When it comes to laser engraving, cutting, and marking, UV lasers and CO₂ lasers are two of the most popular options. Each has its strengths, making one better than the other depending on your material and application.
This guide compares UV vs CO₂ lasers in detail, including how they work, what they’re best at, and which one you should choose.
Table of Contents
What Is a UV Laser?
How UV Lasers Work
UV lasers operate at a 355 nm wavelength in the ultraviolet spectrum. Unlike thermal lasers, UV lasers use a “cold marking” process, which minimizes heat transfer to the material. This prevents burning, melting, or warping.
Materials UV Lasers Can Mark
- Plastics (including ABS, PET, Polypropylene, and more)
- Glass and crystal
- Ceramics
- Coated or painted metals
- Sensitive electronic components
Common Applications of UV Lasers
- Medical devices (syringes, tubing, surgical instruments)
- Electronics (circuit boards, connectors)
- Packaging (bottle caps, plastic containers)
- High-precision industrial marking
- Crystal and Glass Engraving
What Is a CO₂ Laser?
How CO₂ Lasers Work
CO₂ lasers operate at a 10,600 nm wavelength, in the infrared spectrum. They use a thermal process that burns, melts, or vaporizes the surface material. This makes them powerful for cutting and engraving organic materials.
Materials CO₂ Lasers Can Cut and Engrave
- Wood
- Acrylic
- Leather
- Paper and cardboard
- Rubber
- Certain plastics
Common Applications of CO₂ Lasers
- Signage and displays
- Woodworking and furniture design
- Acrylic fabrication
- Leather goods (wallets, belts, coasters)
- Rubber stamps
- Packaging and craft projects
UV Laser vs CO2 Laser – Material Engraving Comparison
Material | UV Laser (355 nm) | CO₂ Laser (10,600 nm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Glass (surface) | Excellent (clean, chip-free) | Fair (frosted, risk of chipping) | UV produces sharper detail with less cracking |
Glass (inner / 3D) | Yes | No | Only UV lasers can engrave inside glass |
Crystal | Excellent | Surface only | UV enables fine internal micro-fractures |
Clear Acrylic | Excellent (no melting) | Excellent | UV avoids edge melting entirely |
Colored Acrylic | Excellent | Excellent | Both work well |
Plastics (ABS, PET, PP, PC) | Excellent | Limited | CO₂ may melt or deform plastics |
PVC / Vinyl | Not safe | Not safe | Produces toxic chlorine gas |
Silicone | Excellent | Limited | UV gives clean, precise marks |
Wood | Clean, no burn | Strong engraving | CO₂ engraves deeper but burns edges |
Leather | Clean edges, no burn | Darkening common | UV offers finer detail |
Paper / Cardboard | Light marking | Excellent | CO₂ is ideal for paper products |
Rubber | Precise | Common use | CO₂ preferred for stamps |
Ceramics / Porcelain | Excellent | Surface only | UV produces finer detail |
Stone / Slate | Light marking | Excellent | CO₂ provides stronger contrast |
Metals (bare) | Marking only | No | UV can mark; CO₂ cannot engrave bare metal |
Coated / Anodized Metals | Excellent | Excellent | Both work well |
PCBs / Electronics | Excellent | Not suitable | UV is industry standard for PCB work |
UV Laser vs CO2 Laser: Key Differences
Wavelength and Marking Method
- UV Laser: Cold marking (no heat damage) at 355 nm.
- CO₂ Laser: Thermal marking and cutting at 10,600 nm.
Precision and Heat Impact
- UV Laser: Extremely precise, no heat-affected zones.
- CO₂ Laser: Powerful, but can cause burns or melting on delicate materials.
Material Compatibility
- UV Laser: Best for plastics, glass, crystal, ceramics, and coated metals.
- CO₂ Laser: Best for wood, acrylic, leather, and paper.
Cutting vs Marking Capabilities
- UV Laser: Designed for high-contrast, detailed marking only.
- CO₂ Laser: Strong for both cutting and engraving.
