Bambulab Laser vs. xTool

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1

Hello everyone,
I’m hoping to get some advice here, and maybe this discussion can also help others who are considering buying their first laser.

I’ve become very interested in laser engraving and cutting ever since Bambu introduced their laser and cutting module for the H2 Series. I’ve been 3D printing for over three years now—starting with Prusa, and since last year I’ve been using a P1S, with several thousand hours of printing experience. I mainly print for fun and create personalized gifts for friends, family, and coworkers. I even considered starting a small business this year, but here in Austria it’s quite expensive to do so due to taxes, especially when you already work full-time. So for now, it remains a hobby—but one I enjoy very much, especially designing and creating gifts for birthdays, weddings, and similar occasions.

As mentioned, I’m considering buying a laser, but my main question is:
Should I get a new Bambu H2 with the laser module, or should I look into a dedicated laser machine like those from xTool?

In my situation, having just one machine for everything would be ideal, because my workspace in the basement is limited. I also imagine that the Bambu solution might be easier for beginners—though I have no experience, so I might be wrong.

I’ve read a lot on this forum. Some people say that if you want to get into laser engraving seriously, you should buy a proper dedicated laser rather than a 3D printer with a laser add-on, especially due to concerns about dust and debris. Others say it’s not such a big issue. Opinions seem to differ.

Price is also a big factor. Since I already own a P1S, I’m more interested in the H2C with Vortek rather than the H2S, because I print a lot of multicolor and the H2S is only slightly bigger than my P1S. Price-wise, an xTool like the M1 Ultra costs around €1,000–1,500, while the H2C Laser Combo is around €2,800. At some point I want to upgrade my printer anyway, because multicolor printing is important to me, and the P1S tends to have issues when doing that frequently.

What do I want to do with the laser?
Mainly wood engraving, creating models (similar to those you find on Makerworld), and engraving materials like metal, stone tiles, leather, and cork—basically all the common materials. If possible, I’d also like to cut and engrave acrylic. Having a plotter/cutter for paper would be great for making birthday cards, and the print-then-cut function on the M1 is also very appealing—printing directly onto wood and then cutting the shape out.

I’m aware that I will need an air filtration system for my basement, though I do have a window where I can route an exhaust hose. And I understand that a laser is not a toy, which is why I want to gather information first—safety is my top priority. I’m not planning to buy anything immediately; I have a few weeks or even months to decide.

So, what do you think?
What would be the best choice for a beginner entering the world of laser engraving?

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Then I’d advise you to buy a separate laser cutter.

Woodworking, in particular, produces a huge amount of dust, and you end up with that mess in your printer. The smell, especially, is really hard to get out.

I recently laser-cut wooden models with a hose venting out the window—I was worried someone would call the fire department because of the smoke, and that stuff ends up in the printer.

I spent half an hour cleaning the laser plate with hot water, a brush, and cleaner to get the residue off.

For woodworking—and generally for any materials that produce a mess (wood, foam, etc.) - I strongly advise against the H2X with a laser cutter. I wouldn’t buy it again.

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I remain convinced that these two categories should not be combined simply because they share a gantry system…

I’ve had the xTool M1 and F1 for years, the M1 Ultra for a few months now, and soon the F2 Ultra UV… and I really don’t want what’s on the inside walls of the lasers in my 3D printer…

Cutting and drawing, that’s absolutely fine as accessories.

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Thanks for your advice and also thanks to @ThomasHermans!

Ok that is a clear opinion from both of you, so I think it is going to be a xTool Laser.

@Dextera you mentioned the xTool M1 Ultra → this is a machine I consider because it has a lot of cool features. Could you recommend it for a “beginner” ? I think this machine is futureproof as well and I don´t want to buy a new laser in a year or so.
And do you recommend the 10W Module for it? I think I am not going to use it to cut 10mm wood plates.

For example this is something I would like to make, combined with 3D printing:
Winterhütten-LED-Lampe von Structales - Roadrunner4d MakerWorld: Kostenlose 3D-Modelle herunterladen

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I had 10W in the M1 – and then deliberately chose the 20W module for the M1 Ultra. Especially if you want to cut 10mm wood. You just need more passes and have to go slower if you have less wattage.

And yes, I can HIGHLY recommend the M1 Ultra, even for beginners. The xTool software is very good (BL has its reasons why its suite is so similar to xTool’s :wink: ) and the possibilities of this craft machine are simply superb.

I actually have all the accessories available for it. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask :slight_smile:

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Thanks again for your reply.

Ok sounds pretty good and I think the 10W will be a good fit for my usage.

