Best Laser Engraver for Metal: Complete Guide

Are you looking for the best laser engraver for metal? If yes, then this article is very useful for you.

A laser engraver is one of the most important assets for any business or company. It allows you to print and engrave patterns onto different materials, which is very helpful in branding your products.

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As you know that some years back, only a few options were available but now the scenario has changed and different types of laser engravers are available in the market.

However, there are many companies that provide laser engravers but the only problem is that only a few of them are reliable.

So if you are in the market for a good quality laser engraver, then here you will get the best options. It doesn’t matter what your budget is, in this article we have given a list of both high end and low-end laser engravers, so you can easily choose one that suits your needs and budget.

As you know that a laser engraver is a valuable investment, and there are different factors that you should consider before making any decision to get the best deal.

So here is the buying guide that will help you find the best laser engraver for metal.

Buyer’s Guide

Wattage

Wattage is one of the main things that you should consider before choosing any laser engraver. The wattage determines the efficiency of the machine and choosing a wrong wattage engraver can severely impact your designs and results.

As you know that the laser’s strength and power are measured in watts, which simply means that the more watt, the stronger the laser is. Now, this doesn’t mean that the most powerful laser is the best option, it simply depends on your needs.

Higher wattage laser engravers are also expensive, so make sure to assess your needs first, then make any decision.

For example– if you have just started using laser engravers, then you should go with a 30-watt laser, and then when you get experienced, you can upgrade to 50 watts.

However, it is true that the laser’s strength is the most important for cutting but the thickness of a material or surface that a laser can cut totally depends on the focal point of the lens.

This means that no matter how powerful a laser is, it won’t help you to cut thicker surfaces but it will help you cut faster. On the other hand, a lower wattage laser engrave will be slightly slower that will allow you to cut better.

Working Area

Another important thing that you should consider is the working area.

This totally depends on the size of the material you will be working on.

For example, you should determine either you will cut larger pieces or produce several pieces simultaneously. Apart from this, you should consider whether the machine has an automatic change or not.

Always look for machines that have an automatic change, which can effectively streamline the project’s finishing sequence. This will save you time and reduce the efforts.

Each laser engraver has its own capabilities, some work better on soft materials, like leather application, while others are specially made to work on harder materials like metal. That’s why it is very important to figure out your needs first before choosing any laser engraver.

Here you will have to think of the future, otherwise, you won’t get the results you desire. In short, determine the type of material you will be engraving, then choose one that fits your needs.

Along with this, it is also recommended to determine the engraving area that you require because some engravers are specially made to offer a smaller area, while others offer larger. You should also determine whether you need the engraver for DIY purposes or professional use.

If you are just a DIY enthusiast, then there is no point in buying an expensive laser engraver. Though if you are professional, then it is better to opt for a machine with high laser power as well as optimal efficiency and performance.

Ease Of Use

One thing you have to keep in mind that not all laser engravers are created equal, some provide a better working experience and are easy to use. You should always look for machines that do not take a lot of effort and hard work while operating them.

Along with this, the design of the engraver also plays a major role in determining whether it is easy to use or not.

Choose machines that are well-designed as it will help you work faster and provide accurate results. You should also make sure that the engraver is not too heavy, otherwise, it will create problems in transportation and storage.

Software

When you will search for laser engravers, you will get two options. First option is the engraver that has its own software, you can only use it to execute all of your work. The second option is the engravers that provide you full control over everything.

You can use them with any software and make changes as per your needs. These types of engravers are the best as you can produce designs and patterns in CAD or Adobe and easily move them to the engraver. Though laser engravers that come with the included software cost less but they will also limit you from exploring your creativity and you won’t be able to use different fonts.

Rotary Attachment And/Or Accessories

There are some laser engravers that are equipped with additional functionality, which can be very useful and provide a lot of benefits. For example- some engraves come with a rotary attachment that helps you engrave round objects more effectively.

This rotary attachment makes the engraver more useful than those engravers who are only able to cut plane surfaces. That’s why you should always look for machines that come with some accessories.  A popular metal item to use a laser engraver are for Yeti tumblers and mugs.

