Best laser cutter for acrylic in 2026
Acrylic is the material that decides your laser purchase: diodes can't cut the clear stuff, and power decides how thick you can go with a polished edge. These are the machines we'd buy for acrylic work.
Power vs thickness (single pass, polished edge)
| Tube power | Clean cut up to | 3 mm acrylic speed |
|---|---|---|
| 40 W (K40/Glowforge Plus) | 5–6 mm | ~9–11 mm/s |
| 50–55 W (Polar, P2S) | 8–10 mm | ~12–14 mm/s |
| 60 W | 10–12 mm | ~15 mm/s |
| 80 W | 15 mm | ~17 mm/s |
| 100–130 W | 20–25 mm | ~18–20 mm/s |
Exact per-machine times: 3 mm · 5 mm · 8 mm · 10 mm.
Our picks
| Pick | Power | Approx. price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OMTech K40 | 40 W | ~€500 | Cheapest way to cut 3–5 mm acrylic. Add air assist. |
| OMTech Polar 50 W | 50 W | ~€2,500 | Desktop, 10 mm acrylic, strongest value. |
| xTool P2S | 55 W | ~€4,000 | Camera, passthrough, polished software. Great for signage. |
| OMTech 60–80 W workshop | 60–80 W | ~€3,000–4,500 | Large bed (500×700+), rotary, chiller — production choice. |
| Trotec Speedy / Epilog Fusion | 60–120 W | €15,000+ | Pro shops: speed, reliability, service contracts. |
OMTech Polar 50 W: OMTech store ↗ Check price on Amazon ↗
xTool P2S 55 W: xTool store ↗ Check price on Amazon ↗
OMTech 80 W: OMTech store ↗ Check price on Amazon ↗
Tips that matter more than the machine
- Cast, not extruded, for a glossy flame-polished edge and clean engraving.
- Low air assist when cutting — high air frosts the edge. High air when engraving.
- Leave the film on while cutting; remove for engraving.
- Lift the sheet (pins/knife bed) to stop flash-back marks on the underside.
FAQ
Can the xTool S1 or D1 cut acrylic?
Only dark opaque acrylic (black, some colours), slowly. Clear, white-translucent and fluorescent acrylic can't be cut by a diode. For acrylic work you need a CO2 laser.
How thick can a 40 W CO2 cut acrylic?
About 5–6 mm in a single clean pass; 8 mm with a slower pass and a rougher edge. For 10 mm+ you want 60 W or more.
Why is my acrylic edge cloudy?
Too much air assist, too fast a speed for the power (rough "frosted" edge), or extruded acrylic. Slow down 10–15%, reduce air, and try cast sheet.
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