When choosing a portable laser engraver for metal, power is more than just a technical specification.
Many demos boast, “A 20W fiber laser engraver can engrave anything.”
While technically true, business is about more than what’s possible—it’s about efficiency.
If engraving a single metal coin takes hours, that laser engraver is simply not practical for business. No matter how impressive the output may look.
The real question when selecting the best portable laser engraver for metal is:
Can it engrave fast, deep, and reliably enough to generate profits?
This is why selecting the right laser is crucial when buying a portable laser engraver for metal.
What Do You Engrave Metal For?
Before diving into laser engravers, identify your main applications, such as:
- Marking & Light Engraving:
Text, barcodes, QR codes, logos, part IDs on metal and plastic
- Deep engraving
Coins, molds, metal nameplates, industrial parts requiring depth and durability
- Cutting / material removal
Metal sheets, tabs, heavy ablation or cleaning
Each application requires different energy levels and cycle times, which affect the ideal power and machine performance.
Why Power Matters for Your Laser Engraver for Metal
Watt controls how much laser energy is delivered per second.
Higher power means:
- Faster material removal
- Deeper engraving in fewer passes
- Higher productivity for batch jobs
But it also means:
- More heat input
- Less tolerant on thin or heat-sensitive materials
- Higher equipment cost
The goal is to choose the power that works in the comfortable efficiency zone for your daily jobs. Find a machine that finishes the job in an acceptable time.
Portable Fiber Laser Engraver Power Options
20W Fiber Laser Engraver — High Quality Marking, Not Deep Engraving
(ComMarker B4/B6)
Best for: Barcodes, QR codes, serial numbers, logos on tools, surface contrast marking
Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum, brass, many industrial plastics
Typical depth: 0.05–0.1 mm
Speed: Less than 1 minute per stainless steel serial number or QR code
Note: Engraving a stainless-steel coin to visible depth takes 3–4 hours, making 20W unsuitable for deep engraving or batch production.
30W Fiber Laser Engraver — Faster Marking, Light Engraving Capability
(ComMarker B4/B6)
Best for: Faster marking lines, light engraving, small shops needing faster engraving speed
Depth: ~0.1–0.3 mm
Speed: 20–40% faster marking than 20W
Note: Still mainly for marking and shallow engraving; deep or tactile engraving remains slow.
50W Fiber Laser Engraver — Where Real Engraving Starts
(ComMarker B4)
Best for: Coins, medals, deep logos, mold marking, thin metal marking and cutting
Depth: ~0.5–1 mm
Speed: 2–3× faster material removal vs 20W; coin engraving 30–60 min vs 3–4 hrs on 20W
Note: Entry point for serious engraving businesses balancing detail, depth, and efficiency.
60W Fiber Laser Engraver — Faster Throughput with Similar Control
(ComMarker B6 60W MOPA)
Best for: Same tasks as 50W but faster, scaling shops
Benefit: ~15–20% faster than 50W; fewer passes for same depth; better cycle time
Extra: MOPA tech enables superior pulse control for depth, detail, and color engraving
Ideal for: Users validated 50W works and want higher throughput without jumping to 100W+
Check Desktop Fiber Laser Engraver for Heavier Duties
As power requirements increase, desktop fiber laser engravers allow higher output, up to 200W. Offering a balance between industrial performance and a desktop size.
100W Fiber Laser Engraver — High Efficiency, Deep Metal Engraving
(ComMarker Titan)
Best for: Deep coin engraving, industrial parts, metal cutting, high-volume production
Depth: ~0.7–1.0 mm+
Speed: 30–50% faster than 50W on deep tasks
Note: Enables practical deep engraving and fast batch production.
200W Fiber Laser Engraver — Maximum Power for Heavy-Duty Engraving
(ComMarker Titan)
Best for: Deep engraving on hard metals, parts and metal engraving and cutting, high-volume industrial jobs
Depth: 1.0 mm+ stainless steel engraving easily
Speed: 40–50% faster than 100W at similar depths
Note: Ideal for industrial-scale throughput and toughest materials.
Choose Your Machine Based on Real Business Needs
Instead of asking “What is the most powerful machine I can buy?”, ask:
“What do I engrave most often, and how fast do I need to finish each job?”
Practical guidelines:
- Barcodes, logos, surface marking → 20W / 30W
- Coins, deep logos, nameplates → 50W minimum
- Commercial production, deep industrial engraving → 100W
- Heavy engraving + high throughput → 200W
Buying less power leads to:
- Extremely long engraving times
- Lower profit per order
- Frustration as customer expectations grow
Buying far more power than needed leads to:
- Higher equipment cost
- Less control on delicate work
Final thoughts: Choose the portable laser engraver as a Production Tool
The best laser engraver for metal is the one that operates in its efficient sweet spot for your daily jobs.
With ComMarker, your investment powers real productivity, delivering faster turnarounds, deeper engraving, and higher profits every time.