This will improve performance and save you from unnecessary work. At last, one quick tip is that you should check the after-sales service of the company. Only go with a manufacturer that provides good customer service, both for resolving issues or training.

After discussing all the main factors that you should consider, it’s time to talk about the products. So let’s start the review guide.

Best Laser Engravers for Metal Under $1000

1- GanGou Laser Desktop Engraver

If you are searching for a high-quality durable laser engraver at a cost-effective price, then you should consider this desktop laser engraver from GanGou.

The best thing about this engraver is that it provides you full flexibility to transfer your designs from CAD and other editing software.

You can simply direct those .dxf or.nc files to it and execute them easily. It allows you to do difficult edits in the designing tool and then burn them into its existing software.

This machine features a 20W excel tube that provides faster cutting and you can easily cut materials with thickness ranging from 3mm to 8mm.

To increase the lifespan of the laser, it has given a 4Pin laser design along with surge protection and temperature sensing design. This engraver is compatible with different types of lasers and because of multi-functional keys, it can also support office work.

Very easy to use, for example- if you click 1, then it will reset automatically, if you press 2, it will start frame positioning, if you press 3, then it will start the engraving process, if you press 4, then it will stop engraving.

The laser engraver is equipped with a 4A load current, which can easily deliver high output power.

Along with this, the exquisite heatsink design and the 15,000 rpm fan can help to keep the temperature in control. So it doesn’t matter how long you work and how high-intensity you use, it will protect the laser life.

This engraver does an amazing job in cutting and it can easily cut materials like metal, wood, leather, rubber, bamboo, and many more. It is fully featured, so you can easily execute.JPG, .BMP and.PNG files. Also includes the NEJE cloud that can be used to download different resources.

Features:

• 4A load current
• Delivers powerful output power
• Supports NEJE control software
• PWM power regulation
• Laser temperature protection

Pros:

• Includes a powerful fan to cool down the laser
• Can engrave metals perfectly
• Comes with amazing woodcutting capabilities
• It is very durable

Cons:

• No in-built air compressor

2- Orion Motor Tech 40w CO2 Laser Engraver

One of the best laser engraving machines under $1000 currently available in the market. This engraver features a very simple design and the best thing is that it is very convenient to use.  Comes with an ac master software that supports different languages, which includes English.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or advanced, this engraving machine is perfect for everyone. The power supply of this machine is input AC 100V-240V, 47Hz-66Hz and it supports the basic GRBL software.

Along with this, it is also capable of completing the interpretation active instruction task.

This machine features the shortest path algorithm that can easily reduce the time and save from putting extra efforts.

Now if you talk about carving materials, then it can easily carve stainless steel, aluminum, iron, stone, bamboo, leather, ceramics, etc. Though it’s not appropriate for glass, so if your work involves engraving glass, then you should consider other options.

Features:

• Integrated Cooling Fan
• 30 times faster explanation rate
• Comes with protective glasses
• The software supports all the major windows

Pros:

• It is beginner-friendly
• Can be used for different materials
• Provides good accuracy
• Doesn’t take much time in installation

Cons:

• Slightly heavier

3- ZEYI 40W CO2 Laser Engraver

If you are someone whose main priority is functionality and durability, then this is the laser engraver that you need. One of the best things about this engraver is that it is very easy to assemble. It doesn’t require any high-end technical tools for installation. All you need to do is to combine the X and Y axis together and it will be ready to use.

With this laser engraver, you can easily transfer your photos from other devices to the MAC and windows software. Another great thing about this machine is that it features a gyroscope protection device.

This means when you will start the machine, the in-built gyroscope will initially keep track of the working position. So in case, the machine gets displaced, then the machine will stop automatically. This will keep you and the machine safe from any type of accident. It comes with amazing cutting abilities. It can be used with wood, metals, bamboo, leather, gray paper, and other different materials.

It is equipped with an advanced file processing algorithm, which enables you to recover your designs easily. This laser engraver also has a different type of image algorithms that help you portray the characteristics of the image better.

