The best laser cutters and engravers

A laser cutter or engraver is a great addition to any creative studio. It will give you the ability to create unique objects for clients, prototype your ideas in a physical format, make interesting promotional or marketing materials, or cut bespoke items to integrate with your crafting projects.

 A wide variety of laser cutting and engraving machines are now available, at different sizes and price points, giving you the ability to turn what you can see on your screen into something tangible before your eyes. We’ve tried and tested a wide range, with the newer models on the market proving to be more versatile, safer, easier to clean and just as convenient as digital craft cutters like the best Cricut machines.

In this guide, we’ve included options for large and small projects, models for studios and businesses as well as home users, and ones that will cut or engrave metal, plastic, wood and glass. The XTool P2 is a leader for performance, and with its power, speed and accuracy is the first choice for many. However, there are lots of more affordable options and we have assessed a range of laser cutters across numerous categories to bring you the best.

For more background, read our guides to the best xTool machines and the best Glowforge machines. If you're creating your own designs you may want one of the best drawing tablets too.

Quick list

We start with a brief overview of top picks of the best laser cutters. Scroll down to browse our full selection.

The best laser cutters in full

The best laser cutter overall

Need to know: My top pick as the best laser cutter overall is the xTool P2. It has a 55 watt CO2 laser, which makes it the most powerful laser cutter for home use available today and helps overcome some of the limitations of the xTool M1 laser cutter and engraver (see below) offering better precision and speed. It also features an automated passthrough slot, two 16MP cameras for high-definition accuracy, the ability to engrave curved materials as well as rotary engraving.

I've found this to be very accurate and reliable. There's always some trial and error when using a laser cutter and engraver, but the accuracy of the cameras ensured I was able to rework the same project, going over lines that may not have been cut cleanly or redoing a project with tweaked settings.

Like the Glowforge Pro at number 3 on my list, it has a metal casing with a glass lid and inbuilt extractor fan, but its workspace is larger than its rival (600 x 308mm to the Glowforge Pro's 495 mm by 279 mm). It's designed to be clean and easy to use, and it's speedy too: running at 600 mm/s, it cuts 18mm basswood in one pass with ease.

On the downside, Glowforge Pro has a passthrough that works out of the box while P2 requires an add-on, the Automatic Conveyor Feeder, to really make use of its expandable size (3,000 x 500 mm). However, that's also a strength since it fits into xTool's wider ecosystem of add-ons, and you can increase the size of the workspace height using a Riser Base (see my guide to the best xTool accessories). 

Overall, this laser cutter can do pretty much anything, including rotary engraving (purchased separately). After nine months of use, I've found it to be reliable and adaptable. It's large, heavy and a little more complex than a Glowforge, and I find Glowforge's app easier to use, but the P2 costs less for the amount of power, so overall it just pips ahead.

Price: The xTool P2 costs $4,999 / £4,699 for the basic machine. You can usually get discounts from the xTool site of around $700 / £500. My advice would be to opt for a bundle, ideally the xTool P2 All-in-1 Bundle for $6,955 / £6,349 that includes the RA2 Pro, Automatic Conveyor Feeder, Riser Base and Smoke Purifier. 

Read the full review: xTool P2

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The best budget laser cutter

Need to know: The Glowforge Spark is about the size of a desktop printer and weighs just 10.8 lbs, which in laser cutter terms is lightweight. The Spark is a cheaper and less powerful version of the Aura on my list at No.4. If you're new to laser cutting and engraving, or simply want a machine for small craft projects, the Spark is ideal.

The Spark's workspace measures 8.5 x 11 inches and it can cut a maximum material size of 12 x 12 inches, and its 6W diode laser isn't as powerful as others on my list. But that lack of power really comes down to speed, so expect this to cut and engrave most materials but more slowly and in smaller sizes. The diode laser does have some limitations, for example it can't work with clear, white, translucent or blue acrylic materials.

On the up side, the Spark uses the same excellent design app as all Glowforge laser machines and it's compatible with the brand's range of Proofgrade materials. These have been tried and tested on Glowforge machines and in practice reduce waste. Each Proofgrade material comes with a code the machine reads, so it automatically adjusts power, speed and depth settings.

Despite the low price the Spark still comes with built-in cameras for live previews, material positioning and auto focus – for me this remains the best system. Overall the Spark is a neatly designed laser cutter that comes in sharp white and orange, features a snug lid for clean use and the usual safety features Glowforge is known for – sensors detect any errors and heat anomalies, and it shuts down automatically.

Overall the Spark is a smart laser machine for crafters and anyone who wants to try this hobby for less. It's a one-button machine, which means you simply create your design in the app and send it to 'print'. Don't be misguided by the price either, the Spark offers the same build quality and reliability as Glowforge's more expensive machines.

