xTool P3 Review:
Best 80W CO2 Laser Cutter for Small Business?
80W · CO2 · 36″ × 18″ Working Area · 1,200 mm/s · Dual 16MP Camera + LiDAR · ACS™ Automation · Class 1 Enclosed
The desktop laser cutter market has never been more competitive. From budget diode machines under $500 to enclosed CO2 workhorses pushing $3,000–$6,000, there's no shortage of options for makers and small businesses. But every so often, a machine comes along that genuinely reframes what a "desktop" laser can do.
Enter the xTool P3 80W CO2 Laser Cutter — xTool's unambiguous flagship. With 80 watts of CO2 laser power, a 36″ × 18″ working area, and a sophisticated automation suite xTool calls ACS™ (Automated Creation System), the P3 is positioning itself as the machine for creators who are ready to move beyond hobbyist tools without investing in a full industrial setup.
It's generating genuine buzz in maker circles, and after spending significant time studying the machine's specs, hands-on creator footage, and community feedback, here's an honest assessment of whether it lives up to the hype.
Should You Buy the xTool P3?
Yes — if you're a production-oriented maker, Etsy seller, or small business owner who needs throughput, material versatility, and a quality level that cheaper machines simply can't achieve. The P3's ACS™ automation, dual-camera LiDAR positioning, and 80W CO2 power make it the most capable desktop CO2 machine currently available.
Consider alternatives if you're a casual hobbyist or first-time laser buyer — both the learning investment and financial commitment are substantial. At $6,999 before accessories, the P2S or xTool S1 will serve lighter users far better at a fraction of the cost.
What Is the xTool P3?
80W CO2 Flagship for Production-Scale Creators
The P3 is clearly aimed at experienced makers, small business owners, and production-focused creators who need speed, material versatility, and a large cutting bed. This isn't a machine for someone buying their first laser engraver.
The CO2 laser format is a significant step up from diode machines. CO2 lasers produce a 10.6μm wavelength beam that interacts with organic and transparent materials — wood, acrylic, leather, fabric, glass — in a fundamentally different way than the blue-light diode lasers in most budget machines. The result is cleaner cuts with far less charring, smoother acrylic edges, and the ability to work with transparent materials that diode lasers simply cannot handle.
At 80W, the P3 sits at the top of the desktop segment. For context, the xTool P2S runs at 55W, and most Glowforge models top out around 45W. More wattage means faster cutting, thicker material capability, and better edge quality on demanding materials.
4 Defining Capabilities
80W CO2 · 1,200 mm/s
Top-of-segment wattage cuts 20mm basswood in one pass and 25mm acrylic with flame-polished edges. Double the speed of the previous flagship P2S.
Scan → Focus → Position — Automatically
Place material, close lid. ACS™ scans, identifies usable space, adjusts focus, and positions your design without manual intervention. Real workflow savings at production volume.
0.0079″ Positioning Accuracy
SkyView panoramic camera + close-range detail camera + LiDAR autofocus. AI Smart Nesting claims up to 98.7% material utilization — the most sophisticated positioning in this price range.
8 Flame Sensors · CO2 Suppressor
Fully enclosed Class 1 rating — no laser eyewear required. Eight flame sensors, a temperature monitor, dual-side cameras, and a built-in CO2 fire suppression cylinder.
Full Specifications
| Specification | xTool P3 |
|---|---|
| Laser Type | CO2 (10.6μm wavelength) |
| Laser Power | 80W Top of desktop segment |
| Working Area | 36″ × 18″ (914mm × 457mm) |
| Max Speed | 1,200 mm/s |
| Laser Tube Lifespan | ~10,000 hours (rated) |
| Camera System | 16MP SkyView panoramic + close-range detail camera |
| Autofocus | Integrated LiDAR ranging system |
| Max Object Height | 8.7″ (221mm) via AutoLift Base |
| Optional Add-on Laser | 5W IR module (metal marking) |
| Focal Lenses | 2.0″ (included) · 1.5″ fine detail · 2.5″ thick cutting (optional) |
| Software | xTool Studio (Windows / Mac / iPad) |
| Safety Rating | Class 1 fully enclosed |
| Starting Price | $6,999 |
Real-World Performance
Wood Cutting
The 80W CO2 laser handles wood cutting with authority. The machine can cut through 20mm basswood in a single pass, and hardwoods that would challenge lower-wattage machines become manageable. Edge quality is notably cleaner than diode laser cuts — less scorching, less smoke residue — particularly on hardwoods and plywood.
For makers producing cutting boards, signs, or furniture components, this matters enormously for post-processing time. The P3's 36″ × 18″ bed also enables furniture-scale panel work that smaller machines simply cannot accommodate.
Acrylic Cutting
This is where CO2 lasers have always had a decisive advantage, and the P3 doesn't disappoint. Thick acrylic (up to 25mm) cuts cleanly with flame-polished edges, and cast acrylic engravings come out crisp and frosted. If you're selling acrylic signage, awards, or display products, this machine handles it without compromise.
Leather and Fabric
CO2 wavelengths are well-suited to organic materials like leather. The P3 engraves with fine detail and cuts cleanly without fraying. Fabric cutting with the right speed and power settings produces clean edges — viable for apparel decoration or custom patches at production volume.