Apart from this, it is very easy to install its software and drivers. You just have to download and install them directly. After this, you just have to open the software and it will connect automatically.

Features:

• Precision
• Already assembled
• Upgraded LCD Screen

Pros:

• Made of good quality materials
• Simple to operate
• Comes with advanced safety features
• Easy to download software

Cons:

• Not a lot of power

Best Laser Engraver for Metal Under $2500

1. VEVOR Fiber Laser 20W Fiber Laser Engraver

The VEVOR Fiber Laser is very popular among both DIY and professionals users. It comes with an autofocus function, which makes it perfect for beginners. This engraver features a combination of field lens, red dot position system, and galvanometer lens.

So until the material thickness to be marked is not removed from the software, the machine can focus automatically.

It provides an accurate and effective result, even a beginner can easily operate it. The best thing about this laser engraver is that it comes with a high lifting rod that provides high positioning accuracy. If you want, then you can also use the hand wheel to adjust the galvanometer system’s height.

To fix the screen of the computer, a stand is used, which makes it very convenient to operate. It is equipped with a fiber laser 20W that is compatible with all the main operating systems, including Windows, 7, 8, and no matter whether you have a 32 or 64-bit system, it also supports both.

Though it’s not compatible with the IOS system but other than that, you can do everything with it. Another great thing about this machine is that it is made of high-quality aluminum material, which makes it very durable and with little care, it can stay with you for a long time.

This laser engraver is integrated with a solid metal laser that is very lightweight and compact.

It features concise control panels and heat dissipation is also given that allows you to work for a longer period. Since it is a professional laser engraver, it can be used for both metals and non-metals. For example- you can use it for computers, auto-parts, buckles, jewelry, serial numbers, keyboards, etc.

Features:

• Comes with auto-focus function
• Integrated marking machine
• Elaborate lifting wheel
• Durable working platform

Pros:

• Can be used with a wide range of materials
• Features a control convenient button
• Compatible with most Windows operating systems
• Provide accurate results

Cons:

• Cannot be used with IOS systems

2 Pbzydu Laser Engraving Machine

This Pbzydu Laser Engraving Machine is a good choice for people who want a budget-friendly machine. Very portable and you won’t face any problems with its installation. It comes with a sensor accelerometer, which pauses the laser work when the machine is displaced or tilted.

This keeps the laser safe from any kind of damage and also makes sure that your materials are in good condition.

The best thing about this engraver is that it features GRBL software and NEJE control software.

It also comes with NEJE dynamic control modules, which makes it capable of supporting brightness adjustment, PWM power adjustment, and temperature sensing protection. The engraver can easily engrave metal parts and cut thick woods.

It supports different kinds of materials such as rubber, bamboo, leather, gray paper, and metals like copper and alumina. Though it doesn’t support metals that have strong reflection, you can use it for lighter metals.

Features:

• NEJE control software
• In-built sensor accelerometer
• Supports dynamic control modules
• Supports GRBL software

Pros:

• It comes at a cost-effective price
• It is very portable
• Safe and easy to install
• Equipped with premium features

Cons:

• Average build quality

3. Benbox DIY Metal Engraving Milling Machine

The Engraving machine from Benbox is filled with many advanced features and you can easily use it without any high-end technical skills. It supports GRBL software and the good thing is that it is compatible with most Windows systems.

This engraver can be used with different metals like aluminum, copper, and other soft metals. Though if you don’t have the experience, then you can also download its user manual to learn everything properly. It comes with a working range of 38mm, 88mm, and 126mm and is made of aluminum.

One great thing about this machine is that it is very lightweight, which makes it very easy to transport. Apart from this, this machine does not come assembled, so you will have to assemble it yourself. The only suggestion is that you must read the user manual properly to prevent any installation error.

Features:

• It comes with GRBL software
• Supports most Windows OS
• T8 lead screw
• Comes with a detailed user manual

Pros:

• It is budget-friendly
• It is very compact
• Can be used with different materials
• Easy to download software

Cons:

• Simple design

Best Laser Engraver for Metal Under $5000

1- SFX Raycus 30W Fiber Laser Engraver

For all the people who want a powerful engraving machine, this Raycus 30W Fiber Laser Engraver is the best option. It comes with a laser scanning system that makes the speed of marking up to 7m/s.

