Best Laser Cutter and Engraving Machines of 2021

The joy of creating designs you’ve only just imagined is truly unmatched. To take something from nothing and turn it into a beautiful work of art is an amazing thing.  Now this process has never been easier because this is where laser cutters can really work their magic.

These advanced machines allows users to create physical designs from their own thoughts and imagination, in only a matter of minutes.  The only question is, what will you make with a laser cutter?

In a hurry… Here’s Our Top Picks

The Benefits of Owning a Laser Cutter

Laser cutters are one of the most interesting inventions of this past century. The technology has made cutting materials quicker and more accurate than ever before.

Whether you’re a DIYer, woodworker or a professional, having a laser cutter will benefit you in several ways. And if you think that the best laser cutters are expensive, you’re wrong! They are more affordable than you can imagine. This means you can now take the advantage of laser engraving for your various purposes.

Whether you’ve recently discovered this as a new hobby or planning to set up your own creative business of beautiful decors or jewelry or even a small logo printing business, there is a lot to think before buying a laser engraving machine.

With that in mind, we have compiled this article with all the useful information you need to know about purchasing the laser engraver. Not just that, we will also share the best laser cutters that are affordable and highly functional as well. So, without any further ado, let’s dive in!

Laser Cutter Buying Guide

There’s good news and bad news when it comes to purchasing your first laser cutter.  The good news is there’s a lot of affordable options, thanks to the advancements in laser cutting technology.  The bad news is there are also a lot of low quality laser machines out there that just aren’t worth the money.

With lots of options available, picking the right one can be very challenging especially if you have no prior knowledge. Regardless of if you want an engraving machine for your professional or personal use, here are the things that you need to look for at the time of purchase.

Power

The first thing to look for with a laser cutter is how powerful the machine is.  Having a power laser will not only help you cut through more materials, but will also help you cut faster and deeper.  If you’re mainly purchasing the tool for just laser engraving, then power ranging between 25 to 80 watts will be more than enough. However, if you’re looking for an efficient and powerful cutter, we recommend getting a machine with over 60 watts of power.

Speed

One of the most important things to consider before purchasing a laser cutter is speed.  Having a fast machine will not only save you time, but money in the long run.  Laser engraving machines with a minimum speed of 3000mm /min are considered to be good. There are laser cutters and engravers that offer much higher speed but they’ll come at a higher price. So, search within your budget and look for at least 3000mm/min or speed.

Features

Again, features depend on your budget. These days laser cutters and engravers come with many advanced features like wireless connection, LCD display, cooling fans, inbuilt software, heat dissipation, password protection, motion detection etc. Look for features that will help save time with easy to use controls and functions.

Size

The size of the machine and the overall work area size of your laser engraver are important factors to consider before buying a machine. You will need to consider what size projects you plan to do and how much space you will need in your workshop.

Ask yourself the following questions before moving on. Do you want something that is compact and easy to carry or you want a full-fledged engraving set up on your desk? As you increase your budget and requirements, you’ll find that the machines will become bigger and heavier than the mini or compact laser engraving machines.

Also, don’t guess the size of the machine simply by looking at the pictures. Instead, look at the specifications and check out the dimensions to make sure it is as per your preference or not.

Software

When it comes to laser cutting software there are a couple options to keep in mind. The first one is to rely completely on a software that comes inbuilt with the machine. Some laser cutters will include their own software or include a laser cutting program like Lightburn.  The second option is having an engraver that works with the software you already own or plan to purchase. In this way, if you design something in CAD or Adobe software, you can transfer it to your machine.

Generally, the inbuilt software costs less but it also offers certain limitations. You’ll have to keep your creativity within boundaries as it offers limited features, designs and fonts. On the other hand, a machine that is compatible with a variety of software offers you greater flexibility and endless opportunities to become more creative.

Best Laser Cutter & Engraving Machines

The team here at Maker Industry has gone through extensive research and time testing and evaluating all of the machines listed below.  We have listed all of the laser cutters and engravers in order of price.  There are many other lasers out there that we had reviewed, but here you will only find the best of the best listed.

If there are any products or new models you would like reviewed, please feel free to contact us.

