Forums bury the right power and speed forty replies deep. Manufacturers only chart their own machines. Pass Depth gives you a clean class-based starting chart for any material, machines scored on what they cost to run and earn from, and the ROI math behind the buy.
Power / speed test grid
Every chart ships with a bracketed range. Circle the sweet-spot cell on scrap — the chart gets you close, the grid makes it yours.
Pick a machine class, a material, and an operation. Class-based on purpose — a diode-20W chart is true for every honest 20W diode, no SKU churn. Chlorinated materials get a hazard card, not a number.
Starting chip row
Focus on the material surface (ramp-test if you have never dialed this machine).
This class covers machines like xTool D1 Pro 20W, Atomstack A20 Pro V2, Creality Falcon 2 22W — ~20W optical, 455nm. Named for reference only; settings are by class, not brand.
Starting points only Starting points only — every tube/diode, lens, and material batch differs. Always run a test grid on scrap. Ventilate; never leave a laser unattended.
Latest from the bench
There is no single best laser, only the best for what you plan to sell and what you can spend. This 2026 buyer's guide starts from your product and budget, then names the machine, with quick picks for the tightest budget, the first home shop, metal marking, and production.
Mara Vance· Jul 19, 2026· 6 min
Mara Vance · Jul 19, 2026 · 5 min
Mara Vance · Jul 19, 2026 · 6 min
Mara Vance · Jul 19, 2026 · 6 min
Mara Vance · Jul 19, 2026 · 6 min
Mara Vance · Jul 19, 2026 · 6 min
Mara Vance · Jul 19, 2026 · 6 min
The line we don’t cross
PVC, vinyl, and PVC-backed faux leather release chlorine gas — hydrochloric acid in your lungs and on your optics. Polycarbonate and ABS burn and off-gas instead of cutting. Our tool refuses them outright, and every settings page carries the same three lines: run a test grid, ventilate, never leave a laser unattended.
The full ranking lives on our best-gear hubs.
A quick, honest note: some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we may earn a commission when you buy through them — at no extra cost to you. It never changes the price you pay.
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43 products vetted
221 reader price checks
Original designs, made to order.
New settings charts, machine verdicts, and the occasional payback-math teardown. No noise.
