Best-of list
Best Glowforge Alternatives (2026): More Power for Less
Glowforge is easy but expensive and cloud-dependent. These alternatives match each Glowforge model with more power, offline software or LightBurn support, often for much less money.
This page contains affiliate links; we may earn from purchases made through them. Learn more
Our picks at a glance
-
Best alternative to the Plus HD and Pro HD
Acrylic signs and thick wood cutting for a home business
8.3/10 research score -
Best alternative to the Aura and Spark
Crafters who want a safe, simple first laser for paper, wood and stickers
8.0/10 research score -
Best Class 1 CO2 alternative
Small businesses cutting large wood and acrylic jobs all day
8.7/10 research score -
Best value enclosed alternative
Engraving wood and metal safely indoors on a mid budget
8.1/10 research score -
Biggest enclosed diode alternative
Enclosed wood cutting and engraving at home, with room to add metal marking later
8.1/10 research score
Our verdict
Instead of the Glowforge Aura ($1,199), the xTool M2 ($499) or Creality Falcon A1 Pro ($1,099) give you an enclosed laser with more power. Instead of the Plus HD or Pro HD ($6,999–$7,999), the 55W xTool P2S ($2,999) cuts thicker with cameras and passthrough, and the 80W Class 1 xTool P3 ($6,999) beats the Pro HD on size and power.
Glowforge made laser cutting approachable, and its web app is still the simplest. But every Glowforge needs Wi-Fi and Glowforge's cloud to print, none supports LightBurn, and prices are high for the laser power. Here are the alternatives we'd pick for each model, from published specs and store prices on October 18, 2026. We have not tested these machines ourselves; see how we research.
Glowforge's range
| Glowforge | Laser | Cutting area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spark | 6W diode | 8.5 × 11 in | $899 (sold out) |
| Aura | 6W diode | 12 × 12 in | $1,199 ($999 on sale) |
| Plus HD | 40W CO2 | 19.5 × 11 in | $6,999 |
| Pro HD | 45W CO2 | 19.5 × 11 in, passthrough | $7,999 |
Instead of the Plus HD or Pro HD: xTool P2S
A 55W CO2 laser with a larger 600 × 305 mm bed, one-pass cuts through 18 mm basswood and 20 mm acrylic, dual cameras, autofocus, 118 in passthrough and LightBurn support, for $2,999. It's Class 4 like the Pro HD; the Plus HD is Class 1. Read the P2S review.
Instead of the Aura or Spark: xTool M2
Class 1, two cameras, autofocus and built-in air assist with a 10W laser, from $499, and a 20W version for $899. Our Aura review explains why 6W is limiting.
Class 1 CO2 alternative: xTool P3
If you want a Class 1 CO2 laser like the Plus HD, the P3 gives you 80W, a 915 × 458 mm bed and 1,200 mm/s for $6,999, less than the Pro HD.
Value enclosed alternative: Creality Falcon A1 Pro
Twenty watts plus an infrared laser for bare metal, AI flame detection and a camera, for $1,099, close to the Aura's sale price.
Biggest enclosed diode: xTool S1
For large wood projects in a Class 1 box, the 40W S1 has a 498 × 319 mm bed and passthrough for $1,699.
What you give up
Glowforge's catalog, Proofgrade QR presets and very simple app. If those matter more than power and price, stay with Glowforge; if not, any of these will do more for the money. Need more help? Try the laser engraver finder.
The picks in detail
1. xTool P2S
List price $2,999 (as of Oct 2026)
55W CO2, 600 × 305 mm bed, cameras, passthrough and LightBurn, for $2,999.
Pros
- Cuts 18 mm wood and 20 mm acrylic in one pass
- Dual cameras, autofocus and 118 in passthrough
- LightBurn support
Cons
- 99 lb and 1 m wide
- Certified Class 4; needs venting
- No bare-metal marking (CO2)
2. xTool M2
List price $499 (as of Oct 2026)
Class 1, 10W, two cameras and air assist from $499.
Pros
- Class 1 enclosed from $499
- Cameras, autofocus and air assist included
- Optional inkjet print-and-cut
Cons
- 10W cuts only thin material
- Diode laser: no clear acrylic
- New model, no long-term data
3. xTool P3
List price $6,999 (as of Oct 2026)
80W CO2 with Class 1 safety and a 915 × 458 mm bed, for $6,999.
Pros
- Class 1 safety on a large 80W CO2 laser
- One-pass cuts through 20 mm wood and 25 mm acrylic
- 915 × 458 mm bed at 1,200 mm/s
Cons
- $6,999
- 231 lb: needs a sturdy bench and two people
- Too new for reliability data
4. Creality Falcon A1 Pro
List price $1,099 (as of Oct 2026)
20W diode + infrared, Class 1, camera and flame detection, for $1,099.
