Cut • engrave • blade-cut • optional print/pen in one compact unit. See what it really cuts, where it shines, and what to buy with it.
xTool M1 Ultra — Quick Verdict
Best for: beginners & small shops. Clean entry into laser cutting with an easy setup. Great for wood, leather, cardstock, and coated/dark acrylic. Not ideal for clear acrylic and high-volume production.
Pros
- Plug-and-play setup, gentle learning curve
- Good engraving quality on wood/leather
- Camera alignment & project preview
- Works with common SVGs
Cons
- Clear acrylic cutting: weak on diodes
- Slower cuts vs CO₂
- Venting/filtration still required
What Is the xTool M1 Ultra?
The xTool M1 Ultra is a compact, desktop craft machine that combines a diode laser with blade cutting and optional add‑ons (print / pen / rotary) so you can engrave, cut thin woods & leather, score acrylic, slice vinyl, and prototype gifts without a full workshop. It ships with built‑in camera alignment, making placement on scraps and odd shapes far easier than on many hobby lasers.
At‑a‑Glance Specs (check Amazon listing for current details):
| Spec | xTool M1 Ultra (10W Diode) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Laser Type | Diode (blue) | Safer & lower cost vs CO₂; slower on thick clear acrylic. |
| Output Power | 10W (optical) | Good for 3 mm craft woods in 1‑3 passes. |
| Bed Size | Desktop footprint | Fits most 12” craft sheets; passthrough for longer stock (jig needed). |
| Camera | Yes | Drag‑&‑drop design onto real material preview. |
| Software | xTool Creative Space | Beginner friendly; import SVG/PNG. |
| Add‑ons | Rotary, blade, print modules | Expand as you grow. |
Specs Snapshot
* Specs vary by module (10 W vs 20 W) and accessories. Check your configuration.
Who It’s For
- Crafters & hobby laser beginners who want to try wood ornaments, signs, tags.
- Etsy / small shop sellers making custom name gifts, keychains, pet tags.
- Teachers / makerspaces needing safer‑feeling desktop gear.
- Pinterest DIY audience who already design SVG cut files and now want physical products.
If you’ve been downloading or designing SVGs from Creative Fabrica and wished you could make and sell the physical version — this is the bridge.
What Can It Cut / Engrave?
Always run a material test grid; diode lasers vary by batch & focus. Typical community results:
| Material | Cut? | Engrave? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 mm Baltic Birch | ✅ (2–3 passes) | ✅ | Mask for cleaner edges; light sanding. |
| Basswood Sheets | ✅ (1–2 passes) | ✅ | Softer; great for ornaments & test cuts. |
| Cardstock / Paperboard | ✅ | ✅ | Use low power; watch for flare‑ups. |
| Veg‑Tan Leather (light) | ⚠ light cuts | ✅ | Ventilate well; strong odor. |
| Acrylic (opaque / dark) | ⚠ score / mark | ⚠ mark | Diode doesn’t couple with clear acrylic—consider paint mask. |
| Metal (bare) | ❌ cut / ❌ engrave | Can mark w/ laser marking spray. |
Safety: Never cut PVC / vinyl with chlorine content; releases corrosive & toxic fumes.
Buy if…
- This is your first laser and you want a compact machine.
- Your focus is engraving and light cutting (thin woods, cardstock, acrylic accents).
- You prefer a guided workflow and starter-friendly projects.
Consider instead…
- CO₂ laser if you need clean cuts in clear acrylic and faster thick-wood cuts.
- A higher-power diode if your priority is frequent 4–6 mm wood cutting.
Real-World Tests (speed / power)
3 mm birch plywood Cut
100% power, 200–400 mm/min, 2–3 passes, Air Assist ON.2–3 mm cast acrylic (black) Cut
100% power, 200–300 mm/min, 2 passes, Air Assist ON. (Opaque/black only for diodes.)Cardstock 200–250 gsm Cut
40–60% power, 2000–4000 mm/min, 1 pass, use masking for clean edges.Leather (veg-tan) Engrave
25–35% power, 6000–8000 mm/min, 1 pass. Vent well.Dial-in with a LightBurn test grid on each material batch.
