Best Laser Engravers of 2019

1. QIILU Mini 1500mw Laser Engraver (Best Budget)

View on AmazonEditor’s Rating: 4.3/5

The QIILU Mini is a budget-end 1500mw laser engraving machine. There’s a lot on offer for a little outlay so let’s see how it fares and why it’s made this guide.

• Best feature 1: Various Operating Systems (OS), multi language support
• Best feature 2: Controlled by PC and other mobile devices
• Plus points: Powerful cooling fan, easily adjustable laser head, multi-material, great value
• Minus points: Fiddly with iOS, slight learning curve

There first thing to note is the “multi” appeal of this laser engraver. You can set it up and use it with multiple operating systems. These include Windows 10,Windows 7 & 8,Windows XP, and iOS 9.0. Yes, it works with Apple mobile devices like the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and with Android too, version 4.0 and above. Multi-language software support is in English, German, French, Italian Chinese, and Japanese.

Being able to use the QIILU Mini with computers, mobile devices, and various OS makes it a versatile tool. The machine includes a powerful electronic cooling fan to stop projects from burning.

Working the QIILU Mini

Operating the QIILU Mini is easy. There’s a bit of a learning curve to setting it up though. It’s not difficult as long as you allow time and be patient as you familiarize yourself. The instructions are pretty straightforward too. Once everything is ready you can adjust or swap the laser head as needed.

This engraver cutter can work with plenty of materials despite its low cost. Some of these include:

• Plastic (excluding fire-proof materials)
• Wood
• Bamboo
• Acrylic
• Rubber
• Leather
• Paper and others

It won’t engrave metals, glass, stone or other hard material. When you look at what it can do rather than what it can’t you can see that this is a great value for money laser engraver.

What’s Missing

The QIILU Mini laser engraving machine can work with iOS systems and devices. There are some reports that it’s fiddly and not as good as Android OS. It’s something for a few of you to think about. Don’t forget it works just great with Windows computers too.

This machine and its use are uncomplicated. But if it’s your first experience then take your time to become familiar with it all as there’s a bit of a learning curve. Those who take their time and read all the instructions always have the best outcome. It’s a bit like Ikea furniture in that regard.

2. Mophorn 80W Laser Engraver (Best Value)

View on AmazonEditor’s Rating: 4.4/5

Next up is my best value laser engraver. This is more for small business operations than for hobbyists.

• Best feature 1: Supports multiple graphic formats
• Best feature 2: Unlimited design length
• Plus points: USB interface, offline control system, handles a wide range of projects & materials
• Minus points: Chinese instructions, challenging software

The generous engraving area is 20 x 28″ and has an unlimited length design. The laser tube is an 80W Co2 glass sealed type. The resolution is 1000 dots per inch or DPI. Other key features include the USB interface, offline control system, Coreldraw, and CAD support.

This one is a beast compared to most machines in this guide. But you don’t want to buy something based on appearance alone, especially at this price range. The most important aspects of any capable laser engraver are reliability and whether it can meet the needs of your projects.

Working With the Mophorn 80W Laser Engraver

The Mophorn 80W is capable of handling a wide range of job types. It’s a particularly popular machine for working on arts & crafts projects of various sizes. This machine engraves materials such as ceramics, bamboo, wood, marble, Plexiglas, crystal, leather, rubber and so on. Always check the current updates and capabilities of these machines prior to buying.

What’s Missing

The biggest complaint among many international users is that the printed user manual is in Chinese. Others receive an English guide that’s overly vague. The good news is that the machine comes with a software disk that has fairly decent English manuals loaded.

The even better news is that you can find simpler guides online and YouTube videos. You shouldn’t have to rely on third-party help but it’s nice that it’s there.

Another gripe is how challenging the software is, especially for inexperienced users.

3. Orion Motor Tech 40w Laser Engraver

View on AmazonEditor’s Rating: 4.5/5

The Orion Motor Tech 40W Laser Engraver is my top pick but will it be yours? Its box-like construction certainly looks approachable. It’s a nice user-friendly laser engraver for home users.

• Best feature 1: Water-break protection
• Best feature 2: Suitable for most non-metal materials
• Plus points: Predrilled holes for future upgrades, user-friendly, excellent customer service
• Minus points: Fiddly setup, better etcher than cutter

Safety must always be paramount with any laser cutter/engraver. What I like about this puppy is the water break protection for added safety. It’s a great model for home users and small business operations. The predrilled holes are of particular interest for commercial use as they are there to allow for future upgrades. That means progression to 50W or even 60W laser tubes in this case.

