xTool F1 Ultra Review: Engrave, Emboss, Cut just about anything

Lasers are versatile tools, and are becoming a more affordable technology for both home and education. Laser engravers are small enough to fit on your desktop, and make a great addition to any makerspace.

The XtoolF1 Ultra takes the technology to a new level. By combining fiber and diode lasers in one machine, it handles everything from metals to wood with precision and speed. 

We integrated the F1 Ultra into our makerspace and wanted to share our experience.  Let’s explore!

Overview of Xtool F1 Ultra

Powerhouse is the word that comes to mind when describing the xTool F1 Ultra 20W laser engraver. This dual laser system combines fiber and diode technology, offering exceptional versatility for both metal and non-metal materials.

This machine has professional-grade capabilities that provides speed without sacrificing precision. The F1 Ultra handles deep metal engraving, embossing, and thin metal cutting, while also excelling with wood, acrylic, and leather.

It’s a galvo style laser, which means mirrors move the lasers, giving the machine a smaller footprint than most laser or CNC machines on the market. It’s compact enough for educational settings but robust for serious projects. The built-in camera makes it easy to place your designs, and its enclosed design prioritizes safety with eye protection features.

Whether you’re prototyping electronics or crafting for a fundraiser, the F1 Ultra delivers professional results across diverse applications.

Key Features and Specifications

The Xtool F1 Ultra showcases an impressive array of technical specifications that justify its premium positioning. This is a machine capable of handling virtually any engraving task.

• Dual Laser Technology – Combines a 20W fiber laser for metals and a diode laser for organic materials, giving you versatility across wood, acrylic, leather, and metals.
• Lightning-Fast Speed – An impressive engraving speed of up to 10,000mm/s ensures quick project turnarounds.
• Compact Design – Measures 10.7×16.6x19in (273×373×492mm) and weighs 32lbs (14.7kg), making it substantial yet manageable for educational settings.
• Smart Features – Includes built-in camera, Auto Streamline for batch processing, and 3D Curve™ Engraving for curved surfaces.
• Large Workspace – measuring 220 x 220 mm, you can do some sizeable projects with the safety shield closed.
• Engrave, Emboss, or Cut: You can take on a variety of projects and materials with one machine

Unboxing and Setup: F1 Ultra First Impressions

The educational kit is shipped in 3 boxes. One is the laser unit.  The SafetyPro AP2 Purifier comes in a separate box (it’s actually larger than the F1 Ultra unit itself.)  There is a smaller box of starter materials that comes with the educational package.

The F1 Ultra and AP2 Purifier are well packaged and protected, and are easy to unbox.  Straps around the dense foam make it easy to lift out, even with one person.

No packing space is wasted – when you open the F1 Ultra safety shield, you’ll find specially fitted foam boxes inside the work area. Unpack these to fine the touchscreen and power.

What’s in the Box?

Unboxing the xTool F1 Ultra laser engraver is a breeze, thanks to its pre-assembled nature and thoughtful packaging.

Here’s a quick look at what’s in the box:

• Touchscreen Controller: This nifty device lets you manage your projects with ease.
• Power Adapter and Cable: Essential for powering up your engraver.
• Exhaust Hose: Connect this to ensure smoke is safely vented out.
• USB Cable and Slatted Panel: Handy for connectivity and stable project setups.
• L-Shaped Positioning Piece: Helps line up your materials perfectly.
• Material Pack and User Manual: Start crafting right away with included materials and helpful instructions.

F1 Ultra Setup

Setting up the xTool F1 Ultra was surprisingly easy.  It’s pre assembled, so there isn’t much more to do after unpacking it.  You’ll need to plug in the power supply, attach the touch screen controller, and remove the lens cap.  You’ll want to connect the air hose from the back of the F1 to either vent outside or to the smoke purifier.

Our makerspace is in the basement, so venting outside isn’t a viable option.  The air purifier is part of the educational package, since it may not be feasible to vent outside in a classroom or lab setting.  The SafetyPro AP2 Purifier is easy to connect – just plug in the power and connect the air hose and you’re ready to go. 

Project Design

You’ll build your projects in the free xTool Creative Space software (XCS), so you’ll need to download and install it.  We had no luck connecting with the included USB cable (or several others), and gave up after about an hour or reboots, restarts, reinstalls, and checking help and forums.  We were, however, able to connect right away with both mobile and WiFi, and it’s been smooth since.

Setup Step	Estimated Time
Unboxing	10 minutes
Software installation	10 minutes *
Network connection	5 minutes
Camera calibration	5 minutes
Project setup in XCS	5-10 minutes
First test engraving	less than a minute

*We’ll exclude the setup time we spent fumbling around with the USB connection. I work with tech and computers all the time and have no idea what was going on there, but the WiFi connection has been solid.

The machine’s compact footprint means you won’t need excessive space. We have it on a workbench next to our Bambu X1 3D printer, and the F1 Ultra is smaller (though you’ll need to account for space for the air hoses when figuring out where your laser engraver is going to live.)

Once powered on, the built-in camera activates for precise material positioning. In less than an hour, you’ll be ready to create your first project.

Ease of Use and Experience

The Xtool F1 Ultra is pretty user friendly despite its advanced capabilities. The intuitive interface welcomes both beginners and experienced users alike, with minimal learning curve that makes it perfect for educational environments.

