xTool P2S vs F1 Comparison

CO₂ vs Diode: Which Technology Is Right For You?

Quick Verdict

The xTool P2S ($4,499) is a 55W CO₂ laser with 600mm/s speed and 600×308mm work area — choose it for cutting thick materials up to 20mm and production speed. The xTool F1 ($1,499) is a 10–20W diode with 400mm/s speed and direct metal engraving without coatings — choose it for metals, portability, and lower budget. Both work offline with LightBurn or xTool Creative Space.

2026 UPDATED

HANDS-ON TESTED

DETAILED COMPARISON

Choosing between the xTool P2S and F1 involves deciding between two fundamentally different laser technologies: CO₂ and diode. Each excels at different tasks, materials, and price points.

This comprehensive comparison will help you understand which machine is best suited for your specific needs, whether you're a hobbyist, small business owner, or professional maker looking to optimize your workflow and results.

I've spent months testing both machines across a variety of materials and projects to give you the most accurate, hands-on insights to guide your decision-making process.

🚀 The Next Level: The xTool F2 Ultra

If the F1's capabilities intrigue you but you need industrial-grade power, xTool has released the F2 Ultra. It's a massive leap forward, combining a 60W MOPA Fiber Laser with a 40W Diode Laser.

The F2 Ultra is designed for deep metal engraving, color marking, and cutting thick materials, making it a desktop factory. It's not just an upgrade; it's in a different class.

Is the F2 Ultra worth the investment? Read our in-depth review →

The Competitors

Comparison pick

xTool P2S

PREMIUM

Laser Type: CO₂ Laser
Laser Power: 55W
Engraving Speed: 600mm/s
Work Area: 600 × 308mm
Focus: Auto-focus
Camera: Dual 16MP HD
Price: $4,499

Comparison pick

xTool F1

BEST VALUE

Laser Type: Diode Laser
Laser Power: 10W or 20W
Engraving Speed: 400mm/s
Work Area: 429 × 390mm
Focus: Auto-focus
Camera: 13MP HD
Price: $1,499

Quick Verdict

Choose the P2S if you:

Need to cut thick materials (up to 20mm)
Require maximum cutting and engraving speed
Run a production business where time = money
Work primarily with wood, acrylic, and leather
Have a higher budget ($4,499) and adequate space

Choose the F1 if you:

Need to directly engrave metals without coating
Work mainly with thin materials (under 10mm)
Have limited space for your laser setup
Prefer a more affordable option ($1,499)
Want a machine that's easier to set up and maintain

Side-by-Side Comparison

We've analyzed the key specifications of both machines to help you compare their capabilities at a glance. Specifications marked 'Better' indicate superior performance in that category.

Option A

xTool P2S

Option B

xTool F1

xTool P2SCO₂ Laser

Laser TypeComparable

xTool F1Diode Laser

xTool P2S55W CO₂Advantage

PowerxTool P2S edge

xTool F110W or 20W Diode

xTool P2S600mm/sAdvantage

Max SpeedxTool P2S edge

xTool F1400mm/s

xTool P2S600 × 308mm

Work AreaxTool F1 edge

xTool F1429 × 390mm (larger in one dimension)Advantage

xTool P2SUp to 20mmAdvantage

Material ThicknessxTool P2S edge

xTool F1Up to 10mm

xTool P2SDual 16MP HD camerasAdvantage

Camera SystemxTool P2S edge

xTool F113MP HD camera

xTool P2SRequires coating/marking solution

Metal EngravingxTool F1 edge

xTool F1Direct engravingAdvantage

xTool P2S$4,499

PricexTool F1 edge

xTool F1$1,499 (20W)Advantage

CO₂ vs Diode: Understanding the Technologies

Material Capabilities Compared

P2S Excels With

Thick plywood (up to 20mm)
Thick acrylic (up to 18mm)
MDF and hardwoods
Thick leather (5-8mm)
Fabrics and paper (clean cuts)

F1 Excels With

Metals (direct engraving)
Stainless steel, aluminum
Glass and mirrors
Ceramic and stone
Fine detail engraving

Both Handle Well

Thin plywood (3-6mm)
Thin acrylic (up to 5mm)
Thin leather
Paper and cardboard
Cork and foam

Material Performance Insights

After extensive testing with both machines, I found material-specific performance differences that might influence your decision:

Thick Material Cutting

The P2S cuts through 18mm acrylic in a single pass, while the F1 requires multiple passes for materials over 5mm and struggles beyond 10mm. For woodworkers and fabricators regularly cutting thick materials, the P2S offers significant time savings and cleaner results.

