2026-04-02T08:42:31+08:00

Tyvok P2 vs Tyvok A1 Mini: What's the Difference and Which Should You Choose?

Tyvok makes two of the most popular affordable entry-level laser engravers right now: the Tyvok A1 Mini diode laser and the Tyvok P2 galvo laser. Both are compact, both are under $200, and both are perfect for beginners.

But what's the actual difference between them, and which one should you buy? I've tested both machines extensively, and in this guide I'll break it down clearly.

Quick Comparison Table

| Feature | Tyvok A1 Mini | Tyvok P2 | |---------|---------------|----------| | Laser Type | Diode | Galvo | | Starting Price | $109 (3.5W) / $149 (5W) | $149 (2W) / $199 (5W) / $249 (10W) | | Working Area | 120 × 130 mm | 100 × 100 mm | | Engraving Speed | Standard (~100-300 mm/s) | Extremely Fast (~1000-3000 mm/s) | | Frame Type | Moving bed (laser head moves) | Fixed galvo mirrors | | Best For | Beginners on a budget, occasional cutting | Engraving-focused work, production speed |

What's the Core Difference: Diode vs Galvo

The big difference right from the start is the laser technology:

Tyvok A1 Mini = Diode Laser

The entire laser head moves mechanically across the bed

Lower cost for power

Better at cutting thin materials

Slower engraving speed
Tyvok P2 = Galvo Laser

Uses oscillating mirrors to move only the laser beam

Much faster engraving (5-10x speed increase)

Beam stays perfectly focused across the entire area

Optimized for speed in engraving

More limited cutting capability
So it really comes down to what you plan to do more of: cutting or engraving.

Price Comparison

Let's compare the prices step by step:

| Power | Tyvok A1 Mini | Tyvok P2 |

|-------|---------------|----------| | 2W | - | $149 | | 3.5W | $109 | - | | 5W | $149 | $199 | | 10W | - | $249 |
At the same 5W power, the P2 galvo is $50 more expensive than the A1 Mini diode. That premium buys you the galvo speed.

If you're on an extremely tight budget under $150, the A1 Mini 5W gives you more power for the money. If you want the galvo speed advantage, you'll need to budget a bit more for the P2.

Engraving Speed: P2 Galvo Is Much Faster

This is where the P2 really shines. Galvo lasers are much faster than moving-head diode lasers when it comes to engraving.

Typical engraving speeds:

Tyvok A1 Mini (diode): 100-300 mm/s

Tyvok P2 (galvo): 1000-3000 mm/s
That's 5-10 times faster. What does that mean in practice?

- A detailed text engraving that takes 5 minutes on the A1 Mini takes 30-60 seconds on the P2

A detailed photo engraving that takes 20 minutes on the A1 takes 2-4 minutes on the P2

If you're doing production work (multiple items per day), this time savings adds up to hours per week
If you're starting a laser engraving business and you need to do multiple jobs per day, the speed difference is life-changing.

Cutting Capability: A1 Mini Diode Is Better

If you plan to do a lot of cutting, the A1 Mini diode is actually more capable, especially at the same power level.

Maximum cutting thickness:

| Material | Tyvok A1 Mini (5W) | Tyvok P2 (10W) |

|---------|---------------------|----------------| | Soft Wood | 4-5 mm | 3-4 mm | | Plywood | 3-4 mm | 2-3 mm | | Acrylic | 3 mm | 2 mm | | Leather | 3-4 mm | 3 mm |
Why is the diode better at cutting? Because with a moving head diode, you can move the head slowly and let the laser dwell longer to burn through thicker material. Galvo is optimized for speed, so it doesn't dwell as long in one spot.

Even though the top-end P2 has 10W (versus 5W on the A1 Mini), the A1 still beats it for cutting thicker materials because of how the technology works.

Working Area: Very Similar

Both machines have roughly the same compact working area:

A1 Mini: 120 × 130 mm (~4.7 × 5.1 inches)

P2: 100 × 100 mm (~4 × 4 inches)
The A1 has a tiny bit more space, but for all practical purposes, they're both compact mini machines designed for small projects. Neither is meant for large 12x12 inch projects.

If you're doing the kinds of small projects that fit a mini machine (keychains, jewelry, coasters, gifts), both have more than enough space.

Image Quality: P2 Galvo Is Sharper

Because the galvo laser beam stays perfectly focused across the entire working area and moves faster with no mechanical vibration, you get slightly sharper detail with the P2, especially on fine text and intricate designs.

This really shows on:

Very small text (6pt font)

Intricate logos and patterns

Photo engraving with dithering
If detail quality is your top priority, the P2 has a slight edge.

Who Should Buy the Tyvok A1 Mini?

Buy the A1 Mini if:

✅ You're on an extremely tight budget (under $150) ✅ You want more cutting capability for thicker materials ✅ You're just starting out and want the lowest price of entry ✅ You plan to cut more than you engrave ✅ You don't need production speed (hobby use only)
The A1 Mini is the classic entry-level diode laser. It gives you more power for the money, better cutting, and it's perfect for beginners who just want to test the waters without spending a lot.

Who Should Buy the Tyvok P2?

Buy the P2 if: ✅ You're starting a business and do a lot of engraving ✅ You want the fastest possible engraving speed ✅ Speed is more important than maximum cutting thickness ✅ You do detailed work where sharpness matters ✅ You can budget a bit more for the galvo advantage

The P2 is the game-changer for anyone doing production work. The 5-10x speed difference means you can do 5-10 times more jobs per day. That's huge when you're running a business.

My Recommendation

For most beginners on a budget, I recommend the Tyvok A1 Mini 5W at $149. It gives you more cutting capability for the money, and it's everything you need to get started. You can always upgrade to a galvo later once your business grows and you need the speed.

If you're already in business or you know you're going to be doing a lot of engraving, the extra investment in the Tyvok P2 is worth every penny. The speed pays for itself quickly in time saved.

Where to Buy

👉 Tyvok A1 Mini: [Check latest price on Tyvok official →](https://tyvok.com/products/a1mini-desktop-laser-engraving-machine)

👉 Tyvok P2: [Check latest price on Tyvok official →](https://tyvok.com/products/p2-portable-galvo-laser-engraver)

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Still unsure which is right for you? Check out our [complete guide to choosing the best entry-level galvo laser engraver for beginners](How-to-Choose-the-Best-Entry-Level-Galvo-Laser-Engraver-for-Beginners-2026.md) and read our [in-depth hands-on review of the Tyvok P2 10W Galvo](Is-the-Tyvok-P2-10W-Galvo-the-Best-Affordable-Galvo-Laser-Engraver-in-2026.md) to see all our testing results.

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Published: March 21, 2026

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