xTool F Series Detailed Comparison & Choosing Guide

With xTool F-Series options ranging from the entry-level F1 Lite to the specialized F2 Ultra UV, understanding the distinct laser technologies and performance capabilities is crucial for making the right investment. This guide will provide a detailed breakdown of how each model—F1, F2, Ultra, and UV—is uniquely engineered to serve different materials, production volumes, and creative goals. We will cover the core differences in power, speed, material compatibility, and address the common confusion surrounding the specialized UV Laser.

A Direct Comparison

F2 Ultra UV Laser Engraver vs. UV DTF Printer

Both of the UVs here stand for the ultraviolet light. However, the ultraviolet light in the UV laser machine - F2 Ultra UV - is highly concentrated, so that it is available to remove or alter the materials (engrave / mark). The ultraviolet light used in a UV DTF printer is to cure the ink that prints on a film, which is similar to a nail lamp.

F-Series Comparison Chart

Detailed Comparison Explained

How Does xTool Name The Products?

The xTool laser ecosystem is divided into specialized series, each denoted by a letter that defines its core characteristic

The F in xTool laser machine series stands for FAST. 

• The F1 Ultra / F2 Ultra machines are ultra because of the ultra fast speed and the ultra power of their laser heads. They are faster, so they are better choices if you are scaling your production.
• The F1 / F2 laser machine is less powerful, but thanks to that, they are lighter and easier to carry, so they would be the perfect choice if you would like to carry them out for craft fairs, or you got only a small space for the machine.
• The F1 Lite is similar to F1 in the working speed and the10W diode laser head. The main difference is that the F1 Lite is with only one laser head, and the F1 machine is with another 2W IR laser head.

The P in the P-series such as P2S / P3 stands for Professional, and the S in the S-series like S1 stands for Safe. The M in the M-series, e.g., M1 Ultra, stands for Multi-function.

Differences Between Different Types of Laser Beams

The material you wish to process dictates the required laser type. The F-Series strategically incorporates four distinct beams to cover the widest range of applications.

- Diode Laser: F1 Lite, F1, F2, F1 Ultra, F2 Ultra

This is the generalist workhorse of the F-Series. It can be found on all F machine models except the F2 Ultra UV. Diode laser is highly efficient for organic materials like wood, acrylic, leather, and fabric. The key differences in diode power (e.g., 10W vs 20W) directly translate to thicker cutting capability and faster engraving speeds—a 20W diode can cut substantially thicker wood than a 10W one.

- Fiber (MOPA) Laser: F1, F2, F1 Ultra, F2 Ultra

This is the metal specialist. While the F1 and F2 machines are also with fiber laser heads of 2W and 5W, F1 Ultra and F2 Ultra machines are mainly equipped with fiber lasers of higher power of 20W and 60W, and are highly effective for marking and shallow engraving of uncoated metals. The MOPA (Master Oscillator Power Amplifier) laser in the F2 Ultra is the superior version, offering controllable pulse durations. This unique control enables the machine to achieve vivid color engraving on stainless steel and deep, highly detailed 3D embossing.

- UV Laser: F2 Ultra UV

Unlike other beams that use heat, the UV laser uses high-energy photons to break chemical bonds, effectively removing or marking material without thermal damage. This makes the 5W UV beam of the F2 Ultra UV the essential tool for two sensitive material groups: glass and crystal (allowing for flawless 3D sub-surface engraving and crisp surface marks) and sensitive plastics (such as PE, PP, ABS, EVA, and PET), which would typically melt or distort under other laser beams.

Differences Between UV Laser Engraver and UV DTF Printer

The confusion between the F2 Ultra UV laser engraver and the UV DTF printer stems from the shared term "UV." Both of the UVs here stand for the ultraviolet light. However, the application is fundamentally different.

The ultraviolet light in the UV laser engraver (F2 Ultra UV) is highly concentrated into a precise beam, enabling it to remove or alter the material itself through cold processing (engraving or marking). This is a monochromatic, subtractive process designed for texture and permanence. In contrast, the ultraviolet light used in a UV DTF printer is utilized solely to cure the ink that prints onto a film, effectively hardening it instantly, which is conceptually similar to a nail lamp. The printer is an additive, full-color process that focuses on applying a durable decal to the surface.