Best Laser Cutter Under $300

1. NEJE Master 20W Laser Cutter And Engraver Machine

To begin with, we have this NEJE Master laser engraving machine that is suitable for both hobbyists and professionals. It is a 20W laser tube that is available for platforms like Android, Windows as well as Mac. It comes with smart app control and is capable of cutting materials of 3mm to 8mm thickness. With a superb engraving depth, it can cut wood with thickness ranging from 3mm to 8mm. The best part about this laser cutter is the huge working area it provides. Further, there are multiple keys that enable the engraver to work offline with full efficiency and convenience; all you need is to press 1 time to reset, press 2 times for frame positioning, press 3 times for engraving, press 4 times to stop the engraving process and so on.

For added protection, the device comes with an inbuilt gyroscope. So, when the laser machine is running, the gyroscope keeps recording the starting position. If by any chance there is an accident with the machine or the user, the machine will stop automatically to prevent any bigger accident. It is super easy to use which means even a beginner without any experience can use it with ease. Further, if you’re a professional, it offers easy operation by allowing you to parse your work designed in software like CAD, Inkscape and directly execute .dxf and .nc files accurately.

It’s a very powerful and full-featured machine with 4A load current and is capable of delivering a powerful output of 15,000 rpm.

Features

• Works on a variety of materials except metals
• Multi functional keys
• Compatible with AutoCAD, Inkscape
• Power output of 15,000 rpm
• Excellent safety features

Pros:

• Ideal for beginners
• Supports a variety of file formats
• Compatible with CAD, Inkscape
• High-Speed Engraving

Cons:

• Not suitable for metals

LaserPecker Laser Engraving Machine

If you’re looking for a compact laser cutting machine that can be used anywhere, anytime and is affordable as well, have a look at this mini handheld machine by the well-known brand LaserPecker. This a portable engraving machine that features a sturdy yet lightweight design. The highlight is, you can power it using a power bank. There is no limit on engraving height, means you can cut and engrave any material of any thickness. Further, it offers support to a wide variety of file formats including JPG, PNG, BMP, G-Code etc. For easy use, it comes with an app that not only offers added convenience but also very accurate precision. It can also be controlled wirelessly using a Bluetooth connection.

The machine offers a total of four engraving modes and allows you to import the text, images, drawing or paint directly. The portable laser cutter along with its sharp laser head makes it very durable and stable. It has comparatively longer working time and offers high precision as well.

Learn more in our product guide to the LaserPecker 2.

As far as the safety features are concerned, it has functions like motion-triggered breaks, working warning alerts, password lock etc that helps in preventing accidents. Finally, you can laser engrave materials including wood, leather, felt, fruit and paper.

Features

• Work with various materials including wood, leather, felt, food and paper.
• Support file formats including JPG, PNG, BMP, G-Code etc
• Motion triggered break, password lock, warning alerts
• Four engraving modes
• High precision

Pros:

• Precision accuracy
• Will work on many different materials
• Wireless and Bluetooth Connection
• Motion-Triggered Safety Break

Cons:

• Not very powerful
• Small work area

ORTUR Laser Master 2 Cutter And Engraver

Ortur has made a name for themselves in the laser engraving industry. The laser cutting and engraving machines by Ortur are the first choice of many engravers. Laser Master 2 is a highly advanced engraving machine that comes with a powerful STM32 MCU which is capable of processing 32 instructions at a time. Not just that, this powerful machine boasts a super high engraving speed of 3000mm/min.

Talking about the safety protection features, there are multiple options. First, it features a G-sensor on its motherboard, so if by any chance your machine detects a strange or unauthorized movement, it will stop working. Secondly, if your PC gets disconnected all of sudden, the laser beam will again stop moving to prevent a fire accident. Thirdly, if the machine is under control but the user forgets to operate and the laser beam is working without his notice, the safety feature will cut off and will prevent a fire accident.

The Ortur Master Laser system is compatible with a variety of platforms including Windows 10,8,7, XP, Mac as well as Linux. It is one of the most popular carving software globally and is very easy to use as well.   For the price, this is one of the top engraving machines for wood.

