I tested one of the most portable new laser engravers on the market, and boy is it impressive

Now in its fifth generation, the LaserPecker 5 (LP5) laser engraver is more mature than ever. The 20-watt 450 nanometre (nm) blue diode laser and 20-watt 1064 nm IR fiber laser provide everything required for engraving and cutting a wide array of materials. Options include wood, paper, leather, metals and plastics as well as a range of other items.

The major selling point of the LP5 is its size and weight, which is perfectly suited to mobile engraving. It can also be operated handheld so engravings on objects which can’t be placed underneath the unit can also be engraved upon.

The LaserPecker 4 made it into our guide to the best laser cutters and engravers, and I expect the LP5 to supersede it in the list. Read on to see whether the LP5 is worth purchasing ahead of an older model as well as what sets the LP5 apart from its competitors.

Key specifications

Design & build

• Premium metal build
• Easy to assemble

I started by grabbing my son, who loves laser engravers, and cracking on with unpacking the boxes. One contained the LP5, while the other had the safety enclosure inside. Thanks to an easy-to-understand manual, a well-thought-out design, and a set of provided tools, my eight-year-old could have constructed it on his own.

I then downloaded the Mac software and the mobile app. Despite the connection to the Mac software being instant and seamless, I didn’t quite have the same experience with the mobile app. I searched ‘LaserPecker’ in the app store and downloaded the first entry. I couldn’t for the life of me get it connected. After speaking to the company, it turns out the app I downloaded wasn’t compatible with the LP5. They told me to download the Design Space app and it was an easy run from there in. Just make sure your phone and the LP5 are connected to the same WiFi network.

In terms of physical features, the unit has a handle, up/down height buttons, a preview button, and an emergency stop button. I was particularly pleased to see that the emergency stop button is depressed when functioning so there was no guessing whether the laser was still on or not.

The build quality of this engraver is second to none. Thanks to a range of thick metal materials and a solid plastic conical cover, I can’t see myself doing any damage to the unit at all. Because of this, I was surprised by how lightweight and portable the unit is. I expected the robust build to have an effect on the overall weight, but it didn’t. The safety enclosure is also equally robust, aside from the top plastic panel, which is not strong enough to avoid accidental damage. All in though, this is one seriously impressive unit.

Design & build score: 4.5/5

Features & Software

• Powerful engraving
• Multi-material
• Mobile app and desktop software

Powerful engraving

Thanks to the increased 20W power, it’s possible to carry out deep engraving, greyscale embossing, and metal cutting. That is not normal at this price point! Across wood, rock, and metal, you can perform 3D greyscale embossing with precision control. If you’re tired of simple flat engravings, then it’s also possible to perform deep engraving in a single path. Maybe most impressive is the colour engraving option that will truly elevate your designs.

Multi material

Think of a material and the chances are that the LP5 can handle it. Thanks for the 20W 450nm Blue Diode laser, you’ll be all set up for all types of metals and plastics. If you’re honing in on engraving materials like wood, glass, and rubber, then you’ll want the 20w1064 nm infrared laser instead.

Mobile app and desktop software

As expected, there is PC and Mac software to go with the LP5, but what is maybe even more impressive is the mobile app. It delivers a seamless and straightforward engraving experience. I was expecting it to be a stripped-back set of features, but actually it’s as beefed up as the desktop alternatives.

Features & software score: 4/5

Performance

• Fast engraving
• Easy lining-up process
• Simple software

With an engraving speed of 10,000 mm per second, the LP5 is five times faster than the LP4. That’s a serious upgrade that brings it in line with the impressive xTool F1 Ultra. Getting quick results was easy to achieve, although the best results required multiple passes and therefore more time. All of these settings could be easily dialled into the software. I also liked being able to perform one pass at a time rather than keying in an excessive number of passes at the outset.

The user experience continued to be positive when lining up designs. Thanks to a simple frame indicator, it’s possible to see the extents of your design in preview mode before you go and perform the irrevocable engraving itself. Being able to take the conical protector off really helped with lining designs up quickly. Just make sure the device is not in operation when performing this step!

I then proceeded to carry out a range of engravings on the included material pack, including on wood and metal materials. Despite the software offering a range of presets, I found that there was a lot of trial and error required before getting desirable results. This is the case for all engravers and therefore shouldn’t be held against the LP5, though. There is also plenty of support online where the LaserPecker community provides settings that they’ve successfully used.

After becoming familiar with the machine, I couldn't fault the quality of the engravings. They were sharp, detailed, and precise. Being able to dial in settings such as resolution, passes, and depth gave me full control over the final results.

The LP5’s portability comes at the expense of work area. At 160 mm x 120mm I was limited to small designs on business cards, coins, and wallets. It wasn’t included in my package but it is possible to buy a slide extension which takes the work area up to 160 x 300mm. Again, it’s not massive but is likely to be enough for most creatives.

Some improvements that I would appreciate include a way to see if the laser cover is on or not as well as a cord which connects the security dongle to the device. Given its tiny size, I wasn’t confident that I wouldn’t lose it, especially as I was taking it in and out due to my children being around. These are only small niggles in what was overall a very positive experience.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Price

• $3,299 / £2,889 for the LP5 on its own

The LP5 basic bundle costs $3,299 / £2,889 from the LaserPecker website. If you’d like the rotary extension and the slide extension bundle, then that will set you back a total of $3,999/£3,499. There’s also an ultimate bundle which includes an additional desktop air purifier for $3,999/£3,899. I was sent the LP5 along with a safety enclosure but no other extras and the enclosure, on its own, costs $699/£639.

Considering the most closely matched laser engraver, the xTool F1 Ultra costs $4,199/£3,479, the LP5 is significantly more affordable.

Price score: 4/5

Who is it for?

• Versatility engraving at its best

The LP5 is a fantastic all-rounder, which makes it ideal for engravers working at home as well as those wanting to carry out on-the-spot engravings at craft shows. Its ability to handle a wide range of materials also makes it attractive to a wide range of creatives.

Buy it if...

• You need a portable laser engraver
• You want a versatile engraver for multi-material use
• You’ve owned a LaserPecker before and loved it

Don't buy it if...

• You’re wanting to engrave large surfaces
• You need a budget-friendly option