10 Glowforge Alternatives for Cheaper Laser Cutting

The xTool P2 is one of the more recent desktop CO2 laser cutters to hit the market. With the P2, xTool challenges the likes of Glowforge by offering more features and a better user experience.

The P2 cutter has a large cutting area of 600×308 mm (23.6′′x12.1′′), second only to the BeamBox Pro laser cutter on this list. It’s a more than generous workspace that you can expand further to 500x∞ (infinite) mm with the P2’s automatic conveyor feeder accessory.

When it comes to laser cutting and engraving, the xTool P2 has a powerful 55W CO2 laser tube. In our xTool P2 review, we could successfully cut through a 20 mm thick slab of pine wood with a single pass, demonstrating the laser’s impressive power.

Also, you can use this machine to engrave on a wide range of materials. Wood and acrylics are only the beginning. Ceramics, coated metals, glass, leather, you name it. Most hobby materials are suitable for engraving with the P2 at impressive speeds.

In terms of connectivity, you get plenty of options with the P2. It’s a big contrast with Glowforge laser cutters. You can connect to the P2 through WiFi, USB, or even Ethernet. In addition, you don’t need to be always online to use the machine.

The fact that the laser head automatically adjusts its height is also a distinct advantage. This makes it possible for the cutter to quickly change its focus and even engrave on curved surfaces. The latter is the P2 feature that stands out most to us. It works very well and we don’t know of any other laser cutter that offers this feature.

We did run into a few issues with the machine during our testing, however. For example, the exhaust fans at the back are very noisy during operation. Additionally, Lightburn compatibility is fairly limited, curbing the machine’s maximum potential. But with xTool’s capable XCS software as an alternative, we don’t think the latter is that big of a deal.

On the whole, the xTool P2 is a powerful, feature-packed laser cutter. Not only does it have a larger print area, easier-to-use software, and more features than Glowforge machines, but it does so at a better value proposition. In our opinion, there’s no doubt that the xTool P2 is the best Glowforge alternative available at the moment.

The Muse Core from Full Spectrum Laser (FSL) is a complete, well-rounded laser cutter machine built for makers. It is the company’s most affordable CO2 laser machine, yet comes loaded with features and accessories that rival its more pricey competitors. As such, it is an excellent Glowforge alternative.

FSL has integrated a linear rail motion system in the Muse Core, which results in precise motion and helps with the rigidity of the Core’s frame. There’s a total working area of 20″ x 12″ (300 x 200 mm) and you get a depth of about 2.5″ (63.5 mm) with the Muse laser cutter.

Even though this is already more than what you get on Glowforge lasers, you can extend its working depth with its ‘Riser accessory’ and execute even deeper laser beam cuts. This is a feature that’s lacking on Glowforge machines.

Its RetinaEngrave software comes bundled with the Core and works on an internal server. You don’t need to install any files, nor do you need an internet connection, as the software works right in your browser. The software comes loaded with features and delivers a smooth workflow with an easy-to-use experience.

Its removable working floor is another benefit over the Glowforge models. By removing it, you can laser engrave/cut under the machine and work on giant workpieces. Because this works in two dimensions, this is superior to Glowforge’s pass-through slot.

The Muse Core is compatible with a rotary module that comes as a separate accessory. The team at FSL has designed the Core to be compatible with several additional accessories, further extending the laser cutter’s capabilities.

Designed for beginners and hobbyists, the FSL Muse Core is, in our opinion, the best Glowforge alternative on the list. For under $4000, the machine is a plug-n-play device that is ideal for homes, MakerSpaces, and for small prototyping purposes.

Not everyone has the budget to spend thousands of dollars on a Glowforge laser engraver. Especially if you just want to use it for hobby purposes. The OMTech 40W laser cutter precisely addresses this issue. It is one of the cheapest and most popular K40 lasers and comes in at an affordable $449.

The OMTech 40W is a compact laser engraving machine with a modest working area of 8″ x 12″ (200 x 300 mm). It might not be the most generous workspace, but it is sufficient for engraving and cutting things like photo frames, Christmas ornaments, personal accessories, small gifts, and other household items.

There’s an inbuilt exhaust system that vents out the air easily. But, the machine misses out on a laser cooling system which you’ll need to purchase separately from OMTech.

The included LaserDRW software goes well with the laser cutter and is relatively easy to use for beginners. If you want to use Lightburn, however, you’ll need to upgrade the electronics with a Lightburn-compatible motherboard. Not ideal, but it keeps the price down for those who don’t need it.

Not surprisingly, the OMTech 40W does not come with an air assist system by default, which would’ve helped improve the engraving and cutting results.

The red dot guidance system, on the other hand, works well and is a handy solution to quickly position the laser beam. It’s not something we have seen in more expensive laser engravers with the same work area, like the Two Trees TS3.