Pros and Cons of UV Lasers
Pros:
- Ultra-precise marking
- No heat damage (cold marking)
- Works on delicate materials like glass and plastics
- High contrast on coated metals
Cons:
- Not efficient for cutting
- Requires specialized knowledge
Pros and Cons of CO₂ Lasers
Pros:
- Versatile—cuts and engraves a wide range of materials
- Beginner-friendly with strong community support
- Great for crafts, signage, and small business projects
Cons:
- Not suitable for bare metals
- Can cause burns, melting, or heat distortion on plastics
- Less precise than UV lasers for fine marking
Comparison: xTool P2S 55W CO₂ Laser vs xTool F2 Ultra UV 5W UV Laser
xTool P2S 55W CO₂ Laser
The xTool P2S 55W CO₂ Laser is a powerhouse desktop laser that combines cutting strength, engraving versatility, and ease of use at a competitive price. With its 55W CO₂ tube, it delivers clean, efficient cuts through wood, acrylic, and leather while also producing sharp engravings on a wide range of organic materials.
Setup is straightforward, and xTool’s software ecosystem is user-friendly, making it accessible for beginners while still powerful enough for advanced users. Compared to other CO₂ lasers in its price range, the P2S offers more wattage, better speed, and stronger community support, making it a smart choice for makers, small businesses, and workshops.
Key Performance Enhancements
- More powerful exhaust fans for highly effective smoke extraction
- Dual-cylinder air pump that produces cleaner cuts and minimizes charring
- Optical path indicators for quicker alignment and easier maintenance
- Upgraded hardware and software for smoother, more reliable workflows
Together, these upgrades produce sharper edges, higher engraving contrast, and consistent performance—especially when working with wood and acrylic.
High-Speed Productivity & Intelligent Automation
Efficiency is one of the xTool P2S’s strongest advantages.
- Engraving speeds reaching up to 600mm/s
- Smart Fill batch processing for serial numbers, names, and repeated designs
- Dual 16MP smart cameras offering live, high-resolution previews
- LiDAR ranging system with ultra-accurate 0.001″ autofocus
This powerful combination drastically cuts setup time, prevents placement errors, and makes the P2S an excellent choice for batch production, personalization businesses, and fast-turnaround projects.
Spacious & Expandable Work Area
The xTool P2S easily adapts to both small crafts and large-scale woodworking jobs.
Workspace Features
- 26″ × 14″ engraving bed
- Auto-Passthrough support for materials up to 118″ long
- Riser Base allowing objects up to 8.4″ tall
- 3D Curve Engraving that automatically creates accurate 3D models for curved surfaces
When paired with the RA2 Pro rotary, the P2S is ideal for engraving tumblers, mugs, rings, and other cylindrical items—perfect for high-end personalization work.
Powerful Cutting & Precision Engraving
Equipped with an industry-leading 55W CO₂ laser tube, the xTool P2S delivers impressive cutting strength and exceptional engraving clarity.
Thanks to the high absorption efficiency of CO₂ laser technology, the P2S produces smooth cuts, deep engravings, and strong contrast—making it an excellent solution for woodworking, signage, and creative fabrication.
Safety-Focused Design for Confident Operation
The xTool P2S is built with professional-grade safety systems to ensure reliable and secure use.
Integrated Safety Features
- AI-powered fire detection
- Automatic safety locking
- Emergency stop button
- Fully enclosed structure
- Adjustable air assist
- High-capacity 233.3 CFM exhaust fan for effective smoke and fume removal
Build Quality & User Experience
Combining industrial-level performance with a refined desktop design, the xTool P2S offers intuitive calibration, simplified maintenance, and precise execution through its smart camera system. Whether engraving intricate details or cutting thick wood and acrylic, the machine operates smoothly, consistently, and with impressive stability.
Why We Recommend It
- Best Value CO₂ Laser under $3,400
- High power (55W) for deeper, faster cuts
- Versatile—engraves and cuts wood, acrylic, leather, paper, and more
- Beginner-friendly software with a strong support community
- Reliable build quality from xTool, a trusted name in desktop lasers
If you’re looking for a cost-effective, high-performance CO₂ laser that balances power, versatility, and ease of use, the xTool P2S 55W CO₂ Laser is our top recommendation.
xTool F2 Ultra UV Laser
The xTool F2 Ultra 5W UV Laser is a professional-grade desktop UV system designed for precision marking on plastics, glass, coated metals, and other sensitive materials. Its 355 nm ultraviolet wavelength enables “cold marking”, meaning it produces crisp, high-contrast marks without burning, melting, or warping the surface.
With its compact design and advanced optical system, the F2 Ultra UV delivers industrial-quality marking in a more accessible format. It’s particularly well-suited for businesses in electronics, medical devices, and high-precision product branding. While not built for cutting, it excels at producing permanent, flawless marks where other lasers fall short.
