What Is The Best Low Cost Laser Engraver? My Opinion

atezr laser engraver

1. Longer RAY5 20W Laser Engraver(22-24W Output Power)

I recently purchased the Longer Ray 5 20 Watt, and I'm beyond thrilled with its capabilities. This laser cutter is a powerhouse, capable of cutting through a wide range of materials with impressive precision.

Key Features

  • Powerful and Versatile: With a 22-24W output, this laser engraver effortlessly cuts through 25mm pinewood, 35mm acrylic, and even 0.05mm stainless steel. I have only tested pinewood up to about 12 mm so far as I haven't had the need to cut anything thicker than that. I have no doubt that it will be able to cut up to 25mm pinewood without fail.
  • Ultra-Precise: The 0.08 x 0.1mm focus point ensures incredibly detailed cuts and engravings. I have been able to cut intricate pieces and love the outcome.
  • Creative Freedom: Multi-color engraving on some metal surfaces are possible for personalization and artistic projects.
  • Safe and Efficient: Equipped with air assist nozzles, a laser protection lens, X/Y-axis limit switches, and 5 additional safety measures.
  • User-Friendly: The 3.5" touchscreen and support for WiFi, APP, USB, and TF cards make operating this machine easy. I love the size of the screen and the fact that it is a touchscreen makes it even more enjoyable.

Cutting and Engraving Capabilities

Material Maximum Cutting Thickness (mm)
Pinewood 25
Acrylic 35
Stainless Steel 0.05

I purchased this laser engraver for only $467.99 on Amazon. If you need to know anything about this laser engraver, feel free to ask me anything.

Below is an amazing review from another customer of the product on Amazon.

longer ray 5 amazon review

2. Longer RAY5 5 Watt Laser Engraver

Longer RAY5 5 Watt Laser Engraver

This laser engraver has had many great reviews on Amazon and I couldn't talk about my own Longer Ray 5 20 watt. This laser engraver only comes in at 5 watts but is able to do just as good of a job as many other higher output laser engravers.

The learning curve to use one of these machines is definitely there, but every new engraving you complete you will have experience and know what to do and what not to do. From simple text engravings to difficult patterns, You'll be amazed at what this machine can do.

The cost of this machine is something you cannot overlook as it comes well under $300 on Amazon. The 20 Watt version that I have is over $400 at the time of writing this.

Product Details

Manufacturer ‎Longer
Name ‎Ray5 5W
Engraver Weight ‎9.94 pounds
Dimensions ‎24.02 x 26.38 x 7.87 inches
Item model number ‎Longer
Size ‎5W
Color ‎Black
Power Source ‎AC
Voltage ‎110 Volts
Power Rating ‎5 watts
Sound Level ‎40 dB

3. ACMER S1 Portable Laser Engraver Mini Machine

acmer s1

This is the ACMER S1 Portable Laser Engraver Mini Machine. It is one that has been in my eyes for a while now but I have just been too busy to take up another machine for testing. Quick sidenote, I am currently busy working on some of my RC cars trying to get them running before winter comes. Now back on topic.

This machine is small. This is however not a bad thing depending on what you actually choose to use your machine for.

The ACMER S1 Portable Laser Engraver is a small but powerful mini machine with laser power options of 2500mW or 3500mW. It offers a precise engraving area of 130x130mm (5.1x5.1 inches), and it is incredibly lightweight. How many machine do you know weigh in at just 1.5kg? Compared to my longer Ray5 20 watt laser that weighs 5.51kg. That's over 3 times lighter than my current diode laser. If you plan on laser engraving small items, this is perfect for you.

With speeds of up to 10,000mm/min and a fine spot size of 0.04x0.04mm, this machine delivers detailed and accurate results. It boasts a 445nm wavelength laser allowing it to work on a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, paper, leather, acrylic, and glass. Whether you’re personalizing items or working on intricate designs, this small machine is ready for the job!

4. Sculpfun iCube Pro Max 10W Portable Laser Engraving Machine

I came across this machine while scrolling through social media, and it instantly caught my eye. I ended up watching a couple of YouTube videos to get a better sense of what it could actually do, and I was honestly impressed by the combination of power and portability packed into this small but neat machine.

Here are a few standout features that have me seriously considering adding this to my workshop:

  • Laser Power: 10W, powerful enough for a range of materials while still maintaining precision.
  • Engraving Area: 120mm x 120mm, perfect for those smaller projects.
  • Speed and Safety: It can reach speeds of up to 10,000mm/min, making it efficient for bulk or quick projects. I will be writing an article soon on how to do bulk engravings.
  • Easy Connectivity: It’s got both Bluetooth 4.2 and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and supports most devices. I've always had machines with all these different kinds of connectivity features but never really use them. The only ones I really use are the SD card slot and the USB port.

The iCube Pro Max supports popular software like LightBurn and LaserGRBL on computers and even comes with its own app. Plus, the box comes with everything you need like the goggles, a laser head, various cables, and even a couple of sample pieces to start testing it out right away.

Watching these videos really showed me how versatile this machine could be, from detailed etchings to smooth cutting jobs. Trust me, this machine will be in my garage soon and I will be back with official pictures of my own.

Stay Tuned!

5. Monport 6 Watt Diode Laser

monport 6 watt

This machine has become my favorite machine after using it over the past couple of months. It is versatile and powerful for only having 6 watts of power. Here is a rundown of the specs this machine comes with.

