The Top CNC Machine Brands in 2024

Whether you’re looking for a CNC router, mill, lathe, or laser machine, it’s important to shop with reliable brands that provide top quality machines and great customer support. However, with so many different companies out there, finding the best CNC machine brands can be a difficult task.

That’s why at CNCSourced we’ve put together this guide looking at all the top CNC manufacturers. We’ll look at brands that specialize in different types of CNC machines, as well as companies that provide both affordable and industrial CNCs.

As well as a brief description of each CNC manufacturer, we’ve also collated information on number of employees, year founded, their current range of products, the country they are based in, and the awards they have won.

CNC Router Brands

Inventables 

• Founded: 2002
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 11-50
• Product range: 2
• Awards: N/A

Inventables is one of the most popular manufacturers of high-quality desktop CNC routers, and also offer premium options for professional woodworkers.

This Chicago-based company actually only produces one line of machines made up of two product ranges: the X-Carve and X-Carve Pro. 

The X-Carve is one of the most popular hobbyist machines on the market, while the Pro is a bigger, more powerful version available in 2x2ft, 2x4ft, and 4x4ft that’s designed for businesses.

Inventables is also well known for its CAD/CAM software Easel Pro, which is widely regarded as one of the most user-friendly CNC programs. There’s also a free version with more limited features, and you get a 3-year subscription to Easel Pro with most CNC purchases.

Carbide 3D 

• Founded: 2013
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 1-10
• Product range: 3
• Awards: Best Desktop Mill (Make Awards 2015)

Carbide 3D is another of the top CNC routers brands and is one of Inventables’ main competitors in the hobbyist and small business market.

It’s best known for its Shapeoko range, which started out as an open-source Kickstarter project in 2011 before developing into a commercial series of machines. 

Carbide currently offers the Shapeoko 4 and Shapeoko Pro, with the Shapeoko 5 Pro coming soon.

Carbide, which is based in California, also manufactures the Nomad 3, a very compact and affordable CNC mill designed for home use. This won Make Magazine’s award for the best desktop mill in 2015, while the Shapeoko 3 placed second and third in the best mid-size CNC and best large-format CNC, respectively.

MakerMade 

• Founded: 2018
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 11-50
• Product range: 3
• Awards: N/A

MakerMade is one of the more unique brands of CNC machines, having built upon the open source Maslow project, which made waves for its extremely low-cost 4x8ft CNC router, produced following a $300,000 Kickstarter in 2016.

From there, MakerMade was established as it shifted from an open source CNC project to a CNC manufacturing business. The company currently offers one additional CNC to the original Maslow, the M2, with an optional laser engraver attachment, as well as a 3D printer.

Like the Maslow, the M2 uses a unique upright construction on a wooden frame, with a spindle contained within a sled suspended on a chain. It offers more power and speed than its predecessor, yet still represents excellent value at around just $1,200 – less than a fifth of many oth 4×8 CNCs.

SainSmart

• Founded: 2011
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 11-50
• Product range: 10+
• Awards: N/A

Sainsmart have their headquarters in Kansas, and are popular for their range of budget hobbyist CNC routers. It offers a wider range of products than the companies we’ve covered so far, with seven different CNC routers as well as several laser engravers and 3D printers.

All Sainsmart’s CNC router machines are part of the Genmitsu line, which range in size from 3018 CNCs, to up to 6050 sizes. The Genmistu 3018 is among the most popular desktop CNC routers, being an intuitive and well-made machine that’s available for under $300 (and one of very few cheap CNC routers that’s Mach3-compatible).

Openbuilds

• Founded: 2012
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: N/A
• Product range: 50+
• Awards: N/A

Openbuilds stands out as one of the most unique brands, with a philosophy based on the concept of open-source CNC machining. 

There are two parts to the site. The first being the store where you can buy complete Openbuilds CNC machine kits, like the LEAD 1010, or parts for building and customizing your own CNCs.

The other part is the community part, where you can find open-source build plans for all sorts of CNC machines, including routers, mills, lathes, and even 3D printers.

BobsCNC

• Founded: 2015
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: N/A
• Product range: 10
• Awards: N/A

BobsCNC has some similarities with MakerMade, in that both companies are known for manufacturing wooden CNCs, rather than using metal frames. 

