Makera Z1 buyer desk

Makera Z1 vs Z1 Pro: what does the extra $400 buy?

The choice is mostly hidden inside the motion system. Both machines share the same work area and spindle; Pro adds closed-loop steppers, ball screws, and faster published travel.

Makera supplied the Z1 Pro and accessories for this evaluation. Our first project on it, a walnut cutting board, is in the bench log below. Measured shop results will be added here as each bench test is completed.

Compare the two Compare desktop CNCs

Makera Z1 enclosed desktop CNC with its spindle and work area visible — Standard Z1 shown. The review unit in our shop is the Z1 Pro.

Store statusIn stock in the US

Z1 price$1,399

Z1 Pro price$1,799

Review unitZ1 Pro bench log started

Checked October 2, 2026

Quick answer

Buy the motion system your work will actually use.

Choose Z1 if most jobs are wood, plastic, PCB work, or lighter cuts and the $400 belongs in tooling, workholding, and dust control.

Choose Z1 Pro if aluminum or brass is a real part of the plan, faster travel matters, or you value closed-loop motion feedback. Makera says both editions have the same precision at low speed, so Pro should earn its price through tougher and faster work, not a vague promise of better accuracy.

Z1 or Z1 Pro

The published differences that can change the decision.

Everything in this table comes from Makera's current product listing. The right column is our buyer interpretation, with the untested claims kept on a short leash.

Makera Z1 and Z1 Pro specification comparison
Difference	Z1	Z1 Pro	Why it matters
Motor feedback	NEMA 17 stepper motors	NEMA 17 closed-loop stepper motors	The Pro can detect a motion fault instead of assuming every commanded step happened.
Drive system	Acme lead screws	Ball screws	The Pro is the more credible choice for faster movement and demanding material work.
Maximum travel	1,200 mm/min	2,000 mm/min	Published maximum travel is about 67% higher on Pro; actual job-time savings still need testing.
Current price	$1,399	$1,799	The current upgrade cost is $400. Both prices were checked on the same official listing.

Makera Z1

$1,399

Makera regular price; no discount listed

Motor: NEMA 17 stepper motors
Drive: 12 mm linear rails + Acme lead screws
Maximum travel: 1,200 mm/min

Wood, plastics, softer materials, and buyers who value the lower entry price.

Makera Z1 Pro

$1,799

Makera regular price; no discount listed

Motor: NEMA 17 closed-loop stepper motors
Drive: 12 mm linear rails + ball screws
Maximum travel: 2,000 mm/min

More aggressive parameters, metal work, higher travel speed, and closed-loop fault detection.

Z1 Pro bench log

What our Z1 Pro has cut so far, and what we have not measured yet.

Start with our finished walnut citrus board, then follow the logo cutting on the FSU board. The notes below cover the setup, the cuts and what we learned.

Entry 1 · First finished project

Walnut cutting board

First logged test began September 18, 2026 · Outline cut October 1 · Result accepted as a first version October 2, 2026 · Makera Studio 0.1.2.0

Makera supplied the Z1 Pro and accessories for this evaluation. Makera links on this page may be affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them. We shared these notes with Makera before publication so it could point out factual errors; it did not approve our wording or conclusions.

Finished walnut cutting board with a rounded rectangular juice groove and an orange at the back right. — The finished walnut board, with its juice groove and rounded corners.

Our first Makera Z1 Pro woodworking project became a small walnut cutting board for a whisky tray. The first logged test began on September 18, 2026; the outline followed on October 1, and the result was accepted as a first version on October 2, 2026.

The blank was reported at about 8 × 5½ inches and roughly 13/16 inch thick by ruler. The revised outline targeted about 7.33 × 4.83 inches with rounded corners. Those are stock estimates and design targets, not measurements of the finished board’s accuracy.

Walnut board: cutting the rounded outline

Actual outline-cutting footage, shown at 3× speed, traces the rounded board perimeter inside the square retained waste frame. The square outside the cut is waste, not the board outline. The labelled turn illustration explains the setup; it is not footage of the physical turn.

Makera supplied the Z1 Pro and accessories for this evaluation.

Music: “Loopster” — Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Music excerpted, faded and level-adjusted. The original machining recordings are silent; these edits contain no narration or represented machine audio.

