Comparison
Diode vs CO2 Laser: Which One Should You Buy?
Diode and CO2 lasers cut different materials at different prices. The honest breakdown: what each engraves and cuts, running costs, safety and desk space.
| Diode (445–455 nm) | CO2 (10.6 µm) | |
|---|---|---|
| Wood, plywood, MDF | Engrave + cut to ~10–15 mm (20–40 W) | Engrave + cut to 20 mm+ |
| Clear acrylic / glass | No (light passes through) | Yes |
| Dark acrylic | Yes, slowly | Yes, fast |
| Leather, slate, cork | Excellent | Excellent |
| Coated metal, tumblers | Yes | Yes (marking only) |
| Bare metal | Only with IR module or spray | No (needs fiber) |
| Footprint | Desk-top, open or enclosed | Bench-size, enclosed, water-cooled |
| Maintenance | Lens wipe | Tube, mirrors, chiller |
Buy a diode if…
You mostly work in wood, leather, slate and coated metal; you want a machine that lives on a desk; you are starting a side business and want the lowest running cost. That is most hobbyists and most small Etsy sellers.
Buy a CO2 if…
Clear acrylic, glass or thick stock is core to what you sell, or you need production speed on cuts. Budget for ventilation, a chiller and bench space.
Diode machines we recommend
Frequently asked questions
Can a diode laser cut clear acrylic?
No. Blue 445–455 nm light passes straight through clear and most translucent acrylic. Black or opaque acrylic cuts fine. Clear acrylic needs a CO2 laser.
Can a diode laser engrave metal?
It marks coated metal (powder coat, anodizing, paint) and bare metal with a marking spray. It does not engrave into bare steel — that is a fiber laser, or the infrared module on machines like the LaserPecker 4 or xTool F1.
Which is cheaper to run?
Diode. There is no glass tube to replace, no water cooling, and modules last tens of thousands of hours. CO2 tubes are consumables.