Upgrading your Ender 3 to have a laser engraver gives you a 3D printer and laser cutter all in one. But, is it worth it? Or should you just buy two separate machines.
In this guide, I’ll recommend the best Ender 3 laser engraver modules you can buy, explain how to install a laser onto your Ender 3, and examine the pros and cons of upgrading your Ender 3 into a laser engraver versus buying a standalone laser.
I’ve personally owned an original Ender 3, and more recently tested and reviewed the Ender 3 V2 Neo, and the Ender 3 S1 Pro, and I have included which Ender 3 models each laser attachment is compatible with.
Best Ender 3 Laser Engraver Kits
1. Ender 3, 3 Pro, 3 V2 Laser Module
- Price: Check latest price at Creality here
- Power: 0.5W
- Compatible with: Ender 3, 3 Pro, 3 V2, 3 Max, Ender 5
- Installation time: under 10 minutes
- Can engrave: paper, card, leather, bamboo, wood, acrylic
Pros
Affordable.
Easy to use.
Cons
Very weak laser power.
Can be damaged easily.
First up is Creality’s most affordable laser add-on for the Ender 3, 3 Pro, 3 V2, and other models, which is also compatible with the Ender 5 series.
As a 0.5W diode laser, this module is very weak compared to specialized laser engravers (which typically have at least 5W power). Therefore, it’s only suitable for engraving very soft materials like leather, acrylic, and wood, and it isn’t suitable for any laser cutting.
However, it’s a very budget-friendly option and is easy to use. You can simply attach it to the toolhead using the magnetic clips and get started within minutes.
Our Ender 3 V2 laser engraver review found that the magnets on the laser are strong but brittle, and can become damaged over continue use.
If you want to use the Ender 3 laser engraver for engraving metal, bear in mind it can only perform shallow etchings on some metals like aluminum, and isn’t suitable for working with steel or other hard metals.
2. Ender 3 S1 & S1 Plus Laser Engraver
- Price: Check latest price at Amazon here
- Power: 1.6W
- Compatible with: Ender 3 S1, S1 Pro, S1 Plus
- Can engrave: paper, card, leather, bamboo, wood, acrylic
Pros
Can engrave acrylic, wood, bamboo, card, and fabric.
Intuitive to use.
Very easy to attach and get up and running.
Cons
Not particularly powerful.
Creality offers a separate laser module for the Ender 3 S1 and S1 Plus modules that is slightly more powerful than their standard engraver, with 1.6W power rather than 0.5W.
Still, 1.6W is not powerful, but it provides slightly faster and deeper etching than the 0.5W module. It can engrave acrylic, wood, bamboo, card, and fabric, but you still can’t engrave metal with this Ender 3 S1 laser engraver.
Some people say you can’t really cut anything with a 1.6W (or 5W) laser, but I have personally cut thin wood with a 1.6W laser that I own. So, I can confirm you can use this laser to cut very thin wood. It requires many passes, but it is possible, but I still recommend a more powerful laser if you can afford one.
(If you don’t believe me, read my Snapmaker 2.0 laser test. It has a 1.6W laser by default and you can see the wood puzzle box I cut with it.)
It is, however, intuitive to use, allowing you to adjust and fix the focus of the laser easily. It’s also a very safe laser engraving module, with updated eye protection and a built-in air filter that purifies smoke and filters dust.
The laser has an effective heat dissipation system that allows it to work continuously. It has a long service life of over 10,000 hours, which is pretty competitive compared to other engravers (like CO2 laser tubes).
It’s very easy to attach and get up and running – you just need to install it onto the fixing plate using the included screw and plug in the power cord. If you’re using an S1 or S1 Pro you’ll also need to download the Creality laser firmware, although the S1 Plus firmware includes this.
3. Updated Ender 3 Laser Upgrade Module
- Price: Check latest price at Amazon here
- Power: 5W
- Compatible with: Ender 2 Pro, Ender 3, 3 Pro, S1, S1 Pro, S1 Plus, Neo, V2 Neo, Neo Max, CR-10, CR-10 Mini
- Can engrave: paper, card, leather, bamboo, wood, acrylic, ceramic, matte stainless steel, anodized aluminum
Pros
Widely compatible with many Ender 3 3D printers.
You can etch metal spray surfaces and treated metals like matte stainless steel and anodized aluminum.
Slightly more precise than the cheaper laser modules.
With 5W power you can start to cut thin woods more easily.
Cons
More expensive.
The Updated Laser Module is a more expensive option but is also more widely compatible. As well as being suited to the aforementioned models, it works as an Ender 3 V2 Neo engraver and is compatible with the original Neo, Max Neo, the CR-10, CR-10 Mini, and the Ender-2 Pro.
