The Best Laser Cutters
Take one look at these futuristic cutting machines and you'll be ready to relegate your stone-age tools to the dumpster once and for all. Okay, we admit that the commercial lasers of today can't chop through the thickest of materials. But with fine motor control and incredibly fine focus, these automated machines offer precision cutting far beyond the most coordinated human efforts. And thanks to their wide digital compatibility, they're mighty easy to use.
What to Look For
Laser cutters range wildly in power and capability, and these factors are often directly reflected in the price. Most machines double as engraving tools, but if your primary concern is cutting, you’ll want to be sure that the laser you choose can perform on your chosen material. The size of the cutting area is also of crucial importance, as this will directly influence the maximum scale of your designs. We took all this and more into consideration while deliberating, and ultimately we decided on a few favorite laser cutters. For example, even though the cutting area on the LaserPecker 2 is a little more compact than some, its supreme versatility and its bundled extras earned it the top spot on our list. But if you want your laser cutter to have a large work surface, check out the affordable and powerful xTool D1 Pro. Don’t miss the rest — read on below to get the scoop on all of our favorites.
LaserPecker 2 Deluxe Laser Cutter
Slice and dice
Compact and highly capable, the LaserPecker 2 is a powerful laser cutter suitable for both serious hobbyists and small-scale professional operations. The five-watt laser will cut with ease through wood board, paper, and leather up to 5 millimeters thick, while also offering rapid engraving speeds of up to 36000 millimeters a minute. The versatile deluxe model comes bundled with a rotary module for 360-degree cutting and engraving, and a 56.2-watt-hour power bank for improved portability.
Pros:
- Plug-and-play easy assembly
- Three resolution options to capture all the details in your designs
- Features a handle for handheld operation
Cons:
- Small cutting area
xTool D1 Pro Laser Cutter
Big imagination
Laser-cutting on large projects can be tiresome if you have to continually reposition your target object by hand. But with its cutting and engraving area bigger than an A3 sheet, the xTool D1 Pro allows you to work uninterrupted on the biggest projects. And thanks to the infrared crossing beam and a pinpoint motion accuracy of 0.01 millimeters, it will slice through a range of materials with unparalleled precision.
Pros:
- Designed with various safety features, including an auto-stop mechanism that kicks in if the machine begins to tip over
- Simple focus adjustment in just five seconds
- Powerful 10-watt dual laser
Cons:
- Software compatibility issues with M1 macs
Glowforge Plus Laser Cutting 3D Printer
Outside the box
Amateur hobbyists might be put off by the price tag of the Glowforge Plus 3D, but with this uncompromising machine, you’ll get what you pay for. The encased all-in-one design comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect on a large-scale professional laser cutter, yet it’s nestled into a compact unit suitable for small workshops or home use. At the core of operations is a powerful 40-watt laser driven by an ultra-precise motor that facilitates adjustments as fine as a thousandth of an inch.
Pros:
- Wide compatibility including Microsoft, Adobe, and CAD software
- Range of certified proof grade materials available from Glowforge
- Onboard cameras will etch and cut hand-drawn designs
Cons:
- Steep learning curve compared to simpler cutters
LaserPecker 1 Mini
Small but mighty
Looking for laser precision in a compact package? The 1.6-watt head on the LaserPecker 1 Mini doesn’t bring the brawn of larger modules, but this nifty little gadget can still achieve impressive results when cutting thin materials like felt and paper. Carve out your designs using the intuitive LaserPecker app, or let your creative juices run wild up with free manual control as you cut.
Pros:
- Automatic overhead shutdown for safe handheld operation
- Password protection
- Weighs just 6 ounces
Cons:
- Cutting application is limited to certain materials at 0.3 millimeters
Atomstack X20 Pro Laser Cutting Machine
Melt and mangle
Most mid-range lasers struggle when it comes to cutting dense, reflective materials. If high prices have spoiled your dreams 0f carving through metal like butter, you won’t want to miss the X20 Pro. This mighty laser module combines four individual 6-watt beams for speedy cutting action on thin metal sheets and wood boards up to 15 millimeters thick. And with the large cutting area to work on, you won’t be limited to small designs, either.
Pros:
- The air-assist system cleans debris and prevents singes
- Powerful laser can also engrave on most materials
- 32-bit onboard control module
Cons:
- Patchy documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my laser cutter compatible with my favorite graphic design software?
Learning the ropes of design software is a time-consuming process, so it can be frustrating when new hardware forces you away from familiar territory. Software compatibility varies from unit to unit, so be sure to check what’s supported before you buy if this is a dealbreaker. Though some lasers that rely on native software require a little learning, most will support the use of imported images in a range of standard formats.
Are laser printers safe to use at home?
Though most machines are equipped with extensive safety features, wielding the awesome power of lasers to cut can sometimes be unpredictable. Inflammable materials like wood and paper can present a fire hazard if ignited during cutting, so should always be supervised. And don’t forget to protect your eyes with an appropriate pair of safety goggles.
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