Can you really get a laser cutter that handles both metal and wood without a five-figure price tag? Sort of. The term "hybrid" gets thrown around loosely, but true hybrid lasers—machines with both CO₂ and fiber sources—start at $150,000. However, for budget-conscious makers in 2026, several clever workarounds exist: dual-diode systems, fiber lasers with wood-engraving capability, and CO₂ machines that mark metal with paste. Here's the honest breakdown.

Quick Comparison: Realistic Budget Hybrid Options

Machine	Price	Technology	Metal Capability	Wood Capability	Best For
LaserPecker LP5	$3,500–$5,000	Diode (20W) + Fiber (20W)	Engraves & cuts thin metal (0.5mm)	Engraves wood, cuts ≤5mm	Portable hybrid experimentation
OMTech FiberMark 50W	~$8,000	Fiber (50W)	Cuts 2mm stainless steel	Engraves wood/acrylic	Thin metal cutting focus
xTool F1	~$1,500	IR Diode (10W)	Engraves stainless steel	Engraves wood, cuts thin plywood	Ultra-portable metal marking
OMTech 40W CO₂	$500–$700	CO₂ (40W)	Marks coated metal only	Cuts 6mm wood, 5mm acrylic	Wood/acrylic priority

---

1. LaserPecker LP5: The Only "True" Budget Hybrid

Price: $3,500–$5,000 | Lasers: 20W Diode (450nm) + 20W Fiber (1064nm) | Work Area: Variable (portable)

The LP5 is arguably the only genuine hybrid under $10K, combining a diode for wood/acrylic and a fiber for metal in one portable unit. Using mirror galvanometer technology, it engraves 20–40x faster than traditional gantry systems.

Metal & Wood Performance:

• Metal: The 20W fiber laser engraves stainless steel, aluminum, and brass cleanly. Can cut up to 0.5mm thin metal sheets.
• Wood: The 20W diode cuts up to 5mm plywood and engraves detailed designs.

Pros: True dual-material capability, ultra-portable, blazing engraving speeds

Cons: Limited cutting depth, small work area, still expensive for hobbyists

Bottom Line: If you need to engrave both metal and wood regularly, this is your only real hybrid option under $5K.

---

2. OMTech FiberMark 50W: Best for Thin Metal Cutting

Price: ~$8,000 | Laser: Fiber (MOPA 50W) | Work Area: Varies by model

Don't let the "fiber" label fool you—this machine can engrave wood and acrylic despite being optimized for metal. It uses MOPA technology for better pulse control, producing color engravings on stainless steel.

Metal & Wood Performance:

• Metal: Cuts 2mm stainless steel and 1.5mm aluminum. Engraves deeply into most metals.
• Wood: Engraves wood and acrylic surfaces well, though cutting wood is slower than CO₂ lasers of equivalent power.

Pros: Cheapest true fiber laser for metal cutting, low maintenance, compact

Cons: Cannot efficiently cut thick wood, highest price on this list

Bottom Line: Choose this if metal cutting is your primary need and wood is secondary.

---

3. xTool F1: Ultra-Portable Metal Marking Specialist

Price: ~$1,500 | Laser: Infrared Diode (10W @ 1064nm) | Work Area: 100 x 100mm

The F1 uses an infrared wavelength that's absorbed by metal, allowing it to engrave stainless steel and anodized aluminum—something standard blue diode lasers cannot do. It's marketed as portable but handles wood too.

Metal & Wood Performance:

• Metal: Engraves stainless steel up to 0.5mm; cuts extremely thin metal foils.
• Wood: Cuts 3mm plywood in multiple passes; excels at engraving wood and acrylic.

Pros: Most affordable metal engraver, portable, plug-and-play

Cons: Tiny work area, cannot cut meaningful metal thickness, limited wood cutting depth

Bottom Line: Perfect for jewelry makers needing to mark metal tags and engrave wooden boxes.

---

4. OMTech 40W CO₂: The Wood-First Workhorse

Price: $500–$700 | Laser: CO₂ (40W) | Work Area: 300 x 200mm

The legendary K40 is not a hybrid, but it's budget-friendly and can mark metal using marking paste or spray (like CerMark). For wood and acrylic cutting, it's unbeatable at this price.

Metal & Wood Performance:

• Metal: Cannot cut bare metal. Requires marking compound to create black engravings on stainless steel.
• Wood: Cuts 6mm plywood cleanly at 8-10mm/s. Cuts 5mm acrylic with flame-polished edges.

Pros: True CO₂ cutting power, massive upgrade community, handles clear acrylic

Cons: No native metal cutting capability, requires technical setup, small work area

Bottom Line: Buy this if you mostly cut wood/acrylic and only occasionally need metal markings.

