I am guessing you are looking for some affordable laser cutters for your DIY home projects. I mean, you don’t want to spend $1000 on a laser cutter that you won’t even use for professional purposes.
Well, I have been fortunate enough to try some of the best affordable laser cutters available out there. I have been working with laser cutters for years and was looking for a budget to get some small tasks done at home. This led me to find 8 laser cutters that won’t break your pocket when you want to get them.
So, let’s dig deep into this below and determine the different choices I have lined up for you.
Top 8 affordable laser cutters
Here, I have got 8 different laser cutters that have their unique features to set them apart. You get excellent quality on all of them, so you don’t worry about quality. Let’s get started with this list of the home laser cutter machine.
GanGou laser engraver 3000mw
When it comes to getting a smooth laser cutting experience for different materials, this is a laser cutter you will like. It gives you excellent cutting results on aluminum, leather, wood, etc. Along with that versatility, you get some other cool features as well.
Something I liked about this laser cutter a lot is the easy assembly aspect of it. You don’t need to spend hours of effort behind this one to assemble it. Just having an Allen wrench and a screwdriver is all you need to set this one up.
Another attractive part of this laser cutter is the details you get. With the correct settings, you can get the best possible details you can expect from any laser cutter out there.
Now, coming to the factor on why you shouldn’t even worry one bit is the price. It’s an absolute value-for-money laser cutter for your DIY needs. This one delivers more than it should in that price range.
Specifications
- OS: Windows
- Format: JPG, BMP, PNG, ICO, CUR, DIB, GIF
- Power: 3000mw
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 8.36lbs
- Dimensions: 23.07 x 15.59 x 5.83 inches
Pros
- You can use this laser for cutting various materials.
- It is super easy and quick to set up.
- The accuracy of the laser cutter is truly impressive
- It’s a value for money laser cutter for any DIY projects
- It’s compact, so you don’t have to worry about spacing issues
Cons
- The glasses they include in the package are of poor quality
- It’s not the best thing for durability
ORTUR Laser Master 2- Best overall
I wouldn’t say this is a beginner-friendly laser cutter; however, you will love it once you get the hang of it. The quality and the results are amazing, and you won’t have any complaints with them at this price range.
Cutting out paper or cardboard with this one felt like a breeze. Not only that, cutting thin pieces of wood was smooth sailing as well. This unit has a decent amount of power to get you through some DIY home projects with ease.
The cutting or engraving area of this laser cutter is quite big. You can have around 400 x 430mm of working space with this laser cutter which is more than enough for DIY projects.
The best thing about the laser cutter is the extremely affordable price that it offers. You can’t expect better results than this one at that price range. Sometimes it’s even difficult to find a laser-cut at that price.
Specifications
- OS: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
- Format: JPG, BMP, PNG, NC
- Power: 1200-1600mw
- Material: Metal
- Weight: 6.89lbs
- Dimensions: 22.44 x 21.65 x 6.9 inches
Pros
- The power and performance are perfect for lightweight DIY projects.
- You get a good working area on this laser cutter.
- It supports all kinds of operating systems which is a great plus
- It’s a very affordable option even for DIY laser cutting
- The results you get from this one is satisfactory
Cons
- It doesn’t come with clear assembly instructions
- The software you get with this is not good; you have to buy another software to get better results.
Bachin DIY CNC Engraver Kits
Are you looking for a laser cutter as part of your new hobby? Then this can be the perfect choice for you. Even as a beginner, you won’t have to worry too much about this one after the initial setup. It comes with some other cool features as well.
The first thing I liked about this was the built-in cooling fan. This allows the laser cutter to run for long hours, even overnight, without facing any overheating issues. That’s something handy for people who work on long hours of projects.
As for the performance of the laser cutter, I have nothing to complain about. If you are working on woods, you won’t face any kind of issues whatsoever. You can do a little bit of leather engraving too.
What’s interesting about this one is the value you get from this. It doesn’t cost too much while it gives you a good quality laser cutting experience. I bet you will love to pursue your laser cutting hobby with this one as a beginner.
Specifications
- OS: Windows, Mac OS
- Format: JPG, BMP, PNG, NC
- Power:2000mw
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 10.43lbs
- Dimensions: 23.23 x 12.2 x 13.78 inches
Pros
- The laser engraving and cutting results from this one are quite good for light projects.
- You can leave this on for overnight to complete your projects as it doesn’t overheat.
- This is a very affordable piece of instrument for hobbyists
- It’s not that difficult to assemble when you follow the instructions
- The laser cutter is fairly simple to use
Cons
- This one comes with software that doesn’t work properly and lags.
- It’s not suitable for heavy projects at all.