This allows the company to sell products at much lower prices than other brands, making BobsCNC a firm favorite in the hobbyist community – though obviously these CNCs are not as sturdy and cannot mill metals as well as Shapeoko or X-Carve routers. 

The brand’s most popular machines are from the Evo and Quantum series, with the Quantum Max offering a large 50.5” x 24” working area on a completely wooden desktop frame. BobsCNC even manufactures a wooden rotary axis.

CNC Milling Machine Manufacturers

TAIG Tools

• Founded: 2003
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: N/A
• Product range: 8-12
• Awards: N/A

Arizona-based TAIG Tools is one of the best CNC milling machine brands, producing both affordable and industrial solutions, and has been in the CNC manufacturing industry for two decades.

In particular, TAIG specializes in small micro mills and micro lathes for high-precision work. 

You can buy individual machines, like the DSLS micro mill, as well as starter sets specifically designed for beginners. Most TAIG mills retail within the $2,000-$5,000 range.

Sherline

• Founded: 1970
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: N/A
• Product range: 10-15
• Awards: N/A

Sherline is another top CNC brand for CNC mills, with products that are generally affordable and hobbyist-friendly. 

Sherline is one of the longest established of all CNC manufacturers, having originated in Australia – but today being based in California. 

This company produces several mills and lathes, such as the 12” Tabletop Mill System. It’s one of Sherline’s more expensive mills at $2,700, although it also offers others that cost just over $1,000.

A unique aspect of Sherline is that its 66,000-square-foot manufacturing center is open to visitors every week. Visitors are free to check out how its CNCs are made, view the showroom display, and even get demonstrations of its machines in action.

Haas Automation

• Founded: 1983
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 1,000-5,000
• Product range: 50+
• Awards: N/A

Haas Automation is another California-based company but, whereas Sherline machines are more aimed at hobbyists and small businesses, this brand produces top-of-the-line large-format, industrial machines. 

According to the Haas website, they’re the biggest machine tool builder in the West, and certainly offer one of the biggest ranges, with over 50 CNCs for sale. 

These include 3, 4, and 5-axis milling machines, and lathes capable of machining the most complex and precise parts. For example, Haas Automation is a branch of the same company that owns the Haas F1 team and is the team’s official machine tool.

Most of its machines cost tens of thousands of dollars, such as the VF-1. This machine can handle 20 different tools, has touchscreen control, and can be used with Haas robots and automatic parts loader, giving you an idea of the quality that has established Haas as the world leader of CNC milling machine brands.

Tormach

• Founded: 2001
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 11-50
• Product range: 10-15
• Awards: N/A

Tormach provides a wide variety of CNC machines, including routers, lathes, and plasma tables, but Tormach is best known for CNC mills.

Tormach specializes in providing machines for prototyping and light industry, but also states that their mills are suitable for serious hobbyists as they’re more affordable than those manufactured by the likes of Haas.

The PCNC 440 is one of Tormach’s most popular CNC mills, a compact and entry-level machine for cutting titanium and other demanding materials. You can choose between four different packages depending on your budget and experience level.

This Wisconsin-based company is well known for its fantastic support, with on-site training, an online training academy, as well as hosting regular events.

CNC Lathe Brands

Baileigh Industrial

• Founded: 1999
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: N/A
• Product range: 30+
• Awards: N/A

Baileigh Industrial is another Wisconsin-based company that’s established itself as one of the best CNC lathe brands and has over two decades’ worth of experience.

It offers a wide variety of different lathes, from hobbyist machines costing less than $2,000 to industrial lathes closer to $50,000. 

As well as lathes, Baileigh also produces mills and drills, and there’s even a three-in-one mill-drill-lathe machine, which costs around $6,800 and can be an economical option for hobbyists if you don’t want to have to purchase separate machines.

Bailiegh also makes plasma tables, laser tables, water jets, and woodworking tools like router tables, making it one of the most comprehensive of all CNC brands. It’s even produced lathes for the US Department of Defence.

Hardinge

• Founded: 1890
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 1,000-5,000
• Product range: 20+
• Awards: N/A

Hardinge is another versatile CNC company that produces machines for turning, milling, honing, and grinding, among other functions, and makes some of the finest lathes on the market.

Hardinge holds the distinction of being perhaps the oldest CNC brand, having started out as a watchmaker tools business in 1890. From there, Hardinge was one of the first companies to start producing CNC machines back in the 1960s.

