steel blade is the star—stiff, corrosion resistant, and designed to shear rather than grind. That shearing action is a big reason the cut edges come out clean without melting or ragging.

A few design touches matter in day-to-day use:
- The integrated LED helps when you’re working in basements, mechanical rooms, and crawlspaces.
- Anchor points on the housing let you fasten the tool to a bench for repetitive cutting. In a shop setup, that transforms it from a handheld tool into a small, dedicated cut station.
- It’s TOOL CONNECT chip ready, which is valuable if you track tools across crews or job sites.

The footprint is long (about 19.4 inches), but that length gives you leverage when lining up square cuts on larger pipe.

Controls and modes

You get automatic and manual cutting modes. Auto is for most tasks: squeeze the trigger and the tool advances the blade through the pipe in a controlled, powered feed. Manual mode lets you feather the cut, useful for thinner‑wall pipe or for creeping up on a line when you need near‑perfect alignment before committing. Switching between modes is straightforward, and there’s enough tactile feedback that you always know what the cutter is doing.

Cutting performance

DeWalt rates the cutter to 2 inches in diameter and calls out that it can cut 2-inch Schedule 80 PVC in up to three seconds on a 2.0Ah 20V MAX pack. In practice, that’s right in the ballpark. On Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 PVC, the tool powers through smoothly and stays true without twisting the pipe. The cut stays square as long as you’ve marked and supported the work properly.

Where it really shines is repetition. For runs of conduit or irrigation line where you’re making dozens of identical cuts, the automatic mode keeps the pace steady and the results consistent. Because the blade shears cleanly, there’s little to no cleanup with a knife—no dust, no chips, and no melted edges like you get from a saw.

I also used it on ABS and CPVC within its size limits. The tool handled both without chatter. For brittle materials or colder conditions, manual mode gives you that extra caution ramp onto the cut so you don’t shock the material.

A couple of best practices helped:
- Mark your cut all the way around the pipe with a wraparound or a square to ensure a perfectly perpendicular cut.
- Support the pipe close to the cut line. Even with a controlled feed, large-diameter plastic can flex if it’s cantilevered too far.

Battery and runtime

It runs on DeWalt’s 20V MAX batteries, which I already have on hand. DeWalt quotes up to 400 cuts per charge on a 2.0Ah pack, and I didn’t run into runtime limits on typical service work. If you’re doing a day of production cutting, a mid‑size (4.0–5.0Ah) battery will keep you moving with minimal swaps. Note that it’s sold as a bare tool; plan your budget accordingly if you don’t already own 20V MAX batteries and a charger.

One note: this isn’t a brushless tool. In a cutter like this, that’s not a dealbreaker—duty cycles are short, and the tool isn’t relying on high RPM—but brushless would likely shave weight and improve efficiency. As is, the runtime and power are solid for the category.

Ergonomics and handling

The D‑handle works. It keeps your wrist neutral and gives you a confident grip when starting a cut on pipe that’s already in place. The weight can add up if you’re doing overhead work or cutting at arm’s length, so I found it more comfortable to bring the pipe to the tool when possible. That’s where the bench anchor points matter: fasten the cutter to a workbench or a stand, and you can be more precise with less fatigue. The LED is bright enough to help line work up against your mark in low light.

Noise and vibration are low compared to a saw. You can speak to a coworker while it’s cutting, and you won’t be cleaning dust out of your eyes afterward.

Cut quality and finishing

“Burr‑free” is the right description. The sheared edge is smooth and square. On push‑fit or solvent‑welded joints, that saves time. For gasketed or o‑ring style fittings, you’ll still want to add a quick chamfer—this cutter doesn’t chamfer by itself—but the cleanup is minimal. Because there’s no melting, the edge accepts primer and cement immediately.

The consistent, square cuts also make it easier to keep conduit runs neat with tight couplings and predictable offsets.

Durability and maintenance

The stainless blade resists corrosion, which is good news if you’re cutting wet pipe or working outdoors. I wiped the blade after use and avoided cutting into abrasive debris; that’s about all it needed. There’s no complicated maintenance routine here. As with any cutting tool, if you do nick the blade, you’ll see it in the cut quality—at that point, treat the blade like a consumable.

The housing, guards, and controls feel robust. Nothing rattled loose, and the actuation stayed positive. The warranty coverage (3‑year limited, 1‑year free service, 90‑day satisfaction guarantee) is appropriate for a pro‑grade tool.

Bench mounting and workflow

Fastening the cutter to a bench turns it into a compact workstation. For repetitive cuts on conduit, irrigation laterals, or shop‑prepped stubs, I preferred the bench setup: mark, feed, cut, repeat. It’s faster, safer, and easier on your shoulders. If you manage a team, adding a TOOL CONNECT chip is handy—assign the tool to a job or crew and keep an eye on inventory.

What I’d change

• Weight: At 8.7 pounds, it’s solid but heavy. A brushless revision that trims weight would be welcome.
• Capacity ceiling: The 2-inch max covers a lot of work, but mechanical contractors working above 2 inches will still need a different solution.
• Kit options: A bundled kit with a battery and charger would help users who aren’t already on the 20V MAX platform.

None of these are dealbreakers; they’re just realities to weigh against your use case.

Who it’s for

• Plumbers and mechanical pros cutting PVC, CPVC, and ABS up to 2 inches
• Electricians running PVC conduit who want clean cuts without dust
• Irrigation and facility maintenance teams making repetitive cuts on site
• Shops that want a compact, bench‑mountable plastic pipe cut station

DIYers who only occasionally cut small‑diameter tubing might be better served by a quality manual ratcheting cutter. For larger or frequent work, this cordless option saves real time and cleanup.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt tubing cutter for pros and serious users who routinely cut 1–2 inch plastic pipe and conduit. It produces square, burr‑free cuts quickly, keeps dust off the job, and offers the control needed for in‑place and overhead work. The ability to switch between automatic and manual feed, the bench‑mount anchor points for shop workflows, and compatibility with the 20V MAX ecosystem make it a practical addition to a trade kit. The weight and bare‑tool purchase are the main tradeoffs, but the performance and cut quality more than justify it if plastic pipe cutting is a regular part of your work.