Craftsmen often receive ads for ultrasonic cutting tools these days.

What is the technology behind?

What is an ultrasonic cutter?

An ultrasonic cutter works by using high-frequency vibrations (20,000-40,000 Hz) to reduce friction, allowing a blade to slice through materials with minimal pressure, creating clean cuts without smearing or fraying, especially on delicate items like food, textiles, or plastics. It converts electrical energy into mechanical vibrations via a generator, transducer (piezoelectric element), and horn, essentially making the blade glide through materials as if they were momentarily melting, resulting in smooth, precise edges.

– Google AI

Short answer: It depends on which materials you want to craft with!

I tested the ultrasonic cutter and the box cutter on the following 26 common crafting materials to find out if it can make your work easier:

Is an ultrasonic cutter a good choice for cosplayers?

• standard paper (80g/m²)

• drawing paper (200g/m²)

• thinner corrugated cardboard

• foam clay

• 2mm LED foam

• 2mm high density EVA foam

• 5mm high density EVA foam

• 5mm low density EVA foam

• 10mm low density EVA foam

• 10mm ultra-high density EVA foam

• soft upholstery foam

• 0.3mm latex

• faux leather with fabric backing

• thin genuine leather

• strong genuine leather

• cling film

• masking tape

• finer masking tape

• duct tape

• medium-strength plastic packaging

• Worbla's Transpa Art

• Worbla's KobraCast Art

• Worbla's Finest Art

• 1.5 mm polystyrene sheet

• plywood

• shape rod

Watch my big ultrasonic cutter test on over 20 materials

Feel free to print out the image in A3 or A4 format so that you always have it to hand when crafting.

Download the detailed comparison overview

They cut incredibly well into cutting mats, too. Choose an inexpensive alternative as a cutting surface, e.g. plywood.

extra tips for ultrasonic cutters

Look for a model with a second battery and affordable blade sets. This will allow you to work without interruptions.