xTool M2 20W vs Creality Falcon A1 Pro 20W
Updated · Price Drop Radar
Bottom line
Both are enclosed desktop lasers with a 20W diode, cameras and flame detection. The xTool M2 is the more flexible machine: its heads swap magnetically, including a CMYK color print module, and it has air assist and a powered exhaust fan built in. The Creality Falcon A1 Pro is the simpler, cheaper-looking buy: Tom's Hardware's $949 Basic Pack includes a honeycomb cutting platform and an air assist pump, and it focuses automatically. Pick the M2 if you want to print color and cut in one project. Pick the Falcon A1 Pro if you mainly engrave and cut and want a honeycomb bed in the box.
xTool M2 20W
Creality Falcon A1 Pro 20W
Side by side
| Spec | xTool M2 20W | Creality Falcon A1 Pro 20W |
|---|---|---|
| Laser [1][2][3] | 20W diode head; 10W, CMYK print and 2W IR heads also swap in | 20W blue diode; 2W IR head optional |
| Work area [1][2][3] | 425 x 318 mm (16.7 x 12.5 in); 348 x 300 mm when mixing in the print head | 358 x 268 mm |
| Max engraving speed [1][3] | 600 mm/s | 600 mm/s |
| Cuts in one pass [1][3] | 10 mm basswood and 8 mm opaque acrylic, per xTool | 10 mm basswood and 8 mm black acrylic, per Creality |
| Enclosure [1][3] | Class 1; runs only with the lid closed | Fully enclosed with filtering orange acrylic |
| Cameras [1][2][3] | Lid camera, toolhead camera and a flame-detection camera | HD camera in the lid with a privacy shutter; flame sensor |
| Air assist [1][2] | Built in | External pump included, though Creality doesn't advertise it |
| Smoke handling [1][2] | Powered fan and flexible hose; Tom's Hardware says it cleared smoke quickly | Rear exhaust; the optional desktop purifier was overwhelmed when cutting plywood |
| Cutting bed [1][2] | Flat metal tray and magnetic standoffs | Honeycomb platform; $69 extra, included in the $949 Basic Pack |
| Size (W x D x H) [2][3] | Not listed in the sources we read | 567 x 468 x 211 mm (22.3 x 18.4 x 8.3 in) |
| Software [1][2][3] | xTool Studio | Falcon Design Space, LightBurn, LaserGRBL |
| Price [1][2] | 10W Color Print and Cut bundle $699 (usually $749); 20W bundles run about $400 more per tier | $949 Basic Pack (20W laser plus honeycomb platform) |
xTool M2 20W
- Swappable heads, including CMYK color printing, in one machine
- Air assist and an exhaust fan are built in
- Tom's Hardware put it on its best-lasers list
- Flat metal tray, with no honeycomb bed in the box
- Ink cartridges cost $99 each, and Tom's Hardware hit software bugs
- Magnetic standoffs are flimsy, per Tom's Hardware
Creality Falcon A1 Pro 20W
- Honeycomb platform is in the $949 Basic Pack
- Automatic focus worked every time in Tom's Hardware's testing
- Emergency stop, key lock and flame sensor
- Tom's Hardware's smoke purifier was overwhelmed cutting plywood
- The LCD mount feels like an afterthought
- No safety goggles in the box
Which one is right for you
| If you are | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Want color printing and cutting in one project | xTool M2 20W | Swappable CMYK print head |
| Mostly engrave and cut wood, slate and leather | Creality Falcon A1 Pro 20W | Honeycomb platform and autofocus in the Basic Pack |
| Want the larger work area | xTool M2 20W | 425 x 318 mm vs 358 x 268 mm |
| Shared space like a makerspace | Creality Falcon A1 Pro 20W | Key lock and emergency stop, per Tom's Hardware |
| Care about smoke handling | xTool M2 20W | Powered fan and hose that cleared smoke well |
What to look for
What you'll make
Why it matters: Color printing and laser cutting need different heads.
How to check: List your projects: stickers and printed cards, or engraved and cut wood and slate.
Watch out: Only the M2 has a CMYK print head. Tom's Hardware says the print output lacks contrast on plain paper and may need darkening in software.
Cutting bed
Why it matters: Parts rest on the bed while the laser cuts through them, so a bed with airflow underneath burns less.
How to check: See whether a honeycomb platform is in your bundle.
Watch out: Tom's Hardware says a honeycomb would have helped its M2 jigsaw job, and calls the Falcon's honeycomb the first thing to add.
Smoke
Why it matters: Laser cutting wood makes smoke you need to vent.
How to check: Plan to run a hose to a window or a proper extractor.
Watch out: Tom's Hardware vented the M2's hose out a window and says it worked very well. Its Falcon smoke purifier was overwhelmed when cutting plywood.
Work area
Why it matters: A bigger bed fits bigger sheets and more parts per run.
How to check: Compare your usual material size to 425 x 318 mm and 358 x 268 mm.
Watch out: The M2's print area shrinks to 348 x 300 mm when you combine printing and lasering.
Safety
Why it matters: A 20W diode can burn skin and damage eyes.
How to check: Use the machine with the lid closed and follow the maker's safety guide.
Watch out: Tom's Hardware notes the Falcon doesn't include goggles. Both machines have flame detection.
Traps and timing
- The M2 sold on Amazon may be a different bundle from the ones Tom's Hardware reviewed. xTool sells 10W and 20W heads, print modules and rotary kits in separate bundles, so check what is in the box.
- The Falcon A1 Pro's list price depends on the bundle. Tom's Hardware's $949 Basic Pack includes the honeycomb platform; the honeycomb is $69 on its own.
- Tom's Hardware's M2 test unit was the 10W Deluxe Bundle, not the 20W. The 20W head's cutting depths are xTool's claims.
- CMYK ink for the M2 is not refillable: cartridges are $99 each.
- Creality's Falcon smoke purifier is sold separately and is small; plan on venting outside.
Before you check out
- Decide whether you need color printing.
- Check whether a honeycomb bed is included in your bundle.
- Plan how you will vent smoke.
- Measure your usual material against the work area.
- Confirm the laser power and bundle on the listing.
- Check the live Amazon price.
How we put this together
We don't test laser engravers in a lab. We compared the makers' published specs, the Amazon listings and independent reviews, all listed under Sources, and where they disagree we say so. Prices come from Amazon and are refreshed by our system throughout the day.
Price Drop Radar earns a commission on qualifying Amazon purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. That never decides which product we recommend.
Quick answers
Are both lasers enclosed?
Yes. The xTool M2 only runs with the lid closed, and the Creality Falcon A1 Pro is fully enclosed with filtering acrylic.
Which can print in color?
The xTool M2, with an optional CMYK print module. The Falcon A1 Pro is a laser only.
Which one includes a honeycomb cutting bed?
Tom's Hardware's $949 Falcon A1 Pro Basic Pack includes one. The M2 comes with a flat metal tray and magnetic standoffs.
How thick can they cut?
xTool says the M2's 20W head cuts 10 mm basswood in one pass, and Creality says the same for the Falcon A1 Pro. Both are maker claims.
Do they need an exhaust?
Yes. Both make smoke when cutting. Tom's Hardware vented the M2's hose out a window and found the Falcon's small purifier overwhelmed.
Sources
- xTool M2 color craft laser and engraver review, Tom's Hardware
- Creality Falcon A1 Pro 20 Watt review, Tom's Hardware
- Creality Falcon A1 Pro review, CNX Software