The Best Laser Engravers for Personal Use

Laser engraving is a method that vaporizes materials into fumes to engrave permanent marks. It is usually done through the use of laser engravers. These machines feature a laser beam, which acts as a chisel, incising marks by removing layers from the surface of various materials. Localized areas are hit by the laser with high levels of energy to create high heat, which is needed for vaporization. 

Laser engravers are made for etching, marking, cutting, and engraving hard materials. The process is automated through the use of computer software. Some examples of finish products are the plaque on a trophy or the signs on the office doors. These machines are designed to focus the laser light on marking wood, metal, glass, and other materials.  They can be used for different purposes, such as for simple arts and crafts projects or for marking medical equipment. 

If you are thinking of doing projects at home which involve the use of laser engravers, it is important that you get the right kind of machine for personal use. The laser engraving and cutting market can be quite confusing to navigate, particularly for beginners. But no worries, as we are here to help you. In this post, we are giving you a list of the best laser engravers for personal use.

Different Types of Laser Engravers

Before you go out and buy or order a laser engraver online, you first need to learn about its different types, which you may encounter when you decide to purchase one. There are different kinds of laser engravers depending on the materials that you want to work with. Here are the three main categories of laser engravers:

• Gas Laser Engravers: These laser engravers use CO2 to produce a laser beam. The electricity passes through a tube that is filled with carbon dioxide to produce light.
• Crystal Laser Engravers: These engravers are also used to cut crystals. They are made of YAG and YVO. Since they use extremely high temperatures, they are mainly used for metals and other rigid materials.
• Fiber Laser Engravers: Fiber lasers have two types. One has a continuous wave, while the other has a pulsing laser beam. These laser engravers also support very high-powered cutting.

Things to Consider When Buying Laser Engravers

Before you purchase a laser engraver, there are important factors that you need to consider. Here are some of them:

Price

Before you buy a laser engraver, you should set your budget first. Laser engravers come at different prices. Some can be under $500, while others can cost up to $12,000. Therefore, you need to be sure of your personal needs. Know how much you are willing to spend on a personal laser engraver. 

Material Options

Another important thing you need to consider when buying a laser engraver is the materials that you wish to use. There are types of laser engravers and cutters that only work on specific materials. This factor will play a big role in what laser engraving machine is perfect for you. For instance, if you wish to engrave materials like metal, there are specific laser engravers that you need to look into. But if you only need one to engrave on leather and other softer materials, there are plenty of options out there. Therefore, before you buy, ensure that you know exactly what your plans are for purchasing a laser engraver. 

Size

Before you decide on a specific laser engraver, you also need to decide on the size. Determining the size you need depends on the available space you have, as well as the projects you intend to work on. As they increase in price, the more impressive features they offer. But they also become larger and heavier. Laser engravers can range from desk appliances to stand-alone machines. 

Speed and Precision

If you are going to do simple designs, high accuracy and speed may not be important. However, if you want to engrave complex designs, you need to choose a machine with speed and high precision. 

Safety Features

A laser engraver with well-thought-out safety features can save you from accidents. Therefore, when you buy a personal laser engraving machine, ensure that you choose one that has good safety features.

The Volume of Products to Make

The laser engraver that you will choose should also depend on the number of products that you want to engrave in a given amount of time. If you have a business, a larger machine should be chosen rather than those for hobbyists. Make sure that the machine you pick can produce your desired number of items within the time frame that you want.

The Best Laser Engravers for Personal Use

Here are our recommendations for the best laser engravers for personal use:

1. Titoe 3000mW Laser Engraver Machine

The Titoe laser engraver is a DIY desktop laser engraving machine that is perfect for amateur laser engraving use. It features grayscale printing, low-light positioning, and freedom positioning functions. It also has three functions. One is the infrared positioning for precise locating carving. The second is the limit switches to prevent sudden loss of control. The third function is the precision chip that is long-lasting. This laser engraver can be operated using a computer, smartphone, and even offline. 

This laser engraver machine has a high precision laser module 3000mW laser tube, a built-in cooling fan, and high laser engraving power. It can be used to engrave plastic, acrylic, wood, and more. It is also very easy to use. Its software supports Windows 97, 2003, 7, 8, and 10. It is a great choice for personal use. 

2. Genmitsu CNC 3018-PRO Router Kit

If you are looking for a premium laser engraver, this is a good choice, particularly for home DIYers and small business owners. It has lots of features at an affordable price tag. It has heavy-duty casing materials, ensuring that you can use it for a long time. It also has a CO2 laser module that produces a strong laser beam that can etch most soft materials, including plastic, aluminum sheets, and PVC. 

It also comes with offline software upgrade features. You can control the machine even if you do not have a computer in your workshop. In addition, it is also compatible with Candle and Grbl, which you can use for designing, editing, and printing via a Windows or Mac-based computer. 

3. LaserPecker Compact Laser Engraver

If space is your problem, this is the perfect laser engraver for you. It is also great for those who do not have a computer in their workshops. This is a compact laser engraver and also the best affordable engraver you can find today. Even though it is small, it provides the best engraving feature because of its mobility. 

You will not be limited to the traditional horizontal etching with the LaserPecker. You can use it to engrave on both vertical and horizontal surfaces without limitations. It also features a low-power mode. In fact, you can turn it into a portable laser engraver by powering it using a power bank. 

It comes with a built-in Bluetooth module that can be connected to your smartphone, no matter the brand. It has an app that can be downloaded. It supports all file formats, such as Jpeg, SVG, BMP, G-Code, and Vector. You can also use the app to create new designs or edit existing content. 

4. Uttiny DIY Cylindrical Engraver

When it comes to laser engraving, the materials used are not always square slabs. You can also do curved and cylindrical objects if you want to work on something unique. This cylindrical engraver is perfect for printing logos, text, and other designs. It is a great choice if you are searching for a unique, small business idea.

This brand is among the few ones that produce laser engravers for a curved surface. It features a powerful 15W laser engraver that is great for etching on most bottle materials, including bamboo, wood, plastic, and stainless-steel cans. It also allows you to control the laser intensity by changing the focal length of the laser lens. It features a compact size that will surely fit in your workshop. 

To operate this laser engraver, you will need to have a Windows-based computer. It connects with your PC via a USB cable. You can use any design tool you like to create your desired patterns and fonts. It is compatible with Grbl, Candle, and LightBurn laser software.

5. Laser Engraver A5 Pro

If you are searching for an affordable laser engraver for home use, this is a great option. The laser of this engraver is powerful enough to vaporize and burn some hard materials. Also, unlike other laser engravers that are potentially dangerous for the eyes, this one is different as it has advanced safety features that make it family-friendly. 

It has a tracking system that monitors the path of the laser and automatically stops if it deflects. It will also stop if it detects any major change in the material thickness to prevent fire. This laser engraver is compatible with all major Windows and Mac-based computer software. To design images, you can use AutoCAD, CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, and LightBurn. You can also watch the laser as it etches the material as the work area is covered with a special acrylic sheet that can absorb 97% UV light to protect your eyes.

Comparative Analysis

Conclusion

These are some of the best laser engravers for personal use. Laser engraving is indeed an interesting hobby and a good business idea. It is something that can increase the beauty of any material. No wonder it is now widely used in metal etching, wood carving, and acrylic cutting. We hope this post helped you learn more about the best laser engravers for personal use.