Price: The Glowforge Spark costs $699 / £568.63.

Read more: Glowforge Spark offers.

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The best premium laser cutter

Need to know: Glowforge Pro is a beautifully designed 'laser printer' that removes the mess and fuss and packages with a clean and approachable device. This is the top model from Glowforge, which also has a medium Plus edition and a slightly less powerful Basic model as well as the Cricut-like Aura (at no. 2) and Spark (below). 

It does the same cutting and engraving as many of the best laser cutters on my list, but its design keeps any mess inside the machine (a filter sucks away any dust and debris into an external air filter). Designs are sent to the machine via a bespoke app, and the Glowforge machines support Windows, Mac and tablet devices.

The Glowforge Pro uses a high-spec Class 4, 45 watt laser which is one of the most powerful you can get outside an industrial device, or the xTool P2 at No.1. (The Plus and Basic use a 40 watt, Class 1 laser, which is still more powerful than most on this list.) When I tested this for my Glowforge Pro review, I was impressed with the machine's speed, ease of use and an excellent design app. It does, however, ideally need to be used with the Glowforge Air Filter accessory.

It's this ease of use and clean approach to laser cutting and engraving that ensures the Glowforge makes it to No.1 on my list. It looks like a standard printer but can engrave everything from metal to wood and tiles to paper and leather – it's perfectly suited to every task that requires accurate cutting too, from costume creation to model work. This Pro model comes with a 'passthrough' slot for large lengths of material, making it an ideal wood laser cutter – you can even make furniture. 

I found the results are always great with the Glowforge Pro, and, again, the app is easy to use. The xTool P2 is cheaper and more powerful (meaning slightly faster) and a little larger, but the ease of use of the Glowforge Pro means it's a great machine for everyone, including small studios or schools. 

Price: The good news is Glowforge is cutting the price of Pro, to focus on Aura and Spark. This means you can now buy Glowforge Pro for $5,999 / £4,807, which brings it down in price considerably, via the Glowforge website.

Read the full review: Glowforge Pro

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The best laser cutter for beginners

Need to know: Glowforge Aura is one of a new breed of laser machines targeted at crafters and home users rather than studios and small businesses. The aim of the Aura is to offer a small, clean and accurate laser cutter and engraver to use in the home, which is why this is my recommendation as the best laser cutter for beginners.

While the xTool M1 below is a neat laser solution for crafters, as it uses a blade and laser which means you can use vinyl (lasers can't cut or engrave vinyl as it releases toxins), the Glowforge Aura focuses on a laser, but a low-powered 6W diode for cleaner use and less fumes, as well as offering eco-friendly vinyl alternatives.

We found that the lower powered laser does mean this is a cleaner machine to use, though it still needs regular cleaning for best results. It also makes it a safer laser cutter for the home, and the Aura is smaller squarer and shorter than the xTool S1, for example.

Another aspect of the Aura I love is its software; the Glowforge Print web app is free and incredibly stable and easy to use. It offers free guides and projects, connects to a wider community and is the closest laser app I've used to Cricut Design Space, and includes easy layers, design tools and more. It even includes generative AI now for quick image creation (these are rendered as laser-ready files not simply flat images).

The cons against the Aura can come down to personal taste and use. You may need a more powerful laser (the 6W diode here can't, for example, score or engrave transparent or reflective materials), in which case the xTool S1 would be preferable. A further caveat is that you will need the Glowforge Personal Filter, which costs extra, but this would be a recommendation for every encased laser cutter on my list.

Price: The Glowforge Aura costs $1,199 / £972, but I'd advice buying the Personal Filter for an extra $399.99 / £323.79 to extract and clean the air from inside the machine.

Read more: Glowforge Aura

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The best small desktop laser cutter

Need to know: The xTool F1 is a smart little laser engraver and cutter that can sit on your desk, enabling you to create engraved tags, signs and coasters or gifts with ease. This is xTool's answer to the portable laser machines pioneered by LaserPecker. The xTool F1 is a good choice for beginner engravers but it's also an excellent portable, handheld device for experienced laser engraver users who want the flexibility of a smaller desktop / handheld device.

There are some eye-catching specs, including 0.00199mm accuracy, a 4000 mm/s engraving speed (more than enough for small projects) and its 115 x 115 mm workspace can be upgraded to a 400 x 115 mm with a tray accessory (purchased separately). 

In comparison to the larger xTool P2, Glowforge Pro and Gweike laser cutters the F1 is small and somewhat limited, but it is a great device for those who want a second laser engraver for small projects (I would say the xTool M1 or Glowforge Aura and Spark are the ideal starter machines).

