Laser cutters have taken wood cutting to the next level. Without any physical contact with the material, they can cut it with utmost precision, accuracy, and perfection. They can even make intricate cuts, which is not possible through any power tool. The best part is that everything is automated, so the whole process is effortless, fast, and safe.
Every small business owner, DIY lover, or craft expert would love to upgrade to a laser cutting machine. But you will find dozens of laser cutting machines on the market, which makes selecting the right machine more difficult.
In this article, we will share the best 5 laser wood cutters that we have hand-picked after testing, critical analysis, and user reviews. We will explain the features, pros & cons, and other details of the machine to make the selection process easier.
xTool P2
xTool P2 is an immensely powerful desktop CO2 laser machine that is more than perfect for small businesses, professionals, DIY, and other tasks. Designed and produced by xTool laser, It is an incredible laser cutter and engraver with state-of-the-art technology and futuristic features.
The optical power of the machine is 55W, which can cut wood, leather, acrylic, and a wide range of materials without any hassle. The cutting and engraving speeds can go up to 250mm/s and 600mm/s respectively. Therefore, it takes minimal time to get the job done.
The issue with most desktop CO2 lasers is the small working area. xTool P2 has solved this problem through an innovative design. The working area of the machine is 26 x 14 inches, and by installing the automatic passthrough, the length of the material can be up to 118 inches. The length can also be infinite if you feed the material manually. Thus, it can process large materials and cut/engrave them with perfection.
The built-in air assist in the machine makes cutting faster. Its powerful air blow removes the smoke from the working area and keeps the material clean. Secondly, there is a built-in exhaust system that takes out the smoke and other particles from the machine. You can also attach an air purifier and clean the harmful exhaust air to keep the environment safe and clean.
The machine is equipped with two smart HD cameras. They make the machine more intelligent. They give you the whole view of the working area and help in easy positioning of the graphics. Secondly, they offer a close-range view to work on small objects. Due to these cameras, the machine is able to process multiple pieces at a time and do 3D modeling of curved surfaces before engraving.
Due to CO2 laser technology, it can process a wide range of materials. It is also compatible with rotary attachment RA2 Pro, so it is possible to process cylindrical and spherical objects.
The machine offers excellent performance in cutting and engraving. It has multiple safety features, including fire safety and a warning system. The best part is that even after tons of innovative features, the cost of the machine is much less compared to others on the market. It is worth every penny you spend on it.
Glowforge Pro
Glowforge is another popular name in the industry. They make incredible laser cutting and engraving machines, which they call 3D Laser Printers.
Glowforge Pro is the most advanced variant of the laser machines they offer. It is a CO2 laser machine having an optical laser power of 45W. It can cut materials up to 0.5 inches thick with utmost perfection.
The machine has a live camera preview to give you a real-time image of the working area. Therefore, you can process material easily. The working area of the machine is 19.5” x 11”. But it also has an automatic pass-through to process larger materials up to infinite length.
The software of the machine can be used on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. It is pretty easy to use, and with the help of drag-and-drop, laser engraving and cutting have never been easier before. The app can be used to make custom designs, or you can upload your own design on any software
It is a suitable machine for small businesses, professionals, schools, artists, DIY lovers, etc. The most important thing is the enhanced cooling that supports all-day laser cutting and engraving. The machine is undoubtedly an excellent innovation, but the price is not affordable for everyone.
OMTech K40
OMTech K40 is also a desktop CO2 laser machine having 40W optical power. It is an affordable laser machine, but its working area is only 8” x 12”. It is suitable for cutting and engraving small objects.
The laser machine is powerful enough to cut materials like wood, acrylic, and leather, like butter. The cutting speed reaches up to 50mm/s. It also has a built-in air assist and exhaust fan to take away the dust, debris, and smoke. It ensures faster and cleaner cutting of materials.
It does have simple controls on the machine and a digital ammeter for current display and control. It is compatible with LightBurn and LaserGRBL. There is no software from the company, so be ready to buy LightBurn along with it.
It is a small machine, but if you want to process small materials/objects, it is a good option. The quality of the machine is unmatchable.
Flux Beamo
Laser enthusiasts also prefer Flux Beamo for their cutting and engraving tasks. It is a CO2 laser machine with 30W optical power. It is a cutting beast that can process wood, acrylic, leather, cardboard, bamboo, fabric, and some other materials. The engraving compatibility is wider than that. Most importantly, you can also get the diode laser attachment and enhance material compatibility and the machine’s versatility.
The working area is around 300 x 210mm, which is suitable for small businesses and DIY. You can take your creativity to the next level with drag-and-drop design software. You can edit files and make minor tweaks through the software. Moreover, it supports the commonly used file formats for design software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. The machine works wirelessly through your computer or smartphone.
The machine has a built-in camera for live preview. It offers auto-focus to ensure perfect results every time. It makes laser cutting and engraving easier and quicker. Secondly, it is also compatible with the rotary module if you want to work on cylindrical objects.
The most important thing about the machine is its safety features. It is even suitable to use in a classroom full of kids. It is small, compact, and versatile, and a true friend for crafters.
Atomstack Maker A30 Pro
This is the only diode laser machine on this list. It is a 30-33W diode laser machine that can cut wood, fabric, wooden boards, black acrylic, and other materials. Its power is more than enough to cut thickness up to 20mm in only one pass.
The machine has an extensive working area of about 400 x 400mm, which is large enough for a desktop laser machine. Its cutting speed can reach up to 36 mm/s, which is a bit slow compared to the CO2 cutters. However, along with the built-in air assists, it offers fast and clean cuts.
You can use the native software by Atomstack on your smartphone. For desktops, you need to use LaserGRBL or LightBurn. It also offers an offline operation mode that makes laser operation easier.
If you want a diode laser, this could be an excellent option. It is affordable and more versatile, but not as powerful as a CO2 laser.
Final Words
We have shared the 5 best laser wood cutting machines on the market. These laser machines have distinct specifications, features, compatibility, etc. One machine might be the best for a task but not for the other. You need to select the right laser machine according to your business, the tasks you need to do, and your budget.
Jessi is the creative mind behind The Coffee Mom, a popular blog that combines parenting advice, travel tips, and a love for all things Disney. As a trusted Disney influencer and passionate storyteller, Jessi’s authentic insights and relatable content resonate with readers worldwide.