Jul. 15, 2024
Laser cutters produce smoke and dust, so proper ventilation is essential. If you don't have access to a window, think about getting a powerful air purifier system.
For more information, please visit Cardboard Laser Cutter For Sale.
Diodes have trouble cutting into clear materials, and CO2 struggles with metal. Choose the right one for the materials you want to work with.
CNET&#;s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
With more Americans than identifying as makers, we are seeing new products arrive to scratch that itch every day. Machines like 3D printers, vinyl cutters and laser cutters are now available at prices to fit just about any pocketbook. They allow people to bring their creations to life in new and interesting ways. You can even turn a profit on stores like Etsy and Shopify if you have the right materials and machines.
I've used laser cutters for about five years to create various projects, from small dog tags to etching a 7-foot workbench with elven runes. Each cutter I use has a host of different pros and cons, so along with my CNET colleague Russell Holly, I've developed testing criteria to assess the best laser cutters.
You may notice that there are no open laser cutters on this list. After testing several I find them to be too dangerous for the average user. They could be good for commercial spaces, but having an open laser in a garage is just too dangerous for me to recommend.
The xTool P2 is our top pick for the best laser cutter. It isn't the cheapest laser cutter around, but with a host of amazing accessories, fantastic software and a cutting size and speed that are hard to ignore, it takes the crown from the Glowforge Pro, but just barely. It's huge, so make sure you have room in your workshop to house it.
Pros
Cons
Laser type
CO2
Power (watts)
55
Max cutting area
498 x 319mm
Price
$$$$
Exhaust/enclosure
Enclosed with active exhaust
$4,299 at xToolThe xTool P2 is the complete package for fast, powerful laser cutting at home or in a small workshop. With a full suite of accessories that let you cut 3-meter-long materials and round tumblers and glasses, the P2 can cut or etch any material you could hope for, including glass and transparent acrylic.
The software is excellent and can help you design your creations to better fit your cutting needs. The camera works well to help you align your materials, but be careful when working near the edge of the camera limits, because the fisheye distorts a little. This bundle comes with some materials to get you started and a fire safety system to give you peace of mind.
Read our xTool P2 review.
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$1,199 at Amazon $1,000 at Best BuyPros
Cons
Laser type
Diode
Power (watts)
6
Max cutting area
12x12 inches
Price
$$
Exhaust/enclosure
Enclosed with active exhaust
$1,199 at Amazon
The Glowforge Aura is the company's first consumer laser cutter aimed at the entry-level market. It's smaller than the other models, with a less powerful laser, but it works amazingly well on smaller projects. We've made beautiful carvings, etchings and other laser-cut projects on the aura, and all of them have been excellent.
Read more: Hands-on with the Glowforge Aura
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$1,599 at xToolPros
Cons
Laser type
Diode / Infrared
Power (watts)
10 / 2
Max cutting area
115 x 115
Price
$$
Exhaust/enclosure
Exhaust / Semi enclosed
$1,599 at xTool
It's been a while since I've had as much fun with a maker tool as I have had with the xTool F1. It's lightweight and very easy to transport if you go to many trade shows, conferences or farmer's markets and, with the accessories in this bundle, you can etch batches of products as easily as one. The software is excellent too, making it easy to line up projects or trace out new projects from a photo.
I recently took the F1 to a STEM fair for primary school kids, and it was extremely popular as it whizzed around cutting out the school logo onto metal business cards. While the price is pretty high for a cutting area this small, you could easily make your money back with just a little work at a farmer's market stall or two. It's well worth the investment.
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$1,995 at AmazonPros
Cons
Laser type
CO2
Power (watts)
30
Max cutting area
300 x 210mm
Price
$$$
Exhaust/enclosure
Enclosed with active exhaust
$1,995 at Amazon
The Beamo is the smallest of Flux's impressive lineup of CO2 laser cutters, but don't let the small size fool you. The 30-watt laser, while weaker than some on this list, is still powerful enough to etch glass, although you may need the additional diode laser to etch onto the steel. It will happily cut through wood, leather and acrylic.
The Beamo also comes with a handy touchscreen on the device, making it much easier to control from your workshop without a computer plugged into it directly. Flux even has an app that'll let you control the Beamo directly from your .
