Ortur R1 Review – Foldable Cube Laser in Focus

1. Ortur R1 in Review

The Ortur R1 is Ortur’s take on the booming market of so-called laser cubes – compact, enclosed, or semi-enclosed engravers designed for portability and ease of use. Instead of a bulky frame that dominates your desk, the R1 folds up like a little toolbox. At 2.4 kg, you can literally carry it under your arm to a workshop, maker fair, or even a café (though we wouldn’t recommend firing it up next to the cappuccino machine).

It comes in different flavors:

• 5W blue diode (450 nm) for wood, acrylic (non-clear), leather, and plastics.
• 1.3W IR laser (1064 nm) for metal marking (logos, serial numbers, jewelry).
• Or a dual-laser version combining both.

That flexibility makes the R1 interesting – but the trade-off is a tiny working area (~100 × 100 mm) and modest cutting power.

2. What’s Inside the Ortur R1?

Unlike open-frame hobby engravers, the R1 is about plug-and-play convenience. Unfold, plug in, drop in your keychain blank, and you’re off.

• The 5W diode module engraves wood, leather, cork, and plastic tags. Cuts? Only thin stuff – maybe 2–3 mm plywood after multiple passes.
• The 1.3W IR option is the selling point: you can mark stainless steel, aluminum, and other metals – something most diode cubes can’t do. Don’t expect deep cuts, though.
• In dual mode, you can switch between both lasers in software, making it more versatile than single-laser cubes.

Speed tops out around 5,000 mm/min (~83 mm/s) – fine for small jobs, but far behind galvo systems like the xTool F1 Lite (4,000 mm/s).

2.1 Ortur R1 Specifications

3. What Makes the Ortur R1 Special – and Who Is It For?

The R1’s charm is in its foldable portability and the option to do both classic diode work (wood/leather) and basic metal marking (IR). Most cheap cubes (like Atomstack Swift or iCube) stick with a single blue diode, which makes them cheaper but also less flexible.

3.1 Hobbyists & Beginners

If you’re just getting into lasers and want something safe, compact, and not intimidating, the R1 is a good start. The lid protects your eyes, and the safety sensors shut things down if it tips. Think of it as a “starter cube” that won’t scare your family.

3.2 Craft Sellers & Side Hustlers

The IR option is a neat trick for custom jewelry, dog tags, or branding metal gadgets. For Etsy shops that want to offer both wood/leather products and basic metal marking, the R1 gives that range without stepping up to a fiber laser.

3.3 Limits

The small 100 × 100 mm area is the real bottleneck. If you want to make signs, trays, or large cutting boards, you’ll hit the limit instantly. And for cutting? Even 3 mm plywood will need multiple passes. For serious wood cutting, a bigger desktop diode (like Ortur LM3 or Atomstack A20 Pro) or a CO₂ system is the better route.

4. Cube Competition – Where Does R1 Fit?

The R1 sits in a crowded cube market. Let’s compare:

• Atomstack Swift: Larger 300 × 300 mm work area, up to 12W diode, but open-frame (less safe).
• iCube: Super-budget cube (5–10W diode), small size, no IR, slower and less refined. Good as a toy, but limited.
• xTool F1 Lite: Galvo system, blazing fast (4,000 mm/s), safer closed design – but pricier.
• LaserPecker 4: Premium dual-laser cube (blue + IR), more polished than R1, but much more expensive.

The Ortur R1 is a middle ground: safer and more flexible than Swift/iCube, cheaper than F1 Lite or LaserPecker 4.

5. Accessories & Add-ons

The R1 doesn’t need much, but a few extras help.

5.1 Rotary Module for Ortur R1

Lets you engrave cylindrical objects (cups, bottles, mugs). Especially useful if you sell custom drinkware.

5.2 Ventilation / Purifier

Even small diodes create smoke. If you’re indoors, you’ll want a purifier or at least a vent hose.

5.3 Air Assist

Not included. Optional DIY air assist can help when cutting wood, though engraving usually doesn’t need it.

6. Pros & Cons

7. Conclusion – Is the Ortur R1 Worth Buying?

The Ortur R1 is basically the “Swiss Army Cube” of budget lasers: small, foldable, and flexible enough to handle both wood engraving and metal marking (if you spring for the IR). It’s safer than bare-bones open frames like the Swift or iCube, and cheaper than high-end galvo cubes like the F1 Lite.

But: its tiny work area and weak cutting power mean it’s best for personalization, not production. If your dream is engraving dog tags, leather wallets, or keychains, the R1 is a neat portable companion. If you want to cut furniture panels, you’ll need something much bigger (and heavier).

Verdict: Great for beginners, hobbyists, and small craft sellers who want safety and IR metal marking in a portable form. Outgrown fast if you need serious size or power.

8. FAQ – Ortur R1