This K40 laser from OMTech is well-known in the maker community, and you get a decent laser engraver for an affordable price. It is an excellent Glowforge alternative for beginners and business owners who’re on a budget and want to get started with laser machines for their projects.

As one of the best Glowforge alternatives on the list, the FLUX BeamBox Pro is feature-packed for small businesses and enthusiasts. Leading Flux’s laser cutters lineup, the BeamBox Pro gets all the premium features you expect from a high-end machine.

The entire structure of the FLUX BeamBox is made of metal, with accurate linear rails for its motion. The laser cutter also comes fully assembled out of the box, with its mirrors entirely calibrated in the factory. Within 30 minutes of opening the package, you can start laser engraving and cutting with the machine.

The 50W bundled laser has enough power to cut through 12 mm of wood in a single pass, whereas the total working depth of the BeamBox Pro is around 80 mm. This is plenty for home projects and small business use cases.

Despite its generous work area of 23.6″ x 14.7″ (600 x 375 mm), the BeamBox Pro has enough laser power to get any job done quickly. Compared to the other Glowforge alternatives on this list, the Flux BeamBox stands out with its cutting speed and working depth.

The device has a built-in camera that lets you quickly stitch and position your images on the workpiece. This is another time-saving feature that many professionals will love, as it eliminates the need for manual alignment.

However, the camera lacks auto-focus functionality. So you will still need to set the laser focus manually.

You receive a full-color touchscreen on the top, with a playful and intuitive UI. The included BeamStudio software is easy to use and has several features to fully utilize the laser cutter’s functions. But, it is slightly buggy and fails to offer a seamless and friendly user experience.

Aside from these small nitpicks, the Flux BeamBox Pro is a powerhouse of a laser cutter. It is definitely not cheap, but its features and usability justify its price. For a professional business or a serious hobbyist, the Pro version suits most and meets more than typical workflow demands.

You’d hardly find a 50W CO2 laser cutter under $3000 that’s as well-built and as good as the Gweikecloud laser machine. It competes directly with the other laser cutting machines in this and is among the best alternatives to Glowforge laser.

The solid metal construction is complemented well by its linear rails, and the white color adds to the premium look of the machine. There’s a 5MP camera within the working area to preview your designs on the workspace and to help you autofocus the laser.

Its built-in camera can recognize material QR codes, so the machine’s software automatically configures all the laser engraving and cutting settings you need to get the best results. Of course, this does require you to buy the manufacturer-supplied materials, or purchase separate QR code stickers for your material.

The Gweike Cloud 50W comes with a separate cooling water pump that you can conveniently place beside the machine. Also included is an air exhaust system fitted with a HEPA air filter to remove harmful fumes and toxic gasses from the laser process.

For increased ease of use, this laser cutter has both Wi-Fi connectivity and is compatible with Lightburn software. As the material is fed through a slot in the bottom, you can technically configure the laser cutter for the passthrough feature, giving you unlimited working length.

Its quality control is something that can be improved, however, with some users reporting issues with things like the exhaust port seal. These seem to be mostly minor issues, but it’s best to be aware of them before you purchase the machine.

In terms of value for money, not many other laser cutting machines can beat the Gweike Cloud 50W. Its features, solid construction, and ease of use make it a superb Glowforge alternative that is suitable for professionals, educational institutes, and beginners alike.

K40 Chinese lasers have a poor reputation regarding the build quality and user experience. But, the Ten-High 3020 40W laser engraver is an exception with improved construction, features, and still a relatively affordable price.

The laser engraver comes in a compact, all-inclusive metal box design that fits snugly on your desktop. There are four work area options, ranging from 300 x 200 mm to 400 x 600 mm. And while the machine appears strikingly similar to any other K40 laser cutter, the inclusion of THK linear guides and a belt drive helps the Ten-High to achieve a better quality.

Its 40W CO2 laser is powerful enough to engrave and cut on materials like wood, bamboo, acrylic, leather, and paper. The mirror assembly is also calibrated right out of the box, and included is an air assist system to help with the removal of debris and fumes

The TEN-HIGH 3020, however, misses out on a cooling system for the laser, and you’ll have to arrange for an external chiller unit. The included display also feels outdated and is limiting in terms of its features.

Despite its shortcomings, the Ten-high laser cutter falls in a sweet spot between cheap Chinese K40 laser machines and prosumer laser cutters. It makes for an excellent first laser machine to use in garages and for hobbyists looking for a decently-built device.

Amongst diode lasers, hardly any laser cutting machines come close to delivering the same value as the Ortur Laser Master 2 Pro. It has a simple V-slot design yet a robust build quality. And its simplicity in terms of use makes it approachable for beginners and hobbyists alike.

The laser cutter has an open-frame design and is partially a DIY build. As such, you’ll have to spend some time assembling the various components out of the box. Once ready, you can use the 10W laser module to engrave within a large 15.7″ x 15.7″ in (400 x 400 mm) working area.

