xTool M1 vs Glowforge Aura - which laser is right for you?

Let's compare 2 popular craft lasers that are very similar. xTool M1 vs Glowforge Aura. I own and use both. They have a great set of features and can be used for crafting or for your small business.
I'll give you an overview of both machines, what they have in common and some key differences. Plus, my recommendation for you.
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xTool M1 xtool.pxf.io/XYKMdy
Glowforge Aura glowforge.pxf.io/ZQmxDq
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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:46 What these lasers have in common
2:57 Glowforge Aura specs
5:42 xTool M1 specs
9:01 What sets each machine apart?
10:36 Software differences
12:40 Price and deals
13:44 My recommendation
15:06 Final thoughts
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[@tkr4108]

The marketing for the Glowforge almost made me buy immediately but your review knocked some sense into me and the M1 seems like the better long term deal. Thanks

[@tddupree]

Agreed. Their marketing is great but xtool has better products according to users/reviewers I watched.

[@DuchessDark]

Same, I’m so glad I took the time to look for a review/comparison!

[@coll4455]

This!! especially the fact that you can use it in place of a cricket as well

[@michaelwall3401]

Excellent comparison. Thank you!

[@lightspeedlaserengraving6048]

I love my M1. I have the risers, honeycomb, RA2. And air assist. It’s an awesome machine and the software is easy to use.

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Totally agree!

[@BobtheUserName]

I enjoyed your rambling, thanks for the information. Play through.

[@cindykersting1992]

Your review was very helpful. So glad I found you on You Tube.

[@sharondalynnewton7562]

I got the xtool M1 last year for Christmas 2022. Love it!!

[@dvipersix]

Thank you for showing the difference between the 2. The xTool sounds like what I want.

[@selinajohnson8335]

Thank you I just started thinking about getting a laser tool and had no idea which features and machines were best. I had narrowed down to glowforge and xTool but was looking for comparisons between the two. Your info was quite helpful and I believe I'm going with xTool M1.

[@SarahVanderkooy]

So glad to hear that!

[@ShemaOneGod]

I have a 40W CO2 laser but there is a lot of prep work and it’s not as intuitive. I’m looking for an official craft laser to save me time. This was helpful. Thank you.

[@SarahVanderkooy]

I'm glad this was helpful!

[@Enjoythevue]

Great video!!!

[@noramangan1353]

Thank you so much for making this video! Now I’m seriously leaning more toward getting the xtool m1 than the glowforge aura! Everything you mentioned was really helpful. One thing - would you mind explaining how you filter your xtool m1 outside? That was one of my main concerns and what made me think originally I wanted the aura but I feel like I shouldn’t let that limit me, especially if filtering it out the window isn’t too difficult (plus it’d save me on the cost of the filter and filter replacements). Also, how much faster do you feel like the xtool generally is than the aura? Thanks again (sorry for all the questions). 😅

[@SarahVanderkooy]

I'm so glad this is helpful! I vent my xtool out a window. I cover the opening with a big towel around the hose (nothing fancy) then vent it. There is no filter. The speed is a matter of minutes faster, we go from a 6-10 watt laser so not a huge jump. But enough to make a difference.

[@noramangan1353]

@@SarahVanderkooy Great, thank you!! 😊

[@user-eb1oh6ro9m]

Great information, Thank you! I own the xTool M1 and love it! I would like to add that a diode laser can't cut ALL acrylics though. I am unable to cut clears/transparent, opaque white, opaque pastels, and some glitter acrylics. So make sure you know which ones your cutter/engraver will actually cut before purchasing acrylics. :)

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Great tips. Definitely not clear and some cast acrylics cut better than others.

[@TheBritishUnboxingChannel]

Can you tell me what kind of acrylic 2mm thick that works in either aura or m1? Thank you for your video! @@SarahVanderkooy

[@kathleenmeixner8606]

Thank you for the information and details about these lasers. How does the engraving precision of the xtool m1 compare with the capability of the Cricut Maker?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

I have engraved with my maker and it does work nicely on metals. The ease and speed of a laser far outweigh the Cricut. There is so much less prep and the work is much more detailed. The M1 can engrave stainless steel and coated metals.

[@kathleenmeixner8606]

Thank you@@SarahVanderkooy

[@ModernGalaxy]

Could the M1 make those thin metal sacred geometry stickers?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

You won't be able to cut metal with the laser module. But, you could use the blade to cut a thick metallic looking sticker paper or vinyl. Something like this vinyl teckwrapcraftaffiliateprogram.sjv.io/0ZzN6Y

[@craftingwithjean5599]

I’ve had the Aura for almost 2 weeks. I have had several issues with it stopping midway though prints. Several boards have been useless, I do like that the camera shows exactly the bed of the machine so the wasted boards weren’t a total waste because I was able to print (cut ) other projects on the portions not already messed up. I wish I had seen your comparison sooner. Now the aura has shifted and is not cutting the same lines as previous. Not pleased.

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Sorry to hear you are going through this, their customer service is pretty great, be sure to reach out and see if they can help.

[@MMMilanooo]

Hi! I’m considering getting an M1 soon but one thing that I was looking for was a pass through for longer material. I was wondering if it’s possible to use the risers to allow for longer material to fit through that space in between the risers? Like for wooden name signs that might need to be longer than the enclosed space.

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Great question. You can raise it up for taller materials but the software doesn't accommodate designs on longer materials. The new S1 does accommodate a conveyor and will create longer items. It's very similar to the M1 but with a more powerful laser head.

