It is still possible to find the best laser engravers under $5000. Most sophisticated laser engravers go for at-least $10,000. However, these are typically industrial engravers that may be too advanced for your home-based laser engraving business. The good news is you can still kickstart your business with laser engravers that cost half as much.
Here are the 6 Best Laser Engravers under $5000
1. US Stock MCWlaser 30W Fiber Laser Engraver – Best 30W Fiber Laser Engraver (Under $4000.00)
The MCWlaser Fiber Laser Machine is one of the most widely used laser machines in scientific research. That is enough testament to its reliability and quality. Some of the scientific applications that rely on this laser machine include marking of chips, and various precision and rapid processing applications.
Clear instructions and a modular design allow for easy assembly. The red dot pointer and accuracy height scale ensure that manual focusing is precise. The Raycus fiber laser source has a high-quality optical design, a high rate of electrical-optical conversion, and a long service life of over 100,000 hours. It is capable of exceptionally precise and detailed engraving down to 0.01mm line width and marking speeds of up to 7m/s.
It also includes a fantastic rotary attachment. This laser machine would be a great pick if you are looking to mark or etch firearms, jewelry, tools, knives, electrical cladding, cellphone casing, medical equipment, and almost any metal part. If you are in manufacturing, you can also use it for bar codes, industrial polymers as well as serial numbers.
The MCWLaser 30W Fiber Laser is ideal for individuals who require a powerful and simple-to-use engraver for commercial and industrial use.
Can Engrave: Steel, Stainless steel, Copper, Aluminum, Gold, Silver, Industrial Plastics like Polypropylene, Polyethylene, Machine Parts, and guns
Technical Details
- Laser Source: Raycus Fiber laser
- Laser Power: 30W
- Marking Area: 175x175mm
- Marking Speed: Up To 7m/s
- Engraving Depth:≤0.5mm
- Power Consumption: 800W
- The machine is compatible with software files such as Coreldraw, AutoCAD, Photoshop, PLT, PCX, DXF, BMP, etc supported.
Things We Like
- It has an average output power of 30W (the most commonly used and cost-effective setting) for markings, providing the engraver the option of power or efficiency as needed.
- It makes deep, accurate marks and engravings for bar codes and logos feasible by utilizing high precision and modern beam technology.
- It has a long, healthy service life of up to 100,000 hours and a 2-year free replacement warranty.
- An 80mm Rotary Device is included.
Things We Don’t Like
- It’s too big and heavy to be easily portable. As a result, the engraver will require additional labor to move around.
2. OMTech 60W CO2 Laser Engraver and Cutter – Best 60W CO2 Laser Engraver (Under $3500.00)
This laser engraver is specially made for laser cutting and laser engraving of non-metallic materials. This means you cannot use it to engrave any metals without a coating or using a laser paste or spray. You can however engrave anodized aluminum directly. The engraver is compatible with Corel Draw and almost all other vector design software.
Also Read: Metal Engraving with a CO2 Laser
You can use it on Windows 10 or lesser versions and iOS. This laser cutting and engraving machine ships with LightBurn for Windows, Mac OS, or Linux. The cutting depth will depend on the material. For acrylic you can cut to a depth of 5 – 8mm while wood can be cut to a depth of 8 – 12mm.
In the below YouTube Video you will see the Omtech 60W cutting several pieces of 3/16″ cast acrylic for a unique acrylic box insert:
Materials CO2 laser cutters can work with:
- Wood
- Acrylic
- Glass
- Brick
- Fabric
- Delrin
- Cloth
- Leather
- Marble
- Matte Board
- Melamine
- Paper
- Mylar
- Pressboard
- Rubber
- Wood Veneer
- Fiberglass
- Painted Metals
- Tile
- Plastic
- Cork
- Corian
- Anodized Aluminum
Technical Details
- Laser source: Glass CO2 laser
- Output power: 60W
- Engraving size: 20″x28″
- Engraving speed: 600mm/s
Things We Like
- To get you started right away, this laser cutting and engraving machine comes with LightBurn for Windows, Mac OS, or Linux.
- It is also compatible with AutoCAD, CorelDRAW, and Adobe Illustrator, among other programs. You don’t have a dedicated PC for your machine? You can also upload your designs directly from a USB drive.
- The huge 20×28 inch work bed provides 3.8 square feet of space to accommodate practically any project, and two-way 32.8″x3.9″ pass-through doors expand the possibilities even further.
- Everything adjusts automatically up and down at the push of a button, with a preinstalled autofocus allowing you to get right to work.
