How much does a Laser Cutter cost?

Laser cutters allow you to cut, engrave, and etch various materials quickly, precisely, and with less need for finishing after a cut. No doubt they are useful equipment for your home workshop or business. If you are considering purchasing a laser cutter, you are probably wondering how much do laser cutters cost?

The answer depends on the brand you choose, the size, the strength of the laser, and the type of materials it cuts.

Here’s a guide detailing the four types of laser cutters, what influences their costs, and a table of brands and price examples.

The 4 Types of Laser Cutters

The four main types of laser cutters have the capacity to cut different materials, leading to different price ranges. Here’s more information on the technology behind them and the prices you can expect.

Co2 Laser Cutter

Gas or carbon dioxide (Co2) laser cutters are the most common type and use gas to power the laser. They are typically low power but versatile and cut smooth edges. Some models have also improved to cut sheet metal easily.

You can find gas or Co2 laser cutters ranging from as low as $550 to up to $30,000.

These machines can cut:

• Glass
• Some plastics
• Some foams
• Leather
• Paper-based products
• Wood
• Acrylic

Crystal Laser Cutter

Crystal laser cutters are extremely high-powered and cut using lasers generated from crystals, such as vanadium or neodymium-doped garnet. Most of these machines are over $1,000 and typically average between $7,000 and $22,000. You can use these machines to easily cut thick or hard materials, including plastics, metals, and some types of ceramics.

Fiber Laser Cutter

Fiber lasers use a silica glass optical fiber cable to guide the laser. They are typically used in luxury industries and can cost up to $100,000. However, more affordable of $3,600 to $6,000 machines are also available with lower laser wattage. These machines are generally more precise, fast, and energy-efficient. They can cut plastics and harder metals.

Diode Laser Cutter

The most affordable laser cutters usually have diode lasers, meaning the beam is generated by converting electrical energy into light. You can easily find diode laser cutters for under $600.

While they are lightweight, small, and have a long lifespan, these laser cutters are also limited in the materials they can work on and can be slow to cut even soft woods. Generally, reflective materials such as glass or metals are not suitable for diode laser cutters and hobbyists tend to use them for etching or engraving instead.

Factors Influencing Price

The three main factors that influence the cost of a laser cutter are:

Machine Size

Larger machines will come with a larger work surface, so you can cut materials of different lengths and thicknesses. However, this added flexibility also comes with a higher price tag.

Laser Wattage

Entry-level laser cutters usually have weaker lasers with low wattage and are better for light cutting or engraving of thinner materials. High-watt lasers are more powerful and can easily cut thick or hard materials, but will also be more expensive.

Add-Ons

Adding additional features to your laser cutter or upgrading the software it uses can improve the final results of your projects. However, this will increase the overall price since add-ons can cost between $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the features.

Laser Cutter Brands and Prices

Depending on the size, wattage, and type of material you intend to cut, there are various brands offering a wide range of price points, including very affordable machines. Here is a table featuring eight machines at varying prices, sizes, and wattages.

Brand / Model	Price	Laser Type	Wattage	Workspace	Dimensions	Weight	Materials / Features
ORTUR Laser Master 2 Pro	$550	Diode	20 W	15.75 x 15.75 inches	26 x 10 x 4.5 inches	10.38 pounds	Wood board, acrylic, leather, plastic, paperboard
OMTech	$550	Co2	40 W	8 x 12 inches	31.5 x 19.69 x 9.84 inches	50.6 Pounds	Wood, bamboo, glass, ceramic, marble, plastic, anodized aluminum, and more
OMTech	$2,900	Co2	60 W	20 x 28 inches	47.2 x 38.2 x 36.2 inches	320 pounds	Leather, wood, acrylic, glass, and more
US Stock JPT LP-E	$5,199	Fiber	30 W	6.9 x 6.9 inches lens	9.6 x 7.9 x 2.6	9.4 pounds	Aluminum, gold, silver, platinum, nickel, copper, plastic, and more
OMTech	$6,800	Co2	130 W	35 x 55 inches	78.7 x 60.6 x 39.4 inches	529 pounds	Leather, wood, acrylic, glass, and more
US Stock JPT MOPA M7	$8,999	Fiber	60 W	6.9 x 6.9 inches lens	31.89 x 30.91 x 19.88 inches	99 pounds	Aluminum, gold, silver, platinum, nickel, copper, plastic, and more
US Stock Reci W6	$10,899	Co2	150 W	35.4 x 51.2 inches	72.44 x 55.91 x 41.34 inches	946 pounds	Wood, paper, plastic, bamboo, marble, resin, glass, and more
Xincheng Precision	$24,160	Hybrid Co2	300 W	35.4 x 51.2 inches	78.74 x 61.42 x 42.91 inches	990 pounds	Wood, acrylic, stainless steel, and more

Conclusion

The price of a laser cutter or engraver ranges mainly depending on the materials you intend to cut. If you want to cut or engrave large or thick materials, you will need a machine with higher wattage and more workspace. This will also increase the price even though it provides added flexibility.

However, as listed above, there are plenty of affordable brands with lower wattages suitable for small-scale projects using thinner materials.