The best thing about this engraver is that it is compatible with all windows operating systems, including Windows Vista, 8,9,10, etc. Best known for its reliability and stable performance. This is a fiber laser engraving machine and the great thing is that it can be used for all metals. For example- you can use it for stainless steel brass, aluminum, copper, etc.

Not only metals, but it can also work with other materials and fabrics such as nylon, ABS, PES, etc. SFX is one of the leading companies that is known for providing high-quality services. And they also offer a 2-year warranty on all their products.

This means that after receiving this product, if you face any issues, then you can easily contact them. You will get remote assistance and technical support, so you can call the support team to clear all of your doubts and queries.

Features:

• Comes with a focus finder
• Highly responsive customer support
• F-theta scan lens
• High precision

Pros:

• Can be used with all Windows OS
• Provides amazing performance
• Comes with a detailed user manual
• Faster operations

Cons:

• Slightly expensive

2- Glowforge Plus 3D Laser Printer

This Glowforge Plus 3D Laser Printer is one of the most popular laser printers/engravers under $5000. The best thing about this engraving machine is that it can be used with different types of materials.

It can be used to engrave prints onto metal, wood, paper, glass, cardboard, etc. It doesn’t matter what kind of needs you have, this engraving machine will make sure that you are getting the best results. One main thing that sets it apart from others is its laser precision. This machine provides highly accurate results and can easily carve deep, 19.5 wide and 11 tall at over 1300/inch.

This engraver is made in such a way that anyone can use it without spending a lot of time and effort. It is so powerful that you can create designs within minutes. You just have to press the button and its powerful and concise 40-watt laser will create beautiful patterns on your products.

Another great thing about this engraver is that it is fully automatic. Also comes with automatic print, material design, and auto-focus setting, so you just need to choose a photo or design, add a product and press print.

This engraver is equipped with free software and you won’t need to install anything. Along with this, it also works with MAC, windows, phone, and tablet.

Features:

• Live camera preview
• Laser precision
• Simply automatic
• Compatible with all systems

Pros:

• Easy to install and operate
• It is safe for school and home
• Comes with a free software
• Create design within minutes

Cons:

• Average cutting capabilities

3- Reaying 20W Raycus Mini Portable Laser Metal Engraver

This laser engraver by Reaying is well-known for its highly advanced features.

Made of high-quality materials and perfect for people who are looking for a powerful machine.

It comes with JCZ EZCAD software, which supports BMP, PLT, JPG, AI, etc. The software comes in 32 bit and the 64 bit is optional. The best thing about this laser engraver is that it comes with a 2-year warranty, and lifetime technical support.

So if you have any doubts regarding the machine, then you can easily contact the support team. It is a very powerful laser engraver, and you can easily use it to engrave metals and other types of materials. Apart from this, it is very easy to operate and you will be able to install it very easily.

Features:

• 2-year warranty
• Lifetime support
• Supports different image formats
• Excellent precision

Pros:

• High-quality materials are used in its making
• Can be used with different materials
• Provides faster engraving speed
• Simple to use

Cons:

• Less mobility

The Final Words

Laser engravers are no doubt very useful and the good thing is that they are also easy to use.

You don’t need high-end technical skills to operate them and with little practice, anyone can use them. It doesn’t matter what kind of business you have, laser engravers are a great way to add personal touch to items.

The good thing is that now different types of laser engravers are available, so even if you are under a tight budget, then you can easily get a basic level laser engraver at a reasonable cost. And when you feel that you are ready to take your business to a high level, you can upgrade it.

Now you know what the best laser engraver for metal is, it’s time to get to work.

Though if you are completely new to the idea of a laser engraver, then the suggestion is that you should research properly.

Identify your needs first, consider all the factors, and then invest your money. By doing so, you will get the best products at the best price. Hope you will get some valuable information in this article.