Should You Choose a Diode, CO2, Fiber, or UV Laser for Your Material?
Summary
The difference is wavelength. It decides which materials soak up enough of the beam to be engraved or cut, which is why diodes suit wood, paper, and dark opaque materials, CO2 suits wood and acrylic, fiber suits metal, and UV suits fine work on glass and plastics. Comparing watts across types tells you almost nothing.
The four types at a glance
| Type | Wavelength | Good at | Weak spot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diode (blue) | about 450 nm | Engraving wood and paper; cutting dark opaque acrylic | Light passes through clear materials |
| CO2 | 10.6 µm | Cutting and engraving wood, acrylic, and other non-metals | Metal reflects the beam |
| Fiber | 1064 nm | Marking and engraving metal | Not recommended for uncoated wood |
| UV | 355 nm | Fine engraving on glass and plastics | Color marking on metal is limited |
Based on xTool's material processing guide and product FAQs.
Clear acrylic
xTool's 20W S1 diode module is rated to cut 8 mm of dark opaque acrylic in one pass. Put clear acrylic under the same beam and it leaves no visible mark, because the blue light goes straight through. The P2, xTool's CO2 machine, is listed as cutting clear acrylic up to 20 mm thick.
Metal and glass
Metals reflect CO2's 10.6 µm light so strongly that a CO2 machine can hardly work on them. The P2 can engrave anodized aluminum and coated metal, and stainless steel only after a spray coating. For logos and serial numbers on bare metal, 1064 nm fiber is the standard tool. xTool also says 1064 nm isn't recommended for uncoated wood.
Glass belongs to UV. At 355 nm, a wavelength xTool says almost all materials absorb, the F2 Ultra UV engraves glass surfaces and the inside of glass blocks, as well as most plastics and acrylic without melting them. xTool's own FAQ adds that its color marking on metal is very limited next to a MOPA fiber laser.
Sources
- xTool Support — Material Processing Guide
- xTool Support — xTool S1 20W & 40W Laser Module Comparison
- xTool Support — High-Transmittance Material Processing Effect Description
- xTool Support — xTool P2 FAQs
- xTool Support — FAQs on xTool F2 Ultra UV
Specs and prices are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; check the manufacturer or retailer before you buy.