What wattage laser do you need to cut acrylic, plywood and MDF?
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As a working rule: 5W to 10W diode cuts up to 3mm softwood in multiple passes, 20W diode reaches about 6mm, a 55W CO2 cuts 8mm to 10mm acrylic, and an 80W CO2 handles 15mm to 20mm acrylic and 10mm plywood. Clear acrylic cannot be cut by any diode laser at any wattage, because the material does not absorb that wavelength.
Why wattage decides cutting but not engraving
Engraving removes a surface layer. Cutting has to vaporise material all the way through the sheet. That is why a 5W machine can engrave a detailed image on a plank it could never cut through. When you are comparing machines, separate the two jobs — the wattage you need is set by the thickest thing you intend to cut, not by the finest thing you intend to engrave.
What can each power level cut?
| Power | Type | Plywood / basswood | MDF | Acrylic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5W | Diode | Up to 3mm, several passes | Up to 3mm, slow | Dark only, up to 3mm |
| 10W | Diode | 3mm – 6mm, multiple passes | Up to 5mm | Dark only, up to 5mm |
| 20W | Diode | Up to 8mm, slow | Up to 6mm | Dark only, up to 8mm |
| 55W | CO2 | Up to 8mm, one pass | Up to 8mm | 8mm – 10mm, clear or coloured |
| 80W | CO2 | 10mm+ | 10mm+ | 15mm – 20mm |
Treat these as realistic starting points rather than guarantees. Actual results shift with the material's density and moisture, the lens fitted, whether air assist is running, and how much speed you are willing to give up.
Why does MDF behave differently to plywood?
MDF is denser and full of resin binder, so it cuts more slowly than plywood of the same thickness and leaves darker, tackier edge char. It also produces noticeably more smoke, which is why extraction matters more with MDF than with almost anything else you will cut.
Why does clear acrylic break the table?
Because it is a wavelength problem, not a power problem. A diode laser's blue light passes through clear acrylic almost unaffected — a 40W diode would be no more successful than a 5W one. Cutting clear acrylic requires a CO2 machine. This single limitation is the most common reason people outgrow a diode engraver.
Cast and extruded acrylic also differ. Cast engraves to a frosted white finish and is generally preferred for engraved work; extruded cuts with a cleaner polished edge but engraves less crisply.
Does more passes equal the same result?
Not quite. Cutting 6mm plywood in four passes on a 10W diode and cutting it in one pass on a CO2 machine give different edges — more passes mean more heat in the material and usually a wider, more charred kerf. Multiple passes also risk the sheet shifting between them. If clean edges at thickness are the point of the job, buy the power rather than working around it.
What else changes the outcome?
- Air assist blows smoke and flame away from the cut line, improving edge quality and reducing scorch. On most materials it is the single biggest quality upgrade.
- Focus matters more at thickness. A focal point set for the surface is wrong by the time the beam is 8mm down.
- Material flatness. Warped sheet moves the surface out of focus mid-cut and causes partial cuts.
Machines at each of these power levels are listed in the laser cutters and engraving machines range, with laser type and wattage stated on every product.
Common questions
What wattage laser cuts 10mm acrylic?
A CO2 laser of about 55W and above. A 55W CO2 cuts 8mm to 10mm acrylic and an 80W handles 15mm to 20mm. No diode laser cuts clear acrylic at any wattage.
Can a 10W diode laser cut plywood?
Yes, generally 3mm to 6mm plywood over multiple passes. Expect slower work and more edge char than a CO2 machine cutting the same sheet in one pass.
Is MDF harder to cut than plywood?
Yes. MDF is denser and resin-bound, so it cuts more slowly at the same thickness, chars darker and produces considerably more smoke. Extraction is essential.
Does adding passes replace higher wattage?
Only partly. More passes put more heat into the material, widening the kerf and increasing charring, and the sheet can shift between passes. For clean edges at thickness, higher power is the better answer.