I Bought the xTool M1 Ultra So You Don’t Have To (Unless You Fit This Profile)

If you've been searching for an xTool M1 Ultra review, you've probably noticed one thing: everyone says it's amazing. It's a 4-in-1 machine! It engraves everything! It cuts through acrylic like butter!

Let me save you some money (and frustration). I've been running a small workshop since 2017, mostly doing laser engraving and vinyl cutting for local businesses. In Q3 2024, I decided to upgrade from my old CO2 rig to something more versatile. The xTool M1 Ultra seemed like the perfect fit. So I bought one.

It's a great machine—but not for everyone. And definitely not for the reasons the marketing material tells you. Here's the unvarnished truth based on about 200 hours of use.

The Problem With '4-in-1' Claims

The xTool M1 Ultra is sold as a 4-in-1 craft machine: laser engraving, laser cutting, blade cutting, and a rotary tool. Sounds like a Swiss Army knife for your workshop, right?

Here's the thing: it is all four of those things, but it doesn't do all of them well. Honestly, I'm not sure why some machines manage this better than others. My best guess is that the physical compromises required for four tools in one chassis are real. You can't make a single device that's simultaneously the best laser cutter, the best blade cutter, and the best rotary tool. Physics doesn't work that way.

So who's this machine actually for? Let me break it down into three distinct scenarios.

Scenario A: The Hobbyist Who Wants One Machine to Rule Them All

This is the xTool M1 Ultra's sweet spot.

If you're a hobbyist, an Etsy seller, or a small workshop owner who does a bit of everything—wood signs one week, acrylic earrings the next, leather wallets after that—this machine could be a game-changer. You don't want to maintain three separate machines. You want one tool that handles 80% of your projects.

For this user, the M1 Ultra is fantastic. The laser is powerful enough to cut 10mm acrylic (slowly) and engrave metal with the diode laser attachment. The blade cutter handles paper, cardstock, and even thin leather. The rotary tool is surprisingly good for deburring and small engraving jobs.

What I'd recommend: If you're in this camp, absolutely consider it. Just keep your expectations realistic. It takes time to switch between modules, and you'll need to be patient with setup. That said, for a hobbyist, the versatility is unmatched.

Scenario B: The Small Business Owner Who Values Speed Over Versatility

This is where I almost made a very expensive mistake.

When I first unpacked the M1 Ultra, I planned to use it as my primary production machine. I took on a $2,400 order for 120 engraved acrylic plaques. The M1 Ultra could handle it—but slowly. The laser cut path was narrower than my old CO2, so each plaque took about 40% longer.

I still kick myself for not testing this before committing to the timeline. If I'd run a proper batch test, I'd have realized the M1 Ultra, while incredibly versatile, isn't optimized for speed. In Q4 2024, I had to run jobs overnight to meet deadlines. I missed two deadlines by a day each. Not catastrophic, but embarrassing.

What I'd recommend: If you're running a business where turnaround time is critical, don't get the M1 Ultra. Get a dedicated CO2 laser cutter instead. The M1 Ultra is a wonderful supplementary machine for prototyping, small runs, and multi-material jobs. But for primary production? You'll probably run into the same speed wall I did.

Scenario C: The 'I Just Need to Engrave Metal' User

This is where the marketing can really mislead you.

I've seen articles and videos claiming the M1 Ultra can engrave metal with ease. Technically, yes—with the optional fiber laser module, it can mark some metals. But it's not a dedicated metal engraver. It uses a diode laser, which is fine for anodized aluminum, coated stainless steel, and dark materials. For bare brass, copper, or titanium? Forget it.

I once tried to mark a batch of 50 brass keychains. After two days of tweaking settings and waste, I had to explain to the client that I couldn't complete the order. So glad I hadn't taken the payment upfront. Almost ordered a fiber module to fix it, which would have cost another $1,500. Dodged a bullet there.

What I'd recommend: If your primary need is metal engraving (especially for harder metals or high-volume production), skip the M1 Ultra entirely. Get a dedicated fiber laser engraver. The xTool M1 Ultra's laser module is great for wood, acrylic, and coated metals, but that's where its laser capabilities end.

So, Which Scenario Are You In?

Here's a quick checklist to figure it out:

1. What's your primary material? Wood, acrylic, and coated metal? You're probably Scenario A or B. Bare metal? That's Scenario C.
2. How much volume do you need? A few items a week? Scenario A. 50+ items a week? You might be Scenario B.
3. What's your timeline? Can you afford a 40% slower run time for the sake of versatility? If yes, Scenario A. If not, Scenario B.
4. What's your budget for additional tools? If you have the cash to buy a dedicated laser cutter later, the M1 Ultra makes a great secondary machine. If you only have budget for one tool, Scenario A might be your best bet.

The xTool M1 Ultra is a fantastic machine. It's just not a universal one. The vendor who said 'this isn't our strength' about metal engraving earned my trust for everything else. Take the same approach with your own purchases: know what you're optimizing for, and don't believe the 4-in-1 hype if 'speed' or 'metal engraving' is on your shortlist.

As of January 2025, the xTool M1 Ultra retails for around $1,800 for the base model. Verify current pricing at the official xTool site as rates may have changed.