Choosing the right metal laser engraver can be daunting with various options available, from compact units to industrial-grade machines. So, are you confused about buying the right laser engraver for metal?
Don't worry! To simplify your decision-making, we've compiled a list of top seven laser engravers for metal. These machines offer affordability, convenience, precision, and quality for efficient and cost-effective metal engraving projects.
In this article:
Part 1: Laser Engravers for Metal - Top Seven Choices
A laser engraver for metal is a special tool made specifically for engraving on metal surfaces. It works by directing a laser beam onto the metal, creating designs or markings. A quality metal laser engraver should be effective for engraving on various metals like stainless steel, brass, aluminum, titanium, gold, and silver.This comprehensive guide provides all the information you need to know about the best metal engraving machine. It compares them based on weight, laser type, power, workspace size, engravable materials, accuracy, and price.
1. LaserPecker 3 - The Best Portable and the Smallest Laser Engraving Machine for Metal
- Weight: 3.33 kg
- Laser Type: 1064nm Pulsed Infrared Laser
- Laser Power: 1w (Average Power) 10kw (Peak Power)
- Workspace Size: 115 x 80 mm (Oval); 65 x 65 mm (Sqare); 115 x 2000 mm (with the Electric Roller)
- Engravable Materials: Metal, Plastic, Faux Leather and any material with paint coating
- Accuracy & Precision: 0.01 mm
- Price: $1,349.99 USD
- Where to Buy: LaserPecker 3 (LP3) - Best Portable and the Smallest Laser Engraver Designed for Metal
LaserPecker 3 is the smallest and most convenient infrared laser engraver borned for metal engraving. It weighs just 3.3 kg and can be carried with one hand effortlessly.
Compared with other machines, it's so compact that it fits anywhere, and it's incredibly easy to disassemble and reassemble. You can take it with you wherever you go and set it up in no time.
This machine is great for handling different materials. Without any pre-treatment process, you can easily engrave on any metal, coated metal, anodized metal, and bare metal, as the 1064nm infrared laser wavelength can penetrate metals more easily.
Moreover, with handy accessories like a rotary extension, this machine allows you to engrave on a broader range of cylindrical objects with curved surfaces. Think bottles, cans, trophies, and more.
Main Features of LaserPecker 3
- More Compatible Materials: Its Laser engraving is versatile, being suitable for various materials ranging from metals (gold, silver, titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, brass) to plastics, leather, and more.
- Fast Engraving Speed: It boasts an impressive engraving speed of up to 800 mm/s.
- Accurate Positioning: It comes equipped with a user-friendly dual laser focusing feature, allowing for accurate positioning and hassle-free focal point adjustment.
- Multi-scenario Application: It excels in diverse scenarios, demonstrating proficiency in tasks such as curved-surface engraving.
2. LaserPecker 4 - The World's First Dual-laser Engraver for Almost All Materials
- Weight: 4 kg
- Laser Type: Blue Diode Laser & 1064nm Infrared Laser
- Laser Power: 10w + 2w
- Workspace Size: 160 mm x 120 mm (Standard); 160 mm x 300 mm (With the Slide Extension)
- Engravable Materials: Lacquered metal, Anodized aluminum, 304 stainless steel, Wood, Leather, Food, Paper, Fabric, Plastic, Acrylic, Glass, Ceramics, etc.
- Movement Accuracy: 0.0019 mm
- Price: $1,799 USD
- Where to Buy: LaserPecker 4 (LP4) - The World's First Dual-laser Engraver for Almost All Materials
LaserPecker 4 is the world's first dual laser engraver for virtually all materials. This versatility allows it to fulfill all your metal engraving needs under any circumstances.
Since it comes with 2 lasers (Blue Diode Laser & 1064nm Infrared Laser), this machine isn't just for engraving metals. It can also cut through certain materials. That's why it's not only a top pick for laser engraving but also a dependable laser cutting machine.
Similar to LaserPecker 3, this machine can also come with useful accessories like a rotary extension, this machine allows you to engrave on a broader range of cylindrical objects with curved surfaces. Think bottles, cans, trophies, and more.
3. OMTech K40 - Best Cost-effective Laser Engraver
- Weight: 25.85kg
- Laser Type: CO2 Laser
- Laser Power: 40w
- Workspace Size: 200 x 300 mm
- Engravable Materials: Wood, glass, acrylic, leather, and more materials.
