xTool P2S vs xTool F1 Ultra: Which Machine Should You Choose?
The xTool P2S is a powerful CO₂ laser cutter for acrylic, wood and larger flat materials. The xTool F1 Ultra is a high-speed fibre-and-diode machine designed for metal engraving, small products and rapid personalisation. This guide explains where each machine performs best.
Quick Answer
Choose the xTool P2S when the main requirement is cutting clear or coloured acrylic, wood, leather, paper, cardboard or other compatible sheet material. It has a much larger flat working area and is the more suitable machine for signage, display products, wooden items and acrylic fabrication.
Choose the xTool F1 Ultra when the main requirement is fast engraving, marking or personalising metal products and smaller objects. Its 20W fibre laser is suitable for metals, while its 20W diode laser covers wood, leather, dark acrylic and other compatible materials.
The P2S is primarily a cutting machine that can also engrave. The F1 Ultra is primarily a fast marking and engraving machine with more limited cutting capability.
For a business producing both acrylic or wooden products and engraved metal gifts, the machines complement each other rather than replace each other.
xTool P2S vs xTool F1 Ultra: Key Differences
Large-format desktop CO₂ cutter
- 55W CO₂ laser
- Approximately 600 × 305 mm standard working area
- Designed for cutting and engraving flat sheet materials
- Can cut clear and coloured acrylic
- Suitable for wood, acrylic, leather and paper products
- Maximum listed engraving speed of 600 mm/s
- Dual 16MP camera positioning system
- Optional conveyor and rotary accessories
High-speed dual-laser engraver
- 20W 1064 nm fibre laser
- 20W 445 nm blue-diode laser
- Approximately 220 × 220 mm standard working area
- Designed for rapid engraving and product marking
- Direct metal marking and deeper metal engraving
- Maximum listed processing speed of 10,000 mm/s
- Built-in smart-camera positioning
- Optional conveyor and rotary accessories
| Factor | xTool P2S | xTool F1 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Laser system | 55W CO₂ laser | 20W fibre laser plus 20W blue-diode laser |
| Main strength | Cutting acrylic, wood and larger flat materials | Fast metal marking and small-product personalisation |
| Standard working area | Approximately 600 × 305 mm | Approximately 220 × 220 mm |
| Maximum listed speed | Up to 600 mm/s | Up to 10,000 mm/s |
| Motion system | Moving gantry | Galvanometer scanning system |
| Clear acrylic cutting | Well suited | Not the main application |
| Wood cutting | Strong cutting capability | Suitable for smaller and thinner items using the diode laser |
| Direct metal engraving | Limited to coated, anodised or treated surfaces | Strong capability using the fibre laser |
| Metal cutting | Not intended for metal cutting | Limited thin-metal cutting under suitable conditions; not an industrial sheet-metal cutter |
| Best product size | Medium and larger flat products | Small and medium personalised items |
| Portability | Large and heavy benchtop machine | More compact, although still requiring careful transport and extraction |
| Typical business use | Acrylic signs, wood products, boxes, displays and cut components | Metal cards, jewellery, tags, tumblers and event personalisation |
The published speed figures are not directly comparable
The P2S moves its laser head across a large bed, while the F1 Ultra uses rapidly moving galvo mirrors over a smaller field. Actual production time depends on the material, design size, engraving density, cutting depth, number of passes and loading workflow.
How the Laser Systems Differ
CO₂ Laser
The CO₂ wavelength is absorbed well by many organic and non-metal materials. It is especially effective for acrylic, wood, paper, cardboard, leather and selected fabrics.
Fibre Laser
The 1064 nm fibre laser is intended mainly for metals and selected plastics. It can produce fine marking, engraving, deeper removal and embossing-style effects on suitable materials.
Blue-Diode Laser
The 445 nm diode laser processes wood, leather, paper, dark acrylic and various coated products. It broadens the F1 Ultra beyond metal work.
For a more detailed explanation of the underlying technologies, read CO₂ Laser vs Fibre Laser.
What Is the xTool P2S?
The xTool P2S is an enclosed desktop CO₂ laser cutter and engraver. Its 55W laser and large flat bed make it suitable for producing cut components, signs, boxes, displays, templates and personalised products.
