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Longer · Diode
Longer Ray5 · 5W
5W Compact fixed-focus diode: simple desk engraver for small projects
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Last updated How we evaluate
Released March 2022
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Showing specs for: 5W
TL;DR
Longer Ray5 5W is the 5W 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.
Best for
What makes this machine stand out
Hardware and workflow features worth understanding before you buy : not just wattage on a label.
Cheapest Ray5
$159.99 for the basic set, or $229.99 with air assist and honeycomb, on Longer's store in October 2026.
Upgrade kits
Longer sells the same machine with a cutting kit or an all-in-one kit with rotary and camera, so you can start small and add parts.
Our verdict
Ideal if you
Longer Ray5 5W suits makers who sell marks, photos, and gifts more than daily panel cutting. Reasonable open-frame entry price.
Skip if you
Skip if you already quote 3 mm+ cutting in production: see 10W, 20W or 40W in the line. Not for cast acrylic or bare metal without spray.
Pros
- Lowest price of the Ray5 range: $159.99 basic set on Longer's store (October 2026)
- Square 0.08 × 0.08 mm spot, per Longer, for clean text and logos
- Low heat and smoke: a gentle first machine for small pieces
Cons
- A 10 × 10 cm photo fill takes ~44–65 min in our benchmarks
- Cutting tops out around 3 mm basswood in practice, at ~2–3 mm/s
- Little headroom: most owners outgrow it once they start cutting
What this machine is for
Detailed engraving on organics and coated metal: occasional thin cuts only
Engraving-first desktop diode for makers who prioritize mark quality over cut speed
Laser spot size
~0.08 mm spot
Motion precision: 0.01 mm
Sample engrave job
~44–65 min
10 × 10 cm (4 × 4 in)
Sample cut job
~22–36 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 5W SKU on Longer Ray5. Read the TL;DR and benchmarks above, then compare other power options via the chips before buying.
Pro tips
Optimize for engraving: lower DPI on photos, higher scan speed on line art after test burns. Air assist still helps clarity. Compare benchmark times on the next tier before assuming you need more power.
Pro / technical specsRaw numbers for experienced users comparing machines.
- Max speed (spec)
- 200 mm/s
- Avg engrave speed
- 2–3 mm/s fill
- Avg cut speed
- 2–3 mm/s on 2–4 mm wood
Common questions
What can the Ray5 5W cut?
Longer rates the 5W module for 4 mm basswood in one pass. In our benchmarks a 10 × 10 cm square in 3 mm basswood takes about 22–36 min at 2–3 mm/s, so 3 mm is the practical limit. Paper, card and thin fabric are easy; clear acrylic is impossible.
How long does a photo take on the Ray5 5W?
Slow: a filled 10 × 10 cm photo on birch plywood takes about 44–65 min in our benchmarks. The 5W is better suited to text, logos and line art, which engrave far faster than photo fills.
Ray5 5W or 10W: is the cheaper one enough?
On Longer's store in October 2026 the basic sets were $159.99 (5W) and $239.99 (10W). For $80 more, the 10W has a finer 0.06 × 0.06 mm spot (against 0.08 × 0.08 mm), is rated for 8 mm basswood in one pass and cuts our 3 mm square in roughly 14–24 min. Keep the 5W only for occasional engraving on the tightest budget.
Alternatives to the Longer Ray5 5W
Machines in the same space, picked from our database by type, price, and score.
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.
Sculpfun · Diode · $270
Sculpfun S10 10W (2022) is a mid-size open-frame engraver with a sturdier industrial frame than S9, ~385 mm work area, and detachable laser cover. Positioned between budget S9 and S30 families for makers who want better rigidity without Ultra pricing.
Creality · Diode · $119
Creality Falcon 5W is the 5W version of the CR-Laser Falcon: the same 400 × 415 mm open frame as the Falcon 10W with half the laser power. Fine for engraving and thin crafts at a very low price; cutting is slow.