- 2-year warranty (6 months for tube and power supply), and efficient customer service and technical assistance.
Things We Don’t Like
- Does not include the Rotary Attachment but it is available as an accessory.
3. xTool D1 Pro Laser Engraver with Rotary RA2 Pro – Best 20W Diode Laser Engraver (Under $2000.00)
The xTool D1 Pro 20W Laser Engraver is simple to operate and comes with detailed instructions, making it an excellent choice for novices. Although this machine requires self-assembly, it is a straightforward operation that can be completed in under an hour. This 20W Laser is ideal for use as a Acrylic and Wood laser engraver and cutter, and is as powerful as an industrial Laser.
It operates quickly and with exceptional accuracy and is designed for those that have high production requirements. The xTool D1 Pro 20W laser cutting and engraver machine is powered by a 20 Watt Laser Module that is more powerful and precise, with a speed of up to 24000mm/min and a compacted 0.8mm spot.
It has some excellent built in safety features that includes a hood for eye protection, flame alarm function that can prevent wood burning as well as auto stop should the machine be moved or tilted during processing. It also has a large built in SD card that will support offline processing and has a USB connection and Wifi connection.
The xTool RA2 Pro laser rotary attachment includes a Roller Rotary, a Chuck Rotary, a Sphere-Engraving Module, and a Ring-Engraving Stud. Changing the attachments, such as a wine glass, Yeti tumbler, baseball bat, ring, ball, or mug with handle, allows you to unleash your imagination on practically all cylinders. You can engrave more items and create more possibilities by including the riser column.
Can Cut: Paper, Wood, Leather, MDF, some dark opaque acrylic, and felt
Can Engrave: Paper, Wood, Leather, MDF, Stainless Steel, Some dark opaque acrylic, Bamboo, Fabric, Ceramic, Jade, Marble, Cement, Brick, Plated metal, Painted metal, and Dark Glass
Technical Details
- Laser Module Output Power: 20W Diode Laser
- Power Consumption: 84W
- Laser Spot: 0.08×0.10mm
- Engraving Speed: 400 mm/s
- Engraving Size: 430 x 400mm (17 x 15.4″)
- Max. Workpiece Height: 50 mm (2 inches)
- Max. Workpiece Height with X Risers: 50 mm + X*45 mm (each set riser height column）
Things We Like
- Simple to operate and assembly is straightforward.
- Its most notable feature is its ability to engrave a wide range of materials, including metals such as stainless steel and anodized aluminum, wood, and plastic. This means you can be as creative as you want with your materials without having to buy another engraver.
- Professional Rotary which includes a Roller Rotary, a Chuck Rotary, a Sphere-Engraving Module, and a Ring-Engraving Stud.
- Can be used with over one hundred materials, including paper, bamboo, wood, leather PCB board, aluminum oxide, metal, and glass
Things We Don’t Like
- Some people complained that the software in not very user friendly. We had no issues though.
Triumph Laser 30W Deep Engraving Machine – Best Deep 30W Fiber Laser Engraver (Under $5000.00)
The Triumph Laser Engraver is the most expensive laser engraver on the list. However, after reading about its features, you’ll see why it’s without a doubt the greatest laser engraver for small businesses available right now. This Fiber Laser Engraver with a 30W output wattage equals a higher output volume. To put it another way, you receive a lot more laser power for faster and better results!
This machine is ideal for any professional engraver looking for a strong and dependable machine for their laser engraving business. The Triumph Laser engraver, on the other hand, isn’t just for seasoned laser engraver users; its control panel is user-friendly and well-suited for beginners.
This laser marking machine comes with an exceptional 2 year warranty and its own computer and monitor, as well as pre-installed design software. You can also install other design software (such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and AutoCAD).
This laser engraving powerhouse comes with an 80mm rotary device, allowing it to engrave on cylindrical objects such as ring jewelry. In general not many manufacturers can compete with this high-quality engraving machine.
