By the LaserCutUK.co.uk — The UK's Home Laser Cutting Authority Team · Updated May 2026 · Independent, reader-supported

xTool D1 Pro vs xTool S1 Review UK — Which Is Worth Buying in 2025?

If you're shopping for a home or small-business laser cutter in the UK, xTool's two flagship diode lasers—the D1 Pro and S1—keep popping up in searches. They're the obvious shortlist because they're genuinely good machines, widely reviewed, and supported locally. But they're built for different workflows, different spaces, and different budgets. Understanding which one fits your setup matters, because spending £2,000 more on unnecessary features stings just as much as buying underpowered hardware that won't cut through leather or engrave wood properly.

The Core Difference: Open Frame vs Enclosed

The D1 Pro is an open-frame laser—you're looking at a desktop cutter with exposed rails and a flatbed design. It's compact, takes up about the space of a large printer, and sits comfortably on a workbench or desk. The S1, by contrast, is a fully enclosed cabinet with a hinged lid. That's not a cosmetic choice. An enclosed design means less laser scatter into your workshop, quieter operation (the fan is muffled), and better dust containment. If you're working in a shared space or above living quarters, the S1 is significantly less disruptive.

The trade-off? The S1 footprint is larger—roughly 1 metre by 0.7 metres—and the price jumps by about £1,500 to £2,000 depending on wattage. If you've got the bench space and budget, that enclosure is worth every penny for daily use. If your workshop is tight, or you're testing the waters with laser work, the D1 Pro won't feel like a compromise.

Power and Speed: Where Each Excels

The D1 Pro maxes out at 20W of diode laser power. That's capable—it'll cut through 4–5mm hardwood, leather, acrylic, and plastics. Thicker materials require multiple passes, which adds time but remains perfectly functional for craft work, small business production, and hobbyist making.

The S1 starts at 20W and scales up to 40W. Immediately, that changes what you're working with. A 40W diode cuts through 6–8mm materials more cleanly in a single pass, speeds up production, and handles industrial-grade plywood without faffing about. If you're engraving, the power difference is less critical—both cut wood and acrylic with identical character—but for production runs or thicker stock, the S1 40W justifies itself within a few weeks.

Cutting speed is similar on paper (both around 400–600mm/s), but the additional wattage in the S1 means less dwell time per cut, so you'll notice real-world speed gains on production work. For hobbies and one-off projects, the D1 Pro feels fast enough.

Bed Size and Workflow

The D1 Pro gives you roughly 300 × 500mm of cutting area—call it A4-ish. That's tight for anything larger, and you'll be composing designs carefully or tiling larger work.

The S1 offers 420 × 220mm as standard. That extra width matters more than the depth figure suggests, because most craft projects run horizontal. In practice, you're working with almost twice the comfortable usable area, which means fewer tile-and-paste jobs and faster iteration.

UK Support, Warranty, and Plug

Both machines come with UK three-pin plugs and 110V compatibility (or 220V—check your order). Local support from xTool has improved over recent years. Warranty is two years on parts and labour, which is solid for hobby use but means you'll want to register and keep your receipt. Spares and consumables (lenses, mirrors) are stocked by UK retailers, so you won't be waiting weeks for replacements.

Neither machine is cheaper to repair than many competitors, so don't overlook a maintenance plan if you're planning heavy use.

Materials and Real-World Limitations

Both machines handle the classics well: plywood, MDF, hardwood, acrylic, leather, fabric, cork, rubber. Avoid anodised aluminium, PVC, and anything with chlorine—the fumes are nasty and the material doesn't cut cleanly.

The D1 Pro's 20W is the ceiling for practical metal engraving (anodised or powder-coated surfaces). The S1, especially at 40W, lets you engrave bare steel and stainless (though slowly), which opens up jewellery and tool-marking workflows.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy the D1 Pro if you're a hobbyist, crafter, or running a side business with modest volume. Your workshop is small. You're cutting acrylic, wood, leather, fabric. You don't need industrial speed or enclosed operation. Budget is tight. It's a brilliant entry point, and the learning curve is gentle. You can get started for under £1,200 all-in with a ventilation hose and basic safety gear.

Buy the S1 if you've already got laser experience or plan to turn this into a proper revenue stream. You need the enclosed design for daily use in a shared space. You're cutting thicker materials or running production runs. The 40W option is worth the premium for anything commercial. Engraving jewellery or marked goods? The S1 is your only real choice. Expect to invest £3,000–£3,500 for a 40W system with extraction and a stand, but it'll pay for itself in weeks if you're running any volume at all.

The honest truth: both machines are good. You won't regret either choice. But one will feel like overkill, and the other might leave you frustrated in six months. Think about your space, your workflow, and whether you're hobbyist-tinkering or building a business. That's where the answer lies.