Main advantages
- Large standard working area
- Strong acrylic-cutting capability
- Can cut clear acrylic
- Suitable for thicker wood and acrylic than many small diode systems
- Dual cameras assist positioning and material use
- Useful for cutting complex vector shapes
- Supports curved-surface and rotary workflows with appropriate setup
- Optional pass-through workflow for longer compatible material
Main limitations
- Large machine footprint
- Significantly heavier than the F1 Ultra
- Requires cooling-system care and optical maintenance
- Not intended to cut metal
- Direct engraving on untreated metal is limited
- Not practical for frequent transport to events
- Dense raster engraving can take longer than a galvo system
Manufacturer cutting figures
xTool lists examples of cutting thick acrylic and wood under optimised test conditions. These figures should not be treated as guaranteed results for every sheet.
Actual cutting depends on:
- Material species and density
- Acrylic formulation
- Actual sheet thickness
- Laser-tube condition
- Mirror and lens cleanliness
- Focus accuracy
- Air-assist performance
- Speed, power and pass count
What Is the xTool F1 Ultra?
The xTool F1 Ultra is a high-speed dual-laser engraver containing a fibre laser and a blue-diode laser. It is designed for professional product marking and small-item personalisation.
Main advantages
- Direct engraving on many metals
- Fine marking on small products
- High galvo processing speed
- Suitable for serial numbers, names and variable data
- Can perform deeper metal engraving
- Can create embossing-style effects on appropriate metals
- Built-in camera and autofocus workflow
- More practical than the P2S for event personalisation
- Optional conveyor supports batch processing
Main limitations
- Smaller standard processing area
- Not a replacement for a large CO₂ cutting machine
- Clear acrylic is not its main cutting application
- Wood-cutting capacity is lower than the P2S
- Deep metal work can require many passes
- Reflective and unfamiliar materials need careful testing
- High speed does not make every production job instantaneous
Fibre and diode selection
The correct laser source is normally selected according to the material.
- Fibre laser: metals and selected engineered plastics
- Diode laser: wood, leather, paper, dark acrylic and coated materials
Some materials can respond to both lasers, but the colour, depth and surface reaction may differ.
Material Compatibility
| Material | xTool P2S | xTool F1 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Clear acrylic | Suitable for cutting and engraving | Not the preferred machine for cutting clear acrylic |
| Coloured acrylic | Suitable for many colours and thicknesses | Dark and laser-compatible acrylic may be processed with the diode laser |
| Wood and plywood | Strong cutting and engraving capability | Suitable for engraving and smaller cutting jobs |
| Paper and cardboard | Suitable for cutting, scoring and engraving | Suitable for smaller cutting and marking applications |
| Leather | Suitable when the exact material is confirmed laser-safe | Suitable using the diode laser when confirmed laser-safe |
| Glass | Can engrave suitable glass, sometimes with preparation | Possible only for suitable products and processes; testing is required |
| Anodised aluminium | Can remove or alter the anodised coating | Suitable for direct fibre-laser marking |
| Stainless steel | Usually needs a marking compound or coated surface | Suitable for fibre-laser marking and engraving |
| Brass and copper | Not a normal direct engraving application | Suitable for tested fibre-laser engraving |
| Coated metal | Suitable for removing or changing compatible coatings | Suitable using either laser depending on the coating and metal |
| PVC or vinyl | Do not process | Do not process |
| Unknown plastic | Do not process until identified | Do not process until identified |
Material identification is essential
Do not process PVC, vinyl or unknown material. Chlorine-containing materials can release highly corrosive and harmful gases. Certain artificial leathers, stickers and plastic sheets may contain PVC even when the product name does not state it clearly.
Which Machine Is Better for Cutting?
The xTool P2S is the stronger general-purpose cutting machine. Its CO₂ laser is suitable for producing components from acrylic, wood, paper, cardboard, leather and other compatible non-metal materials.
P2S cutting applications
- Acrylic letters
- Display stands
- Wedding signs
- Wooden boxes
- Packaging prototypes
- Templates and stencils
- Decorative panels
- Model-making parts
- Leather components
- Paper invitations
The F1 Ultra can cut some compatible wood, paper, leather and dark acrylic using its diode laser. Its fibre laser may also cut certain very thin metals under controlled conditions.