Another question: Do you use some kind of air filtration? And is this one compatible with the M1 Ultra? Or only the F1/F2 Series? On the M1 Ultra Product Page you can find this one too, that´s why I thought it is compatible.

xTool Rauchreiniger für M1 Ultra /F1/F2

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I had a hole drilled in my outer wall and installed a direct extraction system to the outside :wink: With the IF2, as it can be controlled simultaneously by the M1 Ultra.

But if I didn’t have this option, I would go straight for the AP2 filter. It’s much better than their first cleaner (BL also has a similar version of the first smoke cleaner in its range).

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Ok, perfect. In my case, would it be acceptable to simply run an exhaust hose directly out of the basement window? I’m considering getting an IF2 and venting all fumes straight outside through the window.

The situation is that during winter I keep my road bike on a smart trainer in the same room. I don’t run any prints during my training sessions, and after printing (before training) I always ventilate the room for at least half an hour. I hope that will be sufficient if I also use a laser cutter in the same space.
My routine would be: training after work, and later in the evening I’d do the laser and printing work. The next day the same—naturally, the laser wouldn’t be running continuously. I’m just a bit concerned about the fumes if I use the laser in the same room as I do my training.

I mentioned in my post this morning that I have plenty of time to decide on a laser, but with the great Black Friday deals at xTool this week, I’m seriously considering pulling the trigger before Friday. :joy:

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Everything you filter is always better :slight_smile: But just so it’s clear: the lasers are not hermetically sealed.

When I engrave wood, I can’t smell anything in the office. When I cut a lot of wood, the room eventually fills up. The fan can’t extract it as quickly as the thing produces smoke.

That’s why I have an air sensor in my office that measures the parameters that are most important to me. Last week, I spent two hours engraving/cutting and also left the room. When I entered, I wore a filter mask for the corresponding vapours. Afterwards, I ventilated the room until the sensor showed values that were okay again.

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I have the 40w.

It is very space efficient, which has a varying value to each user’s deployment. For me I like the compact workspace of cutter, laser and printer in one place.

It takes some serious time to reset the laser between jobs, along with the cutter. There’s no really effective “do again” workflow as it stands now, so the setup time physically is there, and the time per job is pretty high. For a low volume setup, I don’t mind.

The blue laser limits on what I can cut/etch material wise is disappointing but not a show stopper most of the time. By this I mean the laser (40w) flat out will not touch white PLA for etching.

In short, the H2d is a great printer with a sometimes laser and drag knife. if you plan on spending equal time printing and also doing the other work, the setup and teardown will be a joy killer.

11

Even though BambuStudio allows it as a material, I haven’t had any positive experience with laser processing PLA of any color.

It’s done more harm than good.

For special materials, a UV laser would certainly be a better choice than the blue one. I’m thinking of metal or glass.

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I’m definitely coming around to another poster’s suggestion that it would be good to have different wavelength laser modules to account for material types.

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I’ve had blue lasers from xTool and infrared lasers in the small F1 for metals for years now. But I’ve been waiting forever for a UV laser.

Now they’ve finally introduced one, but it costs 4000 EUR. After my 3000 EUR impulse purchase of the H2C last week, I’m seriously considering it :smiley:

But UV is a must, especially for plastic.

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14

is it possible to use the air filter that bambulab sells for their laser with the xtool M1 ultra? Since I have voachers from Bambulab and could get the filer “for free” from bambulab :slight_smile:

15

What the infrared laser like for engraving or putting text onto PLA & PETG?
I quite like the xTool F1. I’ve heard that the infrared is better for engraving plastics than the blue laser.

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I love the F1 … And yes, Infrared works better on plastic then the blue laser. But both are too hot for plastic. UV is the best for plastic.

Infrared is great for metal. Fiber/CO2 are also for metal - but they are big and can also cut thin metal. Infrared is for marking/engraving on metal.

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do you have experience with the smoke purifier from bambulab for laser machines in general? Can you use it for xtool machines?

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No. It just looks exactly like the first purifier from xTool :smiley: And they now have a really good one in their range with the AP2.

With xTool, for example, the purifier switches on automatically as soon as the laser starts working. I doubt that this automatic function is available if you mix manufacturers :slight_smile: But I assume that it can be done manually. My M1 Ultra, for example, also switches on the IF2 tube fan automatically. That’s very convenient.

However, as I don’t need a purifier because I have a direct extraction system to the outside, I can only verify this through YouTube videos and similar sources.

19

Yes but as you have mentioned, their xTool F2 Ultra UV is £3,500.
If we were doing lots of engraving on plastics then it might me worth it for us.

20

Price wise: Do anyone have experience with the Creality A1 Laser? The Price is pretty good and for some wood engraving and cutting for some small projects maybe this is not to bad at all for a hobby user :sweat_smile: