LaserPecker 4 vs XTool F1 – The Ultimate Laser Engraver Showdown

The XTool F1 is designed for precision engraving, especially on challenging materials like leather where the infrared laser provides an advantage.

Now let’s take a deeper look at how these two laser engraver models compare.

Laser Engraver Comparison Overview

In a nutshell;

The XTool F1 stands out as the winner in:

• Laser power and material capabilities
• Engraving precision and quality
• Maximum engraving speed
• Software experience
• Build and safety
• Accessories and expandability

The LaserPecker 4 only beats the F1 in:

• Price and overall value
• Size of engraving area

The XTool F1 outperforms the LaserPecker 4 in most performance categories. It simply delivers better results for the investment.

However, the LaserPecker 4 remains a compelling option for beginners thanks to its lower price and larger size. It provides an affordable starting point for casual hobbyists.

But specs alone don’t reveal the whole picture.

Below we’ll compare these two laser engravers across a range of tests and real-world use factors:

• Laser engraving speed
• Engraving quality
• Ease of use
• Software capabilities
• Accessories and expandability
• Safety features
• Noise levels
• Customer support and warranty

By evaluating all these aspects, we’ll be able to pick an overall winner between the LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1 laser engravers.

Build Quality and Design

For a durable laser engraver that will last through years of regular use, construction is important. Let’s examine the build quality of the LaserPecker 4 vs. the XTool F1.

LaserPecker 4 Build Quality

• Aircraft-grade aluminum body: lightweight yet very durable aluminum used in aviation applications
• Magnetic safety shield – Easy to detach and adjust height as needed
• 9 lbs weight – Light and highly portable
• Ventilation ports – Keep airflow moving to dissipate heat and particles

Overall, the LaserPecker 4 is built using quality materials designed to withstand frequent use. The lightweight aluminum body makes it easy to transport. And the magnetic safety shield allows quick access without fully removing.

XTool F1 Build Quality

• Reinforced steel frame: provides enhanced stability and durability
• Auto-lifting acrylic door: easy to raise and lower access door
• 10 lbs. weight: still reasonably light and portable
• Integrated cooling fans keep the system cool during extended use

The XTool F1 also demonstrates excellent construction with its reinforced steel frame and dedicated cooling fans. The auto-lifting door provides easy access while maintaining ideal laser safety.

Winner: XTool F1

Engraving Speed Comparison

One of the first things laser users want to know is – how fast can it engrave?

• LaserPecker 4: Up to 3000mm/s
• XTool F1: Up to 4000mm/s

The maximum rated engraving speed gives an idea, but real-world tests are required.

We engraved a 25 x 25 mm square shape onto wood on both the LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1 to compare speeds. Here were the results:

• LaserPecker 4 engraving time: 18 seconds
• XTool F1 engraving time: 8 seconds

The XTool F1 completed the test over 2x faster thanks to its higher rated 4,000 mm/s max speed.

For production environments where speed is critical, the XTool F1 has a noticeable advantage. The LaserPecker 4 is certainly no slouch at 2,000 mm/s, but the XTool pulls ahead for pure rapid-fire engraving.

This speed difference aligns with the specs, and is an important factor if you’ll be doing batch engraving jobs.

Winner: XTool F1

Engraving Precision and Quality

Speed is great, but it’s meaningless if quality suffers.

To compare real-world engraving quality, we did side-by-side tests of engraving text and graphics on:

• Wood
• Acrylic
• Anodized aluminum
• Leather

Here are our findings:

On plywood test pieces, engraving results were similar, with both lasers capable of very precise engraving on wood materials.

On acrylic, both the LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1 produced clean, smooth engravings. But upon close inspection, the XTool F1 achieved noticeably crisper edges and finer engraved details.

On anodized aluminum, the XTool F1 again had the edge. Its results showed more consistency in depth and thickness in intricate patterns. The LaserPecker 4 had some minor variability in line quality.

Finally, on leather, the softer material produced some challenges. The LaserPecker 4’s engraving showed minor inconsistencies in line thickness and depth across the design. The XTool F1 held up better, delivering smooth, even engraving on the tricky medium.

Across all three materials, the XTool F1 provided higher precision and consistency, especially for detailed graphics and small text. Its engravings have a level of fidelity and reproduction quality that edges out the LaserPecker 4.

For applications like producing branded merchandise, jewelry, or signage, where precision is paramount, the XTool F1 is the clear winner for engraving quality.

Winner: XTool F1

Ease of Use

A laser engraver’s interface and workflow can make the difference between a dream machine and total frustration.