Working with the Orion Motor Tech 40w Laser Engraver

It’s a flexible machine for its price and works with a wide-variety of non-metal materials. Some of these include wood, bamboo, stone, crystal, glass, leather, rubber, paper, and film among others. Note that this machine won’t work with any metal surfaces, not even softer metals.

Once it’s set up and running the Orion Motor Tech 40w is fun and easy to use. Setting it up, however, requires some patience and there is quite a learning curve. The included instructions are okay but I still suggest watching the online videos as they explain things in a way that written text can’t.

If you do run into problems the Orion Motor Tech after-sales service has a reputation for excellence. This is not something all companies can boast and one of the reasons I chose it as my top pick.

What’s Missing

There’s not much to complain about when you consider this cutter costs less than 450 bucks. Setup can be fiddly but that’s not unique to this particular model or brand. My advice is to get some professional help if you run into difficulty or frustration at the setting up stage.

My final negative is to point out that this machine is a better etcher than it is a cutter. This also depends on what you’re cutting of course. You might want to look at a different machine if cutting is as important—or more important to you—than engraving.

4. Sunwin Desktop Laser Cutter/Engraver

View on AmazonEditor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The Sunwin Desktop Laser Cutter/Engraver is purely for hobby level enthusiasts. It has a price tag to reflect its home use and it is a great little machine for non-commercial purposes.

• Best feature 1: Simple installation (English only)
• Best feature 2: High-quality aluminum frame
• Plus points: Cooling fan, works with many materials, video tutorial, great customer service
• Minus points: DIY assembly, can’t use it for long periods

Perfect for Newbies

I would say the Sunwin Desktop Laser is a great introduction to laser cutting and engraving. It’s an affordable product with a simple design and an equally simple operation. The company will send you a download link for the video assembly tutorial (nice touch). My advice for the total novice would be to watch the video all the way through once without trying to assemble a thing.

Sunwin has used high-quality aluminum for the frame which is much stronger than it looks. Despite the unassuming appearance, this product is quite safe and capable. They’ve even managed to add a little cooling fan to keep operating temperatures down.

Working with the Sunwin Desktop Laser Cutter/Engraver

You can use a variety of materials with this Sunwin Desktop Laser tool. Some of these include leather, bamboo, wood, plastic, and paper, etc. Once you’re up and running it’ll be tempting to keep working but be careful. Never forget this is a basic tool and it needs to rest between jobs. A little and often is the way to go. You can move on to bigger and better machines if and when you get the bug.

What’s Missing

The only downside (for some people) is that this is a DIY kit. It’s not complicated to assemble but it’s still in kit form. Prepare to ask someone to help in advance if DIY assembly is not your thing. The other frustration is the time you can use this device for between jobs. Make sure you become familiar with the instruction manual so that you don’t overwork the laser as soon as you get it.

5. Nurxiovo 40W Laser Engraving Machine

View on AmazonEditor’s Rating: 4.4/5

Meet the Nurxiovo 40W CO2 Laser Engraving/Cutting Machine. It’s another desktop box-style design. This one is suitable for small business use as well as enthusiastic hobbyists.

• Best feature 1: USB to computer connection
• Best feature 2: High Precision Stepping motor
• Plus points: Sturdy build, CorelDraw, supports all printer types
• Minus points: Average software, learning curve

This is a Co2 laser cutter and engraver that connects to any compatible desktop or laptop computer via USB. Like most of the machines in this guide, it’s easy to operate once it’s set up (see below). It’s well-engineered for the money and sports a high-precision brushless DC electric motor or step motor. This motor helps to produce engravings with the utmost precision.

The quality of the machine body is impressive and makes use of thickened reinforced materials. This is especially reassuring for anyone who needs to transport their engraver from place to place.

Nurxiovo includes CorelDraw software as part of the package. CorelDraw is a popular vector graphics editor that works well for both carving and cutting purposes. The Nurxiovo 40W Laser Engraving Machine works with all modern printers and scanners.

Working with the Nurxiovo 40W Laser Engraving Machine

There’s plenty of scope to work with multiple materials once the machine is up and running. The Nurxiovo 40W is pretty fast and precise when compared to other machines in its class. Small businesses and DIY lovers appreciate the quality control board and stepped motor technology. And the 40W water cooling laser tube is consistent in its operation.

