2026-04-02T08:45:56+08:00

Atomstack vs Ortur: Which Budget Laser Engraver is Better for Beginners in 2026?

If you're just getting started with laser engraving and looking for a budget machine under $1000, you've almost certainly come across Atomstack vs Ortur. These two brands dominate the entry-level laser engraver market, and for good reason – they both offer solid performance at prices that don't break the bank.

But which one should you choose for your first laser engraver? Is Atomstack better than Ortur, or does Ortur have the edge for beginners?

As someone who's been working with laser engravers for years and tested dozens of entry-level machines, I'll break down the key differences between Atomstack and Ortur to help you make the right choice. By the end of this article, you'll know exactly which brand fits your needs – and we'll even look at a game-changing galvo alternative for those who want maximum speed at a budget price.

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Quick Overview: Atomstack vs Ortur

Both Atomstack and Ortur are Chinese manufacturers that focus exclusively on entry-level to mid-range gantry laser engravers and cutters. They both sell direct-to-consumer online, which keeps prices down, and both have models in the $200-$800 range – perfect for beginners.

Neither brand is going to give you industrial-level performance, but that's not what they're designed for. Both are meant for hobbyists, small business starters, and people who want to experiment with laser engraving without dropping thousands on a professional machine.

Let's dive into the details and compare them across the factors that matter most to beginners.

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Price Comparison: Which is More Affordable?

When you're starting out, price is usually the #1 factor. Let's look at what you get for your money with each brand in 2026.

Atomstack Pricing

Atomstack is generally the more affordable option, especially at the entry-level:

Entry-level (5-10W): $200-$400 (Atomstack A5 Pro+, Atomstack X7 Pro)

Mid-range (10-20W): $400-$700 (Atomstack S20 Pro, Atomstack A10 Pro)

Large format: $600-$900
Atomstack consistently undercuts Ortur by about $50-$150 on comparable power levels. If your budget is extremely tight and you just want to get started for as little as possible, Atomstack will give you more machine for your money upfront.

Ortur Pricing

Ortur is generally a bit more expensive, but they include some features that Atomstack charges extra for:

Entry-level (5-10W): $300-$500 (Ortur Laser Master 2 Pro, Ortur LM3)

Mid-range (10-20W): $500-$800 (Ortur Laser Master 3 10W, Ortur LM3 20W)

Large format: $700-$1,000
You pay a bit more upfront with Ortur, but many users feel the extra cost is justified by better build quality and included features.

Winner on price: Atomstack – you can start for less money.

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Build Quality: Which Machine Will Last Longer?

Build quality is where you really start to notice the difference between these two brands, especially after using your machine for several months.

Atomstack Build Quality

Atomstack uses mostly aluminum extrusion for their frames, which is standard at this price point. However, they tend to use thinner extrusions and lighter components to keep costs down.

What I've noticed from user reports and my own testing:

The frame is solid enough for occasional hobby use

Can develop some play in the belts and pulleys after several months of heavy use

The included wiring and electronics are functional but not as robust as Ortur

Focus adjustment is manual on most entry models, which works but is less convenient
For occasional hobby use (a few projects per week), Atomstack's build quality is perfectly fine. If you're planning to run your machine 40+ hours per week for a business, you might start running into issues sooner with Atomstack.

Ortur Build Quality

Ortur puts more cost into the frame and mechanical components:

Thicker aluminum extrusions make the frame stiffer and more rigid

Better quality belts, pulleys, and linear guides that hold up better to heavy use

More solid electronics with better heat dissipation

Most models come with automatic focus as standard
In my experience, Ortur machines just feel more substantial when you assemble them. They maintain calibration better over time and don't need as much tightening and adjustment. Many users report running Ortur machines for several years of heavy use without major issues.

Winner on build quality: Ortur – sturdier construction that holds up better over time.

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Engraving Speed and Cutting Performance

How do these two brands compare when it comes to actual engraving and cutting?

