OMTech Best 60W CO₂ Laser Engravers Compared

Not all CO₂ laser engravers are created equal, even when they have the same laser power. Four 60W CO2 laser engravers can offer 60W of laser power, and all can handle many of the same materials, but differ considerably in other key features like working area, engraving speed, focusing technology, precision, and overall production capabilities.

A good example of this is OMTech's popular 60W models: the Maker MF1624-60, Maker AF2028-60, Pronto 35 60W, and Pro Quantum 60W RF. The Maker MF1624-60 offers an affordable model; the Maker AF2028-60 has a larger workspace and autofocus. The Pronto 35 takes things further with faster engraving speeds and features designed for growing businesses, and the Pro Quantum introduces RF laser technology for high-speed, high-precision engraving. 

Four CO2 laser engravers, all 60W models, but with specific features that make them suitable for completely different purposes.  So, how do you choose between them?

OMTech 60W CO₂ Laser Engravers: Maker MF1624-60 vs. Maker AF2028-60 vs. Pronto 35 60W vs. Pro Quantum 60W RF

OMTech 60W CO₂ Laser Engravers: Understanding the 8 Key Differences

1. Laser Power and Performance: Is 60W the Same Across All Four Machines?

One of the first things you'll notice is that all four machines have the same rated laser power: 60W. But this does not mean that they provide the same engraving performance. That's because when it comes to CO2 lasers, it matters whether the tube is a glass tube or an RF tube. 

The Maker MF1624-60, Maker AF2028-60, and Pronto 35 use conventional glass CO₂ laser tubes. 

CO2 glass laser tubes are These are widely used in laser cutting and engraving because they provide reliable performance at relatively affordable prices. With 60W of power, these machines can cut and engrave many common materials, including plywood, acrylic, leather, cardboard, and rubber.
For example, if you're producing wooden keychains, acrylic signs, engraved coasters, or personalized leather accessories, all three machines provide enough power for these applications.

The Pro Quantum, however, uses a metal RF (radio-frequency) CO₂ laser tube. 

Unlike conventional glass tubes, RF lasers offer faster laser modulation and more precise control over how laser energy is delivered to the material. This makes them particularly effective for high-speed engraving and projects requiring fine details.

This is a difference that becomes more evident when you are engraving a company logo containing very small lettering onto hundreds of wooden business cards. All four machines can perform the task, but the Pro Quantum's RF technology is designed to maintain finer details at significantly higher processing speeds.

2. Engraving Speed: How Much Does Faster Really Matter?

Engraving speed is one of the most noticeable differences between these four machines. The Maker MF1624-60 and Maker AF2028-60 both offer maximum engraving speeds of 600 mm/s. The Pronto 35 increases that figure to 1,000 mm/s, while the Pro Quantum reaches an impressive 4,200 mm/s.

On paper, the Pro Quantum is seven times faster than the two Maker models. However, you need to understand how laser engraving speed works to make the best decision here. Maximum engraving speed doesn't mean every project will finish seven times sooner: where it makes a real difference is when you are handling large-volume projects in batches.  Consider three situations.

Scenario A: You run a small personalized gift business

You sell engraved wooden coasters and keychains through an online store. On an average day, you produce 10–20 items, each featuring a customer name or simple design.
The Maker MF1624-60's 600 mm/s engraving speed is already sufficient for this workload. Although the Pronto 35 and Pro Quantum could potentially finish these projects faster, the time saved might not justify their higher purchase prices.

Scenario B: You own or manage a growing business handling regular bulk orders

Now imagine your business supplies personalized merchandise for weddings, corporate events, and local retailers. You regularly receive orders for 100–200 engraved products.
In this situation, the Pronto 35's 1,000 mm/s maximum engraving speed becomes more attractive. Its higher speed can help reduce production time, particularly when engraving detailed designs across multiple items.

Scenario C: You are a professional engraving workshop

Now, let's say your business processes hundreds of engraved products every day. You might be engraving promotional merchandise, branded accessories, or customized packaging components for commercial clients. Here, the Pro Quantum's 4,200 mm/s maximum speed and RF laser technology can make a substantial difference. Its ability to process detailed designs rapidly can help increase production capacity and reduce the time required to complete large orders.

3. Working Area: How Much Space Do You Actually Need?

The working area determines how large your projects can be and how many items you can process simultaneously. 

• The Maker MF1624-60 offers a 16" × 24" working area. That's enough space for many everyday projects, including wooden signs, personalized gifts, ornaments, and acrylic displays.
  
• The Maker AF2028-60 and Pronto 35 both provide a larger 20" × 28" working area. This is approximately 46% more working space than the MF1624-60.
  
• The Pro Quantum offers the largest workspace of the four, measuring 39.4" × 23.6", which is particularly useful for large-format projects and batch production.
  

To see what this means for everyday use, imagine you're producing personalized wooden coasters measuring 4" × 4".
The Maker MF1624-60 can accommodate several coasters within its working area. The Maker AF2028-60 and Pronto 35 provide additional space: you can arrange more products in a single batch. 
The Pro Quantum offers considerably more room; you can process larger quantities without constantly unloading and repositioning materials.

