In-depth analysis of the Mecpow X3 5W laser engraver. Explore its high-precision engraving, class-leading safety features, and excellent value for hobbyists.
LightBurn
.ai.svg.dxf.pdf.hpgl.plt.rd.png.jpeg.bmp.tiff.tga.gifSetup was simple and the engraving quality is razor sharp. Perfect for coasters and nameplates. Cutting thicker wood is slow, so I use it mainly for engraving.
Assembly took about an hour. Belts were the trickiest part. Works great with LightBurn after following the manual, but absolute beginners may expect built-in software.
Flame sensor tripped during a test and stopped the job immediately. Key lock is nice with kids around. Still bought an enclosure and venting—highly recommend.
Photo engraves on birch look fantastic. But it won’t realistically cut 8 mm wood. 3 mm plywood works with multiple passes and air assist.
I assumed Wi-Fi/SD was standard. It’s USB tethered which is fine on the bench, but I’d prefer offline. Otherwise no complaints for engraving.
Runs reliably at 6000–8000 mm/min on light raster jobs. Added air assist and a rotary—tumbler engraves look pro.
Tensioning the belts took two tries. After that, homing and framing are consistent thanks to the limit switches. Good entry machine.
You need LaserGRBL or LightBurn. Once configured, it works fine, but the box doesn’t include its own control software.
The Mecpow X3 5W is an outstanding entry-level laser engraver for hobbyists, prioritizing safety and high-detail engraving. While its cutting power is limited, it offers exceptional value as a reliable, user-friendly introduction to laser crafting.