Therefore, if you want to carve, mark, or cut metal or glass, you need the F2 Ultra UV laser engraver. If you want to apply a full-color, durable sticker to a hard object, you need a UV DTF printer.

F2 Ultra UV Laser Cutting Wood

DTF Transfer on Hat

Engraving & Cutting Result Comparisons

Talking about parameters and applications may still be hard to understand the typical differences of the F-series machines. Let us compare them directly with the engraving and cutting results.

Black Marking on AirPods Max

Compare the processing efficiency of F2, F1 Ultra, F2 Ultra, and F2 Ultra UV. Processing under the recommended parameters of xTool Studio with the same 5 minutes time, the efficiency differences are clear.

Color Engraving on Stainless Steel

Color engraving on stainless steel is an advanced feature. The resulting color vividness is directly tied to the laser's power and MOPA capabilities. Color results from most vivid to less: F2U>F1U>F2.

Metal Cutting Capability on Brass

Compare the F1 Ultra and F2 Ultra of their 60W and 20W fiber heads in metal cutting. Cutting limits by model: F2 Ultra (2 mm brass / stainless steel / aluminum) > F1 Ultra (0.4 mm brass, 0.3 mm stainless steel, 0.2 mm aluminum) > F2, F1 & F2 Ultra UV (no metal cutting).

3D Embossing on 2mm Brass Coin

Only F2 Ultra and F1 Ultra can do 3D embossing. The only difference is power and efficiency.

Engraving on Glass & Crystal

Compare the engraving ability on glass of F2, F1 Ultra, F2 Ultra and F2 Ultra UV. F2 Ultra UV excels at glass with crisp surface marks and stunning 3D internal engraving, delivering the highest clarity and consistency. Other F-series models are limited to surface engraving, and their results on transparent glass are noticeably less clear.

Which One To Choose?

The choice between models like the xTool F1, F1 Ultra, and F2 Ultra is determined by the user's professionalism and specific use case, moving from a focus on portability and general utility to one of commercial-grade power and feature sets.

The xTool F1 and F2 is an excellent choice for a hobbyist, a beginner in laser engraving, or a small-scale entrepreneur who prioritizes portability and in-store personalization, as it is compact and features a dual-laser (diode + IR) setup for a wide material range, albeit with a smaller work area and lower power.

The xTool F1 Ultra serves the advanced hobbyist or small business with higher volume needs, offering a significantly larger working area, greater speed (up to 10,000mm/s), and a more robust dual-laser system (20W Fiber + 20W Diode), making it a high-speed machine perfect for batch production and detailed metal marking.

Furthermore, the xTool F2 Ultra is an upgraded version designed for the professional grade hobbyist or metal production business that requires maximum performance, featuring a much more powerful MOPA fiber laser (60W) and a stronger diode laser (40W) with higher speed (up to 15,000mm/s); its MOPA technology allows for true, deep 3D embossing and consistent full-color engraving on metal, capabilities that justify its higher cost for users focused on premium, high-precision metalwork and deep material processing.

The xTool F2 Ultra UV model's core value is its use of a 5W UV laser (355 nm wavelength), which employs a "cold processing" method—meaning it marks materials by breaking molecular bonds with high-energy photons, rather than by burning with heat. It is the definitive choice for businesses focusing on premium, flawless personalization of glass, crystal, high-tech plastics, and fine jewelry where heat-induced damage is unacceptable.

If it is still hard to decide which to choose, use the criteria below to match your needs to the appropriate model:

Other Resources to Help You Choose

Here are some suggested pages and videos that will provide the in-depth comparisons you need to confidently choose the right machine based on your goals, budget, and materials.

Ask the AI Machine Finder or Take a Quick Quiz to Find the Perfect Match >>

Directly Compare the F-Series >>

Check out the expert buying guide livestream recap >>