F1 vs M1 5W Laser & Blade Cutter
Technical comparison · Diode laser (405–460 nm)
F1 and M1 5W Laser & Blade Cutter are two diode laser (405–460 nm) in a similar class. Choose F1 if price matters more; choose M1 5W Laser & Blade Cutter if work area matters more.
| Parameter |
F1
xTool
F2 · Intermediate
|
M1 5W Laser & Blade Cutter
xTool
F2 · Intermediate
|
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Launch year | 2024 | 2022 |
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~550–650 € | ~600–800 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 17.9 × 23.5 × 33.4 cm | 55.7 × 45.3 × 23 cm |
| Weight (kg) | 4.6 kg | 10 kg |
| Work area (mm) | 115 × 115 mm | 385 × 300 mm |
| Z-axis height (mm) | — | 22 mm |
| Power (W) | 84 W | 150 W |
| Voltage (V) | 24 V | — |
| Maximum speed | 4000 mm/s | 250 mm/s |
| Declared precision | 0.00199 mm | 0.01 mm |
| Category specs | ||
| Work area (short side) (mm) | 115.0 mm | 300 mm |
| Rated power (W) | 10.0 W | 5 W |
| Source technology | Diode | Diode |
| Max travel speed (mm/s) | — | 250 mm/s |
| Max processing speed (mm/s) | 4000.0 mm/s | 250 mm/s |
| Max cut depth per material | 8mm basswood, 6mm black acrylic | 4 mm basswood |
| Wavelength (nm) | — | 455 nm |
| Min resolution (µm) | 1.99 µm | 10 µm |
| Autofocus | — | True |
| Rotary included/compatible | False | False |
| Passthrough | — | False |
| Supported software | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The xTool F1 Lite is compatible with xTool Studio (proprietary, free, Windows and macOS). The galvo system uses a proprietary protocol: LaserGRBL is not compatible as it requires GRBL firmware on a gantry controller. LightBurn introduced experimental galvo support in version 1.4+, but compatibility with the F1 Lite's specific controller is not officially certified by xTool, making the experience unguaranteed. In practice the user is tied to xTool Studio, which handles core functions but does not offer the flexibility of community profiles, macros, and advanced layers available in LightBurn for GRBL gantry lasers. | Device control relies exclusively on the proprietary xTool Creative Space (XCS) software. This application manages both laser engraving and cutting operations, alongside path planning for the integrated blade cutter. The software incorporates visual alignment features assisted by the internal high-resolution camera, facilitating precise design placement on materials. There is no native support for universal third-party applications like LightBurn, restricting users to the manufacturer's ecosystem. The application is compatible with Windows, macOS, and mobile platforms, requiring an initial connection for updates but supporting offline operation. |
The differences that matter
- Work area: F1 115×115 mm vs M1 5W Laser & Blade Cutter 385×300 mm — M1 5W Laser & Blade Cutter wins (+773%)
- Price: F1 600 € vs M1 5W Laser & Blade Cutter 700 € — F1 wins (+17%)
Which one to choose
Choose M1 5W Laser & Blade Cutter if…
you value work area.
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