If you're considering getting a laser engraver and are looking for the differences between the XTool M1 and P2 I've got you covered.
The two XTool desktop laser engravers share some similarities, but also many differences including size, price, laser type and power and materials they can cut and engrave.
So which is the best laser engraver for you: the XTool M1 Craft Laser Engraver and Cutter or the brand new XTool P2 55W CO2 Laser? Read on for a side by side comparison of cuttable materials and features.
I have been using both the XTool M1 and P2 for several weeks and I'm happy to share what I've learned and experience to help you decide.
First let's talk about the similarities. Both XTool lasers are new to the market with the XTool M1 being released in Fall 2022 and the P2 in summer 2023. They both run on XTool's Creative Space software and are compatible with both MAC and PC. You can connect both by WIFI or USB and both the M1 and P2 allow you to use your Silhouette Studio designs as well as SVG files and fonts installed on your computer.
Here's an example of a what was originally touted as a layered SVG file for a cake topper that I modified in Silhouette Studio by adding the "stick" and then set to engrave and cut on clear acrylic with the XTool P2.
Both XTool lasers offer a riser option so you can take advantage of a rotary to engrave tumblers and other cylindrical items. Both enclosed lasers are user friendly and have a focus on safety as well as design.
Differences Between XTool P2 and M1
Now..for the differences between the XTool M1 and P2. Below you'll find more details, but here's a side by side comparison chart of the XTool M1 vs P2 features as well.
Meet the XTool M1 Laser Engraver and Cutter (10W)
If you are limited on space, are only planning to use your laser as part of your craft hobby, and want a budget friendly option - the XTool M1 craft laser is a great option for you.
It not only has a 10W diode laser, but also a cutting blade. This allows you to engrave and/or cut a wide array of materials including...wood, leather, cork, slate. (Full Material List below.)
Diode lasers are much less expensive (but also less powerful and slower) than the type of C02 laser that's in the XTool P2. The M1's diode laser and smaller bed size (15 x 11.8") help keep the cost of the XTool M1 down...but still allow it to deliver stunning results like you see on these engraved leather coasters.
The compact XTool M1's footprint isn't much bigger than a sublimation printer like the Sawgrass SG1000.
It's among the most affordable desktop crafter engravers making it attractive to casual laser users and beginners. Coming in around $1000, it's relatively low priced compared to other brands including the Glowforge Plus is relatively low for a laser engraver. For price comparison sake, because I know you'll ask, the Glowforge Plus has a 40W C02 laser along with a price tag of $4995 to start. (To be honest the two really aren't an apples to apples comparison...both Glowforge models are much more similar to the P2.)
However, don't be totally fooled by the low XTool M1 price - you will most likely want/need at least a few of the accessories and add ons before you even start including the XTool M1 Air Assist and Smoke Filter. These (what I would consider) "necessities" will add at least several hundred dollars to the price even if you bundle them with the laser engraver and cutter.
The fisheye camera mounted to the back frame of the M1, rather than the lid, works well...but it's not perfect. I found that items that were placed further away from the camera (closer to the front of the machine) were not accurately positioned when engraved. The issue is the camera is stationary and so items further away from it get skewed in the preview. The framing feature does help, but it's not 100% either.
The XTool M1 set up is fast and easy and you can go from unboxing to engraving in less than an hour...at most. If you add the Air Assist on immediately as I recommend, give yourself another 30 minutes (that set up is a pain..and I wish it came installed like it does on the P2).
XTool P2 55W C02 Laser
The XTool P2 55W C02 laser engraver won me over immediately after set up. The set up...especially unscrewing 11 small screws to remove a panel that rivaled wrestling a 2 year who did not want their diaper changed just to pour in distilled water that I had to go to the store to get...was not my favorite.
However...it was worth it because the XTool P2 is not only powerful but it's fast and it has features that the M1 doesn't...like a laser module mounted camera for extremely accurate positioning!
To compare the speed, I engraved one of these wood spoons in the M1 and the other in the P2. It's the same design and same material. It took the M1 just under 3 minutes (2:58) to engrave. It took the P2 1:30. ...so half the time. That time saved will make a HUGE difference when you're running a business especially when working on engraving and cutting projects that are bigger and more detailed.
Here's a side by side list of cuttable and engravable materials for the XTool P2 vs M1.
If you are running a small business and want to add a laser to expand your offerings, the XTool P2 is definitely the better choice between the two. The speed alone is much more suitable to running a business were time is money and scalability often relies on the ability to increase production.
The XTool P2 also has the ability to take on much larger projects thanks to the pass through conveyor system (which does require both the feed conveyor and the riser)..and a whole lot of space in front of and behind the laser machine.
XTool P2 vs Glowforge Plus and Pro
The XTool P2's base price of about $5k rivals the 40W Glowforge Plus, but with a 55W C02 laser and a much larger bed. The size of the bed and power of the P2 laser are also a step above the Glowforge Pro which starts at about $7k and is not only smaller, but also has a less powerful 45W laser.
Is an Xtool Laser Engraver Worth It?
Overall both the XTool M1 and the XTool P2 are great, user friendly and precise desktop laser engravers and cutters at a very competitive price.
The XTool Creative Space software, while not robust as far as design software, offers very helpful features like offset, tracing/vectorizing, and the ability to easily create a test array to test settings.
It's obvious to me that some of the add on accessories for the XTool M1 were introduced as a result of user feedback like the honeycomb tray and riser and air assist. While I wish things like the triangular prisms and air assist were built in, I'm happy they're available even if they could be easier to use had they been fully integrated.
One good thing with XTool is they seem to really listen to their users and be quick to make adaptations. Clearly they took some of the feedback from the M1 model and fully integrated them into the P2 including the need for speed, built in Air Assist, prism grates, improved camera, and emergency stop.
The XTool M1 and P2 do what what they say they will do...and they will definitely give you an advantage in business or expand your craft where a vinyl cutter struggles (etching/engraving, cutting wood) or simply can't (cutting acrylic, engraving silicone).
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