Htpow Mini Laser Engraver Review
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Our review of the HTPOW Mini Laser Desktop Engraver.
Features
• Technology: Cell Phone • Technology: Computer • Technology: Hardware • Technology: Review
Curious about these new, low-cost laser engravers that are all over Amazon and other marketplaces? Is it possible to get a decent enough laser engraver for home and hobby used for around $100 USD? I decided to order the HTPOW 1000mW Wifi Mini Laser Engraver from Amazon.com (affiliate link) to find out.

Now, this particular model is around $150 but included a WiFi option which puts it around $25 or so over other models. There are also cheaper / lesser configurations with a 500mW laser for just under $100. For my needs, I didn't want to "cheap out" too much and WiFi sounded better than cables so $150 seemed more than fair if it worked.

As always, the reviews on Amazon were positive because the majority were all given the product free of charge (or heavily discounted) in exchange for their review. While there is nothing wrong with that practice, some folks tend to over-rate an item they got for free even when being honest.

What's Included?


You actually get a decent amount of "stuff" for $150:

  • The laser engraver itself along with the laser head unit that you have to install (2 screws, very easy).

  • Pair of green glasses so you don't get any nasty laser reflections damaging your eyes (leave the lasik to the pros).

  • USB thumb drive with a PDF manual, Windows software, and APK file for the Android only app.

  • USB cable.

  • Power adaptor.

  • Sample wood and cardboard to test engrave on.

  • Printed manual.


Setup


While it comes with directions, they're a very poor translation of Chinese to English and difficult to understand. Still, it isn't too hard to figure out going by the photos with some common sense. The Windows software (runs on Windows 10 as well by the way) is as simple as double clicking, no install needed. Nice! The Android app is an APK file you have to manually install so I didn't bother with that.

First up is installing the laser engraving head unit. In my case, when I opened the box a screw fell out. This was one of two screws needed for the laser head. The second screw was lodged in the insides of the unit itself. Took me a long time to get it to shake out. Why these screws weren't in a bag was my first concern.

Next up, I noticed one of the bolts on the bottom was loose and the nut for it fell out of the unit. Fell out of the sealed inside without anyway for me to put it back together. Another screw was cross-threaded and not fully seated. These are all obvious signs of a product with no quality control whatsoever. This is what you get for $150 from China.

The WiFi version creates its own WiFi network so it doesn't connect your home WiFi network at all which is annoying. Connecting your PC to this new network is easy once you find the password which is 11112222. Some top security there. Load up the software, connect to the unit, select a JPG (or other image) and you're ready.

You strap in your material with rubber bands. Another sign of how cheaply made this unit is. Align the material using a dot from the laser and engrave.

Action


The machine isn't too loud, but louder than I expected. Engraving a small logo about 0.75" square with very little detail took almost 6 minutes. It's not speedy and the directions say it must rest and cool every 25 minutes of use. The quality of the engraving was very good even if it blended some of the detail of my logo together.


Next up was testing this on something more than the sample wood. I wanted to engrave a piece of wood that was 3" tall. I checked the specs before buying and this was just under the maximum allowed size. While my item fit, I wasn't able to re-focus the laser on it. In fact, touching the laser focus ring basically stopped it from ever focusing again, rendering the device useless.


My guess is that, if the focus works, it's meant to focus on items ranging from super thin to thin. Probably under 0.5" as a random guess. Certainly not 3" tall items. Even if it could focus on a tall item, anything beyond featherweight makes the platter shake when it moves. So there is no way it could accurately print on something heavier than a smartphone case (for example).

Also note that it produces a decent amount of smoke for a "desktop engraver". I knew there'd be some smell / smoke, but as soon as it started I had to open windows and get fans going to avoid setting off my smoke detectors. It's probably best done outside, not inside. I would also never walk away while printing, there is a major fire hazard at work here.

Issues


The main issue is just the quality. Not being packaged properly and having to (gently) shake a screw out and later having a nut fall out and bolt come loose along with cross threaded screws is a big concern.


Not being able to focus the laser head properly is a deal breaker so even if you think you can overlook the build quality, this should be a reason you avoid these cheap desktop engravers.

The system for mounting your piece to be engraved is via rubber bands and about as cheap as it gets. While this works fine for the thinnest of pieces, it doesn't work for larger items. The printing surface itself is also very small, fine for stuff about an inch or more square but not really all that big, especially as the rubber bands get in the way quickly.


The software, while simple and easy to use, is pretty poorly made as well. I won't knock it too much, it does what it's supposed to, but could be far more refined. As for that Android software, it looks even more basic and not being able to install from the Google Play Store is a deal breaker for me. Got an iPhone? Sorry, it's Android only.

Bottom Line


The ultimate conclusion is obvious, these cheap desktop laser engravers are absolute junk. The build quality is terrible and I just don't feel like it would last very long even if it didn't have all of the loose parts on it. What we need is a company to take this general idea and make something bigger and better. Something in the $500 price range that is built to last. Something not made in China. Until then, this pile of junk is being returned to Amazon.com (affiliate link).