Read the descriptive transcript

0:00–0:03 Actual machine-camera footage, shown at 3× speed, follows the first reachable half of the rounded board outline.
0:03–0:06 A label identifies the square outside the rounded cut as the retained waste frame, not the board outline.
0:06–0:08 A labelled illustration turns the entire board and retained waste frame 180 degrees with the same face up. This is an explanation of the setup, not footage of the physical turn.
0:08–0:11 Actual machine-camera footage, shown at 3× speed, follows the opposite half of the perimeter through a corner.
0:11–0:14 The rounded board outline is visible inside the square waste frame, with the cut piece still attached. Release and hand finishing were not filmed.
0:14–0:17 After release and hand finishing, a finished-board photograph appears with text recording sanding with 80 grit, then 120 grit, followed by cutting-board oil.
0:17–0:20 An orange rests on the finished walnut board. On-screen text places the small board in its intended whisky-tray setting.

Three stages from blank to finished board

Cut the juice groove
After a scrap coupon, the groove became the first operation on the walnut blank. Studio’s displayed time was substantially longer than our earlier estimate of roughly seven minutes. Fine lettering followed, but the first pass was too light and the later outline redesign removed the original engraving border.
21 min 51 sStudio-displayed operation time; not total project time
Cut the outline in two positions
A shallow proof pass checked placement. We cut one reachable half, turned the whole board and connected frame 180 degrees with the same face up, then cut the opposite half.
Approximately 16 min 44 s for each halfMachine-log intervals; rotation and setup between halves excluded
Release and hand-finish the board
After the connected outline came off the machine, we sanded with 80 grit and then 120 grit before applying cutting-board oil.

The outline used two setups. We cut one reachable half, rotated the entire board and retained waste frame 180 degrees while keeping the same face upward, then cut the opposite half. Tabs and a thin bottom layer kept the assembly connected. This was not an underside-machining operation; tab removal and final sanding remained separate finishing work.

Angled view of the finished walnut board showing the near edge, board thickness, groove and an orange. — The angled view shows the edge, thickness and groove after hand finishing.

A cut-glass tumbler and an orange resting on the finished walnut board. — A glass and orange show the small board in its intended whisky-tray setting.

There is nothing more satisfying to me than seeing cutting edge tech work the way I imagine it to work. A lot of times companies make big promises but the production falls short. The Makera Z1 Pro has impressed me in every cut so far. Granted, we are just getting started, but to see my toolpaths execute with precision, the fine detail of the bits and the cuts-like-butter motion of the spindle at 12,000 rpm I am left smiling, and running in from my garage to tell my wife all about each cut like my 7 year old does about her projects. Tech makes me feel like a kid again; to push boundaries and see those ideas come to life is why I got into this in the first place. Makera brought that out for me and I look forward to continued testing, which I will share soon. Lots to go.

The Crafty Catsman

What this first board taught us

The walnut outline cutting looked smooth and controlled. We were pleased with the path placement and felt the machine might tolerate more aggressive passes. We did not test deeper stepdowns, so its additional capacity remains an impression.
The shallow proof pass was useful. It let us inspect placement before committing to the deeper outline.
Automatic dust collection worked on confirmed runs. We also had a run where the expected fan behavior was missing. Checking the launch settings and actual collector response mattered; this was not a measured dust-capture test.
The lettering was our call. The first lettering pass was too light. That was our design and depth choice on a first attempt, not a machine limit; as we put it at the bench, “the lettering pass was my fault not Makera’s.” Going deeper improved it, but it still looked thin, and the later outline redesign sacrificed the original engraving border.
Setup needed attention. Initial probe checks took attention during setup. Collet changes have been the persistent difficulty: the collet lock does not hold well enough for us to loosen the collet, so we hold it tight with a pair of pliers. That is our experience with this machine so far, not a finding about every Z1 Pro.

These are operation timings only. The outline intervals exclude the turn and setup work between halves, and neither timing category represents total project time.

Not measured in this entry

Finished board dimensions and accuracy · groove width and depth · lettering depth · edge radius · surface finish on a set scale · noise · dust capture · total project time.

