A laser-cutting machine can elevate your bottom line by boosting efficiency, product quality, and productivity.
Unfortunately, for many businesses, buying a machine is a complex and confusing process, especially when trying to determine which types of laser-cutting machines are best for your operation. For an in-depth overview of laser cutting machines, check out our Ultimate Guide to Laser Cutting Machines.
Accurl is here to assist with a fiber laser vs. CO₂ laser comparison, detailing everything from cutting speed to compatible materials, precision, performance, maintenance, and more. That way, you can decide which cutting machine will skyrocket your business.
What are CO₂ vs. Fiber Laser Cutter Machines?
Most laser cutters fall into one of these two categories, but there are also many differences between them.
Starting with the basics, both types of laser cutting machines utilize a high-powered laser to cut through or engrave materials. This is essential for a wide variety of operations from creating DIY arts and crafts to the heaviest industrial requirements like cutting steel for vehicles or technological applications.
However, each type has strengths and weaknesses.
On the one hand, fiber laser cutting machines can cut through almost all materials, very quickly. They work best for sheet metals or tubelaser cutting, particularly for steel, aluminum, and other metals. That’s because they use a specialized optic fiber to pinpoint the laser beam through the nozzle for extreme precision and power.
While CO₂ laser cutters can also cut and engrave metals, they are also commonly used for wood, plastic, textiles, glass, acrylic, and stone. CO₂ lasers leverage vibrating carbon dioxide molecules to transfer energy via photons directly onto the surface of the material.
Now, let’s look at a detailed comparison of both types so you can quickly see the differences between CO₂ and fiber lasers.
Fiber Laser vs. CO₂ Laser Comparison Table
| FIBER LASER CUTTING MACHINES | CO₂ LASER CUTTING MACHINES | |
| CUTTING SPEED | ✅High Speed | ❌Moderate Speed |
| COMPATIBLE MATERIALS | ✅Best for metals including stainless steel & aluminum | ✅Best for non-metals like wood, acrylic, plastics, and leather |
| PRECISION | ✅Exceptional precision with a very focused beam | ❌Moderately precise with a less focused beam |
| UPFRONT COST | ❌Higher upfront cost | ✅ Lower upfront cost |
| OPERATING COST | ✅ Lower energy consumption and fewer moving parts that require minimal maintenance | ❌Higher energy consumption, and more maintenance including regular mirror cleaning and alignment |
| WAVELENGTH | ✅ Shorter wavelength (usually around 1,060 nm) | ❌Longer wavelength (usually around 10,600 nm) |
| HEAT AFFECTED ZONE | ✅ Smaller, meaning stronger outcomes | ❌Larger, could weaken the materials |
Head-to-Head Comparison of CO₂ vs. Fiber Laser Cutter Machines
Now, let’s take an in-depth look at the performance (including precision, speed, and heat-affected zones), costs (upfront and maintenance costs), and applications (industries and uses) of these laser cutter types.
Performance
The differences between CO₂ and fiber lasers make a huge impact on overall performance. Whereas CO₂ laser cutting machines are exceptional machines for many operations and personal use, they lack the performance of the more advanced fiber laser cutting options on the market.
In pretty much every way, laser fiber cutters are better. They are more precise with a small heat-affected zone, meaning higher quality outcomes that are unlikely to impact the integrity of the material negatively. That’s because of the pinpoint beam quality, that’s significantly smaller than those of CO₂ lasers.
At the same time, fiber laser cutters are faster because they are powerful with a shorter wavelength. For cutting metal, there isn’t a better option.
However, it’s important to mention that for materials like wood, acrylic, plastics, and leather, CO₂ laser cutting machines typically perform better, both with cutting and engraving. If that’s what you need to cut, then CO₂ might be the best option.
Costs
CO₂ laser cutting machines have a significantly lower upfront cost, which is of course beneficial for smaller businesses. However, it’s important to consider other cost factors as well, including maintenance and energy consumption.
While fiber laser cutters can cost a lot of money upfront due to their cutting-edge technological prowess, they also offer around 50% lower operating costs. That means you can achieve an ROI quickly, despite the higher price tag.
Additionally, CO₂ laser cutting machines require ongoing repairs including regular mirror cleaning and alignment. While this may not seem like much, it certainly adds up over time.
While fiber laser cutter machines need nozzle cleaning, vent cleaning, and other minor maintenance, in the long term they generally have lower maintenance costs. That’s especially true when you choose a highly reliable fiber laser cutting machine from a trusted brand, like Accurl.
Applications
When it comes to applications, we have already touched on some of the differences between CO₂ vs. fiber laser cutter machines. That includes the performance of cutting metals of fiber laser cutters and a CO₂ laser cutter’s ability to slice and engrave plastics, wood, and other non-metal materials.
Because of that, CO₂ models are exceptional for DIY use, marking and labeling various materials, engraving signs, cutting acrylic sheets to produce promotional items and display cases, and creating models, crafts, and consumer goods.
Fiber laser cutters, on the other hand, are excellent for industrial applications like cutting stronger construction materials, producing aerospace and automotive parts, and precisely cutting parts for technological and medical devices.
Which Laser Cutter Type is Right for You?
When it comes to deciding on the laser cutter for your operation, it’s important to take all factors into account.
The lower upfront cost and ability to engrave various materials make a CO₂ laser cutter a great choice for crafts, small businesses, signage, and operations where efficiency, speed, and precision are not paramount.
So, which laser-cutting machine is better for industrial use? Here at Accurl, we prefer fiber laser cutters like our High Power ML Plus Series of fiber laser cutters for greater energy efficiency, lower operating costs, and unmatched speed & precision.
Pretty much any industrial industry from automotive and aerospace to construction, fitness equipment, medical devices, metalworking, telecommunication, and more, will benefit greatly from a fiber laser cutter.
While the upfront cost is higher, it’s easier to achieve a rapid ROI due to the unparalleled efficiency, lower operating cost, and higher quality results.
Contact Accurl to Learn More
Now that you know the differences between CO₂ vs. fiber laser cutting machines, you can determine which is best for your operation and goals.
If you have any questions, want a free quote, or want to compare models, click here to contact Accurl today. We offer over 3 decades of laser cutting and metalworking expertise to develop the most advanced & cost-effective machines available worldwide.
