Galvo fiber laser · Desktop galvo · Gweike
Gweike G2 20W
Hobbyists and small sellers who mainly mark metal: tags, tools, knives and, with the optional rotary, tumblers
from $1,349 at Gweike, checked Oct 2
Image: Gweike. Prices change often; the shop shows the current price.
Quick verdict
The Gweike G2 is a compact galvo fiber laser for marking and shallow engraving of metal and some plastics. The 20W base model with the motorized lift and 150 x 150 mm lens costs $1,349 and Gweike claims beam speeds up to 15,000 mm/s, so a logo on a steel tag takes seconds. The same design is sold as the G2 Pro 30W and G2 Max 50W for deeper engraving. The trade-off is that a fiber laser is a specialist: it does not cut, it struggles with wood and clear materials, and the open design needs real eye protection.
What you still need
Laser safety glasses rated for 1064 nm for everyone in the room, fume extraction or at least a fan to a window when marking plastics and coated metals, the optional chuck or roller rotary for cylinders, and a LightBurn licence that covers galvo lasers if you want to move beyond Gweike's own softwareMaterial reality check
Marks and engraves stainless steel, brass, anodized aluminum, many plastics, slate and dark leather; color marking on stainless takes testing. It does not cut anything in practice. Wood, light leather and light plastics mark poorly, and clear acrylic and glass let the 1064 nm beam pass through, so it will not touch them. Never process PVC or vinyl.Better alternative if
you also want to engrave and cut wood, leather and acrylic, not just mark metal: xTool F1 UltraScores
Scored on the same scale for every laser on this site. See all lasers ranked.
Specifications
| Laser type | Galvo fiber laser |
|---|---|
| Form | Desktop galvo |
| Optical power | 20 W |
| Other modules | None |
| Wavelength | 1064 nm |
| Work area | 150 × 150 mm |
| Max speed | 15000 mm/s (maker claim) |
| Cutting (maker claim) | Not a cutter: maker quotes 2.1 mm engraving depth in brass for the 20W (pass count not stated) |
| Precision | ±0.001 mm repeat accuracy (maker claim) |
| Air assist | None |
| Camera | No |
| Autofocus | No |
| Rotary support | Yes |
| Safety | Open galvo head with a clip-on tinted safety shield around the beam; no enclosure or interlock, so 1064 nm laser safety glasses are required |
| Connectivity | USB, Bluetooth |
| Software | GWEIKE GLaser (Windows, macOS), GWEIKE iOS and Android app, LightBurn (galvo-capable licence, version 1.7 or later) |
| Weight | 6.5 kg |
| Price | from $1,349 at Gweike, checked Oct 2 |
Pros and cons
Why we like it
- Galvo beam steering makes metal marking jobs take seconds rather than minutes
- Marks stainless steel, brass, anodized aluminum and many plastics cleanly, including color marking on stainless
- Small 6.5 kg machine with a detachable head for handheld work on parts too big for the base
- Runs from a phone or tablet over Bluetooth as well as from a Windows or Mac computer
- Works with LightBurn as well as Gweike's own GLaser software
Watch out for
- It does not cut: this is a marking and engraving tool, not a replacement for a CO2 or diode laser
- Poor on wood and light colored materials, and clear acrylic and glass are largely transparent at 1064 nm
- No enclosure or interlock, so everyone in the room needs proper 1064 nm safety glasses
- Field is only 150 x 150 mm with the electric lift lens (110 x 110 mm on the manual lift version)
- LightBurn forum threads show setup and firing problems, and parts and repairs come only from Gweike
Compare with
Frequently asked questions
What materials can the Gweike G2 20W cut and engrave?
Marks and engraves stainless steel, brass, anodized aluminum, many plastics, slate and dark leather; color marking on stainless takes testing. It does not cut anything in practice. Wood, light leather and light plastics mark poorly, and clear acrylic and glass let the 1064 nm beam pass through, so it will not touch them. Never process PVC or vinyl.
What else do I need to buy with the Gweike G2 20W?
Laser safety glasses rated for 1064 nm for everyone in the room, fume extraction or at least a fan to a window when marking plastics and coated metals, the optional chuck or roller rotary for cylinders, and a LightBurn licence that covers galvo lasers if you want to move beyond Gweike's own software
How much does the Gweike G2 20W cost?
From $1,349 at gweike, checked oct 2.
How we rank: by our own scores for power, speed, ease of use, safety and value, from the maker's published specs and independent tests where they exist. Some links earn us a commission (for example TwoTrees, SainSmart, Gweike and Amazon). That never changes a score or the order of a list (disclosure).
Sources
- Gweike G2 20W product page
- Gweike G2 20W store data (variants and prices)
- Gweike G2 Pro 30W store data
- Gweike G2 Max 50W store data
- The DIY Life: Gweike G2 Pro 30W review
- LightBurn forum: Gweike G2 LightBurn compatibility
- LightBurn forum: Brand new Gweike G2 not firing