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Longer · Diode
Longer Ray5 · 20W
20W Compact fixed-focus diode: simple desk engraver for small projects
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Last updated How we evaluate
Released January 2023
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Showing specs for: 20W
TL;DR
Longer Ray5 20W is the 20W SKU on the Longer longer ray5 line. Longer's compact Ray5 20W diode engraver: verify you are buying the 20W SKU, not the 5W, 10W, or 40W Ray5 listings. Verify optical power on the listing: do not assume combined-watt marketing.
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Best for
What makes this machine stand out
Hardware and workflow features worth understanding before you buy : not just wattage on a label.
Engraving and light cutting
3 mm basswood squares in about 9–15 min in our benchmarks, with fills around 16–36 mm/s.
Large-format kit
Longer sells a Large Format Expansion kit for this version ($779.99 in October 2026) for bigger panels.
Our verdict
Ideal if you
Longer Ray5 20W is the versatile hobby / side-business SKU: clean engraving and light wood or leather cuts with comparable benchmarks on Maker Atlas.
Skip if you
Open-frame: glasses and exhaust required. Upgrade path to 40W if cutting takes over. Not a CO₂ replacement for clear acrylic or heavy thick-stock production.
Pros
- Cuts a 3 mm basswood square in ~9–15 min in our benchmarks
- Fills at ~16–36 mm/s, three times the speed of the entry Ray5
- Wide choice of kits on Longer's store, from $399.99 basic to large-format expansion
Cons
- Wider 0.08 × 0.10 mm spot than the finest Ray5, per Longer
- Slightly smaller working area: 400 × 365 mm according to Longer
- Longer's 15 mm one-pass rating is optimistic next to our cut benchmark
What this machine is for
Everyday engraving plus reliable light cutting on wood, leather, and dark acrylic
20W module · Longer Ray5
Laser spot size
~0.09 mm spot
Motion precision: 0.01 mm
Sample engrave job
~18–28 min
10 × 10 cm (4 × 4 in)
Sample cut job
~9–15 min
10 × 10 cm (4 × 4 in)
Reference benchmark: same job size on every machine so you can compare times fairly. Times are estimates for the reference job above; your design complexity and settings will change them.
Materials
- · Wood
- · Leather
- · Slate
- · Anodized aluminum
Accessories & add-ons
Typical inclusions and add-ons for this profile : confirm your SKU.
- Optional
Enclosure / cabinet
Third-party enclosure improves smoke control and safety
- Recommended
Laser safety glasses
~450 nm diode: OD rated for your wavelength
- Recommended
Fire extinguisher
Editorial guidance : not a live parts list. See also: Ventilation setup · Safety basics
Practical notes
Beginner notes
This profile is the 20W SKU on Longer Ray5. Read the TL;DR and benchmarks above, then compare other power options via the chips before buying.
Pro tips
Use air assist for cuts, lower scan speed for photo engraving. Multiple passes at moderate speed beat one aggressive pass. Check the flagship tier’s cut benchmark if you quote production times to customers.
Pro / technical specsRaw numbers for experienced users comparing machines.
- Max speed (spec)
- 200 mm/s
- Avg engrave speed
- 16–36 mm/s fill
- Avg cut speed
- 2–3 mm/s on 2–4 mm wood
Common questions
Is 15 mm in one pass realistic on the Ray5 20W?
Longer rates the 20W for 15 mm basswood in one pass and up to 35 mm acrylic, figures that assume ideal settings. In our benchmarks a 10 × 10 cm square in 3 mm basswood takes about 9–15 min at 2–3 mm/s; around 8 mm basswood in several passes is a realistic everyday limit.
Which Ray5 20W kit should I buy?
On Longer's store in October 2026: Basic set $399.99, Cutting kit with air assist and honeycomb $459.99, All-in-One Studio kit with rotary and camera $619.99, Large Format Expansion kit $779.99. For cutting, the $60 step to the Cutting kit is the one that pays off first.
Ray5 20W or Ray5 40W?
The 40W is a redesigned machine: 8-beam compression, 15 mm industrial rail and 24,000 mm/min, and it cuts our 3 mm square in about 6–10 min. Longer's store listed it at $679.99 against $399.99 for this 20W basic set (October 2026). Keep the 20W for mixed engraving and light cutting.
Alternatives to the Longer Ray5 20W
Machines in the same space, picked from our database by type, price, and score.
Atomstack · Diode · $249 – $349
Atomstack A5 Pro 10W is the 10W SKU on the Atomstack atomstack a5 pro line. One of the cheapest ways to try laser engraving. Verify optical power on the listing: do not assume combined-watt marketing.
Ortur · Diode · $140 – $1,740
The 20W LM3 is the configuration most buyers mean when they say 'Laser Master 3'. Strong engraving, light cutting, huge community: verify you are not accidentally ordering the 10W SKU.
xTool · Diode · $499 – $1,229
Launched May 2026, the M2 packs laser engraving, cutting, and integrated inkjet color printing into one enclosed desktop at $599. Built for everyday crafters and Etsy sellers who want color + laser without a pro CO₂ budget: not a metal-marking or production cutter.