Machines we research
Free tools
Lab status: every product page is marked researched until a machine we bought has been through the test protocol.
Research hub
Diode, galvo, CO2 and fiber — what each can actually cut, mark and earn.
Every page here is research-stage: specs come from manufacturer documentation and are cited. Lab results appear as we test each machine. How we research & test
Picks come from our research guides (spec sheets, documentation and cited owner reports) — not lab results yet.
| Best for | Research pick | Why | From guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best researched all-rounder for a home shop | xTool S1 40W | Enclosed Class 1 (per xTool), 40 W diode rated for 18 mm cherry in one pass, 498 × 319 mm bed, pass-through, autofocus, flame detection, and native LightBurn support. | Best Laser Engraver for a Small Business: Our Research Picks (2026) |
| Best researched budget pick | Creality Falcon2 40W | 40 W diode, 400 × 415 mm bed and built-in air assist for $639 (sale price, Sept 2026). Open frame and FDA Class 4, so budget for an enclosure, extraction and glasses. | Best Laser Engraver for a Small Business: Our Research Picks (2026) |
| Best researched pick for acrylic and signs | OMTech Polar Lite 55W | 55 W CO2 cuts clear acrylic, which no diode can. Built-in water chiller, autofocus, camera, pass-through and LightBurn compatibility at $2,199.99 list. | Best Laser Engraver for a Small Business: Our Research Picks (2026) |
| Best researched pick for metal and tumblers | xTool F1 Ultra | 20 W fiber plus 20 W diode in one galvo machine: marks bare stainless, brass and aluminum and engraves wood. Rated 10,000 mm/s; RA2 Pro rotary compatible. | Best Laser Engraver for a Small Business: Our Research Picks (2026) |
| Best researched pick for a spare-bedroom starter | xTool M2 20W | Enclosed Class 1 (TÜV SÜD certified, per xTool) 20 W diode with a 426 × 320 mm bed for $999, or $599 for the 10 W version. | Best Laser Engraver for a Small Business: Our Research Picks (2026) |
| Best researched pick for tumblers | xTool F1 Ultra | Fiber plus diode galvo: marks bare stainless and strips coating fast, rated 10,000 mm/s, 145 mm max height, listed as RA2 Pro rotary compatible. | Best Laser for Tumblers: Researched Picks, Rotaries and Powder Coat |
| Best researched budget fiber for tumblers | Monport GM 30W Pro | 30 W fiber galvo with motorized autofocus, 150 × 150 mm field, 400 mm max material height, rotary support and LightBurn support at $1,999.99 list. | Best Laser for Tumblers: Researched Picks, Rotaries and Powder Coat |
| Best researched enclosed diode for tumblers | xTool S1 40W | Enclosed Class 1 40 W diode that strips powder coat; the RA2 Pro rotary lists the S1 as compatible, with a 3 to 198 mm roller range. | Best Laser for Tumblers: Researched Picks, Rotaries and Powder Coat |
| Best researched budget tumbler setup | Creality Falcon2 40W | 40 W open-frame diode at $639 plus Creality's Rotary Kit Pro chuck rotary (1 to 130 mm diameter, $109 sale price). Class 4: needs eye protection and extraction. | Best Laser for Tumblers: Researched Picks, Rotaries and Powder Coat |
| Best researched CO2 for tumblers and glassware | xTool P2S | 55 W CO2 strips powder coat cleanly and frosts glass. With the riser base, RA2 rotary roller mode covers 42 to 150 mm diameters, per xTool. | Best Laser for Tumblers: Researched Picks, Rotaries and Powder Coat |
Status: researched — specs from manufacturer sources, not yet measured in our lab.
Compact 30 W fiber galvo marker with electric lifting, red-dot focusing, 110/200 mm field lenses and LightBurn/EZCAD2 support.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Pre-assembled, enclosed Class 1 10 W diode laser with an HD camera, CoreXY motion and a 305 x 381 mm area.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Enclosed Class 1 20 W diode laser with a swappable 2 W IR module, camera autofocus, touchscreen and flame detection.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Open-frame 22 W diode laser with a 400 x 415 mm area, built-in air assist and TF-card offline jobs.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Open-frame 40 W diode laser (switchable to 20 W precise mode) with a 400 x 415 mm area and built-in air assist.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Enclosed 6 W diode craft laser with a 12 x 12 in cutting area, passthrough slot and camera-based layout.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
40 W Class 1 CO2 desktop laser with HD camera preview and one-button Proofgrade settings; no passthrough slot.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
45 W CO2 desktop laser with a Pro Passthrough slot, HD camera preview and browser-based software that needs internet.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
55 W desktop CO2 laser with built-in water chiller and air compressor, 510 x 300 mm area, 5 MP camera and LightBurn.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Portable dual-laser galvo engraver: 10 W blue diode plus 2 W 1064 nm IR, 160 x 120 mm field, app or LightBurn control.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Portable galvo engraver with a 20 W fiber laser and a 20 W blue diode, electric stand and optional slide extension.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Open-frame 40 W-class diode laser (44-48 W optical) with a 385 x 385 mm area, touchscreen, Wi-Fi and auto air assist.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Integrated 30 W Q-switched fiber laser marker with motorized autofocus, 150 x 150 mm field and LightBurn support.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
70 W desktop CO2 laser with a 700 x 350 mm area, 8 MP camera, autofocus, touchscreen and LightBurn support.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
45 W desktop CO2 laser with built-in liquid cooling, air assist, front pass-through and a 400 x 300 mm area.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Integrated 30 W fiber laser marker with a 150 x 150 mm field, EZCad included and LightBurn compatibility.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
55 W desktop CO2 laser with a built-in water chiller, 510 x 300 mm area, autofocus, 5 MP camera and LightBurn support.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Open-frame 40 W diode laser (switchable to 20 W) with a 400 x 400 mm area, automatic air assist and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Benchtop 60 W RF-tube CO2 laser with a 600 x 400 mm bed, motorized Z-table, camera, autofocus and LightBurn included.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Open-frame 20 W diode laser with automatic focus, a 410 x 410 mm area and Wi-Fi/app/offline control.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Earlier portable galvo engraver (10 W diode + 2 W IR, 115 x 115 mm); now sold by xTool only as refurbished, replaced by F2.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Galvo engraver pairing a 20 W fiber laser and a 20 W diode, 220 x 220 mm field, 16 MP camera and autofocus.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Compact galvo engraver with a 15 W diode and 5 W 1064 nm IR laser, 115 x 115 mm field and a 50 MP camera.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Galvo engraver with a 60 W MOPA fiber laser plus a 40 W diode, 220 x 220 mm field and dual 48 MP cameras.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Enclosed Class 1 craft machine: 10 W or 20 W diode laser with optional IR laser and CMYK inkjet print modules.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
55 W desktop CO2 laser with a 600 x 305 mm bed, dual 16 MP cameras, autofocus and pass-through.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
80 W CO2 laser with a 915 x 458 mm bed, four cameras, autofocus and an optional 5 W IR module; Class 1 rated.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Enclosed 20 W diode laser on the same S1 chassis: 498 x 330 mm area, autofocus, Class 1 enclosure.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Enclosed 40 W diode laser with a 498 x 319 mm bed, autofocus and an optional IR module for bare-metal marking.
Paid link: we may earn a commission; it never changes our picks.
Newsletter
New research, price changes and test results as they land. Written for people who make things to sell.