Who was that person who spent years of crafting and woodworking without a great laser cutting solution?
Couldn’t be you!
Or if he was you because of some joke of fate, it wouldn’t be you anymore. You cannot live without getting the beauty enhancer of your woodworking projects and that’s final.
So, now if you have decided to bring your laser cutter to its new home, you’re at the right place.
Check our comprehensive list below to see which one fulfills the criteria of the best wood laser cutter for your woodworking needs?
Let’s Dive in
Best Wood Laser Cutter 2021:
Here are our picks for the top wood laser cutters available in the market.
Laser Cutter for Wood | Woody Rating |
BobsCNC Evolution 4 | 10/10 [Editor’s Choice] |
Beamo 30W | 8.5/10 |
Orion 60W | 7.5/10 |
Dremel LC40-01 | 7/10 |
Glowforge Plus 3D | 8/10 |
Orion 50w | 7/10 |
Dremel LC40-03 40W | 7.5/10 |
Orion 80W | 7.5/10 |
TEN-HIGH CO2 | 7/10 |
BobsCNC Evolution 4 CNC Router Kit
[Editor’s Choice]
Why We Love It:
- Great value for money
- Beginner-friendly
- Compatible with third-party software
Pros | Cons |
✅ High level of precision | ❌ Needs to be assembled |
✅ Sturdy and stable build | |
✅ Offers a large working area | |
✅ Rigid laser cut frame | |
✅ Strong hold on item | |
✅ Ready-to-assemble kit | |
✅ Very Affordable |
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Beamo 30W Desktop Laser Cutter
Why We Love It:
- Lightweight and compact
- Innovative smart trace software
- Safe for kids’ projects
- Works on multiple surfaces
Pros | Cons |
✅ Versatile 30W laser | ❌ Limited work area |
✅ 1000 DPI resolution | |
✅ Affordable professional machine | |
✅ Beginner-friendly | |
✅ Professional precision | |
✅ Powerful UI |
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Orion Motor Tech 60W CO2 Laser Engraver
Why We Love It:
- Works with multiple materials
- Highly portable
- Trusted brand
Pros | Cons |
✅ Built-in exhausts | ❌ Not for large scale projects |
✅ Red dot guide | |
✅ Compatible with third party vector software |
Dremel LC40-01 High-Speed Laser Cutter
Why We Love It:
- Fast function
- Works on multiple surfaces
- Focus on safety
- Tried and tested for runtime
- Trusted brand
Pros | Cons |
✅ Multiple functions | ❌ Costly |
✅ Tested for durability | ❌ Not for business purposes |
✅ Large working area | |
✅ Honeycomb work platform |
Glowforge Plus 3D Laser Printer
Why We Love It:
- Fast & automatic
- Easy setup
- Extremely precise
Pros | Cons |
✅ Large working area | ❌ Expensive |
✅ Engraves 1300 lines per inch | |
✅ Safe for home and school | |
✅ Preview mode available | |
✅ Can use paper designs |
Also check our ultimate guide to wood burning
Orion Motor Tech 50W CO2 Laser Engraver Cutter
Why We Love It:
- Large working area
- Works on a multitude of products
- Fast function
Pros | Cons |
✅ Powerful laser | ❌ Not Beginner-friendly |
✅ Built-in ventilation | ❌ Expensive |
✅ Safe | |
✅ RUIDA Display |
Dremel LC40-03 40W CO2 Laser Digilab Laser Engraver & Cutter
Why We Love It:
- Extra dose of ventilation
- Fast
- Longer working hours
- Safe
Pros | Cons |
✅ Durable | ❌ Costly |
✅ Large working area | |
✅ Easy-to-use software | |
✅ Comes with material for cutting and engraving | |
✅ Work on multiple surfaces | |
✅ Industry grade build |
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Orion Motor Tech 80W CO2 Laser Engraver Cutter
Why We Love It:
- Fast function
- Large working area
- Tackles most non-metal products
Pros | Cons |
✅ Reasonable precision | ❌ Only works with Windows |
✅ Safety features and full enclosure | |
✅ Built-in ventilation | |
✅ Heavy-duty build |
TEN-HIGH CO2 engrave Machine
Why We Love It:
- Fast & smooth function
- Considerable engraving area
- Tackles multiple surfaces
- Ready to install rotary axis
Pros | Cons |
✅ Safety water valve | ❌ Compatible with few versions of Windows |
✅ Cooling water temperature display | |
✅ Flame retardant system | |
✅ Comes with CorelLaser installed |
Best Wood Laser Cutter – Buying Guide
We enlisted the top 10 markets competent best wood laser cutter models. Some customers may sound confused about which one to choose yet!
