Fiber lasers and CO2 lasers differ mainly in their operational wavelengths and applications. Fiber lasers operate at shorter wavelengths (around 1.06 micrometers) and are highly effective for cutting metals and hard materials due to their high beam intensity.

CO2 lasers, on the other hand, operate at longer wavelengths (10.6 micrometers) and are better suited for cutting and engraving non-metallic materials like wood, acrylic, and fabric. Additionally, fiber lasers tend to have higher electrical efficiency and require less maintenance compared to CO2 lasers.

The xTool F1 Ultra is a major upgrade that users have eagerly anticipated. Its enhanced 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 crafting journey. But if your work nature requires cutting metal sheets, deeper engravings, and slightly larger projects, the xTool F1 Ultra offers the best value for money.

F1 Ultra can deeply engrave, emboss and even cut metal. F1 ultra can cut 0.4mm brass, 0.3mm stainless steel and 0.2mm aluminum sheet.

F1 ultra is a dual laser. It has 20W fiber and 20W galvo blue diode laser. F1 Ultra can engrave Almost ALL Common Materials in daily life. Diode lasers perform best on wood, acrylic, leather, slate, glass, ceramic, etc., while fiber lasers can engrave clearly on all-metals (stainless steel, aluminum, gold, silver, iron, platinum) and plastic.

And yes, F1 Ultra is a true fiber. The F1 Ultra uses an IR (infrared laser) as its laser source, while the fiber (diode-pumped fiber laser) serves as the gain medium. Both are essential components for generating laser light.

Each laser light is produced when the laser source strikes the gain medium, which then amplifies the intensity of the laser beam. Unlike the S1 & F1 models and other common IR lasers on the market that use DPSS (diode-pumped solid-state laser) as the gain medium, the F1 Ultra leverages a fiber gain medium to maximize laser power. This results in deeper engraving and cutting at the same power level.