xTool vs Glowforge: which should you buy in 2026?
Both brands sell the "laser for people who don't want to tinker" promise. Glowforge got there first and charges for it; xTool caught up on hardware and undercuts on price. Here's how they compare where it matters.
Line-up at a glance
| Model | Type | Power | Bed | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glowforge Aura | Diode | 6 W | 305 × 305 mm | ~€1,200 |
| Glowforge Plus | CO2 | 40 W | 495 × 279 mm | ~€5,000 |
| Glowforge Pro | CO2 | 45 W + passthrough | 495 × 279 mm | ~€7,000 |
| xTool S1 | Enclosed diode | 20 / 40 W | 498 × 319 mm | ~€1,500–2,000 |
| xTool P2S | CO2 | 55 W + passthrough | 600 × 308 mm | ~€4,000 |
xTool P2S: xTool store ↗ Check price on Amazon ↗
Glowforge Pro: Glowforge store ↗ Check price on Amazon ↗
Cutting performance
The P2S's 55 W tube cuts ~30% faster than a Glowforge Pro on the same material and handles 18–20 mm wood in passes where the Glowforge tops out around 12 mm. On 3 mm plywood our calibrated speeds are ~14 mm/s (P2S) vs ~12 mm/s (Glowforge) — see both in the material table. The S1 40 W diode cuts 3 mm ply at ~8 mm/s and can't cut clear acrylic — so an S1 vs a Glowforge Plus is not a fair fight for acrylic work.
Software and lock-in
- Glowforge: browser-only, cloud-processed. Beautifully simple; useless when your internet or their servers are down; Premium subscription for some features. No LightBurn.
- xTool: XCS desktop app works offline and is LightBurn-compatible. More settings exposed, slightly steeper learning curve.
Running costs
Both need extraction (xTool sells a filter, Glowforge's Air Filter is ~€1,000). Tubes: Glowforge tube replacement is a factory service (~€500 + shipping); xTool's is user-replaceable. Per-hour machine costs are similar; the difference is what you bill — see our pricing guide.
Price a job on the xTool P2S →FAQ
Is xTool better than Glowforge?
On hardware per euro, yes: the xTool P2S (55 W CO2, ~€4,000) out-cuts a Glowforge Plus and nearly matches the Pro for far less. Glowforge wins on simplicity of workflow and a mature community; it loses on cloud dependence and price.
Can the xTool S1 replace a Glowforge?
For engraving and wood/leather cutting, yes. For clear acrylic, no — the S1 is a diode laser and cannot cut clear acrylic; only the CO2 machines (P2S, Glowforge Plus/Pro) can.
Does Glowforge work offline?
No. Glowforge processes jobs in the cloud and needs an internet connection; xTool's XCS and LightBurn run locally.
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