Speed

Both Atomstack and Ortur use similar stepper motor systems, so top travel speeds are pretty comparable:

Entry-level models: 5,000-10,000 mm/min max speed

Mid-range models: 10,000-15,000 mm/min max speed
In real-world use, Ortur generally maintains more consistent speed through more complex designs thanks to better firmware optimization. Atomstack can sometimes slow down more on intricate patterns.

The difference isn't massive – we're talking about 10-20% faster on average for Ortur – but it adds up when you're doing multiple jobs.

Cutting Ability

When it comes to cutting wood and acrylic, the power rating is more important than the brand. Both brands are pretty honest about their actual optical power these days (though always check – some third-party sellers misrepresent power).

At the same power level:

Both can cut ~3-5mm of plywood with a 10W laser

Both can cut ~6-10mm of plywood with a 20W laser

Cutting quality is very similar between the two brands
Atomstack sometimes has a slight edge here because they offer higher power options at lower price points – so if you want a 20W cutter on a tight budget, Atomstack will usually save you some money.

Winner on speed/cutting: Slightly to Ortur for more consistent speed, but Atomstack is close.

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Ease of Use for Beginners

When you're a complete beginner, how easy the machine is to set up and use matters a lot.

Atomstack Ease of Use

Atomstack assembly is pretty straightforward – most beginners can put it together in 1-2 hours. The instructions are decent (though they can be a bit vague in places).

The main downside for beginners:

Entry models require manual focus, which means you have to adjust the focus every time you change material thickness

The included software (LightBurn is not included – you have to buy it separately) is more basic

Homing can be finicky on some cheaper models
Overall, it's not hard to use once you get it set up, but there are more little annoyances that beginners need to work through.

Ortur Ease of Use

Ortur has really focused on making things easier for beginners in recent years:

Assembly is also straightforward – about the same time as Atomstack

Most models have automatic focus as standard, which saves a lot of time and eliminates guesswork

Better homing and position sensing

More detailed documentation and better beginner tutorials available from the company
Ortur just has a more polished out-of-box experience. Everything works more consistently, which means less time troubleshooting and more time actually engraving. That's a big deal when you're excited to get started and don't want to deal with mechanical issues.

Winner on ease of use: Ortur – more polished experience with fewer headaches for beginners.

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Software Compatibility

Both Atomstack and Ortur work with all the popular laser engraving software:

LightBurn (paid, $60 one-time) – this is what most people use, and it works great with both brands

LaserGRBL (free) – also works with both

Any other standard laser software
The difference is:

Atomstack: Includes a basic free version of software, but most people end up buying LightBurn anyway

Ortur: Same situation, but they have better integration with some of the automatic features like focus
Neither brand includes LightBurn for free, so you'll need to budget for that extra $60 either way. In terms of software compatibility, there's really not much difference between the two these days. Both work with all the major programs.

Winner on software: Draw – both work with all popular options.

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Customer Support and Warranty

When you're a beginner and something goes wrong, good customer support is worth its weight in gold.

Atomstack Support

Atomstack's customer support is pretty hit-or-miss:

Response times can be slow (several days sometimes)

Support is mostly through email, with limited live help

Warranty is 12 months on parts, which is standard

Getting replacement parts can take a while because they ship from China
If you're handy with troubleshooting and can solve most problems yourself with YouTube, this might not be a big issue. But if you need a lot of hand-holding, you might get frustrated.

Ortur Support

Ortur generally gets better reviews for customer support:

Faster average response times

More documentation and troubleshooting guides available

Larger inventory of replacement parts that ship faster

Also 12 months warranty, but they're generally better about honoring it
This isn't to say Ortur support is perfect – it's still not going to be as fast as buying from a local retailer. But compared to Atomstack, most users report better experiences getting help when they need it.

Winner on support: Ortur – more responsive support and faster replacement parts.