Detailed programmed settings9 logged operations · expand the full record

Programmed settings for each step, and what we saw: impressions, not measurements. These document our setup, not optimized settings for every walnut board.
Step	Cutter	Programmed settings	What we saw
Scrap coupon	2 mm-tip tapered ball nose, 6 mm shank	12,000 rpm · 500 mm/min feed · 200 mm/min plunge · Four 0.25 mm passes to 1.00 mm	Completed; passed our first look
Juice groove	2 mm-tip tapered ball nose, 6 mm shank	12,000 rpm · 500 mm/min feed · 200 mm/min plunge · 0.25 mm steps to 1.00 mm, then widening passes	Completed; width and depth not measured
Lettering, first pass	0.5 mm-tip tapered ball nose, 6 mm shank	12,000 rpm · 500 mm/min feed · 200 mm/min plunge · 0.10 mm deep	Too light: our design and depth choice on a first attempt, not a machine limit. In our words: “the lettering pass was my fault not Makera’s”
Lettering, second pass	0.5 mm-tip tapered ball nose, 6 mm shank	12,000 rpm · 500 mm/min feed · 200 mm/min plunge · 0.20 mm total	Better, but still looked thin; later lost to the outline redesign
Shallow proof pass	3.175 × 25 mm single-flute flat end mill	10,000 rpm · 1,000 mm/min feed · 300 mm/min plunge · One 0.5 mm pass	Placement looked correct
Outline, first half	3.175 × 25 mm single-flute flat end mill	10,000 rpm · 1,000 mm/min feed · 300 mm/min plunge · 0.5 mm stepdowns, reaching 19.5 mm in selected sections	Completed. In our words: “smooth like butter”
Outline, second half (board and frame rotated 180°, same face up)	3.175 × 25 mm single-flute flat end mill	10,000 rpm · 1,000 mm/min feed · 300 mm/min plunge · Same as the first half	Completed
Top-edge finishing, first half	2 × 12 mm two-flute ball nose	12,000 rpm · 500 mm/min feed · 200 mm/min plunge · 0.8 mm edge-radius target	Completed
Top-edge finishing, second half	2 × 12 mm two-flute ball nose	12,000 rpm · 550 mm/min feed · 200 mm/min plunge · Same target, feed raised 10%	Physical contact uncertain

The finished board is useful proof of this first project, while the unmeasured list still defines what it cannot establish. The next useful step is controlled testing with repeatable setup and measurement.

See the next bench entry

Entry 2 · Process record

FSU spear board: the logo-face progression

Recorded October 5, 2026 · Four logo-face stages · Walnut

Makera supplied the Z1 Pro and accessories for this evaluation. Makera links on this page may be affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them.

This process entry follows four recorded stages of the walnut logo face: clearing the circular field, roughing the larger features, building lettering with a smaller cutter and refining the remaining detail.

FSU logo: the machining progression

Four logo-face stages from separate machine-camera timelapses, followed by a later view of the machined face still clamped.

Makera supplied the Z1 Pro and accessories for this evaluation.

Read the descriptive transcript

0:00–0:03 The film opens on the recognizable walnut logo face with the 1 mm cutter moving. On-screen text says, “A logo takes shape in walnut.”
0:03–0:08 The sequence resets to the first stage, clearing the circular field. The Makera supplied-unit disclosure begins.
0:08–0:15 The 3.175 mm cutter roughs the larger logo features. The supplied-unit disclosure remains visible.
0:15–0:21 The 2 mm cutter reaches more of the lettering. This is an intermediate state, so some lettering remains incomplete.
0:21–0:30 The 1 mm cutter follows the remaining fine features and lettering.
0:30–0:35 A separate later view shows the machined logo face still clamped. On-screen text says bench finishing comes later, and the music credit appears.

Four recorded logo-face stages

Clear the circular field
3.175 × 25 mm flat end mill
The first recorded logo operation clears the recessed circular field.
Rough the larger logo features
3.175 × 25 mm flat end mill
A second program establishes the larger logo shapes and depth levels.
Build the lettering
2 × 8 mm flat end mill
The smaller cutter reaches medium-width logo areas and part of the lettering. The partial lettering seen at this stage was expected.
Refine the fine detail
1 × 3 mm flat end mill
The finest recorded pass reaches remaining lettering and details and finishes the logo walls.

These selected clips come from separate machine-camera timelapses, and the closing still-clamped view is later evidence. This entry does not establish a released or finished board, additional machine time or total project time.

See the next tests

What does not change

Both editions start with the same machining envelope.

The spindle, work area, resolution, and optional accessory path do not explain the $400 gap. The motors, screws, and travel speed do.

Work area

200 x 200 x 100 mm

Spindle

150 W closed-loop, 0-13,000 RPM

Tool changes

Manual quick tool changer

Resolution

0.02 mm

Optional laser

5 W module

Optional rotary

80 mm diameter x 150 mm length

Price and timing

Both machines are listed as in stock in the US.

Checked October 2, 2026, Makera lists Z1 at $1,399 and Z1 Pro at $1,799, its regular prices with no discount listed. In stock is the store's current status, not a delivery guarantee. Check the selected edition, accessories, shipping, taxes, and final total before placing an order.

Check Z1 and Z1 Pro at Makera

Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Makera supplied our Z1 Pro review unit.