The difference also matters when working on larger projects. For example, if you're producing decorative wall signs or acrylic display panels, the MF1624-60's smaller workspace may limit the dimensions of your designs. The larger machines provide more flexibility for these applications.
However, a larger working area isn't always necessary. If your business specializes in small personalized products, the MF1624-60 may already offer more space than you regularly use.

4. Material Compatibility: What Can Each Machine Engrave?

Since all four machines use CO₂ laser technology, they can process many of the same materials like wood and plywood, acrylic, leather, paper and cardboard, fabric, rubber, glass, coated or anodized metals, etc.  
For most hobbyists and small businesses, these materials cover a wide variety of creative and commercial applications. You can use any of these machines to produce engraved wooden signs, acrylic decorations, personalized gifts, leather accessories, and promotional merchandise.
However, the differences become more noticeable when you consider the complexity and volume of your projects.

• The Maker MF1624-60 and AF2028-60 are excellent general-purpose machines for cutting and engraving common materials.
  
• The Pronto 35 provides similar material compatibility but adds faster processing and a more production-oriented design.
  
• The Pro Quantum's RF laser technology makes it particularly attractive for applications requiring fine details and consistent engraving at high speeds.
  

For example, if you're engraving simple names onto wooden keychains, the MF1624-60 is perfectly capable. But if you're producing intricate illustrations or detailed branding on hundreds of products, the Pro Quantum's laser technology offers greater control.

5. Focusing: Manual Focus vs. Autofocus

Focusing is an important part of laser engraving because it determines how accurately the laser beam is concentrated on the material.
Proper focusing helps produce clean cuts, sharp details, and consistent engraving results.
The Maker MF1624-60 uses manual focusing: you will need to adjust the laser head's position relative to the material before starting a job.

If you are a beginner, you may need some practice; you'll have to learn how to focus your laser engraver, and even then, this usually takes some practice. However, once you're familiar with the process, manual focusing is relatively straightforward.

The Maker AF2028-60, Pronto 35, and Pro Quantum all feature autofocus. This allows the machine to determine the appropriate focusing position with less manual adjustment.
The advantage of having automatic autofocus becomes more significant in busy production environments where operators regularly change materials.

6. Material Height and Rotary Engraving

The working area isn't the only dimension worth considering. The height of the objects you want to engrave can also influence which machine is most suitable. This is particularly important if you plan to personalize tumblers, bottles, mugs, or other cylindrical products.

• The Maker MF1624-60 and Maker AF2028-60 provide adjustable workbeds that accommodate a variety of material thicknesses.
  
• The Pronto 35 offers a maximum workpiece height of 8.7 inches, giving users more flexibility when working with taller objects.
  
• The Pro Quantum also supports rotary engraving through compatible rotary attachments. Depending on the selected configuration, you can choose from different rotary systems designed for cylindrical or irregularly shaped products.
  

For example, imagine your business specializes in engraved wooden coasters and flat acrylic signs; the MF1624-60 or AF2028-60 may already provide all the clearance you need.
However, if you regularly engrave taller wooden boxes or cylindrical objects, the Pronto 35's additional height clearance could be a valuable advantage.
Rotary compatibility is also worth considering if you intend to expand into personalized drinkware. Remember that the maximum diameter of a cylindrical object depends on the rotary attachment, its mounting arrangement, and the available clearance.

7. Precision and Camera Positioning

Precision becomes increasingly important when engraving intricate artwork, small lettering, or products that require accurate design placement.

• The Maker MF1624-60 and AF2028-60 provide the positioning capabilities needed for general-purpose cutting and engraving.
  
• The Pronto 35 introduces an upgraded motion system designed to improve stability and accuracy during high-speed operation. Its X-axis uses a V-wheel design, while its Y-axis features a high-precision belt system. These components help maintain smooth movement and consistent engraving results.
  
• The Pro Quantum takes precision further with RF laser technology and a minimum laser spot size of approximately 0.07 mm. This allows it to reproduce fine details and small lettering, particularly when engraving at high speeds. It also features a 48MP camera for visual positioning. The camera provides a detailed view of the work surface, making it easier to arrange designs and position them on materials.

Imagine engraving a batch of 30 wooden keychains, each with a different name. With the Maker models, you'll generally rely on your software layout and physical positioning methods to arrange the products.
The Pro Quantum's camera can simplify visual placement, particularly when working with multiple objects or designs that require careful alignment.

8. Cooling, Maintenance, and Laser Tube Lifespan

Another important difference between these machines is their laser tube technology and expected service life.

• The Maker MF1624-60 and AF2028-60 use conventional glass CO₂ laser tubes with an estimated service life of approximately 2,000 hours.
  
• These machines require water cooling to regulate the temperature of their laser tubes.
  
• This means users need to monitor coolant quality, water circulation, and operating temperatures.
  
• The Pronto 35 also uses a glass CO₂ laser tube, but its product specifications indicate an estimated service life of up to 12,000 hours when operated below 40% power.
  
• This is a substantial improvement under the stated operating conditions.
  

