Which xTool Laser Cutter Can Cut Acrylic?

If you're looking for a laser cutter that can cut acrylic, you'll likely find a wide range of answers.

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It's important to understand that not all acrylic is the same, just like not all lasers are the same. You can technically cut SOME acrylic with all xTool lasers...but if you're serious about cutting all acrylic there's only one option.

Can a Diode Laser Cut Acrylic?

xTool offers several enclosed desktop lasers for crafters and small businesses. The xTool M1 craft laser has a diode laser. The larger xTool S1 40w laser also has a diode laser. One of the biggest benefits of a diode laser is it's more affordable. The biggest drawback is it's not as powerful.

The S1 is different than the M1 in several ways, but one is that it uses several lower power lasers combined to create a higher watt, more powerful laser.

In general, a diode laser can only cut opaque (NOT transparent or clear) acrylic up to 8mm as long as it has the right amount of power. It's important to note, the xTool M1 and S1 lasers are limited to 3mm acrylic.

Dark colors are easier to laser cut and engrave because the laser beam does not simply pass through the material like it does with transparent acrylic. However, just because it can cut...doesn't mean it's quality or worth the time, effort, hacks, and wasted materials to try to find the settings that give you a usable result.

For example, the xTool M1 and 40W S1 can technically cut 3mm acrylic sheets that are solid red, orange, yellow, green, black and brown as seen above...

The xTool M1 can also score or engrave on the same colors of acrylic. I will say though..it's a LOT of work, time and testing to get the settings right IF you ever find them. Diode lasers need to use a lot of power at a slow speed which tends to melt the material rather than dissolving it so it's not uncommon to get a raised edge.

The different being the xTool S1 40w cuts faster than the M1 because the laser is more powerful.

Here's a look at how the S1 40W and M1 10W diode cut black acrylic.

xTool S1 40W score and cut black acrylic

You can see in the picture above it was no problem for the S1, but the M1 (below) missed a spot completely. An additional pass would have likely cut through.

xTool M1 Cutting Black Acrylic

On the transparent pink acrylic neither the M1 or S1 cut through.

You almost get a raised or embossed effect from the laser seemingly melting the material instead of dissolving it..which is how a laser "cuts".

xTool S1 Attempting to Cut Transparent Acrylic

You might hear people suggest different hacks like putting a black backing on the acrylic or painting it first, but just know if you're trying to cut transparent acrylic a diode laser really is not cut out for the job.

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xTool S1 and M1 Attempting to Cut Transparent Acrylic

Best Laser for Laser Cutting Acrylic

The xTool P2 is a 55W CO2 laser. It's the only CO2 laser that xTool currently offers. It's a more powerful laser and is also more expensive. However, a CO2 laser has a big advantage over a diode laser in that can laser cut and engraver more materials including all types of acrylic.

This means you are not nearly as limited to the colors, types, and finishes of acrylic with the P2.

xTool P2 C02 Laser Cutting Black and Transparent Acrylic

The xTool P2 laser can easily cut transparent acrylic, clear acrylic, and even mirror acrylic in addition to solid colors.

Not only can the CO2 laser cutter cut acrylic in more colors and finishes, it can cut them faster because of the increased power.

This clear acrylic cake topper was laser engraved and cut using the xTool P2.

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So if you're looking for a laser cutter that can cut and score and engrave acrylic my recommendation is the xTool P2 55W C02 laser cutter.

Need some help with buying a laser? Check out my laser cutter buying guide!

Completely new to laser cutting and engraving? Click here to learn more about Laser Cutting and Engraving (using cut files and fonts and even software you already have!)

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