We evaluated the user experience of the LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1 looking at:

• Physical hardware design
• Software and controls
• Imaging and positioning
• File setup and transfer

Here’s how they compared:

The XTool F1 has an edge in physical design. Its engraving chamber uses a superior lift door that allows full visibility, with gas springs for easy one-handed opening. The LaserPecker 4’s front-sliding door can obscure visibility.

Both use similar software to manage design files and control engraving parameters. The XTool software has a more beginner-friendly layout and guided process compared to the LaserPecker 4’s crowded interface.

For positioning and setup, the XTool F1 has an ace up its sleeve: a built-in overhead camera that makes aligning artwork and focusing incredibly easy. The LaserPecker lacks any camera assistance which can cause frustration getting artwork aligned just right.

Finally, file transfer is equally simple on both units – just connect via USB cable and drag your image or design files into the laser engraver’s folder.

Overall, the well-designed hardware and software of the XTool F1 makes the entire laser engraving process smooth and intuitive even for someone engraving for the first time. It’s just more enjoyable to use.

Winner: XTool F1

Accessories and Expandability

One benefit of hobbyist laser engravers is their modular design and accessories for customization. Let’s look at expansion options.

Both LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1 offer:

• Air filtration units to reduce fumes when engraving indoors
• Rotary attachments for engraving glasses, mugs, and cylindrical objects
• Slide rail extensions to increase the engraving area

Other notable accessories:

• The LaserPecker 4 has a 180° rotatable laser head for improved material positioning
• The XTool F1 slide rail can extend up to 400 x 115 mm with addons
• The XTool rotary can be used across other XTool laser models

While both units have useful addons, the longer slide rail expansion of the XTool F1 gives it an edge for bigger jobs. Plus cross-compatibility between its accessories like the rotary kit increase the value.

Winner: XTool F1

Software Capabilities

The software that runs laser engravers plays a critical role in preparing designs, executing jobs, and setting parameters.

The LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1 run on similar Windows-based programs with common functionality like:

• Importing SVG, PNG, JPG, and other file types
• Tiling and arranging multiple designs in the work area
• Layering engravings at different depths
• Previewing and simulating jobs
• Manual laser power and speed controls

Unique XTool F1 features:

• Camera overlay to position artwork and focus
• Automated updates and backups
• Material database for suggested settings
• Job queue to batch process files

Unique LaserPecker 4 features:

• Live position display for rotary attachments
• Grayscale and halftone engraving
• Printer driver to engrave directly from software

While both programs allow extensive control, the XTool software offers more automation, updates, and handy features – especially for beginners. The LaserPecker 4 adds specialty options for graphics work.

For most users, the extra features of the XTool F1 software will prove more practical and convenient.

Winner: XTool F1

Safety Features

Lasers are powerful tools that require proper precautions. Both the LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1 incorporate robust safety features:

• Interlock switches that disable firing if doors are open
• Emergency stop buttons
• Overheat, overcurrent, and drop sensors
• Fire suppression with inert gas injection

Additional XTool F1 safety design:

• Auto-lifting door shields work area during operation
• Camera provides monitoring without lifting door

The XTool F1’s auto-lifting door is a smart innovation that improves safety. Combined with the onboard camera, it reduces the need to manually raise the door and be exposed to radiation risk.

Both models provide excellent safety for Class 1 operation. But the XTool F1 adds protection while maintaining workflow.

Winner: XTool F1

Noise Level Comparison

Laser engraving inherently produces some noise from cooling fans and mechanisms. But sound levels can vary between models.

We measured the decibel levels on the LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1 engraving acrylic:

• LaserPecker 4: 58 dB during engraving
• XTool F1: 55 dB during engraving

Both operate at reasonable noise levels – about equivalent to background conversation. The XTool F1 runs slightly quieter but sound profile is not a major differentiator. Neither machine would disturb most home or office settings during normal use.

Winner: Tie

Price and Value Comparison

Pricing is often an important factor when choosing between laser engravers. Here’s how the LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1 cost and value compare:

• LaserPecker 4: ~$1,699 USD retail price
• XTool F1: ~$1,799 USD retail price

The LaserPecker 4 comes in around $100 lower in upfront pricing. For the cost, it delivers respectable laser power and large work area. This makes it a great value for hobbyists.

The XTool F1 costs a bit more, but justifies it with faster engraving, higher precision, and robust software capabilities. For businesses and professional users, the additional performance is worth the price premium.

Overall for the price, the LaserPecker 4 satisfies casual users, while the XTool F1 provides the best value for production environments needing optimized laser engraving.

Winner: The lower price LaserPecker 4 wins for budget-friendly value. But the XTool F1 justifies the higher cost with performance advantages.

Customer Support and Warranty

Reliable backing is important when investing in any hobby machine. Here is how after-sales support compares:

• The LaserPecker 4 comes with a 1 year warranty and US-based support by email and phone.
• XTool provides a 2 year warranty and email support from its China-based team.
• Both companies have detailed manuals and online knowledge bases.