[@mecruisefang5276]

There is a new laser on the markert, called Wecreat,it's 20w diode laser, I think it's a great choice too

[@SarahVanderkooy]

I have a review video on that laser publishing today. I agree it's a great machine.

[@bobslfcu773]

Nice video. The glow forge advertises they can engrave photos and trace images. Does the Xtool do the same? Thanx for the info.

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Yes xtool can do that as well.

[@user-ph7fm2mc6e]

People are having huge issues with the Aura. There is an accuracy / alignment issue where sometimes multiple passes don't line up. I think it's a design and/or manufacturing flaw. I've had two Auras so far, and both do it. The third one (replacement) arrived today, and I don't have high hopes that it will work.

[@SarahVanderkooy]

I'm sorry to hear that, I hope Glowforge can get you one that works.

[@phillippadobson9821]

I'm really at the very bottom of this learning curve and very keen to get a laser cutter. How long would you expect a machine to last (in years of ownership or in hours of working it) and are there any parts, such as the laser, that need replacing during the machine's life?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

You can expect a laser like these to last about 10,000 hours running at full power. That's pretty standard across all brands. That's the actual laser head. You may get wear and tear on some other pieces of the machine. But with regular cleaning and care the rest should last you that long as well.

[@buddysmith7080]

Thank you for this comparison. Does the X-Tool need to be vented out a window or is there a ventilation systems available like the GF?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

You can add a smoke purifier to any of their machines. I recommend venting out a window if you can. It saves money and with the purifier you have to change the filters often which adds up.

[@JCatNY]

Wonderful details, thank you. Liked/Subscribed. My main concern is fumes/smell. I'm in a condo, and there are nearby windows (neighbors), so out the window venting is not an option. Does the $399 Aura filter completely block any kind of burning smell? I don't want any fumes in my apt, as it will be in my living room which has a small office in one corner. I read articles where they say to keep a fire extinguisher handy - when I read that, my enthusiasm dropped a mile. Are these really super safe if you follow the guidelines? Finally, is the M1's indoor air filter any good? Thank you so much!

[@SarahVanderkooy]

The Aura filter is very good. Anytime you cut wood there will be a slight smell when you open the lid. It's not strong and it won't fill your room. I don't have the xTool filter but I've heard good things. I always keep a fire extinguisher in my craft room just in case. Never leave your laser unattended. If you cut and engrave at recommended speeds with compatible material, you won't have an issue, I never have. But I'd rather be safe just in case.

[@JCatNY]

Thanks, Sarah!

[@emilyburnett8630]

With the rotary add on, can you engrave rings? Gold rings?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Yes you can engrave rings with the rotary attachment. However, a standard diode laser like the one here isn't great at engraving precious metals like gold and silver. It works wonderfully on stainless steel and aluminum. xTool just released an infrared laser module for their S1 machine that can engrave gold. It's brand new but I'll have some tests on this channel soon.

[@josephinejacobs2159]

Do you also have a video on UV printers and UV printing?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

I do not, sorry.

[@toddstowe8494]

If you had a single piece that was longer than 12 inches, could you cut a portion, move the material through the doors, and continue the cut?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Theoretically yes, but the software isn't set up for that so it would be really difficult to line up your designs. With the other machines that accommodate a conveyor (xTool S1) your longer design will be seamless.

[@glennracoma7481]

Can the XTOOL use vector graphics done in Adobe Illustrator exporting to XTOOL'S SOFTWARE?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Yes it can, this is a their overview of the software and it's capabilities. www.xtool.com/pages/software

[@user-ys3sv3ox6j]

Can the Air purifier for the Aura be used on the M1?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

No. The Glowforge filter is made in a way that it is only compatible with the Aura. It turns on automatically when the Aura starts working and the vent hose is about an inch bigger than the one on the M1.

[@Smarsto]

Can you use a glowforge air filter with the xtool?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

No, it's controlled by the Aura and the Glowforge software so it doesn't work with other lasers.

[@jessdm06]

Hi! Would you say either could cut multiple sheets of cardstock stacked on top of eachother?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Yes absolutely

[@jessdm06]

awesome thank you! 😃@@SarahVanderkooy

[@Queenkikie]

What laser would you recommend for someone who wants to work with strictly acrylics?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

I would go with a CO2 laser, this will cut all types of acrylic where these 2 (bother diodes) are only going to work on a few colors of opaque acrylic. The xTool P2 is my favorite.

[@lakeville1853]

Can you do a longer width with M1

[@SarahVanderkooy]

No, not like the passthrough on the Glowforge. Other xTool models have this feature allowing you to make long pieces but not the M1.

[@brookeknight5827]

Does the M1 ingrave leather?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

Yes it does, very well.

[@lesliehodgkins6375]

Can you use an iPad with the m1 ?

[@SarahVanderkooy]

I don't use an ipad but it should work, here is what you need. You'll have to download the software then connect to the machine via wifi.

[@lesliehodgkins6375]

Thank you

[@Corporal_Ghost18]

Are you able to upload designs from software like autocad. I have a home project1/8 scale that I wanted to cut with a laser and was designing it on autocad. Is it possible to upload designs from autocad specifically for xtool

[@SarahVanderkooy]

I am not too familiar with Autocad but it looks like the file format used is DWG. That can't be uploaded to XCS. You could convert a file to SVG, but I'm not sure if your project would retain its details.

[@Corporal_Ghost18]

@@SarahVanderkooy Thankyou so much for your reply