Navigating the vast world of Laser Engravers can be daunting, especially with the advent of newer models designed for home use. These machines, often referred to as “Laser Cutters” too, have revolutionized crafting, enabling intricate designs to be etched or cut with precision.
Now that the best Laser Engravers have been updated so they can be used at home for craft projects, art, and more, it’s harder than ever to choose the best one. The best laser cutters can be used to cut materials, but they can also be used to etch and score to make projects quickly and professionally. For example, if you are a crafter who uses Cricut, the best laser cuts can help you get more done.
What could you do with a laser cutter? It changes, but they can do a lot of different things because of how precisely they can cut things. Using digital drawing tools, you can put even the most detailed designs on any material you want. Below we mentioned the best Laser Engravers.
What is a Laser Engraver?
A Laser Engraver is a machine that uses a laser to engrave or etch designs onto various materials. It works by directing a high-power laser, usually through optics, onto the material that subsequently either melts, burns, or vaporizes the surface, leaving a permanent design behind.
Why Do You Need Laser Engravers?
With the burgeoning trend of DIY projects, personalized crafts, and the popularity of platforms like Cricut, having the best Laser Engraver at your disposal can elevate your crafting game. They offer precision that is hard to achieve with manual tools. Whether you’re keen on creating intricate artwork, customized gifts, or professional-grade crafts, a laser cutter can make the process efficient and yield impressive results.
Given the expanding applications of these devices, choosing the best Laser Engravers for your needs can be a tad overwhelming. But they are versatile tools. From etching detailed designs with the finesse of digital drawing tools to cutting materials swiftly, their potential is vast.
For those who want to dive into crafting or even enhance their current capabilities, we’ve compiled a list of the best Laser Engravers available in the market. These have been updated and optimized for home use, ensuring you get the most out of your crafting sessions.
In conclusion, as crafting continues to grow in popularity and technology continues to advance, staying updated with the best tools like Laser Engravers can keep you at the forefront of creativity and innovation.
5 Best Laser Engravers Comparison Table
| Laser Cutter Model | Maximum Cutting Area | Laser Power | Material Compatibility | Software Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glowforge Pro | 20″ x 24″ | 45W | Wood, Leather, Acrylic, Fabric, Glass, Ceramic, Metal | Mac and PC, web app |
| xTools M1 laser cutter Price | 23.6″ x 15.7″ | 90W | Wood, Leather, Acrylic, Fabric, Paper, Cardboard, Rubber, Foam, Glass, Ceramic, Stone, Metal | Mac and PC, LightBurn |
| Glowforge Basic | 12″ x 20″ | 40W | Wood, Leather, Acrylic, Fabric, Glass, Ceramic, Metal | Mac and PC, web app |
| Ortur Laser Master 3 | 15.7″ x 14.1″ | 20W | Wood, Leather, Acrylic, Paper, Cardboard, Rubber, Foam | Windows, Mac, Linux, LightBurn |
| Sainsmart Jinsoku LC-40 | 12″ x 8″ | 7W | Wood, Leather, Acrylic, Paper, Cardboard, Bamboo, Fabric | Windows, Mac, Benbox |
Glowforge Pro
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 38 x 20.75 x 8.25 inches (965 x 527 x 210 mm) |
| Weight | 70.5 lbs (32 kg) |
| Maximum material height | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Laser power | 45 watts |
| Material Capability | Wood, leather, acrylic, fabric, cardboard, and more |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB |
Cricut did for craft cutters what Glowforge Pro does for laser cutters: it’s a beautifully designed “laser printer” that gets rid of the mess and fuss and puts everything in a clean, easy-to-use device. This makes it the best laser cutter on the market right now (for a price). This is the most powerful Glowforge laser cutter. The Plus model is in the middle, and the Basic model is a little less powerful.
The Glowforge cuts and engraves just like many of the best laser cutters on my list, but its design keeps any mess inside the machine (a filter pulls dust and debris into an external air filter). Designs are sent to the machine through a custom app. Windows, Mac, and tablet devices can be used with Glowforge machines. For now, it is one of the best Laser Engravers that you can buy.
Pros
- Large working area for creating bigger projects
- Can work with a wide range of materials
- Offers professional-level results
Cons
- Expensive compared to other models
- Heavy and difficult to move around
xTools M1 laser cutter
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 34.25 x 24.25 x 20.5 inches (870 x 616 x 520 mm) |
| Weight | 88 lbs (40 kg) |
| Maximum material height | 1.97 inches (50 mm) |
| Laser power | 40 watts |
| Material Capability | Wood, leather, acrylic, fabric, and more |
| Connectivity | USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi |
The xTool M1 laser cutter is very different from the other tools on my list because it can cut with both a laser and a blade. Its curved, well-designed box of tricks is like a magic box. The xTool M1’s mix of tools and small size make it stand out, which is why it won the Red Dot Design Award. Still, it is one of the best Laser Engravers that you can buy.