1. The Auto Streamline function allows you to handle batch processing effortlessly, saving you considerable time on multiple projects.
2. With speeds up to 10,000mm/s and AI-assisted design generation, you’ll create professional-quality engravings quickly.
3. The built-in camera system provides precise alignment, eliminating guesswork when positioning your material. You can access the framing feature from the touch screen, which is handy.
4. Cross-platform compatibility means you can operate the machine from virtually any device—Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android.

You’ll appreciate how the F1 Ultra balances sophisticated technology with accessibility, making laser engraving approachable even if you’re fairly new to the craft (like us.)

The XCS software is fairly intuitive to drop in graphic files or start designing from scratch. There are plenty of shapes and templates to get started with. If you’ve worked in any other design or graphic editing software, you’ll feel familiar right out of the gate.

There’s an included sample business card project that will be enough of a tutorial to walk even complete beginners through the first project.

The safety features are immediately apparent—the green enclosure shield protects you from both laser frequencies, as do the 2 pairs of goggles included in the kit. (If you need more goggles, you can get them directly from the xTool site.)  There’s also a big red emergency shutoff button – just in case.

Material Compatibility

Once you get started with projects and plans, you’ll notice the dual laser system’s versatility across materials. Its diode laser handles organic materials (leather, cardboard, etc.) while the fiber laser tackles harder materials (metal, stone, etc.) with precision.

Dual Laser Technology: Performance Analysis

When examining the F1 Ultra’s dual laser technology, material compatibility stands out as one of its most impressive features. The combination of a 20W fiber laser (red) and diode laser (blue) creates unparalleled versatility across different materials, allowing you to switch between projects effortlessly with the same machine and workflow.

• Metal Mastery – The fiber laser excels at deep engraving, embossing, and even cutting thin metals with precision and speed.
• Organic Materials – The diode laser handles wood, leather, and fabrics with remarkable detail and control.
• Synthetic Performance – Both lasers work well on acrylics, creating crystal-clear engravings and clean cuts.

The materials kit provides a good sample of what this machine can do.  There’s a handy pamphlet with suggested settings for each material that’ll have you quickly determining which laser to use and what power and speed settings are needed.

Even though we had plenty of materials to work with in the kit, we quickly found ourselves looking around the house asking, “Can I engrave this?”  It’s kind of addictive!

We had some toilet paper rolls near the workbench (a must have for quick STEM activities!) so we tried engraving on them – the blue diode laser did a great job.

Unique Capabilities of the F1 Ultra: Color Engraving and 3D Embossing

One of the exciting features of the xTool F1 Ultra is its unique ability to produce color engravings and detailed 3D embossing.

By using its blue laser module and different laser power and speed settings, the machine can create vibrant patterns on stainless steel. Admitted, it’s not full color imaging, but for crafting and creating art it’s an awesome feature (And a great case for experimentation: ‘why do power and speed settings affect the color‘ would make a great lab or lesson topic!)

The fiber laser enables the creation of intricate 3D embossing designs, ideal for crafting stunning wax seals, challenge coins, plaques, or elegant jewelry pieces. (You’ll find all of these in the materials kit.) By adjusting power and speed, you can explore various engraving effects, adding versatility and creative freedom to your projects.

Pros and Cons

Buying a laser tool is an investment, so you’ll want to make sure the machine you get is worth it.  The xTool F1 Ultra packs a lot of power into a single machine.

Value for the Money

The Xtool F1 Ultra represents a significant investment that delivers exceptional value for educational institutions and serious makers.

The dual laser technology allows you to work on virtually any material, making it incredibly versatile for classroom settings or professional workshops.

1. You’re getting blazing speed (up to 10,000mm/s) with ultra HD resolution, reducing production time while maintaining quality.
2. The 10,000-hour laser lifespan guarantees you won’t need a replacement anytime soon, maximizing your long-term return.
3. Thorough educational packages include essential safety features like the SafetyPro AP2  Air Purifier.
4. Versatility across materials (metal, wood, acrylic, leather) eliminates the need for multiple specialized machines, potentially saving you thousands in equipment costs.

xTool F1 Ultra Education Package

The xTool F1 Ultra Education Package is a game-changer for schools and makerspaces looking to add a laser machine. With the world’s first dual laser configuration, this versatile engraver can handle a wide variety of materials like metals, wood, leather, slate, colored acrylic, cardboard, canvas, stone, etc.

Why Choose xTool F1 Ultra for Education?

1. Versatility: Perfect for teaching various types of lasers and materials.
2. Compact Design: Easily fits into classrooms, thanks to its compact footprint.
3. Safety: The Education package includes the  AP2 Air Purifier unit, which means you don’t need to vent the F1 to the outside. The Education package also includes safety goggles.

This package is perfect for educators who want to inspire future inventors and designers by providing hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology.

Final Thoughts on the xTool F1 Ultra

After spending some time and trying out a bunch of projects, I’m completely convinced the Xtool F1 Ultra is a worthwhile addition to our makerspace.

Including two laser types offers versatility across a wide range of materials, from deep metal engraving to detailed work on wood and leather.  It’s fast, completing some small project in seconds.

For educational settings requiring precision, versatility, and safety, in a small footprint the F1 Ultra delivers exceptional value.

The biggest challenge is figuring out the optimal settings for each material. There are a ton of materials in the XCS library, and you can create your own custom materials. There’s a lot of testing and trial and error to see what settings work the best to give you professional results. Like any new tool or skill – the more you work with it, the better you (and your results) will get.

Whether you’re a beginner or expert, this machine’s versatility and user-friendly interface make it an exceptional investment that’ll elevate your creative projects for years to come.