- Price: $579.99 USD
- Where to Buy: OMTech
The OMTech K40 laser engraver uses a CO2 tube as its laser source and has impressive features. While it can engrave various materials like wood, paper, and cardboard, it's important to note that for metal engraving, it's best suited for coated or anodized metals. This is because the laser's wavelength is reflected by bare metals, limiting its effectiveness on them.
However, weighing at 25.85kg, moving the machine around isn't easy. It needs to be placed in a spacious location. Also, the engraving work area is fixed and can't be expanded. This means you're limited in the size of metal you can engrave. Plus, without additional accessories, engraving on curved surfaces might be challenging.
Main Features of OMTech K40
- Works on various materials
- Fairly large working area (200 x 300 mm)
- Well priced
- Good customer service
4. Glowforge Plus/Pro - Best Trustbable Laser Engraver
- Weight: 23kg
- Laser Type: CO2 Laser
- Laser Power: 40w
- Workspace Size: 50 x 515 mm
- Engravable Materials: stone, ceramic tile, anodized aluminum, titanium, etc.
- Accuracy & Precision: 0.0025 mm
- Price: $5995 USD
- Where to Buy: Glowforge
The Glowforge Plus/Pro, similar to the K40, is a kind of CO2 laser. It can engrave and cut various materials, such as wood, leather, paper, acrylic, etc. But there is a limitation for metal engraving; it only works well on coated metals and anodized metals.
To realize more possibilities for metal engraving, you may need to pre-coat and mark the metals using the CerMark, Enduramark, and LaserBond.
Like the OMTech K40, this machine is quite heavy, weighing in at 23kg, making it difficult for users to move or transport. In addition, the engraving work area is limited to 50 x 515 mm, which may not be suitable for engraving large-sized metals.
Main Features of Glowforge Plus/Pro
- Feature-rich software
- Powerful laser and material portfolio
- Large working area
5. xTool D1 20W- Best User-friendly Metal Laser Engraver
- Weight: 12.11kg
- Laser Type: Diode Laser
- Laser Power: 20w or 10w
- Workspace Size: 427 x 387 mm
- Engravable Materials: Wood, leather, paper, cardboard, opaque acrylic, stone, paint glass, paint ceramics, stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum oxide, etc.
- Accuracy & Precision: 0.08 mm
- Price: $1288.99 USD
- Where to Buy: xTool D1 20W
The Xtool D1 20W is an essential diode laser that can engrave and cut on various materials, wood, leather, paper, etc. But as far as metal is concerned, it can only engrave coated or anodized metals because bare metals reflect the wavelength of a diode laser.
Despite its large 427 x 387mm work area, this machine is also quite sizable itself. More importantly, unlike some other laser engravers, it doesn't fold up for storage, so you'll need to set aside a dedicated space for it in your workspace.
Main Features of Xtool D1
- Work on various metals
- High-speed and high-accuracy engraving
- Cylindrical engraving
6. OMTech 50W - Best Industrial-grade Metal Laser Engraver
- Weight: 30kg
- Laser Type: Fiber Laser
- Laser Power: 50w
- Workspace Size: 200 x 200 mm
- Engravable Materials: Acrylic, Hard Plastics, stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum oxide, etc.
- Accuracy & Precision: 0.04 mm
- Price: $3,999 USD
- Where to Buy: OMTech 50W
The OMTech 50W Fiber Laser engraver is so powerful that it can even cut through thin metal sheets. Coming with the Fθ lens, this laser helps create vivid markings on flat surfaces, maintaining a consistent. There is no worry about metal types as this fiber machine can engrave almost all metals, from bare metals to others.
Given its weight, laser source, and price, this machine seems better suited for industrial-grade metal engraving. So, if you're only planning a small DIY engraving project at home, this machine may not be the best choice for you.
Main Features of OMTech 50W
- Powerful laser, even for a metal cut.
- Large working area (200 x 200 mm)
- Fast engraving speed (7000 mm/s)
7. LaserPecker 2 - Best Beginner/Entry-Level Laser Engraver
- Weight: 2.72 kg
- Laser Type: 450nm Blue Diode Laser
- Laser Power: 5W
- Workspace Size: 100 x 100 mm (Basic); 100 x 2000mm (With LP Electric Roller)
- Engravable Materials: Bamboo, Paper, Leather, Food, Plastic, Wood, Fabric, Photosensitive printing, Lacquered metal, Anodized aluminum, 304 stainless steel, Plastic, Acrylic, Tinted glass, Color glaze ceramics, etc.