Pros
- Class 1 with flame detection and tilt stop
- Diode + infrared for wood and metal
- Camera, autofocus and air assist built in
Cons
- Smaller 268 × 358 mm area
- 20W diode: moderate cutting
- New model, limited owner data
5. xTool S1 40W
List price $1,699 (as of Oct 2026)
40W Class 1 diode with a 498 × 319 mm bed, for $1,699.
Pros
- Class 1 enclosure with flame detection and emergency stop
- Large 498 × 319 mm bed with passthrough
- Works with LightBurn as well as xTool software
Cons
- No built-in camera for placing designs
- Air assist is an extra
- Diode laser: cannot cut clear acrylic
| Spec | xTool xTool P2S | xTool xTool M2 | xTool xTool P3 | Creality Falcon Creality Falcon A1 Pro | xTool xTool S1 40W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research score | 8.3/10 research score | 8.0/10 research score | 8.7/10 research score | 8.1/10 research score | 8.1/10 research score |
| List price | $2,999 | $499 | $6,999 | $1,099 | $1,699 |
| Laser | |||||
| Laser power | 55 W | 10 W | 80 W (best) | 20 W | 40 W |
| Laser source | 55W CO2 | 10W blue diode (20W version; 3W infrared and CMYK inkjet modules are add-ons) | 80W CO2 (5W infrared module optional) | 20W blue diode + 2W 1064 nm infrared | 40W blue diode (2W 1064 nm infrared module available as an add-on kit) |
| Wavelength | Not published | Not published | Not published | 455 ± 5 nm (diode), 1064 ± 1 nm (infrared) | Not published |
| Spot size | 0.15 × 0.2 mm | 0.04 × 0.06 mm (10W), 0.06 × 0.08 mm (20W) | 0.15 × 0.18 mm (standard M lens) | Not published | 0.08 × 0.10 mm (40W) |
| Work area and speed | |||||
| Work area width | 600 mm | 426 mm | 915 mm (best) | 268 mm | 498 mm |
| Work area length | 305 mm | 320 mm | 458 mm (best) | 358 mm | 319 mm |
| Maximum speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s | 1,200 mm/s (best) | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Maximum material height | 71 mm | Not published | 220 mm (best) | Not published | 42 mm |
| Thickest wood cut | 18 mm | 8 mm | 20 mm (best) | 10 mm | Not published |
| Safety | |||||
| Fully enclosed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Laser safety class | Class 4 | Class 1 | Class 1 | Class 1 | Class 1 |
| Flame detection | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency stop | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes | Yes |
| Features | |||||
| Camera | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not published |
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Air assist | Not published | Yes | Not published | Yes | No |
| Rotary support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pass-through | Yes | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes |
| Software and connectivity | |||||
| Software | xTool Studio (Creative Space), LightBurn | xTool Studio | xTool Studio (Creative Space), LightBurn | Falcon Design Space, LightBurn, LaserGRBL | xTool Creative Space (xTool Studio), LightBurn |
| LightBurn support | Yes | Not published | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi | Not published | USB, Wi-Fi |
| Size and warranty | |||||
| Weight | 99.2 lb | 27.1 lb (best) | 231.5 lb | 37 lb | 44.1 lb |
| Dimensions | 1000 × 639 × 268 mm | 610 × 569 × 180 mm | 1250 × 780 × 496 mm | 567 × 468 × 211 mm | 765 × 561 × 183 mm (268 mm tall with the riser base) |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
| Where to buy | Check price at xTool (opens in a new tab) | Check price at xTool (opens in a new tab) | Check price at xTool (opens in a new tab) | Check price at Creality Falcon (opens in a new tab) | Check price at xTool (opens in a new tab) |
Frequently asked questions
Why look for a Glowforge alternative?
Is xTool better than Glowforge?
Do Glowforge alternatives work offline?
Sources
Specs, prices and claims in this article come from these sources.
- Glowforge printers collection (prices) · Glowforge · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- Glowforge Craft Series tech specs · Glowforge · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- Glowforge Performance Series tech specs · Glowforge · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- xTool P2S product page · xTool · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- xTool P3 product page · xTool · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- xTool M2 product page · xTool · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- Creality Falcon A1 Pro product page · Creality Falcon · accessed Oct 18, 2026
Written by
Research and editing
The LaserEngravers editorial team researches laser engravers from manufacturer documents, published measurements and owner reports.
