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If you love crafting and making things or have been thinking about getting a laser cutter and engraver, we’re sharing the perfect tool for you.
Until recently, lasers seemed like something you’d only have in a fancy workshop, but there’s a bit of a revolution going on, and laser engraving and cutting machines are more affordable than ever.
Our new laser cutter is one of the best tools we’ve ever tried, and we’re sharing a full xTool P2 review so you can decide if it’s right for you, too!
I do have one big warning, though…
It’s addictive – in a good way – and once you start making and engraving things, it’s hard to stop. Once you realise the endless amount of things you can make, you’ll be hooked. You’ll find thousands of ideas just pop into your head, and you will want to make them all.
What is an xTool P2?
The xTool P2 is a powerful 55W CO2 laser and engraving machine. Although it may seem daunting, it’s actually very intuitive and safe to use.
It’s a premium CO2 laser perfect for starting a small business. It can cut a wide variety of materials, has dual cameras so you can easily position your projects, and has lots of features – it can even engrave curved surfaces. Oh, and it looks great, too.
What kind of things can I make with a P2 laser cutter and engraver?
We made all of the projects in this post with the xTool P2. The possibilities are endless.
You can make wall art, personalised engraved items, earrings, ornaments for the holidays, wedding signs and favours, keychains, puzzles, toys and gifts.
As avid DIYers and home improvers, we always look for ways to update our home. The laser is surprisingly helpful when making little bespoke items that you’d end up paying a fortune for if you had to have them made.
In addition to making pretty items, like a chandelier, some map art, and some super cute bee coasters.
We also built a little box to cover our electricity meter and a cover for our letterbox, which is a non-standard size (we’ll share more on these soon!). Both of these would have cost a lot of money if we’d had to commission someone to make them, but with the help of the P2, we created something completely bespoke for a fraction of the cost.
What can you cut and engrave with an xTool P2 laser?
There are not many materials that the P2 can’t cut and engrave. It can even cut acrylic and engrave curved surfaces! It’s a CO2 laser, so it can cut materials that aren’t possible with a diode laser.
The xTool P2’s laser is extremely powerful. It can cut through 18mm black walnut and 20mm thick acrylic in a single pass.
What can it cut?
- Wood – including pine, oak, maple, birch, walnut, cherry, plywood and basswood
- Acrylic – in all colours, including clear and mirrored
- Fabric – including cotton, polyester, silk, linen and polyamide
- Leather
- Felt pads
- Rubber
- Cork
- Cardboard
- Paper
It can’t cut
- Metal – it can only be engraved
- Glass – it can only be engraved
What can it engrave?
- Wood
- Acrylic/ Plexiglass (in all colours, including clear)
- Glass
- Ceramic
- Metals like coated metal, anodized aluminium alloy, and titanium steel
The xTool P2 Design & Features
What makes an xTool P2 laser special?
The xTool M1 we also have feels high-quality, but the P2 laser is next level. It has a premium finish. The xTool P2 is a sleek-looking white box. It has a pneumatic lid that floats open and closed. It has dual cameras which make it easy to position your artwork.
It comes with a built-in air assist, which helps keep the smoke from covering the lens and keeps your materials from charring.
xTool P2 Stats and Measurements
You can check all of the detailed specs on the xTool website, but here’s a quick overview.
- Size of Machine: 1000 x 639 x 346mm
- xTool P2 Working Area: 600 x 305mm
- Laser: 55W CO2 laser
- Camera: Two built-in 16MP cameras
- Connects to your computer via USB(C), WiFi and Ethernet
- Maximum Speed: 600mm/s (for engraving)
- Maximum material thickness: 64mm (and up to 215 mm with a riser base)
- Works with MacOS. Windows. Android, iOS and iPad
- Weight: 45kg
- Software: free xTool Creative Space and/or LightBurn
What’s in the P2 box?
The xTool P2 comes in a huge and very heavy box with lots to unpack. All the essentials, like the exhaust hose, cables, screwdriver, and Allen key, are included. It even comes with a small selection of materials to start crafting straight away.
The only thing you need to add yourself is purified water. This has to be mixed with antifreeze (which is included).
Setup & Software
The xTool P2 comes fully assembled. Before using it, you just need to install the exhaust hose and antifreeze solution. It’s also a good idea to run a test to check that all the lasers and mirrors are still aligned.
There are lots of YouTube videos showing you exactly how to set up your xTool P2 laser, but it’s really not difficult to do, and I love how xTool have added little green tabs to any part you have to unscrew or remove so there’s no chance of you missing anything.
From start to finish, it took about 30 minutes to unbox everything and set up the laser.
The free software – xTool Creative Space – is also very easy and intuitive. The dropdown menu has dozens of materials with pre-set recommended engraving and cutting settings, but you can add your own and adjust the settings if you want.
