As more Americans embrace the maker movement, the market for creative tools like 3D printers, vinyl cutters, and laser cutters continues to expand. These machines, now available at a range of price points, offer individuals the opportunity to bring their creative ideas to life. Whether you’re crafting unique items for sale on platforms like Etsy, TikTok, or Shopify, or simply exploring new hobbies, these tools can enhance your creative projects and even generate income.
When it comes to laser cutters, we’ve opted not to include open models on our list. After extensive testing, we found that open laser cutters present significant safety risks for home users. While they may be suitable for commercial settings, having an open laser cutter in a personal workshop or garage poses too many dangers for us to recommend.
So, what’s the best laser cutter available? The xTool P2 stands out as our top choice. Although it’s not the most budget-friendly option, its impressive array of accessories, robust software, and exceptional cutting size and speed make it a top contender. It narrowly surpasses the Glowforge Pro in performance, but be sure you have adequate space in your workshop, as this machine is quite large.
Best in-office laser cutter
Glowforge Aura
Best laser cutter for metal and stone
xTool F1 Ultra
Best portable laser etcher
xTool F1
Best small-scale CO2 laser cutter
Flux Beamo
Best laser engraver for schools
WeCreat Vision
Best diode laser cutter
xTool S1
Best walled garden laser cutter
Glowforge Pro