xtool S1 vs. F1 Ultra: Which Laser Engraver Should You Actually Buy? (A Buyer's Guide from Someone Who's Bought Both)

The Wrong Choice Costs More Than Money

I'm the guy who handles our shop's equipment orders. For the past five years, I've personally made (and documented) 3 significant mistakes in laser purchases, totaling roughly $4,500 in wasted budget and weeks of downtime. The most expensive one? Buying a machine that couldn't do the job we thought it could. Now I maintain our team's checklist to prevent others from repeating my errors.

If you're looking at xtool's popular S1 and F1 Ultra, you're probably stuck in the classic "power vs. versatility" debate. I've used both. This isn't a spec sheet review—it's a direct, dimension-by-dimension comparison based on what actually matters when the machine is running in your shop, not sitting in a marketing video.

Note to self (and to you): The "best" machine doesn't exist. The right machine is the one that matches your specific material list and tolerance for frustration.

The Core Comparison: What Are We Really Looking At?

We're comparing two different tools that happen to both be called "laser engravers." Here's the framework we'll use:

• Job Capability (The Deal-Breaker): What can it actually cut and engrave?
• Workflow & Usability (The Daily Grind): How much fiddling does it require?
• Total Cost of Ownership (The Hidden Bill): It's never just the sticker price.

Let's get into it.

Dimension 1: Job Capability – The Metal Question

xtool S1: The Specialist

The S1 is a diode laser. Think of it as a incredibly precise, high-powered burning tool. It excels at engraving and cutting organic materials and some plastics. I've run hundreds of jobs on a diode machine (not unlike the S1) for wood, leather, acrylic, and coated metals.

Where it shines: Detailed engraving on wood, cutting 3-5mm plywood and acrylic, marking anodized aluminum. The beam is great for fine detail. For a shop focused on signage, custom gifts, or detailed woodwork, it's a workhorse.

The hard limit: It cannot cut raw metal. Full stop. You can mark coated or painted metal, but cutting through a 1mm steel sheet? Not happening. I learned this the hard way in 2022. We got an order for 50 stainless steel tags. I assumed our "powerful" diode laser could score it at least. The result? A faint discoloration and $380 wasted on the material. The job had to go out to a waterjet shop.

xtool F1 Ultra: The Contender

The F1 Ultra is a dual-laser system (Fiber & Diode). This is the game-changer. The fiber laser module is what handles metals. It's a different technology that interacts with the metal's surface on a molecular level, allowing for both deep engraving and, crucially, cutting.

Where it shines: Cutting thin-gauge metals (think stainless steel, aluminum, brass up to a couple millimeters), deep metal engraving for serial numbers or logos, and it still does all the diode-appropriate jobs. If your work involves metal tags, thin architectural details, or mixed-material products, this is your machine.

The reality check: Its metal-cutting ability has boundaries. It's not an industrial fiber cutter for 1-inch steel plate. We're talking sheet metal and thin tubes. But for maybe 80% of the small-shop metal jobs I see, it's sufficient.

Comparison Verdict: This is the clearest divide. Need to cut or deeply engrave metal? The choice is made for you—it's the F1 Ultra or a different machine entirely. Only working with woods, plastics, and marking? The S1 is likely enough (and saves cash).

Dimension 2: Workflow & The "Fiddle Factor"

xtool S1: Pretty Straightforward

Diode lasers are relatively simple. Focus, set your power/speed, and go. Material setup is forgiving. The S1's air assist helps, but you're mostly dealing with one type of process. The software workflow is mature for this class of machine.

The headache: Cutting clear acrylic can be tricky with some diodes. You might get a caramelized edge instead of a glass-clear cut. It often requires masking and perfect focus. It's a solvable problem, but it adds a step.

xtool F1 Ultra: More Power, More Variables

Here's the insider knowledge most reviews don't stress enough: Dual-laser means dual setup. You're managing two different laser sources with different requirements. Switching between the fiber and diode modules isn't instant magic. You need to refocus, recalibrate your settings, and possibly reposition your material.

For a job that uses both lasers (e.g., cutting a metal shape with the fiber, then engraving wood details on it with the diode), you're looking at a more complex workflow. It's not hard, but it's not the "one button" experience the marketing might suggest. My first week with a dual system, I ruined a $45 piece of brass because I forgot to switch the software profile from "diode" to "fiber." Straight to the scrap bin.

Comparison Verdict: For simplicity and speed on compatible materials, the S1 wins. If your projects frequently mix materials that require both lasers, the F1 Ultra's capability comes with a complexity tax. You'll spend more time on setup and file preparation.

Dimension 3: Total Cost of Ownership (The Math They Don't Show You)

This is where I got burned early on. The price tag is just the entry fee.

• xtool S1: Lower upfront cost. Consumables are mainly lenses (which get dirty) and maybe replacement diode modules after thousands of hours. Power consumption is modest.
• xtool F1 Ultra: Significant upfront premium for the dual-laser system. The fiber laser source itself has a lifespan (rated in hours), and replacement is a major cost—think thousands, not hundreds. You're also now responsible for industrial safety features (enclosure, fume extraction for metals is non-negotiable and more critical than for wood).

What most people don't realize is that the true cost includes failed jobs. A machine that can't do the job forces you to outsource it. In 2023, we spent about $1,200 outsourcing metal jobs we thought our old diode could handle. Suddenly, the F1 Ultra's premium looks different.

Let's talk numbers. Based on public pricing and typical accessory bundles (enclosure, exhaust, rotary):

• S1 Setup: Machine + essentials ≈ $2,500 - $3,500
• F1 Ultra Setup: Machine + essentials ≈ $6,500 - $8,500+

The gap is real. But so is the cost of saying "no" to metal work or paying someone else.

Comparison Verdict: The S1 is the lower-risk financial entry. The F1 Ultra is a capital investment. You're not just buying a tool; you're buying into the metal-working business. The ROI depends entirely on whether you have the metal work to justify it.

So, Which One Should YOU Buy? (The Scenario Breakdown)

Forget "which is better." Here's when to choose which:

Choose the xtool S1 Laser Engraver if:

• Your materials are wood, leather, fabric, paper, stone, glass, or coated metals (for marking only).
• You primarily do engraving, etching, or cutting of materials under 8mm thick.
• Your budget is tight, and you need the simplest path to getting started.
• You're a hobbyist, maker, or small business focused on the vast world of non-metal crafts.

It's a fantastic machine within its lane. Just know the lane's boundaries.

Choose the xtool F1 Ultra if:

• "Cut metal" is on your requirements list. Even occasionally.
• You work with stainless steel, aluminum, brass, or copper for tags, parts, or art.
• You already have a diode laser and are constantly hitting its limits, outsourcing metal jobs.
• You're a small fabrication shop, jeweler, or engineer prototyping mixed-material parts.

You're paying for the key that unlocks the metal workshop. If you don't need that door opened, it's an expensive key to hold.

The Final Reality Check

The industry's changed. Five years ago, a desktop machine that could cut metal was sci-fi. Now, with the F1 Ultra, it's a (pricey) reality. But the old rule still applies: buy for the jobs you have, not the jobs you dream of.

My checklist's first question is now: "What specific materials and thicknesses are on the next 10 job tickets?" If "2mm stainless" isn't on there, the S1 is probably your machine. If it is, the math for the F1 Ultra starts to make sense.

Don't be like 2022-me. Match the tool to the task, not the marketing to your ambition. It'll save you a lot more than just money.