Once you understand how to cut a cigar, finding the ideal cutter to suit your preferences becomes crucial. Considering the diverse shapes and sizes of cigars, selecting the best cigar cutter can significantly enhance your smoking experience.
We’ve rigorously evaluated over 20 options and selected the top 10 cigar cutters that stood out for their exceptional performance. In this guide, we delve into the features and benefits of each:
- Xikar XO
- Xikar MTX Multitool
- Colibri SV
- S.T. Dupont Cutter Stand
- Victorinox Swiss Knife Cutter
- Colibri Quasar
- S.T. Dupont Maxijet Cutter
- Scorpion Table Top
- Alaska Bear Steel Cutter
- Prestige Imports Punch Cutter
Just scroll down to read them all, or click above to jump right in.

In This Guide
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- Brand: Xikar
- Type: Double Blade Guillotine
- Maximum Gauge: 64
- Spring-Loaded: Yes
- Will Cut Figurados: Yes
- Guarantee: Lifetime
- Price: From $80
Overview
For the highest-quality cutters, Xikar’s has some excellent offerings. The Xikar XO is a breathtaking device and a special addition to the cigar cutting family.
Their complex yet minimalist circular design is a pleasure to hold in the palm of the hand. It feels solid and weighty and the blades flick open at the push of a button. When the blades are closed again, they lock in position, which avoids accidental cuts when carrying them in your pocket.
The stainless steel blades cut beautifully well. Thanks to their patent pending planetary gear system, they slide cleanly in harmony with little effort. Although they’re advertised to cut up to a 64 ring gauge, you could probably snip a 70. However, you may struggle as the thick frame will make it hard to squeeze a large cigar in there.
Furthermore, it comes with a lifetime guarantee. This is handy in case the complex mechanism ever fails on you. All you have to do is fill out a form on the Xikar site and send it to be repaired.
We have several XO cutters and we’ve used them for a number of years. We also recently discovered that they also make very convenient cigar rests. When the cutter is open, each wing holds a cigar quite well. This can be pretty handy if the ashtray is crowded or if you just want to take a snazzy photo.
Also, note that the black XO does have a slight tendency for its paint to wear with heavy use, as can be seen in the photo above.
Finally, at $80 on Amazon, the XO is indeed on the pricey side. However, it’s well worth it and thanks to the quality and guarantee, you may never need another cutter.

- Brand: Xikar
- Type: Scissors
- Maximum Gauge: 58
- Spring-Loaded: No
- Will Cut Figurados: Yes
- Guarantee: Lifetime
- Price:
- $75 [Buy Now From Amazon]
Overview
For those looking for absolute cutting precision, we recommend premium cigar scissors. Unlike those kept in your kitchen drawer, these fine blades are made from HRC57 stainless steel.
Held by a lightweight and ergonomic body, the scissor blades neatly fold for safe storage and transportation. This avoids accidental snips from the scissors opening in your pocket or bag.
The newer model also includes a screw driver, which allows you to adjust the frame height for better cutting. Being a multi-tool, the scissors feature a small screwdriver for adjusting lighter flames, a cigar poker for any hard draws as well as a handy bottle opener.
Although it’s a little hard to master at first, you’ll realize their potential after a few tries. They’re incredibly sharp, and while you can use them just for straight cuts, you can also preen and shape the head.
This allows you to customize the draw to your liking. Furthermore, if you’re careful you could probably use these to cut anything larger than its suggested 58 gauge maximum.
Additionally, the open blades make them much easier to sharpen, which means that they can last you a lifetime. Speaking of which, they come with a lifetime guarantee.
Finally, while they are on the higher end of the pricing scale, they’re well worth the investment if you can find one.
If it weren’t for its occasional absence in stores, the Xikar MTX would be our first pick! Indeed, they tend to sell out quickly, and restocking can take a while. Therefore, make sure that you check Amazon’s stocks frequently to grab yourself a pair if they’re available. You won’t be disappointed by their performance.

- Brand: Colibri
- Type: V-Cut & Straight
- Maximum Gauge: 80
- Spring-Loaded: Yes
- Will Cut Figurados: Yes
- Guarantee: 2 Years
- Price: $75 [Buy On Amazon]
Overview
For those that prefer a V-cut in their cigar, it’s always a challenge to find a good quality option. Fortunately, the Colibri offers one of the best V-cuts available. Featuring an ergonomic design and spring-loaded release, this cutter makes the difficult cut a breeze.
Furthermore, it also offers double-guillotine straight cut on the other side. Therefore, you essentially have the choice between two cuts at any given time! This particular model is ideal for cutting both figurado cigars or those with larger gauges. For instance, figurados such as torpedoes need a small opening so this will an ideal cut if not too deep.
Although it only comes with a 2 year warranty, it’s made using high quality materials and craftsmanship. In fact, we’ve been using ours for many years and the v-cut blade has yet to dull with regular use.
Similarly, you’ll be able to cut anything up to an 80 RG. Simply test the draw and if it’s too tight, you can do another cut at a perpendicular angle. Usually, V-cutters are notoriously hard to master. However, this one is very easy to use successfully and cleanly cuts rather than crushes your cigar cap.
Finally, the Colibri V-cutter offers exceptional value. You can buy this particular model for around $75 on Amazon.

