The best laser cutters and engravers for at-home DIY and crafting

best laser cutters and engravers on a green background
(Image credit: Future / Creality / xTool)

Investing in one of the best laser cutters and engravers can open up new avenues to transform your digital designs into beautiful products. Whether you're starting up a business or working on DIY projects, these devices are becoming much more user-friendly (and more compact, too) and can work with metal, plastic, wood and glass.

I've personally tested and used dozens of laser cutters and engravers, and the top brand I recommend for all types of laser-oriented projects is xTool. Our top pick is the xTool S1 model for its versatile performance and beginner-friendly format. However, there are plenty of other laser manufacturers out there that cater to all budgets, and I've curated this list to reflect the best ones I can confidently recommend.

Ian Dean headshot
Ian Dean

Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creative Bloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines in the creative sector, including ImagineFX, 3D World and video game titles Play and Official PlayStation Magazine. He has a vast amount of experience in reviewing creative hardware, including craft machines and cutting machines.

Our expert says...
Author bio; Cesci Angell
Our expert says...
Cesci Angell

Whilea few of the xTool S1’s functions are not as quick and automated as some other laser cutters on the market, it won me over with its easy-to-use software and its ability to cut and engrave straight out of the box. It delivers impressive results and opens the door for beginners looking to get into laser cutting.

Our expert says...
Beth Nicholls headshot
Our expert says...
Beth Nicholls

I'm new to the world of laser engraving, but after getting my head around 3D printers and Cricut machines, it was about time I dipped my toe into the waters. The Creality Falcon A1 has been a dream to use, and I'm so impressed by how easy it was to get up and running out of the box.

Our expert says...
Ian Dean headshot
Our expert says...
Ian Dean

If you are a beginner, the P2 is easy to use, and if you're a small studio the breadth of uses is impressive: it can cut wood up to 18 mm thick and engrave wood, coloured acrylic, card stock, leather, metal and more. There was some trial and error in getting the results I wanted, but the automatic focus is excellent, making these trials easy. Just note the size and weight: you will need a dedicated space.

Our expert says...
Rob Redman author bio
Our expert says...
Rob Redman

The AlgoLaser Pixi is small, inexpensive and simple, but it's a very capable little laser cutter/engraver that can take on all manner of jobs. What’s more, it can do it without having to boot up a computer, making it perfect for beginners or those looking to customise products in a shop or craft fair.

Our expert says...
Paul Hatton
Our expert says...
Paul Hatton

Version 5 of the LaserPecker laser engraver is the best it’s ever been. With more power, faster speed, and greater detail, the LaserPecker 5 is a device that can be counted on. Its portability is one of its biggest strengths, although that does mean its work area is annoyingly small. Whether the LaserPecker 5 is for you or not is likely to come down to whether you value portability or scale.

Our expert says...
Rob Redman author bio
Our expert says...
Rob Redman

The AlgoLaser Delta 40W laser cutter is a great option for those needing to cut a wide variety of materials at a decent size. It's a competent machine, well built and packed with thoughtful design features. It cuts fast and is very accurate, and while it doesn't ship with any desktop software, it's easy to use with the app, or Light Burn, which is simple to get started with.

Our expert says...
Ian Dean headshot
Our expert says...
Ian Dean

This is in a class of its own, quite literally. The Class 4, 45 watt CO2 laser is better than anything else you can find for home use, making the Glowforge Pro a powerful, fast and accurate laser cutter ideal for professional projects and high-end crafting, including for creating large and detailed projects for work and clients.

Our expert says...
Ian Dean headshot
Our expert says...
Ian Dean

This is a very manual laser engraver and cutter compared to other new machines from the likes of xTool and Glowforge, but it's powerful machine. The fact it can cut wood around 20mm deep is incredible, and its speed and accuracy is equally impressive. I'd say it's mainly a machine for experienced users who have knowledge of LightBurn.

LaserPecker 4

LaserPecker 4

We reviewed this model back in 2023, but there has since been an upgrade in the form of the LaserPecker 5 model (number 7 on this list).

The Pecker 4 is a unique dual-laser setup, offering engraing, scoring, and cutting in one project. But newcomers to laser engraving might have a hard time with this one, thanks to a confusing app experience and poor software support.

See our 3.5-star LaserPecker 4 review.

Ian Dean
Editor, Digital Arts & 3D

Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creative Bloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines. These titles included ImagineFX, 3D World and video game titles Play and Official PlayStation Magazine. Ian launched Xbox magazine X360 and edited PlayStation World. For Creative Bloq, Ian combines his experiences to bring the latest news on digital art, VFX and video games and tech, and in his spare time he doodles in Procreate, ArtRage, and Rebelle while finding time to play Xbox and PS5.