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Side-by-Side Comparison Table

| Category | Atomstack | Ortur |

|----------|-----------|-------| | Entry-level Price | $200-$400 | $300-$500 | | Build Quality | Good for hobby use | Sturdier, better for heavy use | | Speed | Good | Slightly faster and more consistent | | Ease of Setup | Straightforward but with more manual steps | More polished, automatic features | | Software | Works with all major software | Works with all major software | | Customer Support | Hit-or-miss, slower responses | Generally more responsive | | Best For | Tight budgets, occasional hobby use | Beginners who want reliability, business use |
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Who is Atomstack Best For?

Atomstack is the right choice for you if:

Your budget is extremely tight and you need the lowest possible upfront cost

You're a casual hobbyist who only plans to do a few projects per month

You're handy with troubleshooting and don't need a lot of hand-holding

You want a higher power laser (15-20W) without paying Ortur prices
Atomstack makes sense when you just want to dip your toes into laser engraving and see if you like it before investing more. You can always upgrade later if you get hooked, and you'll have spent less money upfront to find out if it's for you.

Who is Ortur Best For?

Ortur is the better choice for most beginners, especially if:

You plan to use your machine regularly (several times per week)

You want to start a small side business selling engraved products

You prefer a more polished, out-of-the-box experience with fewer issues

You value better customer support if something goes wrong

You don't mind paying a little extra for better build quality that will last longer
For most people starting out, the extra $50-$100 you pay for an Ortur is well worth it in terms of less frustration and better long-term reliability.

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For Advanced Beginners: The Galvo Alternative You Should Consider

If you already know what you're doing and you want maximum speed for small items (which are the most profitable for most beginners anyway), there's another option you should know about: the Tyvok P2 10W Galvo laser engraver.

At under $500, this galvo machine is a game-changer for beginners who want to start making money with laser engraving. Here's why:

- 15-24x faster than any gantry laser from Atomstack or Ortur – what takes a gantry 10 minutes takes the Tyvok P2 less than 30 seconds

Perfect for all the most profitable small items: keychains, pet tags, jewelry, wedding favors, corporate gifts

Low investment ($<500) means you can pay it off in 10-20 jobs – much faster than a more expensive gantry machine

Portable enough to take to craft fairs and events for on-demand engraving
The catch? It's designed for small items (100mm x 100mm engraving area), so it can't handle large projects like cutting plywood sheets or engraving big signboards. But if you're planning to focus on high-margin small items (which you should when you're starting out), the Tyvok P2 is actually a better investment than either Atomstack or Ortur for many beginners.

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Final Recommendation: Atomstack vs Ortur in 2026

So which one should you actually buy? It comes down to your budget and what you plan to use the machine for:

If you're on an extremely tight budget ($200-$400):

Go with Atomstack. You'll get a functional laser engraver that lets you learn the ropes without breaking the bank. Just be aware you might need to do more troubleshooting and maintenance down the line.

If you're a beginner who wants reliability ($300-$600):
Go with Ortur. The better build quality, easier setup, and better support are worth the small extra cost. You'll spend more time engraving and less time fixing issues, which is exactly what most beginners want.

If you want to start making money as quickly as possible (under $500):
Go with the Tyvok P2 Galvo. The speed advantage is unbelievable compared to gantry machines, and you can crank through way more jobs per day. If you're focused on small high-margin items (which you should be when starting a business), this is the best value on the market in 2026.
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Ready to Get Started?

Whether you go with Atomstack, Ortur, or the Tyvok galvo option, the best laser engraver is the one you actually buy and start using. Both Atomstack and Ortur are solid choices for beginners in 2026 – you can't go completely wrong with either one.

If you want to learn more about starting a laser engraving business with a budget machine, check out our article [Can You Make Money with a Budget Galvo Laser Engraver? Real-World Examples 2026](Can-You-Make-Money-with-a-Budget-Galvo-Real-World-Examples-2026.md) for real profit numbers from people already doing it.

And if you're interested in the galvo option that's taking the beginner laser world by storm, read our full [Tyvok P2 10W Galvo review](Is-the-Tyvok-P2-10W-Galvo-the-Best-Affordable-Galvo-Laser-Engraver-in-2026.md) to see if it's right for you.