Image courtesy of Couple Of The Leaf
- Brand: S.T. Dupont
- Type: Double Blade Guillotine
- Maximum Gauge: 52
- Spring-Loaded: Yes
- Will Cut Figurados: Yes
- Guarantee: Lifetime
- Price: $150 [Buy Now On Amazon]
Overview
Combining their celebrated construction quality and a novel concept, S.T. Dupont have produced this excellent cutter for those who have a penchant for cigar stands. Thanks to an in-built hinge, this cigar cutter can be easily swivelled into an eye-catching cigar stand.
This makes it pretty convenient if others are hogging the ashtray or if you like taking candid photos of your sticks. Nevertheless, it’s not awkward to use and you’ll find that you won’t be catching your skin every time you try to use it.

- Brand: Victorinox
- Type: Scissors
- Maximum Gauge: 65
- Spring-Loaded: Yes
- Will Cut Figurados: Yes
- Guarantee: Lifetime
- Price: $40 – $60 [Buy On Amazon]
Overview
With more popular cigar cutting pocket knives on social media, Victorinox’s intuitive creation is often overlooked. However, it tends to excel where the other models fail.
In our experience, cigar cutting pocket knives tend to crush and damage a cigar rather than a clean cut. Meanwhile, Victorinox has created a genuinely practical and convenient pocket knife that is capable of giving you a clean cigar cut every time.
Instead of designing a multi-purpose blade that will cut the cigar, Victorinox has taken advantage of its tried-and-tested concept by making a separate tool. Furthermore, it’s Swiss-made so you can rest assured on the build quality.
There are two models available: The smaller 36 and the larger 79. We have a preference for the 79, which features more tools and is available on Amazon for around $60.

- Brand: Colibri
- Type: Double Blade Guillotine & V-Cut
- Maximum Gauge: 60
- Spring-Loaded: Yes
- Will Cut Figurados: Yes
- Guarantee: 2 Years
- Price: $150 [Buy On Amazon]
Overview
For something a little different, why not consider a table top cutter? There are plenty of well-known models available, including another listed below. However, it’s the Colibri Quasar that has truly captured our hearts!
This beautifully-constructed cutter looks great on your desk and closes shut when not used thanks to a convenient spring mechanism. It’s quite heavy too so it will unlikely slip off your desk by accident.
With a simple push, it slides open and then you can use either its V or double guillotine blades. If you enjoy the occasional cigar in your office or study, this is our top pick. Bear in mind, though, that its reservoir is quite small so you might want to consider the Scorpion below if you welcome many guests at a time.
Finally, it’s a bit pricier too, and comes in at $150 on Amazon. However, we feel that it’s a very good investment for the quality and design.

- Brand: S.T. Dupont
- Type: Double Blade Guillotine
- Maximum Gauge: 60
- Spring-Loaded: Yes
- Will Cut Figurados: Yes
- Guarantee: Lifetime
- Price: $110 [Buy On Amazon]
Overview
The Maxijet by S.T. Dupont is a classic cigar cutter that has been around for a number of years. An overall well-crafted double-guillotine cutter, it’s composed of visible stainless steel and glossy lacquer components.
We’ve owned and used a couple over the course of our cigar adventures and we’ve yet to be let down. Although there are more unique and exciting cutters around on the market, it’s one of our favourite options if you’re looking for a dressy and elegant cutter to take to special events.
Needless to say, they’re a bit on the pricey side. However, it’s a good investment as they last for many years. These days, they fetch for around $110 on Amazon. You can also find the matching lighter so you have a complete set.

- Brand: Scorpion
- Type: Double Blade Guillotine & V-Cut
- Maximum Gauge: 80
- Spring-Loaded: No
- Will Cut Figurados: Yes
- Guarantee: None
- Price:
- $64 [Buy On Mike’s Cigars]
- $50 [Buy On Amazon]
Overview
If you’re regularly hosting fellow cigar smokers either at the office or at home, the Scorpion table top cutter is an ideal addition. Unlike the Quasar, it’s much larger with a deeper reserve for cuttings. As a result, it’s more welcoming for a greater number of guests.
Made from heavy-duty metal, it’s also an attractive decorative item that sits well on any coffee table or desk. Furthermore, it features four different sizes in order to make short work of any cigar.
The two large sizes should be able to cut cigars of a ring gauge up to around 80. Meanwhile, the smaller size is perfect for more common Robustos and Coronas. Meanwhile, a v-cut option is available in each of the sizes for a little variety.
Rather than passing around a typical cutter, the Scorpion is a superb alternative, which offers a more grandiose and exclusive experience when shared. At around $50 on Amazon, it also offers great value for money given its build quality.

