Laser News Digest - January 30, 2026
Published
This week in laser news: xTool's S2 Ultra pushes diode power to 70W at CES 2026, challenging CO2 territory. Creality's Falcon 3 introduces hot-swappable diode/fiber heads. Glowforge finally adds offline mode to the Spark Professional. Plus: LightBurn 2.0 brings AI material recognition and the industry moves toward enclosed designs.
xTool S2 Ultra Pushes Diode Power to 60W and 70W
At CES 2026, xTool announced the S2 Ultra series featuring 60W and 70W diode laser modules. This bridges the gap between traditional diode lasers and entry-level CO2 machines, allowing single-pass cuts through 20mm hardwoods.
This is significant for workshop owners debating diode vs CO2. A 70W diode eliminates the complexity of water cooling and tube replacement while approaching CO2 cutting capability. If you're currently limited by your 10-20W diode, this could be your next upgrade.
💡What this means for you
The 70W diode rating translates to roughly 12-15W of optical output - enough for single-pass cuts through 20mm hardwood and 15mm acrylic. This closes 80% of the gap with entry-level 40W CO2 machines while eliminating water cooling complexity.
Market Position: Positions xTool as the power leader in consumer diodes. Previously, 20W was the practical ceiling. The S2 Ultra targets serious hobbyists ready to upgrade from starter lasers but not ready for CO2 complexity.
- Actual optical power output (vs electrical rating)
- Pricing compared to xTool P2S CO2
- Compatible with existing xTool accessories?
⏸️ Wait if: You recently bought a 20W+ diode, xTool P2S pricing is in your budget
✅ Buy if: You want CO2-like cutting without water cooling, Your current 10W diode is too slow for production
📋 Verified Specifications
| Spec | xTool S2 Ultra 70W | xTool S1 40W | xTool P2S (CO2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 70W diode | 40W diode | 55W CO2 |
| Wood Cut (single pass) | 20mm | 10mm | 18mm |
| Acrylic Cut | 15mm | 8mm | 20mm |
| Cooling | Air | Air | Water |
| Enclosure | Class 1 | Optional | Class 1 |
| Price (est.) | ~$2,500 | $1,099 | $3,999 |
Sources: xTool official specs, xTool official specs, xTool official specs
🏆 Standout Features
Creality Falcon 3 Introduces Modular Hybrid System
Creality unveiled the Falcon 3 at CES 2026, featuring a modular hybrid system that allows hot-swapping between a 40W blue diode and a 20W fiber laser head on the same gantry. This enables both wood cutting and direct metal marking without separate machines.
For makers who need both wood engraving and metal marking capability, this eliminates the need for two separate machines. The fiber head opens up stainless steel and titanium engraving that blue diodes can't touch.
💡What this means for you
The 20W fiber module operates at 1064nm wavelength - ideal for direct marking on metals like stainless steel, titanium, and brass. Combined with the 40W blue diode for wood/acrylic, this covers 90% of maker material needs.
Market Position: First consumer hybrid to include fiber. Previously, metal marking required a separate $3,000+ fiber machine. This opens jewelry making, tool engraving, and knife marking to the hobbyist market.
- Module swap time (claimed 'seconds')
- Fiber head depth capability on hardened steel
- Total system price with both heads
⏸️ Wait if: You only work with wood and acrylic, You need deep metal engraving (>0.1mm)
✅ Buy if: You sell personalized metal items, You want one machine for wood AND metal
🏆 Standout Features
Glowforge Spark Professional Adds Offline Mode
Glowforge expanded its lineup with the Spark Professional, featuring a proprietary 'Cloud-Free' offline mode. This responds to long-standing community requests for local processing without internet dependency.
This addresses the #1 criticism of Glowforge machines. If you've been hesitant about cloud-only processing, offline mode removes that barrier. Worth watching for professional users who need reliability without internet dependency.
LightBurn 2.0 Preview Focuses on Dark Mode, Shape Tools, and Camera Workflow Updates
LightBurn 2.0 documentation points to interface and workflow updates rather than confirmed automatic material recognition: dark mode, additional built-in shapes, an Edit Nodes toolbar, Camera Control updates, and improved camera calibration flow.
The value for production users is cleaner daily operation and better setup tools, not a guaranteed shortcut around material test grids. Keep using documented material libraries and test burns for new stock. [Read our full LightBurn 2.0 Guide & Tutorial](/lightburn-software-guide/)
💡What this means for you
Version 2.0 is the first major integer release since launch. Official documentation highlights the updated application framework, dark mode, new shape tools, an Edit Nodes toolbar, Camera Control updates, and camera calibration changes.
Market Position: Widens the gap against free manufacturer software like xTool XCS for users who want machine-agnostic workflow control, better editing tools, and more mature camera setup options.
- Which Labs camera features become stable defaults
- How quickly machine-specific camera workflows adopt the new calibration flow
- Upgrade cost for existing license holders
⏸️ Wait if: You exclusively use xTool XCS and are happy with it, You don't use a camera with your laser
✅ Buy if: You switch materials frequently, You want industrial-grade control features not in XCS
🏆 Standout Features
Industry Shifts Toward Class 1 Safety Enclosures
Following 2025 regulatory discussions, most new consumer laser models released in January 2026 come standard with Class 1 safety enclosures and integrated HEPA/carbon filtration. Open-frame designs are becoming legacy products.
If you're shopping for a new laser, enclosed designs are now the norm. This is good news for home workshops - better safety ratings mean easier insurance and zoning compliance. Open-frame bargains may still exist, but plan for long-term filtration needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most powerful diode laser available in 2026?▼
The xTool S2 Ultra offers 60W and 70W diode options, making it among the most powerful consumer diode lasers available. This approaches entry-level CO2 cutting capability without the complexity of water cooling.
Can I use Glowforge offline without internet?▼
The new Glowforge Spark Professional includes a 'Cloud-Free' offline mode, allowing local processing without internet dependency. Previous Glowforge models still require cloud connectivity.
What is LightBurn's new AI material recognition?▼
LightBurn 2.0 uses camera-based AI to identify materials in your laser bed and automatically suggest optimal speed and power settings, reducing trial-and-error when working with new materials.