Notably, this module is significantly more powerful than the previous two we reviewed, with 5W power. This is the same power than entry-level diode laser engravers like my Ortur Laser Master 2 had, though the standard now is 10W.
This broadens the materials you can work with as it can etch metal spray surfaces and treated metals like matte stainless steel and anodized aluminum, and cut thin softwoods.
It’s also slightly more precise, with a 0.06mm laser spot that can achieve finer engraving. Another benefit is that as well as using it online, you can also use this module offline by inserting a TF card with g-code into your Ender machine, so you don’t even need a computer to operate it.
This kit is very quick to use. You can convert your Ender 3 to a laser engraver with this module in just a few minutes, and you can easily adjust calibration using the dials on it.
Overall, I’d recommend this module over the other two for most users due to its wide compatibility, increased power, and the fact it’s still affordable.
4. 10W Creality Ender 3 Laser Engraver
- Price: Check latest price at Amazon here
- Power: 10W
- Compatible with: Ender 2 Pro, Ender 3, 3 Pro, S1, S1 Pro, S1 Plus, Neo, V2 Neo, Neo Max, CR-10, CR-10 Mini
- Can engrave: paper, card, leather, bamboo, wood, acrylic, ceramic, matte stainless steel, anodized aluminum
Pros
The most powerful laser module made by Creality.
Compatible with a wide range of machines.
Super easy to attach and install.
Cons
The most expensive on our list, but it’s worth it for the laser power.
This 10W engraver is the most powerful module made by Creality, with the same 10W laser power as popular lasers like the xTool D1 Pro 10W, or Ortur Laser Master 3.
It’s compatible with the same wide range of machines as the 5W module and works with the same materials. However, the doubled 10W laser power means considerably faster and deeper engraving and cutting.
For example, this laser module can cut 12mm balsa wood in a single pass. In comparison, the 5W module cuts 5mm balsa, while the 1.6W module cuts just 0.05mm on the same material.
It has the same 0.06mm spot size as the 5W for precise engraving, and it can also be used offline with one-button control. It’s also super easy to attach and install, and with some Ender 3 models, you don’t even need to update the firmware.
I still prefer my xTool D1 Pro over this, even if it does cost more. You get a larger working area than the Ender 3 offers, and a better build quality, with the gantry designed especially for laser engraving.
5. Endurance Laser
Endurance Lasers produce a variety of different laser engravers that are compatible with most 3D printers, including Ender 3 models.
Endurance offer a range of laser power options, ranging from 4W to 20W. 20W power is a lot more powerful than any laser Creality sells.
Creality’s laser engraver modules are all diode lasers, whereas Endurance also offers infrared and fiber lasers. Infrared and fiber lasers have shorter wavelengths and are more concentrated, which makes them much more suitable for metal engraving and working on steel, silver, gold, and other metals. As a result, they’re frequently used for jewelry engraving.
However, Endurance Lasers are more expensive than Creality’s, and also more difficult to attach to your Ender 3. This Endurance guide to adding its lasers to an Ender 3 or 3 Pro details the steps needed, which include switching the motherboard and mount.
Endurance lasers are worth considering if you have some experience with laser engraving and are looking for a powerful module to add to your Ender 3. However, they’re probably not the best option for beginners. And, for the same price, you can buy a standalone laser, which I personally recommend doing instead.
Pros and Cons of Ender 3 Laser Engravers – are they worth it?
It’s important to consider the pros and cons of using an Ender 3 laser cutter. Let’s start by looking at the benefits.
Pros: Low cost and convenience
The main advantages are the low cost and convenience. Creality’s Ender laser engraver modules are very affordable, and the Ender 3 models themselves are also priced fairly. This means you can have a dual-purpose machine that’s more affordable than many standalone 3D printers and laser engravers.
There’s also the convenience of being able to easily install the laser modules within 15 minutes. This saves you the cost, effort, and space of having to purchase a separate engraving machine and is a good option for beginners who are starting out in laser engraving.
Cons
The drawback of using an Ender 3 laser engraver kit is that the laser modules are less powerful than those used in most specialized engraver machines. This results in slower and less-fine cutting and means you can only really perform basic projects on soft materials like acrylic and wood – the Ender 3 lasers aren’t suitable for engraving metal.
So, the Ender 3 laser engravers are worth considering if you are primarily interested in 3D printing but want to try out laser engraving and work on basic projects. However, if you’re looking for a powerful, faster laser that can work with metals and is suitable for more demanding projects, you’re best off with a specialized laser engraving machine.