Features

• Engraving speed of 3000mm/min
• Comes with G-sensor
• Compatible with Windows 7,8,10,XP,Mac,Linux

Pros:

• Fast engraving speed
• Quality safety features included
• Compatiable with Windows, Mac, Linux
• Easy to Operate

Cons:

• Not ideal for harder materials
• Base-level laser is weak

Best Laser Cutter Under $1000

Orion Motor Tech 40W CO2 Laser Engraver

Orion Motor Tech laser cutter is another trusted and popular machine that you can consider buying. It offers a double-duty operating surface. It comes with a stability clamp that you can use to keep your material in place while you work on it. The advanced control panel allows you to monitor the electric power, all thanks to the adjusting knobs. The main highlight of this machine is the integrated cooling fan it comes with. It provides adequate ventilation, reduced noise level, convenient operation and increased precision.

Next, the red dot pointer is a special feature of the Orion laser cutter that is used for indicating the cutting points and marking the path of the machine. This helps in positioning the item in a better way to achieve a perfect output.

Moreover, the machine is highly portable, you can easily move it according to your convenience as it comes with 4 wheels that are detachable. Not to mention, it is safe to use and comply with the standard safety protocols.

Features

• Double duty operating surface
• Red dot aiming diode
• Detachable wheels
• Integrated cooling fan
• Reduced noise level
• Convenient operation
• Increased precision

Pros:

• Simple to operate
• Easily portable
• Advanced features
• Fully enclosed machine

Cons:

• Not ideal for some beginners

LaserPecker L1 Super Pro Laser Machine

You can use this mini laser engraver by LaserPecker to work on a variety of materials like wood, paper, leather, felt and even cloth. This engraver is very easy to use and maneuver. Anyone can use it without any problem. All you need to do is power it and connect it with the app using power bank, select or upload your desired pattern from the app and edit it.

The LaserPecker machine will first show you a preview in which you can make the final changes to your design before laser engraving the desired material. Also, the mobile application is very easy to use, it allows you to create and upload and text anything you want to etch or engrave. It has a variety of fonts and colors. Further, it is very portable and durable making it perfect for everyday use.

Talking about the safety features, it comes with inbuilt functions for protecting the user as well as the device. It has safety options like password lock, overheat shutdown, goggles, motion detection etc. This is a great option to consider if you’re a crafter or have kids that need frequent help in their projects. After review, this is one of the best laser cutters under $750.

Features

• Works on a variety of materials like wood, paper, leather, felt and even cloth
• Easy to use mobile app
• Powered using power bank
• Password lock, motion detection, overheat shutdown

Pros:

• Portable and Powerful
• User-Friendly
• Compact
• Ideal for beginners

Cons:

• Small working area
• Not to be used on metals

Best Laser Cutter Under $2000

Flux Beamo 30W Laser Cutter

Beamo 30 W laser cutter has received stellar reviews from its users and this is the reason why this machine made it to this list. The laser cutter boasts a never seen before design plus cutting-edge technology that not only results in an iconic output but also maximizes the efficiency. Beamo by Micro Make comes with features you’ll find in the industry level engraving machines. It gives you the power and control to create something according to your creativity.

 There are endless things you can do with this laser engraving machine, it can work on hundreds of materials including paper, leather, wood, plastic, steel, cardboard, anodized metal, glass, cement, cloth and whatnot. You can shape, engrave or cut the materials according to the desired pattern or design.

Engrave intricate text, detailed designs, beautiful pictures, decorative pieces, personalized jewellery, keychains and whatever you want depending upon your creativity. Beamo offers a layer spacing of just 0.05mm which is narrower than your hair. The 1,000 DPI resolution you get with it is breathtaking. Overall, the best laser cutter under $2000.

Features

• 1,000 DPI resolution
• Work on materials including paper, leather, wood, plastic, steel, cardboard, anodized metal, glass, cement, cloth etc.
• Fine layer spacing of 0.5mm

Pros:

• High-Definition Resolution
• Perfect for fine detail engraving
• Works with a wide array of materials
• Cutting edge design

Cons:

• A bit pricey

Best Laser Cutter Under $3000

Orion Motor Tech Upgraded 55W CO2 Laser Cutter

Here is another popular laser and engraving tool by the brand Orion. While this laser engraving machine comes with a higher price tag, it’s powerful performance makes it worth each penny you spend on it. Using this laser cutter, you can work on materials including wood, plastic, rubber, leather etc but it is not meant for metals.