Don’t worry! We are here to help you. Before your final decision for a particular CNC laser cutting machine, just follow these guidelines for a better way to analyze a model.
This extensive article will definitely help you with choosing your best laser cutter without incurring lots of research. But if you are not sure what you are looking for and how to evaluate a potential laser cutter for your workstation, you should read this complete buying guide.
This buying guide answers all the questions which you want to be answered about the best choice available in the market and the best fit for the type of wood engraving you do.
What should I look for when buying a laser engraver?
First of all, understand your craft’s needs. As a woodworker, you should look for an engraving and cutting machine which works on wood and related materials like cardboard and paper. If the choice of material is wider in your engraver, it will prove to be a better choice for you. However, the bare minimum of wood cutting and engraving should be present before you decide on the best fit.
Don’t forget about the budget. The prices of laser cutting machines for home use vary greatly. You can expect to spend between two-hundred to ten-thousand dollars on a single device. Before starting your research, decide on the budget you have for your machine and stick to it.
Understand the type of work. Most laser cutters also engrave on wood. However, you would want to be sure about this type of activity before you make the purchase.
Safety is a paramount issue especially if you are working at the beginner level or if you want to keep the device in a high traffic area of your home or office. See if the laser comes with a complete enclosure and lid. The best laser cutter for safety is one that can sense a lack of input from the user to automatically shut down.
Precision is the key measure if your projects require lots of details. This quality of engraving depends on various factors including beam width and spacing between lines it can engrave.
You should also consider the maintenance and repair of your device. It should be easy to clean. Inquire about the frequency of maintenance as well the whole process before investing. Know that some lasers have so much intense maintenance process that users are forced to call for a technician. Plus, you should be able to find its parts easily in the market.
Carefully analyze the technical aspect and compare them with other models as well. Technical aspects include the specialized software the machine uses to communicate with the overall cutter’s hardware, structure, and design, the engraving area for designs, compatible software, and operating system.
Moreover, some advanced laser cutters can connect via Bluetooth and mobile apps. While others can connect with a USB port and computer. Choose the one that provides the best fit for your requirements in terms of technical aspects.
Warranty is a plus when you buy an expensive wood laser cutter! Every machine that costs hundreds to million dollars will need some maintenance after a couple of years. A machine part may break.
During maintenance or breakage, it matters how much it costs locally or internationally. If the company is offering an easy warranty policy and guarantee policy, it will cost you less and save your time. Hence, choose a model where you can claim and get refunded!
Before buying the laser cutter, consider the power capacity needed for your task. In the market, some laser cutting machines are light and consume less power. Less power capacity machines are mostly used at home.
Some cutting machines consume full wattage of power, and these machines are used commercially.
Exposure to laser light can damage the human eye retina and burn skin. Handle the laser cutting machines with extra care! Almost all laser machines have sealed Co2 lasers that emit invisible intense laser radiations.
These radiations have a wavelength of 10.5 microns and are invisible to the human eye. So, all companies that manufacture laser cutters provide special goggles so that you can operate easily. I hope these guidelines would help you get your best wood laser cutter for making your most creative and personalized designs.