The xTool P2 also supports LightBurn, which is the industry standard software when it comes to laser cutting and engraving. We only use Creative Space, which is great and easy to use. You can easily import your cutting files and even design your projects straight in Creative Space.
xTool P2 Accessories
xTool P2 Honeycomb Panel
It is perfect for cutting small materials, and it comes with pins to hold the material in place while you cut it so it can’t move.
Automatic Conveyor Feeder
This has to be one of the best laser cutter accessories available, and I really want one. The automatic conveyor feeder allows you to cut and engrave larger areas – up to 3 meters long! Just think of all of the fantastic things you could create with it!
The software automatically calculates how quickly the material has to be pushed through the conveyor and does all of the work for you.
xTool P2 Riser Base
The riser base allows you to increase the work height of the laser, allowing you to cut and engrave taller items.
xTool RA2 Pro
This cool rotary tool allows you to engrave cylindrical objects like cups, glasses, rings, baseball bats, rolling pins, etc.
Fire Safety Set
It automatically detects flames, triggers an alarm and cuts power to your machine. After a few seconds of sounding the alarm, it will automatically release CO2 gas into the enclosed laser and extinguish the fire. You should still never leave your machine unattended, though!
xTool P2 Safety Features
Lasers are powerful tools that can cause a lot of damage if not used correctly. They can damage your eyes and skin. They also produce a lot of fumes and smoke while cutting and engraving.
The P2 has many safety features to keep you as safe as possible when using it, but you should always be careful when using a laser. Never leave it unattended, and keep a fire extinguisher close by just in case of an emergency.
Enclosed Design & Automatic Lock
With the enclosed design and the light-filtering lid, there is no need to worry about light or smoke leakage. The machine’s lid also automatically locks up during use, which is great for households with children or pets – although I’d personally still keep them away from the laser when in use.
Open lasers scare me, and I’m always paranoid that I’ll damage my eyes. The xTool P2’s enclosed design makes it much safer to use.
Emergency Stop Button
The xTool P2 has a built-in emergency stop button for a quick shutdown in case of emergency.
Multiple-Warning System
The laser cutter has a multi-alert system to ensure machine safety. It monitors the motherboard temperature, cooling system status, and water levels.
Smoke Exhaust System
The xTool P2 has a built-in exhaust fan and a long exhaust pipe that you can hang outside a window. Watch as the machine efficiently removes the smoke.
The xTool Smoke Purifier is a good investment if you use it frequently. Its filtration system and HEPA filter purify the air and ensure it is as clean and safe as possible.
Where can I buy materials to cut and engrave?
- xTool website
- Amazon
- Etsy
- Smokey Hills Laser Design
- DIY stores
Where can I get designs and files for a laser cutter?
- xTool Projects website
- Etsy
- On blogs like this one
- Creative Fabrica
- Design your own
How to use an xTool P2
The dual cameras make it easy to position your project and see where you’ll cut or engrave in real time. They’re extremely exact, which is ideal for precisely positioning what you want to cut or engrave and reduces waste.
The panoramic camera gives you an overview of the material inside your P2, and as the name suggests, the close-range camera gives you a very accurate close view to precisely position your piece.
You should do a test grid when using new material. I was too impatient and freestyled my first test project with the recommended settings. This is how it came out.
There are hundreds of built-in settings for different materials to use as starting points when cutting and engraving. The machine can automatically focus and determine the height of the material you’re using.
How much does an xTool P2 cost?
There’s no getting around the fact that the P2 laser is a big investment. We believe it’s worth the money and is ideal for anyone who likes crafting and wants to start a small business.
xTool has great promotions and offers throughout the year, which can save you a lot of money on your purchase.The current price for the xTool P2 is US $4999 | 4999€ | £4699.
There are also different bundles available that come with things like the riser base, automatic conveyor feeder, lots of materials and more. We definitely recommend checking them out as they’re a great investment that will give you a lot more for your money.
We also have a referral code, and if you buy through this link and use the code Christine100, you’ll save a whopping $100 (if you’re in the US) or £100 (if you’re in the UK) discount on your purchase.
Can I make money with a xTool P2?
The P2 laser is aimed at crafters interested in starting a small business, and you can definitely make money by selling the products you make with the xTool P2.
Just look at the huge selection of laser cut products on places like Etsy to get an idea of what popular products you can make. Yes, the machine is an investment, but it should pay for itself quickly.
Selling items made with a xTool laser?
As well as selling the items you make with the xTool P2, you can also sell digital files of the products you create. There’s a huge market for this type of files and it can be a fantastic additional revenue stream to the products you create and sell.
Who is the xTool P2 laser cutter best for?
The xTool P2 is a premium CO² 55W laser. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to start a small business. Although it’s aimed at small businesses, it’s easy to use as a beginner.
