If you’re looking to start an engraving business or just trying to add a personal touch to your gift items, a 3D printer laser engraver could come in quite handy.
3D printers, especially multipurpose ones, are magnificent tools. They can print almost anything in the world, so long as you have an STL file for it. These 3D printers, asides from their regular function, also have a laser engraver and laser cutter.
I’ve looked around the market to compare the laser engraving features of these 2-in-1, 3-in-1, even 4-in-1 3D printing machines. After extensive research and testing, I have compiled a comprehensive list of the best 3D printer laser engraver currently on the market.
Table of Contents
Overall Best 3D Printer Laser Engraver
Snapmaker 3D Printer, 2.0 A Models 3-in-1 3D Printer
Snapmaker 2.0 A Models are a series of 3-in-1 modular FFF 3D printers with laser engraving and CNC machine abilities. It is currently available in only three different models — the A150 (small-range), A250 (mid-range), and A350 (large-format). The Snapmaker 2.0 A Models is our recommendation for the overall best 3D Printer Laser Engraver
Although on the pricey side, especially when compared to the other devices on my list, it is built to meet all of the manufacturing needs that a DIY enthusiast could possibly have. The possibilities are endless.
The device is accessible and easy to set up as all the steps are clearly outlined in the user manual and all the required tools come in the box. Even though the Snapmaker 2.0 is primarily a 3D printer, users can easily switch to the laser diode for some engraving. It is also upgradable and comes equipped with CNC modules.
The engraving laser diode is a blue class 4 that operates at a wavelength of 450nm and power of 1.6W. There’s a built-in camera to preview your designs before engraving them on the material.
Many materials are compatible with the laser, including polymers, wood, acrylic, and even leather. It’s also worthy to note that the built-in lasering table is made with aluminum to reduce reflectivity.
One downside to this device is that users have to recalibrate the engraver each time a module switch is done. Aside from that, I couldn’t be happier with the quality, ease of use, and effectiveness of the Snapmaker 2.0.
After extensive testing in our workshop we have concluded that this unit is our overall Best 3D Printer Laser Engraver.
Pros
- 3-in-1 function
- Available in 3 different models/sizes, depending on your printing needs
- Compatible with a wide range of materials
- Laser power of 1.6W
- Great build quality
Cons
- Needs recalibration with every module switch
Best Multipurpose 3D Printer Laser Engraver
EcubMaker TOYDIY 4-in-1 3D Printer
The EcubMaker TOYDIY is a multipurpose device for anyone who wants to flex their creative, DIY buttons — parents, kids, engineers, etc. All the functions you need are on this single desktop machine. The EcubMaker is our recommendation for the Best Multipurpose 3D Printer Laser Engraver.
One of the best things about the TOYDIY is that it is ready to use straight out of the box, with no assembly required. It also has a 180 x 180 x 180 mm workspace that’s large enough to take most 3D and engraving creations.
The device comes equipped with special software that supports the setup and slicing of 4 tool heads without the need to install additional software for it. Once you change the tool head, it automatically detects and recognizes the corresponding print file.
Some of the features on the TOYDIY include FDM 3D printing, laser engraving, CNC engraving, and dual-color 3D printing. You can quickly switch to the laser module within 30 seconds.
The laser engraving tool uses a 1.5W powerful laser to carve on several compatible materials like plastic, wood, leather, and others. Although the EcubWare works well with Windows 7 and above 64-bit OS, it is currently incompatible with a MAC system.
Testing in our workshop with lots of different materials we have concluded that is our Best Multipurpose 3D Printer Laser Engraver.
Pros
- Multipurpose
- Doesn’t need additional software
- Easy to set up and use
- Powerful laser engraving
Cons
- Incompatible with MAC systems
Best Budget 3D Printer Laser Engraver
Official Creality Ender 3 V2 3D Printer
The Official Creality Ender 3 V2 3D Printer is an upgrade to the previously released and popular version —- Ender 3. The engraver is just under $500 and is an affordable, inexpensive, open-frame 3D printer. The Official Creality Ender 3 V2 is our recommendation for the Budget Best 3D Printer Laser Engraver.
