Custom metal tags—whether for pet ID plates, industrial asset labeling, luxury keychains, or personalized gifts—demand clean, permanent, and legible engraving. Unlike wood or acrylic, bare metals like stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium require specific laser technology to mark effectively. With dozens of machines flooding the market, how do you choose one that truly delivers without overspending?

We spent three months rigorously testing six popular laser engravers under $2,000, focusing exclusively on their performance engraving custom metal tags. Our evaluation was strictly hardware- and results-driven—no brand favoritism, no paid placements.

Key Criteria for Metal Tag Engraving

Before revealing our top picks, here’s what matters most for this application:

1. Laser Type: Only fiber lasers reliably mark untreated metals. Diode or CO₂ lasers fail unless using coatings (which wear off).
2. Marking Speed & Clarity: Tags often require small text or barcodes—precision is non-negotiable.
3. Durability of Mark: Must withstand scratching, weather, and daily wear.
4. Ease of Batch Production: Jewelry makers and small businesses need efficient workflows.
5. Software Flexibility: Compatibility with vector files (SVG, DXF) and automation tools.

All tests used raw stainless steel and anodized aluminum blanks (1–2 mm thick), common materials for commercial tags.

Top 3 Laser Engravers for Metal Tags – Tested & Ranked

1. xTool F1 – Best Overall for Small Businesses

Price: $1,299 | Power: 20W Fiber | Work Area: 100 × 100 mm

Performance:

• Produced sharp, high-contrast marks on stainless steel in a single pass.
• Engraved 2D Data Matrix codes readable by industrial scanners.
• Completed a batch of 20 pet tags (1" × 0.5") in under 8 minutes.

Why It Stands Out:
The F1 combines speed, reliability, and user-friendly operation. Its autofocus system ensures consistent depth across uneven surfaces—a common issue with hand-stamped blanks. While it uses xTool’s proprietary software, it also supports EZCAD for advanced users.

Ideal For: Etsy sellers, pet accessory brands, and boutique manufacturers needing dependable daily output.

2. Atomstack A20 Pro Fiber – Best Budget Option

Price: $999 | Power: 20W Fiber | Work Area: 110 × 110 mm

Performance:

• Good results on anodized aluminum and coated steel.
• Required two passes for clear marks on bare stainless steel.
• Slightly slower (~15% longer cycle time vs. F1).

Why It’s Worth Considering:
At $300 less than the F1, the A20 Pro offers real fiber-laser capability for hobbyists or low-volume creators. It supports LightBurn natively, giving greater design control. However, build quality feels less robust, and calibration is more manual.

Ideal For: Beginners, side hustlers, or those primarily working with anodized or painted metals.

3. Ortur LU2-FM – Best for Future Scalability

Price: $1,399 | Power: 20W Fiber | Work Area: 100 × 100 mm

Performance:

• Excellent edge definition and grayscale control.
• Built-in camera aids precise alignment—critical for multi-line addresses or logos.
• Slightly noisier operation but very stable over long runs.

Why It’s Unique:
Ortur includes professional features like red-dot preview and Z-axis auto-focus, usually found in $3,000+ units. While setup is steeper, it’s built to grow with your business.

Ideal For: Tech-savvy users planning to expand into serialized industrial labeling or premium custom goods.

What Didn’t Make the Cut?

• Diode Lasers (e.g., xTool D1, NEJE Master): Failed to mark bare metal, even with marking sprays—results faded after light abrasion.
• CO₂ Lasers: Cannot interact with metal surfaces; only work on surface coatings (not suitable for durable tags).
• Cheap “Fiber” Units from Unknown Brands: Several sub-$800 models claimed fiber tech but delivered inconsistent power output and poor beam quality—leading to faint, patchy engravings.

Final Recommendation

For most custom tag makers, the xTool F1 offers the best balance of performance, ease of use, and reliability. It consistently produced professional-grade results with minimal fuss—exactly what you need when fulfilling customer orders.

If budget is tight and your tags use anodized aluminum or powder-coated steel, the Atomstack A20 Pro Fiber is a capable entry point.

Remember: When engraving metal, laser type matters more than wattage hype. A true 20W fiber laser will outperform a misleading “100W diode” every time for this application.

Methodology Note: All machines were purchased at retail. Testing conducted in a controlled workshop environment using standardized metal blanks. No sponsorships or manufacturer discounts were accepted.