Can Engrave: Steel, Stainless steel, Copper, Aluminum, Gold, Silver, Industrial Plastics like Polypropylene, Polyethylene, Machine Parts, and guns
Technical Details
- Laser Module Output Power: 30W Fiber Laser
- Engraving Speed: 9000 mm/s
- Engraving Size: 110 x 110mm or 200 x 200mm (Both Lenses Supplied)
- Engraving Depth: Less than or equal to 0.3mm
- Laser Module Life: More than 100,000 Hours
Things We Like
- Offers extremely high output volume
- Supplied with a 2-year warranty
- The control board has power surge protection
- Comes with many accessories (computer, monitor, and safety goggles)
- Compatible with a wide range of design software applications
- Includes a large engraving surface area
- The laser head can accommodate two different lens sizes
Things We Don’t Like
- Has a higher average price range for a 30W
- Not able to use the laser on glass, wood and acrylic
FLUX Beamo 30W CO2 Laser Cutter and Engraver – Best Desktop 30W CO2 Laser Engraver (Under $2500.00)
This desktop-sized laser engraver is small but powerful, with an output wattage of up to 30W and a resolution of 1,000 DPI. The FLUX Beamo Laser can engrave and cut and it comes with the Beamo software. This handy feature can help you add some variety to your engraving tasks.
We love this desktop CO2 Laser because it has so many complex features for business owners. The FLUX Beamo is completely sealed, and if the lid is opened during operation, it will immediately pause. It also has a power-off switch in case of an emergency.
Another advantage is the free app, which is compatible with your PC, Mac, phone, or tablet. The program will allow you to modify text and vector files. You may also use it on wood, rubber, and other non-metal materials. Its strong laser tube is ideal for precise engraving.
When compared to more expensive models, this CO2 laser engraver can provide the ideal blend of efficiency and price. If you need a good CO2 laser engraver with good engraving and cutting power but don’t want to spend a lot of money, the FLUX Beamo 30W Laser Engraver is a good choice.
Can Cut: Up to 3mm Wood, 3mm Acrylic, 1mm Leather, 2mm Cardboard, 3mm Bamboo, and 9mm Fabric Can Engrave: Wood, Acrylic, Leather, Cardboard, Bamboo, Fabric, Rubber, Anodized Aluminum, Glass, Cement, and Stone
Technical Details
- Laser source: CO2 laser
- Output power: 30W
- Engraving size: 300 x 210mm
- Work Area Depth: 45mm
- Engraving speed: Up to 300mm/s
Things We Like
- Includes a free app to edit text and vector files
- Designed to be easily portable
- Excellent durable construction and offers quality performance
- Built in Safety features
- Fine engravings at the minimum engraving depth of 0.05 mm
Things We Don’t Like
- None
IKIER K1 36W Ultra Laser Engraver – Best 36W Diode Laser Engraver (Under $2000.00)
With 6x6w compacted into a 36w super laser beam, this is the world’s fastest diode laser engraver and cutter. This is a beast of a performer! It has bearings with an X-axis linear slide design and a Y-axis screw design, which makes its motion trajectory more stable. It also features a super-fast running speed of 800mm/s, which is four times faster than other machines.
Furthermore, the extra capabilities of its 32-bit intelligent motherboard boost system efficiency and significantly expand data processing capability. It features a 256-color gradation module, this machine can produce graphics in whatever color you wish. It can cut wood up to 30mm and acrylic up to 15mm in one pass. Amazing right?
Aside from its exceptional performance, the machine includes a number of safety features, including Automatic Air Assist, a Fire Detection System, and a Child Safety Lock. The sophisticated Z-axis of IKIER assists you in achieving autofocus by automatically measuring the distance to the object and changing the focus.
Equipped with innovative automatic power failure recovery technology to instantly identify and resume engraving from where it left off, providing uninterrupted and efficient production.
Can Cut: Wood, Acrylic, Plywood, Fabric, Bamboo, Leather, Cardboard Can Engrave: Wood, Leather, Dark Acrylic, PCB board, Anodized Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Ceramic, and stone
Technical Details
- Power Consumption: 180W
- Laser Module Output Power: 33-36W Diode Laser
- Laser Spot: 0.08×0.10mm
- Engraving Speed: 800 mm/s
- Engraving Size: 410 x 410mm
Things We Like
- Motorized Z-Axis with Intelligent Autofocus
- Power Failure Recovery Technology
- Engraving speed of up to 800mm/s which is currently the fastest in the industry
- Great safety features which include flame detection. If a flame is detected, the machine will sound an alert and send a notification to a paired mobile device, while the laser module will return to its original location automatically.
- Includes Air Assist and Rotary Roller
Things We Don’t Like
- None
Final Thoughts
So there you have it – the top 6 best laser engravers under $5000. Before you settle on one, take time to determine which material you will be engraving or cutting. Most laser engravers cannot be used on all kinds of materials. If you are not sure of the finer details of the intended use, you are better off buying an engraver that works on both organic and inorganic materials.
Read this article for more information on the different types of laser engravers and how to choose the best one for your application: Different Types of Laser Engravers
Happy engraving!
