xTool F1 vs xTool F1 Ultra: Difference Explained

If you're a laser craftsman, you may have heard that xTool recently launched the xTool F1 Ultra , a successor to their fastest portable laser engraver, the xTool F1 .

Curious to know how much better is xTool F1 Ultra than F1? This post is for you. It provides a side-by-side comparison of xTool F1 and F1 Ultra and helps you decide which laser machine to buy.

xTool F1 vs xTool F1 Ultra: A Quick Comparison

Before we get into the details, here's a quick comparison of the two laser devices:

xTool F1 vs xTool F1 Ultra: Laser Power and Laser Source

The first major change is the laser type and power. The xTool F1 Ultra is the world’s first machine to feature both a 20W fiber laser and a 20W diode laser. Its fiber laser module emits an infrared laser that is amplified by the fiber gain medium.

In contrast, the xTool F1 primarily uses a 10W diode laser with a 2W infrared laser module. While its 2W module is also an infrared laser, it is a diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) that uses a different material as the gain medium – this setup is not as powerful as the F1 Ultra.

xTool F1 vs xTool F1 Ultra: Compatible Materials

The new laser type of xTool F1 Ultra improves its material processing performance. With its fiber laser, the machine can even cut thin sheet metal, including 0.3mm stainless steel, 0.2mm aluminum, and 0.4mm brass.

The engraving depth is a function of the laser type and power. The F1 Ultra can also perform deep engraving on rocks, ceramics, plastics and all metals. Since the 20W diode is also present, it ensures continuous compatibility for cutting and engraving common materials such as wood, leather, acrylic, rubber and paper.

deep engraving made with xTool F1 Ultra

On the other hand, xTool F1 is equipped with a diode laser and an infrared laser module. It shares the same compatible materials with F1 Ultra. However, it has limitations on engraving depth.

xTool F1 vs xTool F1 Ultra: Size and Working Area

There are significant differences in size and working area between the two models. The xTool F1 Ultra is almost double the size of the F1, with a base working area of ​​220 x 220mm. This can be expanded to 220 x 550mm with an additional automatic conveyor, making it the largest galvo laser engraver available. It can engrave materials up to 145mm high. The machine weighs around 14.7kg, which is still manageable and easy to position on desktops.

Meanwhile, xTool F1 is made for portability and compactness. It has a portable design and weighs only 4.6 kg. Its workspace measures 115 by 115 mm and can be expanded to 115 by 400 mm with an additional sliding extension.

xTool F1 vs xTool F1 Ultra: Engraving Speed

Both the F1 and F1 Ultra use Galvo laser technology, which adds the element of industrial speed. Previously, the F1 was the fastest engraver with speeds up to 4000mm/s. However, the F1 Ultra surpasses it by offering an impressive engraving speed of 10,000mm/s.

xTool F1 vs xTool F1 Ultra: Versatility in Engraving

Curved surface engraving is another exclusive upgrade of the xTool F1 Ultra. The machine’s smart camera scans and maps the 3D object, then an intelligent mechanism automatically adjusts the focus as the height changes. Rotary engraving is also supported by an additional accessory, the RA2 Pro.

In contrast, xTool F1 only supports flat engraving and rotary engraving. It cannot engrave curved and irregular surfaces.

xTool F1 vs xTool F1 Ultra: Design Positioning and Focus Adjustment

Both the xTool F1 and F1 Ultra support auto and manual focus for the laser head, but there are some key differences.

The F1 Ultra's camera automatically handles autofocus by detecting the thickness of the material and adjusting the focus without any user input. In contrast, the F1 requires the user to enter the thickness of the material to adjust the focus.

The F1 does not have a preview camera and only provides a blue light frame preview of the engraving. On the other hand, design placement is much easier with the F1 Ultra, thanks to its smart camera that provides an inside view of the work area. Additionally, the F1 Ultra's smart camera can recognize shapes and automatically fill patterns across multiple parts, making batch engraving a breeze.

xTool F1 vs xTool F1 Ultra: Software and Ease of Use

Both machines support xTool’s proprietary software, XCS, which is intuitive and comes with preset materials and settings. You can simply drag and drop designs to begin cutting or engraving. The machines also support the popular laser control software, Lightburn.

The F1 Ultra includes an additional control option: a touchscreen control panel with 7GB of internal project memory. You can process materials directly from the machine without connecting it to an external computer.

Conclusion: which one to choose?

xTool F1 Ultra is a major update that users have been eagerly awaiting. Its improved performance features make it a compelling choice. However, first-time buyers should consider their specific use case when making a decision.

If you’re looking for a portable, handheld device for simple cutting and engraving tasks, the xTool F1 is an affordable option to start your creative journey. But if the nature of your work requires cutting sheet metal, deeper engraving, and slightly larger projects, the xTool F1 Ultra offers the best value for the money.