Best Budget Laser Engraver – Mid 2025

Everyone wants a bargain. In the diverse world of laser engraving the start up costs can vary from inexpensive to very expensive. So many side hustle enthusiasts buy in at top tier. Then they realize that it isn’t as easy as it seems. They might master the machine but then can’t figure out the sales end of the side hustle. One of my more popular blog entries historically has been of the “Best Budget Laser Engraver” variety. I usually settle in and cover 3 or 4 or more laser engravers. Today I am covering just one. Maybe 2.

Longer Ray 5

The response from Longer: “We’ll send you one!” And they did. With all the goodies.

I do need to add that my definition of “Budget Laser” comes in usually at around $300. They sent me their Longer Ray 5 20 Watt which tickles the wallet at around $439 which is still pretty cheap. Even though I have the 20 watt version, know that I think the Best Budget Laser is probably the 10 watt version which falls nicely under $300 at around $259.

LaserBurn Software

Another thing that makes the Longer brand great is that they have their own software. Once you buy that budget laser you’re then faced with the reality of having to buy a hunk of software (Lightburn) that costs $100. Longer’s software entry is called LaserBurn. It isn’t as great as Lightburn is but the price is right and the software isn’t bad at all.

Additional Items Received

They also sent me an Air Assist kit, honeycomb panel, and enclosure. The coolest thing they sent was an X and Y axis extension kit. Wow!

Here is the best part. The first laser they sent me got lost or stolen in shipment. I was thinking, “well that’s that” and to my surprise they sent another one. Double Wow!

Even better, never once has Longer sought to influence my reviews. Yes, everything they provided me was for free but they have never tried to have any manner of editorial control ever. Probably the only thing they ever mentioned to me was “Hey, can you change the link in your blog to the Amazon sales page?”

I have a lot of positive reviews on my blog but I operate under the theory that if someone sends you something free to review, then they have faith in their product. I also think it is incumbent upon me to go to them if I have a question or concern before publishing. It’s called “Working Together”.

Budget Laser Engraver Wisdom

A budget laser is only a great bargain if it works. Lasers are fairly high tech devices that contain optics, electronics, communications protocols, and probably a half a dozen other things. They can and will break, although most of those situations are self inflicted based on my years of experience. When you decide to become a multi-millionaire by laser engraving pens and tumblers listen very carefully to what I say next:

BUY TWO BUDGET LASERS. Full stop.

You heard me. Buy two. Or one and a whole bunch of spare parts. Go hang out on any laser forum and it might take an hour or two but someone will come along and declare their laser to be crap (ironically because they broke it), and by golly, they have orders to fulfill, RIGHT NOW!

Yeah, well that won’t happen if you own two lasers. Always have a business plan if you plan to be in business.

Longer Ray 5 Hardware

The first desktop lasers were pretty simplistic and lacked safety features and were USB only connected devices. They cost just over $200 about 6 years ago. Fast forward to mid-2025 and you get a laser with tons of evolutionary upgrades for about the same price. What other industry does that happen in? Here are some cool key features:

• Works with multiple software
• 3.5″ Touch Screen
• Offline engraving
• Protective Eye Cover
• Safety Shut down if the machine senses movement.
•  0.06*0.06mm laser spot size (on 10 watt module)
• Connects via computer, TF card, or WiFi

Video Time! Let’s take a quick drive around the Longer Ray 5 20 Watt Laser Engraver

While the structural layout and materials is similar to a circa 2020 laser engraver the laser module and mainboard are greatly enhanced over the first commercial desktop laser engravers.

Additional Features

The Ray 5 has a cool touch screen and a TF card. You can put your gcode on the memory card and print without a computer. That is freaking awesome for a budget laser.

Now where would I use that? Every wooden item that I make I burn my makers mark somewhere inconspicuous. I will put makers marks of various sizes (1″, 2″, 3″, etc.) on the card and then I can burn without a computer. Heck I may use this machine JUST FOR THAT FEATURE.

Laser Module

Now let’s take a look at the laser module itself.

Again, I think the sweet spot for the Best Budget Laser of Mid 2025 will be the 10 watt version for $279.

Quick Mention of the Ray 5 Mini

If you really want to be frugal check out the new Longer Ray 5 Mini. The 2.5 watt version costs $109 and the 3.5 watt laser costs $139.

If you know NOTHING about lasers but are interested in getting into the side hustle, the Ray 5 Mini is a great place to start. If you know in your heart that you’ll only use a laser a few times a year as a hobbyist or scrapbooker then the Ray 5 Mini is what you want.

For example, check out the Wine Stopper I engraved. Stuff like this makes the dinner party just a little more fun.

A Comparison Between The Two

I set the lasers next to each other and did a comparison.

Yes the Mini is slow but if I burn a couple wine stoppers a year at Thanksgiving and Christmas then I still have more laser than I NEED.

Summary

The Longer Ray 5 series is top notch despite being at a lower cost than the competition. Still in 2025 you can get a super capable laser for less than $300 (10 watt). Not only that but Longer has FREE SOFTWARE.

Let’s be honest. Buy almost any other laser and you’ll also have to buy Lightburn software which is going to cost an additional $100. Suddenly, it isn’t so “budget” friendly anymore.

If your experience level is minimal you should start out cheap. Heck, check your local Facebook marketplace. Every week where I live I see lasers that have never been out of the box. The owner held it for a year or two and then realized it was too much to assemble and learn. There are lots of people who think they will make their fortune by engraving pens and cups and when they realize it takes more than simply a laser to be successful they bail out. And what I mean by “realizing it takes more” is that you have to be artistic, and a heck of a salesperson as well.

If you are jumping in the side hustle get you a Ray 5 Mini or the 5/10/20 watt version of the Ray 5. It’s the best starting point for the new laser operator.

JOHN’S TECH BLOG HIGHLY RECOMMENDS LONGER3D LASERS