Laser marking machines now as one of the most outstanding assistants for handicraft enthusiasts and small entrepreneurs, has its own place in the market, but as a beginner in laser engraving, how to choose your favorite one among many excellent brands, and choose the most suitable 20W desktop laser marking machine for yourself? Usually people prefer to buy the most famous or best-marketed brand as their first choice, but the price or authenticity may make buyers hesitate. In fact, as a novice, what we really need is to buy the most suitable desktop laser marking machine for ourselves. So in this blog, we're going to start with the user's needs and help you choose the one you want.

1. Things You Need to Know Before Paying 

1.1 Simple laser marking or engraving

For novices who are new to laser engraving, choosing a desktop laser marking machine that is easy to operate is the first step, so completing simple laser marking will be the initiation stage. When selecting a desktop laser marking machine, attention should be paid to its high software compatibility, compatibility with materials, and operability which includes its assembly, connection and software interface of the machine. This step will greatly reduce the difficulty of novice users using desktop marking machines.

1.2 Assistant for handcrafted work

Many artisans already have professional handmade experience, and a desktop laser engraving machine is a good assistant for completing the basic operations, like material cutting, thereby improving work efficiency. At this time, users need the one has high engraving accuracy and speed. EM-Smart, as an outstanding performer in precision engraving, all series can achieve ±0.002mm repart accuracy, and the fastest engraving speed can reach 10,000mm/s, balancing efficiency and quality.

1.3 The main force of craftsmanship, golden key for small DIY enterprises.

Nowadays, the ways people earn money have long surpassed fixed methods, with various new trends emerging. And desktop laser engraving machines have also provided DIY enthusiasts or craftsmanship manufacturers with excellent opportunities to start their own studios. For advanced craftsmanship, machines at this stage not only need to be compatible with software and materials but also continuously update their production methods. For example, allowing users to design their brand patterns in the operation interface or import ready-made vector files, and in terms of functionality, they should support deep laser engraving, cutting, and even coloring.

1.4 Cost effectiveness

Everyone have a reasonable budget for the price, so some will choose to buy the lowest-cost diode desktop laser marking machine. Usually diode laser belongs to semiconductor laser, low power, suitable for non-metallic materials, such as wood, leather, acrylic, etc., which means it may has shortcomings in the material compatibility, low power efficiency will be relatively low, and might influence the engraving experience. Costs are usually proportional to benefits, and we don't encourage paying big for the most expensive experiences, but we do support investing in your future career. So fiber laser marking machine may be your best choice, but if you really can't decide which kind to choose, EM-Smart offers you a third option, 20W fiber +20W blue light-our latest product launched in 2025. (Currently on sale promotion)

2.Types for desktop laser marking machines

First of all, you need to further understand the three different types of desktop laser engraving machines. This is the first step to ensure that you can find the desktop laser engraving machine most suitable for beginners. The three types of laser cutting machines include:

2.1 CO2 laser engraving machine.

• It is relatively easy to operate. You can engrave on non-metal materials such as cardboard, rubber, leather, acrylic, and ceramics. However, they are less effective for metal processing.
  

2.2 Fiber laser engraving machine

• It is suitable for metal and some common non-metallic materials, with high energy density and fast marking ability, it performs well in the field of metal marking, can do deep engraving and cutting, and has a long service life, more than 10,000 hours, the price will be higher than diode one, but it is definitely worth the money.

2.3 Diode laser engraving machine

• Due to its compact size and easy operation. It is also one of the cheaper choices. Although not suitable for metal materials, it can engrave on wood, leather, fabric and plastic. Suitable for users who focus on non-metallic laser engraving.
  

3. The Best 20W Laser Engraver for Beginners

20W desktop laser marking machines have their own development priorities in the market. EM-Smart focuses on cost-effective fiber laser marking machines. From novices to advanced creators, or personal brand, EM-Smart has dedicated desktop laser engraving machines to provide you with more professional help.

3.1 EM-Smart Basic —— the most cost-effective desktop laser marking machine in this series

Reasons: 

1. Detachable and small in size --- easy to transport and carry, in the living room, study or your personal studio, allowing you to start creating immediately anytime and anywhere.
   
2. Faster Engraving Speed & Higher Engraving Precision --- EM-Smart has lightning-fast performance and impeccable precision, creating more exquisite works in less time. The maximum engraving speed of 10,000 mm/s and the repart accuracy of ± 0.002 mm are the basic conditions for perfect works.
   