Ortur claims high laser engraving speeds of up to 10,000 mm/min, letting you truly execute high-speed engraving. For laser cutting, you will need to go a bit slower.

The Laser Master is built with safety in mind. You get an emergency stop button, flame detection, active position protection, and a safety cover around the laser module. On a laser engraver and cutter with such a low price, we are happy to see these features included.

Various accessories, like an extension kit are available on Ortur’s website, allowing you to extend its working capabilities. As it’s an open-frame machine, Ortur has a separate metal enclosure for the Laser Master. It comes with an integrated ventilation system and is beneficial for reducing laser fumes.

Altogether, the Ortur Laser Master 2 Pro is designed for hobbyists and semi-professionals who are on a budget and don’t need the high power of the CO2 laser cutting machines. It is a perfect machine for simple laser engraving jobs and the occasional wood and acrylic cutting work.

The Cricut Maker 3 is not a laser engraver nor a CNC cutter but falls in a sweet spot between the two. It’s intended more for paper crafting and cutting purposes and comes in a neat, compact form factor. The Maker 3 is the improved version of the original Cricut Maker and has some remarkable features that its predecessor lacked.

For the uninformed, the Cricut Maker 3 uses physical cutting blades to cut and mark materials. You get a fine-point cutting blade with the machine, and numerous other cutting blades are separately available as accessories. These blades can cut paper, fabric, vinyl, and leather.

If your focus is to create crafting projects, the Cricut Maker 3 can be a great Glowforge alternative. It provides different functionality that might be more suitable for your needs.

You’ll also need a cutting mat that serves as a cutting base for your materials. However, if you use Cricut’s smart materials, you can skip the cutting mat and directly insert your materials into the machine.

The Maker 3 is up to 2X faster than the Original Maker and has a cutting speed of up to 8 inches/sec. This makes it one of the fastest machines for cutting fabric, vinyl, and other flexible materials. And the best part is that you don’t need to worry about burn marks, like with a laser machine.

On the software side, the Cricut Maker 3 uses the Design Space app, which works on iPads, Android devices, and desktop PCs. It lets you control the machine from the app, delivering a smooth and easy user experience.

If you’re into crafting hobbies or need stickers for your Etsy projects, the Cricut Maker 3 is the perfect machine for you. For a price of $429, it’s relatively affordable for the average hobbyist, and its vibrant user community serves as an excellent place for anything Cricut related.

Multi-purpose machines are great for saving space and costs while giving you the benefits of several machining processes. The Snapmaker 2.0 A350T is a leading 3-in-1 3D printer with a modular design and three different tool heads.

You can 3D print materials up to 275 °C in its 3D printing mode. You have an automatic bed leveling system with a flexible, removable print bed. All this makes for a decent 3D printing experience, albeit not as good as a dedicated 3D printer.

The 1.6W laser module lets you do basic laser engraving on leather, wood, plastic, and acrylics. For laser cutting, it can only deal with 3 mm and thinner materials. However, Snapmaker allows you to upgrade to a 10W laser module that gives you the ability to laser cut many things that the 1.6W module can’t.

Its CNC carving module uses an ER11 collet that takes 0.5 mm/0.02″ to 6.35 mm/0.25″ drill bits. At 50W, it is not very powerful, but it is enough for basic stuff.

Additionally, you receive a MDF waste board with threads and clamp sets that firmly secure your workpiece on the work bed.

Snapmaker’s Luban software unifies everything in a single place, and you can prepare files for different processes within a single application. The 5-inch touch screen’s UI is based on Android OS and is snappy and highly intuitive to use.

Overall, the machine is fairly slow to use, and is not as versatile as three separate machines would be. However, if you want to use all these functionalities but do not have the space for different devices, the Snapmaker A350T is a great alternative. Its smaller sibling, the A250T, is worth looking at as well.

CNC machines offer you better flexibility when it comes to engraving and cutting your designs at a low cost. The Inventables X-Carve CNC machine is designed for hobbyists who need to turn their hobby into a viable business.

It features a large working area of 29.5″ x 29.5″ (750 x 750 x 114 mm) and has an impressive cutting depth of 4.5″. A Makita RT0701C router comes included with the machine and delivers an excellent cutting performance with 1 ¼ HP of power and speeds between 10,000 – 30,000 RPM. Inventables include a dust-collection system in the box, which helps you keep the workspace relatively clean.

The machine has an open-frame design and houses the cutting router on an ACME lead screw with linear rail guides. This design helps with easy maintenance, and the drive system ensures rigidity while not compromising the CNC cutter’s precision.

One of the main highlights is the supplied Easel Pro software with the X-Carve. The software is loaded with features for you to prepare your designs and operate the machine from a web browser. You can choose from several designs in the Inventables library or create your custom designs right in the software.

Inventables wants to make CNC machining accessible and affordable to its users and turn hobbyists into professionals. The X-Carve CNC cutter is designed with this philosophy and will be an excellent machine to keep in your garage or start your CNC machining journey.