xTool M1 review: a fantastic all-round digital craft machine

Laser and blade cutting in one machine impresses.

xTool M1 review; a white box on a wooden table with a transparent lid, which is closed
(Image: © Future)

Our Verdict

The xTool M1 is a laser cutter and engraver that can also easily handle blade cutting just like a Cricut Maker 3 (though it's a standard point blade and not a rotary blade). This really is a fantastic design that can fit in an office environment as much as a dedicated workshop or craft room. It's a medium-sized, enclosed and safe box of tricks with an integrated extractor and an accessible app for using pre-designed projects or creating from scratch. Crafters will love that you can engrave and cut in one box without too much fuss, but pro-makers may find it a little lacking for speed, the 10W laser is slow when engraving and the blade can drag on heavy materials. However, if you're crafting and in need of more options the xTool M1 is a fantastic and fun gadget.

For

  • Swapping between laser and blade is easy
  • Clean, safe and compact design
  • Excellent app and design space

Against

  • Cutting finishes can need refining

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The xTool M1 is one of the newest devices to enable pro-grade projects at home; whether you're a crafter already used to Cricut machines or new to digital crafting and are looking for an affordable laser machine for accurate cutting and detailed engraving, then this clean and compact box of fun is one of the best around.

When it comes to laser machines there aren't too many better than Glowforge, which offers professional CO2 laser cutting and engraving. But Glowforge is very expensive (you can read my Glowforge Pro review for more details). When it comes to crafting using a blade cutter then Cricut is the leader, read our guide to the best Cricut machines for a rundown of how these work. The xTool M1 cleverly sits between these two brands, offering the best of worlds.

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The Verdict
9

out of 10

xTool M1

The xTool M1 is a laser cutter and engraver that can also easily handle blade cutting just like a Cricut Maker 3 (though it's a standard point blade and not a rotary blade). This really is a fantastic design that can fit in an office environment as much as a dedicated workshop or craft room. It's a medium-sized, enclosed and safe box of tricks with an integrated extractor and an accessible app for using pre-designed projects or creating from scratch. Crafters will love that you can engrave and cut in one box without too much fuss, but pro-makers may find it a little lacking for speed, the 10W laser is slow when engraving and the blade can drag on heavy materials. However, if you're crafting and in need of more options the xTool M1 is a fantastic and fun gadget.

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.