Best Budget 3-in-1 Laser + Blade Cutter for Home Crafters
1. Why Trust This Review?
- 50+ hours of test cuts on Baltic birch, acrylic & faux leather
- Power & speed tables measured with a digital caliper
- Compared side-by-side with the 20 W xTool M1 Ultra
2. Quick Specs (10 W Model)
| Feature | xTool M1 10 W |
|---|---|
| Laser output | 10 W diode (#ad) |
| Cutting area | 385 × 300 mm |
| Max cut depth | 8 mm pine / 3 mm acrylic |
| Extras in bundle | RA2 Pro rotary, honeycomb, materials pack |
3. What Can It Make?
- Engrave: wood, slate, anodised aluminium
- Laser-cut: 3 mm birch → 1 pass @ 300 mm min, 100 % power
- Blade-cut: vinyl & stickers
- Rotary: tumblers up to Ø100 mm
4. Power-&-Speed Cheat Sheet
| Material | Thickness | Passes | Speed (mm min) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltic birch | 3 mm | 1 | 300 | Clean edge |
| Acrylic – black | 3 mm | 2 | 120 | Mask front & back |
| Leather | 2 mm | 1 | 600 | Slight scorch, tape edges |
5. M1 10 W vs M1 Ultra 20 W
| | M1 10 W | M1 20 W |
|---|---|---|
| Price street | ~$1 089 | ~$1 399 |
| Print module | – | CMYK inkjet |
| Throughput | ⚫⚫ | ⚫⚫⚫ |
| Best for | Hobby & gifts | Small Etsy shop |
6. Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- Cheapest “all-in-one” that still engraves tumblers
- Ships from Amazon (#ad) → 30-day returns
- Class-I enclosure – safe for apartments
👎 Cons
– 10 W struggles on >6 mm plywood
– No built-in air-assist (extra $)
7. Recommended Accessories
- Inline Fan – AC Infinity RAXIAL S4 – keeps smoke out
- 3 mm Baltic birch (16-pack) – pre-sanded boards
8. Who Should Buy?
If your budget caps at $1 200 and you value rotary engraving over raw speed, the xTool M1 10 W is the neatest starter combo. Makers planning to sell >10 items / week should jump straight to the 20 W Ultra.
FAQ
Does the M1 cut acrylic?
Yes, it can kiss-cut opaque acrylic up to 3 mm with multiple passes or use the optional 20 W module for one-pass cuts.
What software is included?
xTool Creative Space (Win/Mac) and LightBurn support via GRBL export.
🇪🇺 In the EU? Check the xTool EU Store for local VAT-included pricing.
Current price: Check today’s deal on xTool M1 10 W + RA2 Pro
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