Having the best rotary cutter in your repertoire is essential to cut fabric pieces in a quick and easy manner! They are a versatile tool used in a variety of crafting hobbies. From sewing and quilting to paper crafts and leatherworking, rotary cutters make precise cuts that save time and reduce strain on your hands. They also make cutting fabrics in a straight line much easier than when using a regular pair of scissors.
We’ve reviewed the best rotary fabric cutters you can buy right now to get you started on your project!
Rotary Cutter Article Contents
Top 10 Best Rotary Fabric Cutters
Types of Rotary Cutters
Buying Guide
FAQs
Top 10 Best Rotary Fabric Cutters of 2023
Fiskars Crafts 60mm Titanium Rotary Cutter
This rotary cutter from Fiskars Crafts is one of the highest-rated products on Amazon. We recommended it last year as one of the best and it remains on our list in 2023! It is great if you’re looking to cut thick materials such as foams, multiple layers of fabric, textiles, and more. Titanium coating fits this 60mm rotary blade. It is three times harder than steel for lasting sharpness and improved durability! It can be assembled to either side of the rotary cutter to give you optimal blade visibility making it the ideal tool for both left-handed and right-handed users.
The curve-shaped loop handle provides users with improved control due to its natural fit to avoid accidental slippage during use. The handle is also fitted with soft grip to reduce any hand fatigue during your crafting. The rotary cutter also has a sliding button that extends the blade or retracts it during and after use. Fiskars Crafts also offers replacement rotary blades so that you can keep using the tool even longer.
This product rates over 4.5 out of 5 in every category including easy to hold, safety features, ergonomic, and easy to use! Fiskars is a brand that has been around for a long time and makes quality products so you should not expect any issues with a product that they are selling. Our favorite thing about this cutter that makes it top this list as well, is all the fantastic reviews. Many users have reviewed this after long-term use, so you know it is reliable and they have nothing bad to say. In fact, they say that they use it alongside many other Fiskar products. This is a product that we definitely think you cannot go wrong with!
OLFA Deluxe 60mm Rotary Cutter
This 45mm deluxe rotary cutter by OLFA has a traditional design with a curved handle to provide minimum wrist turns during use. This cutter was designed and created specifically for both left and right-handed operation so that everyone can enjoy using this tool without worries. It’s fitted with a thumb-activated blade guard as well as an easy squeeze handle that retracts when not in use. The dual-action safety feature is one of the reasons why this product from OLFA gets a spot on our list year after year!
In addition, this rotary cutter utilizes a two-step quick blade change when you need to use a decorative edge set for creative projects. Just slide back on the blade assembly and remove to put a Pinking edge, Scallop and Peak edge, or a Wave edge and just let all your creative juices flow.
Reviewers mentioned that this tool is effective for cutting up to six layers of fabric and is very good at cutting through leather. They applaud the sturdiness of this rotary cutter and recognize that Olfa is one of the best brands! You will find many of the top rotary cutters on Amazon are made by this brand. It also has fantastic reviews including a mention that even someone’s quilting teacher uses it. For the price, we would choose this option, even over the best-selling rotary cutter on Amazon. Let us review that one next!
CGOLDENWALL Electric Rotary Fabric Cutter
For people who have extra in their wallets, then you should definitely check out this electric rotary fabric cutter by CGOLDENWALL. This electric rotary fabric cutter makes our list year after year, and for good reason! CGOLDENWALL uses one of the biggest blades available for rotary cutters at 70mm. The cutter reaches speeds of up to 2400rpm for a cutting thickness capacity of up to 1”. The cutting motion is clean, smooth, and leaves no mess. It cuts up all kinds of fabric thanks to its industrial-grade scissors such as cotton, silk, synthetic fiber, leather, cloth, and other materials for commercial and industrial use.
This electric rotary fabric cutter also has its own built-in sharpening stone with a one-key automatic button for easy maintenance. In addition, it’s fitted with vents on both sides of the cutter for better ventilation as you use it. Overall, the CGOLDENWALL electric cutter is portable, flexible, and has all the necessary functions you need for a fabric cutter for all your sewing needs.
Reviewers of this product highly recommend it; mentioning that they are highly satisfied with it, touting excellent customer service from the manufacturer and even mentioning that it cuts through carpet “like a knife through butter”! Reviewers have even returned to update their original review and mention they have been using it for a year and that it still works like new every time! If you buy this rotary cutter, you can count on it to save you time by cutting through many layers of fabric very efficiently.
Mr. Pen 45mm Rotary Fabric Cutter
The Mr. Pen 45mm rotary fabric cutter is another budget tool for people looking for an affordable device for their sewing needs. It utilizes high-grade and precision ground stainless steel blades to cut multiple layers of fabric, paper, felt, vinyl, and more. It has the ability to cut through four layers of fabric with ease and features a curved, loop-handle design to provide a natural fit for your hand. The handle improves control and comfort making it easy to use.
