CO₂ vs. Fiber Lasers: What’s the Difference and Which Should You Choose?

If you’re in the market for a laser cutting or engraving machine, you’ve probably come across two main types: CO₂ lasers and fiber lasers. While both serve similar functions—cutting, engraving, and marking a wide range of materials—they operate on very different principles and excel in different applications. In this post, we’ll break down the core differences to help you understand which one might be the better fit for your needs.

How They Work

CO₂ Lasers

CO₂ lasers use a gas mixture primarily composed of carbon dioxide, which is electrically stimulated to produce a laser beam. The beam is emitted at a wavelength of 10.6 micrometers, which is particularly well absorbed by non-metallic materials like wood, acrylic, glass, and textiles.  Additionally, most CO₂ lasers are gantry style lasers where the laser head moves back and forth and forward and back; firing when it needs to.

Fiber Lasers
Fiber lasers use a solid-state medium. A laser beam is generated by pumping light through fiber-optic cables doped with rare-earth elements like ytterbium. These lasers emit light at a wavelength of around 1.06 micrometers, which is ideal for marking and cutting metals.  Most of these are Servo lasers where the head doesn’t move around a machine, it operates like a spotlight that you would point where you want it, but it doesn’t move around.

Materials They Can Process

CO₂ Lasers Are Great For:

• Wood
• Acrylic
• Leather
• Fabric
• Glass
• Paper
• Marble/Granite
• Certain plastics
• Powder Coat
• Anodizing
• Many others

Fiber Lasers Are Ideal For:

• Stainless steel
• Aluminum
• Brass
• Copper
• Titanium
• Some plastics (typically for marking)

Fiber lasers generally cannot cut clear materials like glass or transparent acrylic effectively because their wavelength passes through without being             absorbed.

Speed and Efficiency

Fiber lasers tend to be faster and more energy-efficient than CO₂ lasers, especially when cutting thin metals. Because they have a higher power density and a smaller focal diameter and thew head doesn’t move around the machine, fiber lasers can produce finer cuts with less energy.

Maintenance and Lifespan

CO₂ lasers have more moving parts and require regular maintenance, such as replacing mirrors, lenses, switches, motors and the gas tube. They also tend to have a shorter operational lifespan.

Fiber lasers, on the other hand, are virtually maintenance-free and can last up to 100,000 hours due to their solid-state design. This makes them a favorite for industrial applications.

Cost

Upfront Cost: CO₂ lasers are generally cheaper upfront, especially for low-power models used in hobbyist or small business setups.

Operating Cost: Fiber lasers win here. They use less electricity and need less maintenance, making them more economical in the long term particularly for high-volume or industrial users.

Application Scenarios

Choose a CO₂ Laser If You:

Work with organic materials (wood, fabric, leather)

Need to cut or engrave transparent materials

Are on a tighter budget and don’t need to process metals

Want the most versatile laser or an entry level machine to get business started

Choose a Fiber Laser If You:

Primarily work with metals

Need high-speed precision for fine details

Require long-term durability with minimal maintenance

Are experienced with lasers, these are class 4 lasers and can harm you eyes

Final Thoughts

Consider the software that comes with the machine, some are much better than others.  For CO₂ lasers, Corel Draw is a great option.  For Fiber lasers, would recommend Lightburn.  It is also useful for CO₂, but I still prefer Corel Draw for it’s ease of use for all people and versatility.

Both CO₂ and fiber lasers are powerful tools, but they excel in different environments. Understanding your material types, production volume, and budget will help you choose the right laser for your needs. If you’re primarily working with metal, a fiber laser is likely your best