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Earlier in the year my Glowforge started having problems. It started barely being able to cut through materials – including Proofgrade materials.
Unfortunately, my Glowforge is pretty old – I ordered it in late 2018. And, it’s got thousands of hours on it. It is well beyond the warranty. I am not willing to send the machine to Glowforge for several hundred dollars to replace the laser tube.
Since I have been very happy with my xTool M1, I decided to try out the xTool P2 – which is a direct competitor to Glowforge. Now that I have had the xTool P2 for several months, I’m sharing my opinions on the xTool P2 vs Glowforge all week long.
Table of Contents
xTool P2 vs Glowforge: What Are The Differences?
I created a comparison chart of the xTool P2 and Glowforge features. But, I’m also going to expand on some of the key differences and similarities below.
xTool P2 vs Glowforge: Size
The size differences between the two machines are negligible. The xTool P2 is slightly larger.
xTool P2 vs Glowforge: Weight
The xTool P2 weighs nearly 30 pounds more than the Glowforge. Honestly, the weight difference is also negligible because neither machine can be safely carried or moved by a single person. And, if your table or workspace will support a 70 pound machine, it should also support a 98 pound machine.
xTool P2 vs Glowforge: Laser Type
Both the xTool P2 and the Glowforge are CO2 lasers. The xTool P2 is a 55W machine; the Glowforge is available as either a 40W or a 45W.
The higher the watts, the faster the machine cuts. Faster cuts lead to increased productivity. (Yay for more work done in less time!)
xTool P2 vs Glowforge: Cutting Area
The cutting area of the xTool P2 is slightly larger than the Glowforge.
While not included on the chart, xTool P2 has a conveyor belt that automatically feeds materials up to 19.6″ and 118” inches long. The Glowforge Pro has a passthrough slot where users can manually feed materials up to 20″ wide, 1/4″ thick, and infinitely long.
xTool P2 vs Glowforge: Cutting Height
The xTool P2 and the Glowforge have similar cutting heights (this means the height of the material in the machine). The cutting height of the xTool P2 is 2.7″ and the Glowforge 2″. However, the xTool P2 has a riser base that can extend the cutting height to 8.46″. Glowforge does not.
Now, before the critics come in: Yes, you can cut off the bottom of the Glowforge and increase the cutting height. However, for the average user – this isn’t practical. And, it voids your warranty.
xTool P2 vs Glowforge: Warranty
The warranty is the same on both machines: 12 months.
xTool P2 vs Glowforge: Miscellaneous Features
While not listed on the chart, the xTool P2 also features some advanced safety features: an automatic lock, in machine water tank, and an emergency stop button.
The xTool P2 has a rotary attachment (perfect for cups!), and the ability to engrave curved surfaces. Glowforge has neither of these features.
xTool P2 vs Glowforge: Software
The xTool P2 runs on software installed on your computer, while the Glowforge uses a cloud. Using a cloud means that usage can slow down during peak periods – or Glowforge can prevent use at all.
xTool P2 vs Glowforge: Price
Finally, the xTools P2 costs $4999 versus the Glowforge at $4995 (Plus) or $6995 (Pro). Discounts available: Save on xTool or Glowforge.
Ready to see the xTool P2 in action? See more xTool P2 articles and tutorials.
Since 2015, Christine Schinagl has been helping crafters start and run craft businesses through her blog, Cutting for Business. As a Silhouette and Cricut crafter herself, she has a unique take on what works and what doesn’t work in the craft business world. She also enjoys teaching other crafters how to create digital SVG designs, available at through the Design with Me series.