xTool S1 vs xTool P2S: which xTool should you buy?
xTool's two flagship enclosed machines look similar and cost €2,000 apart. The gap is not build quality — it's physics. Here's who should buy which.
Side by side
| xTool S1 (40 W) | xTool P2S (55 W) | |
|---|---|---|
| Laser | Diode, 455 nm | CO2 glass tube, 10.6 µm |
| Work area | 498 × 319 mm | 600 × 308 mm (passthrough) |
| 3 mm plywood | ~8 mm/s | ~14 mm/s |
| Clear acrylic | No | Yes, up to ~18 mm |
| Max wood (passes) | ~15 mm | ~20 mm |
| Metal | Marks coated/anodised, some stainless | Coated only |
| Camera | No (auto-focus, frame) | Dual 16 MP cameras |
| Approx. price | ~€2,000 | ~€4,000 |
xTool S1 40 W: xTool store ↗ Check price on Amazon ↗
xTool P2S 55 W: xTool store ↗ Check price on Amazon ↗
Who should buy the S1
Engraving-led makers: tumblers (with the rotary), signs, leather, wood gifts, light cutting of ply and leather. Quiet, no chiller, no tube to replace, and it marks some metals a CO2 can't. If you'll never sell an acrylic sign, the S1 is the better-value machine.
Who should buy the P2S
Anyone cutting: parts, boxes, acrylic, thicker wood, batches. Nearly 2× faster on plywood, and acrylic opens the most profitable niche (signage, awards, displays). Cameras + passthrough mean long pieces and precise placement.
Compare the exact numbers for your part: S1 calculator · P2S calculator.
FAQ
Can the xTool S1 cut acrylic?
Only dark opaque acrylic, slowly. It is a diode laser and clear acrylic passes the beam; the P2S (CO2) cuts clear acrylic up to ~18 mm.
Is the P2S worth €2,000 more than the S1?
If you cut acrylic or cut wood in volume, yes — it's roughly twice as fast and opens materials the S1 can't touch. For engraving-only businesses, no; the S1 does that job for half the money.
Does the xTool P2S need a chiller?
No — it has a built-in water cooling system. It does need extraction (vent outside or an xTool filter).
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