LaserPecker 2 vs LaserPecker 3: Which Laser Engraver Should You Buy?

The LaserPecker 2 was released in 2019 as an upgraded version of the original LaserPecker laser engraver. With more power and added features, it has become a favorite with crafters, DIYers and artists who want to take their laser engraving skills up a notch.

Key Features and Benefits:

1. 5W laser power – Significantly more powerful than the 1-2W LaserPecker 1. Allows faster and deeper engraving.
2. 450nm blue diode laser – Can engrave a wide variety of materials like wood, bamboo, leather, coated metal, painted metal, and more.
3. Large 6.3” x 3.9” engraving area – Gives you more room for engraving projects and batch work.
4. Up to 600mm/s engraving speed – Engrave designs quickly thanks to upgraded high-speed galvo motors.
5. Dual red laser auto-focus – Automatically focuses on material surface for instant engraving without calibration.
6. Cylinder, slab, and trolley modes – Rotate and engraver cylindrical objects, flat items, or long pieces.
7. Supports major image, CAD and design files – Work with your own files and designs. Convert to laser-ready files with user-friendly app.
8. Compact size – Just 19.4” x 15.4” x 23.6”. Easily portable for use anywhere.

The LaserPecker 2 gives you faster, deeper engraving capabilities on a wider variety of materials compared to the original model. It’s a versatile machine great for engraving full color images, designs, textures, logos and more at home, school, or work.

Ideal For: Artists, crafters, hobbyists, DIYers, small businesses.

Price: Starts at $799

The LaserPecker 3 is the newest model released by the company in 2022. It’s their most advanced laser engraver to date, equipped with a powerful infrared laser specially optimized for metal and plastic.

Key Features and Benefits:

1. 1W infrared pulsed fiber laser – Specialized for direct metal and plastic engraving without pretreatment.
2. 0.01mm ultra-fine laser spot – Achieves extremely detailed and crisp engraving results.
3. Up to 48,000 mm/min engraving speed – Blazing fast engraving for mass production.
4. Dual infrared auto-focus – Focuses accurately on metals and plastics for perfect engraving every time.
5. 4K high resolution – Renders ultra-fine details in designs and photographs.
6. App and desktop software compatibility – Work anywhere with mobile or computer connection.
7. Supports major design formats – Engrave from JPG, PNG, SVG, GCode files and more.

The LaserPecker 3 is engineered for professionals, businesses and advanced makers who want to easily mark, engrave and etch metals and plastics. The power and precision open up new possibilities for personalized awards, industrial part marking, science and lab tools, jewelry and more.

Ideal For: Businesses, engineers, industrial users, makers, jewelers, scientific applications.

Price: Starts at $1699

As you can see from the table, while the LaserPecker 2 and 3 share some similarities, there are also some key differences that set them apart. Next, we’ll take a closer look at how these differences impact real-world performance and applications.

Now that we’ve covered the basics on each laser engraver model, let’s compare them across some key factors:

One of the biggest differences between the LaserPecker 2 and LaserPecker 3 is the materials they are designed to engrave.

The LaserPecker 2 uses a 450nm blue diode laser that can mark a wide variety of organic materials:

1. Wood
2. Bamboo
3. Leather
4. Fabric
5. Paper
6. Food
7. Painted metals
8. Anodized aluminum
9. Oxidized metals
10. Stainless steel (with bond applied)
11. Plastics (with bond applied)
12. Ceramics
13. Rubber
14. Tile
15. and more

It can engrave uncoated metals and bare plastics as well, but these materials require a pretreatment (such as applying a laser bond or Cermark coating) prior to laser engraving.

The LaserPecker 3 is specially engineered with a 1064nm infrared fiber laser that can directly engrave and mark metals and plastics with no pretreatment required. Materials it excels at include:

1. Metals (Stainless steel, Aluminum, Titanium, Brass, Copper, Gold, Silver, Plated metals, Anodized aluminum, Polycarbonate)
2. Plastics ( Acrylic, PET plastic, ABS plastic, TPU plastic)
3. Leather

The LaserPecker 2 has a larger maximum engraving area than the LP3:

The LaserPecker 2 has a max engraving area of 6.3” x 3.9” (100mm x 2000mm). This gives you a good amount of space for small- to medium-sized projects, batch engraving jobs, and other common applications.