Specs

  • Material of Machine: Aluminum alloy
  • Power Adapter Input: AC 100-240V 50/60Hz 1.7A DC
  • Power Adapter Output: 12V-4A 48W
  • Laser Power: 6W
  • Laser Wavelength: 450nm
  • Cutting Depth: 6mm
  • Engraving Precision: 0.05mm
  • Preview Speed: 17000mm/s
  • Lifespan: 10,000+ hours
  • Laser Source: One diode laser with FAC
  • Working Area: 100 × 100 mm
  • Resolution: 3.3K
  • Engraving Speed: 600mm/s
  • Support Systems: Windows, MAC, Linux
  • Support Format: jpg, bmp, png, dxf, svg, ai, tiff, etc.

As someone who loves simplicity, I love using the Nano Handheld Laser Engraver. It’s very stable and reliable, thanks to its industrial-grade build quality, and with over 10,000 hours of lifespan and great customer support, I can rely on it for most of my projects. I mainly use this machine for smaller projects that measure 4 inches square or less. For larger projects, I use my Longer Ray 5 20 watt.

Its compact, portable design is a game-changer which allows me to take it anywhere since it weighs in at just under 4.8 lbs, with the handheld part weighing less than 3 lbs. However, despite its small size, it delivers fast and precise engraving, which can achieve speeds of up to 800mm/s and 0.05mm precision. Now that's awesome.

It comes with an electric lift stand, which ensures perfect focus every time. I also love the dual red light focus system for how easy it is to use.

What truly stands out is its ability to engrave multi-angled, curved, and sloped surfaces, even cylindrical objects, when paired with a rotary axis. I do not currently have a rotary but will be purchasing one.

Controlling the engraver is super convenient via my phone or PC, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, and it supports popular software like LaserGRBL and Lightburn. I mainly use their software called MPlaser to run simple projects. But what I have found out is that then app from Longer called laserburn also works but just in a few different ways.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What materials can I cut with this laser?

A: This laser can cut through various materials, including pinewood, acrylic, and stainless steel. However, the maximum thickness varies depending on the material. You can learn what the limits are by trial and error. This is what I had to do.

Q: Can I engrave on metal with this laser?

A: Yes, you can engrave on metal surfaces with this laser, and it supports multi-color engraving. You can achieve different colors by varying the maximum speed and power.

Q: What safety features does this laser have?

A: The laser comes with X/Y-axis limit switches and additional safety measures to ensure user safety. The best safety measure in my opinion is the fire safety. The machine will automatically shut off if it senses any type of fire.

Q: How do I control the laser?

A: You can control the laser using the 3.5" touchscreen or through the WiFi/APP connection. I mainly use Lightburn to control the laser but every now and then I will use SD card.

This laser cutter has significantly expanded my crafting and DIY projects. From wood engravings to personalized metal engravings, the possibilities are endless. I'm excited to see what I can create with this amazing tool!

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Low-Cost Laser Engraver

  • Power output (higher wattage for thicker materials)

The power output you choose will help in deciding the types of materials you will be able to engrave on or how thick of materials you will be able to cut.

  • Engraving area

If you are only in the market to engrave on business cards or tumblers, then you wouldn't really need a laser engraver that much larger than say a 200mm x 200m work area.

  • Ease of use and assembly

Some laser engravers come in a box half put together while some come fully disassembled. The one that i purchased was not super hard to put together. As long as you follow the instruction manual, you can put it together within a couple minutes or hours. I think I put my Longer Ray 5 together in less than 1 hour and was already engraving within 2 hours.

  • Software compatibility

Some machines are not compatible with with certain software. I currently only use the Lightburn software but others like to use other software like lasergrbl.

  • Safety features

FAQ

Q: What can I engrave with a low-cost laser engraver?

A: Low-cost laser engravers are great for engraving a variety of materials including wood, acrylic, leather, fabric, and some plastics. They typically cannot engrave on metal or glass. However, some high powered but cheap engravers can sometimes engrave certain types of metals.

Q: How thick of materials can a low-cost laser engraver cut?

A: Many low-cost machines are not powerful enough for cutting, but some higher-powered models of 10 watts or more can cut through thin materials like wood or acrylic.

Q: Are low-cost laser engravers safe?

A: Laser engravers can emit fumes and laser beam, so it's important to choose a machine with safety features like a fume extractor and a cover to shield the laser beam. It's also important to wear safety glasses whenever the machine is operating. So yes, low-cost laser engravers are safe. But it's up to you as the user to go the extra mile to protect yourself.

Q: What software do I need to use a laser engraver?

A: Most low-cost laser engravers are compatible with free, open-source software like LaserGRBL or LightBurn. LaserGRBL is totally free but Lightburn comes in at a cost of $60 for a lifetime license after a 30 day trial. And get this, Lightburn even offers an extra 15 to 30 days free after your first trial period has expired. I went ahead and purchased the lifetime license. Some machines may also have their own proprietary software.

lightburn license

Q: Is it difficult to learn how to use a laser engraver?

A: The difficulty of learning how to use a laser engraver depends on the specific model. Some machines are very user-friendly, while others require more setup and calibration. There are many resources available online and from the manufacturer to help you get started.

Conclusion

The best low cost laser engraver will usually come down to your preference. I gave my opinion on my favorite as I have first hand experience with my laser engraver.

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