Can you cut wood with a laser cutter?
Laser cutting is the latest technique for precise cutting, marking, and engravings on flat materials, including wood, metal, and acrylic, by releasing a beam of intense light through a manageable head.
However, if you want to cut more than 20 mm wood, it requires multiple laser beam passes.
What wood is good for laser cutting?
The laser cutting has exceptional results on Cork, Balsa, Baltic Birch Plywood, Cherry, White Pine, Alder, and Basswood. Softwoods are preferred for laser cutting as they have less distorted and hard grain patterns.
How long do laser engravers last?
The laser engraving system is best for craft jewelry. The working mechanism utilizes laser beam passes in short pulses needed to create quality artwork. These engravings last long up to 35,000 hours of life.
How thick can a laser cutter cut wood?
Most of the laser cutters work well with 0.5-12 mm thick material. Whereas there are many laser cutters cut 20 mm thick material too.
Any wooden material more than 20 mm should be cut through the CNC router for better performance.
Is plywood safe to laser cut?
Wood-like plywood or composite wood that contains glue is not a good option to cut with a laser cutter. These wood materials like plywood are ¼ inches thick that is not suitable for laser cutting.
MDF has the same thickness of ¼ inches, but that also has to bear a higher amount of charring while cutting.
What are the advantages of cutting with a laser?
The best wood laser cutter can offer more than one advantage in cutting wood.
Control: Laser cutters deliver good control over the beam. You can use its intensity, heat, and length to get the desired results.
Low power consumption: in comparison to other tools, laser cutters consume low power. They utilize 10kw, whereas others can go to 50kw.
Versatile usage: Laser cutters can go well with multiple materials.
Low maintenance: all laser cutters are easy to use and easy to maintain thus;, low cost as well.
Time-saving: These cutters allow to work efficiently, set up easily, and allow smooth finish and precise cutting in less time.
How does a wood laser cutter work?
Laser cutters with their powerful beam directed to the material that cut it by melting, burning, or vaporizing it. Finally, it leaves a smooth cut with a high-quality finish.
Can a laser cut a human?
The laser cutters need to be used carefully. Laser cutter machines are powerful and made with high-density energy that can harm human organs.
They can damage sensitive human tissues. A powerful laser beam can burn through any brain tissue of retina tissue.
Are there different types of laser cutting?
Yes, laser cutters are available in different types that allow a variety of techniques for cutting.
Three main types are well known for their performance, C02, fiber, and crystal.
What is the best laser cutting machine?
According to our criteria of accuracy and ease of use, the best wood laser cutter includes the best affordable laser cutter and home laser cutting machines.
- Beamo Laser Cutter & Engraver 30W Desktop
- BobsCNC Evolution 4 CNC Router Kit
- Orion Motor Tech CO2 Laser Engraver Cutter
Can you cut with a laser engraver?
Yes. Laser cutters and laser engravers are the same terms used interchangeably on the basis of your main aim. Mostly, CO2 flatbed laser machines include the features of cutting as well as engraving.
What can I do with a laser engraver?
You can engrave to create artistic wooden keychain holders, bottle openers, wine glasses, woodcut puzzles, wood rolling pin, glass spice jars, beer cap shadow box, coasters, crafts on ornaments, and many others.
Are laser cutters dangerous?
Yes, they can damage the skin and eyes of users. The other hazards include the possibility of catching fire or can produce irritating combustion effects. Therefore, place it in the cutter safely. Typically, it contains CO2 carbon dioxide lasers that produce radiations at the wavelength of 10600 nm.
How do I choose a laser cutter?
The process includes planning, researching the brand, and researching the machine you want to buy. Plan. You need to know your needs. Precision, material, budget, and ease of use are some factors you should plan out in this phase.
Know the supplier. The search for the best laser cutter doesn’t start with the best product. Rather, it starts with the best manufacturer who makes this product. Look for a trustable brand. A laser cutter is a long-term asset and you would see yourself contacting the support more than once in coming years. Know if the brand is responsive to your needs. See if it’s popular enough to have spare parts easily available.