Now based in Georgia, Hardinge produces industrial CNCs, like the T-Series Super Precision, for applications including aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Okuma

• Founded: 1898
• Country: Japan
• Number of employees: 1,000-5,000
• Product range: 100+
• Awards: Over 40 since 2001

One of the biggest CNC brands from outside the US, Okuma was founded all the way back in 1898 in Japan, and is now one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial lathes, grinders, and machining centers, with a huge selection of over 100 models.

The company is perhaps best known for its Genos line and models like the Genos L250II, an entry-level industrial lathe that offers seriously impressive power and speed. 

Okuma makes some of the most advanced CNCs on the market, including 5-axis, double-column, multitasking, hybrid, and automation machines.

CNC Laser Brands

Glowforge

• Year established: 2018
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 101-250
• Product range: 3
• Awards: N/A

A Seattle-based company, Glowforge is widely considered one of the best CNC laser cutter brands.

Glowforge sell three machines: the Glowforge Basic, Plus, and Pro.

All of which are sleekly designed, incredibly easy to use, and designed for small businesses. 

The Glowforge Pro offers the most speed and uses a 45W CO2 laser, whereas the others use 40W lasers. The Pro also has a passthrough slot for unlimited cutting length, whereas the others are capped at their working area.

OMTech Laser

• Year established: 2018
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 11-50
• Product range: 30+
• Awards: N/A

OMTech Laser is already one of the most prolific laser manufacturers, with over 30 models currently available. This brand specializes in affordable CO2 laser cutters, including both desktop and large format machines. 

Many of its models have become popular with hobbyists and small businesses, such as the OMTech 50W, a highly compact yet powerful CO2 laser engraver you can buy for under $2,000.

There’s also the 40W K40 laser which sells for just $500, and is the only CO2 laser you can buy for under $2000. It has a very restricted working area (around the same size as an A4 piece of paper), but is the only option you have in this price range – and is far more than any similarly-priced diode laser.

OMTech also sell larger-format laser cutters for industrial use.

Makeblock / xTool

• Year established: 2019
• Country: China 
• Number of employees: N/A
• Product range: under 5
• Awards: Red Dot Design Award (2022)

xTool is one of the latest brands to hit the laser cutter market and has quickly established itself as a firm favorite among hobbyists. xTool is a part of Makeblock, who have a history creating more commercial CO2 lasers.

xTool’s success is largely down to the D1 Pro, a highly customizable machine that uses powerful compressed dual beam diode lasers and can even be paired with an infrared module. The brand is also further expanding into the CO2 laser space with the release of its new P2 model.

The xTool D1 Pro is currently the best-selling diode laser, and we tested the 20W version of the xTool D1 Pro on our site recently.

Snapmaker

• Year established: 2016
• Country: China
• Number of employees: 1-10
• Product range: 4
• Awards: N/A

Snapmaker is one of the most innovative CNC brands, and is well-known thanks to its 3-in-1 machines that offer laser cutting, CNC carving, and 3D printing in a single setup. The original Snapmaker (called the “Snapmaker Original”) was crowdfunded back in 2019.

Its best known model is the Snapmaker 2.0, which provides these multiple capabilities for around $1,200 and boasts a modular design that makes it easy to assemble and customize. We tested the Snapmaker 2.0 on our site last year.

There’s also the more expensive Artisan model designed for high precision printing and engraving, which comes with a more powerful 10W laser (the standard on the Snapmaker was 1.6W), a more powerful CNC head, and dual extrusion capabilities for multi-material 3D printing.

Ortur 

• Year established: 2018
• Country: China
• Product range: 3
• Awards: N/A

Ortur is another of the most recommended CNC brands for laser cutting machines and is renowned for its Laser Master series, the most recent of which is the Laser Master 3, which we recently tested on this site. 

This machine retails for under $700 and offers cutting speeds up to 20000mm/min and the ability to engrave from your mobile using the Ortur app, so it’s very popular among hobbyists. 

Ortur also has a sub-brand, Aufero, which manufactures small, portable, plug-and-play laser engravers.

CNC Waterjet Manufacturers

Wazer

• Founded: 2012
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 11-50
• Product range: 1
• Awards: N/A

Wazer has made its name through its single eponymous machine that it states is the world’s first desktop waterjet cutter.

