Glowforge Pro HD 45W CO2 vs ULS VLS3.60ES
| Laser | ||
| Type | CO2 Laser | CO2 Laser |
| Wavelength | 10,600 nm | 10,600 nm |
| Optical Power | 45 W | 60 W |
| Performance | ||
| Work Area | 495 × 279 mm | 610 × 305 mm |
| Max Speed | 8,500 mm/min | 152,400 mm/min |
| Focus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Features | ||
| Enclosure | Yes | Yes |
| Air Assist | Yes | No |
| Rotary Compatible | No | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | No |
| Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Approx. Price | $7,999 | $15,500 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2022 |
| Weight | 58.5 kg | 43 kg |
Pros & Cons
Glowforge Pro HD 45W CO2
What we like
- Pro Passthrough slot for unlimited material length
- 45W CO2 for excellent cut quality on thick materials
- HD camera with Preview Mode for precise placement
- Cloud app for zero-config operation
- Full enclosure — safe for home and business
Watch out for
- Very high price ($7,999)
- Requires internet — no offline operation
- No LightBurn support
- Subscription costs for premium designs
- CO2 tube will eventually need replacing
ULS VLS3.60ES
What we like
- Integrated camera vision system standard — visually align designs to material without registration marks
- Administrator access controls designed for shared, multi-user environments
- Same 60W CO2 power ceiling as the VLS3.60DT in the same footprint
- Rapid Reconfiguration™ tool-free laser source swaps
- Purpose-built for education and lab settings with usage monitoring needs
Watch out for
- Quote-only pricing through authorized resellers
- Same 24"×12" work area as the cheaper non-camera VLS3.60DT
- Requires a dedicated Windows PC via USB
- Air compressor for gas assist sold separately
- No WiFi
Compatible Materials
Glowforge Pro HD 45W CO2
WoodAcrylicLeatherCardboardFabricPaperRubberFoamGlass
ULS VLS3.60ES
WoodAcrylicLeatherPaperplasticFabricGlassStonecoated metals
The Glowforge Pro HD 45W CO2 costs $7,999 (48% less) than the ULS VLS3.60ES, which is priced at $15,500.
The ULS VLS3.60ES has 25% more optical power (60W vs 45W).
The ULS VLS3.60ES offers a 26% larger work area (610 × 305 mm vs 495 × 279 mm).
The ULS VLS3.60ES has a 94% higher maximum speed (152,400 mm/min vs 8,500 mm/min).
Feature-wise, Glowforge Pro HD 45W CO2 includes air assist, while ULS VLS3.60ES does not; Glowforge Pro HD 45W CO2 includes WiFi connectivity, while ULS VLS3.60ES does not; ULS VLS3.60ES includes rotary attachment compatibility, while Glowforge Pro HD 45W CO2 does not.