That Morning in the Workshop
The first batch of xTool S1 units arrived on a Tuesday. I'd been expecting them for about three weeks—long enough that I'd already started second-guessing the spec sheet. The shipping container was barely off the truck when I cracked open the first box.
Honestly, unboxing it felt pretty good. The modular design is nice—the laser modules click in and out without tools, which is a seriously nice touch for a desktop unit. But I wasn't there to admire the build quality. My job was to find out if this thing could do what we promised our customers: cut stencils, engrave photos, and handle light metal marking.
"Set the expectations right, or don't ship it." — That's basically my job description.
The First Test: Metal Marking vs. Metal Cutting
I set up the 20W module first. We'd been getting a ton of questions about "xTool S1 metal cutting" and "xTool S1 metal engraving"—everyone wants to know if this desktop beast can slice through aluminum like a CNC. I'm going to save you some time here:
It can't cut metal. Not in any practical sense. At 20W, it'll leave a mark on anodized aluminum (which looks great, by the way), and with the 40W module and some persistence, you can put a shallow engraving on bare stainless steel. But cutting through a 1mm aluminum sheet? Nope. The laser just doesn't have the power density. It's a 40W diode laser—physics is physics.
My first reaction was frustration. I'd seen so many forums where people claimed their insert brand here could cut soda cans. I ran a blind test: same material, same settings, same machine. The result? It left a thin line on anodized aluminum, but on bare steel? Basically a faint ghost. (Which, honestly, was disappointing until I realized that's exactly what the data sheet said.)
I hit the pause button and re-read the spec sheet. There it was, in black and white: "Can mark anodized and coated metals. Not designed for metal cutting." I'd approved that spec sheet. I just didn't want to believe it.
The Pivot: If It Can't Cut, What Can It Do?
So I shifted focus. If you want a desktop laser for metal engraving (marking, not cutting), the xTool S1 is actually decent. The 40W module puts down a consistent etch on anodized aluminum tumblers and stainless steel dog tags. It's not going to replace a fiber laser, but for low-volume custom gifts, prototypes, or small business runs (like the 50-unit holiday gift order we did last year), it works.
For stencil material, though? The S1 shines. Thin acrylic, mylar, and even thin plywood cut cleanly. I ran a series of laser cut stencil material tests—0.5mm acrylic, 0.1mm mylar, and 1mm basswood. All three cut well with the 40W module. The edges were crisp, no melting on the acrylic (which is actually a common problem with cheaper CO2 tubes).
"This machine is a stencil-making beast. And that's a legit use case."
Photo Engraving: The Real Surprise
I was skeptical about the "photo to laser engraving" claim. Most desktop lasers produce grainy, low-contrast images that look more like a Xerox than a photograph. But the S1's software (XCS, their proprietary app) has a dithering algorithm that's surprisingly good at converting grayscale photos to engraving paths.
I tested it with a high-resolution black-and-white portrait on a piece of birch plywood. The result? Pretty good—not gallery-quality, but good enough for a custom keepsake or a business logo. The key is to use a high-contrast source image and let the software do its thing.
One thing I noticed: the included rotary tool is essential if you're engraving cylindrical items (tumblers, wine glasses, pens). The standard flat bed won't handle curves well. (Ugh, I learned that the hard way by trying to engrave a coffee mug without the rotary attachment.)
The Quality Check
Over the next week, I reviewed 15 units from the first batch. I ran the same test patterns: stencil cuts, photo engravings, metal marks, and a few material combo cuts (acrylic + wood). Here's what I found:
- Consistency: Out of 15 units, 13 produced identical cuts to within 0.2mm tolerance. Two units had slightly off-focus rails—minor adjustment, but I flagged it with the supplier for their Q2 production run.
- Material handling: The S1 is great with wood and acrylic. Leather? Decent. Glass? Very slow, not great. It's not a CO2 laser—stick to its strengths.
- Software: The app is surprisingly stable for a brand's proprietary software. Not as full-featured as LightBurn, but more user-friendly for beginners (which is the target audience for an entry-level engraver).
I was this close (picture my thumb and forefinger in close proximity) to rejecting the entire batch over the metal-cutting limitation. But I reminded myself of something I learned in 2020, when I implemented our verification protocol: the spec sheet is the contract. If the spec says it can't cut metal, and it doesn't cut metal, that's not a defect—that's honesty.
Who This Machine is Actually For
After running that batch, I told our sales team: the xTool S1 is the best entry level laser engraver for stencil makers, small business owners, and hobbyists who want to engrave wood and acrylic. It's not for metal cutters. It's not for high-volume industrial production.
The vendor who says "this isn't our strength—here's who does it better" earned my trust for everything else. And that's exactly what we told our customers.
(This pricing was accurate as of Q1 2025. The market changes fast, so verify current rates before buying.)
The Lessons I Took Away
- Specialization over generalization: Don't promise what the machine can't do. A laser that says "20W module" and isn't a fiber laser will never cut metal. Be honest about that.
- Niche down, win there: The S1's strength is stencil cutting and photo engraving on non-metal materials. That's a huge market (think Etsy sellers, custom gift shops, prototyping workshops).
- The customer's real question isn't "can it cut everything?" It's "will it solve my specific problem?" Solve that problem, and you've earned a repeat buyer.
Even after approving the batch, I kept second-guessing. What if someone tries to cut a steel plate and complains? The two weeks until we had customer feedback were stressful. But the feedback came back: "Exactly as described."
Honestly? That's the best kind of quality—when the product matches the promise. The xTool S1 isn't the most powerful laser in the shed. But for stencils, photo engravings, and light metal marking, it's a solid buy.
If you're looking for a "best entry level laser engraver" that's easy to use and won't break your workshop space, the S1 is worth a look. Just know your materials before you buy.
