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Pick up to three laser cutters, engravers or 3D printers. Every figure comes from the maker’s own pages; blank means the maker doesn’t say.

Specifications compared
CO2 laserGlowforge Plus HD
TypeCO2 laser
Technology40W CO2 glass laser tube (10,600 nm), fully enclosed desktop laser — Glowforge Performance Series
Laser power40W CO2 (rated)
Work area495 × 279 mm — Cutting area approx. 19.5 in (495 mm) wide x 11 in (279 mm) deep; max material 20 in (515 mm) wide x 18 in (455 mm) deep; no passthrough
Max cut (maker’s claim)"Glowforge Pro and Plus perform well with many materials 1/4 in (0.6 cm) and less on a single pass. They can accommodate material as thick as 1/2 in (1.2 cm), but may require multiple passes or flipping the material over." (glowforge.com/b/materials FAQ)
EnclosedYes — fully enclosed
Laser classClass 1 laser product containing an embedded Class 4 CO2 laser (Glowforge HD manual)
CameraLid-mounted wide-angle camera plus head-mounted macro camera (autofocus); 'Live Camera View HD' and Preview Mode (HD models)
Air assistbuilt-in
SoftwareGlowforge app (free, web-based, internet required); optional Glowforge Premium subscription
ConnectivityWi-Fi (2.4 GHz b/g/n); no wired Ethernet port
Released2024
Strengths
  • 40W CO2 laser in a Class 1 enclosure
  • Dual cameras with HD live view, Preview Mode and autofocus
  • About 495 × 279 mm cutting area; takes material up to 20 in (515 mm) wide
  • CO2 laser handles clear acrylic and engraves glass, unlike the diode Craft models
Things to consider
  • No passthrough slot, so material length is limited to the bed
  • Needs Wi-Fi and an internet connection to start prints; no Ethernet port
  • Large: 965 × 527 × 210 mm
  • Vent outdoors (hose to a window) or use Glowforge’s optional Performance Laser Filter
  • Glowforge doesn’t publish a weight for the HD models
Who it suitsHome businesses, classrooms and makers who want a Class 1 enclosed CO2 laser with camera-guided placement.
Where to buyView on glowforge.com (official site)

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