It is powered by 55W and has a huge working area of 304 mm x 508mm. It has effective heat and fume dissipation power that helps you in dealing with the harmful gases released during the engraving or cutting process. Adding to this, it also boasts a water-cooling mechanism that keeps the system cool and prevents fire accidents.

Further, it supports almost all kinds of file formats and software including CorelDraw, AutoCAD and Photoshop. You can use it with Windows as well as MAC if you have LightBurn software. It is neither too large nor too compact and has a weight of 165lbs which is decent. Further, it features an LCD that makes your working easy and convenient.  After further review, we found the Orion Motor tech to be the best laser cutter under $3000.

Features

• Working area of 12” x 20”
• Powered by 55 W
• Water cooling mechanism
• Compatible with CorelDraw, AutoCAD, Photoshop, LightBurn
• Weight of 165lbs
• Comes with LCD

Pros:

• Powerful laser cutter
• LCD control panel
• Industrial like design
• Water cooling system included

Cons:

• Not portable

Best Laser Cutter with Rotary Axis

TEN-HIGH Upgraded Version CO2 40W Laser Cutter

Most of the engravers and laser cutters we’ve listed here are suitable for wood. However, if you don’t want to engrave on wood and if you’re looking for a machine that is capable of engraving a variety of different materials then look no further than TEN-HIGH CO2 Engraver Machine.

Except for metal, it can work on an assortment of materials including leather, wood, glass, bamboo, cloth, paper and a few others. Included with this laser cutter is a rotary axis.

This machine comes with a special software, LaserDraw. Apart from this inbuilt software, the engraver also works with CorelDraw despite the fact that it isn’t included in the package.

The TEN-HIGH CO2 cutting machine is compatible with all the Windows systems including versions 7,8 and 10. However, it is not compatible with macOS. Further, it connects to your computer using a USB wired connection. Know that it lacks wireless technology, so you have to deal with the wire clutter. Compared to other laser engraving machines with similar features and price, we believe this is the best laser cutter with a rotary axis attachment.

Features

• Ideal for many materials including leather, wood, glass, bamboo, cloth, paper etc.
• Compatible with Windows 7,8 and 10
• Compatible with CorelDraw
• Comes with LaserDraw
• USB wired connection

Pros:

• 4th Axis Rotary Attachment
• Ideal for mugs and cups
• Fast and accurate
• Ideal for pros and hobbyists

Cons:

• Not wifi compatible
• Heavy

Best Laser Cutter Under $5000

Glowforge Plus 3D Laser Printer

If you’re looking for a laser cutter and engraver that doesn’t give off a boring industrial feel then look no further.  The Glowforge Plus will look perfect at your home office or simply at your creative desk while also being able to perform all the jobs offered by the other machines listed here.  The sleek design and modern frame will make you want to start cutting right away.

It looks similar to an oversized printer which fits perfectly on your desk and doesn’t give that heavy machine feel at all. In fact, it is labeled as a 3d laser printer, not just as a laser cutter.

Although you won’t be able to print the mold designs as other printers, instead you’ll be able to cut an entire 3D object. In essence, you’ll not only engrave on the desired material but will also be able to create 3D objects from scratch.

The Glowforge Plus 3D Laser Printer is compatible with almost all kinds of platforms including Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. Not just that, there is also Glowforge App that you can install in your smartphone and operate the machine through it.  Overall, one of the best laser cutters for the money.

Features

• Easy to use software for quick and easy cuts
• Suitable for Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android
• Glowforge mobile application
• Allows making 3D objects from scratch

Pros:

• Advanced smart laser technology
• Efficient and modern design
• Ideal for crafters
• Built-in Camera system

Cons:

• Not offline compatible
• Not portable

TEN-HIGH Upgraded Version CO2 50W Laser Cutter

The TEN-HIGH CO2 Upgraded laser cutting machine can work on materials including plywood, acrylic, leather, glass, PVC, hardwood, silica gel, felt, ox horn, resin and a few other materials except metals.  Although, using special laser marking sprays such as CerMark, you will be able to laser engrave metal, making this a great option.

It comes with an area of 15.7 in X 23.6 in and engraving speed up to 30mm per second. The cutting speed you get is around 500mm per second. If you’re looking for a lightweight machine then this is not for you, it is a bit bulky and meant for professional use rather than personal use.