Metal Engraving

The F1 can directly engrave onto stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and brass without any special coatings or marking solutions. The P2S requires marking spray or paste to engrave metals, making the F1 superior for jewelry makers, metalworkers, and trophy/award businesses.

Acrylic Projects

For acrylic signage and projects, the P2S creates crystal-clear, polished edges when cutting, while the F1 tends to produce slightly more frosted edges. However, for engraving on acrylic, both machines perform excellently, with the F1 capable of finer detail work.

Workflow and Software Comparison

Business Applications

Ideal P2S Business Uses

Production Woodworking

For businesses creating wooden signs, boxes, decorations, and architectural elements at scale

Acrylic Fabrication

For creating displays, signage, light fixtures, and promotional items from thick acrylic

High-Volume Production

For businesses where speed and throughput directly impact profitability

Leather Crafting

For cutting and engraving leather goods like wallets, bags, holsters, and decorative items

Ideal F1 Business Uses

Jewelry Engraving

For personalized metal jewelry, rings, pendants, and watches with fine detail work

Trophy & Award Making

For customizing metal trophies, plaques, medals, and recognition awards

Mobile Engraving Service

For on-site personalization at events, markets, or client locations due to compact size

Small-Scale Production

For startups and side businesses with limited space and budget but needing professional results

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about xTool P2S vs F1 lasers

The xTool P2S uses a 55W CO₂ laser that excels at cutting thick materials and delivering high-speed performance, while the F1 uses a 10W or 20W diode laser that's more affordable, more compact, and better at direct metal engraving. The P2S offers faster speeds (600mm/s vs 400mm/s) and can cut thicker materials (up to 20mm vs 10mm), while the F1 costs significantly less ($1,499 vs $4,499) and has a wider working area in one dimension.

The P2S works better with thicker materials (up to 20mm) including wood, acrylic, and leather. It's ideal for rapid cutting of plywood, MDF, and thick acrylic. The F1 excels at direct metal engraving (stainless steel, aluminum, copper) without requiring marking solutions. It also works well with thin woods, leather, paper, and cardboard, but struggles with thick or dense materials.

The P2S is worth the extra cost if you regularly cut thick materials (over 10mm), need the fastest possible working speeds, or run a production business where time savings justify the investment. The F1 offers better value for hobbyists, beginners, and those primarily focused on metal engraving or working with thinner materials.

Both the xTool P2S and F1 can work offline. They connect via USB or Wi-Fi to your computer and work with offline software like LightBurn or xTool Creative Space. Unlike cloud-only lasers like Glowforge, both xTool machines offer flexibility to operate without internet connectivity.

For a small business, the choice depends on your products and volume. Choose the P2S if you: cut thick materials, need maximum production speed, or create large quantities of items. Choose the F1 if you: primarily engrave metals, work with thinner materials, have space constraints, or need to minimize initial investment while still offering professional-quality results.

Final Verdict

PREMIUM

BEST VALUE

After extensive testing of both the xTool P2S and F1, it's clear these machines serve different needs and budgets. The choice ultimately depends on your specific requirements:

P2S is the better choice if...

You regularly work with thick materials, run a production business where time savings directly impact your bottom line, or need the versatility and cutting power of a CO₂ laser for complex projects.

F1 is the better choice if...

You need direct metal engraving capabilities, are on a tighter budget, have limited space, or primarily work with thinner materials and fine detail work.

Shop xTool P2S Shop xTool F1 Compare All Laser Cutters

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