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$1,300 at AmazonPros
Cons
Laser type
Diode
Power (watts)
20
Max cutting area
400 x 270mm
Price
$$$
Exhaust / Enclosure
Enclosed with active exhaust
$1,300 at Amazon
The WeCreat is a fun little box that can etch and cut several materials. It isn't going to carve through thick wood or steel, but it makes fun projects for family fun time. I think it's perfect for schools, especially with its exhaust filter, as the enclosure and air assist make it safe for classrooms and stop little fingers from getting burnt. I created several projects for my kid's kindergarten class, and the teachers all loved it.
While the software isn't quite as good as Xtool or Glowforge, the camera is accurate and lets you mark where your material is well. It even has testing squares, so you can try out any material and see what power level you need. That's something all laser cutters should have.
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$2,300 at xToolPros
Cons
Laser type
Diode
Power (watts)
40
Max cutting area
498 x 319mm
Price
$$$
Exhaust/enclosure
Enclosure with active exhaust
$2,300 at xTool
Diode lasers are often low-powered, with no enclosure to keep you safe. The S1 solves both those problems by having a 40-watt laser that can cut through 18mm of wood in a single, albeit slow, pass. It also has a fantastic enclosure with a green lid to filter the laser's light and an active exhaust to blow away any smoke. The basic kit has air assist -- something all lasers should have -- and a honeycomb cutting surface to help reduce scorching on the underside of your material.
The S1 doesn't have a camera -- I think it should -- so everything is handled very manually. But that's true for most diode lasers.
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$6,995 at AmazonPros
Cons
Laser type
CO2
Power (watts)
45
Max cutting area
660x355mm
Price
$$$$$
Exhaust/enclosure
Enclosed with active exhaust
$6,995 at Amazon
Glowforge has made it clear its mission from the start has been to ensure anyone can use what it calls "laser printers," and the Glowforge Pro is a shining example. A fisheye camera gives you a view of the cutting surface from a web app, which lets you effortlessly click and drag the things you want to engrave or cut. And if you pay for the extra filtration system, you can use this laser anywhere. Of all the systems tested here, Glowforge's focus on ease of use is a world apart.
With that ease of use comes some limitations you won't find elsewhere. Many features that make the Glowforge Pro great are available only if you pay a monthly subscription. If you're not using the Glowforge-made Proofgrade, the process of identifying the correct settings for engraving or cutting becomes quite manual. Additionally, the fisheye lens that Glowforge uses can occasionally cause accuracy issues when you're cutting or engraving on small, perfectly centered surfaces.
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You've got questions and we've got answers. We hope!
It will depend on what you want out of your laser. If you're looking to etch onto wood, leather or anodized aluminum, then a diode laser is cheaper, and it's easier to look after than a CO2 machine. Diode lasers, especially the cheaper ones, can be harder to set up than CO2 and will be slower. If you want rapid etching and a more powerful cutting experience, then opt for a CO2 laser.
Laser cutters can range from $500, for a cheap, DIY laser option, all the way up to $5,000 and beyond, for a big Glowforge. I'd recommend looking to start your laser-cutting journey somewhere around the $1,000 mark for a diode, or $2,000 for a CO2.
Most lasers, CO2 or Diode, can cut wood, acrylic and leather up to around 5mm thick. The more powerful the laser, the thicker it'll cut. Etching is easier and can be done by just about any laser, although metal etching works better with a diode, and glass and clear acrylic is better with a CO2 laser. A shortlist of materials can include:
Anything that gives off toxic gasses should be avoided, although if you have a good filtration system, a lot of that can be mitigated. You shouldn't cut anything likely to melt instead of fuse cleanly.
Testing laser cutters is a mix of objective and subjective measures. We spend time measuring speed and accuracy as well as usability and the overall look of the finished product. These tests are done in our labs and workshops over a month to ensure the lasers can endure proper use.
How do these laser cutters match up
Xtool P2Glowforge AuraXtool S1Fluxx BeamoGlowforge ProXTool F1Laser power 55 watts6w40w40w45W10WLaser type CO²DiodeDiodeCO2CO2Diode/IRWork area 26 x 14 inches12 x 12 inches498 x 319mm24 x 17.5 inches660 x x 115LED display NoNoNoYesNONoEnclosed YesYesYesYesYesPartialPrecision 0.01mmN/A0.01mmN/A0..02Max speed 600mm/sUnknown600mm/s300mm/sUnknownmm/sMax material thickness 20mm5mm18mm5mm13mm5mmSpeed is tested with a good old-fashioned stopwatch. I created a simple CNET logo design that can be cut on multiple materials. We time how long it takes to complete the cut. We use 3mm basswood, 3mm black acrylic and 3.5mm cardboard for our testing materials, to give us a good overall view. We then compare the speed with the software to see how accurately it calculates the cutting speeds.