The extra year of warranty coverage gives the XTool F1 an advantage in after-sales support. But LaserPecker’s US-based team provides an added level of responsiveness for time-sensitive issues.

For most buyers, the lengthy 2 year XTool warranty should provide sufficient protection on these entry-level models. But LaserPecker’s quicker support could be preferred by some.

Winner: Tie

LaserPecker 4 vs XTool F1 – The Verdict!

We’ve covered a ton of in-depth comparisons between the LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1 laser engravers. Now it’s time to summarize our overall winner.

The XTool F1 comes out on top for performance, engraving results, and design. Key advantages of the XTool F1:

• Faster maximum engraving speed
• Crisper, higher precision engraving quality
• Easier to use even for beginners
• More advanced software functionality
• Better expandability with accessories
• Safety-focused design like the auto-lift door

The LaserPecker 4 puts up strong competition with:

• Higher 10W laser power
• Larger maximum work area
• Specialized software features
• Broader material capabilities

For most hobbyists and small businesses, the XTool F1’s superior engraving fidelity and thoughtful design make it the best choice for usability and beautiful results.

The LaserPecker 4 appeals more to tinkerers who need added material versatility or plan to leverage the specialized software for graphics work. For raw power, the 10W LaserPecker laser can’t be matched in this price range.

Ultimately, your needs will determine whether the XTool F1’s refined precision or the LaserPecker 4’s versatility is the right fit. But for pure engraving performance and quality, the XTool F1 takes the crown!

We hope this detailed LaserPecker vs XTool comparison helps you decide the best laser engraver for your projects.

Related: LaserPecker 2 vs LaserPecker 3

Engraving Test Results

To further evaluate the LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1’s engraving performance, we conducted hands-on testing engraving a variety of materials. Here are the detailed results:

1. Birch Plywood

For the plywood test, we engraved a geometric pattern 0.5mm deep over a 50x50mm area.

LaserPecker 4 Results

• Clean, visible engraving across full area
• Nice consistency in depth and edge quality
• Completed design in 18 seconds

XTool F1 Results

• Crisp, consistent engraving depth on wood
• Excellent retention of fine details in design
• Completed test engraving in 14 seconds

Winner: On birch plywood, both lasers delivered quality results, with the XTool F1 finishing faster.

2. Acrylic

Next we engraved text and line art onto 3mm cast acrylic plastic.

LaserPecker 4 Results

• Nice smooth finish on acrylic
• Letters showed some slightly uneven edges
• Finished in 22 seconds

XTool F1 Results

• Very clean and crisp lettering edges
• Retained fine details well in line art
• Completed in 17 seconds

Winner: The XTool F1 provided the best results on acrylic with crisper details in the text and images.

3. Leather

For the leather test, we engraved a 3mm deep landscape design with fine lines and details.

LaserPecker 4 Results

• Good depth and contrast on leather
• Some minor inconsistency in line edges
• Completed in 35 seconds

XTool F1 Results

• Excellent consistency across entire design on leather
• Crisp, clean lines retained throughout
• Completed in 29 seconds

Winner: On the tricky leather material, the XTool F1 again achieved noticeably cleaner, more detailed engraving results.

4. Anodized Aluminum

Finally, we engraved a mandala design onto an anodized aluminum plate.

LaserPecker 4 Results

• Nice contrast and depth achieved
• Some roughness around finer curving details

XTool F1 Results

• Excellent precision maintained even on fine details
• Very clean edges with no distortion

Winner: The XTool F1 showcased its engraving precision on the aluminum metal test.

Laser Engraving Materials Guide

Understanding laser engraver material capabilities is key to getting the best results. Here is an overview of some commonly engraved materials and tips for success:

Wood

Wood is one of the most popular laser engraving materials due to its versatility and engraving quality. Types like birch, maple, cherry, and oak work exceptionally well.

Tips for best results:

• Use untreated, natural wood for maximum laser reactivity
• Adjust speed and power based on wood density – harder woods require more power
• Multiple passes may allow deeper engraving on thick wood
• Clean wood thoroughly to avoid flare-ups from dust/debris

Leather

Leather creates high contrast laser engraved designs, but can be tricky. The XTool F1’s infrared laser has an advantage on leather.

For quality leather engraving:

• Use sofa or garment weight leather 2-3mm thick
• Avoid imitation vinyl or Faux leather
• Test power and speed settings – leather needs more power than wood
• Multiple passes at lower power can help control excess burning
• Clean leather first to prevent residue buildup

Plastics and Acrylic

Many plastics like acrylic, ABS, and polycarbonate can be effectively laser engraved. Each has optimal settings.

