Laser cutters under $300 are primarily aimed at hobbyists, DIY enthusiasts, and small businesses. Among them, CO₂ and diode laser cutters are common choices. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Below is a detailed comparison:

Working Principle

• CO₂ Laser Cutter: Uses a CO₂ gas mixture as the lasing medium. When electrical energy is applied, the gas molecules transition between energy levels, emitting photons to form a laser. The laser beam is focused onto the material surface via mirrors and lenses, generating high heat to melt or vaporize the material, achieving cutting or engraving.
• Diode Laser Cutter: Utilizes semiconductor materials to directly convert electrical energy into laser light through the recombination of electrons and holes. The laser is emitted from a diode and then focused onto the material surface to perform cutting or engraving operations.

Performance Comparison

• Laser Wavelength and Material Compatibility
  • CO₂ Laser Cutter: Typically operates at a wavelength of 10.6 μm. Non-metal materials such as wood, acrylic, paper, and fabric absorb CO₂ laser light well, making CO₂ laser cutters highly efficient at cutting and engraving these materials. However, they are less effective at cutting metals due to the high reflectivity and thermal conductivity of metals, which reflect or dissipate the laser energy, reducing cutting efficiency.
  • Diode Laser Cutter: Usually operates at a wavelength of around 450 nm. Metals have relatively low reflectivity at this wavelength, enabling diode lasers to better absorb energy and produce heat, making them more effective at cutting and engraving metals. However, their ability to cut non-metal materials lags behind CO₂ laser cutters.
• Power and Cutting Thickness
  • CO₂ Laser Cutter: Under $300, CO₂ laser cutters generally have power ratings of 30W-40W. For non-metal materials like wood and acrylic, they can cut thicknesses of up to 5-10 mm or more, depending on the material properties and laser power. For example, a 40W CO₂ laser cutter can cut 10mm acrylic at a moderate speed.
  • Diode Laser Cutter: Within the same price range, diode laser cutters typically have power ratings of 10W-20W. While they can cut thin metals like aluminum foil and thin sheets, their cutting thickness is limited. For non-metal materials, they are more suited for engraving or cutting thin materials like paper and thin wood.
• Cutting Speed and Precision
  • CO₂ Laser Cutter: Due to its higher power and better absorption of non-metal materials, it achieves faster cutting speeds for non-metal materials. Additionally, the laser beam quality is relatively stable, enabling high-precision cutting and engraving. The edge of the cut is smooth and clean, with minimal heat-affected zones.
  • Diode Laser Cutter: Due to lower power and narrower laser beam focus, it offers higher precision for engraving small details and fine patterns. However, its cutting speed is slower than CO₂ laser cutters, especially for non-metal materials.

Feature Comparison

• Working Area: CO₂ laser cutters under $300 typically have working areas of 300mm×200mm or larger, suitable for cutting and engraving medium-sized parts. Diode laser cutters generally have smaller working areas, such as 150mm×150mm or 200mm×200mm, which may limit their application scope.
• Laser Tube Lifespan: CO₂ laser tubes typically last 1,000–3,000 hours. Diode laser diodes have longer lifespans, generally exceeding 10,000 hours, reducing replacement frequency and costs.
• Cooling System: CO₂ laser cutters usually require water cooling to dissipate heat from the laser tube. Diode laser cutters operate at lower temperatures and can often rely on air cooling, simplifying the cooling system and reducing costs.

Cost Comparison

• Purchase Cost: CO₂ laser cutters under $300 are relatively affordable, with prices ranging from $150 to $300. Diode laser cutters in the same price range tend to be slightly more expensive, though some budget models are also available.
• Maintenance Cost: CO₂ laser cutters require regular maintenance, such as cleaning the mirrors and lenses, replacing the water in the cooling system, and occasionally refilling the laser gas. These maintenance tasks increase costs. Diode laser cutters require minimal maintenance, primarily involving cleaning the lens and ensuring the cooling system operates normally, resulting in lower maintenance expenses.

Application Scenarios

*CO ₂ Laser Cutter: Ideal for cutting and engraving non-metal materials like wood, acrylic, paper, and fabric. Applications include crafting wooden ornaments, acrylic decorations, paper art, and fabric designs. They are also suitable for small businesses specializing in personalized gifts, home decor, and accessories.

• Diode Laser Cutter: Better suited for engraving and cutting small metal items like jewelry, watches, and electronic components. They can also perform simple engraving and cutting on non-metal materials. Applications include creating personalized jewelry, custom watch engravings, and small electronic device engraving.

In summary, if your primary focus is on cutting and engraving non-metal materials and you require a larger working area and faster cutting speed, a CO₂ laser cutter under $300 is a better choice. On the other hand, if your main goal is engraving and cutting small metal items and you value equipment longevity and low maintenance costs, a diode laser cutter under $300 may be more suitable. When selecting a laser cutter, it is also important to consider brand reputation, product quality, after-sales service, and other factors to ensure you choose the right device for your needs.