The xTool S1 (40W) meets
the Creality Falcon A1 (10W)
The versatile enclosed diode most serious hobbyists should actually buy. We tested it head-to-head against the Creality Falcon A1 (10W) across 6 key dimensions.
xTool S1 (40W)
“The versatile enclosed diode most serious hobbyists should actually buy”
Creality Falcon A1 (10W)
“An enclosed, zero-assembly diode that punches far above $549”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
xTool S1 (40W)
- FauxHammer flatly recommends xTool for most buyers and points to the S1 for anyone who wants versatility and real cutting power
- The interchangeable 10W, 20W and 40W diode heads plus an optional 2W IR module let one machine cut wood and acrylic and also mark bare metal
- FauxHammer praises xTool Creative Space as visual and goal-driven, so beginners get a guided workflow instead of LightBurn's steep menus
- FauxHammer warns xTool's official support can go silent or answer off the mark, so you lean on the community for help
- As a blue diode it physically cannot cut clear or light acrylics, no matter the wattage
- Velf Creations notes even the 40W head slows to a crawl on material thicker than about 10 mm
Creality Falcon A1 (10W)
- ZeroDotCMD loved that it arrives fully enclosed with a magnetic safety switch and needs zero assembly out of the box
- Both Casual DIY and ZeroDotCMD single out the built-in automatic air assist that steps airflow up or down for cutting versus engraving, rare at this price
- ZeroDotCMD says the free Falcon Design Space software is fully featured with a material library, saving the cost of a LightBurn subscription
- ZeroDotCMD notes the loose aluminum focus block is easy to misplace in a workshop
- The QR-card material detection feels gimmicky and adds steps over a simple software dropdown
- ZeroDotCMD hit bugs where the camera kept forgetting its calibration between projects
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
The xTool S1 wins because it is the machine a serious hobbyist or small-business maker will actually use every week, not the one with the biggest spec sheet. When FauxHammer summed up the whole market, his advice was blunt: for most normal buyers, just get an xTool, and the S1 is the one he points to when you want real cutting power alongside engraving. It is a fully enclosed diode with interchangeable 10W, 20W and 40W heads, so you can size the laser to your work.
xTool S1 (40W)
The xTool S1 wins because it is the machine a serious hobbyist or small-business maker will actually use every week, not the one with the biggest spec sheet. When FauxHammer summed up the whole market, his advice was blunt: for most normal buyers, just get an xTool, and the S1 is the one he points to when you want real cutting power alongside engraving. It is a fully enclosed diode with interchangeable 10W, 20W and 40W heads, so you can size the laser to your work.
- Serious hobbyists and small-business makers who sell what they produce
- Buyers who want to cut wood and acrylic and also engrave, from one machine
- Anyone who may add bare-metal marking later with the IR head
- Beginners who want guided software instead of LightBurn's learning curve
- Makers who value a large work area and a big owner community
Creality Falcon A1 (10W)
The Creality Falcon A1 wins Best Value because it delivers the safety and convenience of machines twice its price for around $549. ZeroDotCMD loved that it ships fully enclosed with a magnetic safety switch and needs zero assembly, so a first-time buyer is cutting within minutes of opening the box. That enclosure is not a given at this price, where open-frame kits are still common.
- Beginners and budget makers who want a safe, enclosed machine
- People who want zero assembly and to start cutting the same day
- Crafters working in wood, leather, cardboard and dark acrylic
- Anyone who wants free, capable software with no subscription
- Households and shared spaces that need an enclosure and air assist