There are lots of materials you can use with this beauty. Some of those include wood, bamboo, rubber, plastic, leather, cloths, paper and Plexiglas. You can also work with epoxy resin, density board, double colored board, marble, crystal, and much more.

You have plenty of ways to get the Nurxiovo 40W Laser Engraving Machine to work for you. Both home users and small enterprises can exploit it for gifts, garments, art, toys, embroidery, footwear, furniture and more. The only limitations are those lost in the operator’s imagination.

What’s Missing

There are some gripes that the supplied software is just okay. It’s functional, but it’s certainly not a key selling feature. And like most of the machines on this page, there’s something of a learning curve. Always allow time to set the machine up and become familiar with all its workings no matter how keen you are to start. When it comes to setting up slow is always the fastest approach.

6. Mophorn 40W Laser Engraving Machine

View on AmazonEditor’s Rating: 4.1/5

My sixth pick is another capable product by Mophorn. This time it’s their more affordable 40W laser engraving cutting machine. Skip this one if you need something for commercial purposes.

• Best feature 1: Easy to set up
• Best feature 2: Precision stepping motors
• Plus points: Easy-to-use software, USB connectivity, Coreldraw, multiple graphic formats
• Minus points: Limited capability (hobby machine), average support

The Mophorn 40W Laser Engraving Machine comes with CorelDraw Software. Although it’s primarily a hobbyist machine, it still produces amazing results. The machine uses a 40W water-cooling laser tube that works with a variety of materials.

Working with the Mophorn 40W Laser Engraving Machine

This machine is easy to assemble and uses software that’s simple to understand. This is just as well considering its target market. It does have some restrictions though. It won’t work with any kind of metals for one. However, it works very well with most other organic type non-metal materials. Some of these include wood, bamboo, acrylic, various plastics, and leather, etc.

Consider this model if you want a competent no-thrills desktop engraver for the following uses:

• Seal engraving
• Advertisements
• Artistic gift
• Personalizing garment
• Customizing leather
• Toys and much more…

Using the Mophorn 40W laser engraver is a cinch. It has a high-quality control board and that’s all the novice user needs to know about that. The Precision stepping motors also help to produce perfect results every time. But you’re more interested in how to hook this thing up and get it running.

You can connect it to your laptop, desktop, or other compatible device via the USB port. It’s equipped to work with a number of graphic formats including EMF/JPG/PLT/WMF. As long as you take your time you’ll find that everything is quite self-explanatory.

What’s Missing

There are a couple of things missing with this laser engraving machine. First off, it’s important to note that Mophorn aims this model at the hobbyist. If you have commercial ambitions then consider a product that serves both purposes.

The second point is the mediocre support. I can’t speak from personal experience as I haven’t had a need to contact them. I’ve also come across some reviewers who praise the support and others who complain about the slow and lackluster response.

In my experience product support is one of those things that either gets better or worse over time. Always look at the experiences of others before making a final decision.

7. EverVictory 10W Mini Laser Engraver

View on AmazonEditor’s Rating: 4.0/5

Keep reading if you’re looking for something more versatile than the previous pick. The EverVictory 10W Mini Laser Engraver has a lot to offer and it carves into a variety of hard materials.

• Best feature 1: Works with a wide range of hard and soft materials
• Best feature 2: Supports Windows 7, 8, and 10
• Plus points: Simple and easy to use, stepper motor, adjustable laser power, USB
• Minus points: Chinese instructions, little user feedback, low laser power

I’m quite surprised that the EverVictory 10W Mini Laser Engraver hasn’t sold more machines. It’s not much more expensive than the Mophorn 40W Laser Engraving Machine above. Despite this, it has a lot of extra features the most notable being its multi-material support. And you can operate it with Windows 7, 8, and 10 on any computer device with a USB port.

Working with the EverVictory 10W Mini Laser Engraver

This machine arrives almost assembled. The only thing to do from the user end is to bolt together the gantry cross-rail and also the laser unit to its cross-rail carriage. That’s about it with the hardware, which is just as well if you don’t read Chinese (see below).

The included driver software (SW) is as simple to install as any other software. The machine comes with a graphics editor as well. All SW comes loaded onto a mini-CD and flash drive.