The engraving is done with an image of my beautiful dog Indiana Bones. I imported that image into the workspace and used 3mm basswood for the material. I use the standard engraving settings from each machine to engrave Indy onto the wood. My CNET colleague Russell Holly and I then examine the etching for image quality. We're looking at contrast, the level of detail captured, and how grainy the image is, as well as considering our opinion on the overall quality.
Indiana is the perfect test subject for laser engraving.
For laser cutters with cameras, I created an accuracy test. I designed a file with 10mm and 5mm increments. The file is printed on standard paper and imported into the laser cutter software. From there, we use the laser cutter camera to align the physical marks to the digital and set the laser to cut. Once the laser is finished, we measure the offset using a micrometer to see how accurately the camera represents the paper image. This is especially helpful for laser cutters with fisheye lenses.
Show moreWhile the best 3D printers can turn a spool of filament or a vat of resin into a working model, sometimes the best way to build something is by cutting through layers of acrylic, wood or metal to get the shapes you need. Other times, you just need to imprint an image or text on an existing surface. For these use cases, you need a laser cutter / engraver.
Laser cutters, also sometimes called laser engravers, come in all shapes and sizes, allowing you to safely work with a variety of materials from oak to iron-on transfers. You can get one of the best low-power laser cutters for as little as $220. Low wattage lasers are cheaper and perfect for engraving images and cutting thin materials. Higher wattage machines are more expensive, and can cut through thicker material in one pass. To help you choose, we&#;ve tested several models and listed the best laser cutters below.
Lasers are tested using both the supplied samples as well as popular project blanks, such as basswood sheets and bamboo cutting boards. We complete several test projects to evaluate how the laser performs while engraving text and images, whether it can cut acrylic, or etch something more difficult like stone or metal. Finally, we put the laser to work cutting thicker pine boards to determine if it meets manufacturer's stated capabilities.
Quick List
Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best CO2 Laser Cutter
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best CO2 Laser Cutter
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
Machine Footprint:
x 639 x 268mm (39.4 x 25.1 x 10.6 inches)
Engraving Size:
600 x 308mm (23.6 x 12.1 inches)
Laser Type:
CO2
Laser Power:
55W
Laser Wave Length:
nm
Engraving Accuracy:
0.15 x 0.2mm
Connectivity:
USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Base Plate:
Metal slats and baseplate included
Enclosure:
Built In
View at AmazonView at Amazon+
Easy assembly
+
Fully Enclosed
+
Positioning Camera
+
Large cutting area
+
Custom software
-
Expensive
-
Over 45 kg (99 pounds)
If you want to laser all the things, the xTool P2 does nearly everything with speed and accuracy. It can engrave and slice a wide assortment of materials, including 20mm thick Walnut and clear acrylic. It's fully enclosed with a camera for remote operation, air assist, exhaust fan, and metal grill. The lid locks for extra safety and pushing the release button will automatically stop the laser.
The P2 comes with all the bells and whistles, and is priced accordingly. At $ it may not be in the budget for the average hobbyist, but is definitely a good investment for a small business. The only downside of this &#;desktop&#; machine is its size. Weighing in at 99 pounds and taking up 39 inches of counter space, this laser cutter practically needs its own workshop.
xTool offers plenty of support for budding entrepreneurs with a website full of advice and a shop stocked with unbranded materials to engrave. Sure, you could source all your own materials, but everything that xTool sells has a preset profile in the laser&#;s custom software to make engraving and cutting effortless.
Deals: Save $750 from Amazon. Save $850 direct from the xTool store.
Materials: Wood, bamboo, cork, stone, leather, fabric, cardboard and all acrylic.
More: xTool P2 Review
Best Home Crafting Laser Cutter
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Home Crafting Laser Cutter
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
Machine Footprint:
558.8 x 520.7 x 127 mm (22 x 20.5 x 5 inches)
Engraving Size:
304 x 304 cm (12 x 12 inches)
Laser Type:
Blue Diode
Laser Power:
6W
Laser Wave Length:
450 nm Diode
Engraving Accuracy:
0.08 x 0.06 mm
Connectivity:
Wireless
Base Plate:
Included
Enclosure:
Built In
View at AmazonView at Best Buy+
Fully enclosed
+
Positioning camera
+
Easy Software
+
Premium materials with QR code
-
Shallow depth
-
Glowforge materials are pricey
Glowforge is known for premium CO2 lasers cutters for small businesses, so it was surprising when the company introduced a 6-watt diode laser aimed at family crafters, for a fraction of the cost. The Glowforge Aura is a fully enclosed laser that&#;s incredibly lightweight and can be used anywhere you have a WiFi connection &#; including your dining room table.
