Best Laser Cutting Machine: Your 2023 Guide

If you are looking for a worthy laser-cutting machine, you may realize that many options vary significantly in price.

This guide will help you plow through the overwhelm and find the best laser-cutting machine based on what you plan to do with it, your budget, and your space.

The Best Laser Cutting Machines Now

After weeks of testing and comparing top-selling laser cutters at every price point, here are our top 3 recommendations.

1. Editor’s Choice- Ten-High Upgraded Version Co2

2. Best for Beginners- ORTUR Laser Master 3 10W

3. Budget Pick- Atomstack A5 20W

But before we jump into the products, let’s learn more about laser-cutting machines.

What is Laser Cutting Machine?

A laser cutting machine, or laser engraver, creates permanent patterns, shapes, and designs on surfaces. It etches many materials from wood, stone, marble, cardboard, aluminum, and even glass.

It could be a good alternative if you don’t have a table saw blade or a leather cutting tool.

Working with a laser-cutting machine

Types of Laser Engravers

There are three types of laser engravers in the market now;

Diode Laser. These are the smallest, least powerful laser cutters, hence the most affordable. They are well suited for cutting and engraving materials such as paper and cardboard. The diode in this type of laser is an optoelectronic device that converts electric energy to high-intensity light used for engraving.
CO2 Laser Engraver. Co2 laser engravers use carbon dioxide beams instead of electric light to penetrate materials. They are the most common laser cutters for business use, with prices ranging from a few hundred to $10,000 or more. However, due to their size and power, they require more aggressive cooling and ventilation.
Fiber Laser Engraver. Fiber laser engravers produce strong beams through fiber optic cables. They are the most powerful and hence the most expensive type of laser cutters, with an entry-level option costing $10,000 or more. However, fiber laser cutters offer faster cutting speed, and it’s the only device that can cut through metal.

Settings of a Laser Cutting Machine

The right laser engraving is highly dependent on the material you will use. Each material has a different vaporization temperature, determining how quickly the engraving can appear.

However, it’s the laser setting that determines the output of the cutting machine.

For example, faster speed means the laser will spend little time on the material. The four types of laser cutter machine settings include;

Power

Power settings determine the amount of energy level in the laser device. When power increases, the energy levels go up as well.

You will decide the power level to use depending on the hardness and thickness of the materials.

For instance, deeper cuts and thicker walls require more energy than thin conical shapes.

Laser cutting machine drawing a pattern

Speed

There is a direct correlation between power and speed. A lower speed means slower cutting but deeper cuts, while higher speed leads to faster cutting but shallow cuts.

Frequency

Frequency refers to the number of laser pulses generated per second. For example, a co2 laser engraver can have 1000-60,000 Hertz (HZ) frequency.

The higher the frequency, the more laser pulses, which means more heat during cutting.

Unfortunately, the higher frequency could mean too much heat leading to charring and melting, so you want to hit the perfect balance with this setting.

Focus

Finally is the focus, which means concentrating the light on a specific area to facilitate precise cutting or engraving. The thickness of the material you are cutting determines the focus.

To adjust the laser focus, look down the z-axis of the material. Measure the material thickness and then adjust the engraver’s backups accordingly.

You can focus on a laser engraver using one lens or multi-lens optic.

A man working with a laser-cutting machine

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Laser Cutting Machine

Whether you are looking for a home laser cutting machine or a commercial one, there are a few things you need to pay some mind to.

The budget is a big consideration, but you must also consider others.

These will help you choose laser power and bed size.

Price/Budget

The most high-value laser engravers are costly because of their quality output. But paying thousands of dollars for a hobbyist machine may not be worth it.

Determine the ROI of the machine you are about to buy and put a price on that.

For example, if you want to start a business requiring a high-power, fast, and efficient engraver, by all means, spend a little more money to get quality.

Material Options

A good CO2 laser engraver should sort all your needs unless you plan to deal with metal.

For a hobbyist engraver dealing with paper and cardboard at most, go for a diode laser that will sort out your needs.

Engraving Size

Ideally, you want a machine with a bed size capable of cutting your largest component.

Check the standard sizes of materials you want to be the engraving and buy a machine best suited for that.

It also means considering the size and space you have available.

Laer cutting machine working on wood

Software Compatibility

The ideal situation when buying an engraving machine is that it comes with its software and saves you that hassle.

However, many machines require you to buy the software separately because of the different operations.

Do your due diligence to find out if the software your preferred laser machine needs is readily available, affordable, and easy to use.

Customer Support

Lastly, It’s possible to run into difficulties during operation, and you need someone who is a call away to help sort out the problem. Thankfully, most reputable manufacturers do have this service.

Best Laser Cutting Machine