3. Extendable working area --- The operating area of EM-Smart Basic is 110mm*110mm, and  there is no limit to the working height. Its detachable characteristics can be grafted into assembly line production to achieve batch engraving.
   
4. Wide material compatibility --- It can engrave on all common materials, including metal, plastic, leather, stone, etc., and is suitable for all industries. With fast engraving performance and excellent material compatibility, you can easily turn your ideas into reality.
   
5. Safety features --- All machines are equipped with protective enclosure, laser goggles, emergency stops and other functions that prioritize user safety.
   
6. Certification and Patents --- EM-Smart has CE, FDA, RoHS, SGS, ISO9001 certification and more than 50 patents, proving its quality and reliability in the market.
   

From novice to advanced user to professional producer, our latest 20W Fiber +20W Diode EM-Smart Dual may be your third option.

Reasons:

1. Dual laser resources: Fiber+Diode. If you are familiar with the use of diode desktop laser marking machines to process non-metallic materials in the future, and want to further study metal materials, you no longer need to spend extra money to purchase a fiber desktop laser marking machine. DUAL can achieve silky switching between the two, and one machine gives you two experiences.
   
2. Double guarantee of speed and accuracy. EM-Smart Dual can not only achieve a speed of 10, 000mm/s, ±0.002mm repart accuracy, its minimum kerf can reach 0.15mm, the minimum character height is 0.9mm, shining brilliantly on the fine engraving.
   
3. Exceeding the cutting ability of competitors. EM-Smart Dual can cut 17.88mm wooden boards, 14.21mm acrylic boards, and stainless steel sheets with a thickness of 0.53mm.
   
4. Expansion of the operating area. DUAL's working height is 150mm, but the operating area is 230mm*230mm, and batch engraving can also be realized on some small materials.
   
5. More applicable materials. Thanks to its dual-laser, DUAL is compatible with almost all metallic and non-metallic materials, which also provides users with more creative possibilities.
   
6. Consolidation of safety performance. EM-Smart Dual is an all-in-one desktop laser engraving machine with a built-in laser protective enclosure and emergency stop knob, and is equipped with a laser goggles. One feature that distinguishes the DUAL from other models is that it has a dust extraction system that guarantees zero environmental pollution during the creative process.
   

4. Material Recommendation for Beginners

5. Creative Ideas for Beginners

1. Easy-make Wooden Ornaments: gardening stands, practical items
   
2. Slate Deep Engraving Crafts: Turning art ideas into reality via EM-Smart
3. House Decor: Paintings, picture frames, decorating your house with your own designs.
   
4. Customized Gifts: creating the gifts in your style.
   
5. Seasonal and activity-related merchandise
   
   
6. Personal accessories: any patterns, any ideas, easy to create
   

6. FAQs

1. What are the safety features of desktop laser marking machines?
   Many machines are equipped with safety features such as enclosed designs, exhaust fans and goggles to ensure safe use by beginners. Before buying, check whether these mentioned are included, especially if you plan to use them personally at home.
   
2. What power should I choose for beginners?
   Most desktop creators prefer the 10W-20W model, which takes into account material adaptability and cost performance. If you do not need desktop laser marking machine for cutting or deep engraving, desktop laser marking machines below 5W are also available, but you need to accept the speed limit. Avoid blind pursuit of high power, safety and ease of use are more critical for beginners.
   
3. How expensive is a desktop laser marking machine?
   The price range of such machines ranges from $500 for a cheap desktop laser marking machine to $5000 or even more for a large Glowforge. You can start your laser cutting journey from around $1000 for a diode one or $2000 for a fiber one.
   
4. Can I use a desktop laser engraver for DIY or personal projects?
   Yes, many entry-level desktop laser engravers are designed for personal use and DIY enthusiasts. These small but powerful machines are perfect for making handmade items or custom products from the comfort of your home.
   
5. Is it worth investing in a home laser engraving machine?
   Of course! Investing in an entry-level laser engraving machine is a great way to explore the creative potential and create customized items at home. Desktop laser engraving machines are most suitable for DIY enthusiasts who love handmade products and custom design. For those who want to get started easily and without the need for large industrial equipment, the compact desktop type is the perfect first choice.