The enclosure and optional air purifier makes the laser safe for use around kids and pets, a real plus for anyone without a dedicated workshop or craft room. It&#;s designed to appeal to paper crafters who want a little more power for cutting wood and leather, but don&#;t have the budget for Glowforge&#;s CO2 cutter or want the hassle of an open frame laser.
The Aura&#;s software is online and can be used with any computer or mobile device. A Premium Membership unlocks hundreds of ready to burn designs, but it can also be used with simple clip art familiar to paper crafters. Aura&#;s camera can also scan hand drawn designs and quickly make them laser ready.
Retailing at $1,199, the Glowforge Aura is not exactly cheap, but it&#;s extremely easy to use. When coupled with Glowforge&#;s line of QR coded materials, the laser is as easy to use as a paper printer. You can purchase the Aura at Amazon, Best Buy, and directly from the Glowforge store.
Materials: Thin wood, leather, faux vinyl and paper.
More: Glowforge Aura Review
Best Portable Laser
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
For more Hot Foil Stamping Machine For Saleinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Best Portable Laser
Our expert review:
Machine Footprint:
179 x 235 x 334mm (7 x 9.3 x 13 in)
Engraving Size:
115 x 115mm (4.53 x 4.53 inches)
Laser Type:
Blue Diode and Infrared
Laser Power:
10W and 2W
Laser Wave Length:
450 nm Diode and nm Infrared
Engraving Accuracy:
0.08*0.06mm Blue Diode and 0.03*0.03mm Infrared
Connectivity:
USB, Wireless Bluetooth
Base Plate:
Metal baseplate included
Enclosure:
Built In
View at xToolView at AmazonView at Amazon+
Enclosure included
+
Both IR and Diode lasers
+
Live Preview
+
Fast
+
Portable
-
Limited cutting area
-
No glasses provided
If you want to laser on the go, the xTool F1 is a perfect choice. It was made with craft fair vendors in mind and can safely customize small objects on the spot. It has both a diode and IR Galvo laser under the hood, which allows it to engrave pretty much anything from silver bracelets to wooden ornaments. When used with the lid down, the laser is rated as a Class 1, making it safe to operate around customers, kids and pets.
The F1 doesn&#;t come with safety glasses, so if you plan to laser anything bigger than 4.5 inches you&#;ll need to find a pair. xTool sells the glasses separately, though they are not offered in a bundle.
The laser is able to display a harmless blue preview image right on the object you&#;re customizing, which is incredibly helpful for adding engraving to objects you&#;ve previously cut.
Its compact size is also great for crafters short on space &#; its tiny footprint takes up no more space than a toaster.
Deals: $1,499 directly from the xTool store ($100 off) and at Amazon with a $300 coupon.
Materials: Wood, bamboo, cork, stone, leather, fabric, metal.
More: xTool F1 Review
Best Budget Laser Cutter
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Budget Laser Cutter
Our expert review:
Machine Footprint:
570 x 510 x 150 mm (22.4 x 20 x 5.9 inches)
Engraving Size:
300 x 300 mm (11.8 x 11.8 inches)
Laser Type:
Diode
Laser Power:
5.5W
Laser Wave Length:
455 nm
Engraving Accuracy:
.08 x .08mm
Connectivity:
microSD card, USB-C, Wi-Fi
Base Plate:
Not included
Enclosure:
Extra
View at AmazonView at Tomtop WW+
Dark effortless burns
+
Inexpensive
-
No cutting surface included
-
Lots of cord clutter
-
Very smokey
The TTS-55 by Two Tree&#;s is a no-frills 5 watt diode laser cutter / engraver that&#;s a good starting point for budget minded buyers. It's easy to use and produces nice dark engravings in a short amount of time.
The Two Tree&#;s laser retails at $219, and doesn&#;t include a base plate. If you plan to mostly use the machine for engraving instead of cutting, you can protect your work surface with a sacrificial sheet of fireproof material &#; we used a cement board from the hardware store.
It comes with a tinted acrylic shield around the tool head and one pair of safety glasses. Two Tree&#;s sells an optional enclosure for $129 which will make the laser safer to run while also assisting with smoke removal. They offer a wide variety of upgrade options to customize your set up, such as a honeycomb work surface, frame extensions, air assist and rotary machine.