Next Z1 Pro bench tests

The test starts where the spec table stops.

Maximum travel and metal compatibility are easy to publish. The useful questions are how long a clean part takes, what breaks the workflow, and whether Pro saves enough time or failed work to justify the difference.

Our first project is logged in the bench log above. Measured results will appear here as each test is completed.

First project logged; not yet measured

Setup to first clean cut

Unboxing, calibration, workholding, software setup, file preparation, and the time until a usable part comes off the machine.

Repeatability and recovery

Repeated parts, restarts, tool changes, interrupted jobs, and whether closed-loop motion produces a practical advantage in the shop.

Wood, aluminum, and brass

The same measured files across easy and demanding stock, with cut quality, cycle time, rejected parts, and cleanup recorded.

Fourth-axis work

Setup, alignment, usable dimensions, surface finish, registration, and the extra labor hidden behind a successful rotary result.

Noise, dust, and daily use

Measured sound, extraction needs, access for bit changes, software friction, maintenance, and the space the full workflow occupies.

What remains open

Real cycle-time difference, metal finish at useful settings, closed-loop recovery behavior, fourth-axis setup, extraction needs, software friction, maintenance, and total job cost.

Keep comparing

Z1 is only the start of the desktop CNC ladder.

Compare desktop CNC machines Read the Carvera Air guide See the Makera family Compare a budget router we own Browse the CNC workshop shelf

Makera Z1 and Z1 Pro questions

Prices and shipping can change. The mechanical differences below are drawn from Makera's current listing.

Both machines share the 200 x 200 x 100 mm work area, 150 W closed-loop spindle, quick tool changer, and accessory path. Z1 uses open-loop stepper motors, Acme lead screws, and a 1,200 mm/min maximum travel speed. Z1 Pro uses closed-loop steppers, ball screws, and a 2,000 mm/min maximum travel speed.

Checked October 2, 2026, Makera lists Z1 at $1,399 and Z1 Pro at $1,799, its regular prices with no discount listed. Confirm the selected machine, bundle, shipping, and final checkout total on Makera before buying.

The published upgrade is most relevant for buyers planning metal work, higher travel speeds, or who value closed-loop motion feedback. Buyers focused on wood, plastic, and lighter settings may get more value from the standard Z1. The real cycle-time and recovery differences still need same-shop testing.

Makera positions both editions for materials including aluminum and brass. Material capability does not establish a productive feed rate or finish by itself, so the bench plan for our Z1 Pro review unit includes measured aluminum and brass jobs.

No. Z1 and Z1 Pro use a manual quick tool changer. It is designed to make tool changes easier, but an operator still changes the tool.

Checked October 2, 2026, Makera's store lists both editions as in stock in the US. That is the store's current status, not a delivery date, so confirm the live listing and your checkout estimate.

Sources and changes

What supports this page.

Makera Z1 and Z1 Pro product pageCurrent prices, US stock status, edition differences, shared specifications, accessories, and shipping language.Makera product dataCurrent and compare-at prices for the selectable Z1 and Z1 Pro variants.

October 26, 2026 - added three finished walnut-board photographs, the confirmed sanding and oil finish, a short walnut build film, and a separate FSU logo-machining film. The full programmed settings remain available in the bench log.

October 26, 2026 - added our first Z1 Pro bench entry: a walnut cutting board cut on September 18 and October 1, with the cutters, speeds and feeds we programmed and two run times we logged. We did not measure the finished board's dimensions, the machine's noise or its dust capture for this entry.

October 26, 2026 - correction: an earlier version of the September 25 note below said our Z1 Pro review unit arrived in the shop that day. The unit arrived on September 1, 2026; September 25 is the day we updated this page.

October 2, 2026 - rechecked Makera's store: both editions are now listed as in stock in the US at $1,399 and $1,799, with no pre-order or sale pricing.

September 25, 2026 - updated this page: our Z1 Pro review unit is in the shop, and the bench section now lists the tests we plan to run. Rechecked Makera's prices and added its October 1 MSRP increase.

August 20, 2026 - shipment tracking confirmed for our Z1 Pro review unit; its status moved from incoming to in transit.

August 20, 2026 - rebuilt around the current Z1 and Z1 Pro editions, prices, motion systems, preorder timing, and incoming bench plan.

August 10, 2026 - corrected the Z1 spindle range to the official 0-13,000 RPM.

Makera's listing is the source for the product facts above. The buying interpretation and future test results are The Crafty Catsman's. Current official listing: Makera Z1 desktop CNC.