FoxAlien LE-4040 fixed lens 5000mW laser cutter – Best beginner-friendly
When it comes to turning laser cutting into passion, FoxAlien is the company you should be trusting. With their level of support, you will be interested in getting into it more and more. Their tech support is undeniably one of the best I have come across so far.
Now, coming to the laser cutter itself, there is nothing I can complain about the performance. The power it has got is enough for cutting regular thin materials for DIY projects. What I loved the most is the precision and finishing it has in the cutting process.
Well, it comes with a 15-inch work area, which I have no issues with. It’s more than you will ever need for your DIY projects. And combining with the free intuitive software, you get some great laser cutting experience overall.
The best part was the assembly. It was so easy to assemble that I was confused if I left out any step or not. And if you have any issues, customer support is always there to help you out.
Specifications
- OS: Windows, Mac OS
- Format: JPG, BMP, PNG, NC
- Power:5000mw
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 12.54lbs
- Dimensions: 25.2 x 22.83 x 9.06 inches
Pros
- This laser cutter is very easy to install and use
- You get great cutting results from this one on various materials
- It’s completely worth the money you pay
- The work area it has is large enough for any DIY project
- It comes with the best tech support you can ask for
Cons
- There aren’t many safety features included in this.
- The dot could be smaller for a better accuracy
Two trees Totem-S 40W Engraver Machine
If you don’t have issues with getting past the learning curve, then this is for you. It’s not a laser cutter that you can use right out of the box with great expertise. You have to learn a few things to master and get to the true potential of this cutter.
When you get to the performance factor of this machine, you will be blown away. The detail and precision you get from this laser engraver are comparable to a very high-end laser engraver. While it may not be as fast as them, it does give you details like them.
As an expert with laser engravers, I found the assembly of this one pretty straightforward. However, I don’t think it’s the best bet for any beginner out there. You can get this as an intermediate or an expert for your home projects.
Something that makes it great is the price. Like I said earlier, the details you get on this machine can easily stand up against some high-end laser engravers. So, it’s worth your money for sure.
Specifications
- OS: Windows, Mac OS, Linux
- Format: JPG, BMP, SVG, G Code
- Power:5000-5500mw
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 8.93lbs
- Dimensions: 20.84 x 9.53 x 7.8 inches
Pros
- The engraving details you get on this is beyond expectations
- It comes with decent power for any home project
- It’s an absolute value for money laser engraver
- The assembly is quite straightforward
- It comes with some high-quality components
Cons
- It involves a learning curve, hence not suitable for beginners
- There are no safety features on this laser engraver
WAINLUX K6 Laser Engraving Machine
This is the most affordable laser engraver you can get that comes with a decent quality operation. And that’s not the only good thing about this one; it’s super easy to learn and set up.
For the performance, you get precise cuts on the materials you use. It doesn’t pack up much power, but the accuracy is there to compensate for that. So, if you are doing any DIY project, you can get a lot out of this engraver.
This is helpful for beginners because it does have a learning curve that is easy and short. So, you get to learn about laser engraving while you enjoy doing some at the same time. This will keep you hooked on the hobby for a longer time.
There is a fan included with it that keeps the smoke away. This makes it easy for you to see the images that come out in the engraving. Adding to that comes the compact size that doesn’t require too much storage space.
Specifications
- OS: Windows, IOS, Android
- Format: JPG, BMP, PNG
- Power:3000mW
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 3.72lbs
- Dimensions: 9.25 x 8.7 x 8.7 inches
Pros
- This laser engraver is compact and super lightweight for easy storage
- It’s a beginner-friendly laser engraver with a simple and short learning curve
- You get precise cuts every time with this one
- It comes at a very affordable price
- This one has an included fan for keeping the smokes away
Cons
- It’s not that great for heavy projects
- The manual can be hard to read
LaserPecker laser engraver machine
Do you move around a lot? Then this laser is just the thing you will need. It’s a portable laser engraver that you can carry inside your backpack with ease. And for some added convenience, you get the option to pair it up with your smartphone.
Coming to the performance aspect, all I can say is that you get compactness and power-packed up in it. Every single laser work I did use gave me crisp and clear results. I can’t complain about the quality of laser work you get from this engraver.
Now, using this laser engraver isn’t that difficult. All you have to do is figure out the app ins and outs, and you are good to go. You can even edit on the app to get the desired results and settings.
The value for money aspect is quite impressive for this little engraver. For the price you pay, you get many handy features and functionalities on this one. Its compactness has to be one of the key features for getting this.
