If you're like me—someone who orders equipment for a small team but isn't a laser expert—evaluating a desktop laser engraver like the xTool S1 can feel overwhelming. I'm the office administrator for a 15-person design workshop. I manage all our tool and supply ordering—roughly $30,000 annually across 8 vendors. When my team started asking for a laser engraver for prototyping and small-batch production, I needed a way to cut through the technical jargon.
This checklist is based on my experience evaluating the xTool S1 (specifically the 40W module) for our needs. My experience is based on about 3 months of research and hands-on testing with a demo unit. If you're a machinist working with industrial steel, your experience will differ dramatically. But if you're a workshop manager or small business owner looking at a desktop CO2/diode machine, this should help.
Here are the 4 steps I followed to make my decision, plus a costly mistake I almost made.
Step 1: Define Your Material List (Don't Assume)
The first step in my checklist was to stop assuming what materials the machine could handle. So many laser engraving machine reviews say "it cuts everything," but that's a red flag. I forced myself to sit down with our team and list the top 5 materials we'd actually use.
Our list:
- Basswood plywood (for prototypes and signage)
- Clear acrylic (for display stands)
- Leather (for small accessories)
- Stainless steel tumblers (for marking/engraving only)
- Anodized aluminum (for nameplates)
Then I checked the xTool S1's specs. The key question for us was: Can the xTool S1 40W cut metal? The short answer is no for deep cutting. The 40W module is a diode laser. It can engrave coated metals (like anodized aluminum) and mark stainless steel with a marking spray, but it won't cut through a steel sheet. That's what a fiber laser engraving machine or a high-power CO2 laser is for. We accepted this because our need was for engraving metal, not cutting it. This was a major sanity check for our team.
Checkpoint: Write down your materials. If you need to cut stainless steel, this machine is not for you. If you need a versatile desktop machine for wood, acrylic, and leather, it's a strong candidate.
Step 2: Verify the "Modular" Promise (The Overlooked Step)
The xTool S1's biggest selling point is its modular design: you can swap laser modules (20W or 40W) and add a rotary tool for cylindrical engraving. This sounded great, but I almost skipped verifying how easy it actually was.
I watched a few videos and read the manual. It looked straightforward. But then I remembered a past procurement disaster. I said "compatible with our existing setup" to a vendor once, and they heard "plugs right in." It didn't. We wasted $1,200 on a spindle that didn't fit. That mistake taught me to verify physical integration.
My check: I asked for a list of compatible modules and accessories. The xTool S1 supports the 20W and 40W diode modules. The enclosure is designed to hold them. The rotary tool attaches to the base. It's a clean system. I also checked the software compatibility: it works with LightBurn and XCS (their own software). I'd estimate switching a module takes about 5 minutes. This level of foresight saved me from another headache.
Checkpoint: Don't just read the marketing copy. Ask for the physical dimensions and connection process for modules. If you plan to upgrade later, make sure the upgrade path is clear and not just theoretical.
Step 3: Test for "Clear Acrylic" Performance (The Reality Check)
One of our primary needs was cutting clear acrylic. This is a classic use case for a CO2 laser, but a tricky one for a diode laser. Standard diode lasers (blue light) often pass through clear acrylic. The xTool S1 with the 40W module is a diode laser. Could it work?
I found a demo. The result: it can engrave and cut clear acrylic, but only with specific preparation. You need to use a masking layer or a coating to allow the laser to interact with the material. It's not a "set and forget" process like a CO2 laser. For our prototyping needs, this was acceptable. My team could apply a masking tape layer. But if you need to cut clear acrylic in high volume without prep, you'd be looking at a different machine.
This step saved me from over-promising to my team. If I had bought the machine assuming it was a drop-in replacement for a CO2 laser, I'd have had a lot of failed parts and unhappy designers.
Checkpoint: Test your specific materials, especially tricky ones like clear acrylic or reflective metals. Don't rely on generic claims like "versatile material processing"—get specific.
Step 4: Calculate Total Cost of Ownership (Beyond the Price Tag)
The xTool S1 is priced competitively. But as an admin, I know the machine cost is just the start. I built a quick spreadsheet.
- Base unit: xTool S1
- 40W laser module upgrade: Additional cost
- Rotary tool: If you need it for cups
- Air assist: Required for better cuts
- Honeycomb worktable: Also helpful for small pieces
- Exhaust/filtration: The machine has a built-in fan, but you may need external venting
- Consumables: Laser modules have a lifespan (estimated 10,000 hours for the diode laser)
My realization: The base unit is about 60% of the total setup cost. The accessories and modules add up quickly. But the modular design also means you can buy in stages. For example, start with the 20W module and upgrade to 40W later. This is a genuine advantage for budget planning. The total cost of ownership (TCO) was, in my estimate, about 25% lower than a comparable all-in-one CO2 laser setup when factoring in the ability to upgrade piecemeal.
Checkpoint: Price the whole system, not just the main unit. Also factor in the cost of your time to learn the new machine. For me, 2 weeks of learning was a reasonable investment.
Pro Tip: The Mistake I Almost Made
This is the part of the checklist I almost skipped. I was going to buy the machine purely based on the laser cutting machine for steel search results. But after my research, I realized I didn't need to cut steel—I needed to engrave it. I was chasing the wrong specification. The question "can you plasma cut stainless steel" or "can a laser cut it" implied industrial capability. I don't have an industrial facility. I have a desktop workshop. Chasing an industrial spec would have led me to buy a $20,000 fiber laser, which I don't have the space or power for. The xTool S1, which handles engraving on coated metals and marking on stainless steel, is the right tool for my scale.
Final Thoughts
This checklist isn't perfect. It's based on my experience with one workshop, one set of materials, and one budget cycle. If you're making medical devices or aerospace parts, ignore this entirely. But for a small business or workshop looking at a desktop laser engraver, these four steps will save you time and money. As of Q1 2024, the xTool S1 is a solid choice for a modular desktop machine if your expectations are aligned with its capabilities.
