Best Laser Enclosures (for Engravers and Cutters) in 2023

A laser enclosure is one of the best ways to improve the performance (and safety) of your laser engraver.

This guide will walk you through my hands-on experience with the best laser enclosures available, as well as how to DIY your own enclosure for those who prefer a customized solution.

As an xTool user, the xTool Enclosure is my top recommendation, providing a perfect fit for my D1 and D1 Pro. It features a flame-resistant interior and an efficient smoke management system and is available in a larger size for those utilizing the xTool extension kit with their D1 Pro.

Similarly, Ortur LM3 and LM2 Pro users should consider the purpose-built Ortur Enclosure, for robust protection against flame, water, and dust.

For those seeking something more versatile (and budget-friendly), both the SCULPFUN and Comgrow enclosures provide wide compatibility and essential safety features.

09/29/2023 05:06 pm GMT

Best Laser Engraver Enclosures

Let’s take a look at the four best laser enclosures on the market. They’re designed to fit a wide variety of laser engravers. We’ll take a deep dive into each option and tell you everything you need to know in this section.

xTool Enclosure: Best for xTool D1 and D1 Pro

• Price: $180 to $300 – Available at xTool here / Check price on Amazon here
• Compatible Laser Engravers: xTool D1 and D1 Pro
• Size: 625 x 610 x 310mm to 1180 x 610 x 310mm
• At a glance: A high-performing, safe, portable option for xTool laser cutters. 

The enclosure from xTool is one of the best-built enclosures on the market. It features multi-layer panels and a completely foldable design. It was created specifically for the D1 and D1 Pro, and it’s really easy to assemble and disassemble. 

This xTool D1 enclosure has panels that combine a polyurethane outer layer, honeycomb interior, and internal flame-resistant polyester fabric. This means that it covers your machine, avoids fires, and doesn’t let smoke leak out. 

It also features a great viewing window with polarized plastic to keep your eyes safe while you view the status of your project.

Inside, there’s an exhaust fan connected to a flexible hose. It will blow the smoke out of your work area, through the hose, and preferably outside a window or into an xTool air purifier. 

xTool also offers a much larger enclosure that nearly doubles in length. This is to accommodate anyone who is running a D1 Pro with the xTool extension kit installed.

Along the base of the enclosure, there are air inlet pockets. This prevents pressure from building up inside the enclosure, and keeps the smoke flowing away from you.

If you have an xTool D1, D1 Pro, or extended laser cutter, you should definitely use this enclosure.

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Ortur Enclosure: Best for Ortur LM3 and LM2 Pro

• Price: $160 – Available at Ortur here / Check price on Amazon here
• Compatible Laser Engravers: Any Ortur laser, including OLM3 and OLM2 Pro
• Size: 700 x 720 x 370mm 
• At a glance: A well-lit, flameproof, convenient enclosure for Ortur laser engravers.

If you’re using an Ortur laser engraver, like their Laser Master 3 (OLM3) or Laser Master 2 Pro S2 (OLM2 Pro), then this is the best enclosure for you. Like the xTool enclosure, this is a more expensive option that includes a lot of high-quality details.

The interior is flame-proof, waterproof, and dust resistant. This Ortur Laser Master 2 Pro enclosure has a nice window on the top, and plenty of air ports to let clean air in.

The exhaust setup is great, and it gets rid of 99% of the smoke generated during your projects.

A feature that I really like about this option is a built-in LED that gives you extra light by your machine. The enclosure folds up and assembles really well.

According to Ortur, this enclosure is large enough to handle any laser cutter in their catalog: the OLM3, OLM2 Pro, OLM2, Aufero Laser 1, and Aufero Laser 2. 

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SCULPFUN: Most Versatile

• Price: $100 – Check price on Amazon here
• Compatible Laser Engravers: Most on the market
• Size: 700 x 700 x 460mm 
• At a glance: A highly versatile laser enclosure that fits most diode laser cutters on the market.

The SCULPFUN laser enclosure is a really interesting option. It’s a huge enclosure that can fit most of the laser cutters on the market.

Of course, it’s large enough to handle any laser in SCULPFUN’s lineup, but it can also fit any xTool, Ortur, Atomstack, and other popular options.

The viewing window takes up most of the front face, so you get great visibility. Plus, the window has a film that blocks 90% of UV rays, keeping your eyes safe.

It’s waterproof, fireproof, and sets up within a few minutes. The exhaust system is slightly underpowered, but it still gets rid of most of the smoke.

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Comgrow: Best Budget Option

• Price: $44 to $89 – Check price on Amazon here
• Compatible Laser Engravers: Many on the market
• Size: 650 x 650 x 330mm to 700 x 750 x 900mm
• At a glance: The best way to save money while keeping smoke and flame away from your laser cutter.

If you want to save money without sacrificing your health, then the Comgrow is the best option. At a fraction of the cost, you can get a massive enclosure that prevents fire, keeps dust away, and blows the smoke away from your machine.

The large option from Comgrow has two exhaust ports, a built-in LED light, and ports to run cables through. 

Building it takes some effort. There are internal aluminum tubes and elbow fittings that you need to put together. The material of this enclosure is a flameproof fabric that’s easy to fold and store.

The exhaust system is also impressive on this enclosure.

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Why You Should Consider a Laser Engraver Enclosure

Here are some of the top reasons why you need an enclosure for your laser engraver:

Keeping Your Air Clean

A big issue with laser cutters is how much smoke they produce. Diode lasers create CO2 while they cut, which can be dangerous to be around.