It supports a variety of formats including BMP, jpg, dib, jpeg, gif, WMF, emf, gif, PCX and a few others. The machine sports a superior laser head and offers excellent heat dissipation with its inbuilt high power axial fan and water cooling mechanism.

Moreover, it comes with an automatic lift system and a flame retardant system as well that prevents fire accidents. The Ten-High 50W is one of the best laser cutters under $5000 available currently.

Features

• Will work on many different materials including plywood, acrylic, leather, glass, PVC, hardwood, silica gel, felt, ox horn, resin and a few other materials except metals.
• Support formats including BMP, jpg, dib, jpeg, gif, WMF, emf, gif, PCX and a few others.
• Includes automatic lift system
• Includes Axial fan and water cooling system

Pros:

• Mobile app available
• Large Working area
• Ideal for business owners
• Powerful laser

Cons:

• Not ideal for beginners
• Expensive

Best Laser Cutter Under $6000

Dremel LC40-01 Laser Cutter and Engraver

This high speed laser cutter by Dremel might be the most expensive among all but it is totally worth the amount it comes at. This laser cutter is what most of the experienced users will recommend you and we ourselves root for this amazing machine. In fact, it is the best laser engraver in this range. It can work on almost every kind of material including glass, wood, leather, paper, plastic, acrylic, fabric, cardboard, rubber and so on.

It can work efficiently on all kinds of projects and comes with five safety sensors that ensure it works in the right way. Moreover, it comes with a 350 fume extraction & filtration mechanism that removes the harmful fumes and particles that generate from the engraving process.

Not just that, the machine comes with a user-friendly inbuilt software. It is a bit bigger machine but has only 90lbs of weight making it easy to lift and carry. There is a lot to love about this machine, making it the best laser cutter under $6000.

Features

• Works withe the following materials: glass, wood, leather, paper, plastic, acrylic, fabric, cardboard, rubber and more.
• Comes with inbuilt software
• 350 fume extraction and filtration mechanism
• 90 pounds total weight

Pros:

• Simple and easy to operate
• Top notch customer service
• Fast and accurate laser engraving
• Advanced saftey features

Cons:

• Pricey

Best Laser Cutter Under $10000

SFX Reci 180W CO2 Based Laser Cutter

Finally, we have SFX laser engraver cutter which is a powerful engraving tool suitable for both professionals and newcomers. It sports an air-assisted engraving mechanism and is also compatible with software like AutoCAD and CorelDraw. Further, it supports a variety of file formats including BMP, jpeg, ai, jpg, pdf, doc, las, ai, DST etc.

With this machine, you can’t work on some metals, unless using proper metal materials and accessories. However, you can engrave on a variety of materials such as wood, bamboo, glass, crystal, ABS, plexiglass and many others.

The engraving speed offered by this machine is up to 60000 mm per minute which is incredibly fast. Further, the cutting speed you get is 5000 mm per minute. The accuracy you’ll get is 0.01mm which means you’ll have the power to make detailed items and designs on your products. To offer adequate ventilation, the machine comes with an exhaust fan that keeps it cool while working.

The180W, W8 connects to your computer via a USB 2.0 wired connection. Also, this model is not at all lightweight, it is large and heavy with a weight of 964 lbs, so think about it before purchasing it.   Also, this engraving machine can work great with metal.

The main highlights of SFX 180W CO2 machine include the following :

It is capable of engraving on a variety of materials except metals and it is suitable for macOS as well as Windows. If you are in the market for one of the best laser cutters on the market, then the SFX 180w could just be right for you, coming in at just under $8000.

Features

• Ideal for materials such as wood, bamboo, glass, crystal, ABS, plexiglass and many others.
• Support file formats including BMP, jpeg, ai, jpg, pdf, doc, las, ai, DST etc.
• Compatible with Windows and MacOS
• Engraving speed of 60000 mm per minute

Pros:

• Extra-Large Cutting Area
• Superfast engraving speed
• Built-in exhaust fan
• Ideal for advanced designs

Cons:

• Not ideal for beginners

Conclusion

And there you have it, the best laser cutters and engravers, along with a very helpful buying guide for the same. Laser and engraving machines are evolving just like businesses and hobbies.  If you’re a business owner, woodworker, or even a hobbyist, owning a laser cutter can be one of the most rewarding and even profitable things.