The machine needs a bit of hands-on, DIY experience to set up for the first time, but once you get it up and running, it is more than worth the trouble.
Because of its open-frame hardware, it is easy to customize and upgrade the features of your Ender 3 V2 3D printer. This is one of the reasons why it’s so popular among hobbyists constantly looking for home-made and home-installed upgrades to their devices.
One of those attainable upgrades is the laser engraver feature. You can either get the Laser Engraver upgrade kit from Amazon or use add-ons from third parties, like Endurance Lasers, to install the laser engraving module on your machine.
Sovol 3D 500mW Laser Module, 12-24V Engraving Laser Head Kits Magnetic Design with Goggles, Test Wooden Boards
The laser engraver can be used to engrave acrylic materials, paper, and wood. It only has an engraving power of 500mW, which is quite low but acceptable for its price range. The engraver is particularly useful for creating custom wooden phone cases and coasters.
We upgraded this 3D Printer with the Laser Engraver upgrade kit for our testing and confirmed that this our Budget Best 3D Printer Laser engraver.
Pros
- Affordable
- Upgradable
- Supports different filament types
- Great build area for its price
Cons
- Instructions for setting up could be more comprehensive and legible
Best 2-in-1 3D Printer Laser Engraver
ANYCUBIC Mega Pro 2 in 1 FDM 3D Printing & Laser Engraving 3D Printer
Anycubic makes very affordable, yet decent 3D printers that keep improving with each new release, making them one of the most sought-after 3D printers currently on the market. The Anycubic is our recommendation for the 2 in 1 Best 3D Printer Laser Engraver.
Not only are these printers good, but they’re also very upgradable. Several online guides will show you how to tweak your printer to compete with other high-end, luxury 3D printers. This machine has very silent motor drivers, an upgraded extruder, a sturdy metal frame, and a hot end, which set it apart from its counterparts.
Its most notable feature is the extra and powerful 1.5W laser engraving head that comes with each package. You can switch out the regular 3D printing head with this laser engraving one to convert your 3D printer into a laser engraver that works well on paper, wood, leather, textiles, and fabrics.
After some engraving and 3D Printing tests in our workshop we concluded that is our recommendation for the 2 in 1 Best 3D Printer Laser Engraver.
Pros
- Great print quality
- 2-in-1 function
- Affordable
- Upgradable
- Ultra-quiet
- Built-in touchscreen for easy standalone operations
Cons
- No option for enclosure
Best Luxury 3D Printer Laser Engraver
Rotrics Dexarm Luxury All-In-One Desktop Robot Arm
The Rotrics Dexarm Luxury All-In-One Robotic Arm looks like a design straight from a Sci-Fi bestseller. That’s because it’s the first-ever versatile desktop robotic arm that does 3D printing and engraving. The Rotrics Dexarm is our recommendation for the Luxury Best 3D Printer Laser Engraver.
The machine serves an all-in-one purpose which makes it perfect for hobbyists, designers, makers, or anyone else that desires to make something really meaningful from the comfort of their desktop. 3D printing, laser engraving, and cutting — whatever option, you name it.
The robotic arm has high repeatability of 0.05 mm, so you can easily and quickly bring your ideas to life.
This Rotrics model has a designed decelerator (patented) at the core that reduces the gap between gears. This is what is responsible for the extremely high repeatability. Depending on where in the world you are, the supply unit runs on 100-240V AC.
As is expected from a robotic design, the Rotrics Dexarm is truly intuitive and gives you interactive controls to bring your ideas to life in just a few minutes and with a few clicks on the software.
You don’t need to be tech-savvy to communicate with this robotic arm as there’s a Blockly software integration that allows you to drag and place the code blocks to control it. It’s as easy as playing a board game.
