Laser types compared: diode, CO₂, fibre, infrared and UV
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Which laser can process which material is decided mainly by the wavelength. A material has to absorb the light, otherwise the beam passes through or is reflected. That is why no laser can do everything, and why it is worth looking at the five types that are common among hobbyists and small businesses.
The overview
The prices are rough ranges from our device overview, as of 10/2026. Cutting figures are manufacturer values and only apply to suitable materials.
| Type | Wavelength | Good for | Weak or unsuitable | Cutting | Rough price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diode laser | approx. 450 nm (blue) | wood, plywood, leather, paper, cardboard, cork, dark acrylic, slate, coated metals | clear and light acrylic, bare metal, clear glass | wood and dark acrylic, depending on power up to about 10 to 20 mm in one pass | about €100 to €2,100 |
| CO₂ laser | 10,600 nm | wood, acrylic (including clear), leather, fabric, paper, rubber, glass and stone (engraving) | bare metal | wood and acrylic, also thicker; the strength of this type | from about €1,200 (simple desktop devices) to around €7,000 |
| Fibre laser | 1064 nm | stainless steel, aluminium, brass, titanium, precious metals, many plastics | wood, paper, fabric, clear plastics | thin sheet metal only, usually under 1 mm | from about €800 (simple galvo) to around €4,200 (MOPA) |
| Infrared module | 1064 nm, 1 to 5 W | marking metal, marking plastics | cutting wood, deep engraving | practically not | add-on module for many diode lasers |
| UV laser | 355 nm | glass, crystal (also internally), ceramics, plastics, films | thicker materials, cutting | not intended for it | about €2,400 to €4,300 |
Diode lasers
Diode lasers use semiconductor diodes that emit blue light around 450 nm. They are the cheapest and most common design for getting started. Dark and organic materials absorb blue light well: wood, leather, cork, cardboard and dark acrylic work reliably.
The limit shows with transparent and light materials. Clear acrylic is transparent at 450 nm, so the beam simply passes through. White or very light material also absorbs little energy. Bare metal reflects too strongly. Stainless steel can be marked with powerful diode lasers, but this works more reliably with marking spray or an infrared module.
A typical open machine is the Creality Falcon2 22W. According to manufacturers, powerful diode lasers of 40 W and more cut wood in the range of 15 to 20 mm in one pass. These values are optimistic, so expect less in practice.
CO₂ lasers
CO₂ lasers generate the light in a gas-filled tube. Their wavelength is 10.6 µm, that is 10,600 nm, far into the infrared. Almost all non-metals absorb this light very well, including clear acrylic and glass. That is why CO₂ is the standard for acrylic signs, model-making kits and fabric cutting.
CO₂ does not cut glass but engraves it with a frosted finish. A CO₂ laser cannot mark bare metal; for that you need marking spray or an add-on module. In our database, simple desktop devices cost about €1,200 to €2,400, for example the OMTech Polar Lite 55W. Branded devices with a camera and integrated air assist such as the Bambu Lab R1 or xTool P2S cost €2,500 to €3,000, and the large xTool P3 with a Class 1 enclosure around €6,900. CO₂ devices are bigger and heavier and need cooling and extraction.
Fibre lasers
Fibre lasers work at 1064 nm in the near infrared. Metals absorb this wavelength much better than that of diode or CO₂ lasers. Fibre lasers are therefore the tool for engraving and marking stainless steel, aluminium, brass, titanium and precious metals. Many plastics can also be marked with high contrast.
Wood, paper and fabric, on the other hand, are not their strength. In the hobby sector, fibre lasers are almost always galvo devices with a small working area, for example the ComMarker B4 20W with 110 x 110 mm. They cut thin sheet metal, usually under 1 mm.
A special form is the MOPA fibre laser. Its pulse duration can be adjusted. This allows colour marks on stainless steel and titanium as well as deep black marks on anodised aluminium. MOPA devices cost more than simple fibre lasers.
Infrared modules (1064 nm)
Many diode lasers offer an add-on module with 1064 nm and 1 to 5 W. It works at the same wavelength as a fibre laser but with much less power. Such modules mark stainless steel, aluminium, brass and dark plastics, often with a very fine spot. The power is not enough for deep metal engraving or cuts.
For beginners with a diode laser, such a module is an inexpensive way to label metal occasionally. If you work with a lot of metal, you will end up with a fibre laser.
UV lasers (355 nm)
UV lasers work at 355 nm. The short wavelength breaks material bonds without introducing much heat into the material. This is called cold processing. It helps with materials that crack, melt or yellow under heat: glass, crystal, sensitive plastics, films and electronics.
Hobby UV lasers usually have 3 to 10 W and a very fine spot, 0.02 mm according to the manufacturer for the xTool F2 Ultra UV. They are galvo devices for engraving and marking, not for cutting. Per watt they are the most expensive category.
Combination devices
More and more devices combine two sources, usually diode plus fibre or diode plus infrared. This saves space and a second computer. The catch: each source is a compromise on its own, and the working area is often determined by the smaller source. Before buying, check which source has which power and which working area applies to each.
Safety depends on the wavelength
Every one of these lasers is Class 4 in open operation. The safety glasses must match the wavelength exactly. Glasses for 450 nm do not protect against 1064 nm or 10,600 nm. Look for the optical density (OD) rating for the right wavelength range. Infrared and UV are also invisible, so you cannot see the beam. More on this in the article Laser safety.
In short
- Wood, leather, paper, dark acrylic: diode laser.
- Clear acrylic, a lot of cutting, engraving glass: CO₂ laser.
- Engraving and marking metal: fibre laser, occasionally an infrared module.
- Glass, crystal, sensitive plastics: UV laser.
Continue with: Understanding laser power and Which laser suits you?