However, actual tube lifespan depends on usage patterns, cooling performance, and laser settings.
The Pro Quantum uses a metal RF CO₂ laser tube with an advertised lifespan exceeding 45,000 hours. Its RF laser source is air-cooled, eliminating the need for a water-cooling circuit for the laser tube.
This can simplify maintenance and reduce the frequency of laser source replacement.
For occasional users, the Pro Quantum's much longer tube lifespan may not provide enough practical value to justify its significantly higher purchase price.
However, if your business operates its laser engraver for several hours every day, maintenance requirements and laser tube longevity become much more important.

OMTech 60W CO₂ Laser Engravers: Which Should You Buy?

Now that we've examined their differences, the most important question remains: which machine is the best investment for you? The answer depends on your budget, the products you intend to create, and how frequently you'll use your machine.

Who Should Choose the OMTech Maker MF1624-60?

The OMTech Maker MF1624-60 60W CO₂ Laser Engraver is an excellent option for beginners, hobbyists, and small businesses looking for a capable machine without spending more than necessary. It's particularly suitable for the following users.

• You are a beginner purchasing your first professional CO₂ laser engraver. If you're new to laser engraving, the MF1624-60 provides enough power and workspace to learn a wide variety of techniques.
• Hobbyists and occasional creators. If you primarily engrave gifts, decorations, or personal DIY projects, the MF1624-60 offers more than enough performance.
• You run a small business producing straightforward personalized products. The MF1624-60 is particularly suitable for businesses selling products such as personalized wooden keychains, engraved coasters, acrylic ornaments, leather accessories, etc.  These products generally don't require the advanced capabilities of more expensive machines.
• Buyers who want to invest more in their business. Even if you can afford the Maker AF2028-60 or Pronto 35, purchasing the MF1624-60 could still be the smarter decision.

Who Should Choose the OMTech Maker AF2028-60?

The OMTech Maker AF2028-60 60W CO₂ Laser Engraver is ideal for users who want more workspace and greater convenience without moving into a significantly more expensive production machine. Consider this model if you own or run a small business working on larger projects,  frequently switch between materials, don't need faster engraving speeds, or you don't process enough products for that speed difference to matter.

Who Should Choose the OMTech Pronto 35 60W?

The OMTech Pronto 35 60W CO₂ Laser Cutter and Engraver is designed for growing businesses that need faster production, greater convenience, and more robust operating features. Go for this machine if your business handles regular bulk orders, has outgrown entry-level equipment, works with taller objects, or you want professional laser engraving performance without the cost of RF technology. 

Who Should Choose the OMTech Pro Quantum 60W RF?

The OMTech Pro Quantum 60W RF CO₂ Laser Engraver is designed for professional engraving businesses and commercial operations that need high-speed production, precise laser control, and long-term reliability. Consider the Pro Quantum if your business processes large production volumes or if you are a professional specializing in detailed engraving. The Pro Quantum is a perfect machine for a business requiring a larger working area or prioritizing long-term operating efficiency in anticipation of future growth. 

Is It Worth Spending More on a Higher-End 60W Laser Engraver?

One way to answer this question is to consider how much additional value the more expensive machine could create for your business. Let's say you upgrade from a Maker model to the Pronto 35 and it saves your business 30 minutes of production time per working day. If you operate 20 days per month, that's approximately 10 hours saved monthly.

Whether those hours justify the additional investment depends on what they're worth to your business. If the saved time allows you to complete more orders, reduce labor costs, or meet deadlines more reliably, the upgrade could eventually pay for itself.

Before spending more, ask yourself three questions:

1. Will the additional capabilities allow me to produce products I currently cannot make?
2. Will the upgrade save enough time or operating costs to justify its price?
3. Do I have enough demand to take advantage of the machine's higher production capacity?

If the answer to these questions is no, choosing a more affordable machine may be the better financial decision.

On the other hand, if your current equipment is limiting production, preventing you from accepting larger orders, or making detailed engraving unnecessarily time-consuming, upgrading could be worthwhile.

The best investment isn't necessarily the machine with the highest specifications. It's the machine that offers the capabilities your business actually needs.

Final Thoughts on Buying a 60W Laser Engraver

The OMTech Maker MF1624-60, Maker AF2028-60, Pronto 35, and Pro Quantum are all capable 60W CO₂ laser engravers, but they're designed for different types of users and production requirements.

• The Maker MF1624-60 offers an affordable entry into professional CO₂ laser engraving
• The Maker AF2028-60 builds on this foundation with a larger working area and autofocus.
• The Pronto 35 60W takes things further with its 1,000 mm/s maximum engraving speed, upgraded motion system, greater material height clearance, and production-oriented features.
• Finally, the Pro Quantum 60W RF delivers the most advanced capabilities of the four machines. Its RF laser technology, 4,200 mm/s maximum engraving speed, large working area, and long expected laser tube lifespan make it particularly attractive for professional engraving businesses and high-volume commercial production.

Ultimately, choosing between these machines comes down to your priorities. Whichever machine you choose, the OMTech CO₂ laser lineup offers options for turning creative ideas into finished products, from occasional DIY projects to full-scale commercial production.