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In-depth review of the Mecpow X3 5W laser engraver, exploring engraving precision, safety features, ease of use, and standout value for hobbyists.
Table of contents
Technical data
- Laser modules
- Work area
- 410 × 400 × 170 mm
- Speed
- 167 mm/s
- Connection type
- USB
- Air Assist
- Not supported
- Camera
- Supported
- Enclosure
- Supported
- Autofocus
- Not supported
- Software
LightBurn- Operating systems
- WindowsmacOSLinux
- File formats
.ai.svg.dxf.pdf.hpgl.plt.rd.png.jpeg.bmp.tiff.tga.gif- Weight
- 3.62 kg
- Warranty
- 12 months
- Release
- 2025-01-15
- Laser class
- Class 4
Price & offer
Pros & Cons
- PROS
- Excellent value for beginners
- Comprehensive suite of safety features (flame sensor, tilt alarm, key lock)
- High-fidelity engraving with fine detail
- Compatible with industry-standard software (LightBurn, LaserGRBL)
- CONS
- Cutting capabilities are very limited and overstated by manufacturer
- USB connection only, no WiFi or offline operation
- Assembly can be tricky, especially belt tensioning
- Requires third-party software, which can confuse absolute beginners
Rating
Features
- 5W Compressed-Spot Laser
- Flame Detection Sensor
- Tilt/Gyroscope Sensor
- Physical Key Lock
- Emergency Stop Button
- Limit Switches
Customer ratings
Great first engraver for the price
Setup 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.
Solid hardware, beginner-friendly—software learning curve
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.
Very safe for an open-frame unit
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.
Engraves great, cutting claims are optimistic
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.
USB only was a surprise
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.
Budget winner for engraving gifts
Runs reliably at 6000–8000 mm/min on light raster jobs. Added air assist and a rotary—tumbler engraves look pro.
Belts were fiddly, but worth it
Tensioning the belts took two tries. After that, homing and framing are consistent thanks to the limit switches. Good entry machine.
Not plug-and-play if you expect built-in app
You need LaserGRBL or LightBurn. Once configured, it works fine, but the box doesn’t include its own control software.
Tests, videos & datasheet
Conclusion
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.
