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xTool · CO₂
xTool P2
Enclosed CO₂ laser built for small businesses and serious hobbyists
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Last updated How we evaluate
Released January 2022
TL;DR
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.
Compare the xTool P2 to…
Popular side-by-side matchups with full specs, scores, and an honest verdict.
Best for
What makes this machine stand out
Hardware and workflow features worth understanding before you buy : not just wattage on a label.
Alignment camera
A built-in camera lets you overlay your design on the real material instead of guessing placement. That matters for repeat products, irregular blanks, and anyone who has wasted stock on a misaligned first run.
Real CO₂ cutting
A glass-tube CO₂ laser cuts cast acrylic and thick soft woods in ways diodes cannot match at the same price tier. Budget for outdoor exhaust or serious filtration : the cutting advantage is real, the ventilation homework is too.
LightBurn compatible
LightBurn support means advanced layers, camera tools, and workflows many makers outgrow the stock app with. Confirm your exact controller board before assuming full features : some machines need a paid license separately.
Our verdict
Ideal if you
xTool P2 is built for acrylic signage, thick wood, and shop production once exhaust is sorted. 55W adds headroom on panels and multi-pass jobs.
Skip if you
Avoid without ducting, for occasional gifts only, or if budget ignores tube replacement, power, and floor space. Bare metal without an IR accessory stays out of scope.
Pros
- Strong on acrylic and wood versus diodes on the same budget tier
- Integrated cabinet helps contain the beam and everyday smoke versus open-frame diodes
- Software listed on the profile: test your workflow (LightBurn or maker app) on scrap first
Cons
- Ventilation to the outside is mandatory for regular cutting, not an optional upgrade
- Tube life and replacement cost are part of the true ownership budget
What this machine is for
Professional cutting of acrylic, wood & leather for small businesses
Production-grade cutting and engraving of organic materials (wood, acrylic, leather) in a home or small business workshop.
Laser spot size
~0.15 mm CO₂ spot
Motion precision: 0.01 mm
Sample engrave job
~4–6 min
10 × 10 cm (4 × 4 in)
Sample cut job
~1–2 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
- · Acrylic
- · Leather
- · Glass
- · Stone
- · Anodized aluminum
- · Rubber
Accessories & add-ons
Typical inclusions and add-ons for this profile : confirm your SKU.
- Included
Enclosure / cabinet
- Optional
Laser safety glasses
CO₂ wavelength: match OD rating for 10.6 µm if required by manual
- Recommended
Fire extinguisher
Editorial guidance : not a live parts list. See also: Ventilation setup · Safety basics
Practical notes
Beginner notes
This profile covers xTool P2. Read the TL;DR and benchmarks before buying, then compare nearby models on the Compare page.
Pro tips
Pair with a compressor and good air assist for cleaner cuts on acrylic. LightBurn unlocks advanced workflows if you outgrow xTool Creative Space. Plan exhaust routing before unboxing: ventilation is not optional with CO₂.
Pro / technical specsRaw numbers for experienced users comparing machines.
- Max speed (spec)
- 600 mm/s
- Avg engrave speed
- 150–300 mm/s fill
- Avg cut speed
- 15–40 mm/s on 3 mm acrylic
Alternatives to the xTool P2
Machines in the same space, picked from our database by type, price, and score.
xTool · Diode · $999 – $3,049
The 20W S1 is the value pick in xTool's enclosed diode line: same cabinet and filters as the 40W, but less cut depth on thick wood. Buy this if safety matters and you mostly engrave.
Glowforge · CO₂ · $999
Glowforge's compact CO₂ laser designed for crafters. Easy software, quick setup, and decent cutting for thin materials. The catch: premium hardware price plus required subscription for full features, and a smaller work area than xTool P2.
OMTech · CO₂ · $600 – $1,000
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.