Wide Range of Materials

Once set it’s then just a case of loading your project and choosing your materials. The EverVictory 10W Mini Laser Engraver can work with soft materials like the usual plastics, wood, bamboo, leather and so on. It can also engrave various hard materials. These include iron, stainless steel, aluminum, ceramics, and stone. The downside with metal engraving is that images tend to be greyer than striking black.

You probably need at least a 30W laser for the ultimate contrast effect on metals. Although this laser engraver has a lot to offer always remember to match the machine’s capability with your expectations.

What’s Missing

There are three things missing with this product. One is the lack of user feedback (at the time of writing), another is the lack of laser power (10W), and the third is coherent English instructions. There is an attempt to translate important parts of the Chinese User Manual but it’s not much help. This is a common problem with some Chinese products but it shouldn’t be.

If the EverVictory 10W Mini Laser Engraver interests you make sure you can get hold of English instructions and an English video tutorial before you buy it.

8. TEN-HIGH® EN 40W Laser Engraver

View on AmazonEditor’s Rating: 4.2/5

The TEN-HIGH 40W laser engraver is a mid-range machine with a lot to offer. It got off to a bad start in the US but has managed to iron out those early issues? Let’s take a look.

• Best feature 1: USA-based local representatives & agents
• Best feature 2: Supports all non-metal materials
• Plus points: CorelLaser, USB, Video tutorial to help with setting up
• Minus points: Software and controller slow, Chinese instructions

Although this is a Chinese product the company has local US-based representatives and agents. This is reassuring for a number of reasons, especially considering the price of the TEN-HIGH® laser engraver. This desktop style machine supports all non-metal materials (see below). It will engrave onto painted metal surfaces but no deeper.

Working with the TEN-HIGH® EN 40W Laser Engraver

The engraver comes equipped with operating software and includes CorelLaser. Most people find CorelLaser slow and inadequate so you may want to install Coreldraw before you use this machine. You have to remember to contact the company after placing an order for the user manual, user software, and operating video. It’s a two-minute process but there is a downside (see “What’s Missing” below).

The Connection is via USB port to any Windows device (USB cable included). Once operational you can work with a wide range of non-metal materials. Some of these include solid wood, density board, plywood, and acrylic. A few others include PVC, leather, most non-woven fabrics, and more.

I’ve noticed how good the customer support is for those who have needed it. It’s a sad fact that a lot of technology companies fall short on after-sales service. That’s why it’s always worth a mention when any seller excels in their customer support department.

What’s Missing

Although this is a capable machine there are a couple of shared complaints among reviewers. The software it comes with is slow and frustrating. You really need to ditch the CorelLaser that comes on the software installation disk and replace it with Coreldraw. I suggest installing Coreldraw from the outset to avoid all the hassles.

The other major problem is that everything is in the Chinese language.

Even with illustrations, few non-Chinese would find the manual, SW, and video tutorial of any real use. This should never be an issue when selling goods to an international market. The good news is that the company seems to have done something about it lately, at least on the video front. There’s now an English how-to setup and use video uploaded to YouTube.

9. TEN-HIGH® 50W Upgraded Version

View on AmazonEditor’s Rating: 4.8/5

My penultimate pick is another product from TEN-HIGH®, this time it’s their 50W upgraded version. At a glance this 200 lb. beast looks like an outdoor BBQ but it does a lot more than heat sausages.

• Best feature 1: Ready to use
• Best feature 2: Built-in lift platform
• Plus points: Adjustable laser energy, front end double door, supports all non-metal materials
• Minus points: Price tag, big an heavy, learning curve

This machine arrives with all the parts and software needed to get it up and running right away. It has an electric lift platform, front-end double door (no length limits), and adjustable laser energy. There’s also an effective water temperature control system. It’s a strong and sturdy machine with a decent engrave speed. More good news is that the after-sales support is first-rate.

Working with the TEN-HIGH® 50W Laser Engraver

This laser cutting/engraving machine is best suited for commercial purposes. Connected to a USB port the machine provides a high-quality engrave on compatible surfaces. It works with just about all non-metal materials. These include solid woods, plywood, density board, PVC, acrylic, and cortical. It also engraves leather, felt, non-woven fabrics, paper products, double color plate, and PET surfaces.

It doesn’t engrave directly onto metal but it can effectively etch painted metal surfaces. If you need more laser power you’ll be pleased to know there’s a 60W, 60 Hz version available. The price difference between the two is somewhere in the neighborhood of 150 bucks at the time of writing.