The big advantage of the F1 for me is how little space it takes up (I have a Glowforge Pro, xTool P2 and xTool M1 and let me say, space is getting tight). The F1 can sit on your desk next to your Mac or PC and it doesn't look out of place. If you're looking to get into laser engraving and want to make small gifts for friends, to be sold on Etsy or tags for your craft products, the F1 is a handy addition to have.

Its closest rival is the LaserPecker 4 (below) and it's a close call on which is the best in terms of tech; they both include dual-lasers but the F1 has a super-quick engraving speed of 4000 mm/s while the LaserPecker 4 is 2000 mm/s and it can cut to a 6mm depth as opposed to LaserPecker 4's 5mm. In practice this is marginal but the F1 does feature better, more stable design software and a fuller protective casing which makes it more of an encased but portable laser cutter.

Price: The xTool F1 is priced at $1,999 / £1,699 but the xTool site usually sells this for around $400 / £200 less.

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The best laser cutter for crafters

Need to know: The xTool M1 laser cutter is something quite different to the other machines on my list as it features both laser and a blade cutting technology inside its curved, neatly designed box of tricks. No wonder it's a Red Dot Award-winning design. The combination of tools plus a compact design means the xTool M1 really stands out. That makes it the best laser cutter for crafter we've used to date. 

Essentially, the M1 allows you to do what the best Cricut machines can, and make use of a laser to engrave, cut and score. The blade can cut cleaner than some lasers, with no scorching, and means you needn't spend time masking materials ahead of cutting. When I tested it for my xTool M1 review, I found that you need the enclosed metal risers and ideally the Air Filter too (see my guide to the best xTool accessories).

The downside is that the laser in the xTool M1 has been surpassed in terms of power, ease of use and design by the new Glowforge Aura, which is a cleaner and simpler machine. Also, I find the Glowforge design app much easier to use and create in than the xTool software, so if you're new to laser machines the Aura is a slightly better choice. 

The blade in the M1, while a nice feature, means you can do more with this machine than the Aura, but it isn't a rotary blade as you'd find in a Cricut Maker 3, but is similar to that found in the best Silhouette machines and it's prone to 'snagging'. As such, the xTool M1 is a novel do-all craft machine that neither specialises in laser or blade cutting, but if you have neither it makes for a great overall craft machine, while the Glowforge Aura or Spark are good companion machines for anyone who has a Cricut or Silhouette machine.

If you don't have a craft machine already, the xTool M1 is a good option as it blends the abilities of a Cricut with those of a decent laser cutter and engraver, and you can extend the height and attach rotary device. You can find out more in my guide to the best xTool machines.

Price: The xTool M1 retails for $1,499 / £1,149 but the brand's own site now has it for $849 / £799, which is a good price for his blade-laser craft combo machine.

Read the full review: xTool M1

The best handheld laser engraver

Need to know: The LaserPecker 4 is an eye-catching handheld laser engraver and cutter that has a lot of similarities to the xTool F1 (above) but differs in some ways that mean if you're considering which to get, I can help. 

Fundamentally the LP4 and F1 share the same dual-laser approach, offering both a 10W Blue Diode Laser and 2W Infrared Laser for cutting and engraving. As mentioned above the LP4 is slower and cuts 1mm less deep, but for many uses you won't notice. But the LP4 also has an excellent automatic mode for raising and lowering its laser head.

In my LaserPecker 4 review this device breezed through engraving a complex illustration into wood, was clean and left little of the smoke and debris you get from larger laser machines. Importantly, the built-in extractor fan worked perfectly and the device is very quiet. 

One issue I found in my review is with the LP4's design software; it can be a little unstable and hard to use, particularly on iPad and Android phones. It does work with specialist laser software LightBurn with good results, but this is a paid-for software while Glowforge and xTool offer excellent free-to-use apps.

So, those real world differences – the LaserPecker 4 has a slightly larger workspace than the F1 (16 x 12 cm as opposed to the xTool's squarer 11.5 x. 11.5 cm) and is more of a portable handheld device even with this larger size. The LP4 is designed to be used as a handheld, with protective googles included so it's easier to use. 

If you're looking for a handheld the LaserPecker 4 is the best device on my list, and your choice is really between this and and the older but cheaper LaserPecker 2, as in my view xTool F1 is best used as a compact desktop device.

Price: The LaserPecker 4 costs $1,999 / £1,799 but you can find deals that bring it in around $1,799 / £1,583 – head to the official LaserPecker website for the latest discounts.

Read the full review: LaserPecker 4

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The best open-frame laser engraver

Need to know: If you're looking to do a lot of engraving in a short space of time, the IKIER K1 Pro Max has much to offer. The engraving speed of IKIER K1 Pro Max can reach up to 900mm/s, which is significantly faster than other machines on the market. 

