You’ve likely landed on this page because you’re researching the xTool machines and are asking, “Is it really possible to make money with the xTool M1?”.
As someone who uses the xTool M1 for their small business, my response to that question is yes—with a really big BUT.
The xTool M1 was my very first laser cutter and engraver. Specifically, it was the original M1, not the M1 Ultra with all the added bells and whistles. The original M1 doesn’t print color and it certainly doesn’t come with a 20-watt laser out of the box. However, the xTool M1 is still a mighty machine without those features.
After beginning my laser journey with this workhorse in March of 2024 there’s a lot I’ve uncovered about this machine, lasers in general, and most importantly running a business with one.
To help you make the right decision about your first laser, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about making money with the xTool M1 and what I wish I knew before I purchased it.
What is the xTool M1 and Why I Chose It
The xTool M1 was released in 2021 as the first machine on the market to offer a three-in-one solution to laser cutting, engraving, and blade cutting. It was this triple threat combo along with it’s budget-friendly price point that lured me in. Unlike other desktop lasers, it was also compact enough for my space and just felt like the all around best option.
I purchased a bundle that included the machine, a rotary tool for tumblers, a riser to engrave tall objects, and the air assist to help with clean cuts and engraves. This was enough for me to begin testing and batching out some product ideas.
Getting Started: What I Made and Did it Sell?
Some of the profitable products I created with my laser were small and repeatable laser cut earrings, engraved magnets, and keychains. After getting a feel for what the machine could do, and after seeing that there was some money coming in, I really pushed the M1 to see how much it could handle.
My business focus was home decor, so in addition to some of the handmade wooden decor that I was already making for my shop, I incorporated the laser into things like shelf accents, coasters, and engraved signs and wall art.
It was great because I was seeing success on Etsy and it was helping me to save time. By replacing the use of a scroll saw or a jigsaw, I could cut out the pieces of my products, with the click of a button—so to speak.
The Limitations (and Why It May Not Be Long-Term)
Although the xTool M1 helped me get the ball rolling with my small business, over the past year, I did start to hit some walls with this machine. Here are some of the major problems I began facing.
Limited Power
The xTool M1 has a 10-watt laser, which works flawlessly with soft and thin sheets of wood like 3mm Basswood, but tends to struggle with thicker or harder woods. It is possible to cut materials up to 6mm thick, however, this machine has to work overtime with multiple passes to make it happen. A project that might take 15 minutes to cut a 3mm piece of wood turns into a 45+ minute project with anything thicker.
In comparison to other machines that fall within the same price range, you can find a desktop laser that will offer at least a 20-watt or 40-watt laser. This will provide more power to cut through thicker and harder woods instead of your generic craft store materials—which can occasionally still give you a run for your money.
Slower Speeds
As much as I love my machine, it just can’t keep up with the output level my small business is running at now. The speed of the xTool M1 is something else that is relatively slow in comparison to other machines within its price range. The xTool M1 has a max speed of 250mm/s. Unfortunately, making engraving painfully slow.
It may be bearable for those who are interested in using the engraving feature for one-off projects or gifts now and then. However, if you’re trying to make money with your machine and engage in normal business activities like stocking up inventory or getting out multiple orders in one shot, you can expect to devote most of your day to monitoring your machine.
Not Ideal for Scaling
These limitations make it evident that although the xTool M1 is a great machine for starting up and testing the waters with laser cutting and engraving, it’s not ideal for scaling a business.
Pros of Using the xTool M1 for a Side Hustle
Ease of Use
If you do decide to take the xTool M1 for a spin, know that it’s a great starter machine. The machine and the XCS software used to operate it are user-friendly.
The xTool M1 is also still very versatile. Not only can you use it make products, but it can be used to brand your packaging materials as well. I’ve used the blade cutting feature for creating stickers with my logo on it, thank you cards, and other fun things to add to orders.
Lower Startup Cost
Compared to other machines out there, the xTool M1 falls at a reasonable price point for all that it can do. Although, at the time of sharing this post, there are other brands and versions of this machine in the market that may be worth researching as well.
Here’s the way to look at it:
You can invest upfront in a more powerful machine. Sure, it costs more now and may take longer to recoup the cost—but you won’t need to upgrade anytime soon.
Or, you can start with this budget-friendly option. You’ll earn your money back faster, and when you’re ready, use those profits to upgrade.
What I Wish I Knew Before I Started
Diode Lasers Wear
When I first started researching lasers, the concept of diode lasers vs. CO2 lasers was brought up quite often. Although I grasped the definition, it wasn’t until I really started putting my laser to work did I understand why you might choose one over the other.
Diode lasers are usually more cost-efficient and easier to maintain—at first. But with frequent use, especially at full power, they lose cutting strength over time. And in many machines, the laser head can’t be replaced.
CO2 lasers also wear down eventually, but they’re built to allow easy replacement of the laser tube, giving you more longevity in the long run.
Materials Vary
All materials are not created equal! A sheet of plywood purchased from a craft store, like Michaels, will not give you the exact same result as a sheet of plywood from Home Depot. The grade of material varies, and may even vary per piece from the same distributer.
When sourcing raw materials for your products, it’s best to buy in bulk and keep costs low. So buying your materials straight from the manufacturer of your machine isn’t going to be the most cost-efficient option. However, when you begin experimenting with materials that haven’t been directly tested with your machine, you run into the issue of wasted material, and money, when it simply won’t cut through.
My experience with the xTool M1 has been just that. With its lower wattage diode laser, I’ve purchased materials that have given me inconsistent results, no matter how much I’ve dialed in my settings. It’s purely due to the lack of power for this machine.
Tech Advancements & A Competitive Market
Now that I’m more involved in the laser community, I stay up-to-date on new trends and machines coming into the market. Advancements in this space are not slowing down and we’re seeing a lot more lasers popping up with features that didn’t exist just months ago.
This can be great for us laser enthusiasts who want to grow with our machines and equally disappointing when we find our machines become outdated far too soon after investing so much into them.
Case in point, with the xTool M1. This machine came and went after only two years of being released to the public. I personally, only got a year of use out of mine before xTool alerted its owners that it’s being discontinued. For now, they are still offering support for this machine, but will no longer restock it and will not be supplying its accessories after March of 2026. Where does this leave M1 owners a year from now? I’m not entirely sure.
So… Can You Actually Make Money with the xTool M1?
Yes, I still believe at the very least, you can start your creative business with the xTool M1. However the second most important question to keep in mind is whether or not you can scale your business with this machine. If demand grows, you may outgrow the M1.
It’s also important to plan out the types of products you intend to sell for your small business or laser cutting side hustle well before you purchase your laser. This will help you determine whether the xTool M1 could be useful or if it’s best to go another route. If you’re looking to make small wooden products like earrings and accessories then this could be the machine for you. But if you’re looking to get into products that use acrylic or glass and generate a lot of different products, then it’s probably best to research alternatives.
I hope this helped to shed light on the xTool M1 and your potential to make extra cash with a laser cutter and engraver. Until next time, I wish you the best in your laser journey!
