Longer Ray5 vs Xtool S1: Which One Should You Buy?

Side by side

Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 2 November 2026.

Laser power and cutting

The xTool example is a 40W diode module, and the LONGER example is a 2.5W diode engraver. The xTool listing states a 40W laser output, while the LONGER listing states a 2.5W diode laser without saying whether that figure is optical output or input, so the two figures are reported as listed rather than treated as the same measure. The xTool listing states one-pass cuts of 18 mm cherry wood, 15 mm dark opaque acrylic and 0.1 mm stainless steel, and a rated speed of 600 mm/s. The LONGER listing states engraving at speeds up to 12,000 mm/min, a 0.04 mm x 0.04 mm spot with 0.01 mm accuracy, and cutting through thin materials, with no thickness figure stated. The two speed figures use different units, so they are reported as listed rather than ranked against each other.

Workspace

The LONGER listing states a work area of 5.51 x 5.12 in (140 x 130 mm) and overall dimensions of 11.5 x 11.26 x 6.5 inches. The xTool module listing states no work area, which is expected for a module: the work area belongs to the S1 machine it fits, and that machine is not the product listed here. Do not read the missing work area as a smaller bed; the listing leaves it unstated.

Materials

The LONGER listing names wood, leather and acrylic for engraving, and claims over 300 types of materials as a maker claim, without listing them. The xTool listing names cherry wood, dark opaque acrylic and stainless steel for one-pass cutting. Neither listing suggests lasering PVC or vinyl, and those materials should never be lasered. The LONGER side suits fine detail work on small pieces, while the xTool side states thicker cutting, but only on the S1 machine it fits.

Software and connection

The LONGER listing states USB, Wi-Fi, APP and offline connection, and compatibility with LaserGRBL and LightBurn. The xTool module listing states no software and no connection method, since it is a head that swaps into an existing S1. Software is therefore a stated advantage only on the LONGER side, and the xTool side leaves it unstated rather than losing on a stated spec.

Safety and enclosure

The LONGER listing states an emergency stop button and included protective glasses, but states no OD value and no wavelength range for the glasses, so the glasses cannot be counted as rated protection. The xTool module listing states no safety feature, no laser class and no certification. Neither example is described as an enclosed Class 1 machine in its listing. Stay with the machine while it runs, ventilate the work area, and never laser PVC or vinyl; see the laser safety notes.

The picks: longer ray5 vs xtool s1

Choose the xTool S1 40W Module if

• You already own an S1 and want to upgrade its head rather than buy another machine.
• You want stated one-pass cuts in 18 mm cherry wood, 15 mm dark opaque acrylic and 0.1 mm stainless steel.
• A stated 1 Year warranty matters more than a stated work area or software list.

Choose the LONGER Ray5 Mini if

• You want a complete machine, pre-assembled, at 1.8 kg for a small workspace.
• You want fine detail, with a stated 0.04 mm x 0.04 mm spot and 0.01 mm accuracy.
• You want stated USB, Wi-Fi, APP and offline connection with LaserGRBL and LightBurn.

Project Match

• Fine engraving on small wood, leather and acrylic pieces: the LONGER example, with its stated 5.51 x 5.12 in area and fine spot.
• One-pass cutting of 18 mm cherry wood or 15 mm dark opaque acrylic: the xTool example, on an S1 machine.
• Portable work in a small space: the LONGER example, at 1.8 kg and pre-assembled.
• Upgrading an existing S1: the xTool example, which swaps the laser head.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

Is the xTool S1 example a complete engraver?

No. The listing is a 40W laser module for the xTool S1 laser engraver, compatible with the S1 only, that replaces the laser head. It is not a standalone machine, and it needs an S1 to run.

Can the LONGER Ray5 Mini cut thick wood?

The listing states cutting through thin materials and gives no thickness figure, so thick cutting is unstated. The xTool module listing states one-pass cuts of 18 mm cherry wood, but only on an S1.

Which example has the larger work area?

Only the LONGER example states one, at 5.51 x 5.12 in. The xTool module listing states no work area, so the two cannot be ranked on that spec from these listings.

What software does the LONGER Ray5 Mini use?

The listing states LaserGRBL and LightBurn, with USB, Wi-Fi, APP and offline connection. The xTool module listing states no software.

Which example states a warranty?

The xTool module listing states a 1 Year warranty. The LONGER listing states no warranty term.

Related: how to choose a laser engraver, best laser engraver for beginners and the diode vs CO2 guide.