Burned Grain

Best laser engravers for cutting boards

Cutting boards are engraved, not cut: the laser burns a design into hardwood like maple, walnut or bamboo. Size is the real question. The board has to fit the work area, or sit under an open frame.

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  1. #1 · CO2 · up to 80W

    xTool P3

    xTool P3 engraves wood, 915 × 458 mm work area, from $6,999 at xTool.

    $6,999 at xToolSpecs and all prices

  2. #2 · CO2 · up to 55W

    xTool P2S

    xTool P2S engraves wood, 600 × 305 mm work area, from $2,999 at xTool.

    $2,999 at xToolSpecs and all prices

  3. #3 · Diode · up to 20W

    xTool M2

    xTool M2 engraves wood, 426 × 320 mm work area, from $499 at xTool.

    $499 at xToolSpecs and all prices

  4. #4 · Diode · up to 60W

    Creality Falcon2 Pro

    Creality Falcon2 Pro engraves wood, 400 × 400 mm work area, from $899 at Creality Falcon.

    $899 at Creality FalconSpecs and all prices

  5. #5 · Diode · up to 40W

    xTool S1

    xTool S1 engraves wood, 498 × 319 mm work area, from $1,699 at xTool.

    $1,699 at xToolSpecs and all prices

What to look for

  • A work area larger than your biggest board.
  • Open frame or a passthrough if your boards are bigger than the bed.
  • Air assist, which keeps the burn crisp and the lens clean.

Material guides: Solid wood.

How this list is ranked

With the same scoring as the laser quiz: each manufacturer's published specs, our material data and the lowest price we track. Commission rates play no part. Where a spec isn't published, the machine's line says so instead of guessing. Hands-on notes, where we have them, are on each machine's page.

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