Machine Finder
Five questions, about thirty seconds. Your answers point to the machine type that fits: a diode laser, a CO2 laser, a fiber laser or a desktop CNC router, with the guides to read next. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere; the quiz runs in your browser.
The four machine types at a glance
Diode laser engraver
An open-frame or enclosed diode laser is the lowest-cost way to engrave wood, leather, slate, coated tumblers and anodized aluminum, and to cut thin wood and dark acrylic.
Why pick it: Lowest entry price; Small, light and runs on a normal outlet; Huge community and LightBurn support. Watch for: Cannot cut clear acrylic; Bare metal needs marking spray; Open frames need ventilation and supervision.
Browse Diode laser engraver guides · Best Laser Engraver for Beginners: 5 Easy Starter Machines · Best Laser Engraver Under $500: 6 Picks for Beginners and Etsy Sellers · Best Laser Engraver for Wood: 5 Diode Picks From 2.5W to 20W
CO2 laser cutter
A CO2 laser cuts and engraves wood, all acrylic including clear, leather, paper, fabric and glass, faster and thicker than a diode. It is the usual step up for product makers.
Why pick it: Cuts clear acrylic and thicker wood; Faster production work; Engraves glass. Watch for: Higher price and bigger footprint; Needs venting and tube cooling; Bare metal needs marking spray.
Browse CO2 laser cutter guides · Best CO2 Laser Cutter for Home Use: 5 Picks From 45W to 90W · Best Enclosed Laser Engraver: 6 Class 1 Picks for Home and Classroom · Best Laser Engraver for Small Business: 6 Picks for Etsy Sellers and Shops
Fiber laser marker
A fiber laser marks and deep engraves bare metal such as stainless steel, brass and aluminum, plus some plastics, in seconds. It is the tool for jewelry, tools, knives and metal tumblers.
Why pick it: Engraves bare metal directly; Very fast marking; Long source life. Watch for: Small marking area; Poor on wood and clear materials; Does not cut sheet material.
Browse Fiber laser marker guides · Best Fiber Laser Engraver: 6 Picks for Metal Marking · Best Laser Engraver for Metal: 5 Machines That Mark Bare Steel
Desktop CNC router
A CNC router carves with a spinning bit instead of light. It cuts thick wood, MDF, plastics that are unsafe to laser and soft aluminum, and carves 3D reliefs and signs.
Why pick it: Cuts thick stock and 3D carvings; Safe for plastics a laser cannot touch; No laser fumes. Watch for: Loud, with lots of dust; Slower setup and workholding; Bits are a running cost.
Browse Desktop CNC router guides · Best Desktop CNC for Beginners: 5 Starter Routers Compared · Best CNC Router Under $1,000: 6 Desktop Machines Compared
Compare the types side by side
| Type | How it works | Engraves | Cuts | Weak spots | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diode | Blue light around 450 nm. Hobby machines are commonly 5 to 40 W optical output. | Wood, leather, slate, paper, dark acrylic, coated tumblers, anodized aluminum | Thin wood and plywood, dark acrylic, leather, paper, felt | Clear or blue acrylic, glass without coating, bare metal without marking spray | $ to $$ |
| CO2 | Infrared at 10.6 µm from a gas tube or RF source. Desktop machines are commonly 30 to 100 W. | Wood, all acrylic, leather, glass, stone, paper, fabric, coated metal | Wood and plywood (thicker than diode), all acrylic including clear, leather, fabric, paper | Bare metal without marking spray | $$ to $$$$ |
| Fiber | Infrared at about 1064 nm through a galvo head. Marking machines are commonly 20 to 100 W. | Bare and coated metals, anodized aluminum, some plastics, stone | Thin foil and jewelry blanks at most; not a sheet cutter | Wood, clear acrylic and glass | $$ to $$$$ |
| CNC router | A spinning bit, not light. Desktop spindles and routers are commonly 300 W to about 1.5 kW. | V-carving and 3D relief in wood, plastics, soft metals | Thick wood, MDF, plastics that are unsafe to laser, aluminum (slowly) | Very fine detail and photo engraving | $ to $$$$ |
Price tiers: $ under $500, $$ $500 to $1,500, $$$ $1,500 to $5,000, $$$$ above $5,000. Wattages are typical ranges, not limits.
Material questions? See which laser works on which material.