Prime Day may be over, yet some of the best deals that we saw over 16-17 July are still live! That's because many were not 'official' Prime Day deals (you didn't need a Prime membership to get them).
Now, I've tried and tested laser cutters for the last two years, and I've found that best and easiest craft machines to use are still on sale - and they're machines I own and use. The laser cutters and engravers I've selected as my picks of Amazon Prime Day are perfect for beginners and crafters looking for some a little extra.
The Glowforge Aura has $200 off this Prime Day at Amazon and comes highly recommended - it's now $1,199 $999. This machine small and clean so can be used in the home and powerful enough to bring most craft projects to life.
This machine ranks in my best laser cutters and engravers guide, which is worth a read if you're looking for more information. If you want more crafting deals this Amazon Prime Day I'd recommend reading our Cricut deals roundup.
Quick links
Top Prime Day drawing tablet deals in the US
• Glowforge Aura: save $200 on the best compact laser cutter
• xTool S1: save $988 on our top rated laser cutter
• xTool M1 Ultra: get $400.99 off the newest laser cutter
Top Prime Day drawing tablet deals in the UK
• xTool M1 10W Laser Engraver: get £135 off this excellent craft machine
• xTool S1: save $280 on this No.1 ranked rated laser cutter
• xTool M1 Ultra: get $300 off xTool's brand new laser cutter
Prime Day drawing tablet deals: US
Prime Day drawing tablet deals: UK
Prime Day drawing tablet deals: frequent questions
What is a laser cutter?
A laser cutter is a device that creates patterns, shapes and designs in materials such as wood, glass, paper, metal and plastic, by cutting into them with a high-power laser. The precision of a laser makes for a clean cut and smooth finish. Laser cutting has been used for many decades in large-scale manufacturing, but more recently laser cutters have become more affordable and are increasingly used by hobbyists, schools and small businesses.
The same laser in the device can be used to engrave imagery onto various materials such as card, wood, leather, various metals, some acrylics, glass and sometimes stone and concrete. The more powerful the laser, the thicker the material it can cut. If you only want to engrave, a less powerful and therefore cheaper laser might fit the bill.
What are the different types of laser cutter?
There are three main types of laser cutter. CO2 laser cutters use electrically-stimulated CO2, and are typically used for cutting, boring and engraving. This is the most common laser cutter to be used by hobbyists and makers. Crystal laser cutters use nd:YVO and nd:YAG, and are high powered, so they can cut through thicker materials. Fibre Laser Cutters use fibreglass and can work with both metal and non-metal materials.
Do I need to spend a lot of money on a laser cutter?
Not so much any more. The new Glowforge Aura is regularly below $1,000 on the Glowforge website; while the rival, xTool M1 is also often around $999. Both are excellent machines, aimed at home crafters.
One thing of note too, is xTool has a new machine trade-in system so you can replace your old xTool laser cutter and engraver and upgrade to a new one for up to $500 / £500 less. You needn't send back your old diode laser machine either, just proof of ownership.
Can you cut anything with a laser cutter?
There are certain materials that you should never cut with a laser cutter. These include PVC vinyl, pleather or faux leather, and ABS polymer, which is commonly used in 3D pens and 3D printers and can emit chlorine gas when cut. Never cut laser-cut polystyrene foam, polypropylene foam or HDPE (a plastic used to make milk bottles), as these will all catch fire. There are many other materials that should not be laser-cut, so always read the instructions carefully. You might also want to see our pick of the best vinyl cutter machines.
Below you can find the best deals and lowest prices on an array of laser cutters in your region and worldwide using our clever deals widget. It updates 24/7, so be sure to bookmark this page and keep checking back regularly.