Recommended Starter Accessories
Below are the same helper items I use / recommend in my Starter Setup guide.
1. xTool M1 Ultra Laser
2. 3 mm Baltic Birch Craft Sheets (12”×12” or similar)
3. AC Infinity RAXIAL S4 – 4” Inline Booster Fan (exhaust assist)
4. Christmas Ornament SVG Bundle
Christmas Ornaments SVG Bundle
5 Easy First Projects (All Cuttable)
Pick one, cut it, post it — sell the 2nd one to start paying off the laser.
- Name Ornament Discs – Personalize round blanks w/ names or dates. Use 3 mm birch. Import font from your Pinterest pins.
- Layered Christmas Ornaments – Grab multi‑layer SVGs (see bundle above). Paint & stack for depth.
- Earrings & Keychains – Small scraps become products. Engrave initials; add hardware.
- Stencil Letters for Signs – Cut stencil fonts, paint farmhouse‑style wood signs.
- Bookmark Strips – Engrave quotes; great low‑risk test material.
New to laser projects? Browse ready-to-cut files: Christmas, Earrings, Signs.
Great for
- Basswood/plywood 1.5–3 mm, cardboard
- Leather, cork, felt, foam sheets
- Coated/dark cast acrylic (cuts & engraves)
Not ideal
- Clear/white extruded or cast acrylic cuts
- Thick woods (≥6 mm) in one pass
- PVC/vinyl and other chlorine-based plastics
Basic Setup & Safety Checklist
Before first cut:
- Update firmware & install xTool Creative Space.
- Focus the laser height according to manual.
- Run the built‑in material test.
- Ventilation: connect rear port to window or to an inline fan + 4” ducting. (See recommended fan above.)
- Keep a spray bottle or Class ABC extinguisher nearby.
- Never leave the machine unattended during a burn.
Quick Power Test Recipe (Birch 3 mm)
Start conservative—your material, optics cleanliness, and local voltage all matter.
| Pass | Power | Speed | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100% | 6 mm/s | Deep score; maybe thru thin spots. |
| 2 | 100% | 6 mm/s | Full cut on most 3 mm sheets. |
| 3 | Optional cleanup | Use if edges not released. |
Mask with low‑tack tape to reduce char.
Starter Kit
xTool M1 Ultra — FAQ
What’s the work area?
300 × 300 mm (≈ 11.8″ × 11.8″).
Which laser modules are available?
Diode: 10 W or 20 W modules.
Max material height?
Up to ~25 mm inside the enclosure; up to ~125 mm with the Riser Base Kit.
How thick can it cut in one pass?
20 W: ~10 mm basswood or ~8 mm opaque acrylic. 10 W: ~6 mm basswood. Results vary by material and setup; always run a test grid.
Can it cut clear acrylic?
Clear/white acrylic does not cut well on diode lasers. Opaque/black cast acrylic cuts and engraves much better.
Does it support LightBurn?
Yes, for the diode laser workflow. You can also use xTool Creative Space.
Rotary support?
Yes — works with xTool RA2 Pro (use the riser for taller objects).
Recommended Air Assist & masking?
Air Assist ~25–30 L/min for cleaner edges. Mask wood with paper transfer tape; remove it right after the cut.
Good starter materials?
1/16–1/8″ basswood/plywood, 2–3 mm cast acrylic (colored/black), and 200–250 gsm cardstock.
How do I dial in settings?
Run a LightBurn test grid for each material batch and keep lenses clean.
Ready to turn your digital SVG library into real products?
Get the xTool M1 Ultra on Amazon
Or explore project files: Christmas Ornaments SVG Bundle
Visit the full Crafting Tools page for all our recommended gear.