If you’re laser engraving and cutting purely as a hobby, you may want to check out the xTool M1. It’s a fantastic hybrid tool that allows you to both laser and blade cut and is ideal for anyone starting out on their laser cutting and engraving journey.
What is the difference between the xTool P2 and xTool M1?
The biggest difference between the two machines is that the xTool M1 is a diode laser, and the xTool P2 is a CO2 laser.
CO2 lasers are generally more powerful, cut and engrave faster and can cut materials like clear acrylic that a diode laser can’t. The M1 isn’t just a laser; it also has a blade, which also allows it to cut materials.
As you can probably guess, diode lasers are much less expensive and less powerful.
We love them both. If you’re just starting out or are laser cutting and engraving as a hobby, the M1 is a perfect machine to get started. We love it and still use ours. If you’re considering starting a small business like an Etsy shop, the xTool P2 is the better choice as it will allow you to make more things quicker.
Pros & Cons of the xTool P2
xTool P2 Pros
- Budget-friendly (hear me out on this)
- Feels high-end
- Dual cameras allow you to position your project easily
- Allows you to cut hundreds of different materials, including clear acrylic
- Cuts quickly and allows you to make lots of projects fast
- Has a large cutting and engraving area
- Comes already assembled, and you can start making things almost straight away
- Free software
- Can engrave curved surfaces
- Fully enclosed with a light-filtering lid
xTool P2 Cons
- It’s expensive
- Quite large
- It’s noisy
As you can see, I added the cost of the xTool P2 as both a pro and a con.
There’s no getting around the fact that it is an expensive tool. However, powerful lasers are expensive, and comparable ones cost significantly more money than the xTool P2, which makes it a bargain for a laser with this kind of spec and quality.
Why should you trust this review?
We’ve run the laser for over 140 hours and created many different projects using different materials. We absolutely love it and always only recommend products we truly believe in.
But don’t just trust us – this is an expensive purchase. Check the rave reviews of other users in the xTool P2 Facebook group (you may need to join the group first).
Is an xTool P2 worth it + Final Thoughts
It’s a spectacular machine, and we love and highly recommend it. It looks great, feels high-quality and is intuitive to use. There’s no complicated assembly, and you can use it almost immediately. I love that it looks sleek and clean and is pretty enough to sit on a shelf in my office.
There is a learning curve to using lasers (of any kind), but there is also a helpful xTool Facebook group with a huge and supportive community of laser-cutting enthusiasts. It’s a great place to ask questions and get help if you have problems or want tips or inspiration for your next project.
There’s no getting around the fact that it’s a beast, though. It’s large and heavy but also extremely powerful, allowing you to create endless crafts almost effortlessly.
If you’re completely new to laser cutting and engraving, you might be better suited to the xTool M1, which is more suitable for crafters. If you want to start a small business or Etsy store, we recommend the xTool P2.
If you do some research (because who doesn’t when buying an expensive product), you’ll see that we’re not the only ones raving about this fantastic machine. The reviews seem to be unanimous, and the xTool P2 is an all-around fantastic laser cutter and engraver with many features that make it easy to use and give you lots of creative freedom.
There’s no getting around the fact that it’s a big investment. We love the P2 and think it’s worth every penny.
FAQs About the xTool P2
What’s the difference between a CO2 laser and a diode laser?
CO2 laser machines produce a laser beam in the far infrared colour spectrum and can be absorbed by transparent materials, which means they can also cut clear materials like acrylic.CO2 lasers are more powerful and can cut quicker than diode lasers.
Can xTool P2 cut aluminium?
With an xTool P2, you can’t cut metal like aluminium, but you can engrave on coated metal, anodized aluminium alloy, and titanium steel.
How thick can xTool P2 cut?
You can cut solid wood up to 18mm thick. However, plywood thicker than 12mm is not recommended, as it can cause a fire. The thickest we’ve cut so far is 9mm MDF, which we used to make the dinosaur light. It took 3 passes, so it took a lot longer to process than thinner wood, but it came out perfectly.
Is xTool better than Glowforge?
We don’t have a Glowforge, so it’s difficult to compare. Having said that, the xTool P2 has many advantages over the Glowforge. It’s more powerful, has a larger work area, and offers fantastic add-ons like the pass-through conveyor and rotary attachment. It’s also cheaper than the Glowforge, and the xTool P2 runs on software that’s not cloud-based. All in all, it’s a clear win for the xTool P2.
How loud is the xTool P2?
It’s a powerful machine, and the fans make quite a bit of noise, especially when you use it in combination with xTool’s Smoke Purifier. It’s like having a small vacuum cleaner running next to you. You should never leave the laser unattended while it’s cutting and engraving. If you work in the same room as the xTool P2, we recommend getting yourself some noise-cancelling headphones (we have these ones).
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