Fall 2026 Edition Laser engravers & cutters

Every laser worth buying, measured.

Real specs, side by side. Honest takes from someone who'd rather you buy the right machine once. From a $599 desktop crafter to a $14k production CO₂.

Work area, to scale xTool P3 915 × 458 mm
19Machines indexed
3Laser technologies
$599–$14kPrice range
4New for 2026
xToolCrealityGlowforgeOMTechThunder LaserBambu LabLaserPeckerGweikeComMarker
01 Will's picks

If you only read one thing.

Five machines I'd actually tell a friend to buy, depending on what they make. Tap any one for the full breakdown.

02 The quiz

Not sure? Seven questions. One answer.

Tell me what you want to make, where it lives and what you want to spend. I'll match you to the machine I'd buy in your shoes, with the reasons spelled out.

Start the quiz ABOUT 90 SECONDS
03 New for 2026

The machines everyone's asking about.

See the full lineup
04 The data

Where the value actually is.

All charts
Price vs. Index score

Up and to the left is the sweet spot.

Each dot is one machine. Higher means a better all-round score, further left means cheaper. Price runs on a log scale so the $600 machines and the $14k one fit on the same page.

Will Wright, founder of LaserSpec Index (right), with wife
Will Wright, right, and wifeFounder
05 Who's behind this
“I built this because every ‘best laser’ list I found was really an ad. This one has opinions, and you can see exactly how I got to them.”
Will Wright
Founder, LaserSpec Index