ANYLASER X1 — The Most Compact Desktop Laser Engraver
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
Anyone's Laser, A Laser in Every Hand
If you have ever wanted to customize your 3D prints, etch leather, or personalize wooden crafts but were intimidated by the massive size and high cost of traditional laser cutters, a new project from Hong Kong is here to help. AnyLaser is looking to democratize maker technology with the X1, which they claim is the world's most compact desktop laser engraver. By stripping away heavy industrial features and focusing purely on everyday creativity, they have built a tiny, highly affordable tool that perfectly bridges the gap between casual crafting and high tech fabrication.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Name and Creator: ANYLASER X1 The Most Compact Desktop Laser Engraver by AnyLaser.
What It Is: The AnyLaser X1 is an ultra compact, entry level desktop laser engraver. It is designed to lower the barrier to laser making, giving hobbyists, craft lovers, and DIY beginners a reliable and affordable way to etch their designs onto everyday materials.
KEY FEATURES
Compact and Accessible Design: Specifically engineered to be the smallest laser engraver available, it takes up virtually no desk space and focuses entirely on real world light engraving tasks rather than heavy industrial cutting.
Laser Diode Options: Users can choose between a 380mW blue violet (405nm) laser diode for the best overall performance, or a more affordable red (650nm) laser diode option.
Versatile Material Support: It is capable of delivering clean, detailed etches on a wide range of soft materials including plastics, 3D printed parts, solid wood, cardstock, leather, acrylic, and even glass when using laser marking paper.
Low Power Visual Preview: The device features an integrated visual preview mode to help users properly align their designs on the material before firing the actual engraving laser.
Broad Software Compatibility: The engraver operates seamlessly with industry standard software like LightBurn and LaserGRBL, as well as any other GRBL based applications.
USB Power Delivery: It is powered conveniently via standard USB PD and includes an integrated fan for cooling and ventilation, along with a manual focus knob for precise beam tuning.
REWARDS
Kickstarter Pricing: Backers can secure the AnyLaser X1 starting at a "super early bird" price of 99 dollars, representing a solid discount from the planned 150 dollar retail price.
Options: Backers can select their preferred diode type. Additionally, the creators have noted that they are actively working on a higher power laser module for the future and promise that early backers will receive a fair upgrade offer when it becomes available.
Delivery: The campaign launched in April 2026 and quickly funded. The team anticipates that global fulfillment for all hardware will begin in July 2026.
CONCEPT
The core concept is "A Laser in Every Hand." AnyLaser recognized that most laser cutters on the market are large, expensive, and intimidating for casual hobbyists. By scaling down the hardware and focusing purely on the compact essentials of light engraving, they aim to democratize laser technology and make it an everyday creative tool accessible to anyone with a desk.
INSPIRATION
The project was inspired by the rapidly growing maker movement and the frustration beginners face when trying to enter the world of CNC and laser engraving. The team noticed that many makers only needed to engrave soft materials like 3D prints, wood, or acrylic, yet were forced to buy bulky machines that were difficult to store. The X1 was engineered specifically to fill this gap, proving that an effective, reliable laser tool can be as small and accessible as a standard computer mouse.
