Glowforge launched the home laser cutter category in 2015 and dominated it through 2021. xTool entered the market with aggressive pricing in 2022 and has expanded faster, releasing 8 to 10 new models in the time Glowforge released two. In 2026, the two brands cover most home and small-business laser cutter purchases. The choice between them depends on what the crafter is making, how willing they are to learn settings, and how the subscription math affects the total cost.
The two brands, briefly
Glowforge sells the Aura ($1,200), Plus ($4,000), Pro ($6,500), and Spark ($1,300, diode). The Aura is the entry diode laser; the Plus and Pro are CO2 lasers; the Spark is a recent diode entry. All Glowforge machines use Glowforge App software with optional Premium subscription.
xTool sells the M1 ($1,200, diode), the F1 ($1,200, fiber+diode handheld), the P2 ($4,500, CO2), the S1 ($2,000, diode), the D1 Pro ($1,000, diode), and several others. The lineup is broader and updated annually. All xTool machines use xTool Creative Space software.
Both brands sell rotary attachments, air assist accessories, exhaust systems, and material packs. Both ship integrated machines (the laser is enclosed in a metal case with a glass lid) rather than open-frame DIY kits.
CO2 vs diode laser, the technical fork
Home laser cutters use either CO2 or diode laser sources.
CO2 lasers produce a 10,600nm wavelength beam through a glass tube filled with carbon dioxide gas. They cut and engrave wood, acrylic, leather, paper, and fabric well. They mark stone and ceramic. They do not engrave clear acrylic or thin metal. CO2 tubes have a finite lifespan (typically 8,000 to 15,000 hours) and require replacement every 3 to 5 years of regular use. Glowforge Plus and Pro, xTool P2. Power: 40W to 60W typical.
Diode lasers produce a 450nm to 1064nm wavelength through semiconductor diodes. They cut thinner materials (wood up to 5mm, acrylic up to 5mm) but engrave a wider range including clear acrylic and some metals (with the right wavelength). Diodes last 10,000+ hours and are essentially permanent. Glowforge Aura and Spark, xTool M1 and F1 and S1 and D1. Power: 5W to 40W (optical, not the higher “input” wattage marketing sometimes uses).
For most home crafters, the choice is between a CO2 laser for cutting capability or a diode laser for marking versatility and lower cost. A CO2 cuts 6mm hardwood in one pass; a 10W diode needs 4 to 6 passes for 3mm hardwood.
The Glowforge software and subscription
Glowforge App is a cloud-based design and cutting interface. The user uploads a design or scans a hand-drawn sketch through the machine’s onboard camera, the software identifies the material (with a QR-coded Proofgrade material or a manual material selection), and the machine cuts.
The simplicity is real. Glowforge handles autofocus, material thickness detection, and cut settings automatically. A new user can produce a clean cut on the first session.
The cost is the subscription. Glowforge Premium ($49/month or $14.99/month billed annually) unlocks unlimited material settings, the design library (200,000+ designs), Magic Canvas AI design generation, premium fonts, faster processing, and customer support priority. Without Premium, the machine still cuts, but material settings are limited to Proofgrade-branded materials and a small free library, and processing is slower.
Over five years, Premium costs $900 to $1,800. The xTool ecosystem has no comparable subscription, so this premium is a real difference in total cost.
A long-time Glowforge owner can use third-party software like LightBurn ($60) to bypass the subscription, but this requires technical comfort and loses the Glowforge App’s beginner-friendly workflow.
The xTool software and approach
xTool Creative Space is also beginner-friendly but exposes more settings. The user picks a material, the software suggests cut settings, and the user can override. Autofocus, material recognition (on the P2 and S1), and basic templates are included free.
xTool also supports LightBurn out of the box. LightBurn is the industry-standard laser cutter software (used on most commercial CO2 lasers) and offers professional-grade design and cut control for a one-time $60 license. For crafters who want to grow into more advanced work, the LightBurn pathway is a real benefit.
The xTool design library is smaller than Glowforge’s but free. Designs can be imported from SVG, PNG, JPG, and other standard formats from any source.
The trade-off is a slightly steeper learning curve. A new xTool user might spend an extra session figuring out material settings that Glowforge would have handled automatically. After two or three sessions, the curves equalize.
Cut capability and material range
For practical comparison, the Glowforge Plus and the xTool P2 are the most direct match: both are CO2 lasers in the $4,000 to $5,000 range.
The Glowforge Plus is 40W and cuts 6mm acrylic, 3mm hardwood, and most home crafting materials. The bed is 19.5 inches by 11 inches.
The xTool P2 is 55W and cuts 18mm hardwood in one pass, 20mm acrylic in one pass, and the same general material range as Glowforge. The bed is 26 inches by 14 inches.
For raw cutting power and bed size, the xTool P2 leads by a margin. For workflow simplicity, the Glowforge Plus leads by a margin. The decision depends on whether the crafter values thick-material cutting or simplicity more.
