The xTool S1 Laser Machine is one of the most talked-about diode lasers on the market. Launched in late 2023, it became the first enclosed diode laser cutter and engraver designed for crafters, hobbyists, and small businesses.
If you’re considering buying the S1, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know—features, specs, compatible materials, accessories, and how it compares to other machines.
Table of Contents
What Is the xTool S1 Laser Machine?
The xTool S1 is a desktop laser cutter and engraver developed by Makeblock (the company behind xTool). Unlike open-frame diode lasers, the S1 is a Class-1 safety-certified enclosed machine, which means it is the safest, fully enclosed, and does not emit harmful radiation.
It comes in three versions:
- 10W diode model – most affordable, entry-level.
- 20W diode model – affordable, but powerful.
- 40W diode model – one of the strongest diode lasers available today.
The S1 also supports interchangeable laser modules, including:
- 2W 1064nm infrared laser – perfect for engraving metals, plastics, and clear acrylics.
- Optional upgrades like air assist, rotary attachments, and conveyor feeders.
Key Features of the xTool S1 Laser Machine
Here are the highlights that make the xTool S1 stand out:
- Fully enclosed safety design – no goggles required.
- Up to 40W diode power – cuts wood up to 18–20mm thick in one pass.
- Swappable laser heads – diode and infrared modules expand material options.
- Smart air assist (optional) – reduces charring and improves cut quality.
- Precise positioning – polygonal and twin-point positioning instead of cameras.
- Dynamic focus system – engraves 3D objects and curved surfaces with ease.
- Large working area – 19.6″ × 12.5″ cutting area (expandable with conveyor).
Materials You Can Cut & Engrave with the xTool S1 Laser Machine
The combination of 40W diode power and the optional infrared laser module gives the S1 one of the widest material ranges of any diode machine.
With the 10W/ 20W / 40W Diode Laser:
- Wood (plywood, MDF, hardwoods, bamboo)
- Acrylic (dark/opaque colors)
- Leather & fabric
- Paper & cardboard
- Dark Glass & ceramics (engraving only)
- Slate, stone, stainless steel (marking/engraving)
Because of the way diode lasers interact with certain materials, you’ll need to apply a black coating or paint before engraving on clear glass or lighter-colored acrylics. This helps the laser absorb properly and produce a clean mark. The following types of acrylic should always be painted black before engraving:
- Blue acrylic
- Pink acrylic
- Sky blue acrylic
- Light purple acrylic
- Transparent (clear) acrylic
- White acrylic
With the 2W Infrared Laser:
- Precious metals (gold, silver, copper, aluminum, stainless steel)
- Dark-colored non-transparent acrylic & plastics
- Jewelry & coated metals
- Rubber & engineering plastics
This makes the S1 an excellent all-around laser for crafters and small business owners.
Accessories for the xTool S1 Laser Machine
One of the best things about the S1 is its compatibility with xTool’s ecosystem of accessories:
- RA2 Pro Rotary Attachment – engrave tumblers, mugs, and other cylindrical objects.
- Riser Base – allows engraving on taller objects (up to 5.25″).
- Automatic Conveyor Feeder – lets you engrave extra-long materials (up to 118″).
- Smart Air Assist – cleaner cuts with less burning.
- Smoke Purifier – reduces fumes if you can’t vent outside.
xTool S1 Laser Technical Specs
- Laser Power: 10W, 20W or 40W diode, 2W IR module available
- Max Speed: 600 mm/s (same as xTool P2 CO2 laser)
- Laser Spot Size: 0.08 × 0.10mm (40W), 0.08 × 0.06mm (20W)
- Work Area: 19.61″ × 12.56″ (40W model)
- Weight: ~44 lbs (20 kg)
- Safety: Emergency stop button, flame detection, impact detection, lid sensor
xTool S1 vs Other xTool Lasers
Here’s a clear comparison table showing how the xTool S1 stacks up against other popular xTool lasers:
Feature / Model | xTool S1 | xTool M1 | xTool P2 (CO₂) | xTool F1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laser Type | Diode (10W/ 20W / 40W) + optional 2W IR | Diode (5W / 10W) + Blade Cutter | CO₂ 55W | Diode (10W) + Infrared (2W) |
Enclosure | Fully enclosed, Class 1 safety | Fully enclosed | Fully enclosed | Portable enclosed |
Work Area | 19.6″ × 12.5″ (expandable to ~118″ with conveyor) | 15″ × 12″ | 23.6″ × 12.1″ (expandable with conveyor) | 4.5″ × 4.5″ |
Max Cutting Thickness | Up to 20mm wood | Up to 6mm wood | Up to 20mm wood, 15mm acrylic (all colors) | Thin wood, leather, dark acrylic (limited) |
Acrylic Cutting | Only dark/opaque colors | Only dark/opaque colors | Cuts all acrylic colors including clear | Can engrave dark acrylic, not cut clear |
Metal Engraving | Anodized/coated metals + Bare Metals with optional IR module | Surface marking only (anodized/coated metals) | Surface marking only (anodized/coated metals) | Yes (with built-in IR) |
Speed | Up to 600mm/s | ~250mm/s | Up to 600mm/s | Up to 4000mm/s |
Accessories | RA2 Pro Rotary, Smart Air Assist, Conveyor, Riser Base | Basic Air Assist, Blade Cutting Mats | RA2 Pro Rotary, Conveyor, Riser Base, Air Assist | Tripod, Portable Stand |
Best For | Versatile crafting with diode + IR engraving | Beginners with small projects | Professionals, businesses, heavy acrylic work | On-the-go engraving, small projects |
Comparison FAQs: xTool S1 Laser vs Other Laser Machines
How does the xTool S1 Laser compare to the xTool M1?
