4 Best Pocket NC Alternatives (Cheaper / Larger Size Work Area)

The Pocket NC is one of the most unique CNC machines on the market, being a very small 5 axis machine available for significantly less than most other 5 axis CNCs. 

However, while this suits a small niche very well, aspects such as the machine’s small working area (4.3 x 5 x 3.5”) and price (high in comparison to your average hobbyist CNC router) might lead you to search for Pocket NC alternatives.

In this guide, we reveal our top Pocket NC alternatives. The main factor you need to consider, alongside size and price, when working out whether the Pocket NC is right for you is its 5-axis functionality. 

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Do You Really Need 5 Axes?

5 axis is the most advanced form of CNC machining, above 3 axis and 4 axis machines. The higher number of axes greatly increases the flexibility and efficiency of your machine and allow you to work on complex shapes – industrial 5 axis CNCs are used in the making of car molds and aerospace parts, for example.

5 axis CNCs are generally made for industry and extremely expensive, so the Pocket NC is an alternative aimed at advanced hobbyists.

However, it’s still out of budget for most CNC enthusiasts – with the cheapest model starting at $6,300 – and the majority of people do not need 5 axis technology.

So our recommendations are high-quality 3-axis CNCs with larger build volumes – for a larger 5-axis machine you’re looking at a five-figure sum, and should seek a more industrial solution. Though you can turn these into 4-axis CNCs with a rotary add-on.

X-Carve – Popular Router with Impressive Software 

• Price: Check latest price at Matterhackers here

The X-Carve is one of the most popular CNC routers on the market and is a budget-friendly Pocket NC alternative with a generous working area.

This machine has a 29.5×29.5×4” cutting area, more than 5 times as large as the Pocket NC, so you have plenty of room for working on both small and medium size projects.

One of the highlights of the X Carve is its software package – you get a three-year subscription to Easel Pro, which is one of the most user-friendly CNC software out there.

Easel Pro is an all-in-one software for creating designs, converting them into code, and running your machine, so you don’t need to find your own CAD software like you do with the Pocket NC. It’s also compatible with a wide range of file types, whereas the Pocket NC only runs off .ngc files.

This CNC machine comes with a Makita RTO701C router included; one of the most popular on the market. This powerful router, combined with the X Carve’s great stability and smooth axis motion, means you can cut a wide variety of materials including aluminum.

The X Carve is also a very customizable machine, with the ability to add a laser module and axis, belt, and motor upgrade kits, which add an extra 2” Z axis clearance and increase the router’s overall performance.

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Shapeoko 4

• Price: Check latest price at Matterhackers here

The Shapeoko 4 is another very popular CNC machine among hobbyists. It’s similar to the X Carve in many ways, such as in the firmware and linear motion system, but there are some key differences that make it a strong Pocket NC alternative in its own right.

For starters, the Shapeoko 4 is available in three different sizes in contrast to the X Carve’s one, and each gives you a significantly larger working area than the Pocket NC. You can choose from 17.5×17.5×4”, 33×17.5×4”, and 33x33x4”, with the price increasing by around $300 with each size you go up.

One of the best things about the Shapeoko 4 is that it’s one of the best hobbyist CNC routers for cutting aluminum. The Carbide 3D YouTube channel has various videos showcasing its metal cutting ability, and it’s even been shown to cut wood up to twice as fast as the X Carve. 

This is largely due to the wide belt drive, which improves the stiffness and rigidity of the Shapeoko 4, in addition to the large and heavy aluminum extrusions which mean this CNC router is incredibly stable and precise. 

You get a full software package included with the Shapeoko 4, made up of Carbide’s own Carbide Create CAD/CAM software and the Carbide Motion control software. While not as quite impressive as Easel Pro, this is still a solid solution.

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Carbide 3D Nomad 3

• Price: Check latest price at Matterhackers here

While the X Carve and Shapeoko 4 are somewhat similar machines, the Nomad 3, also manufactured by Carbide 3D, is a different beast altogether.

For starters, it’s a mill rather than a router, meaning it’s aimed at cutting tough metals rather than softer materials like wood and plastics. You can use the Nomad 3 to cut ferrous metals like steel and titanium, which CNC routers aren’t capable of, so in this sense it’s more similar to the Pocket NC, which has been tested up to G5 titanium.

Mills are generally expensive, so similar to the Pocket NC, the Nomad 3 keeps the price down by being very compact with a small working area of 8x8x3”, though this is still a fair bit larger than the Pocket NC.

While the Nomad 3 doesn’t have 4-axis or 5-axis capability, it does have some upgrade components that make it great for working with circular and 3D shapes. 

For example, the low profile vase is made for securely clamping cylindrical workpieces, while the flip jig allows you to cut both sides of a material with perfect alignment, which is helpful when making 3D models. So, the Nomad 3 is a very flexible hobbyist CNC mill.

Like the Shapeoko 4 and unlike the Pocket NC, you get a full software package included with the Nomad 3. This consists of Alibre Workshop and Carbide Create for CAD/CAM and Carbide Motion for operating your Nomad 3.

The Nomad 3 comes with a full enclosure for safe and clean working, but the see-through panels and internal lighting make it easy to monitor your work.

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Snapmaker 2.0 A350T

• Price: Check latest price at Snapmaker here / Matterhackers here

The Snapmaker 2.0 is the most unique entry on our list due to its three way functionality – this is a CNC router, laser engraver, and 3D printer in one!

There are actually four models from Snapmaker’s latest generation of machines – the F250, F350, A250T, and the A3D0T. The F models are more budget and beginner-friendly, with the A series being more advanced and the A3D0T being the largest with a 12.5×13.7×13” working area. 

Aside from its unique three-in-one functionality, what makes the Snapmaker 2.0 A3DOT an especially viable alternative to the Pocket NC is the optional rotary module.

This adds a fourth axis to your CNC machine, which greatly expands the flexibility of your machine and is ideal for working with cylindrical objects and for creating intricate 3D models. The rotary module is compatible with both the router and laser component, and while it doesn’t provide the same dexterity as a 5 axis, it is a fantastic alternative.

Another feature the Snapmaker 2.0 range is more famous for is its modular design. This makes it super easy to put together, modify, and upgrade, so it’s very flexible in this regard. 

The latest Snapmaker range of machines, including the A3D0T, are all made completely of metal. This provides a lot greater durability and stability than the previous range, and with 0.005mm repeatability, they provide solid accuracy and are capable of cutting aluminum.

This unique machine has its own software which provides functionality for each application, including both design and operation, so you don’t need to use any external programs with a Snapmaker.  

• Full review: we tested the Snapmaker 2.0 CNC and laser and rotary module
• 10W laser: Snapmaker 2.0 10W high-power laser add-on test

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