Since you can do what the best Cricut machines can do and use a laser to carve, cut, and score, this top laser cutter can do a little more than some of the pure laser cutters on this list. The blade can cut better than some lasers and doesn’t heat up, so you don’t have to spend time covering things before you cut them.
Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on official site
Pros
- Large working area for creating bigger projects
- Can work with a wide range of materials
- Affordable compared to other professional-level models
Cons
- Heavy and difficult to move around
- May require additional ventilation to operate safely
Glowforge Basic
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 38 x 20.75 x 8.25 inches (965 x 527 x 210 mm) |
| Weight | 51 lbs (23 kg) |
| Maximum material height | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Laser power | 40 watts |
| Material Capability | Wood, leather, acrylic, fabric, cardboard, and more |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB |
The Glowforge Basic has the same design and easy-to-use features as the more powerful Glowforge Pro, which is No. 1 on my list. However, it has a slower cooling system and a 40-watt laser instead of a 45-watt beam to keep the price down. Thus, it is one of the best Laser Engravers that you can buy.
But don’t be put off by the word “basic” in the name. The Glowforge Basic is still a very fast and powerful laser cutter. Its 45-watt CO2 Class 1 laser is more powerful than the xTools M1, so it can be used a bit faster. It also doesn’t have the Pro Passthrough slot that the Glowforge Pro does, so you can only make small projects or projects that fit in the space.
Pros
- Large working area for creating bigger projects
- Can work with a wide range of materials
- More affordable than the Glowforge Pro
Cons
- May require additional ventilation to operate safely
- Some users report issues with customer support
Ortur Laser Master 3
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 22.44 x 20.47 x 7.87 inches (570 x 520 x 200 mm) |
| Weight | 20.28 lbs (9.2 kg) |
| Maximum material height | 2.36 inches (60 mm) |
| Laser power | 15 watts |
| Material Capability | Wood, leather, acrylic, plastic, and more |
| Connectivity | USB |
The Laser Master 2 is no longer made, but a slightly improved form called the “2S” is still available. Since the Laser Master 2 was already a great machine, the Laser Master 3 is a natural choice for our Top Pick since it is a more refined and advanced version of it. First of all, the toolhead has been improved.
It now has two 5.5 W diode lasers that, thanks to some clever lens work, Ortur says add up to a “true” 10 W output. The work area is now 400 mm by 400 mm, which is a little smaller than the Laser Master 2 but still the same as other machines of this type. Because of this, you can cut acrylic sheets that are 30 mm thick and wood boards that are 20 mm thick. The toolhead itself is smaller than some, and Ortur says that the smaller size (and weight) makes it possible to engrave at up to 20,000 mm/m.
In reality, users will be trying out different levels for speed and power to get the best finish on their materials. The toolhead has a built-in air help port that lets users use an air pump to pull air away from the burn zone and possibly get better engraving results. A $129 add-on that you can buy from Ortur is an air pump. Overall, it is one of the best Laser Engravers that you can buy.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to move around
- More affordable than other models on this list
Cons
- Limited to a 40-watt laser compared to the Pro model’s 45 watts
Sainsmart Jinsoku LC-40
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Sainsmart |
| Model | Jinsoku LC-40 |
| Nozzle Diameter | 0.4 mm |
| Printing Size | 220 x 220 x 250 mm |
| Printing Speed | 180 mm/s (max) |
| Layer Thickness | 0.1 – 0.4 mm |
| Filament Diameter | 1.75 mm |
The Jinsoku LC-40 from Sainsmart came out earlier in 2022, and laser engraving fans have been slowly getting more interested in it. Even though it only has a 5.5 W diode laser, its smart design and low price (around $300) make it stand out among cheap laser engravers.
Since they have been making a lot of CNC machines, laser engravers, tools, and more for a long time, Sainsmart has a good image with both customers and products. The company also sells 3D printers made by Creality. Its good image comes from how well it communicates and helps people. Currently, it is one of the best Laser Engravers that you can buy.
Pros
- It offers easy connectivity options through USB and SD card.
Cons
- The printer may not be suitable for beginners as it requires some technical expertise to operate.
FAQs
A laser engraver is a machine that uses a laser beam to carve or mark patterns into materials like wood, plastic, metal, and more. It works by taking away material from the surface to make a mark or etching that will last forever.
A laser engraver is used to carve or mark patterns into a piece of material, while a laser cutter is used to cut through the material. Most laser engravers don’t have as much power as laser cutters, so they can’t cut through thick materials.
To use a laser engraver, you will need to make a design with software like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW, load the design into the laser engraver’s software, change settings like power and speed, and then start the engraving process.