Language Selection

The included software is CorelDraw which makes it an easy machine to work with. There have been some issues with default Chinese-only software and instruction manuals. It seems there are English versions of everything but you have to request it at the time of purchase. Be sure to make a note of this if the TEN-HIGH®, 50W engraver/cutter gets onto your shortlist.

What’s Missing

You won’t want to move the TEN-HIGH Upgraded Version Laser Engraver very often. It’s big and heavy weighing just less than 200 lbs. It takes up a fair bit of space too. Another downside is that it can’t engrave directly onto metal surfaces. If that’s important to you then this product is not the ideal choice in its basic setup. With a price tag of over 3000 bucks, you need to make sure it does what you need.

10. Triumph Fiber Laser Marking Machine

View on Amazon
Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

Do you need a capable laser marking, engraving, etching machine for metal parts? If so then the 30W Triumph Fiber Laser Marking Machine might—just might—be the answer to your prayers.

• Best feature 1: CE FDA approval
• Best feature 2: Free maintenance
• Plus points: Lifetime 100,000 hours, metal laser marker, touch interface, modular design
• Minus points: Heavy and bulky, high price tag

It will please a lot of users to know that this machine has CE FDA approval. That gets it off to a good start. It also comes with a free maintenance guarantee. That’s not something we see very often. The laser module life is at least 100,000 hours and the product comes with a one year warranty.

Working with the 30W Triumph Fiber Laser Marking Machine

This state-of-the-art machine is ideal for permanent marking/engraving of metal surfaces. If you can use a printer then you can use this beast with ease and confidence. It has an intuitive touch interface and an effective control system. It’s a lot more flexible and faster than many of its rivals. This is thanks in part to the modular design and the separate lifter and laser generator.

Consider the Triumph Fiber 30W if you need a tool that can work on larger areas and more complicated surfaces at varying angles. You can use it for copper, aluminum, gold, silver, and stainless steel, etc.

What’s Missing

It’s big and heavy and takes up a lot of room, so make sure you have space. Its size and weight is also a plus point for businesses that demand a robust industrial scale engraver/cutter. The price is high but then it’s also relative to companies that make money from this high precision tool.

Note: This product is NOT for wood. That’s a job for the Triumph co2 laser marking machine.

11. DremelDigiLabLaser Cutter Engraver (Top Pick)

View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5.0

This year’s Top Pick goes to the compact DremelDigiLab Laser Cutter. The company boats an entire ecosystem of benefits and easy-to-use software. The after-sales support is world class as well.

• Best feature 1: Built to last
• Best feature 2: Easy-to-use, intuitive software
• Plus points: Rigorously tested, SMART Laser Sensors, Smart built-in camera, LCD touchscreen
• Minus points: High price tag

Working with the DremelDigiLab Laser Cutter

It’s not cheap, but they built this thing to last. That makes the DremelDigiLab Laser Cutter an excellent long-term investment. Dremel testers performed more than 20,000 hours of rigorous checks before releasing the cutter. The machine is incredibly easy to use despite its high-tech sophistication. It’s a versatile cutter that meets the needs of serious hobbyists and small businesses.

Smarter Technology

This product comes equipped with a range of smart sensors with real-time safety diagnostics. The sensors are responsible for continuous laser monitoring. There’s also a built-in high-res smart camera that reduces the risk of misprints. The 7” LCD touchscreen is another welcome touch. Fingertip controls give users access to project status and various software functions.

Consider this model if you need a truly versatile, long-lasting 40W CO2 laser cutter/engraver. It works with all the favorite materials too. They include woods, leather, glass, paper, acrylic, fabrics, and so on. There’s so much to explore with this incredible machine because of its far-reaching applications.

Safety First | Exhaust Management

Don’t worry about harmful particulates and toxic vapors while using this machine. You can get an optional BOFA Advantage 350 fume extraction & filtration system to take care of it all. There are 5 ways to manage potentially harmful fumes during laser fabrication. Users choose the most appropriate exhaust management system for their setup.

What’s Missing

There’s little to fault with the DremelDigiLab Laser Cutter/Engraver. The biggest disappointment among hobbyists is the high price tag. Few people doubt the value of this machine, but not so many can justify its cost. Those who do, however, are thrilled with their choice and the long-lasting performance of this machine.