CO₂ · laser engravers

Pass-through CO₂ crafting for long materials with zero-config software

The Glowforge Pro adds passthrough slot for long materials and stronger CO₂ performance vs Aura. Still cloud-dependent with subscription pressure. Best for design-focused crafters who refuse to touch LightBurn: not for cost-sensitive makers.

Connected enclosed CO₂ for acrylic and wood small business work

Gweike Cloud Pro offers enclosed CO₂ cutting with cloud features and competitive pricing vs xTool P2. Good mid-premium CO₂ if you want LightBurn and community support. Verify local warranty before buying.

Professional cutting of acrylic, wood & leather for small businesses

The xTool P2 is a 55W enclosed CO₂ laser with a large work area and camera alignment. It cuts acrylic and wood far better than any diode laser. Expensive, but the closest thing to a 'set up and run a small shop' desktop machine.

Next-gen enclosed CO₂ for small businesses cutting acrylic and wood

The P2S refines the original P2 with better software and autofocus. Same 55W CO₂ class for acrylic and wood production. Still xTool's main enclosed CO₂ below the P3 flagship: choose P3 if you need 80W and automation; P2S if 55W and budget fit.

Mid-range CO₂ production for signs, acrylic & wood shops

Monport sits between budget K40 machines and premium enclosed CO₂ like xTool P2. The 55W desktop models offer real cutting power with improved build quality and optional autofocus. Still needs ventilation, but closer to 'business ready' than a stock K40.

Cutting acrylic and wood on a 600 × 400 mm bed for the price of a desktop CO₂

The Reno 65 relaunched in September 2026 with a built-in 3 L water tank, a 600 × 400 mm bed, a 640 × 7 mm front pass-through, 100 mm of Z travel and magnetic assisted focus. One 65W glass tube, three versions: Basic ($1,599.99, 500 mm/s, USB and LightBurn only), Pro ($2,249.99, 800 mm/s, Wi-Fi, offline panel, compatible with the 1W IR module) and Vision (8 MP camera, $2,749.99). In October 2026 the Pro was listed for early-October shipping and the Basic for late November, so both are effectively pre-orders; only the Vision was shown in stock. No independent review of this generation yet.

Desktop CO₂ cutting of acrylic and wood on a bigger bed, without an external chiller

The Polar 2 70W replaces the original Polar with a much larger 710 × 360 mm bed, a 70W glass CO₂ tube cooled by an internal 4.3 L water loop, a 16 MP full-bed camera, one-touch auto-focus and a rotary in the box. It is the cutting-first, lower-cost half of the Polar 2 line; the 50W RF version engraves faster and finer. No independent long-term review yet.

Entry CO₂ cutting with fewer mandatory mods than classic K40

Monport's 40W desktop CO₂ sits alongside OMTech K40 class with often better out-of-box experience. Entry CO₂ for acrylic and wood. Ventilation and learning still required.

An affordable first CO₂ for acrylic, wood and leather on a desk

Monport's new-generation Reno 45, listed on 20 September 2026, keeps the 400 × 300 mm bed and 45W glass tube but moves the water cooling inside (3 L tank) and adds a 470 × 7 mm front pass-through, 100 mm of Z travel and magnetic assisted focus. Basic $1,149.99 (500 mm/s, USB), Pro $1,499.99 (600 mm/s, Wi-Fi, offline panel, compatible with the 1W IR module), Vision $1,649.99 (8 MP camera). All three were on pre-order in October 2026: Pro and Vision shipping late October, Basic late November. It replaces the earlier Reno 45 Pro Vision.

Compact desktop CO₂ for acrylic and wood without full K40 bulk

OMTech Polar packs CO₂ cutting into a smaller desktop footprint than traditional K40 boxes. Good bridge between diode frustration and full workshop CO₂. Still needs ventilation and learning curve.