Buying Guide – Factors to consider when choosing an Ender 3 Laser Engraver
Power
This is probably the most important factor to consider when searching for the best laser engraver for your Ender 3.
Laser power is measured in Watts (W), and determines the materials you can cut and engrave, the cutting depths you can achieve, and the speed at which you can work.
Creality’s Ender 3 laser engravers are available in many power variations, from 0.5W to 10W, and you can get even more power if you use a third-party laser, like an Endurance one. However, the more power, the more money it’s going to cost, so bear this in mind.
Which projects you want to make
Different Ender 3 lasers have different capabilities. The weaker 0.5W and 1.6W modules are best suited to basic crafts and working with materials like card and leather, or engraving acrylic and wood.
If you want to make laser cutting projects rather than just engraving, a more powerful 10W model will make your life much easier. Similarly, this is the minimum power you want for engraving metals with your Ender 3 laser engraver.
Compatibility
Finally, you need to make sure you find a laser that works with your specific Ender 3 model. For example, if you’re looking for an Ender 3 S1 Pro laser engraver, then unfortunately Creality’s 0.5W laser isn’t compatible.
Also, you want to use a laser from a separate brand like Endurance, this will be more complicated and take longer to attach to your Ender 3.
Specialist Laser Alternatives to the Ender 3
If you think you need more power than what the Creality Ender 3 laser engraver provides, here are a couple of alternatives to check out.
Creality Standalone Lasers
Creality actually offers two standalone laser engraving machines that come as full kits rather than just an attachment for your Ender 3. The 5W laser engraver costs $199, while the 10W kit will set you back $493.
They both use the same 5W and 10W lasers we’ve reviewed further up and are pretty similar aside from their power differences. Both are made of high quality, all aluminum frames which are really sturdy, and have dual stepper motors for fast movement and engraving speeds of up to 10,000mm/min.
The benefits these provide over using your Ender 3 laser engraving are great stability, larger engraving areas, and the benefit of not having to switch modules when you want to 3D print.
xTool D1 Pro
The xTool D1 Pro is one of the best laser engravers on the market. Available in 5W, 10W and 20W versions, with a 40W laser head accessory you can buy separately, it’s my favorite desktop laser engraver.
It uses dual compressed laser beams with an ultra-fine spot of 0.08×0.06mm and a moving accuracy of 0.01mm, so it makes for extremely crisp and clean engraving.
In my opinion, the best part is the build is the build quality. Its all-metal frame is super sturdy, the linear motion is second to one, and xTool has its own XCS laser engraving software which is really intuitive and suitable for both beginners and experienced engravers.
Another great thing about this machine is that xTool also offers a separate infrared laser head for it. Infrared lasers are far more suitable for metal engraving than diodes due to their shorter wavelengths, allowing you to work on metals like untreated stainless steel, gold, and silver.
xTool also offers a rotary module which is ideal for working on circular objects. Coupled with the infrared laser, these make the D1 Pro a great diode jewelry engraver.
Upgraded laser engraver, 20W Laser Cutter, 120W higher accuracy laser engraving machine for engraving 340+ colors on metal steel
Ortur Laser Master 3
I personally own the Laser Master 3, and while I prefer the xTool D1 Pro overall, the LM3 is still one of my favorite lasers.
This 10W laser engraver is one of the fastest on the market, with engraving speeds of up to 20,000mm/min. It also offers extremely precise engraving, with an incredibly fine 0.05×0.1mm compressed spot that provides amazing results across a wide variety of materials, including very accurate wood engraving.
The Laser Master 3 also really stands out for its usability. You can use it via WiFi, USB, or offline with an SD card, and you can control it using Ortur’s intuitive mobile app. There’s also a wide variety of accessories available, including a rotary module and height adjuster, to take your engraving to the next level.
Ortur's YRR Roller add-on is under $100 for low-cost beaker or glass engraving, and the laser itself is great value for 10W power.
FAQs
What materials can the Creality laser engraver cut?
The Creality Ender 3 laser engraving can cut thin, soft materials like paper, acrylic, leather, and some wood, and it can also etch soft metals like aluminum.
Can you add a laser engraver to the Ender 5?
Yes, you can purchase an Ender 5 laser engraver from the Creality website.
Is there an Ender 3 Pro laser engraver?
Yes, this is available from the Creality store and can also be used as an Ender 3 v2 laser engraver.
Is there Ender 3 laser engraving software?
Creality recommends using Lightburn and LaserGRBL for laser engraving on the Ender 3.
Related Articles:
- Best Ortur Laser Master Upgrades
- Best Laser Engraver For Leather
- Best Cheap Laser Engravers / Cutters That Actually Work Well