But if you want to flex your programming skills, there’s an API that allows more experienced users to control the arm using G-code, Python, and Processing.
The robotic arm has none of those pesky screws and cables that could interfere with the process of creation. Every function is included in a module to remove unnecessary and unwanted screws at the end effector. You can also seamlessly switch between modules with just one click of a button.
To make it easier to control the Rotrics Dexarm, there is a 3.5-inch touchscreen to command the robot and check the status of your creation from the comfort of your hand.
There’s no need to keep the device connected to your computer when you want to draw an artistic image or create a written engraving. Its pen holder module allows you to do that.
Although it is a little pricey, with all of these features, you can see that this machine is truly a luxury item that will make your entire artistic and manufacturing process very enjoyable. Not much testing was required to confirm this unit as our Luxury Best 3D Printer Laser Engraver.
Pros
- Intuitive and interactive
- Easy to use
- Programming language options for experienced developers
- Multipurpose
- Seamless module switch
- Touch screen and pen holder
Cons
- A little pricey
What Are Multipurpose 3D Printers?
3D printers are awesome devices that turn tons of boring materials — either filament or resin — into awesome artistic creations. Most people use them to make gadgets, toys, artworks, figurines, or replacement parts for other machines (even 3D printers).
As awesome as regular 3D printers are, especially for creating craftwork or gift ideas, the multipurpose ones are even better. They have interchangeable tool heads that make them not only great for 3D printing, but also for laser engraving or cutting, and CNC cutting.
In this way, after creating 3D models of your objects, you can beautify and customize them into complete works of art by engraving on them or sculpting details on them.
All you have to do is change the printing head with your desired accessory — laser head or CNC head — and you’re good to go. In no time you will have the Best 3D Printer Laser Engraver.
How to Pick a Multifunctional 3D Printer with Laser Engraver
An ideal 3D printer with a laser engraver has laser engraving tool heads in addition to the printing head. If you want to get extra value for your money (because you don’t know when the need may arise), you can also get one with an extra CNC function.
Apart from these obvious criteria, other things you need to look out for include:
Performance of the Tool Heads
A great way to measure how the tool heads perform is to weigh them against your budget and expectations. If you pay more for something, you’d expect to get great value for it. If the value the device provides is short of your expectations for that budget, then you might need to consider other options.
The major reason why people choose a multipurpose 3D printer, as opposed to just getting a dedicated machine for each function, is that it saves space and money that would otherwise have been spent on getting three different devices.
All the functions of a multipurpose 3D printer should be good enough to serve as a substitute for individual machines. It makes no sense to pay hundreds of dollars on a 3D printer with laser engraving, only to have to buy a dedicated laser engraving machine because the one on your printer doesn’t work well.
The Software Experience
The different hardware functions on an all-in-one 3D printer are only as good as the software that drives them. It’s not uncommon to stumble across machines that look good enough to use, based on their hardware functions, only to fall apart the second you get behind a computer to begin modeling.
Look out for software intuitive with intuitive UIs, clear instructions, and ease of use. Otherwise, the buggy software will suck out all the fun and enjoyment you would have otherwise found in the creative experience.
Module Switch
After considering the hardware functions and overall feel of the software, you also have to check how easy it is to switch between tool heads and modules.
If you’re going to be using your 3D printer for laser engraving, then you’ll be switching the tool heads a lot, which can be frustrating. Fortunately, most of our recommendations have a smooth and simple tool head swap routine so you will get the Best 3D Printer Laser Engraver rather easily.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing a multifunctional 3D printer, there are so many options to pick from. For engraving, you need to consider only options with the best 3D printer laser engraver.
In this guide, I have covered the most affordable, the most luxurious, and the most functional 3D printers with laser engraving. Assess your needs and compare them with your potential choice to see if the expectations match reality, then consider your budget before you go ahead with your purchase. The best 3D Printer Laser Engraver is waiting for you.
Also Read: 3D Printer vs Laser Engraver - Which one should you choose