At the entry tier, the Glowforge Aura ($1,200) and xTool M1 ($1,200) compete more closely. Both are diode lasers around 10W, both cut similar materials, and both have similar workflows. The xTool M1 also has an integrated blade cutter (for vinyl) that the Aura lacks. The Aura has a friendlier first-session experience.
Speed and throughput
The xTool P2 runs noticeably faster than the Glowforge Plus on engraving (up to 600mm/s versus 200mm/s). Cutting speeds depend on material thickness more than machine, but for engraving-heavy work, the P2 produces results in roughly a third of the time.
For a small business with engraving volume, this is a real productivity difference. For a hobbyist running one project a week, it does not matter.
Air assist, exhaust, and safety
Both brands include basic air assist (a fan that blows debris away from the cut to reduce flame and improve cut quality) in their standard configurations. Both require external exhaust (a duct to vent fumes outdoors or through an air filter).
Air filters cost $500 to $1,500 from either brand. Direct outdoor venting through a window or dryer vent is cheaper but requires placement near an exterior wall.
Both brands include enclosed cases, automatic lid-open shutoff, and emergency stop buttons. Both meet U.S. Class 1 laser product safety standards.
For our broader laser cutter testing methodology, see our /methodology page.
Customer support and warranty
Glowforge offers a 6-month warranty standard, extendable to 24 months through Premium. U.S.-based support with phone and chat.
xTool offers a 12-month warranty standard. Support is primarily email and chat, with some phone for higher-tier products. Response times are competitive with Glowforge but the support staff is sometimes less specialized.
For a brand-new technology buyer who values hand-holding, Glowforge has a slight edge. For an experienced maker who can troubleshoot, the gap closes.
Reasonable buying paths
For a curious hobbyist on a budget: xTool M1. The 10W diode handles wood, acrylic, leather, and fabric. The integrated vinyl blade is a real bonus. About $1,200.
For a beginner who wants the simplest workflow: Glowforge Aura. Comparable cutting capability to the M1 but smoother first-session experience. Factor in Premium subscription cost if used long-term.
For a serious craft business or production work: xTool P2. The 55W CO2 power, large bed, and LightBurn compatibility are the right tools for volume. About $4,500.
For a Glowforge loyalist or established workflow: Glowforge Plus or Pro. Smooth integration with the Glowforge ecosystem. About $4,000 to $6,500.
The honest framing for 2026: xTool has the better lineup for the money in most categories, but Glowforge still wins on user experience for a small group of buyers. Pick based on workflow preference and total five-year cost (including subscription), not the headline machine price.
Frequently asked questions
Glowforge vs xTool: which is better for a beginner?+
Glowforge for absolute simplicity, xTool for value and growth. The Glowforge Aura and Plus ship with a closed software ecosystem (Glowforge Premium subscription) that handles material settings automatically and produces good results with minimal setup. The xTool M1 and P2 use xTool Creative Space, which is also beginner-friendly but exposes more settings. For a crafter who wants to push a button and get a result, Glowforge has a slight edge. For a crafter willing to learn, xTool offers more power for the same money.
How much does the Glowforge subscription actually matter?+
More than it should. Glowforge Premium ($49/month or $14.99/month annually) unlocks unlimited material settings, the design library, Magic Canvas AI, advanced features, and faster file processing. Without Premium, the Glowforge still cuts but with restricted material profiles and slower processing. The xTool ecosystem has no comparable subscription. Over five years, a Premium subscription adds $1,800 to the Glowforge cost. Factor this into the comparison rather than the headline machine price.
Is the xTool P2 worth $4500 over the xTool M1 at $1200?+
Yes for serious project scope, no for a starter. The P2 is a 55W CO2 laser with a 26x14 inch bed, while the M1 is a 10W diode laser with a 15x12 inch bed. The P2 cuts hardwood up to 18mm thick in one pass, engraves on a wider material range, and runs 5 to 10 times faster on cuts. For a small business or production crafter, the P2 pays back. For a hobbyist making coasters and signs, the M1 covers most needs at a quarter of the price.
Can I cut metal with a home laser cutter?+
Not in the way most people imagine. Home diode lasers (xTool M1, F1, S1) and CO2 lasers (Glowforge, xTool P2) cannot cut through metal. They can engrave on metal surfaces with marking spray or anodized coatings, and they can cut through very thin painted metals (like aluminum drink cans). For cutting steel or aluminum sheet, a fiber laser ($3,000 to $20,000) or a CNC plasma cutter is required. Home lasers are wood, acrylic, leather, paper, and fabric tools, not metal cutters.
What materials should I never cut with a home laser?+
PVC, vinyl, polycarbonate, ABS, fiberglass, and most chrome-plated materials. PVC and vinyl release chlorine gas that corrodes the machine and is toxic to breathe. Polycarbonate burns and creates fumes. ABS produces cyanide gas. Always check material composition before cutting. Acrylic (PMMA) is safe; polycarbonate (Lexan) is not, and the two look identical. Buy material from suppliers that specify laser-safe acrylic. The Glowforge and xTool software warn about some unsafe materials but do not catch everything.