Talk about the machine. Learn the essentials. If you want faster operations, go for advanced CO2 technology. You may also get some help from the power of the laser. Know how much working area caters to what size of the engraving project.
Should I buy a laser engraver?
This question’s answer varies according to your needs and capabilities. If you see yourself using your laser cutter frequently, you get a positive answer. Otherwise, you can always rely on the services of laser engraving businesses and professionals to lend you a helping hand. Or you may consider leasing the best laser engraver for wood without future commitments.
If you are a newbie in wood pattern designing and engraving, you can skip the worries. Most laser cutters are easy to use and learn.
Another factor that should influence your choice is whether you want an engraver or a cutter. Ask yourself if your projects focus more on cutting the wood or engraving it. If your work requires an emphasis on both tasks, you should buy the best laser engraver for wood separately from a cutter. Not only will this separation mean an increase in the turnaround but you will also get professional results for both needs.
How much does a laser cutter cost?
Well, the answer is a range between 200 and 10,000 dollars. If you only want your feet wet, you should go for the best affordable laser cutter available in the market. If you want more accuracy and detail and you are more passionate about your craft than a newbie, intermediate level products will help you most. In the end, the laser engravers lying at the higher end of this range are meant for those hobbyists and DIY-enthusiasts who are venturing into their empire around craft-building.
Another factor that decides the price of these lasers is the safety measures it considers. The best home engraving machine which doesn’t require a dedicated space in a workshop comes with complete enclosures so the laser beam doesn’t escape the machine. Other lasers are more technical and less safe.
Speed and efficiency, thickness, and cutting and engraving areas also influence the price of the best mini laser engraver.
Which laser cutter should I buy?
The answer depends on your needs.
Safety is enhanced in Dremel, Growforge, and Beamo cutters. This excessive safety makes these lasers great choices for homes and offices. For the automated experience, Dremel and Glowforge make perfect choices. And you get the most power on a reasonable budget with most models of Orion.
What is the best wood for laser cutting?
Go for maple, basswood, alder, cherry, and poplar if you are serious about cutting and engraving crafts.
The quality of wood you are using for your wood cutting and engraving determines the quality finish you get for your craft. If you are using harder wood, you should expect a deterioration of the quality you get in the end. Also, the grain has to be smoother to help with cutting.
Another option that is widely used among woodworkers is plywood. The best quality of this engineered wood is that some of its qualities are specifically manufactured and marketed for laser work. Search for the thickness your machine can handle and forget all worries about the finished quality of your masterpiece.
What can a 100-watt laser cut?
A 100-watt laser can cut acrylic with a thickness of 1mm to 19mm, Balsawood with a thickness of (3.2mm to 6.5mm), Birch (0.9mm to 4.8mm), Cardboard (4mm to 6.5mm), and Plywood (5.6mm to 12mm) polyethylene foam, Silicon sheet, and transparency sheet.
Final Verdict:
To save your time and energy, you must think about adding the best wood laser cutter to your tools. No matter if you need a consumer laser cutter for your home or small business; they can allow a smooth and perfect finish to your material.
Save your material from damage and choose the best wood laser cutter from our selection to speed up your performance with a reliable tool.
Though Beamo 30W Desktop Laser Cutter is our Editor’s choice yet if you are looking for the best laser engraver along with your cutting needs, I would recommend you to get your hands on BobsCNC Evolution 4 CNC Router Kit the two in one champ.
References:
Design and testing of components for a low-cost laser cutter
- Best Laser Cutters UK 【Top Picks 2021】 - March 3, 2021
- 9 Best Wood Laser Cutters 【Top Picks 2021】 - January 17, 2021
- 10 Best Paint Removers for Wood Deck 【Top Picks 2021】 - November 15, 2020
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