Why You Can Trust CNET Glowforge Is Offering a Steep Preorder Discount on Its Newest Laser Cutter
The Glowforge Spark is the company's newest machine, and it's the most budget-friendly yet.
- 6 years working professionally in the 3D printing space / 4 years testing consumer electronics for large websites.
Glowforge -- one of our favorite makers of at-home laser cutting and etching tools -- recently announced the Spark, its latest entry-level machine. Like the Aura, Glowforge's previous lowest-cost machine, the Spark boasts a 6-watt blue craft laser that can easily etch on wood, slate, leather and special laser-safe vinyl products similar to what you would normally cut with a Cricut.
The Spark goes on preorder Thursday, and for the next 28 days, you can get a $100 discount, bringing the total cost down to $599. This puts it squarely in the realm of great bargains. And since it's a bargain that will only last for those 28 days, it's worth grabbing it while you can.
The biggest differences we've seen between the company's previous Aura cutter and the Spark are the removal of the passthrough feature and a slight shrinking of the total cut area. The Aura could theoretically etch onto a material 12 inches by infinity as you could pass the material through the rollers on the bottom of the machine. The Spark can etch on materials 8.5 by 11 inches, a significant decrease, but still big enough to etch slate coasters, leather cap patches and other small materials.
While most laser cutters are larger and more powerful than the Spark, this could be a good way for Glowforge to enter a market that it hasn't been able to before. Head over to the preorder page to grab one today or, if you're looking for something a little more powerful, you can try our list of the best laser cutters on for size.