In addition, this rotary cutter by Mr. Pen is equipped with a sliding button safety feature to retract the blade, locking it into a safe position for safe storage. It works for both left and right-handed users making it the ideal tool for everyone who likes to create their own art.
This rotary cutter continues to appear on our top sellers list! It is a good buy for the price and will help you with your projects. It does not have a titanium blade, so it is not as high end as some others, or as sharp as some would like. Some reviewers recommend using with a self-healing mat to improve results.
SnapFresh Cordless Electric Rotary Cutter
For those who want to be more efficient, our next rotary cutter is an electric one! Not only could this tool help you cut through fabric a lot quicker, but it is also actually quite versatile. It will cut through paper, plastic packaging, cloth, cardboard, leather, canvas, carpet, wallpaper, wire net, and much more. It makes short work of any of those materials, up to 1/4’’ thick. The motor is a rechargeable 3.7-volt lithium battery and provides up to 90 minutes of continuous runtime.
You would think that if you are cutting through all these various materials, you will be replacing your blade often. A fantastic feature of this rotary cutter is that it has a self-sharpening blade! Even after cutting through plastic and numerous boxes, the blade will still be as sharp as new. If you are like me though, I don’t like cutting boxes with the same scissors I use for my fabric projects. The next great thing is that this rotary cutter comes with an additional blade so you could switch it out if you wanted to.
This tool is rated 5 out of 5 stars for being ergonomic! With a weight of less than a pound, your hands will not get fatigued, and you can maneuver while crafting more easily. Like other highly rated rotary cutters, the SnapFresh features a safety switch to avoid accidental use.
The reviews on this product are fantastic and not always craft-related so we think this is a great item to have or give as a gift. Many points mentioned by users include being easy to handle, appreciating the safety features and being a game changer for fabric projects! Overall, this rotary cutter is a welcome tool in any home with its amazing versatility and great reviews!
Headley Tools 45mm Rotary Fabric Cutter
This rotary fabric cutter from Headley is currently the best seller on Amazon and is at a very reasonable price! The rotary blade is made from high quality stainless steel making it sharp and efficient. It has an ergonomically designed handle with soft-grip on both sides so it will be comfortable after hours of work. Lastly, it has a safety button to lock the blade so you don’t have to worry if you have little ones around. Included with this rotary cutter are five additional blades in a storage case. Hopefully you shouldn’t need to buy additional blades anytime soon! This tool is suitable for cutting fabrics, paper, leather, scrapbooking, quilting and more!
While this is the number one seller on Amazon though, it may not necessarily be the best rotary cutter out there. This set comes at such a great value and if someone is not a heavy crafter, odds are that they will purchase this tool and it would still be a great rotary cutter if it is not getting heavy usage.
Some reviewers noted that they love having the handle squeeze as a safety feature, it works very well, is very smooth and has great handling. It also gets bonus points in that you can use it whether you are left-handed or right-handed. All in all, we think this is a great buy, has rave reviews of being a great value and could be a great tool for you!
OLFA 45mm Quick-Change Rotary Cutter
OLFA makes the list again! This rotary cutter from OLFA is different from the previous one reviewed. For those that do not like the squeeze-blade handle, this option is perfect! The handle here is still ergonomic and suitable for left or right handers alike. It is also contoured for comfort and comes with finger grooves incorporated to prevent any finger slippage.
This model has a blade made from high-quality tungsten tool steel that will offer unparalleled sharpness and superior edge retention. It has a quick-change blade system that provides simple and safe blade changes. In addition, the built-in blade cover enhances user safety.
Overall, this rotary cutter has made our list to offer a variety of rotary cutters based on your preferences. As well as the fact that it comes very highly reviewed! Amazon has over 3,000 reviews for this model and still averages to a 4.7 out of 5. Reviewers specifically mention ease of use, comfort and sharpness!
XINART 45mm Rotary Fabric Cutter
If the electric cutter from CGOLDENWALL is expensive for your taste, the XINART 45mm rotary fabric cutter meanwhile is ideal for people on a budget. It’s one of the cheapest rotary fabric cutters you can buy online without sacrificing quality, sharpness, and safety. This rotary cutter has an ergonomically designed handle with a safety button in place to lock the blade while in use to make it safe for your hand as well as reducing joint fatigue.
It’s a great cutter for fabric, leather, paper, vinyl, felt, netting, and many more. The wide range of applications saves you time compared to using regular scissors, making it an ideal tool for quilting, sewing, scrapbooking, and other DIY projects you can think of.
TrueCut My Comfort 45mm Rotary Fabric Cutter
This is the ultimate ergonomic rotary fabric cutter! This rotary cutter stands out from the rest in that its comfort curve grip is designed to make rotary cutting easier, safer and accurate. You will appreciate how the handle reduces stress on your wrists and arm. It can be used whether you are right or left-handed as well. Everyone also loves the “track-and-guide” feature for straight cuts every time.
Now let us talk about blades. We actually could not confirm which type of material blade comes with the rotary cutter. However, from reviewers, we have determined that you can use blades from other manufacturers. Speaking of blades, this model features a one-push button quick blade change!
