Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2 vs xTool P3 80W CO2
| Laser | ||
| Type | CO2 Laser | CO2 Laser |
| Wavelength | 10,600 nm | 10,600 nm |
| Optical Power | 40 W | 80 W |
| Performance | ||
| Work Area | 495 × 279 mm | 915 × 458 mm |
| Max Speed | 7,500 mm/min | 72,000 mm/min |
| Focus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Features | ||
| Enclosure | Yes | Yes |
| Air Assist | Yes | Yes |
| Rotary Compatible | No | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Approx. Price | $6,999 | $6,999 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2025 |
| Weight | 22 kg | 105 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
xTool P3 80W CO2
What we like
- 80W CO2 tube — cuts through thick materials quickly and cleanly
- Huge 915×458mm (36"×18") Class 1 enclosed work area
- Built-in inverter water chiller — no external chiller needed
- Dual cameras (5MP + 16MP) for precise auto-placement
- 220mm AutoLift Base for processing tall objects
- Optional automatic conveyor feeder for batch production
- Optional 5W IR module for metal marking
Watch out for
- Extremely heavy at 105 kg — requires permanent installation
- High price at $6,999
- Large footprint (1250×780mm) — needs dedicated workspace
- CO2 tube and water chiller require periodic maintenance
- Mandatory ventilation setup
Compatible Materials
Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2
WoodAcrylicLeatherCardboardFabricPaperRubberFoamGlass
xTool P3 80W CO2
WoodAcrylicLeatherCardboardFabricPaperRubberFoamGlassStone
The Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2 and xTool P3 80W CO2 are priced identically at $6,999.
The xTool P3 80W CO2 has 50% more optical power (80W vs 40W).
The xTool P3 80W CO2 offers a 67% larger work area (915 × 458 mm vs 495 × 279 mm).
The xTool P3 80W CO2 has a 90% higher maximum speed (72,000 mm/min vs 7,500 mm/min).
Feature-wise, xTool P3 80W CO2 includes rotary attachment compatibility, while Glowforge Plus HD 40W CO2 does not.