Laser safety glasses, as the NO.1 laser engraver accessory, gets its seat at the table of laser marking industry. A desktop laser engraver brings convenience into our life, while there is one point we shall know, even a laser used for desktop laser engraving machine, has potential damage -- especially for our eyes. Due to this, almost each laser engraver brand gets users a free-packed laser safety glasses along with the machine.
This blog covers features for safety glasses for laser from:
1. Principle for desktop laser engraving
2. 4 main factors for laser safety goggles
3. 6 Kinds of laser eyewears
4. Why laser eyewears come in many colors
5. FAQs for laser safety eyewear
A desktop laser engraver uses a focused laser beam to permanently mark materials through localized heating, vaporization, or photochemical reactions. Common types include fiber, MOPA, diode, and CO₂ lasers, each operating at different wavelengths suitable for marking various surfaces. These compact machines are widely applied in industries like electronics, jewelry, and crafts for their precision and efficiency.
Despite their benefits, laser beams—especially those in the infrared range (e.g., 1064 nm for fiber, 10600 nm for CO₂)—pose serious risks to the eyes, potentially causing irreversible retinal or corneal damage without immediate symptoms. Therefore, wearing laser safety glasses compliant with standards like EN 207 is crucial. These glasses block specific wavelengths, offering essential protection for both operators and nearby personnel.
For a common pair of laser safety spectacles, 4 mian factors we shall take into consideration when choosing oen from a range of glasses.
Each type of desktop laser engraver—such as fiber (1064 nm), CO₂ (10600 nm), diode (450–980 nm), or MOPA—emits light at specific wavelengths. Safety goggles must be designed to block the exact wavelength in use to ensure proper eye protection.
Optical Density refers to how effectively the goggles absorb or block laser light at a given wavelength. A higher OD rating (e.g., OD 6+) provides stronger protection, which is especially crucial when working with high-power lasers or in close proximity.
While shielding your eyes from laser radiation, goggles should still allow enough ambient light for safe, accurate work. Lens colors—green, red, orange, etc.—are tailored to block specific wavelengths. Select a pair that balances protection with visibility for your workspace.
Ensure the goggles meet internationally recognized safety standards like EN 207 (EU) or ANSI Z136.1 (US). These standards verify that the eyewear can withstand direct laser exposure for specified power levels and durations, offering reliable protection under real operating conditions.
EN 207 is a European norm for laser safety eyewear. Any laser eye protection sold within the European Community must be certified and labeled with the CE mark. According to this standard, laser safety glasses should absorb laser light of a given wavelength, and their filters and frames should be able to withstand a direct hit from the laser without breaking or melting. In this respect, the European norm is more strict than the American norm (ANSI Z 136), which regulates only the required optical density. (Information from WIKIPEDIA)
We can provide an example for a EN 207 format: D10600 LB7
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| D | Type of laser: D = Continuous Wave |
| 10600 | Wavelength: This glass protects lasers at 10,600 nm (CO₂ laser) |
| LB7 | Protection Level: The higher the number, the stronger the protection |
In this blog, we take EN 207 as the satrdard to explain different types of laser safety glasses.
Laser safety glasses have been used in laser technology fields, here we introduce 6 kinds of lasers commonly used in desktop laser engraving, and along with their typical laser eyewear based on EN 207 standards.
| Laser Type | Wavelength Range | EN 207 Code Example | Required OD Level | Typical Lens Color | Common Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber Laser | 1030–1080 nm | D10600 LB6–LB7 | ≥ OD6 | Deep green / black | Metal engraving, industrial part marking |
| Blue Diode Laser | 440–460 nm | D450 LB5–LB6 | ≥ OD5 | Red / orange | Wood, plastic, acrylic engraving (DIY, hobby) |
| Red Diode Laser | 630–680 nm | D650 LB5 | ≥ OD5 | Amber / yellow | Low-power cutting, line marking, positioning |
| Green Laser | 520–540 nm | D532 LB5–LB6 | ≥ OD5 | Purple / red / blue | Glass engraving, precision etching |
| UV Laser | 350–360 nm | D355 LB6 | ≥ OD6 | Yellow or clear | Plastic, electronics, high-precision marking |
| CO₂ Laser | 10,600 nm | D10600 LB6–LB7 | ≥ OD6 | Dark grey / black | Non-metal engraving, cutting (wood, acrylic, etc.) |
|
Multi-Wavelength |
Mixed (e.g., 450 & 1064) | D450 + D1064 LB5 | ≥ OD5 for each band | Variable | Dual-laser desktop engravers (fiber + diode) |
In this blank we can see the glasses of a dual laser engraver is variable, in this situation, the manufacturer usually design the laser engraver enclosure as one of its color lens, so the laser engraver enclosure is also not for the aesthetics, but a larger kind of safety glasses for laser. Almost all desktop laser engraver brands can send you a pair of laser eyewear for free along with thw package of the machine.
Frankly speaking, each color lens is engineered to block or absorb specific laser wavelengths, depending on the type of laser being used. The color is not for aesthetics—it directly relates to the wavelength range the glasses protect against.
| Lens Color | Blocks | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Red / Orange | Blue light (450 nm range) | Blue diode lasers |
| Amber / Yellow | Red light (630–680 nm) | Red lasers / visible aiming lasers |
| Purple | Green light (532 nm) | Green lasers |
| Yellow / Clear | UV light (<400 nm) | UV lasers (355 nm) |
| Dark Green / Black | Near-infrared (1064 nm) | Fiber lasers (invisible beams) |
| Black / Dark Grey | Far-infrared (10,600 nm) | CO₂ lasers (invisible far-IR) |
Based on the laser type you used. For example, if you have a fiber laser engraver, then get a pair of laser eyewear include dark green or black color lens, ≥ OD6 and has a CE certification.
No, standard sunglasses cannot reliably block laser radiation and should never be used as protective eyewear for lasers. Ordinary sunglasses offer no meaningful protection against lasers, as they lack the wavelength-specific filtering, sufficient optical density (OD), and certified safety mechanisms required to block high-intensity laser beams — risking irreversible eye damage.
Yes, of course. No matter what kinds of the lasers, you shall wear the laser safety glasses during laser engraving processing.
Yes, you can. There is no negative effects for wearing such kind of goggles all day, but you should get a comfort and fittable one if you would like to do so.
One easist way is to check the color lens, whether the color match the wavelength of the laser.
Yes, their protective filters degrade over time due to UV exposure, heat, humidity, or physical damage (scratches/cracks). Most manufacturers specify a 3–5 year lifespan. If not, we recommend you to replace after 5 years. Beyond this, OD (Optical Density) drops, risking exposure to blinding laser radiation.
A standalone desktop laser engraver empowers each user the capability to produce and create. The laser rotary attachment , F-Theta Lenses and flexible fixture offer more canvas for your ideas, while laser safety goggles and enclosure guarantee for your better experience during laser engraving.
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