Whenever we talk about laser engravers, we emphasize how to handle the smoke and keep your air clean. You can install an air purifier, build your own exhaust system, or go through some filters to clean the air.

Regardless of which option you want to choose, an enclosure makes it easier. The main job of an enclosure is to prevent smoke from building around you. Most enclosures have a vent that you can feed through a purifier or directly outside.

The rest of the enclosure will usher toxic smoke through the vent and exhaust it away safely.

Extend the Life of Your Laser

Most laser engravers on the market are open to the air. Even when you’re not cutting, dust and dirt can build up on your laser head, in the driving belt, and across your gantry. The result? Premature mechanical issues and failure.

If enough dirt gets on your driving belt, it can destroy the belt and the meshing gears. With debris in your gantry, your laser cutter will lose accuracy and stop making concentric circles.

Since an enclosure closes your cutter, you don’t have to worry about these issues. In addition, most of the internal dust will get blown out of the exhaust port, so it keeps your working area cleaner.

Reduce Outside Factors

If you have curious roommates, kids, or pets, an enclosure is a must-have. The enclosure will keep hands away from your laser cutter while it’s running.

Other outside factors might be nearby cans or containers that can spill on your laser cutter. An enclosure will avoid contamination like this as well.

Noise Insulation 

It’s not a big selling point, but a well-made enclosure can keep your laser cutter quieter while it runs. Some enclosures on the market include sound-dampening materials within the walls.

We don’t think laser cutters are especially noisy, but any added noise insulation is a great option for people who use a laser cutter in their homes.

Eye Protection

Diode laser cutters are Class 1M lasers, so they won’t lead to long-lasting eye damage. Still, wear eye protection around laser cutters just to be safe. If you have an enclosure with a polarized or tinted window, then you have less to worry about with laser-safe eye protection.

You Can DIY Your Own Laser Cutter Enclosure

You don’t have to buy one, you can build your own DIY laser engraver enclosure. This opens the door to a lot of creativity and customization. The best part? You can use your laser cutter to make the enclosure.

For materials, you have a lot of choices. Most DIY laser enclosures are made out of wood (since that’s the easiest to build with), but you can use plastics or metal. As far as making the enclosure, here are some considerations:

Get the Right Dimensions

Always start by taking measurements. You want to know how big your laser cutter is, and how big you should make the enclosure. Measure how much space you have on your table and consider how much access you’ll need around the enclosure. 

If you might upgrade your laser in the future, it’s a good idea to add extra space in the enclosure.

Draw Out the Plans

Call us old-fashioned, but we don’t start a DIY project without a few sketches and plans. You can do this on a 3D CAD program, or just sketch it out on paper.

At a minimum, you should have some overall dimensions and internal clearances. Try to determine what type of material you’ll use, what sizes you need, and put together a bill of materials which will turn into your shopping list.

We mentioned that a lot of people use wood when building their enclosures. You can use basswood plywood and cut the pieces with your laser cutter.

Your plans can be as simple as a six-sided box with some holes for air, and an exhaust. Having an open bottom means that smoke can escape and leak into your room, which is never a good thing.

Add Inlets for Air

For your enclosure to work, you’ll need air to come in, and smoke to go out. Without an air inlet, the inside portion of your enclosure will pressurize and can lead to some big headaches like leaking smoke, damaged parts, and underperformance from your laser cutter.

The inlets should be along the base of your enclosure. Smoke will take up the upper portion of your enclosure, so adding inlets at the top will give the smoke a place to escape (which is bad).

Create an Exhaust Port

The whole enclosure revolves around the exhaust. The exhaust should be near one of the rear corners of your machine. The wood should have a hole that connects to a pipe fitting and a connected flexible duct that takes the smoke outside or to a purifier.

You can fasten the duct to the fitting using hose clamps, bolts, or duct tape.

Use a Nice Exhaust Fan

You should also include an exhaust fan. This will draw air from inside the enclosure and push it through the exhaust duct. In other words, the fan should be blowing towards the exhaust hole in your enclosure.

It’s a better idea to upgrade the fan size to make sure enough air will flow. The fan can mount right to the wood of your enclosure.

Make sure the fan is out of the way, so it doesn’t hit the laser head.

Don’t Forget the Window

Finally, decide what you’ll do for your window. Being able to look at your part’s progression is important to a lot of people. 

Every enclosure should have a nice, big window in it. You can use acrylic or polycarbonate. This lets you check the status of your part and look for any signs of damage or fire. You can either use a transparent plastic as-is, or add a polarized film to the plastic.

Without a film, your eyes might hurt after looking at your cutter for long enough.

09/29/2023 05:06 pm GMT

Some Features to Consider When Buying a Laser Engraver Enclosure

Which laser enclosure is the best for you? Let’s look at some features that you might care about, and figure out which enclosure to pick:

• Size. The biggest options are Comgrow and SCULPFUN.
• Smoke control and exhaust. All of the mentioned enclosures control smoke well, but the xTool D1 enclosure does the best job. 
• Viewing window. The best viewing window comes from the SCULPFUN, but we like the tinted options from xTool and Ortur as well. 
• Flame resistance. Every enclosure we discussed is flame resistant, but the Ortur and xTool offer the best flameproofing.
• Sound dampening. The Ortur has the best sound dampening, and the xTool has the second-best.

Laser Engraver Enclosure FAQs

What to Do Next

With the right enclosure, you can enhance your side hustle or DIY projects. Consider these purchased laser enclosures or follow our steps to DIY your own.

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