It's versatile, too, thanks to the 48W to 24W Gear Switching Module. When you need to cut, you can use the 48W gear, and the laser power is fully turned on. This allows you to cut 25mm wood, 19mm black acrylic, and 0.3mm stainless steel sheet with one pass. When you need to engrave, switch to the 24W laser gear, and the engraving is more precise. It can directly carve coloured patterns on mirror stainless steel, ceramics and opaque glass.

Usefully, IKIER’s intelligent Z-axis features helps you achieve autofocus by automatically measuring the distance to the object and adjusting the focus. An automatic sinking feature helps you to cut thicker materials. And the K1 Pro Max also boasts an advanced automatic power failure recovery system that remembers the engraving position. When the power comes back on, it uses an algorithm to quickly continue engraving from where it left off. 

Being an open-frame laser device has its advantages, as you can get more manual with setup and position items for engraving in a large, open space. It's an older fashioned approach, but the air assist diminishes scorching and mess, but it's not a device to use in the home like the Glowforge Aura or Spark.

When I reviewed the IKIER K1 Pro Max I found the brand's own app to be fairly useless so had to use LightBurn, which comes with a subscription cost. Unlike Glowforge and xTool models that use bespoke apps, the IKIER needs more experience to get the best from it – this is not a laser engraver for beginners.

Price: The IKIER K1 Pro Max costs $1,999 / but it's currently reduced to $1,199.

Read the full review: IKIER K1 Pro Max

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How to choose the best laser cutter

The best laser cutter for you will depend on what you want to use it for. You'll need to decide if you want a diode or CO2 laser, as both of these types of laser cutters work on different materials to different degrees. Diode lasers are more affordable, but the cheapest can only engrave organic material like wood and paper. CO2 lasers can etch any organic material and all acrylics, including clear acrylic, but they're more costly. 

As a rule CO2 laser machines like the xTool P2 and Glowforge Pro are designed for large, often complex or multiple projects and are aimed at professionals and studios, while diode laser machines like the Glowforge Aura or xTool M1 are smaller, cleaner and good for the home, making them excellent for crafters.

Another thing to consider is speed and accuracy, especially if your aim is to mass produce a product to sell within a limited time. And you'll need to consider how much physical space you have for a machine. Open-frame laser cutters can often be placed on top of large items, while fully enclosed lasers usually demand a dedicated space. You'll also need to consider if the enclosed laser you opt for has a pass through door for working on larger projects.

Also bear safety in mind. A laser that can burn wood can burn your skin and damage your sight. Open-frame laser cutters can be cheaper, but an encased machine is safer. Often safety devices, such as ventilation, are sold as optional extras to keep prices down. There are some accessories that can be shared between tools and some can be picked up at hardware store or solved with DIY.

Software is another selling point. Cheaper laser cutters often require free or paid third-party software like LaserGRBL, which is quite basic, or LightBurn, which is excellent and is the standard software but costs $60 for an annual licence. Brands like xTool and Glowforge have their own software for free, and from my experience Glowforge has the best app of all the laser machine brands I've tried.

Another consideration should be the tech used to position and focus on materials. The easiest to use are enclosed machines that use built-in cameras for auto-focusing as well as positioning. If you're using an open-frame laser cutter you can attach a camera and link this to LightBurn. Some new machines, like the xTool S1, use new software algorithms for positioning and focusing, but it's not quite as good as using cameras. 

You'll also need to consider you budget. If you're going to be monetising this skill, then pushing your budget as high as possible makes sense to get the best end product in the fastest time, and with the lowest usage costs. It is vital to consider the cost of replacement parts – you don't want to find yourself unable to keep the machine running.

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How we tested the best laser cutters

To choose my picks of the best laser cutters and engravers, I tested and reviewed the products just like you'd use them. First I surveyed the market and the specs of the various laser cutters available from reputable brands. I then brought in the best machines for hands-on testing, creating projects as well as using the same designs across all machines for engraving and cutting – in my case it's the Creative Bloq logo as well as complex Christmas decorations (which everyone makes).

For my tests, I used the machines to cut, engrave and score a variety of materials over a number of days, testing out all of the capabilities promised by manufacturers to make sure there were no false promises. We evaluated the machines for accuracy, speed and support for materials. 

I also considered ease of use, size and value for money in order to provide options for different needs, including more economical laser cutters and options that can fit on a desk. 

When I ask a freelance writer to review for us they are tasked with reviewing using the same criteria so we have a standard across all reviews. If we've not directly reviewed a laser machine, because it's new and we're waiting on a model to rate, then we turn to our sister sites like TechRadar for guidance.

For more details of our processes, see our guide to how we test and review at Creative Bloq.

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FAQs

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