- xTool M1: A hybrid machine with a 10W/20W diode laser and a blade cutter. Great for beginners and small craft projects.
- xTool S1: More powerful, offering 10W, 20W, or 40W diode modules with an optional infrared laser head. It can cut thicker wood (up to 20mm), engrave metals, and handle bigger projects.
If you want an entry-level all-in-one, the M1 works well. But if you need power, speed, and expandability, the S1 is the better choice.
xTool S1 Laser vs Glowforge Aura – which is better?
- Glowforge Aura: A compact 6W diode laser with a camera for easy positioning. However, it’s slower, less powerful, and relies heavily on Glowforge’s cloud software.
- xTool S1: Offers 40W of diode power, interchangeable laser modules, and works offline with xTool Creative Space or LightBurn. It also has a larger cutting area and more accessories available.
If you want a powerful standalone machine with more material compatibility, the S1 beats the Aura.
xTool S1 Laser vs xTool P2 – which should I choose?
- xTool P2: A 55W CO₂ laser with camera positioning, curved engraving, and the ability to cut clear and light-colored acrylics. More powerful but also more expensive.
- xTool S1: A diode-based machine that’s more affordable, safe (Class 1 enclosure), and expandable with infrared modules.
If budget and safety are your priorities, choose the S1. If you need clear acrylic cutting or run a small business with heavy production, the P2 is a better fit.
Is the xTool S1 Laser good for beginners?
Yes! Despite being more powerful than entry-level machines, the S1 is beginner-friendly thanks to:
- Enclosed Class 1 safety certification.
- Intuitive software (xTool Creative Space).
- Easy setup (about 15 minutes).
- Expandability as skills grow (rotary, conveyor, infrared module).
It’s a good starter machine that you won’t outgrow quickly.
xTool S1 Laser Cutting & Engraving Performance
Cutting Performance
- Wood Cutting: The 40W S1 can cut up to 20mm pine wood and 18mm cherry wood in a single pass, making it one of the strongest diode lasers on the market.
- Acrylic & Plastics: Black acrylic up to 15mm thick can be cut cleanly with the 40W S1.
- Metals: The diode head is not suited for cutting metals.
- Precision: Thanks to a 0.08mm x 0.10mm laser spot and air assist, edges remain clean with minimal charring.
Engraving Performance
- Speed & Accuracy: With an engraving speed of up to 600 mm/s, the S1 produces fast, detailed results without sacrificing quality.
- Material Versatility: The diode laser excels on wood, leather, coated glass, stone, and dark acrylic. Paired with the optional 2W IR module, it can engrave stainless steel, titanium, silver, and plastics—materials typically reserved for fiber lasers.
- Curved Engraving: A standout feature, the S1 automatically adjusts Z-axis height for curved surfaces, ensuring even detail across irregular shapes.
- Detail & Resolution: Fine engraving down to 310 DPI is achievable, making it excellent for logos, photos, and intricate designs.
Price of the xTool S1 Laser
- 10W model: around $999
- 20W model: around $1,499
- 40W model: around $1,999
- Bundles: $2,599–$2,999 (with accessories)
Who Should Buy the xTool S1 Laser?
The xTool S1 is ideal if you:
- Want a powerful enclosed diode laser for your craft room.
- Need to engrave both wood and metal (with the IR module).
- Want expandable options like rotary engraving and large-format cutting.
- Don’t have the budget or space for a CO2 laser like the xTool P2.
If you need to cut clear acrylic or light-colored acrylic regularly, a CO2 laser is still the better option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the xTool S1 laser different from other diode laser machines?
The xTool S1 is the first enclosed 40W diode laser engraver and cutter with Class 1 safety certification. Unlike open-frame diode machines that require safety goggles, the S1 has a protective enclosure with advanced flame detection and emergency stop features. It also offers interchangeable laser heads, including a 10W, 20W diode module and a 1064nm infrared module, making it one of the most versatile diode laser machines on the market.
Do I need to vent the xTool S1 Laser when using it?
Yes. Like all laser cutters, the S1 produces smoke and fumes when cutting or engraving materials. The machine comes with a 3-inch exhaust pipe that can be vented out of a window. For indoor setups, xTool also offers a dedicated smoke purifier system, which filters out fumes safely without requiring a window vent.
Can I use Lightburn with the xTool S1 Laser?
Yes — the xTool S1 is compatible with LightBurn, but some advanced features like real-time positioning and curved surface mode work only in xTool Creative Space (XCS).
Final Thoughts: Is the xTool S1 Worth It?
The xTool S1 Laser Machine is a powerful, safe, and versatile option for both beginners and experienced makers. With interchangeable laser heads, a large work area, and support for dozens of materials, it’s one of the best diode laser cutters on the market today.
If you’re looking for a reliable machine for DIY crafts, small business projects, or even jewelry engraving, the S1 is absolutely worth considering.
Tip: Always run test cuts and keep a log of settings for different materials. This will save you time, materials, and frustration as you learn the machine.