It should not be treated as an industrial metal-cutting machine or as a replacement for the P2S on larger acrylic and wood jobs.
The difference between cutting and engraving is explained in Laser Cutting vs Laser Engraving.
Which Machine Is Better for Metal Engraving?
The xTool F1 Ultra is the clear choice for direct metal marking and engraving because its fibre laser wavelength interacts effectively with many metals.
Suitable F1 Ultra metal applications
- Metal business cards
- Stainless-steel tags
- Jewellery
- Brass plates
- Aluminium products
- Serial-number plates
- Metal keychains
- Watch components
- Tools and equipment labels
- Corporate gifts
Marking versus deep engraving
A light surface mark can be completed quickly. Deep engraving removes more material and may require many passes.
The production time depends on:
- Metal type
- Required depth
- Engraved area
- Artwork detail
- Pass count
- Heat management
- Required surface finish
The P2S can engrave some anodised, painted or coated metals by removing or changing the coating. Untreated metal normally requires a suitable laser-marking compound and does not provide the same capability as a fibre laser.
Which Machine Is Faster?
The F1 Ultra has a much higher published maximum movement speed, but the two machines should not be compared using speed figures alone.
Why the F1 Ultra is fast
The F1 Ultra uses a galvanometer system. Mirrors redirect the beam rapidly across a relatively small field without moving a heavy laser gantry over the entire work area.
This is highly effective for:
- Names and logos
- Small metal marks
- Serial numbers
- QR codes
- Repeated small products
- On-demand event personalisation
Why the P2S takes longer on some engraving
The P2S physically moves its laser head over a much larger bed. This makes it slower for some dense engraving jobs but enables it to process substantially larger flat pieces and perform stronger cutting.
Cutting speed is different from engraving speed
A design may require slow movement and high power to cut through a material. Published maximum engraving speed does not represent the speed for cutting thick acrylic, wood or metal.
Measure total job time
Production planning should include artwork preparation, loading, focusing, framing, engraving, cooling, unloading, cleaning and inspection—not only laser movement time.
Working Area and Product Size
xTool P2S
The P2S has a standard working area of approximately 600 × 305 mm. This makes it suitable for medium-sized sheets and multiple components placed together on the bed.
An optional pass-through or conveyor configuration can support longer compatible material. Accessory availability and maximum usable dimensions should be confirmed for the exact configuration.
xTool F1 Ultra
The F1 Ultra has a standard working area of approximately 220 × 220 mm and a listed internal processing height of up to approximately 145 mm.
Its compact field is designed for products such as cards, jewellery, tags, coasters, small gifts and individual components.
An optional conveyor can extend the production area and automate repeated batches, but the machine remains most efficient for smaller products and engraving fields.
Measure the product before choosing a machine
Do not select a laser based only on material. The product width, height, thickness, curvature and required engraving area determine whether it can be positioned and focused correctly.
Cameras, Autofocus and Positioning
P2S dual-camera system
The P2S uses a panoramic camera for the overall bed and a close-range camera for more detailed positioning.
This can help with:
- Placing artwork on irregular offcuts
- Batching multiple objects
- Positioning engraving on existing products
- Reducing material waste
- Working with curved surfaces
F1 Ultra smart-camera system
The F1 Ultra uses camera positioning and autofocus to identify products and place artwork within its working field.
This is especially useful for:
- Multiple small products
- Variable names
- Metal cards
- Jewellery pieces
- Batch arrangements
- Conveyor workflows
Camera preview is not a substitute for framing
Operators should still use the machine’s framing or outline-preview function before processing valuable products. Camera positioning can be affected by product height, calibration, lighting and surface reflectivity.
Batch Production and Conveyor Workflows
P2S batch production
The larger P2S bed can hold multiple flat pieces. Camera-assisted placement helps arrange designs across individual items or material offcuts.
Suitable batch jobs include:
- Wooden place names
- Acrylic keychains
- Gift-box components
- Coasters
- Leather patches
- Packaging inserts
F1 Ultra batch production
The F1 Ultra is particularly suitable for rapid batch engraving of small objects. The optional conveyor can move products through the camera area and support repeated processing.
