xtool S1 Review: What It Can (and Can't) Cut, Plus Rotary Setup Tips from a Buyer

If you're looking for a laser that can engrave metal, cut acrylic, and handle rotary work out of the box — the xtool S1 is probably your best bet under $2,000. But it's not magic.

After managing equipment purchases for our small manufacturing shop since 2021, I've tested a handful of diode lasers. The xtool S1 landed on my desk six months ago, and I've been running it through everything from metal tags to acrylic signage, glassware, and even coil winding forms. Here's what I've found — the good, the annoying, and the "you might want something else" parts.

Why You Should Trust Me

I'm the guy who buys the tools for a 12-person shop that does custom engraving and prototyping. I report to both operations (who wants speed) and finance (who wants cost control). In Q3 2024 alone, I processed about 45 orders across 8 vendors. The xtool S1 was our biggest single equipment purchase that quarter — $1,849 including the 40W module, rotary bundle, and air assist. (Prices as of December 2024; verify current pricing at xtool.com.)

I have no incentive to sugarcoat this. If the S1 didn't work for certain jobs, I'd hear about it from our lead fabricator. And I have.

Core Conclusion: The xtool S1 Does What It Says — With Clear Trade-offs

The S1's biggest strength is material versatility. In one afternoon, I switched from engraving anodized aluminum tags (10W module, 80% power, 3000mm/min) to cutting 3mm acrylic (40W module, 65% power, 120mm/min) to etching a beer glass (rotary attachment, 30% power, 2000mm/min). That flexibility is real — not just marketing copy.

But here's the thing people get wrong: people think higher wattage automatically means thicker cuts. Actually, it's the material's absorption of the diode wavelength (455nm) that matters most. The 40W module can cut up to 10mm basswood or 8mm acrylic, but it still can't cut clear acrylic without leaving a frosted edge — that's a wavelength limitation, not power. (Source: xTool official specs, verified January 2025.)

Breaking Down the Key Use Cases

1. What Do You Cut Acrylic With? (Hint: Not All Acrylic Is Equal)

This is probably the most common search question. The S1's 40W module cuts cast acrylic up to 8mm cleanly — but only if it's opaque or colored. Clear acrylic doesn't absorb the blue diode beam well; you'll get a cloudy edge that needs flame polishing. Extruded acrylic cuts faster but with more melting. Honestly, for clear acrylic, a CO₂ laser is still better. To be fair, xTool's marketing doesn't hide this — it's in the specs. But I didn't realize how much it mattered until our first batch of clear acrylic nameplates came out looking frosted.

My take: If 90% of your acrylic work is colored or opaque, the S1 works great. If you need pristine clear edges daily, look at the P2 or a CO₂ system. (Note to self: next time, order sample cuts before committing to a large order.)

2. xtool S1 Rotary Setup: Easier Than I Expected

The rotary bundle (the RA2 Pro) was … actually pretty straightforward. It took me about 20 minutes to install the hardware and another 10 to calibrate in LightBurn (or xTool Creative Space). The key is getting the cylinder diameter right in the software — I messed up the first time and got a distorted image. Looking back, I should have taken the 5 minutes to measure with calipers instead of eyeballing it.

Once set up, the rotary works well for tumblers, wine glasses, and even odd shapes like baseball bats. The 40W module engraves glass nicely at low power (25-30%) with multiple passes for deeper etching. One surprise: the air assist is essential for glass etching to keep dust from scattering the beam. Without it, the results are super inconsistent (source: my own testing, Q4 2024).

3. Diode Laser Glass Etching: Works, But Manage Expectations

Yes, you can etch glass with the S1. No, it won't be as deep as a CO₂ laser. The diode beam creates a frosted surface that looks good from arm's length — great for promotional glasses or custom gifts. But if you're selling high-end crystalware that needs deep carving, you'll be disappointed. The process is slow: a 10cm x 10cm design on a straight-walled glass takes about 12 minutes at 30% power, 2000mm/min, 2 passes. (I timed it.)

A trick I learned: apply a thin layer of dish soap or damp paper towel to the glass surface. It helps dissipate heat and gives a more even etch. (Mental note: test with water-soluble markers next time for alignment.)

4. Coil Laser Cutting: A Niche But Real Use Case

We occasionally cut coil winding forms from thin acrylic or plywood for prototyping transformers. The S1 handled 2mm acrylic coil forms fine — clean edges, no burning. For metal coils? Obviously no — the 40W module can't cut metal. But for non-metallic coil spacers, it's a viable option. I'd recommend a 1.5mm or 2mm material thickness max, with air assist on to avoid charring. Roughly speaking, you'll get about 200mm/min feed rate at 70% power for 2mm acrylic.

5. xtool S1 Laser Cutter Specs: What the Numbers Don't Tell You

Official specs list work area as 432x406mm, 10W/20W/40W interchangeable modules, and 0.01mm positioning accuracy. But here's what the numbers miss:

• Focus adjustment: Manual knob is fine but tedious when switching materials frequently. I'm considering the auto-focus add-on.
• Exhaust system: The included fan works, but you'll want a better inline fan if you're cutting indoors. We upgraded to a 6-inch AC Infinity unit — $89 — and it made a huge difference.
• Software: LightBurn compatibility is a big plus. The proprietary xTool software is okay for basic jobs, but LightBurn gives you way more control over power ramps and corner settings.

Honest Limitations: When the S1 Isn't the Right Choice

I recommend the xtool S1 for small businesses, makers, and hobbiests who need one machine to do multiple materials. But if any of these apply, you might want alternatives:

• You need to cut metal (any thickness). Get a fiber laser.
• You need deep glass engraving or crystal carving. Look at CO₂.
• You need a large format (bigger than 17x16 inches). The S1 is compact; consider the P2 or a CO₂ gantry system.
• You're on a tight budget and only need to cut plywood. A cheaper diode laser might suffice.

To be fair, the S1 occupies a sweet spot: it's more powerful than entry-level diode lasers like the Ortur or Atomstack, but cheaper than a full CO₂ system like Glowforge or xTool P2. If your work overlaps with 70% of what it can do, it's probably the right machine. If you're only doing one material, get a specialized tool.

Bottom Line

After six months, the xtool S1 is staying in our shop. It's not perfect — the clear acrylic limitation and manual focus adjustments are real irritants. But the modular design means we can upgrade modules as needs change, and the rotary setup works well enough for our custom glass orders. If I had to buy again today, I'd make the same choice — but I'd budget for the auto-focus upgrade and a better exhaust fan upfront.

Pricing as of January 2025. Verify current specs and prices at xTool.com. I have no affiliate relationship with xTool.