Best Budget Laser Engraver For 2025

There is a bit of a divide between the “Best Laser Engraver” and the “Best Budget Laser Engraver”.  I personally feel that to start off in the laser engraving side hustle game that you should start cheap.   I follow a lot of laser forums and an awful lot of people jump in the game at a price point by buying the most advanced and expensive machine they can get with stars in their eyes. Then they find out they lack the requisite skills to compete in the laser engraving game.  Subsequently they end up selling their gear or letting it gather dust.

While a budget laser will run at slower speeds, the reduction in speed combined a minuscule sized laser dot from a lower powered laser module will achieve the absolute best engraving detail possible.  I think this is a point lost on most laser engraver operators. 

Comparatively, the famous photographer Ansel Adams didn’t use the highest end cameras on the market.   He knew how to exploit what he had.

Typically, my threshold for a “Best Budget Laser Engraver” is around $300. I may push that a little bit this year but not by much.  That being said, let’s explore some of the best budget lasers you can find for 2025.
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xTool D1 Pro Laser Discussion

Photo snatched from xTool website

I have to write this here because the xTool laser Facebook forum just probably wouldn’t allow it.   xTool has recently stopped selling the xTool D1 Laser Pro.   This has led to about 2 weeks of non-stop whining and crying from D1 and D1 Pro Owners.

First of all let me state that I am NOT one of those complainers.  I have a D1 Pro with an extended bed.  Mine is 20 watts and I also own the IR module.  Here is why I’m not worried.

The D1 first hit the world stage in 2021.  That makes it 4 years old.  The D1 Pro hit the stage in 2022.  3 years old.

Desktop laser engravers first showed up commercially in 2019.  Lasers have just not been around that long.  However, every year the technology increases exponentially.   Even though the D1 is awesome, it is slowly becoming a dinosaur.  There have been incredible advancements in safety and laser technology in general.

If my laser dies, it dies. It has served me well for several years and certainly paid for itself.  I’m also not worried because I maintain my machine impeccably and I BOUGHT SPARES.

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