Metal Marking (With IR Module)
The base CO2 laser cannot mark bare metal. However, the optional 5W IR laser module adds that capability, enabling annealing marks on stainless steel, titanium, and similar metals. For businesses doing drinkware or tool customization, it's a meaningful add-on that most Glowforge users simply don't have access to.
Creator & Community Feedback
Maker communities have been enthusiastic about the P3, with particular praise for the automation workflow. A few notable voices:
"This is the first time I've seen an industrial laser with this level of simplicity." — Cornelius Creations
"P3 is the easiest laser cutter I have ever used. My other lasers do not do that!" — Make Something
"There are so many upgrades with the P3 — it's not just the size and power; the great new features genuinely improve my efficiency." — Six Eight Woodworks
The consensus among hands-on reviewers is that the ACS™ automation system genuinely works as advertised — not a marketing claim but a real workflow change. Creators who have used the Glowforge Pro or previous xTool models report that per-job setup time is substantially reduced.
Common concerns from the community center on the price point, the physical footprint, and the fact that accessories like the conveyor feeder, RA3 rotary, and IR module are all sold separately. The cost of a fully equipped bundle can push well beyond the $6,999 base price, which catches some buyers off guard.
How It Compares: CO2 Desktop Competitors
To keep this comparison meaningful, we're focusing exclusively on enclosed CO2 desktop laser cutters — the segment where the P3 actually competes. Comparing it to diode machines would be an apples-to-oranges exercise given the fundamental differences in wavelength, material compatibility, and price category.
| Machine | Power | Working Area | Max Speed | Camera / Auto | Price (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| xTool P3 ★ | 80W | 36″ × 18″ | 1,200 mm/s | Dual cam + LiDAR ACS™ | From $6,999 |
| xTool P2S | 55W | 23.6″ × 12″ | 600 mm/s | Single cam | ~$3,499 |
| Glowforge Pro | ~45W | 19.5″ × 11″ | ~500 mm/s | Single cam | ~$6,000 |
| Glowforge Aura | ~6W | 11″ × 12″ | ~250 mm/s | Single cam | ~$1,200 |
| OMTech 60W | 60W | 20″ × 28″ | ~500 mm/s | None | ~$1,200 |
Pros & Cons
✅ Strengths
- Industry-leading 80W CO2 power for a desktop machine
- Massive 36″ × 18″ working area — far larger than most competitors
- ACS™ automation genuinely reduces per-job setup time
- Dual-camera + LiDAR autofocus is accurate and reliable
- Cuts transparent acrylic cleanly — CO2 advantage
- Optional 5W IR module enables metal marking
- Class 1 enclosure with flame sensors and CO2 suppressor
- AI-powered Smart Nesting maximizes material utilization
- 10,000-hour rated laser tube lifespan
- Strong and growing accessories ecosystem
⚠️ Limitations to Know
- $6,999 starting price is a serious investment
- Full feature set requires additional accessory purchases
- Large physical footprint — needs a dedicated workspace
- CO2 tube will eventually need replacement
- Cannot mark bare metal without the IR module add-on
- Overkill for casual hobbyists or very occasional use
- Requires proper ventilation (air purifier sold separately)
Who Is the xTool P3 For?
Etsy Sellers & Product Businesses
Running medium-to-high production volumes — personalized gifts, signage, awards, acrylic products that demand CO2 quality.
Small Maker Studios
Need a workhorse capable of handling diverse materials without constant setup fiddling. The ACS™ automation makes multi-material days practical.
Woodworkers & Fabricators
Adding laser cutting to their workflow for intricate cuts, inlays, custom branding, or furniture-scale panel work.
Print & Customization Shops
Offering on-demand product personalization at retail scale with batch production efficiency that cheaper machines can't match.
Acrylic Signage & Awards
CO2 is unrivaled for acrylic — clean cuts, flame-polished edges, crisp frosted engravings. The 36″ bed handles full signage panels.
Scaling Makers
Creators upgrading from diode or entry-level CO2 who have validated their business and now need to grow throughput.
Is the xTool P3 Right for You?
✓ Choose the xTool P3 if:
- You're already selling laser-cut products and need to scale
- Acrylic, wood, leather, or fabric cutting is your core work
- You want to cut large panels or signage (36″ × 18″ bed)
- Per-job setup time is hurting your throughput
- You need a CO2 quality level that diode machines can't deliver
- Metal marking with an IR add-on is useful for your products
- You have a dedicated workspace with ventilation infrastructure
› Consider other options if:
- You're a first-time laser buyer without a defined use case
- You engrave occasionally — the P2S or S1 is far better value
- You lack a dedicated workspace with ventilation
- Your primary need is cutting bare metal sheets
- Budget is a primary constraint at this time
xTool P3: The Best Desktop CO2 Laser for Production Creators
The xTool P3 is a genuinely impressive machine that earns its flagship title. The combination of 80W CO2 power, an industry-leading 36″ × 18″ working area, and the ACS™ automation system makes it the most capable desktop CO2 laser engraver currently on the market for production-oriented creators. The price is real — at $6,999 before accessories, you're making a serious business investment. But for a maker or small business owner who is already selling laser-cut products and needs to grow, the P3 makes a compelling case. The dual-camera, LiDAR-autofocus system is the most sophisticated positioning setup available in this price range, and the automation features meaningfully reduce per-job setup time, which directly translates to more units produced per hour. If you're serious about laser cutting as a business, the xTool P3 is the best desktop CO2 machine we've evaluated.