Suitable batch jobs include:
- Metal business cards
- Serialised tags
- Keychains
- Jewellery
- Product nameplates
- Corporate-gift components
Variable-data production
Names, numbers, QR codes and individual designs should be checked carefully before automated production. A fast machine can also reproduce an error quickly across an entire batch.
Rotary Engraving and Curved Products
Both machines can work with compatible rotary accessories, but the workflows differ.
P2S rotary applications
- Wooden tumblers
- Glass bottles
- Coated cups
- Cylindrical wooden products
- Large curved items that fit the machine configuration
F1 Ultra rotary applications
- Metal tumblers
- Rings
- Bracelets
- Small bottles
- Metal cups
- Cylindrical corporate gifts
Product diameter, handle clearance, surface shape, material and rotary compatibility must be confirmed before accepting an order.
Curved engraving needs more than a rotary accessory
The engraving area, focus, artwork distortion, product movement and surface coating all affect the result. A sample test is recommended for unusual or high-value objects.
Products Suited to Each Machine
Products suited to the P2S
- Acrylic signs
- Acrylic display stands
- Wooden signs
- Wedding decorations
- Menu holders
- Gift boxes
- Packaging prototypes
- Laser-cut invitations
- Model components
- Layered wall art
- Leather patches
- Templates and stencils
Products suited to the F1 Ultra
- Metal business cards
- Metal keychains
- Jewellery
- Serial-number plates
- Product tags
- Tools and equipment
- Metal tumblers
- Corporate gifts
- Small wooden gifts
- Leather accessories
- QR-code plates
- On-site personalised products
Products that may use both machines
Some products benefit from a combined workflow.
- Acrylic awards cut on the P2S with metal plates engraved on the F1 Ultra
- Wooden gift boxes cut on the P2S with engraved metal nameplates
- Display stands cut from acrylic with individually marked metal products
- Corporate-gift packaging produced on the P2S with gifts personalised on the F1 Ultra
- Event signage produced on the P2S with live personalisation using the F1 Ultra
Production Workflow Differences
Typical P2S workflow
- Identify and measure the material.
- Prepare vector cutting paths and engraving artwork.
- Place the sheet on the machine bed.
- Set focus, material parameters and air assist.
- Frame and verify the cutting area.
- Cut or engrave while continuously monitoring the machine.
- Allow the material to cool before handling.
- Remove residue, protective film and smoke marks where appropriate.
Typical F1 Ultra workflow
- Identify the metal, plastic or organic material.
- Select the fibre or diode laser.
- Place the object within the processing field.
- Autofocus and preview the position.
- Run a material test where necessary.
- Frame the artwork and confirm orientation.
- Mark, engrave or emboss while monitoring the process.
- Allow hot metal products to cool before handling.
Maintenance and Operating Considerations
P2S maintenance
A CO₂ laser uses optical components and a cooling system that require ongoing care.
- Clean mirrors and lenses according to instructions
- Keep the cutting bed and residue tray clean
- Maintain the exhaust path and filters
- Check cooling liquid and temperature requirements
- Inspect air-assist performance
- Check alignment when performance changes
- Allow for eventual laser-tube replacement
F1 Ultra maintenance
- Keep the field lens clean
- Protect the lens from metal dust
- Maintain exhaust and filtration
- Clean the work area and fixtures
- Check rotary and conveyor alignment
- Keep reflective debris away from the laser path
- Follow firmware and calibration procedures
Consumable and operating costs
Operating cost depends on:
- Electricity
- Extraction or purifier filters
- Replacement lenses or protective parts
- Fixtures and jigs
- Rotary or conveyor accessories
- Cleaning materials
- Rejected test pieces
- Operator time
- P2S laser-tube replacement over its service life
Safety, Material Identification and Ventilation
Laser machines create heat, smoke, fumes and fire risk. Enclosures, cameras and automatic functions do not remove the need for trained supervision.