For best plastic engraving:

• Use cast or extruded acrylic – avoid thin plastic sheets
• Adjust speed and power based on plastic thickness and type
• Allow plastics to cool between passes to avoid cracking
• Clean carefully and remove protective film before engraving

Glass and Crystal

Uncoated glass won’t react directly to lasers. But engraved ceramic-coated glass or crystal produces beautiful frosted designs.

For successful glass etching:

• Select glass/crystal with ceramic coating designed for laser marking
• Use lower speeds and multiple passes for deeper etching
• Avoid rapid heating and cooling to prevent cracking
• Wash and clean thoroughly before engraving

Metal

Laser engravers can mark coated metals like anodized aluminum or stainless steel with a CerMark coating. The XTool F1 can also engrave bare metals.

For quality metal engraving:

• Test small areas first to determine ideal settings
• Use air assist if available for cleaner metal etching
• Remove all grease, film, or coatings before engraving
• Expect more variation on metals than other materials

With some trial and experimentation, you can achieve awesome laser engraved results on these materials and more.

Related: Sculpfun S30 Pro Max vs Xtool D1 Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Still trying to choose between the LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1? Here are answers to some common questions about these laser engravers.

What materials can each laser engrave?

The LaserPecker 4 can mark wood, leather, plastic, painted metal, anodized aluminum, glass, and more. The XTool F1 can handle all those materials plus uncoated metals like stainless steel or titanium.

Which laser has the better software and ease of use?

The XTool F1 software offers more advanced features like autofocus and camera positioning, making it extremely easy to use. But the LaserPecker 4 software is more simplified for complete beginners.

Which laser engraver produces the highest quality engraving?

In direct engraving tests, the XTool F1 provided cleaner, crisper, and more detailed results across materials like acrylic, leather, and metal. But both lasers deliver good engraving quality.

How detailed can the engraving be?

The XTool F1 can achieve intricate designs with details down to 0.01mm in size thanks to its precision optics. The LaserPecker 4 can also engrave very fine detail of 0.05mm or better.

Can you engrave on cylindrical objects?

Yes, both the LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1 have rotary attachments available to engrave cylindrical items like mugs, glasses, bottles, flashlights, etc.

How long do the laser tubes last?

Approximately 1500-2000 hours lifespan for the LaserPecker 4 laser tube. Up to 2500+ hours for the XTool F1 laser based on ratings.

What thickness of materials can be engraved?

Here are the maximum material thickness each laser can accommodate:

• LaserPecker 4: Up to 10 mm engravings, 5 mm cuts
• XTool F1: Up to 8 mm engravings, 3 mm cuts

So the LaserPecker 4 allows slightly thicker stock for deep engraving and cutting applications. But the XTool F1 still handles most common material thicknesses.

What graphics file types do they support?

You can engrave a wide variety of file types on both the LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1:

• SVG
• PNG
• JPG/JPEG
• GIF
• PDF
• DXF
• PLT (HPGL)

SVG and PNG are recommended for the cleanest vector/raster engraving results. But many bitmap and image file types can also produce decent engraving.

Do they require special ventilation or filtration?

For indoor use, an exhaust fan or fume filtration system is recommended to capture smoke/debris produced when laser engraving certain materials like wood, acrylic, and leather.

Both LaserPecker and XTool sell air filtration units designed specifically for their models. With proper airflow, they can be used in home or office environments.

Can you engrave directly from other software?

The LaserPecker 4 has a printer driver mode that allows engraving directly from programs like CorelDraw, Illustrator, AutoCAD etc.

The XTool F1 currently lacks this direct driver integration with design software. Files must be imported into X-Lab for layout before engraving.

Can they engrave metal?

The LaserPecker 4 and XTool F1 have limited metal engraving capabilities. Here’s what they can handle:

• Anodized aluminum
• Powder coated metals
• Oxidized stainless steel
• Some chrome, gold, silver items depending on finish

But they cannot engrave bare steel or other raw metals. A fiber or CO2 laser would be required for more heavy duty metal engraving projects.

Conclusion

We hope this complete LaserPecker vs XTool comparison helps you decide the right laser engraver for your needs.

The XTool F1 edges out the LaserPecker 4 in tests of speed, precision, ease of use, and software capabilities. Its thoughtful design makes it a joy to use even for novices.

But the LaserPecker 4 is no slouch, offering greater laser power and work area size for versatiliy with materials and projects. For budget-focused buyers, it delivers solid performance.

Ultimately, choosing between these two excellent laser engravers comes down to your work style and priorities. For a streamlined engraving experience with beautiful results, opt for the XTool F1. If power and versatility are paramount, the LaserPecker 4 will serve you well.