Brands and models

How Should You Compare CO2 Lasers from Glowforge, FLUX, Thunder, AEON, and Boss?

Published September 23, 2026 · By the Laser Lineup editors

Summary

Compare by size class, laser type, and safety class. A desktop machine like the FLUX beamo II or Boss EVO Desktop and a large machine like the Thunder Nova Plus or Boss LS series, which weigh hundreds of kilograms, differ in floor space, power supply, and price range. Brand alone doesn't even tell you the laser type: Glowforge's Aura uses a diode.

Desktop and large machines side by side

Class	Example	Laser	Work area (bed)	Price shown on official page
Desktop	FLUX beamo II	30W CO2 (DC glass tube)	360 × 240 mm	Not listed
Desktop	Boss EVO Desktop	60W CO2	24" × 12"	From $3,997
Mid to large	Boss LS series	70–155W CO2	19.75" × 13.75" to 55.1" × 35.4" (4 sizes)	From $4,497
Mid to large	AEON MIRA / NOVA / Super NOVA	e.g., MIRA 7S 60W, NOVA 14S 130W	—	MIRA 7S $8,999; NOVA 14S $19,999
Large	Thunder Nova Plus 51	60W / 80W RF tube	51.2" × 35.4"	60W from $13,450

Prices were taken from each company's page on September 23, 2026. Boss's page itself points buyers to the Boss store for current pricing.

Laser type and safety class within one brand

Glowforge's regulatory page says the Basic and Plus are Class 1 products, with a Class 4 CO2 laser fully contained inside a Class 1 enclosure. The Pro is designated a Class 4 laser product. The Aura is a Class 1 machine built around a 450 nm diode laser.

The FLUX beamo II is also Class 1, but FLUX notes that it operates as Class 4 when the optional Auto Feeder is in use.

Usable area and height on the desktop machines

The beamo II's bed measures 415 × 335 mm, while the CO2 laser's work area is 360 × 240 mm. Material can be up to 7 mm tall as standard, 30 mm with the honeycomb removed, and 155 mm with the extension pocket. It cuts acrylic up to 7 mm, has a camera and autofocus, and works with FLUX's Beam Studio as well as LightBurn.

Boss's EVO Desktop has a built-in water cooler, a 5 MP camera, autofocus, and front-to-rear pass-through.

Size, weight, and power on the large machines

The Thunder Nova Plus 51 measures 74.8" × 55.3" × 40.9", the 60W model weighs 378 kg, and the 60W and 80W versions need a dedicated 15A circuit at 110V. Thunder says all Nova series machines fit through a standard doorway.

Boss's LS-3655 ships in a crate measuring 84" × 60" × 50" and weighing 1,400 lb.

Sources

Specs and prices are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; check the manufacturer or retailer before you buy.

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