Hailing from San Francisco, the company’s goal is to provide a cheaper, smaller, more accessible alternative to traditional waterjets that are typically large and expensive. Developed over three years and with both private funding and a $1.3m Kickstarter, the first Wazers were shipped in 2018.

Starting from $9,999, the Wazer provides a compact solution for water-cutting metal, glass, plastics and other materials, while also being very beginner-friendly with highly intuitive custom software.

Wardjet

• Founded: 1995
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 50-100
• Product range: 15+
• Awards: N/A

Whereas Wazer is a new disrupter, Wardjet has been long established among the top CNC brands for waterjets.

This company provides some of the biggest and highest quality waterjets, such as the A Series, for demanding industrial applications, including automotive and aerospace, defense, composites, and gasket fabrication.

Wardjet are well known for providing custom waterjets. Unlike many other CNC brands, Wardjet will design and build custom machines depending on the specific needs of your business, while providing best-in-class customer support and training.

Flex machine tools

• Founded: N/A
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 11-50
• Product range: 10+
• Awards: N/A

Flex Machine Tools, an Ohio-based company, offers two waterjets, which it terms FlexJets. There’s the F-Series, a versatile machine with 5 axes for handling complex shapes, and the FL-Series, which is more affordable but provides durable and accurate cutting.

As well as waterjets, Flex Machine Tools also manufactures CNC machining centers and is a specialist producer of different types of support arms, including tapping arms and torque reaction arms.

KMT Waterjet

• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 100-250
• Product range: 8
• Awards: N/A

Similar to Wardjet, KMT are waterjet specialists that provide a variety of solutions for business and industry, as well as custom cutting services. 

It offers eight models across three series, such as the new 60,000 PSI that boasts KMT’s cutting-edge hydraulic control valve design for seamless topworks shifting.

KMT Waterjet is part of Shape Technologies Group, which owns many similar brands throughout the world. 

You can find a waterjet provider for your application and in your country by selecting an option from the ‘waterjet cutting solutions’ tab on the KMT website menu, such as metal cutting, and you’ll see relevant retailers for your region.

OMAX

• Founded: 1993
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 250-500
• Product range: 20
• Awards: N/A

With 20 models on offer, OMAX offers one of the widest range of waterjets. 

OMAX provides various machines to suit different applications, such as the ProtoMAX for low volume prototyping and cutting of 1” thick materials, to the Maxiem 3060, which supports cutting of large parts for industrial production. The brand has a useful selection wizard to help you pick the right model based on your needs.

OMAX provides waterjet solutions to government departments, Fortune 500 companies, and also educational centers, as well as individuals and businesses. 

Their innovative direct drive pumps are the most efficient on the market and offer up to 36% faster cutting than other waterjets.

Knuth Machine Tools

• Founded: 1923
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 100-250
• Product range: 50+
• Awards: N/A

Having been established for 100 years, Knuth Machine Tools is one of the most recognizable manufacturers of waterjets. It’s also one of the most versatile CNC brands, producing everything from lathes and mills to laser cutters and plasma cutters.

It offers 15 waterjet models alone, all of which come from its B and 5X Series. The B Series machines use 3-axis bridge designs with Beckhoff CNC controllers, while the 5X machines have 5 axes and use Fagor controllers.

CNC Plasma Cutter Brands

Lotos Technology

• Country: USA
• Number of employees: N/A
• Product range: 10+
• Awards: N/A

Lotos Technology specializes only in plasma cutters and welders, offering one of the widest range of plasma-cutting tools on the market, all of which are affordable, entry-level plasma machines.

Their best seller is the LPT5000, which costs $379 and uses pilot arc technology to allow you to cut through rough, painted, and rusty metals without touching the material’s surface. This California-based company also produces two dual function plasma cutting and welding machines.

Hobart Welders

• Founded: 1917
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 11-50
• Product range: 10+ (3 plasma cutters)
• Awards: N/A

Hobart Welders specializes in welding machines but also provides three high-quality plasma cutters – the Airforce 12ci, 27i, and 40i. 

The 12ci cuts 1/8” steel, the 27i can cut 3/8”, while the 40i is the most powerful, with the ability to cut 5/8” steel.

