Polycarbonate vs Acrylic for Laser Cutting: 4 Compared
Polycarbonate vs acrylic for laser cutting: the acrylic listings here state laser and CO2 laser compatibility, while the polycarbonate listings state shatter resistance and hand-tool workability with no laser claim. Four sheet packs compared on what each listing states.
On this page
Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Polycarbonate Sheet 12 x 18 x 1/16" Clear Plastic9.4/10View on Amazon - 2
Pack of 10 Clear Cast Acrylic Sheet 8" x 10" x 1/8" Thick9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Colored Cast Acrylic Sheets9.4/10View on Amazon - 4
Glitter Acrylic Sheets 8 x 8 inch 1/8" ThickView on Amazon - 5
Duco 1/8" Clear Cast Acrylic SheetView on Amazon - 6
Duco 1/4" Clear Cast Acrylic SheetView on Amazon - 7
Pack of 10 Clear Cast Acrylic Sheet 4" x 6" x 1/8" ThickView on Amazon - 8
KAITELA Clear Cast Acrylic Sheet 8" x 10" x 1/8" ThickView on Amazon - 9KAITELA Clear Cast Acrylic Sheet 5" x 7" x 1/8" ThickView on Amazon
The polycarbonate vs acrylic for laser cutting choice comes down to what each listing states. Robosource sells polycarbonate sheeting for hand-tool work, while Deylixay and Adrattnay sell acrylic sheets for laser work. This comparison puts the two Robosource polycarbonate sheets against the two acrylic packs on what each listing states about laser cutting, size, thickness and workability.
Safety note: never cut or engrave polycarbonate on a laser. It chars and discolors instead of cutting cleanly and releases harmful fumes, so treat it as a saw, drill and hand-tool material. For laser work, use the acrylic sheets below.
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Verdict. Pick acrylic if you want a stated laser-compatible sheet: the Adrattnay states CO2 laser compatibility and the Deylixay states it can be cut by laser. Pick polycarbonate if you want stated shatter resistance and hand-tool workability, knowing neither Robosource listing states laser compatibility.
Machines on the list
Adrattnay Acrylic Mirror Sheets 1/8 Thick
An 8-pack of 1/8 in acrylic mirror sheets in 8 colors, stated as CO2 laser-compatible with no violent odor during cutting.
Pros
- CO2 laser-compatible stated
- No violent odor during cutting stated
- 8 colors in single-sided mirror stated
- 1/8 in balances durability and flexibility stated
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- 8 x 8 in sheets, small for large projects
- Edge lengths may vary by 2mm stated
- Mirror finish limits see-through projects
Deylixay-10Pack 1/8 Thick 8 x 8 Inch 3mm,Colored
A 10-pack of 1/8 in colored opaque acrylic sheets, stated as cuttable by laser, table saw, jigsaw, drill, router or band saw.
Pros
- Can be cut by laser stated
- 10-pack with full colors stated
- Shatter-resistant and lightweight stated
- 8 x 8 in at 1/8 in (3mm) stated
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Opaque colors with 0% light transmission stated
- No CO2-specific claim is stated
- 8 x 8 in sheets, small for large projects
Polycarbonate Sheet 12 x 18 x 1/16" Clear Plastic
A 12 x 18 x 1/16 in polycarbonate sheet, shatter resistant with EasyRuler protective film, cut by snips or hacksaws per the listing.
Pros
- Shatter resistant stated
- EasyRuler protective film stated
- Cut, drill, bend and thermoform stated
- 12 x 18 in, the larger sheet area here
Cons
- No laser cutting compatibility is stated
- No warranty term is stated
- Single sheet, not a pack
- 1/16 in is thinner than the acrylic 1/8 in
Polycarbonate Sheet 12 x 24 x 1/32" Clear Plastic
A 12 x 24 x 1/32 in polycarbonate sheet from 100% virgin brand-name polycarbonate, shatter resistant with EasyRuler film.
Pros
- 100% virgin, brand-name polycarbonate stated
- Shatter resistant stated
- EasyRuler protective film stated
- 12 x 24 in, the largest sheet here
Cons
- No laser cutting compatibility is stated
- No warranty term is stated
- 1/32 in is the thinnest here
- Single sheet, not a pack
Other machines to compare
Glitter Acrylic Sheets 8 x 8 inch 1/8" ThickCheck price on Amazon
Duco 1/8" Clear Cast Acrylic SheetCheck price on Amazon
Duco 1/4" Clear Cast Acrylic SheetCheck price on Amazon
Pack of 10 Clear Cast Acrylic Sheet 4" x 6" x 1/8" ThickCheck price on Amazon
KAITELA Clear Cast Acrylic Sheet 8" x 10" x 1/8" ThickCheck price on Amazon- KAITELA Clear Cast Acrylic Sheet 5" x 7" x 1/8" ThickCheck price on Amazon
Side by side
| Sheet | Size (stated) | Thickness | Laser stated | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrattnay Mirror 8-Pack | 8 x 8 in | 1/8 in | CO2 laser-compatible | Mirror, 8 colors |
| Deylixay 10-Pack | 8 x 8 in | 1/8 in (3mm) | Can be cut by laser | Colored opaque |
| Robosource 12×18 | 12 x 18 in | 1/16 in | Not stated | Shatter resistant |
| Robosource 12×24 | 12 x 24 in | 1/32 in | Not stated | Shatter resistant |
21 October 2026
Polycarbonate vs acrylic for laser cutting: laser compatibility
The Adrattnay states it is optimized for cutting and engraving with CO2 lasers, with smooth surfaces and edges, and states there will be no violent odor during the cutting process. The Deylixay states it can be cut by laser, among table saw, jigsaw, drill, router and band saw. The two Robosource listings state cutting with snips or hacksaws and standard drill bits, and state no laser compatibility at all. On stated laser claims, the acrylic side is the whole story.