- Brand: Monsiter
- Type: Double Blade Guillotine
- Maximum Gauge: 60
- Spring-Loaded: No
- Will Cut Figurados: Yes
- Guarantee: None
- Price: $10 [Buy On Amazon]
Overview
Normally we wouldn’t recommend that you skimp on a decent cutter. After all, cigars aren’t cheap so why try to save a few bucks on a cutter? However, if you’re really hard up or you’re looking for a budget option for whatever reason, there are options.
We’re particularly fond of the Alaska Bear double bladed guillotine. It’s a sturdily-built all-metal cutter with sharp blades enclosed by rivets. It performs very well and gives you a clean cut on even stubborn cigars.
Furthermore, the blades are fixed tightly against one another. Therefore, they are able to slightly self-sharpen through friction. The opening will allow anything up to a 60 ring gauge, which should be enough for the majority of common sizes.
Naturally, they aren’t as sharp as the other premium models on this list. However, there is nothing at there that cuts as well as these around the same price point. In fact, you can buy these for as little as $9.99 on Amazon.com!

- Brand: Prestige Imports Group
- Type: Punch Cutter
- Maximum Gauge: 80
- Spring-Loaded: Yes
- Will Cut Figurados: No
- Guarantee: Unknown
- Price:
- $10 [Buy Now On Amazon]
- $10 [Buy On Mike’s Cigars]
Overview
Some people love the convenience of a punch cutter while others aren’t huge fans. Nevertheless, it’s worth owning at least one so it’s handy on your keychain. After all, you never know when you might find yourself having a cheeky cigar!
This particular model by Prestige Imports Groups ticks all the boxes. It’s spring-loaded so you can push out the circular blade when needed, which pops back in, discarding the scrap tobacco in the process, at the press of a button.
Not only is it small and easy to carry but punch cutters can are quite versatile. For instance, if you have a cigar with a ring gauge that’s too large for your guillotine cutter, several holes with the punch cutter will work nicely instead.
How To Choose The Right Cutter For You
It’s important to know that not every cutter works on all cigars. In fact, some are better adapted for certain cigars than others. For instance, you may prefer cigars with larger ring gauges. As a result, they might not fit in some common cutters.
Similarly, where you enjoy to smoke a cigar can have an affect on the cutter that suits your needs best. If you prefer a cigar indoors or at your desk, a small cutter might easily get misplaced.
Instead, a tabletop cutter is not only more convenient but an attractive decorative piece for your home or office.
Additionally, it can be easily used by guests rather than them asking you for your regular cutter, which you had just put down somewhere. Was it your pocket? No, the other one. Oh, wait. It was in the desk drawer!
Conversely, a bulky cutter may be inconvenient if you tend to smoke cigars when out and about. There are plenty of small cutters on the market that don’t cause an awkward bulge or accidentally open in your pocket.
Finally, you might travel a lot. If you’re a seasoned cigar enthusiast, you’re probably aware of all the annoyances that you may face when getting through security when travelling. Therefore, the cutter you choose needs to be either disposable or one that tends not to cause issues.
Finding A Quality Cutter That You Can Rely On
Furthermore, not every cutter was made equal. Indeed, cigar cutters vary in quality, which will affect how efficiently they’ll prepare your smoke.
Whilst you may want to save a bit of money on getting a cheaper one, a poor quality cutter risks a number of problems. Firstly, the blades may be poorly aligned and give an uneven cut. Otherwise, they may dull quickly or not be sharp enough in the first place.
In either case, a poor cigar cutter won’t fulfil its function but crush a cigar rather than cut it. This can cause the wrapper to crack and unravel as well as take chunks out of your cigar.
Therefore, it’s imperative to have a cutter that you can truly rely on.
What Next?
Now that you’ve seen the best cigar cutters, why don’t you also check out our related guides below:
- BU Cigars – Home
- How To Properly Cut A Cigar
- Top 10 Best Cigar Lighters
- Best Wooden Humidors To Buy Online
- Top Cigar Coolers For Your Home
- How To Build Your Own Humidor
"Great overview with a wide range of options. This guide really helped! I've picked up a couple from here for different occasions."Rating: 5.0 ★★★★★
Have you ever reviewed the lotus meteor cutter? Interested to know your thoughts especially compared to the XO
We haven’t, no. Indeed, they do seem quite similar!
What a great source of knowledge upon the cutters in detail. I am really happy to come across this exceptionally well written content. I love this article, thanks for producing such great contents. I love your posts always. Thanks for sharing and look for more in future!!
Thanks for the kind words and you’re very welcome!