Laser cutters are now easier than ever to use. If you run a small business, investing in one is a great idea. Laser cutters and engravers offer precision, accuracy and repeatability that hand tools cannot match.
If you think the cost of a laser cutter will exceed your budget, don't worry. While high-end machines cost $5,000 or more, you can find good budget options around $500.
For example, our top pick, the Ortur Laser Master 3, is the best laser cutter for small businesses at a relatively affordable $599. It is the ideal tool to enter the world of laser cutting. Later, you can transition to a CO2 laser cutter with higher power and speed capabilities.
No matter how powerful the laser cutting machine is, as long as the quality is good, the machine will soon pay for itself. From engraving to cutting, it can help you make a variety of products.
Let's take a look at our top picks and review the best tips to consider when buying a laser cutter for your small business!
Ortur's laser cutter is the best laser cutter for small business due to its low price and great performance. The Ortur Laser Master 3 is no exception, offering upgraded laser performance that is even better than its predecessor, the Ortur Laser Master 2.
Ortur includes a premium 10W laser module capable of engraving and cutting a variety of materials including wood, leather and plastic with a small spot. This delicate balance of power and precision helps you sculpt intricate details on materials with ease.
Focusing on user safety, the Laser Master 3 features a secure lock key system with active position and slope detection and an emergency stop button. These features are hard to find in cheap laser cutters, but can be helpful in an emergency.
Ortur already supports LM3's Laser Explorer application. You can easily engrave any design or picture and control every aspect of the machine through this mobile app. In addition, the device is compatible with other laser cutting software such as LightBurn and LaserGRBL.
However, perhaps because of its app functionality, Ortur doesn't include physical control buttons on the laser cutter. This may restrict some users. Although this machine has an integrated air assist system within the laser module, it also does not include an air assist pump.
All things considered and minor inconveniences, Ortur's Laser Master 3 is arguably the best laser cutter for small businesses. Even with small batches of laser cutting, you can quickly recoup your initial costs and start turning a profit right away.
LaserPecker lasers are among the top handheld laser cutters you can find today. They're small, portable, and offer powerful performance in a compact form factor. The LaserPecker 3 is no exception. It follows in the tradition of its predecessors by giving you the option of engraving on metal surfaces.
The LaserPecker 3 weighs only 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) and has an excellent build quality that matches its design. You can connect it to an external battery and get 4 hours of laser engraving time, allowing you to really enjoy the benefits of a portable laser engraver.
It has a 10W laser module with a fixed engraving area of 60 x 60 mm. Since it's a handheld laser, you can quickly reposition it and expand your work area. The galvanometer arrangement inside the laser module helps you achieve high engraving speeds up to 600 mm/s while maintaining a sharp 0.01 mm laser beam spot.
The LaserPecker 3 comes with its companion app, which allows you to control the machine using your laptop or smartphone. You can create designs from scratch, or engrave existing images onto workpieces directly from the app.
The main disadvantage of LP3 is its relatively high laser power. While its portability is a plus, better and more powerful laser engravers can be found in its price range.
However, for the business owner or hobbyist, the LaserPecker allows them to bring their laser cutter to the actual job site. This mobility factor, combined with the potential for engraving on metal, is enough to justify its nearly $1,500 price tag, making it the best laser cutter for portable workflows.