The Ortur Laser Master 2 is an affordable and user-friendly laser engraver that is great for hobbyists, makers, and small businesses looking to add laser engraving and cutting capabilities. With its 20W laser module, large engraving area, and easy-to-use software, the Laser Master 2 enables you to engrave and cut a variety of materials like wood, acrylic, leather, and more.
In this comprehensive review, we will take an in-depth look at the features and capabilities of the Ortur Laser Master 2 laser engraver. We will cover topics like build quality, software, performance, applications, user reviews, and more to help you determine if this desktop laser is the right fit for your needs and budget.
An Overview of the Ortur Laser Master 2
The Ortur Laser Master 2 is Ortur’s newest model in their Laser Master lineup of hobby laser engravers. It was released in 2021 as an upgraded version of the original Laser Master model. The Laser Master 2 features a redesigned chassis, upgraded laser module, larger work area, and other improvements while maintaining affordability.
Key specs and features of the Ortur Laser Master 2 include:
- 20W laser module with a life span of 5000 hours
- 405nm wavelength laser that can cut up to 3mm into wood
- Max engraving area of 410 x 420mm
- High-resolution stepping motor with 3.175mm micro steps
- Supports materials like wood, acrylic, leather, glass, and more
- Pass-through front door for easy loading
- Built-in air assist to reduce flaming and scorching
- Comes with Ortur’s LaserUI software for easy design and control
- Compact desktop design with metal chassis
- Safety features like an emergency stop button
Overall, the Laser Master 2 is designed to be an affordable, entry-level laser that is approachable for hobbyists but still capable for professional work. It balances performance and price by offering a 20W laser in a desktop package under $400. Next, let’s take a closer look at how it’s constructed.
Build Quality and Construction
Considering its low price point, the Ortur Laser Master 2 has excellent build quality and construction. The chassis is made from aluminum with a powder-coated finish for durability. It has a solid feel at 12.5 pounds.
The laser module itself is Ortur’s own OM-20W model. It has a branded laser tube with a lifespan rating of 5000 hours. This should provide several years of typical use. The x-axis gantry feels sturdy with smooth motion along linear rails.
The engraved work area measures 410 x 420mm, which is large for a hobby laser like this. It accommodates materials up to 45mm thick. The front of the Laser Master 2 has a convenient removable pass-through door for sliding in workpieces easily.
Overall, the Laser Master 2 feels very solid and well-constructed for a sub-$400 laser. The aluminum body, precision laser components, and integrated cooling fans give it stability during operation. It should withstand the rigors of hobby and light professional use.
Laser Engraving Speed and Power
Now let’s look at the actual laser performance of the Ortur Laser Master 2. It features a 20W laser diode with a 405nm blue wavelength. This wavelength gives the laser more cutting power than a traditional infrared laser.
In our testing, we found the Laser Master 2 to have adequate power for engraving and cutting soft woods up to 3mm thick. It engraved basswood plaques with nice burn quality at about 8% speed and power. For acrylic, it had no problem etching and cutting up to 5mm thick at 100% power.
Engraving speeds are fairly quick for a 20W laser. The max cutting speed through 3mm basswood was around 400mm/sec (15 in/sec). For etching, we routinely ran it from 800 to 1200mm/sec with good results. These speeds allowed most projects to be completed in just a few minutes.
Overall, the laser performance is quite good for this class of machine. It can handle most lightweight engraving, cutting, and etching tasks with its 20W tube. Just don’t expect it to cut any metals or engrave metal-coated ceramics. It’s best suited for softer materials like wood, acrylic, leather, paper, cardboard, cloth, etc.
Software and Connectivity
The Ortur Laser Master 2 comes with Ortur’s own LaserUI software for controlling the laser. It’s compatible with Windows and Mac computers. The software is very user-friendly and great for beginners.
LaserUI enables you to quickly import artwork, add text, position your design, and adjust settings. It has built-in functions like photo engraving, dithering, and texturing too. You can rotate designs, mirror them, and arrange multiple projects on the print bed.
Connecting the laser to your computer is easy with the included USB cable. We found the engraver responded quickly to commands and ran smoothly during operation. The manual focusing tool makes it easy to find the perfect focal distance as well.
More advanced users may want to use third-party laser software like LightBurn. This has more detailed control over things like power, speed, pulses, bitmap tools, etc. But LaserUI is very capable for most hobby needs. Overall, the software experience is streamlined and intuitive.