Thickness and size
The acrylic sheets are 1/8 in (3mm) at 8 by 8 in. The Robosource 12×18 is 1/16 in at 12 by 18 in, and the Robosource 12×24 is 1/32 in at 12 by 24 in. The acrylic packs give thicker stock in small squares; the polycarbonate sheets give larger areas in thinner gauges. The Adrattnay states edge lengths may vary by 2mm.
Workability
The Robosource listings state shatter resistance, easy cutting, drilling, bending and thermoforming, with the EasyRuler protective film that peels to a clear surface. The 12×24 states 100% virgin, brand-name polycarbonate. The Deylixay states shatter-resistant, lightweight material that can be heated and molded. The Adrattnay states 1/8 in single-sided mirror acrylic balancing durability and lightweight flexibility. For hand tools, the polycarbonate side states the most.
Colors and finish
The Deylixay is sold as a 10-pack with full colors, but its stated color list names more colors than ten, so the pack contents are unclear. It states 0% light transmission on the opaque colors. The Adrattnay states an 8-pack in 8 mirror colors: red, gold, silver, rose gold, purple, sky blue, dark blue and green. The Robosource sheets are clear. For colorful craft projects, the acrylic packs are the color story; for clear panels, the Robosource sheets are the clear story.
Support and warranty
None of the four states a warranty term. The Robosource listings state the EasyRuler film and virgin polycarbonate; the acrylic listings state their laser claims. With no stated warranty on any side, the stated laser compatibility and workability figures are what separate them.
Odor during cutting
The Adrattnay states there will be no violent odor during the cutting process, the only stated odor claim here. The Deylixay, Robosource 12×18 and Robosource 12×24 state no odor figures. The Adrattnay states CO2 laser compatibility with easy cutting and engraving; the Deylixay states it can be cut by laser and table saw. For indoor cutting, the stated no-violent-odor Adrattnay is the odor story; the other listings leave it unclear.
Bend and mold vs flat cut
The Robosource 12×18 and 12×24 state DIY bend and mold with easy cut to size and an EasyRuler film, the only stated forming claims here. The Adrattnay and Deylixay state flat 8 by 8 in sheets at 1/8 in (3mm) for cutting and engraving, with no bending claims. The Robosource sheets state shatter resistance at 1/16 in and 1/32 in; the Deylixay states shatter resistance at 1/8 in. For curved guards and formed parts, the stated bend-and-mold Robosource pair is the forming story; for flat engraved panels, the stated 3mm acrylics are the flat-cut story.
Pack value and sheet count
The Deylixay states a 10-pack of 8 by 8 in sheets, the most stated sheets here. The Adrattnay states an 8-pack of 8 by 8 in mirror sheets in 8 colors. The Robosource 12×18 and 12×24 are single sheets at 12 by 18 in and 12 by 24 in. For batch projects and color variety, the stated 10-pack Deylixay is the value story; for one large clear panel, the stated 12 by 24 in Robosource is the size story.
Choose the Adrattnay Mirror 8-Pack if
You want the only stated CO2 laser compatibility here, with 8 mirror colors and a stated no-violent-odor cut.
Choose the Deylixay 10-Pack if
You want the biggest pack with stated laser cutting and full opaque colors for small projects.
Choose the Robosource 12×18 or 12×24 if
You want stated shatter resistance and hand-tool workability in larger clear sheets, with no laser claim.
FAQ: lasers and CNC
Which states CO2 laser compatibility?
The Adrattnay states it is optimized for cutting and engraving with CO2 lasers. The Deylixay states it can be cut by laser. The Robosource sheets state no laser compatibility.
Which is thicker?
The acrylic sheets state 1/8 in (3mm). The Robosource 12×18 states 1/16 in and the 12×24 states 1/32 in.
Which states shatter resistance?
Both Robosource sheets and the Deylixay state shatter resistance. The Adrattnay states durability without the word.
Which states a warranty?
None of the four states a warranty term.
Which has the most colors?
The Deylixay is sold as a 10-pack of full colors, though its stated color list names more colors than ten. The Adrattnay states 8 mirror colors. The Robosource sheets are clear.
Related: best acrylic sheets for laser cutting.