The LaserPecker 3 has a slightly smaller max engraving area of 4.5” x 3.1” (115mm x 80mm). The focus is more on precision than large surface area. But the LP3 can still accommodate most hobbyist and industrial engraving needs.

Both machines also give you the option to remove the base entirely and use it in “freehand” mode for engraving large or oddly shaped objects.

One of the biggest differences between the LaserPecker 2 and 3 is the laser power and technology:

1. The LaserPecker 2 uses a 5W 450nm diode laser. This blue laser light is designed to work well on organic materials like wood, bamboo, leather, paper, food items, and more.
2. The LaserPecker 3 has a 1W 1064nm infrared laser. This is an infrared “fiber” laser specialized for metals and plastics.

The 5W 450nm diode laser in the LP2 provides more raw power, which allows it to engrave a wider variety of materials.

However, the infrared laser in the LP3 is more precise and better suited for detailed engraving on metal and plastic.

Engraving speed is another area where the LaserPecker 3 shines thanks to its 10W laser.

The LP3 can engrave at:

Meanwhile, the LaserPecker 2 max speeds are:

The LaserPecker 3 has a smaller laser spot and higher maximum engraving resolution than the LP2:

The LP3’s smaller 0.01mm spot produces sharper, more detailed engraving, especially for intricate designs on metal and plastic.

Some of the LP3’s advantages:

The combination of the smaller laser spot, higher resolution, and overall precision of the LaserPecker 3 allows it to reproduce extremely intricate designs, small text, and photorealistic images when engraving.

This level of precision is perfect for applications like industrial part marking, jewelry making, scientific tools, electronics, dog tags, and anything else requiring ultra-fine detail.

The LaserPecker 2 is still reasonably precise but better suited for less detailed engraving work like signs, logos, large text, simpler designs, etc.

The maximum engraving depth is greater on the LaserPecker 2:

1. LaserPecker 2 engraving depth: Up to 0.5mm
2. LaserPecker 3 engraving depth: Up to 0.05mm

The LP2’s 5W diode laser can cut deeper into materials like wood, leather and acrylic. The LP3 fiber laser is designed more for precision than depth.

The LaserPecker 2 has auto-focusing, while the LP3 requires manual focusing:

The LP2 makes it easier to get up and running quickly without having to adjust focus each time. But the LP3 offers greater flexibility to engrave objects of varying heights.

Both the LaserPecker 2 and LaserPecker 3 are compatible with all major design file formats for engraving. This includes:

1. JPG
2. PNG
3. SVG
4. GCode
5. DXF
6. BMP
7. DWG
8. PLT (HPGL) and more

You can create your own images and designs in programs like Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, AutoCAD etc, then export them as one of the supported file types to engrave.

Or simply find images and vectors online you want to engrave and convert them to laser-ready files using the LaserPecker app or software.

So there are really no limitations on what kinds of files you can engrave with either machine.

Another area where the LaserPecker 2 and 3 are pretty evenly matched is on the software side.

Both laser engravers are compatible with:

The LaserPecker software allows you to easily position, resize, duplicate, and arrange engraving files. You can also modify settings like speed, power, resolution etc. And wireless engraving gives you freedom to work anywhere.

The software experience is intuitive and user-friendly with both units.

The LaserPecker engravers are designed to be compact and portable so you can easily use them anywhere. However, there are some differences in the dimensions of the LaserPecker 2 and 3 models:

LaserPecker 2:

1. 19.4” x 15.4” x 23.6” (L x W x H)
2. 3.2 kg / 7 lbs weight

LaserPecker 3:

19.4” x 15.4” x 26.1” (L x W x H)

2.54 kg / 5.6 lbs weight

As you can see, they have the same footprint but the LP3 is slightly taller in height. And the LP2 is slightly heavier at 7 lbs vs 5.6 lbs for the LP3.

The LaserPecker 2 comes with more engraving modes and accessories:

LaserPecker 2 modes:

1. Cylinder
2. Slab
3. Trolley (for extra long designs)

LaserPecker 2 accessories:

1. Power stand
2. Fixed jig
3. Cylinder mode accessories
4. Trolley mode accessories

LaserPecker stands behind their products with a 1-year limited warranty.

This covers defects in materials and craftsmanship.

