Which xTool Laser Do You Actually Need? The Complete Buyer's Guide

Choosing a laser engraver or cutter is not as simple as picking a wattage and clicking buy. The xTool range spans eleven machines across five fundamentally different laser technologies — each suited to a different set of materials, workflows, and business models. This guide cuts through the confusion with a practical framework: understand your materials first, then choose the technology, then choose the machine.

The One Question That Decides Everything: What Do You Need to Process?

Every laser technology has a wavelength, and every material absorbs certain wavelengths and reflects or transmits others. A laser that works beautifully on wood will do nothing to bare metal. A CO2 laser that cuts acrylic cleanly cannot mark stainless steel. Before comparing machines, answer this: what materials will you work with most?

The Five xTool Laser Technologies at a Glance

The Complete xTool Range — Every Machine Mapped

Choosing by Budget

Under €1,000 — Creative Entry Point

The M2 Color Craft at €655 combines UV laser, diode, blade cutter, and pen plotter for full-colour prints directly onto wood, acrylic, and hard surfaces. It's the most versatile machine at this price and the only desktop device that does full-colour printing without ink cartridges.

€1,000–€2,000 — Serious Studio

For pure diode power in a safe enclosed format, the S1 40W is the most capable enclosed diode laser available. For users who also need metal marking capability, the F1 Portable adds 2W IR and galvo speed at the same price point. The M1 Smart is the right choice if vinyl cutting is part of the workflow.

€2,000–€5,000 — Small Business Production

Two very different machines serve this tier. The P2S is for businesses whose primary material is thick wood, acrylic, or leather — sign shops, furniture makers, craft studios. The F1 Ultra is for personalisation businesses working with metals at volume — trophies, jewellery, branded merchandise. These two machines serve opposite ends of the material spectrum at the same price tier.

€5,000+ — Professional and Industrial

The P3 at €7,049 adds 80W CO2 power, larger build volume, AI fire detection, and built-in CO2 suppression — the choice for production CO2 operations where the machine runs all day. The F2 Ultra MOPA at €7,299 delivers 60W MOPA fiber capability — the right choice for industrial metal colour engraving, deep marking of hard metals, and applications requiring the full MOPA colour spectrum on stainless steel.

Quick Decision Guide

Answer these questions in order:

1. Do you need to mark bare metal? Yes → you need a fiber or IR laser (F1, F1 Ultra, F2, F2 Ultra). No → continue.
2. Do you need to cut wood over 10mm thick or any clear acrylic? Yes → CO2 (P2S or P3). No → continue.
3. Do you need to engrave inside glass or on heat-sensitive materials? Yes → UV (F2 Ultra UV). No → continue.
4. Do you need high-speed batch production? Yes → galvo machine (F1, F1 Ultra, F2, F2 Ultra). No → continue.
5. Do you need vinyl cutting alongside laser? Yes → M1 Smart or M1 Ultra. No → S1 is your enclosed diode entry point.

Available from Eolas Prints

Eolas Prints is an authorised xTool reseller based in Cantabria, Spain, serving customers across Europe. Every machine in this guide is in stock. Not sure which is right for your application? Contact us — we advise based on your specific materials and workflow before you buy.