Specifications
- OS: IOS, Android
- Format: JPG, BMP, PNG, G-Code
- Material: Metal
- Weight: 1.95lbs
- Dimensions: 8.7 x 7.5 x 4.3 inches
Pros
- This is a great laser engraver to carry around because of its portability
- It comes with a wireless Bluetooth connection to connect with your smartphone
- The accuracy of the laser engraver is worth praising
- It’s a value for money product for sure
- You will love the ease of assembly and usage factor of this
Cons
- It doesn’t work with a PC which can be a bit of a problem
- It takes a lot of time to get the job done
WAINLUX K4 Laser Engraver – Best budget pick
This is a good little laser engraver that you get for a good price. There is nothing much you can complain about this one for the price you pay for it. It may not be the best solution for heavy projects, but it handles little DIY laser work flawlessly.
What I loved about this is the compact size and lightweight. This makes it very easy to move around and work with. You can even keep it on your computer setup and take it out whenever you need it.
With this laser engraver, you can expect decent power for some lightweight DIY projects. It also goes through them quite fast, which is something you will love. For doing some quick laser work, this is a great machine to have.
Along with all that, it’s very easy to use. This feature, combined with affordable price and decent performance, makes it a great choice for all the beginners out there. It’s the perfect low-cost laser cutter.
Specifications
- OS: Windows, MAC OS, IOS, Android
- Format: JPG, BMP, PNG, GIF
- Power: 3000mW
- Material: ABS
- Weight: 3lbs
- Dimensions: 6.1 x 6.54 x 5.63 inches
Pros
- This is the most affordable laser engraver you can get for DIY projects
- It comes with decent power and performance
- You get some quick laser work using this one
- It’s very compact and lightweight, which adds up to easy storage
- It’s also quite easy to use for the beginners
Cons
- This one can’t handle heavy projects
- The durability of this machine is a big concern
Buying guide for inexpensive laser cutter
When choosing an affordable laser cutter, the considerations you have to make are quite a lot. Because when you are choosing an affordable option, you will be sacrificing something. It can be quality, performance, durability, or some features maybe.
I am here to help you go through some considerations to make while buying an affordable laser cutter. These will help you find out the best choice for your particular needs. So, let’s check out the factors you should be considering before buying a laser cutter.
- Accuracy: The accuracy of the laser has a lot of impact on the results you get. So, to get better results, you will need to focus on the accuracy of the laser cutter. With better accuracy, you will get a smooth and precise finish on the engraving or cutting. It also helps in getting detailed results which overall elevates the quality of your work.
- Power: This is something you have to decide based on what you will be doing. Some projects will need a powerful laser, and some will need less power. Deciding on the power aspect will depend on what kind of projects you will be doing.
It’s better to go for a higher-powered one; that way, you will have options open for you. Even if that costs a little more, it will be worth it.
- Ease of use: If you are a beginner, this is something you must consider. You don’t want a laser cutter that you can’t even use properly. This can lead to frustration, and you will give up on the hobby completely.
That’s why opt for a laser cutter that is easy to use, even if it lacks some other features when you are a beginner. Once you learn the ins and outs of laser cutting, you can always upgrade.
- Software compatibility: Many people ignore this, while I think it’s one of the most crucial things to consider. You should always look for better software compatibility so you can use quality software for your laser engraving. Also, it makes the learning process easier when you use simple software.
Also, the software you usually get with the laser cutter comes with some limitations. This way, you can’t progress or improve in your laser cutting work. On top of that, you can’t even do the laser cuttings you may want to do.
- Material compatibility: For home DIY projects, this doesn’t matter too much. Because most of the laser engravers or cutters you get out there are compatible with wood. This is the most common material for using laser cutters. However, if you plan to work on metal, you should consider getting a powerful and compatible laser cutter.
- Size: This is a completely personal preference. If you want a larger work area for your projects, you will need a large laser cutter. And if a smaller work area works for you, you shouldn’t be worried about the size of the laser cutter at all. So, decide on the size factor based on what you will be working with.
- Connectivity: Usually, you would want to get a laser to connect that you can connect with your computer with ease. That’s the very basic requirement. Other than that, there are options for Android and IOS smartphones that work with wireless connections. You can get them as well if you want some convenience and portability in your work.
Aside from all that, there is nothing much to consider in an affordable laser cutter. As for the price, you should be looking at options that are priced below $1000. Any laser cutter below that is an affordable laser cutter.
Final words
All in all, choosing the best affordable laser cutters comes down to sorting your needs. As you already saw, they are pretty much priced within a similar range. However, they differ in performance and features that make every one of them unique.
I understand the stress of choosing one from many quality options. That’s why I will help you choose some I deemed to be on top of the list.
In my opinion, the overall best laser cutter here is the ORTUR Laser Master 2, with a low-price tag and great performance. But if you are a beginner, then the best beginner-friendly option has to be FoxAlien LE-4040 fixed lens because of the support and functionalities you get.
Lastly, if you are unwilling to spend that kind of money, then the best budget pick has to be WAINLUX K4 Laser Engraver.
Aside from these 3, the rest come with quality and distinctive features. You can get any one of them and be satisfied.
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