Within 1 year of receiving your laser, LaserPecker will repair or replace defective parts free of charge. This provides great peace of mind on your investment.

Just be sure to purchase from an authorized LaserPecker dealer to ensure full warranty coverage.

And as always, be careful not to damage the machine through improper use or unauthorized disassembly, as those situations would not be covered.

LaserPecker is known for providing exceptional customer service and support across their product line.

Some of the ways they go above and beyond include:

1. 24/7 live chat – Get assistance any time of day or night directly through their website
2. Knowledgeable support team – Their engineers know LaserPecker products inside-out and can quickly diagnose issues
3. Active user community – Lots of helpful tips and advice from other LaserPecker owners in online forums
4. Video tutorials – Easy-to-follow video guides for setup, cleaning, calibration, accessories, troubleshooting, repairs and more

Considering the investment involved with a laser engraver, it’s reassuring to know LaserPecker has your back with top-tier support.

Both LP units will be equally well covered.

Let’s break down the cost difference between the baseline LaserPecker 2 vs 3 models:

But the LaserPecker 2 still packs tremendous value at under $1000. For enthusiasts engraving organic materials or doing light metals/plastics, it can’t be beaten for the price.

Optional accessories like rotary kits, exhaust fans, and fume extractors will bump up the price on either model as well. But the essential engraver packages keep costs reasonable for most buyers.

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Now that we’ve covered a complete feature comparison, here is a quick summary to help you decide which LaserPecker model is right for your needs:

For many first-time buyers, home crafters hobbyists and small businesses, is the best choice for its combination of versatility, accessories, ease of use and an appealing price point. The 5W laser has ample power for engraving wood, leather, and other organic materials with precision and speed.

But for businesses and professional users doing high volumes of metal and plastic engraving, the LaserPecker 3’s infrared fiber laser and precision optics are worth the premium investment. It simply outperforms comparably priced competitors when tasked with metals and plastics.

No matter which model you choose, rest assured LaserPecker machines have outstanding build quality, intuitive software, and excellent customer service to back them up. Both the LP2 and LP3 are smart purchases for laser engraving and marking needs both now and into the future.

Once you’ve chosen between the LaserPecker 2 and LaserPecker 3, you’ll want to get familiar with laser engraving basics. Here are some tips:

1. Carefully read the instruction manual and safety guidelines. Lasers can be dangerous if used improperly.
2. Start with some practice engraving on inexpensive materials like wood or acrylic. This will help you get the hang of positioning and settings.
3. Work in a well-ventilated area and use the air filter attachment to keep fumes clear.
4. Frame or clamp your material in place for the steadiest engraving platform.
5. Adjust speed, power, resolution, and height to get the desired depth and precision.
6. Use software like LaserGRBL or LightBurn to convert images and text into engraving files.
7. Consider a LaserPecker rotary attachment to engrave cylindrical items like cups, vases, and glasses.

Take the time to learn your new laser engraver’s capabilities and quirks. With some practice, you’ll be creating incredible custom engravings in no time!

Once you’ve chosen the right LaserPecker model for your needs, what kinds of things can you create with one of these incredible laser engravers? Here are just some of the possibilities:

Laser Engraved Products You Can Sell

1. Custom jewelry
2. Wallets, bags, purses and accessories
3. Pet tags and collars
4. Signs, keepsakes and home decor
5. Personalized glassware and mugs
6. Customizedtableware like cutting boards and coasters
7. Corporate gifts and promotional products

Cool Laser Engraving Projects

1. Phone cases
2. Laptop skins
3. LED lamps
4. Photo gifts
5. Awards, plaques and trophies
6. Engraved pictures and portraits
7. Rubber stamps
8. Customized tools like pocket knives

A compact laser engraver like the LaserPecker 2 or 3 gives you the power to turn your designs into professional-quality laser engraved products, gifts and unique art pieces.

We hope this complete LaserPecker 2 vs LaserPecker 3 comparison guide has helped give you clarity. Both engravers have their strengths and are quality options. The right choice comes down to your specific engraving needs.

Laser engravers offer immense creative possibilities to make custom gifts, jewelry, housewares, decorations, branded items, industrial parts and more. The precision lasers, accessible software and compact size lets anyone take advantage of this fun and rewarding tool.

To get started with laser engraving yourself, visit LaserPecker and select one of these phenomenal machines today.