Essential safety practices
- Never leave an operating laser unattended
- Confirm that every material is laser-safe
- Do not process PVC, vinyl or unknown plastic
- Use suitable extraction or filtration
- Keep the machine and residue tray clean
- Keep suitable fire-safety equipment nearby
- Follow the classification and safety instructions for the exact machine model
- Do not bypass interlocks or protective systems
- Allow hot metal products to cool before handling
- Use suitable jigs to secure small or irregular objects
Smoke and fumes
Wood, acrylic, leather, paint, adhesive, coatings and plastics can release different fumes. An open window alone may not provide sufficient control for repeated commercial production.
The extraction system should account for:
- Material type
- Production volume
- Duct length
- Number of bends
- Filter condition
- Indoor or outdoor discharge requirements
- Workplace regulations
Do not rely only on a product description
Artificial leather, sticker material and plastic sheet may contain PVC or other unsuitable substances. Obtain reliable material information before laser processing.
Common Misunderstandings
“The F1 Ultra is faster at every job”
It is extremely fast for small-area marking, but it has a smaller field and less cutting capability than the P2S.
“The P2S can engrave bare metal like a fibre laser”
A CO₂ laser normally needs a coating, anodised surface or marking compound. It does not replace a fibre laser for direct metal work.
“The F1 Ultra can replace a CO₂ acrylic cutter”
The diode laser can process certain dark acrylics, but it is not the preferred solution for clear acrylic or larger acrylic fabrication.
“A 20W fibre laser is weak because the P2S is 55W”
Laser power cannot be compared without considering wavelength, material absorption and the optical system. The fibre laser is far more effective on many metals.
“Maximum speed is normal production speed”
Deep engraving and cutting require different settings. Published maximum movement speed does not represent every job.
“The camera guarantees perfect positioning”
Calibration, product height, lighting and reflective surfaces can affect the preview. Framing and testing remain important.
“Every plastic is safe to laser”
Some plastics release toxic or corrosive gases. Unknown materials should not be processed.
“Enclosed machines can run unattended”
Fire, material movement and equipment faults remain possible. The operator must continuously supervise production.
“One setting works for every material”
Material colour, density, coating and thickness can vary. Test arrays and samples are important.
“Deep engraving is as fast as surface marking”
Deep engraving removes more material and may require many repeated passes, increasing time and heat.
Practical Machine Selection Guide
- List the main materials.
Acrylic and wood normally favour the P2S. Bare metal normally favours the F1 Ultra. - Measure the largest product.
Products exceeding the F1 Ultra field may require the P2S, a conveyor workflow or another machine. - Decide whether cutting is essential.
The P2S is the more capable general cutting machine. - Confirm the required engraving depth.
Light marking and deep metal engraving have very different production times. - Estimate batch quantity.
The F1 Ultra is efficient for many small repetitive objects, while the P2S can nest multiple flat components on a larger bed. - Consider portability.
The F1 Ultra is more practical for demonstrations and events. The P2S is intended for a fixed production location. - Plan extraction and safety.
Both machines require appropriate ventilation, material control and supervision. - Calculate the complete workflow.
Include artwork, jigs, loading, cleaning, maintenance and finishing—not only laser time.
Choose the xTool P2S when:
- You need to cut clear acrylic
- You produce acrylic signs or display products
- You cut wood, paper or leather regularly
- You need a larger working area
- Your products are mainly flat sheets
- Cutting is more important than direct metal engraving
- The machine will remain in a fixed workshop
Choose the xTool F1 Ultra when:
- You engrave stainless steel, aluminium, brass or copper
- You personalise metal corporate gifts
- You need fast small-item production
- You engrave jewellery or metal cards
- You need variable names and serial numbers
- You plan to offer event personalisation
- You require both fibre and diode engraving
Consider using both machines when:
- You manufacture products from acrylic or wood and add metal parts
- You serve both signage and corporate-gift customers
- You need workshop fabrication and on-site personalisation
- You want to offer a wider range of materials
- Production volume justifies separate cutting and marking workflows
What Image Magic Recommends
For acrylic signs and display stands
The xTool P2S is the more practical machine because its CO₂ laser can cut clear and coloured acrylic and provides a much larger standard working area.
