Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2 vs Trotec Speedy 50 30W CO2
| Laser | ||
| Type | CO2 Laser | CO2 Laser |
| Wavelength | 10,600 nm | 10,600 nm |
| Optical Power | 40 W | 30 W |
| Performance | ||
| Work Area | 495 × 279 mm | 457 × 305 mm |
| Max Speed | 7,500 mm/min | 90,000 mm/min |
| Focus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Features | ||
| Enclosure | Yes | Yes |
| Air Assist | Yes | Yes |
| Rotary Compatible | No | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | No |
| Camera | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Approx. Price | $6,999 | $9,995 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2024 |
| Weight | 22 kg | 53 kg |
Pros & Cons
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
Trotec Speedy 50 30W CO2
What we like
- Professional-grade RF CO2 laser source (maintenance-free, long life)
- Fast for its class — 1.5 m/s, up to 6.5× faster than comparable desktop lasers
- Ruby® software is best-in-class for workflow automation
- CE & FDA compliant, true Class 2 safety enclosure
- Excellent Trotec global service network
Watch out for
- Price is significantly above hobbyist CO2 desktops — quote only
- Single laser power option (30W only)
- No WiFi in standard config (Ethernet only)
- Requires exhaust system (sold separately)
Compatible Materials
Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2
WoodAcrylicLeatherCardboardFabricPaperRubberFoamGlass
Trotec Speedy 50 30W CO2
WoodAcrylicLeatherPaperplasticFabricGlassStone
The Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2 costs $6,999 (30% less) than the Trotec Speedy 50 30W CO2, which is priced at $9,995.
The Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2 has 25% more optical power (40W vs 30W).
The Trotec Speedy 50 30W CO2 offers a 1% larger work area (457 × 305 mm vs 495 × 279 mm).
The Trotec Speedy 50 30W 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 Trotec Speedy 50 30W CO2 does not; Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2 includes WiFi connectivity, while Trotec Speedy 50 30W CO2 does not; Trotec Speedy 50 30W CO2 includes rotary attachment compatibility, while Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2 does not.