There is no native software for the TTS-55, however it is compatible with LaserGRBL and LightBurn.
Deals: On sale at Amazon for $189 and at Twotrees3dofficial for $187.
Materials: Wood, bamboo, cork, stone, leather, fabric, cardboard and most acrylic.
More: Two Trees TTS-55 Review
Best Premium Laser Cutter for Home Business
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best 40W Laser Cutter for Home Business
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
Machine Footprint:
765 x 561 x 268mm (30.1 x 22 x 10.6 inches)
Engraving Size:
498x 319(19.6 x 12.5 inches)
Laser Type:
Diode
Laser Power:
40W
Laser Wave Length:
455 nm
Engraving Accuracy:
0.08 x .1mm
Connectivity:
USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Base Plate:
Metal slats and baseplate included
Enclosure:
Integrated
View at xToolCheck Amazon+
Fully Enclosed Class 1 laser
+
Powerful 40W for fast cutting
+
Positioning Crosshairs
+
Large cutting area
+
Custom software
-
Expensive
-
No Camera
The xTool S1 is a fully enclosed, 40w diode laser with cutting power you might expect from a CO2 laser at half the price. It can slice a 20 mm piece of pine in one pass at low speeds, and quickly etch designs with speeds up to 600mm/s. Its large, well-lit interior can accommodate boards up to 23 x 19 inches, with an optional conveyor system to handle infinitely long boards.
Though it lacks a camera for automatic positioning, it has a clever system to physically probe the material and pinpoint exact edges and curves. These points are transferred to the xTool software, which allows designs to be precisely placed within a fraction of a millimeter and eliminates the need for complex jigs.
xTool offers a variety of feature packages for the S1, so you can customize the laser to fit your needs and budget. Three swappable tool heads are available: 20 and 40-watt blue 455 nm diode lasers for cutting organic materials and a 2-watt Infrared nm for etching metals. The basic 20-watt laser is currently on sale for $.
A big bonus is xTool&#;s ecosystem, which offers support for makers wanting to spin their hobby into a business. Its website has a fully stocked shop of unbranded materials to engrave, plus ideas and tutorials to inspire you.
Deals: On sale at Amazon for $2,299 ($400 coupon) and at xTool for $2,199.
Materials: Cardboard, wood, bamboo, rubber, leather, stone, some acrylic, painted glass
More: xTool S1 Review
Best Laser Cutter for Home Business
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best 20W Laser Cutter for Home Business
Our expert review:
Machine Footprint:
23.19 x 20.91 x 9.96 inches (589mm x 531mm x 253mm)
Engraving Size:
16.54 x 11.42 inches (420mm x 290mm)
Laser Type:
Diode
Laser Power:
20W
Laser Wave Length:
455 nm
Engraving Accuracy:
0.08 mm × 0.10 mm
Connectivity:
USB, Wi-Fi
Base Plate:
Removable
Enclosure:
Integrated
View at WeCreat+
Class 1 laser with full enclosure
+
20W laser cuts quickly
+
Large working area
+
Integrated laser bed
+
Camera provides preview
-
AI image mode is a bit of a gimmick
The WeCreat Vision is a 20 watt diode laser engraver / cutter that features a fully enclosed workspace, an included air assist for clean cuts, and a simple and intuitive software package for preparing builds. The integrated auto-focus allows for objects up to 140mm tall to be engraved without requiring manual setup work, and lifts the entire frame up and down to avoid manual setup. The Vision is ideal for professionals and hobbyists interested in expanding their capabilities or entrepreneurs looking to start making products in their garages.
The Vision includes an integrated 12 MP camera and an LED light bar in the chassis that provides a real-time picture of the material currently in the workspace. This makes it easy to prepare cuts and avoid accidentally cutting into a void or pocket in a sheet of material. In addition, the MakeIt! software makes laying out multiple pieces a simple task by placing them around the workspace and selecting a mode for the cut.
If you&#;re interested in the complete package (Vision, rotary engraving kit, and fume extractor), the package price is currently $1,999.98 direct from the WeCreat site. Less expensive options are available, and the Vision by itself is listed at $1,249.99. The fume extractor is worth every penny if you&#;re going to be operating the Vision in a garage, and the rotary engraving kit is a must-have for small businesses interested in making custom tumblers. It&#;s not a cheap machine, but it&#;s perfect for users wanting to go beyond simple inexpensive diode lasers but not ready for the jump to a CO2 laser.
