xTool F1 Ultra Review: The Most Powerful Portable Laser Yet

“Aside from the price, there are no real drawbacks for a portable laser engraver like xTool F1 Ultra.”

The world of laser engraving has been buzzing, and for good reason.

Portable units are no longer just toys; they’re becoming serious tools for makers, small businesses, and hobbyists alike.

xTool has been at the forefront of this revolution, and their latest offering, the F1 Ultra, promises to redefine what we expect from a compact machine.

This review is for anyone considering a high-performance, versatile, and genuinely portable laser engraver.

If you're looking to elevate your crafting, prototyping, or product customization, keep reading.

Introduction: The Evolution of Portable Lasers

Remember when laser engravers were massive, expensive, and intimidating machines?

xTool, especially with its F1 series, has shrunk that power down to desktop size, making it accessible.

The original F1 was a game-changer, but the "Ultra" signifies a leap.

We're talking more power, more speed, and even greater versatility.

So, who's this review for?

If you're a serious hobbyist, run a small customization business, or even teach in a makerspace, the F1 Ultra is designed to meet, and often exceed, your demands.

It promises professional-grade results in a package you can take almost anywhere.

Key Features & Technical Specifications of xTool F1 Ultra

If you’re still new to the xTool F1 Ultra, don’t skip this part. By understanding its configuration, you’ll get a better idea of what it can do in laser cutting and engraving.

4 Key Features

1. You’re getting a machine that can cut and engrave metals and non-metals in one unit — thanks to the fiber + diode combo.
2. Big enough work area for many hobby/business tasks, and with the conveyor option you can scale into light production/batch jobs.
3. The smart camera and autofocus features make alignment easier (less fiddling around).
4. Because it’s enclosed and engineered for safety and potentially commercial use, it’s more robust than ultra-budget open-frame engravers.

Technical Specifications

Performance in Action: Engraving & Cutting Tests

The xTool F1 Ultra truly shines when put to the test.

In real-world engraving and cutting trials across wood, acrylic, metal, and leather, its dual-laser system (20 W diode + 20 W fiber) proved both fast and precise.

The diode laser produced clean edges on organic materials, while the fiber laser etched stainless steel and aluminum with crisp detail.

With speeds reaching 10,000 mm/s and flawless autofocus alignment, every pass felt effortless.

Even 3 mm acrylic and thin metal sheets were cut smoothly.

Compact yet powerful, the F1 Ultra delivers professional-grade performance for makers who demand speed, accuracy, and versatility in one portable machine.

Here is the material we tested of the xTool F1 Ultra:

Strengths & Weaknesses of the xTool F1 Ultra

In short: If you’re looking for a single machine that can handle nearly everything from engraving leather and wood to deep-engraving metals, the xTool F1 Ultra stands out.

But if your primary need is heavy duty thick-metal cutting or ultra-large workpieces, you’ll hit its practical limits.

And here are the strengths and weaknesses of the xTool F1 Ultra we collected.

Strengths

1. Dual-laser system (20 W diode + 20 W fiber) offers incredible versatility — you can handle non-metals (wood, acrylic, leather) with the diode, and metals (stainless, brass, aluminum) with the fiber in one machine.
2. Exceptional speed and precision thanks to its galvo mirror design — reviewers quote engraving speeds up to 10,000 mm/s, and very tight detail on metals and non-metals alike.
3. Built-in camera + autofocus and the ability to work on curved surfaces give it more real-world flexibility than many desktop lasers.
4. Compact yet capable — offers a 220 × 220 mm bed (expandable to 220 × 500 mm with optional conveyor), making it suitable for a small workshop or business.
5. User-friendly interface + good build quality — many users comment on its ease of use despite advanced features.

Weaknesses

1. While powerful for its size, the machine is not designed for thick-plate metal cutting — e.g., “only cuts up to ~0.4 mm brass / ~0.3 mm stainless / ~0.2 mm aluminum sheet” under ideal conditions.
2. Relatively high price point compared to simpler laser models or machines dedicated to only one laser type — some users feel you’re paying for versatility more than maximum metal-cutting power.
3. For large batch production or very thick materials, some auxiliary features (like conveyor, exhaust) become necessary, increasing total cost and setup complexity.
4. Some users note that at the edge of the bed (especially while cutting thicker materials) the cut angles may suffer — the galvo-beam path has slight limitations at extreme positions.

xTool F1 Ultra vs. The Competition

If you’re looking for a dual-laser engraver that combines both diode and fiber technology, the xTool F1 Ultra isn’t your only option.

Here are some competing models worth considering with the same enclosed design.

1. OMTech Solis Duo (20 W fiber + 20 W diode)

OMTech Solis Duo is a full dual-laser setup (20W fiber + 20W diode) like the F1 Ultra.

Slightly lower price. Offers a large work area, fully enclosed, good for both metal and non‐metal.

• vs F1 Ultra: Similar laser power; may have slightly fewer “premium” features (camera system, batch automation) compared to F1 Ultra.

2. LaserPecker LP5 Smart (20 W fiber + 20 W diode)

LaserPecker LP5 Smart has a compact dual-laser unit featuring 20W fiber and 20W diode with high speed (10,000 mm/s) and support for a wide range of materials.

• vs F1 Ultra: More compact/portable, likely smaller work area; F1 Ultra may have an edge in production batch and automation features.

3. Falcon A1 Pro (2W IR + 20 W diode)

Falcon A1 Pro has a Dual-laser option, but diode & optional IR rather than full 20W fiber + 20W diode.

20W blue diode + optional 2W IR for marking metals.

• vs F1 Ultra: Lower metal-cutting capability (since IR module only 2W), so less suited for thick metal work; stronger value for hobby/entry dual-laser use with an affordable budget.

The Final Verdict: Is the xTool F1 Ultra Right for You

All in all, the xTool F1 Ultra redefines what a portable laser engraver can do — combining the precision of a fiber laser with the versatility of a diode in one enclosed, safety-ready design.

It’s fast, accurate, and powerful enough for most creative or small-business applications.

While it’s not built for heavy-gauge metal cutting, it easily outperforms typical desktop engravers.

If you want a compact, pro-grade dual-laser machine, the F1 Ultra is worth every bit of attention.