16×16 vs 20×20 Laser Engraver: Which One Should You Buy?

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Working area vs bed size

Bed size and working area are not the same figure, and the Falcon listings show why the distinction matters. One Falcon listing states a 500mm x 500mm honeycomb working panel and a spacious 15.7″ × 16.3″ workspace, so the bed is larger than the area the laser actually covers. The other Falcon listing states a honeycomb bed supporting a maximum work area of 500 * 500mm. Read both figures before you buy: the bed is the panel the material sits on, and the working area is the space the laser head can reach.

The Artilume sits on the other side of the comparison, with a large working area of 8×6inch/200×150mm stated on its listing. That is a compact machine for small items: business cards, wood blanks, dog tags and similar pieces, all named on the listing. It folds for portability and storage, arrives almost fully pre-assembled and calibrated, and adds app control over WiFi alongside LaserGRBL and LightBurn support.

The 16×16 vs 20×20 laser engraver choice in practice

A bigger bed lets you lay out larger panels and batch more blanks per run, which matters once orders arrive. Both Falcon listings include a 500x500mm honeycomb bed; one listing states its bed protects the workspace from burns and improves airflow for cleaner cuts. The Falcon machines also state setup in 5-10 minutes, so the bigger machine does not cost a long assembly session.

Size also decides what you cannot do. A compact machine cannot engrave a panel larger than its working area in one pass, and splitting a design across passes adds alignment work. If your project list includes signs, larger panels or batch runs of blanks, the bigger bed is the safer choice. If your list is small items only, the compact machine covers it and packs away when the work is done.

Power, precision and materials

Both Falcon listings state a 10W laser output, with 72000mW machine power on one listing and 72W power on the other. Keep optical output and machine power separate: 10W is the laser output, and the larger figure is the machine power. Both state speeds up to 10000mm/min; one states 0.06mm laser accuracy and the other states a 0.06*0.06mm spot focus, and one states cutting 5mm basswood or 3mm black acrylic in one pass. The Artilume states 7000mW output, a 0.04*0.04mm spot, engraving precision of up to 0.01mm, speeds up to 10000mm/min and a laser module lifespan of more than 10,000 hours.

Materials stated across the listings include wood, leather, acrylic, paper, plastic, dark acrylic, ceramics and stone. The Falcon listings state engraving and cutting on wood, acrylic, leather, paper and plastic. The Artilume listing states wood, leather, acrylic, ceramics and stone. Never laser PVC, vinyl, polycarbonate or ABS: the Artilume listing warns against PVC, vinyl, highly reflective metals, ABS plastic, carbon fiber, polycarbonate and fiberglass, since they can release harmful fumes, damage the machine or create fire hazards.

The gear, ranked

Ranked by stated capability, the Falcon listing that states cut depths comes first: 10W laser output, a 500x500mm honeycomb bed, cutting 5mm basswood and 3mm black acrylic in one pass, an all aluminum alloy structure with a steel shaft wheel guide rail, belt tension adjustment, and Wi-Fi, USB cable and SD card transfer, with LightBurn and LaserGRBL support. Second is the other Falcon listing: 10W laser output, a 500x500mm honeycomb bed, a 15.7″ × 16.3″ workspace, Laser class 4, an emergency stop button with tilt detection, and LaserGRBL and LightBurn support for Windows and macOS. Third is the Artilume: 7000mW output, an 8×6inch/200×150mm working area, a foldable portable design, app control over WiFi, emergency shutdown with motion protection and overheat detection, included goggles, and a 1 Year Manufacturer warranty stated on the listing. The Artilume is the only one of the three with a clear warranty term stated.

Safety and setup

Check the safety features each listing actually states. One Falcon listing states Laser class 4 with an emergency stop button and tilt detection. The Artilume states emergency shutdown, motion protection, overheat detection and included goggles. Goggles protect only if the listing states an optical density and a wavelength range that matches the machine, and the Artilume listing states neither, so check the rating before relying on them.

Ventilation and fire safety belong in the plan before the first job. The Artilume listing warns that the machine produces burning fumes during engraving and advises a well-ventilated environment. Keep a suitable extinguisher within reach, never leave a running job unattended, and exhaust fumes outdoors or use a filter designed for laser fumes. Our fume extractor guide covers that choice.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

Is a 500x500mm bed the same as a 20×20 working area?

Not exactly. The bed is the panel the material sits on, and the working area is the space the laser head can reach. One Falcon listing states a 500mm x 500mm honeycomb panel with a 15.7″ × 16.3″ workspace, so the bed is larger than the working area. Compare both figures on any listing.

Can a 10W laser cut wood?

One Falcon listing states cutting 5mm basswood and 3mm black acrylic in one pass at speeds up to 10000mm/min. The other Falcon listing states cutting wood and acrylic with a 0.06mm laser accuracy. Thicker material and denser hardwoods need more passes or more power, and the listings state no figures for those.

What software do these machines use?

All three listings state LaserGRBL and LightBurn support. The Falcon listings state Windows and macOS support, with one adding Linux for LightBurn, and the Artilume adds app control over WiFi for a smartphone or tablet.

Do I need safety glasses?

Use eyewear only if its listing states an optical density and a wavelength range that matches your laser. The Artilume listing includes goggles but states no optical density or wavelength range, so check the rating before relying on them. Tinted acrylic or orange shields without a rating are not protection.

What materials should I never laser?

Never laser PVC, vinyl, polycarbonate or ABS. The Artilume listing also warns against highly reflective metals, carbon fiber and fiberglass, since they can release harmful fumes, damage the machine or create fire hazards.

Does the bigger bed cost more setup time?

Not on these listings. Both Falcon listings state setup in 5-10 minutes, and the Artilume arrives almost fully pre-assembled and calibrated. Size is not a setup penalty here; the choice is about working area, not assembly effort.

Related: the laser engraver hub, best laser engraver for small business and best laser engraver for wood. Also see how to choose a laser engraver.