For metal business cards and nameplates
The xTool F1 Ultra is more suitable because its fibre laser can mark and engrave metal directly without relying on a surface coating.
For wooden gift products
Choose the P2S for cutting larger components and producing boxes or signs. Choose the F1 Ultra for rapid engraving of smaller ready-made wooden items.
For jewellery engraving
The F1 Ultra is generally the better choice because of its fibre laser, small spot size and suitability for fine metal marking.
For event personalisation
The F1 Ultra is more compact and faster for small-area names and logos. Proper extraction, fire safety and secure transport remain necessary.
For corporate-gift production
The F1 Ultra suits metal gifts, while the P2S can produce packaging, acrylic stands and wooden presentation products. A combined workflow provides the widest range.
For a first laser machine
Select the machine based on the products expected to generate most of the revenue. Businesses selling acrylic and wooden products should normally begin with the P2S. Businesses focused on metal personalisation should normally begin with the F1 Ultra.
Important Performance and Safety Note
This article provides a general comparison based on published machine specifications. Actual performance depends on the exact model, firmware, software, accessories, material and operating conditions.
Manufacturer cutting and speed figures are produced under specific test conditions and should not be treated as guaranteed results for every material.
Material colour, coating, density, thickness and composition can affect engraving and cutting. Test pieces are recommended before production.
Do not laser-process PVC, vinyl or unidentified material. Appropriate ventilation, extraction, supervision and fire-safety procedures are required for both machines.
The availability and specifications of software, accessories and machine models may change. Confirm the current configuration before purchasing equipment or accepting a specialised job.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is better: xTool P2S or xTool F1 Ultra?
The P2S is better for cutting acrylic, wood and larger flat materials. The F1 Ultra is better for rapid metal engraving and small-product personalisation.
2. Can the xTool P2S engrave metal?
It can engrave some anodised, painted or coated metals. Bare stainless steel normally requires an appropriate marking compound. It does not provide the same direct metal capability as a fibre laser.
3. Can the xTool F1 Ultra cut clear acrylic?
It is not the preferred machine for clear acrylic cutting. A CO₂ machine such as the P2S is generally more appropriate.
4. Which machine is better for wood cutting?
The P2S is more suitable for larger and thicker wood-cutting work. The F1 Ultra can process smaller and thinner wood using its diode laser.
5. Which machine is better for jewellery?
The F1 Ultra is generally better for metal jewellery because its fibre laser can produce fine direct marking and engraving.
6. Is the F1 Ultra really more than ten times faster?
Its maximum published movement speed is much higher, but the machines use different motion systems and working areas. The figure does not mean every F1 Ultra job finishes more than ten times faster.
7. Which machine has the larger working area?
The P2S has the larger standard working area at approximately 600 × 305 mm, compared with approximately 220 × 220 mm for the F1 Ultra.
8. Can the F1 Ultra cut metal?
It can perform limited cutting on certain very thin metals under suitable conditions. It is not a replacement for an industrial metal-cutting laser.
9. Which machine is better for event personalisation?
The F1 Ultra is usually more practical because it is more compact and extremely fast for names, logos and small metal products.
10. Do both machines need ventilation?
Yes. Cutting and engraving produce smoke, fumes and particles. Suitable extraction or filtration is required.
11. Can either machine process vinyl stickers?
PVC and vinyl must not be laser processed because they can release harmful and corrosive gases. Use non-laser cutting methods for vinyl stickers.
12. Can both machines engrave tumblers?
Both can use compatible rotary workflows. The F1 Ultra is more suitable for many metal tumblers, while the P2S can suit coated, glass, wood or other compatible cylindrical products.
13. Which machine requires more maintenance?
The P2S generally requires more optical and cooling-system maintenance. The F1 Ultra still needs lens, extraction and work-area cleaning.
14. Should a business buy both machines?
Businesses serving acrylic, wood and metal-personalisation customers can benefit from both. The decision should be based on demand, production volume and expected return on investment.
Need Help with Laser Cutting or Engraving?
Share the product dimensions, material, quantity, artwork, engraving depth and completion date with the Image Magic Printing team. We will assess whether the xTool P2S, xTool F1 Ultra or another production method is more suitable for the job.
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