One of the most important things is that you can enjoy your hobby. Several reviewers mentioned that after having hand surgery, carpal tunnel or aging, this cutter was the only one they were able to use since it is easy on the hand, wrist, shoulder, elbow, and neck. If you have any ailments, this rotary cutter will make getting back to crafting easier for you!
W.A. Portman 45mm Rotary Fabric Cutter
Last on our list of the best rotary fabric cutters you can buy right now is this 45mm cutter from W.A. Portman. It uses high-grade stainless steel blades to cut through layers of materials with ease and comes with 5 replacement blades to equal more savings in your pocket. W.A. Portman created a convenient and easy to use rotary cutter that works well for both left and right-handers to make you say goodbye to your clumsy scissors.
This one is equipped with a dual-action safety lock and an ergonomic clench handle to ensure your hands are safe while maintaining effective cuts.
Types of Rotary Cutters
Standard Rotary Cutters
The most common type of rotary cutter is the standard rotary cutter, which comes in various sizes and blade types. They are perfect for general purpose cutting and are great for beginners.
Ergonomic Rotary Cutters
Ergonomic rotary cutters have a curved handle that fits comfortably in your hand, reducing strain on your wrist and fingers. They are great for people with arthritis or other hand conditions.
Electric Rotary Cutters
Electric rotary cutters are ideal for those who need to make a lot of cuts quickly. They are powered by electricity and can make fast and precise cuts through multiple layers of fabric.
Specialty Rotary Cutters
Specialty rotary cutters are designed for specific materials, such as leather or foam. They have specialized blades that are designed to cut through these materials with ease.
Buying Guide
Safety
You may think you want to have the sharpest blade available for cutting fabric. However, the most important thing you want to consider is your safety. A sharp blade that’s safe to use with security features in them should be your product of choice. It’s recommended to look for a rotary fabric cutter with an option to withdraw the blade after using it to keep your fingers away from the blade and ruler. Having a blade guard is another simple and effective way to protect you in case of slippage while cutting.
Comfort
Using a tool with a sharp blade requires safety as well as comfort. As such, you need to feel comfortable while using it to eliminate any unwanted incidents. A cutter with a soft and shredded grip or one with pivots should be ideal. Look for a rotary cutter with an ergonomic fit so that you can handle it comfortably to avoid hand and wrist issues such as arthritis.
Size
Once you have the safety and comfort covered, the size of the blade of your rotary fabric cutter is another significant factor to consider. A larger blade will make your work easier and smooth. Most rotary fabric cutters range from 18mm, 28mm, 45mm, and 60mm. Choosing the best cutter for you is still up to your personal preference. As long as the safety and comfort are well provided, then go for the best blade for you.
Blade Material
Most rotary fabric cutters sold online are made from steel or titanium. Steel rotary cutters are cheaper than blades made from titanium. Titanium blades tend to be more expensive and are usually found in specialty shops due to their price. We believe that it’s better to invest in a rotary cutter with a titanium blade. Titanium blades are much more durable and should last for a long time.
Rotary Cutter FAQs
What can you do with a rotary fabric cutter?
Rotary cutters have a lot of applications which is why it’s a handy tool for a lot of household purposes. A rotary cutter is used to cut different types of craft sheets, fabrics, or textiles. It can:
- slice a sheet of cloth into small parts,
- cut paper for scrapbooking and card-making,
- slice a perfect hole on a piece of fabric,
- cut through multiple pieces of fabric, which is essential for many quilting patterns,
- create perforations for crocheting and quilting, or
- cut through an upholstery material such as vinyl for tablecloths and car seat covers.
Can I use a rotary cutter on any type of fabric?
While rotary cutters work well on most fabrics, they may not be suitable for delicate or lightweight materials. Always test a small area of fabric before cutting to ensure the best results.
How do I change the blade on my rotary cutter?
To change the blade, first, remove the old blade from the cutter. Then, insert the new blade into the cutter and tighten the blade nut securely.
How often should I replace my rotary cutter blade?
It is recommended to replace your blade after every 10-15 hours of use or when it begins to dull. However, this can vary depending on the type of fabric you are cutting and the frequency of use.
Can I sharpen my rotary cutter blade?
Yes, it is possible to sharpen some rotary cutter blades. It is generally not recommended, as it can be challenging to achieve the right angle and may damage the blade. It is often more cost-effective to replace the blade.
Can rotary cutters be used for anything other than fabric?
Rotary cutters are primarily designed for cutting fabric. But they can also be used on paper, cardboard, and other thin materials. Be sure to choose the appropriate blade for the material you are cutting.
Are there other helpful tips to share for beginners?
If you’re a beginner in using rotary cutters, it’s best not to over tighten the blade. Having a screw too loose may make the blade wobble. Keep in mind though, that over tightening will require extra pressure to get it going. Combining it with a ruler is also ideal to help you achieve an accurate measurement during the cutting process.
