Dual laser · Desktop galvo · xTool
xTool F2
Market sellers and small personalization businesses who engrave metal and wooden items in small batches, at home or on site
from $1,299 at xTool, checked Oct 22
Image: xTool. Prices change often; the shop shows the current price.
Quick verdict
The F2 is xTool's compact dual-laser galvo engraver: a 5W 1064 nm IR source for metal and plastics and a 15W blue diode for wood, leather and dark acrylic, in a 4.6 kg box with a carry handle. Over the F1 it adds more power on both lasers, a 50MP camera with autofocus and 6,000 mm/s marking. The field is only 115 x 115 mm, or 115 x 400 mm with the Slide Extension, so it suits tags, jewelry, coasters and small gifts rather than signs. It is a Class 4 device with an opening enclosure, so goggles are part of the deal, and it only runs xTool Studio. At $1,299 it is a strong small-batch personalization machine.
What you still need
Safety glasses rated for 445 nm and 1064 nm (not included). Fume extraction: the Air Purifier Go is $169 ($1,449 as a bundle) or the Desktop Air Purifier $299. The Slide Extension ($219, or $1,499 as a bundle) for longer parts, the RA3 rotary ($349) for rings and tumblers, or the $2,079 Deluxe bundle with all three. A pedal switch ($40) helps with batch work.Material reality check
The IR source engraves and marks stainless steel, aluminum, anodized aluminum, brass, copper, titanium, plated metals, gold, silver, platinum and many plastics, and color marks stainless steel, titanium and copper. The diode cuts paper, wood, leather, MDF, felt and some dark opaque acrylic, and engraves those plus coated metal. Neither source cuts metal, and the diode cannot cut clear or blue acrylic. Plastics vary by composition and color, so test first. Never laser PVC or vinyl.Better alternative if
if you engrave metal for paid work every day, the F1 Ultra's 20W fiber source has four times the IR power, for $1,700 more: xTool F1 UltraScores
Scored on the same scale for every laser on this site. See all lasers ranked.
Specifications
| Laser type | Dual laser |
|---|---|
| Form | Desktop galvo |
| Optical power | 15 W |
| Other modules | 5W 1064 nm infrared source in the same head for metal and plastics; you switch between the 15W blue diode and the IR in software |
| Wavelength | 1064 nm (IR), 445 ± 15 nm (diode) |
| Work area | 115 × 115 mm |
| Max speed | 6,000 mm/s (galvo, maker claim) |
| Cutting (maker claim) | 15 mm basswood and 12 mm acrylic with the diode in multiple passes (maker claims); the IR source engraves metal but cannot cut it |
| Precision | 0.00199 mm motion accuracy (maker claim); spot 0.08 x 0.06 mm diode, 0.03 x 0.03 mm IR |
| Air assist | None |
| Camera | Yes |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Rotary support | Yes |
| Safety | Orange protective enclosure you lower over the work, emergency stop and access key; xTool rates it Class 4 because it can run with the enclosure open, and goggles for 445 nm and 1064 nm are not included |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi |
| Software | xTool Studio |
| Weight | 4.6 kg |
| Price | from $1,299 at xTool, checked Oct 22 |
Pros and cons
Why we like it
- Two lasers in a 4.6 kg box with a carry handle: 5W IR for metal and plastics, 15W diode for wood, leather and dark acrylic
- 6,000 mm/s galvo marking, 50% faster than the F1
- 50MP camera with drag and drop placement, batch fill and autofocus, none of which the F1 has
- Color marking on stainless steel, titanium and copper with the IR source
- Works with F1 accessories, including the Slide Extension (115 x 400 mm), RA2 Pro and RA3 rotaries and the pedal switch
Watch out for
- Small 115 x 115 mm field; longer parts need the $219 Slide Extension
- Class 4: goggles are on you, and a reviewer found the enclosure may not close fully with the slide extension or rotary fitted
- The 5W IR engraves but cannot cut metal, and has a quarter of the F1 Ultra's 20W fiber power
- xTool Studio only (Windows and macOS); xTool says it does not support LightBurn
- The camera preview does not update live: xTool's FAQ says you re-shoot after moving material, despite 'live preview' marketing
Compare with
Frequently asked questions
What materials can the xTool F2 cut and engrave?
The IR source engraves and marks stainless steel, aluminum, anodized aluminum, brass, copper, titanium, plated metals, gold, silver, platinum and many plastics, and color marks stainless steel, titanium and copper. The diode cuts paper, wood, leather, MDF, felt and some dark opaque acrylic, and engraves those plus coated metal. Neither source cuts metal, and the diode cannot cut clear or blue acrylic. Plastics vary by composition and color, so test first. Never laser PVC or vinyl.
What else do I need to buy with the xTool F2?
Safety glasses rated for 445 nm and 1064 nm (not included). Fume extraction: the Air Purifier Go is $169 ($1,449 as a bundle) or the Desktop Air Purifier $299. The Slide Extension ($219, or $1,499 as a bundle) for longer parts, the RA3 rotary ($349) for rings and tumblers, or the $2,079 Deluxe bundle with all three. A pedal switch ($40) helps with batch work.
How much does the xTool F2 cost?
From $1,299 at xTool, checked Oct 22.
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
- xTool F2 product page and spec table (US store)
- xTool F2 store data (variant prices)
- xTool F-series accessory data (slide extension, purifier, pedal prices)
- xTool F2 User Guide (specifications, box contents)
- xTool F2 FAQ (laser class, LightBurn, cutting, preview)
- MatterHackers xTool F2 specifications and bundles
- The Gadgeteer xTool F2 review
- Techreviewer xTool F2 review