---

5. Sculpfun S30 Pro: The "Hybrid-Use" Diode

Price: ~$800 | Laser: Diode (10W) | Work Area: 380 x 380mm

Listed as "Best Diode for Hybrid Use", the S30 Pro can engrave painted or coated metals while cutting wood and acrylic. It's a budget stretch for hobbyists but versatile.

Metal & Wood Performance:

• Metal: Engraves only on painted, anodized, or coated metals. No bare metal capability.
• Wood: Cuts 3mm plywood in 3-5 passes. Engraves wood and leather well.

Pros: Large work area, affordable, good for multi-material crafts

Cons: Cannot cut or engrave bare metal, limited cutting power

Bottom Line: A crafts-focused machine for custom gifts, not industrial metalwork.

---

6. Atomstack A5 Pro: Entry-Level Option

Price: $399 | Laser: Diode (10W) | Work Area: 15.7" x 15.7"

While not hybrid, it deserves mention as a budget wood cutter that can mark anodized aluminum. It's often recommended for beginners testing laser capabilities.

Metal & Wood Performance:

• Metal: Engraves anodized aluminum only. Cannot cut metal.
• Wood: Cuts 3mm plywood slowly. Good for engraving wood and leather.

Pros: Easy assembly, includes air assist nozzle, budget-friendly

Cons: No meaningful metal cutting, open-frame design requires caution

Bottom Line: A starter machine for learning before upgrading to true hybrid capability.

---

Key Considerations: The Technology Truth

Why True Hybrids Are Expensive

• CO₂ lasers (10.6μm wavelength) vaporize wood and acrylic but reflect off bare metal.
• Fiber lasers (1.06μm wavelength) melt/vaporize metal but don't interact efficiently with wood.
• Dual-source machines (like TRUMPF Speedy 400 Flexx) cost $150K+ because they require two complete laser systems.

Budget "Hybrid" Workarounds

1. IR Diode Lasers (xTool F1): Use 1064nm wavelength like fiber but at low power. Can engrave metal and wood but not cut thick materials.
2. Fiber Lasers (OMTech FiberMark): Can engrave wood despite inefficiency, but cutting wood is slow and charred.
3. CO₂ + Marking Paste: Apply CerMark to metal, engrave with CO₂ laser, then wash off. Cost-effective but slow.

Material Thickness Reality Check

• Cutting Metal: Minimum 50W fiber for 1mm stainless steel. Budget options only engrave.
• Cutting Wood: 40W CO₂ cuts 6mm plywood. 20W diode cuts 3mm slowly.
• No Sub-$5K machine cuts both materials well—you must prioritize.

---

Recommendations by Use Case

Jewelry & Small Metal Tags: xTool F1 ($1,500) for portability and metal marking.

Mixed Crafts (Gifts & Signs): LaserPecker LP5 ($3,500) for true dual-material engraving.

Small Business (Metal-Priority): OMTech FiberMark 50W ($8,000) for cutting thin metal parts.

Hobbyist (Wood-Priority): OMTech 40W CO₂ ($600) with marking paste for occasional metal.

Absolute Beginner: Atomstack A5 Pro ($400) to learn the ropes before investing in specialized machines.

---

FAQ

Q: Can any budget laser cut 3mm steel AND 6mm wood?
A: No. That requires a $50,000+ industrial machine. Budget "hybrids" compromise on one material.

Q: What's the cheapest way to mark stainless steel?
A: Use a CO₂ laser ($500) with CerMark marking spray ($50/can). The xTool F1 ($1,500) is the cheapest direct laser solution.

Q: Are portable hybrids like LaserPecker LP5 worth it?
A: For engraving-focused businesses, yes. The speed and dual-laser convenience justify the cost.

Q: Why not just buy a high-power diode laser?
A: Even 20W blue diode lasers cannot engrave bare metal—they need infrared (1064nm) wavelength, which only IR diodes or fiber lasers provide.

---

Final Verdict: The Hybrid Illusion

The laser industry has co-opted "hybrid" for marketing. In 2026, budget buyers must choose a primary material:

• Metal-first? Fiber laser (OMTech FiberMark) is your only real option.
• Wood-first? CO₂ laser (OMTech 40W) with marking paste is cheapest.
• Need both? LaserPecker LP5 is the only sub-$5K machine that genuinely does both, but with power limitations.

Honest advice: For under $2,000, buy a dedicated CO₂ laser for wood and a separate IR diode (xTool F1) for metal marking. Two specialized machines outperform one compromised "hybrid" at this price point.