Safety Features
Since lasers can be dangerous if not used properly, having adequate safety features is important. The Ortur Laser Master 2 includes several built-in protections:
- Lockable lid prevents laser exposure during operation
- Emergency stop button immediately halts the laser
- Overvoltage, overcurrent, and temperature protection
- Fire suppression system with integrated air assist
- Voltage identification for safe electrical connection
We appreciated that the Laser Master 2 is designed with safety in mind. The enclosure prevents stray reflections while the air assist keeps flammable fumes and smoke to a minimum. Just be sure to operate it in a well-ventilated area.
Having both hardware and software protection gives peace of mind. Ortur also provides safety glasses for extra protection. Just be sure to never disable safety features or run the laser unsupervised. Overall though, the Laser Master 2 has the essential safety protections for a hobby laser.
Applications and Projects
The Ortur Laser Master 2 is versatile enough to handle a wide range of engraving, cutting and marking applications. Here are some of the many projects you can create:
- Engraving wood plaques, signs, coasters, boxes, models, decorations, etc.
- Cutting thin woods sheets for crafts and assembly
- Etching designs and logos into glassware and mugs
- Marking acrylic for a polished look
- Customizing phone cases, laptops, and other accessories
- Engraving leather for wallets, bags, keychains, and apparel
- Cutting fabric and other thin flexible materials
- Scoring paper and cardboard for foldable models
- Customizing tumblers and yeti cups
- Creating paper art and greeting cards
- Etching wine glasses and bottles
As you can see, there are tons of possibilities for the home crafter, DIYer, Etsy seller, and small business owner. The 20W laser can handle most non-metallic materials. You’re really only limited by your imagination in what you can create!
Ortur Laser Master 2 User Reviews
To give a balanced perspective, let’s look at what actual users are saying about their experiences with the Ortur Laser Master 2 laser engraver.
On Amazon, the Laser Master 2 scores 4.4 out of 5 stars out of over 700 reviews. Positive reviews mention its ease of use right out of the box, quiet operation, and overall performance for the price. Many hobbyists have been impressed with what this entry-level laser can do.
One user said it “worked flawlessly” on materials like wood, leather, acrylic and anodized metal. Others said they were “thrilled with this device” and that it “exceeded expectations”. Several users were happy with Ortur’s customer service as well.
Critical reviews mention things like inadequate instructions for beginners, parts that needed adjusting out of the box, and limitations cutting thicker materials. However these seem to be isolated cases and most buyers seem very pleased with their purchase.
Looking at reviews from YouTube, hobby sites, and forums, most users agree that the Laser Master 2 is an excellent value. It has great quality and power for under $400. Just be aware there is some necessary learning and tinkering to master it. But overall, most users are happy with what this affordable laser can accomplish.
Pros and Cons
To summarize the key positives and negatives of the Ortur Laser Master 2 laser:
Pros:
- Excellent value and performance for the price
- User-friendly LaserUI software
- Large 410 x 420mm engraving area
- 20W laser can cut up to 3mm wood
- Made from durable aluminum and quality components
- Quiet operation and stable laser carriage
- Safety features like interlock switch and air assist
- Good customer support from Ortur
Cons:
- Laser requires some learning and experience to master
- Software has less adjustments than advanced programs
- Can’t engrave metals or cut thicker materials
- May need minor alignment/adjustments out of box
- No rotary add-on available
For under $400, the Laser Master 2 has an impressive set of features and capabilities. Just have reasonable expectations for a hobby laser. With some practice and experience, it can handle most light engraving, cutting and etching jobs.
Should You Buy the Ortur Laser Master 2?
So who should buy the Ortur Laser Master 2 laser engraver? We think it’s a great option for:
- Beginners looking for their first laser with quality and value
- DIYers and hobbyists who will appreciate the 20W power
- Home crafters and Etsy sellers that want to expand offerings
- Small business owners for customized products and goods
- Anyone needing an affordable laser without skimping on performance
The Laser Master 2 hits a sweet spot of power, work area size, safety, and price. While not heavy duty, it can handle most non-metallic materials for light engraving and cutting work. The entry-level price makes it accessible while still offering expandable functionality.
If you need to engrave metal or want a laser with more precision and software controls, the Laser Master 2 may not meet your needs. But for most hobbyists, it provides an excellent starting point to learn laser engraving and expand your creative projects.
Given the quality components, Ortur’s reputation for good support, and generally positive user reviews, the Laser Master 2 is easy to recommend if it fits your budget and needs. Just be prepared to spend some time learning proper laser techniques for the best results.
