Laser Engraving Wood: Comparing Diode, CO2, and Fiber Lasers

When it comes to wood laser engraving and cutting, not all lasers are created equal. Diode, CO2, and fiber lasers each have unique strengths and limitations for woodworking. This guide compares all three technologies to help you choose the best laser for your wood projects.

1. Diode Lasers (Best for Budget & Detail)

✅ Best for: Hobbyists, detailed engravings, thin wood
✅ Works best on: Softwoods (basswood, balsa), plywood, veneers
✅ Power Range: 5W–20W (most hobby lasers)

Pros:

✔ Affordable (starting under $500)
✔ Compact & portable (good for home use)
✔ Excellent for fine details (great for artwork, ornaments)

Cons:

❌ Slow engraving speed (takes longer than CO2)
❌ Struggles with thick wood (limited cutting depth)
❌ Not ideal for dark woods (harder to contrast)

Best Diode Laser for Wood:
🔹 xTool D1 Pro (20W) – Good power for engraving, affordable (~$1,200)

2. CO2 Lasers (Best All-Around for Woodworking)

✅ Best for: Professionals, cutting & deep engraving
✅ Works best on: Hardwood, plywood, MDF, acrylic
✅ Power Range: 40W–150W (higher = faster cuts)

Pros:

✔ Fast engraving & deep cutting (up to 1″ thick wood)
✔ Handles all wood types (even dense hardwoods)
✔ Best for production work (businesses & serious makers)

Cons:

❌ More expensive ($2,000–$15,000)
❌ Larger machines (needs ventilation & space)
❌ Maintenance required (mirrors, lenses, cooling)

Best CO2 Lasers for Wood:
🔹 OMTech 60W – Best value for small businesses (~$3,500)🔹\ast \ast ThunderboltNova100W\ast \ast –Industrial-gradecutting($8,000)

3. Fiber Lasers (Not Ideal for Wood)

✅ Best for: Metals, plastics (not wood)
✅ Works on wood? Poorly—burns rather than engraves cleanly

Why Fiber Lasers Aren’t Good for Wood:

❌ Creates charring & uneven marks (designed for metal)
❌ No cutting capability (wood requires CO2)
❌ Expensive for woodwork (better for industrial metal marking)

Exception: Some MOPA fiber lasers can lightly mark wood, but CO2 is far superior.

Comparison Table: Diode vs. CO2 vs. Fiber for Wood

Which Laser Should You Choose for Wood?

✔ Best for Hobbyists & Small Projects → Diode Laser

• Good: xTool D1 Pro (20W)

• Budget: Ortur LM3 (15W)

✔ Best for Professionals & Businesses → CO2 Laser

• Entry-Level: OMTech 40W (~$2,000)

• High-End: Thunderbolt 100W (~$8,000)

❌ Avoid Fiber Lasers for Wood

• They’re designed for metal engraving, not wood.

Final Verdict

• For detailed engravings & low budgets → Diode laser

• For cutting thick wood & fast production → CO2 laser

• For metal only → Fiber laser (not wood)