Glass engraving is one of the most challenging applications for laser machines—especially when the goal is sharp detail, smooth edges, and true 3D internal engraving without chips or clouding. Most CO₂ and diode lasers are limited to surface frosting or light scratching, which often results in hazy finishes, micro-cracks, or edge damage.
The xTool F2 Ultra UV is purpose-built for high-precision optical engraving. Using a 355 nm ultraviolet laser, an industrial galvo scanning system, and advanced depth-control technology, it delivers exceptional accuracy for both surface engraving and true internal 3D glass engraving—capabilities that standard desktop lasers simply can’t match.
Why the xTool F2 Ultra UV Outperforms Other Lasers
UV Wavelength (355 nm) – Ideal for Transparent Materials
UV lasers interact with glass very differently than other laser types:
- CO₂ lasers (10,600 nm)
- Energy is absorbed mainly on the surface
- Often causes chipping, flaking, or cracking
- Cannot engrave inside glass
- Diode lasers (≈450 nm)
- Light reflects off transparent glass
- Requires coatings or workarounds
- Not capable of internal engraving
- xTool F2 Ultra UV (355 nm)
- Penetrates glass and concentrates energy internally
- Creates ultra-fine, controlled micro-fractures
- Enables clean, floating 3D engravings inside glass
This UV wavelength advantage is what makes the xTool F2 Ultra UV uniquely suited for crystal and glass engraving, setting it apart as one of the most advanced desktop solutions in its class.
Why We Recommend It
- Best UV Laser under $4,600
- Unmatched precision for plastics, glass, and coated metals
- Cold marking technology prevents heat damage
- Compact and professional design with reliable performance
- Perfect for industrial and specialty applications where CO₂ and fiber lasers struggle
If your work demands high-contrast, damage-free marking on sensitive materials, the xTool F2 Ultra UV 5W UV Laser is our top recommendation.
Value Breakdown
Feature | xTool P2S 55W CO₂ | xTool F2 Ultra 5W UV |
|---|---|---|
Price | Under $3,400 | Under $4,600 |
Laser Power | 55W | 5W |
Type | CO₂ (infrared, 10,600 nm) | UV (355 nm) |
Best For | Cutting wood, acrylic, leather | Marking plastics, crystal, glass, coated metals |
Cutting Ability | Excellent | Very limited |
Marking Precision | Moderate | Extremely precise |
Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly | Steeper learning curve |
Applications | Makers, crafters, small businesses | Industrial, electronics, medical, plastics/glass marking |
Which Is Better: UV Laser or CO₂ Laser?
Best Choice for Plastics and Glass
- UV Laser wins—clean, chip-free marks without heat damage.
Best Choice for Wood, Leather, and Acrylic
- CO₂ Laser wins—powerful cutting and engraving with beautiful results.
Which Laser Offers the Best Value?
- If you need a versatile laser for cutting and engraving wood, acrylic, and leather → xTool P2S 55W CO₂ Laser is the best value.
- If you need precision marking on plastics, glass, or coated metals → xTool F2 Ultra UV Laser is worth the extra cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a UV laser and a CO₂ laser?
The main difference is the wavelength. UV lasers (355 nm) use “cold marking” for precision on plastics, glass, and coated metals, while CO₂ lasers (10,600 nm) use a thermal process ideal for cutting and engraving organic materials like wood, acrylic, and leather.
Which is better for engraving plastics: UV or CO₂ laser?
A UV laser is better for plastics because it marks without burning or melting the material. CO₂ lasers can cause warping or discoloration on sensitive plastics.
Which laser should I buy for woodworking and acrylic projects?
For woodworking, acrylic cutting, and leather engraving, a CO₂ laser is the best choice. UV lasers are not designed for cutting these materials efficiently.
Final Thoughts on Choosing Between UV and CO₂ Lasers
In the UV Laser vs CO₂ Laser debate, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you’re cutting and engraving organic materials like wood, acrylic, and leather, a CO₂ laser is the clear choice. But if your work requires precision marking on plastics, glass, or coated metals, then a UV laser is the superior option.
For most users, a CO₂ laser balances affordability, versatility, and performance. For specialized glass and crystalapplications in industrial and medical settings, a UV laser delivers unmatched precision and quality.