Production cutting of acrylic and wood on a 500 × 700 mm bed in a workshop, for the price of a large desktop CO₂

OMTech now sells its 500 × 700 mm cabinet laser with a 90W Yongli H2 glass tube, under model numbers that still end in -80: the MF2028-80 with manual focus ($2,999.99) and the AF2028-80 with motorized autofocus on a taller stand ($3,299.99). Both have a Ruida control panel, USB and Ethernet, front, rear and side pass-through doors, air assist and an exhaust fan built in. Cooling is a pump and tank in the base package; a 6 L chiller costs $500 more. It replaces our OMTech 80W profile. No independent review of the 90W version yet.

Automated 80W CO₂ production for sign shops and serious small businesses

xTool P3 (August 2025) replaces the P2/P2S as the company's CO₂ flagship: 80W tube, 915×458 mm bed, integrated chiller, fire suppression, and ACS™ automation (cameras, LiDAR autofocus, AI nesting). Optional 5W IR module adds bare-metal marking. From ~$5,999: built for shops outgrowing diode lasers.

Enclosed 55W CO₂ cutting and engraving for makers already in the Bambu Lab ecosystem

The R1 is Bambu Lab's first standalone laser cutter, announced on September 22, 2026 and not yet delivered: pre-orders are open, with shipping now expected in November 2026. It is an enclosed 55W CO₂ machine with a 600 × 300 mm bed, up to 1,000 mm/s, a camera and sensor system for alignment and focus, and an optional conveyor for material up to 3 m long. Bambu Lab lists $2,499 / €2,499. Early hands-on reviews exist, but no buyer has received one yet, and specs, software and prices may still change before delivery.

Cut thin sheet metal and engrave or cut wood and acrylic with one machine in a small workshop

The Gweike MCore combines a 400W fiber laser, rated to cut up to 5 mm of stainless steel, carbon steel, brass and aluminum, with an 80W CO₂ laser for wood and acrylic up to 20 mm, in one enclosed 711 × 411 mm machine with a 16 MP camera. Gweike gives 1,200 mm/s and 0.01 mm motion accuracy. Pre-order: in October 2026 Gweike's store listed it as sold out at $6,999, with shipment from China by sea in November, and no hands-on review or owner report existed yet. Every figure here is a manufacturer claim.

Camera-assisted desktop CO₂ for signage and acrylic work

Monport Reno45 Pro Vision adds camera-assisted autofocus and a 45W CO₂ tube in a desktop format. Strong acrylic/wood cutter for makers stepping up from diode: plan ventilation and space.

Budget CO₂ cutting for makers willing to upgrade and maintain

The modern evolution of the famous K40. Real CO₂ cutting power at the lowest CO₂ price point. Excellent value if you enjoy upgrading and fixing things. Wrong choice if you want plug-and-play out of the box.

One enclosed machine for CO₂ cutting and galvo engraving, expandable to glass and metal later

The X1 is an xTool platform revealed in late August 2026 and not yet delivered. Every X1 starts with a 55W CO₂ head on a gantry; a 20W diode galvo module, moving with the gantry, adds fast engraving and is required for the optional 5W UV, 60W MOPA and 30W fiber sources. xTool gives a maximum working area of 615 × 320 mm, up to 6,000 mm/s in galvo mode and a pass-through for projects up to 3 m. A refundable $100 deposit is open; xTool says prices will be revealed on October 28 and shipping starts on October 29, 2026. Until then, prices are unknown, and specs and dates may change.

Desktop CO₂ for acrylic cutting and wood production beyond diode limits

AtomStack Hurricane brings CO₂ cutting to Atomstack buyers who outgrew diodes. Cuts acrylic and wood thicker than any diode in this price class. Requires space, ventilation, and water cooling discipline: not apartment-friendly.

High-power CO₂ production for sign shops cutting thick acrylic & wood daily

OMTech's 80W desktop/floor CO₂ machines target sign shops and serious makers who need faster cuts on thick acrylic and wood. More power, larger beds, and higher price than K40 class. Expect setup, ventilation, and maintenance: not plug-and-play.