Types of Laser Engravers: Fiber vs CO2 vs Diode vs UV Explained
Quick answer
There are five main types of laser engravers. Fiber lasers are best for metal, CO2 lasers for wood, acrylic, glass and leather (and cutting), diode lasers are budget machines for wood and leather, UV lasers do delicate "cold" marking on glass and plastic, and low-power infrared modules handle light metal marking in compact machines.
"Laser engraver" covers machines that cost $250 and machines that cost $25,000. They're not just bigger or smaller versions of each other. They use different light sources, and the light source decides which materials you can work with.
Here's how the five main types compare, and how to work out which one fits your plans.
The quick comparison
| Type | Wavelength | Best materials | Weak on | Typical price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber | ~1064 nm | All metals, coated metal, hard plastics | Clear glass, clear acrylic, wood | Roughly $1,500 to $6,000+ |
| CO2 | ~10,600 nm | Wood, acrylic, glass, leather, paper, stone | Bare metal | Roughly $1,500 to $10,000+ |
| Diode (blue) | ~450 nm | Wood, leather, dark materials, coated metal | Clear materials, bare metal | Roughly $200 to $1,500 |
| UV | ~355 nm | Glass, plastics, delicate items | Deep engraving | Roughly $3,000 to $10,000+ |
| Infrared module | ~1064 nm (low power) | Light metal and plastic marking | Depth and speed | Usually part of a dual-laser machine |
Prices move around a lot, so treat these as rough ranges. Our article on what a fiber laser really costs breaks down the numbers, including the accessories most people forget.
Fiber lasers
A fiber laser creates its beam inside an optical fiber doped with rare-earth elements. Its 1064 nm wavelength is absorbed well by metal, which is why fiber machines dominate jewelry, tool, firearm and industrial marking.
Most desktop fiber lasers are galvo machines: two fast mirrors steer the beam over a fixed area instead of moving a laser head on rails. That makes them extremely fast but limits the working area to the lens size. Our explainer on how galvo lasers work covers the trade-offs.
There are two main flavors of fiber source. Q-switched sources are the standard and cheaper option. MOPA sources let you adjust the pulse width, which unlocks color marking on stainless steel and better results on plastics. If that sounds useful, read what a MOPA fiber laser is.
For a full list of compatible materials, see what a fiber laser can engrave.
CO2 lasers
CO2 lasers use a gas-filled tube. Their long wavelength is absorbed well by organic and non-metal materials, so they're the workhorse for wood signs, acrylic displays, leather patches, glassware and cutting sheet materials. They can't mark bare metal without a marking spray, because metal reflects most of the beam.
CO2 machines are usually gantry style: the laser head moves on rails, which allows large work areas but slower engraving than a galvo.
Diode lasers
Diode lasers are the most affordable type and the most popular for hobbyists. They're great on wood and leather and can mark coated or anodized metal. What they can't do is engrave real depth into bare stainless steel. We cover exactly what's possible in can a diode laser engrave metal.
Be careful with diode marketing. Some listings advertise electrical input power instead of optical output power, which makes a 10W laser sound like an 80W one. Our laser wattage guide explains how to read the numbers.
UV lasers
UV lasers work at a very short wavelength that breaks chemical bonds with very little heat. That's why they're called "cold" lasers. They're used for marking glass, medical plastics, electronics and items that would scorch or melt under a hotter beam. They are specialist machines and usually overkill for a general hobby or gift business.
Infrared modules and dual-laser machines
Some compact machines combine a blue diode with a low-power 1064 nm infrared laser. The infrared module can mark metal and plastic, but at a few watts it's much slower and shallower than a real fiber laser. These machines are a reasonable middle ground for crafters who mainly want light marks on a mix of materials.
How to choose
Start with your materials, not the machine:
- List the five things you'll make most often.
- Mark each one as metal or non-metal.
- If more than half is metal, a fiber laser should be your main machine.
- If most of it is wood, acrylic, leather or glass, look at CO2 (or diode for a lower budget).
- If you need cutting, a CO2 laser is usually the answer.
Still undecided? Our comparisons of fiber vs CO2 and fiber vs diode lay out the choice side by side, and the laser engraver buying checklist helps you narrow it further. For project ideas by laser type, see 25 practical laser engraver uses.
Frequently asked questions
Which type of laser engraver is best for metal?
A fiber laser. Its wavelength is absorbed efficiently by metal, so it can mark, engrave and anneal metals that CO2 and diode lasers can't touch.
Which type is best for wood?
CO2 lasers give the best results and can also cut. Diode lasers are a cheaper option that work well for engraving wood.
Can one laser do everything?
No single laser handles every material well. Many businesses pair a fiber laser for metal with a CO2 laser for everything else.
Is a galvo laser the same as a fiber laser?
No. Galvo describes how the beam moves (with mirrors), and fiber describes the light source. Most desktop fiber lasers are galvo machines, but CO2 and UV galvo machines exist too.
What is the cheapest type of laser engraver?
Diode lasers are the cheapest, with entry models costing a few hundred dollars. They're good for learning, but they can't replace a fiber laser for real metal engraving.