Best-of list
Best Laser Engravers (2026): Diode, CO2 and Fiber Picks
The best laser engravers and cutters for home makers and small businesses, chosen from 24 current models on published specs, safety certification, owner and reviewer reports, and price.
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Our picks at a glance
- 8.3/10 research score
-
Best enclosed diode laser
Enclosed wood cutting and engraving at home, with room to add metal marking later
8.1/10 research score -
Best value enclosed dual laser
Engraving wood and metal safely indoors on a mid budget
8.1/10 research score - 8.0/10 research score
- 8.0/10 research score
- 8.7/10 research score
-
Most safety features
Safe indoor cutting with a large bed and swappable lasers
8.2/10 research score
Our verdict
The xTool P2S ($2,999) is the best all-round laser: a 55W CO2 that cuts thick wood and clear acrylic in one pass, with cameras and passthrough. For a safe enclosed diode laser at home, the xTool S1 40W ($1,699) and Creality Falcon A1 Pro ($1,099) lead. Beginners on a budget should start with the Class 1 xTool M2 ($499), and metal shops with the xTool F2 Ultra ($5,299).
We compared 24 current laser engravers from xTool, Glowforge, Creality Falcon, WeCreat, LaserPecker and OMTech on their makers' published specifications, safety certification, independent reviews and owner reports, and their store prices on October 18, 2026. We have not tested these machines ourselves; see how we research for how we score them.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Laser | Work area | Safety | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| xTool P2S | 55W CO2 | 600 × 305 mm | Class 4, enclosed | $2,999 |
| xTool S1 40W | 40W diode | 498 × 319 mm | Class 1 | $1,699 |
| Creality Falcon A1 Pro | 20W diode + 2W IR | 268 × 358 mm | Class 1 | $1,099 |
| xTool M2 | 10W diode | 426 × 320 mm | Class 1 | $499 |
| xTool F2 Ultra | 60W MOPA + 40W diode | 220 × 220 mm | Class 4, enclosed | $5,299 |
| xTool P3 | 80W CO2 | 915 × 458 mm | Class 1 | $6,999 |
| LaserPecker LX2 40W | 40W diode | 500 × 305 mm | Class 1 | $1,949 |
Brand-store prices, October 18, 2026.
How we chose
- Laser type first. The material you want to work decides between diode, CO2 and fiber; no single type does everything.
- Safety. We favour Class 1 enclosed machines for home use and say clearly when a model is Class 4.
- Cutting power from the maker's own figures. Where a maker publishes no cutting depth, we say so.
- Real prices. We use the price the brand's store actually charged, not inflated "compare at" prices.
Best overall: xTool P2S
A 55W CO2 laser cuts what diodes can't (clear acrylic) and cuts wood far faster. xTool rates the P2S for 18 mm basswood and 20 mm acrylic in one pass, with dual cameras, LiDAR autofocus and passthrough for long boards. The Gadgeteer's reviewer found it "simply works". It is big (99 lb), Class 4, and needs venting. Read our P2S review.
Best enclosed diode laser: xTool S1 40W
Class 1 certification, five-direction flame detection and a large 498 × 319 mm bed make it the safest high-power diode machine for a house. It lacks a camera, and air assist is an extra. Read our S1 review.
Best value enclosed dual laser: Creality Falcon A1 Pro
A 20W diode plus a 2W infrared laser for bare metal, AI flame detection with app alerts, a tilt and drop stop, a camera and autofocus, all for $1,099. Its work area is smaller than the S1's. See it against the S1 in Creality Falcon A1 vs xTool S1.
Best budget: xTool M2
A Class 1 enclosed laser with two cameras, autofocus and built-in air assist from $499 is hard to beat for a first machine. The 10W version cuts only thin material (xTool: 8 mm basswood in one pass); the 20W costs $899. More options in best laser engravers for beginners.
Best for metal: xTool F2 Ultra
A 60W MOPA fiber laser for deep metal engraving and colour marking, plus a 40W diode for wood, at up to 15,000 mm/s. It is a $5,299 business tool. Read our F2 Ultra review or see best for metal.
Best for production: xTool P3
An 80W CO2 laser that is certified Class 1, with a 915 × 458 mm bed, 1,200 mm/s and one-pass cuts through 20 mm basswood and 25 mm acrylic. It is new, heavy (231 lb) and $6,999. See best for small business.
Most safety features: LaserPecker LX2
Dual door detection, flame detection with an automatic extinguisher, an emergency stop and Class 1 certification on a 500 × 305 mm bed, with swappable 20W and 40W modules and LightBurn support.
Not sure which fits?
Answer five questions in our laser engraver finder, or read laser engraver safety before you set one up.
The picks in detail
1. xTool P2S
List price $2,999 (as of Oct 2026)
55W CO2: 18 mm wood and 20 mm acrylic (including clear) in one pass, dual cameras and 118 in passthrough, 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 S1 40W
List price $1,699 (as of Oct 2026)
40W in a Class 1 case with flame detection and 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
3. Creality Falcon A1 Pro
List price $1,099 (as of Oct 2026)
Class 1, AI flame detection, camera and an infrared laser for metal, 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
4. xTool M2
List price $499 (as of Oct 2026)
Class 1 enclosure, two cameras and built-in air assist from $499 (10W).
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
5. xTool F2 Ultra
List price $5,299 (as of Oct 2026)
60W MOPA fiber with colour marking plus a 40W diode, at 15,000 mm/s, for $5,299.