The company, founded in 1917, is one of the oldest manufacturers of CNC machines and prides itself on its great support, with project ideas and educational guides, email news, and a welding chat forum all available from its website.

Miller Welding

• Founded: 1929
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 1,000-5,000 (parent company)
• Product range: 20+ (4 plasma cutters)
• Awards: N/A

Another popular welding brand that supplies high-quality plasma cutters is Miller Welding, one of the world’s oldest and biggest manufacturers in the space.

Each of their four plasma cutters are from their Spectrum range. Miller’s most powerful model, the 875 Autoline, can cut 7/8” steel and supports automatic air regulation and cutting, making it a really solid machine worth considering for anyone looking for a plasma cutter.

Hypertherm 

• Founded: 1968
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: 1,000-5,000 (parent company)
• Product range: 50+
• Awards: N/A

Hypertherm (owned by Hypertherm Associates, which is also the parent company of OMAX), offers some of the highest quality plasma cutters money can buy, as well as laser and water cutters. 

Hypertherm offers conventional plasma cutters as well as air plasmas – portable and suited to light applications – and high-definition plasmas, which offer unparalleled precision in demanding environments. 

There’s also Hyptherm’s patented long life plasmas, which use heavy duty dual gas systems for incredible durability. 

This CNC company’s most impressive product, though, is its XPR range, which boasts next-generation technology to provide the most efficient and accurate cutting. XPR plasma cutters are used by companies like EXCON and Oxycentre, making this one of the top plasma cutter brands.

CNC Controller Brands

Masso

• Founded: 2006
• Country: Australia
• Number of employees: N/A
• Product range: 2
• Awards: Lenovo Choice Award at the University of Sydney’s Incubate Program (2017), Product Design Award at the Australian Good Design Awards (2021)

Masso is widely considered one of the best CNC controller brands and was a pioneer of PC-less controllers back in 2006. 

Today Masso offers the G3, which offers super-fast start-up, great stability, and simple integrated machine control, as well as the G3 Touch, which is touchscreen and can mount directly onto a machine or support arm.

These controllers are widely used amongst hobbyists but Masso also provides bespoke solutions for businesses and has worked with top manufacturers like Sherline and 3DTek.

Centroid

• Founded: 2004
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: N/A
• Product range: 5
• Awards: N/A

Centroid CNC produces several different CNC controllers, the best known being its Acorn controller, which is open loop, offers up to 4 axis control, 8 inputs and outputs, and works via Ethernet connection. There are also plasma and 6 axis versions of the Acorn available.

On top of that, this company also offers the Allin1DC controller, which uses a closed loop and six axis DC servo only, and the OAK controller, which offers AC or DC servo with up to 8 axis. Centroid provides extension documentation and resources for all its controllers, basic free tech support, and the option of paid support.

Mesa

• Founded: 1986
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: N/A
• Product range: 50+
• Awards: N/A

Mesa is one of the oldest CNC controller brands and specializes in Linux-supported CNC control boards. 

It offers a huge variety of different controllers which are separate into various categories, including plug-and-go kits, Anything I/O Daughter and Anything I/O FPGA cards, Remote Serial Daughter cards, and motion control cards.

Its products range from under $50 to over $500, but with so much choice on offer you’re bound to find the perfect match for your machine and application. Mesa control boards are more aimed at experienced CNCers creating their own setup, rather than beginners.

Buildbotics

• Founded: 2014
• Country: USA
• Number of employees: N/A
• Product range: 1
• Awards: N/A

Buildbotics has become a popular brand amongst CNC hobbyists thanks to its open-source controller. 

Located in California, the company’s mission is to provide a low cost and user-friendly option for operating CNC machines. The company was founded by Joseph Coffland, who created the popular CAMotics software.

The Buildbotics controller costs $499 and doesn’t require an external computer, comes with built-in motor drivers and control software included, and comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee, making it popular among beginners.

PS: We also have a full list of what industries are CNC routers used in so our readers can learn which industries they can practice their profession in.

FAQs

What is a CNC manufacturer?

A CNC manufacturer is a company that makes any type of CNC machine, which can be a CNC router, mill, laser cutter, lathe, waterjet, or plasma cutter.

What is the most popular CNC machine? 

The two most popular hobbyist CNC machines are currently the Shapeoko 4 by Carbide 3D, and the X-Carve by Inventables.