Buying a Laser Cutter: Everything You Need to Consider

You don't just buy a new laser cutter. Since this is a device ranging from €500 to €4000, it's important to invest this money in a laser cutter that suits what you want to do with it.

We've been working with laser cutters for 15 years; for our parent company Snijlab, we've built a large portion of our machines ourselves. We now use this technical knowledge at Lasersheets to help you with DIY laser cutting. One of the questions we regularly get is: which laser cutter is best for me? Unfortunately, there's no definitive answer to this question until you've made some considerations yourself.

We want to help everyone who wants to buy a laser cutter for home use find the right device. This article discusses all the important points to consider. This way, you'll find the right laser cutter for you. We look forward to seeing you back at Lasersheets for the best materials.

Also check out the blog: Xtool S1 20W, what do we think?
Here we review the Xtool S1 20W ourselves

What is a laser cutter?

As the name suggests, a laser cutter is a machine that cuts using a laser beam. The term is a bit misleading, because the light beam doesn't cut like a knife, but rather burns (in a controlled way) through the material.

Laser cutters work with a digital drawing. Once you input this, the drawing is cut out of the material by a laser beam. A laser cutter is very similar to a CNC router, but setting up a drawing is faster with a laser cutter, and so is making small adjustments to your design. Another difference is that with a laser cutter, you can create sharper corners and more details. Additionally, there is no direct contact with the material when using a laser cutter, which means you can laser cut wood as easily as felt or fabric. A CNC router cannot do that.

The best laser cutter for you

While laser cutters were previously mainly found in workshops and schools, today anyone can buy a laser cutter and start a new hobby or career. These devices are ideal for creative people, model makers, and designers, and are also becoming increasingly affordable.

The decision to buy a laser cutter is therefore quickly made. We discuss all the important points as you browse the selection.

1. Is it worth the investment?

Laser cutters are not cheap. And it's also true that more expensive devices often have more capabilities. Is this an investment that is worthwhile for you?

First, ask yourself what you want to do with your laser cutter. Hobbyists will probably be less demanding than designers. Many people also want to buy a laser cutter for home use to start their own business. You could sell your designs on Etsy, for example.

Tip for doubters: For anyone who is still unsure, laser cutters can also be used at FabLabs. Try out these open workshops to see if laser cutting is for you. If so, you can always invest in your own laser cutter later.

2. Cutting and/or engraving?

Do you want to buy a laser engraving machine or a laser cutter? With a laser engraving machine, also called a laser engraver, you can only mark the material. You remove a portion of the top layer, creating an engraving. This allows you to engrave images into the material. With our engraving plate ABS and your own laser engraving machine, you can create beautiful objects.

A laser engraver can only engrave, but a laser cutter can both engrave and cut. With laser cutting, the beam goes completely through the material, and with engraving, it goes to a certain depth. By buying a laser cutter, you gain access to both techniques. This is also what we usually recommend.

3. Diode or CO₂?

There are different types of laser cutters, but the most common are Diode laser cutters and CO₂ lasers. The difference lies in the light source used, i.e., the light tube in which the laser beam is generated.

Diode lasers are cheaper and easy to use. They are ideal laser cutters for home use, hobbyists, and small businesses. The disadvantage of diode lasers is that they cannot process all materials. Cutting wood is not a problem, but a diode laser is not suitable for most plastics. With transparent plastics, the beam shines through without cutting. Matte black acrylic can be cut with the right settings, but that requires a lot of expertise. At Lasersheets, you know exactly which materials are suitable for your diode laser.

CO₂ lasers are more expensive but can process more materials. Do you want to cut a sign from acrylic, make a unique mirror, or a coaster from silicone rubber? The materials for the CO₂ laser are much more versatile than what is available for diode lasers.

4. How much wattage do you need?

When buying your laser cutter, you will also have to make a choice about the wattage of the device. The higher the wattage, the thicker the material you can cut. This maximum thickness varies per material and is determined by its density.

You can adjust the cutting power (wattage) in your laser cutter's settings (similar to dimming a lamp), but you cannot exceed the maximum. So, if you want to cut through thicker materials, this is an important point.

A 10W diode laser can easily cut through 10mm thick PE foam because it has a lower density, but if you want to cut 10mm thick MDF, it won't be able to do it in one pass. Sometimes it can be solved by going over the cut line multiple times, but then the process also takes longer.

If you are interested in what you can cut with a 20W diode laser, then the results of our cutting test of the Xtool S1 are certainly interesting. We tested almost every material so you know exactly what to expect when you get started.

5. The brand of your laser cutter

There are a large number of brands that all produce excellent laser cutters for home use. This list is regularly updated, as laser cutting is more accessible than ever.

If you want to be sure you are purchasing quality, it is wise to opt for a more established brand. We recommend the following brands for anyone looking to buy a laser cutter for home use.

• Xtool

• Glowforge

• Sculpfun

• Ortur

• Gweike

• Trotec

• BRM laser

6. With or without enclosure?

If you've ever searched for laser cutters, you've probably noticed that some are sold with and some without an enclosure. We advise you to always choose a laser cutter with an enclosure. This has an important function for your safety and health.

The enclosure first and foremost protects your eyes. If a laser beam reflects, you can suffer eye damage, and the tint in the enclosure neutralizes these rays. Open laser cutters often come with safety glasses, but that is still less safe.

In addition, soot is produced during laser cutting, and inhaling this is not healthy. In an enclosed machine, the soot is extracted and the air is filtered.

Which laser cutter is best for you?

A final point is, of course, the price. We cannot give general advice here, but chances are you have a budget. We recommend first asking yourself what you want to use the laser cutter for and what specifications you need for that:

1. Do you only want to engrave or also laser cut?

2. Do you want a diode or a CO₂ laser?

3. What is the minimum wattage you need?

Then, you'll see if you can buy such a laser cutter in your price range. If not, there's probably a FabLab near you that will let you use their equipment until you're ready to buy a laser cutter yourself.

Fortunately, laser cutters are no longer as expensive as they used to be, and even for those with a lower budget, a great device can be found.

We are happy to help

Our companies Snijlab and Lasersheets were founded out of a passion for laser cutting. We have almost 15 years of experience in the sector and are always happy to share this with our customers and other enthusiasts.

Do you have a laser cutter in mind, but aren't sure if it's the best choice for what you want to do with it? We don't sell laser cutters ourselves, but we do sell the materials you need to make your project successful. We are happy to share our knowledge about the sheet material we sell and how to achieve the best results with it.

Contact our specialists with any questions. With the information you've received from us here, you're sure to choose a laser cutter that you'll enjoy using for many years to come.