OMTech Polar Lite 55W
#1 in CO2Full review
A good first CO2 laser for makers who want a 500 x 300 mm bed, autofocus and built in cooling at about $2,000. Skip it if you rely on a camera to place designs.
Amazon $2,099.99$2,099.99
A home laser engraver burns designs into wood, leather, slate and coated metal, and the stronger ones cut thin plywood and acrylic into parts. These rankings compare what the makers publish on the same terms: how much laser output you get for the money, how big a piece fits, which conveniences are built in and how long the machine is covered.
Laser type is the first choice. A diode laser is small, cheap and runs from a wall adapter, and handles wood, leather and dark materials well, but it can’t cut clear acrylic or glass. A CO2 laser cuts clear and colored acrylic, engraves glass and cuts wood faster and cleaner, but it is bigger, heavier, needs water cooling on most models and must be vented outside.
Optical power is the second. Many listings headline the electrical input (“80W”) when the laser itself puts out 10 W; the rankings use the laser output. A 10 W diode engraves well and cuts 3 mm plywood; 20 to 40 W diodes cut thicker wood in fewer passes.
Enclosure is the third. An open frame diode laser needs safety glasses for everyone in the room and a plan for smoke. An enclosed machine keeps the beam and most of the fumes inside, which matters around children and pets.
Top Picks
OMTech K40+ 45W
#6 in CO2Full review
A low cost CO2 starter for tinkerers who want acrylic and glass work on a budget and don’t mind hands on setup. Its small bed rules out signs.
Amazon $769.99$769.99
OMTech 60W CO2 16x24
#2 in CO2Full review
A traditional, no frills CO2 cabinet for shops that want a big bed and 60 W for the price of a smart 55 W machine, and are fine with manual setup.
Amazon $2,469.99$2,469.99
Shop by Laser Type
Diode
18 rankedDiode lasers for wood, leather and coated metal: the cheapest way to engrave and cut thin plywood.
Top rated: Creality Falcon2 Pro S 40W $1,349
CO2
9 rankedCO2 lasers for clear acrylic, glass and faster, cleaner cuts in wood: bigger, pricier and vented.
Top rated: OMTech Polar Lite 55W $2,099.99
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Prices were last checked November 2, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Best Diode Laser Engravers
- Creality Falcon2 Pro S 40W#1 of 18Full review
An enclosed, autofocusing 40 W laser with a camera for small shops that want speed without CO2 upkeep. The best fit when cutting thick wood matters.
Amazon $1,349$1,34940 W355 x 390 mmYes - Creality Falcon2 Pro 60W#2 of 18Full review
The most cutting power in an enclosed diode machine, for small shops cutting thick wood all day. Hobbyists who mostly engrave will not use the extra power.
Amazon $1,899$1,89960 W400 x 400 mmYes - Creality Falcon2 Pro S 22W#3 of 18Full review
An enclosed, autofocusing 22 W laser with a camera for small shops that want speed without CO2 upkeep. Pick it over the 40 W if you mostly engrave.
Amazon $899$89922 W355 x 390 mmYes - xTool M2 20W#4 of 18Full review
The enclosed M2 with twice the cutting power, for home crafters who cut plywood and leather often. It suits a shared room where an open laser would not.
Amazon $899$89920 W426 x 320 mmYes - Atomstack A40 Pro V2#5 of 18Full review
A cheap route to serious diode cutting power for a garage or shop with good ventilation. Not for a shared living space without an enclosure.
Amazon $719.99$719.9948 W385 x 400 mmNo
Best Desktop CO2 Laser Engravers
- OMTech Polar Lite 55W#1 of 9Full review
A good first CO2 laser for makers who want a 500 x 300 mm bed, autofocus and built in cooling at about $2,000. Skip it if you rely on a camera to place designs.
Amazon $2,099.99$2,099.9955 W500 x 300 mmYes - OMTech 60W CO2 16x24#2 of 9Full review
A traditional, no frills CO2 cabinet for shops that want a big bed and 60 W for the price of a smart 55 W machine, and are fine with manual setup.
Amazon $2,469.99$2,469.9960 W600 x 400 mmYes - Monport MEGAS 70W#3 of 9Full review
A large bed, camera equipped 70 W CO2 for small businesses that want the Polar2 class bed for less. Ask about the air pump before ordering.
Amazon $2,999.99$2,999.9970 W700 x 350 mmYes - OMTech Polar2 70W#4 of 9Full review
A big bed, camera equipped CO2 laser for small shops that want more power and a bigger bed than a P2S. Confirm the air assist and focusing setup before buying.
Amazon $3,699.99$3,699.9970 W711 x 356 mmYes - xTool P2S#5 of 9Full review
A smart, camera guided CO2 laser for crafters and small sellers who want cleaner, faster cuts than a diode and acrylic work. It costs more per watt than the plain OMTech and VEVOR boxes.
Amazon $2,918.99$2,918.9955 W600 x 305 mmYes
How We Rank
Each laser engraver is ranked against others of the same laser type, and scored on its price per optical watt, its work area, its enclosure, camera, air assist and autofocus, and its warranty.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per watt of optical laser power | 35% |
| Work area | size of the work area | 15% |
| Features | enclosure, camera, air assist and autofocus | 30% |
| Warranty | warranty on the machine | 20% |
How we rank explains each factor in full.