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Compare machines

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.

Machine 1

Machine 2

Machine 3

Specifications compared
	CO2 laserGlowforge Pro HD	CO2 laserGlowforge Plus HD	Diode laserGlowforge Aura
Type	CO2 laser	CO2 laser	Diode laser
Technology	45W CO2 glass laser tube (10,600 nm), enclosed desktop laser with Pro Passthrough slot — Glowforge Performance Series	40W CO2 glass laser tube (10,600 nm), fully enclosed desktop laser — Glowforge Performance Series	6W blue diode laser, 450 nm, enclosed craft laser with Passthrough — Glowforge Craft Series
Laser power	45W CO2 (rated)	40W CO2 (rated)	6W diode
Work area	495 × 279 mm — Cutting area approx. 19.5 in (495 mm) wide x 11 in (279 mm) deep; max material width 20 in (515 mm); Passthrough allows material up to 1/4 in (6.3 mm) high, 20 in wide and 'as long as desired'	495 × 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	305 × 305 mm — Max cutting area 12 x 12 in (converted ≈ 305 x 305 mm); 12 in x unlimited with 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)	"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)	"Both Glowforge Spark and Glowforge Aura can cut materials up to 1/4" thick, and engrave materials up to 3/4" thick with the cutting tray removed." (glowforge.com/b/craft FAQ)
Enclosed	Yes — fully enclosed	Yes — fully enclosed	Yes — fully enclosed
Laser class	Class 4 laser product (because of the pass-through slots), per the Glowforge HD manual; LSO training materials supplied	Class 1 laser product containing an embedded Class 4 CO2 laser (Glowforge HD manual)	Class 1 laser product containing an embedded Class 4 laser
Camera	Lid-mounted wide-angle camera plus head-mounted macro camera (autofocus); 'Live Camera View HD' and Preview Mode (HD models)	Lid-mounted wide-angle camera plus head-mounted macro camera (autofocus); 'Live Camera View HD' and Preview Mode (HD models)	Lid-mounted wide-angle camera plus head-mounted macro camera for autofocus; live camera view and Preview Mode
Air assist	built-in	built-in	built-in
Software	Glowforge app (free, web-based, internet required); optional Glowforge Premium subscription	Glowforge app (free, web-based, internet required); optional Glowforge Premium subscription	Glowforge app (free, web-based, internet required); optional Glowforge Premium subscription
Connectivity	Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz b/g/n); no wired Ethernet port	Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz b/g/n); no wired Ethernet port	Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz b/g/n)
Released	2024	2024	2023
Weight	—	—	8.6 kg
Strengths	45W CO2 laser — the most powerful current Glowforge Pro Passthrough slot for material of unlimited length (up to 1/4 in thick and 20 in wide) Dual cameras with HD live view, Preview Mode and autofocus CO2 laser handles clear acrylic and engraves glass, unlike the diode Craft models	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	Class 1 enclosed design with lid interlocks 12 × 12 in (about 305 × 305 mm) cutting area plus a Passthrough for longer pieces Cuts materials up to 1/4 in thick; engraves objects up to 3/4 in tall with the tray removed (Glowforge) Weighs 8.6 kg (19 lb) Glowforge says it is certified to EN/IEC 62368-1 and EN/IEC 60825-1 by TÜV Rheinland
Things to consider	Class 4 laser product because of the passthrough slots; Glowforge supplies Laser Safety Officer training materials 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	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	Diode laser: Glowforge lists glass, clear, white and blue acrylic, vinyl and Draftboard as incompatible Warranty covers normal single-family household use, not business or continuous use Needs Wi-Fi and an internet connection to start prints Vent through a window or use Glowforge’s optional Craft Laser Filter
Who it suits	Small businesses, schools and makers who need the fastest Glowforge and long-format work via passthrough.	Home businesses, classrooms and makers who want a Class 1 enclosed CO2 laser with camera-guided placement.	Home crafters who want an enclosed, camera-guided laser for wood, leather, paper and opaque acrylic projects.
Where to buy	View on glowforge.com (official site)	View on glowforge.com (official site)	View on glowforge.com (official site)

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