How to Choose the Right CO₂ Laser Cutter Power Wattage
When investing in a CO₂ Laser Cutter, one of the most important factors to consider is wattage. The power level of your machine directly influences what materials you can process, how efficiently you can cut or engrave, and the long-term running costs of your operation. At Mantech, we offer a carefully designed range of CO₂ laser machines with wattage options suited to everything from detailed engraving to heavy-duty cutting.
Why Wattage Matters:
The wattage of a CO₂ laser cutter determines how much energy the machine can deliver to your material. Higher wattage means more cutting strength and faster speeds when processing thicker or denser materials, while lower wattage machines excel in precision engraving and light cutting.
Choosing the right wattage depends on:
- The type and thickness of material you work with
- Whether you’re focused on engraving, cutting, or a mix of both
- Efficiency, sustainability, and energy usage within your workshop
Mantech CO₂ Laser Power Options
80W – Standard for Desktop and Pro Range
Our 80W CO₂ laser cutters, the Lasertech Desktop and Lasertech Pro Range, are the go-to choice for small businesses, schools, and professional engravers. Perfect for engraving wood, acrylic, leather, and plastics with fine detail, they also handle light cutting tasks with ease. Our pro range can be upgraded with a range of different tube powers to suit your application.
- Ideal for: Engraving and light cutting
- Typical material thickness: Up to 10–12mm acrylic or similar materials (depending on type and density)
- Best suited for: Sign makers, education, prototyping, and crafts
150W – MCUT and Large Format CO₂ Lasers
For users who need serious cutting performance, our 150W models provide the extra power required for large-format projects and thicker materials. With a stronger beam, these machines deliver faster cutting speeds and handle heavy workloads without compromising quality. Both our Lasertech MCUT and Lasertech Large Format are perfect examples of high-powered 150W CO2 Lasers.
- Ideal for: Cutting thicker materials at production speeds
- Typical material thickness: Up to 25mm acrylic and higher for certain woods and plastics (MCUT can also process thin metals up to 2mm)
- Best suited for: Industrial users, fabricators, and businesses requiring large-scale cutting capacity
Engraving vs Cutting – The Wattage Difference
- Engraving relies on precision rather than brute force. Lower wattage machines (like 80W) provide finer control for detailed designs, logos, or text.
- Cutting and heavy cutting demand higher wattage to penetrate thicker substrates quickly. A 150W machine not only cuts faster but also reduces multiple passes, improving efficiency.
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
Power wattage doesn’t just affect material compatibility – it also influences running costs and sustainability. At Mantech, all of our CO₂ lasers are designed for machine optimisation and energy savings, ensuring you get maximum output with minimal power waste. By selecting the right wattage for your applications, you reduce unnecessary energy consumption while extending the life of your laser tube.
Making the Right Choice
Selecting the right CO₂ laser wattage is about balance – matching your material needs with cutting or engraving precision while keeping efficiency in mind.
- Choose 80W if you prioritise engraving detail, lighter materials, or educational use.
- Choose 150W if you require fast, heavy cutting and large-scale production.
Both options are available across Mantech’s Pro range, MCUT, and Large Format CO₂ Laser Cutter ranges, ensuring there’s a solution tailored to your workflow. Due to the size restrictions of our Desktop model, there is no option to run a higher-wattage tube.
We also offer other options between this value, such as 100W and 130W power options.
Explore Mantech CO₂ Lasers
Ready to find the right fit? Explore our full range of CO₂ Laser Cutters, including Desktop, Pro, MCUT, and Large Format models – each available with optimised power wattage to suit your needs.
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