Materials: Wood, bamboo, cork, food, stone, leather, fabric, cardboard, and most acrylic.
More: WeCreat Vision Review
Best Open Frame Laser Cutter
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Open Frame Laser Cutter
Our expert review:
Machine Footprint:
568 x 632 x 198 mm (22.3 x 24.8 x 7.8inches)
Engraving Size:
400 x 415 mm (15.7 x 16.3 inches)
Laser Type:
Diode
Laser Power:
5W
Laser Wave Length:
455 nm
Engraving Accuracy:
0.12 x 0.06 mm
Connectivity:
microSD card, USB Wire
Base Plate:
Not included
Enclosure:
Extra
Check AmazonView at Creality+
Easy assembly
+
Built in exhaust fan
+
Large cutting area
-
No base plate included
Want to try out laser cutting / engraving without a huge investment? The Creality CR Laser Falcon will get you started for just $299. Produced by a popular 3D printing company, this was the first desk top laser we tested and it impressed us with its simple build and ease of use.
The Laser Falcon is an open frame diode laser with a manual focusing system and a surprisingly powerful exhaust fan with a carbon filter attached to the tool head. The tool head is wrapped with a laser proof acrylic shield and comes with safety glasses. You can purchase an optional enclosure from Creality for $79.
Cable management is pretty basic, but mesh sleeves manage to contain the wiring. No base plate is included with this machine, but if you&#;re only using it to engrave you can make do with a sheet of fireproof material like cement board from the hardware store. There&#;s no WiFi, so it is best used tethered to a laptop. You have the option of loading files onto an SD card and operating it with a single button on the machine.
The Laser Falcon we tested is the low power 5 watt model, which is excellent at engraving and can slice through wood up to 5 mm thick.
Materials: Wood, bamboo, cork, stone, leather, fabric, cardboard and most acrylic.
More: Creality CR Laser Falcon Review
Best Laser Cutter Attachment for a 3D Printer
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Laser Cutter Attachment for a 3D Printer
Our expert review:
Machine Footprint:
508 x 620 x 634 mm (20 x 24.4 x 24.9 inches)
Engraving Size:
400 x 400 mm (15.7 x 15.7 inches)
Laser Type:
Diode
Laser Power:
10W
Laser Wave Length:
455 nm
Engraving Accuracy:
0.05 mm × 0.2 mm
Connectivity:
USB stick, Wi-Fi
Base Plate:
Metal grid included
Enclosure:
Included
View at Amazon+
3-in-1 machine
+
Auto focus
+
Positioning camera
+
Complete package
+
Custom Software
-
Huge
-
Pricey
Laser attachments for 3D printers seems like a no-brainer &#; after all, you already have a perfectly good motion system, right? But the hassle of unscrewing your normal tool head and reprogramming the main board isn&#;t always so easy. Plus, laser safe enclosures for 3D printers are hard to find.
Enter Snapmaker Artisan, a 3-in-1 printer, laser and CNC combo that literally has it all. The machine has a handy auto focusing program, plus it uses a camera to guide material placement. Custom software from Luban is included with the machine to operate all three functions.
Switching between printing, lasering and milling is simple with quick release tool heads and snap in place work surfaces. A well vented, laser safe enclosure comes standard with the machine.
The Artisan has two drawbacks &#; it is very, very large and rather expensive. Priced at $2,999 it is more than an xTool D1 Pro with all the extras. But if you&#;re interested in lasers, 3D prints and milling &#; it may be the perfect all in one workshop tool for you.
The Artisan comes standard with a capable 10 watt laser and roomy 400 x 400 build surface. The machine can be upgraded with 20 and 40 watt tool heads that also have air assist.
Materials: Wood, bamboo, cork, stone, leather, fabric, cardboard and most acrylic.
More: Snapmaker Artisan 3-in-1 Review
Shopping Tips for Laser Engravers and Cutters
There are several factors to consider before buying the best desktop laser for you, so be sure to consider these questions before making a choice.
How We Test Laser Cutters
Each laser we review is carefully vetted for safety, performance, and ease of use. Depending on the capabilities of the laser cutter, we will use it to engrave on or cut patterns out of various materials including wood and acrylic.
We always first test the laser using the supplied safety gear, but we reserve the right to move the equipment into a 3rd party enclosure if needed.
MORE: Best 3D Printers
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MORE: Best Budget 3D Printers
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