- Accuracy & Precision: 0.05 mm
- Price: $799.00 USD
- Where to Buy: LaserPecker 2 (LP2) - Best Portable Laser Engraver Designed for Metal
LaserPecker 2 is a beginner-friendly machine, which is easy to set up. You can program everything wirelessly from an APP on your phone to realize your creation anytime, anywhere.
LaserPecker 2 can engrave on various coated and anodized metals and stainless steel. But that's not where its versatility ends. This laser can also work its magic on wood, paper, leather, acrylic, etc.
Compared to LaserPecker 3 and LaserPecker 4, this machine might have slightly weaker laser power, resulting in engraving results that may not be as impressive. However, being an entry-level machine with a great price-performance ratio, it's still a good choice for metal laser engraving enthusiasts.
Main Features of LaserPecker 2
- More Compatible Materials: It is applicable for most materials from metal to wood,plastic and leather.
- High Engraving Accuracy: LP2 is equipped dual optical lens, which allows it to engrave on metal with up to 2K High Resolution
- Multi-functional: LP2 has Abundant Add-ons & Working Modes
Part 2: What Type of Laser Is Right for Metal Engraving?
Selecting a suitable laser source for metal can be daunting due to the variety of options available in the market, including diode, CO2 and fiber lasers.
Metals can generally be categorized into coated, anodized, and uncoated types. For coated and anodized metals' laser engraving, CO2 and diode lasers are suitable choices as they can remove surface layers to create markings. Moreover, these options are cost-effective and versatile, capable of engraving materials like wood, paper, glass, plastic.
For industrial metal engraving applications, fiber lasers offer high efficiency and precision. Although they come with a higher price tag, they excel at engraving bare metals and performing tasks like laser welding and basic cleaning. However, their cost may be prohibitive for small businesses or personal use.
In summary, the best metal engraving tool depends on factors such as metal type, desired precision and project scale. Diode lasers are often preferred for their versatility and cost-efficiency, but CO2 and diode lasers can also be suitable depending on specific requirements
Part 3: How To Choose The Right Laser Machine for Engraving Metal?
There are a few things you need to consider when you choose a metal laser engraver. Below are the things to take into account:
1. Purpose
The first thing you need to think about is your purpose in buying a laser engraver, starting your own hobby, gift customization, or starting your small business. The different purposes will lead to different choices: you can choose an entry-level laser engraver if you want to start a new hobby or gift customization.
However, you need to choose a more powerful laser for your small business and better laser engraving effects. Once you have thought clearly about your purpose, you can narrow down your choices.
2. Metal type you want to engrave
As we mentioned before, it's the target materials that decide what type of laser you choose. You can use a CO2 laser or diode laser if you want to engrave on coated and anodized metals. But you need to purchase the infrared laser or fiber laser if you want to engrave on bare metal, which has a low rate of absorb efficiency of CO2 and diode lasers' wavelength.
3. Budget
In general, fiber lasers tend to be more expensive as they are typically professional-grade, which can actually engrave on all metals. The infrared laser can also engrave on most metals, and it's cheaper than the fiber laser. The CO2 and diode lasers have a relatively lower price, which is reflected in the capability that only to engrave on coated and anodized metals.
4. User Friendliness
It's a little challenging to learn a new machine or technique. There are two main factors that determine user-friendliness— the software and the tutorials across various platforms. Easy-to-use and stable software is a must-have for laser machines as it involves design work and engraving settings.
What's more, various tutorials are also necessary because it's two massive curricula to commend the laser and laser engrave and cut different materials. The more curriculum is provided, the quicker you will get familiar with the machine.
5. Engraving Size
Depending on how large the produce you'll handle, the target engraving area may vary. Engraving small objects can be done with a portable laser machine, while larger objects require a machine with a larger working area.
6. Extra Feature
Has a rotary module or other useful accessories? Equipping a rotary module would make it easy to engrave on cylindrical objects, such as rings and tumblers. Expandability and other features can increase functionality as well.
Conclusion
After thousands of research and comparisons, we have highlighted the top seven choices that have outstanding features to satisfy the metal laser engraving, from product design, software, and use-friendliness.
Out of the 7 we selected, the LaserPecker 3 and 4 are our top picks. They're budget-friendly and pack a punch with laser power. Hopefully, this guide helps you find the perfect laser engraving machine for metal!
