xTool S1 Laser Engraver

• Price: $1,799 to $2,299.
• Features: Equipped with a 20W or 40W laser module, it boasts a working area of 608 x 385 mm. Its fully enclosed design enhances safety by containing fumes and preventing fires. Built-in ventilation ensures harmful fumes are kept away from users. It comes pre-assembled, making setup quick and easy. The autofocus feature simplifies operation. The XCS software is user-friendly, and xTool provides recommended settings for various materials online, allowing users to adjust parameters effortlessly. Users can also switch between laser heads in just 90 seconds.
• Performance: The 40W diode laser can cut through 15mm basswood, meeting most beginners' project needs. It supports materials like cardboard, felt, fabric, leather, plastics, acrylic, wood, anodized aluminum, stainless steel, and reflective metals (with an infrared module).
• Pros and Cons: Its advantages include a fully enclosed design, easy setup, autofocus, beginner-friendly software, and high safety. However, it may require a riser base for thin materials to avoid distance sensor issues and is not portable.

xTool D1 Pro 10W Laser Engraver

• Price: Around $629.99.
• Features: Available in 5W, 10W, 20W, or 40W laser power options, it supports materials such as cardboard, felt, fabric, leather, plastics, acrylic, wood, anodized aluminum, stainless steel, and reflective metals (with an infrared module). Its working area is 430 x 390 mm. While not pre-assembled, it is easy to build, taking approximately 30 minutes. The XCS software is intuitive, offering one-click operations and easy image importing. It also supports Lightburn software. The D1 Pro features a high-quality laser module with a fine compressed spot size of 0.08 x 0.06 mm, enabling precise engraving down to 0.01 mm. It offers a wide range of upgrades and accessories, such as a rotary attachment, infrared module, enclosure, expansion kit, honeycomb working panel, and smoke purifier.
• Performance: The 10W laser module can cut 10mm wood and 5mm acrylic in one pass. The 20W module completes jobs faster and is more efficient in the long run. Its maximum cutting thickness is 10mm wood and 5mm acrylic. The spot size is finer than many lower-quality laser engravers, making it one of the most effective acrylic laser engravers in its price range.
• Pros and Cons: Its advantages include powerful and precise laser capabilities, a wide variety of upgrades and accessories, intuitive software, and a good working area with optional expansion. However, it is not pre-assembled, though building it is straightforward.

LaserPecker 2 Laser Engraver

• Price: Check the latest price on Amazon.
• Features: Equipped with a 5W laser, it supports materials like cardboard, felt, fabric, leather, plastics, acrylic, and wood. Its working area is 100 x 100 mm. It comes pre-assembled and is handheld and portable, making it ideal for beginners attending craft clubs, events, or needing a transportable engraver. The LaserPecker app (available on iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows) allows direct engraving from smartphone camera rolls. Users can also design their own patterns or access the app's extensive clipart library. The app's interface is user-friendly, offering detailed guides and a strong community aspect for sharing and exploring projects. It supports rotary engraving and can connect to third-party software like Lightburn and LaserGRBL.
• Performance: Despite its 5W laser, it is sufficient for most small crafts and beginner projects. Its maximum cutting speed is 600 mm/s, one of the fastest among beginner-friendly laser engravers. Its compressed spot size of 0.05 x 0.05 mm makes it highly precise in its price range.
• Pros and Cons: Its advantages include portability, ease of engraving via smartphone, suitability for rotary engraving, and being pre-assembled. However, it is relatively expensive, has a small working area, and lower laser power.

Longer RAY5 5W Laser Engraver

• Price: Check the latest price on Amazon.
• Features: Powered by a 5W laser, it offers an engraving area of 15.7" x 15.7" (400 x 400 mm) and a fine laser dot size of 0.08 x 0.08 mm for precise and detailed engraving. Equipped with a 32-bit chipset and Wi-Fi connectivity, it features a 3.5-inch color screen and supports offline engraving. It includes multiple safety mechanisms, such as a G-sensor and over-temperature protection, ensuring safe operation.
• Performance: The RAY5 5W laser engraver delivers fast and efficient engraving, capable of handling materials like wood, acrylic, and leather. Its large engraving area allows for versatile projects, while the color screen and offline engraving capabilities enhance convenience. The safety features provide peace of mind during use.
• Pros and Cons: Its advantages include a fast and powerful 5W laser, a large engraving area, a user-friendly color screen, offline engraving support, and robust safety features. However, it is relatively more expensive compared to some alternatives.

NEJE 3 N30820 Laser Engraver

• Price: Check the latest price on Amazon.
• Features: With 5.5-7.5W laser power and a 6.7" x 6.7" (170 x 170 mm) engraving area, it supports materials like acrylic, wood, and glass. Its fine laser dot size of 0.08 x 0.08 mm ensures detailed results. It comes with the NEJE classic multifunction module and supports LightBurn software. Its G-sensor enhances safety during operation.
• Performance: The NEJE 3 N30820 laser engraver offers variable laser power to suit different applications. Its compact and portable design makes it easy to use at home or on the go. It is compatible with LightBurn software, providing users with a familiar and convenient operation experience. The G-sensor further improves safety.
• Pros and Cons: Its advantages include variable laser power, compact portability, LightBurn software compatibility, enhanced safety with a G-sensor, and excellent value for money. However, its engraving area is smaller compared to some competitors.

UkeyLab UP5 Laser Engraver

• Price: Around $399.
• Features: Equipped with a 5W laser, it supports materials like wood, paper, leather, and non-metallic materials. Its engraving area is 140 x 140 mm. It features a compact design, making it easy to carry and store. The intuitive interface and simple operation allow beginners to quickly get started. It supports offline engraving, enabling users to create designs without a computer.
• Performance: The UP5 laser engraver delivers precise engraving results, with a resolution of up to 1200 x 1200 dpi. Its stable performance ensures smooth operation during engraving. Its small size and lightweight design make it ideal for home or office use.
• Pros and Cons: Its advantages include affordability, compact portability, user-friendly interface, offline engraving capability, and high engraving precision. However, its laser power and engraving area are relatively limited.

• Ease of Use and Assembly Time: Opt for machines with quick assembly or pre-assembled designs, such as the xTool S1. Choose reliable brands like xTool and Ortur, which offer clear instructions and simple assembly processes.
• Software Compatibility: Lightburn is a popular and user-friendly option, though it requires a paid license. LaserGRBL is a widely used free alternative. Some lasers come with apps, such as Atomstack and LaserPecker, which allow direct engraving from smartphone camera rolls.
• Project Size Requirements: Laser engravers come in various sizes, from small handheld models like the LaserPecker 2 Pro to larger desktop machines like the D1 Pro and S1. Beginners can choose based on their project needs. Typical engraving areas for medium-sized beginner-friendly cutters range from 200 x 200 mm to 400 x 400 mm. Larger desktop machines are heavier and less portable.
• Safety Features: Prioritize lasers with safety mechanisms such as enclosures, ventilation systems, G-sensors, and over-temperature protection. These features help prevent accidents and protect users' health.
• Brand Reputation and After-Sales Support: Choose well-known brands with strong reputations and reliable after-sales support. This ensures timely assistance and solutions when issues arise.

• Lasers from lesser-known brands.
• Lasers with poor or lack of reviews on platforms like Amazon.
• Lasers incompatible with beginner-friendly software like Lightburn.
• Overly complex CO2 lasers.
• Industrial-grade fiber lasers and similar types.