Boss Laser LS-1420 70W CO2 vs Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2
| Laser | ||
| Type | CO2 Laser | CO2 Laser |
| Wavelength | 10,600 nm | 10,600 nm |
| Optical Power | 70 W | 40 W |
| Performance | ||
| Work Area | 508 × 356 mm | 495 × 279 mm |
| Max Speed | 90,000 mm/min | 7,500 mm/min |
| Focus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Features | ||
| Enclosure | Yes | Yes |
| Air Assist | Yes | Yes |
| Rotary Compatible | Yes | No |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | No | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Approx. Price | $4,497 | $6,999 |
| Release Year | 2021 | 2024 |
| Weight | 188 kg | 22 kg |
Pros & Cons
Boss Laser LS-1420 70W CO2
What we like
- 1,500 mm/s Hybrid Servo speed (fastest in class at price)
- Motorized autofocus
- 4-way pass-through for large material
- US-made American Photonics optics (+14% beam transmission)
- 2-year warranty + free lifetime tech support
- ISO-9001 certified manufacturer
Watch out for
- Very heavy at 415 lbs — freight delivery required
- Built to order (lead time varies)
- Water cooling setup required
- No camera
- Software (LightBurn) costs extra ($199 upgrade)
Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2
What we like
- 40W CO2 for clean cuts in wood, acrylic, and leather
- HD camera with Preview Mode for precise placement
- Cloud app for zero-config operation
- Full enclosure — safe for home and business
- $1,000 less than the Pro HD
Watch out for
- High price ($6,999)
- No Pro Passthrough — limited to bed depth
- Requires internet — no offline operation
- No LightBurn support
- Subscription costs for premium designs
- CO2 tube will eventually need replacing
Compatible Materials
Boss Laser LS-1420 70W CO2
WoodAcrylicLeatherFabricRubberGlassceramicmarblecoated metals
Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2
WoodAcrylicLeatherCardboardFabricPaperRubberFoamGlass
The Boss Laser LS-1420 70W CO2 costs $4,497 (36% less) than the Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2, which is priced at $6,999.
The Boss Laser LS-1420 70W CO2 has 43% more optical power (70W vs 40W).
The Boss Laser LS-1420 70W CO2 offers a 24% larger work area (508 × 356 mm vs 495 × 279 mm).
The Boss Laser LS-1420 70W CO2 has a 92% higher maximum speed (90,000 mm/min vs 7,500 mm/min).
Feature-wise, Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2 includes a camera, while Boss Laser LS-1420 70W CO2 does not; Boss Laser LS-1420 70W CO2 includes rotary attachment compatibility, while Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2 does not.