Pros
- 60W MOPA colour marking on stainless steel
- 15,000 mm/s with dual 48 MP cameras
- Works with LightBurn 2.2+
Cons
- $5,299 for the dual-laser version
- Small 220 × 220 mm work area
- Certified Class 4
6. xTool P3
List price $6,999 (as of Oct 2026)
80W CO2 with Class 1 safety, a 915 × 458 mm bed and one-pass 20 mm wood cuts, 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
7. LaserPecker LX2 40W
List price $1,949 (as of Oct 2026)
Class 1 with flame detection and an auto-extinguisher on a 500 × 305 mm bed, for $1,949 (40W).
Pros
- Flame detection with auto-extinguisher
- Class 1, 500 × 305 mm bed
- Swappable laser modules and LightBurn
Cons
- Diode laser: no clear acrylic
- 49.6 lb
- Infrared kit costs extra
| Spec | xTool xTool P2S | xTool xTool S1 40W | Creality Falcon Creality Falcon A1 Pro | xTool xTool M2 | xTool xTool F2 Ultra | xTool xTool P3 | LaserPecker LaserPecker LX2 40W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research score | 8.3/10 research score | 8.1/10 research score | 8.1/10 research score | 8.0/10 research score | 8.0/10 research score | 8.7/10 research score | 8.2/10 research score |
| List price | $2,999 | $1,699 | $1,099 | $499 | $5,299 | $6,999 | $1,949 |
| Laser | |||||||
| Laser power | 55 W | 40 W | 20 W | 10 W | 60 W | 80 W (best) | 40 W |
| Laser source | 55W CO2 | 40W blue diode (2W 1064 nm infrared module available as an add-on kit) | 20W blue diode + 2W 1064 nm infrared | 10W blue diode (20W version; 3W infrared and CMYK inkjet modules are add-ons) | 60W MOPA fiber + 40W blue diode | 80W CO2 (5W infrared module optional) | 40W blue diode (20W module and 2W infrared kit available) |
| Wavelength | Not published | Not published | 455 ± 5 nm (diode), 1064 ± 1 nm (infrared) | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Spot size | 0.15 × 0.2 mm | 0.08 × 0.10 mm (40W) | Not published | 0.04 × 0.06 mm (10W), 0.06 × 0.08 mm (20W) | 0.03 × 0.03 mm (MOPA), 0.08 × 0.1 mm (diode) | 0.15 × 0.18 mm (standard M lens) | Not published |
| Work area and speed | |||||||
| Work area width | 600 mm | 498 mm | 268 mm | 426 mm | 220 mm | 915 mm (best) | 500 mm |
| Work area length | 305 mm | 319 mm | 358 mm | 320 mm | 220 mm | 458 mm (best) | 305 mm |
| Maximum speed | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s | 15,000 mm/s (best) | 1,200 mm/s | 1,000 mm/s |
| Maximum material height | 71 mm | 42 mm | Not published | Not published | 150 mm | 220 mm (best) | 45 mm |
| Thickest wood cut | 18 mm | Not published | 10 mm | 8 mm | 23 mm (best) | 20 mm | 22 mm |
| Safety | |||||||
| Fully enclosed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Laser safety class | Class 4 | Class 1 | Class 1 | Class 1 | Class 4 | Class 1 | Class 1 |
| Flame detection | Not published | Yes | Yes | Not published | Yes | Not published | Yes |
| Emergency stop | Not published | Yes | Yes | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes |
| Features | |||||||
| Camera | Yes | Not published | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Air assist | Not published | No | Yes | Yes | Not published | Not published | Yes |
| Rotary support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pass-through | Yes | Yes | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Software and connectivity | |||||||
| Software | xTool Studio (Creative Space), LightBurn | xTool Creative Space (xTool Studio), LightBurn | Falcon Design Space, LightBurn, LaserGRBL | xTool Studio | xTool Studio, LightBurn | xTool Studio (Creative Space), LightBurn | LaserPecker Design Space, LightBurn |
| LightBurn support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not published | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi | Not published | USB, Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi, IP | USB, Wi-Fi | Not published |
| Size and warranty | |||||||
| Weight | 99.2 lb | 44.1 lb | 37 lb | 27.1 lb (best) | 47 lb | 231.5 lb | 49.6 lb |
| Dimensions | 1000 × 639 × 268 mm | 765 × 561 × 183 mm (268 mm tall with the riser base) | 567 × 468 × 211 mm | 610 × 569 × 180 mm | 294 × 429 × 521 mm | 1250 × 780 × 496 mm | 779.5 × 609.2 × 281 mm |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 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 Creality Falcon (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 xTool (opens in a new tab) | Check price at LaserPecker (opens in a new tab) |
Frequently asked questions
What type of laser engraver should I buy?
Do I need an enclosed laser engraver?
How much should I spend on a first laser engraver?
Sources
Specs, prices and claims in this article come from these sources.
- xTool P2S product page · xTool · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- xTool S1 product page · xTool · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- Creality Falcon A1 Pro product page · Creality Falcon · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- xTool M2 product page · xTool · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- xTool F2 Ultra product page · xTool · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- xTool P3 product page · xTool · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- LaserPecker LX2 product page · LaserPecker · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- xTool P2S review · The Gadgeteer · accessed Oct 18, 2026
- xTool S1 review · Maker Hacks · accessed Oct 18, 2026
Written by
Research and editing
The LaserEngravers editorial team researches laser engravers from manufacturer documents, published measurements and owner reports.
