CO₂ vs. RF Lasers: Which One Fits Your Shop?
- heidi8013
- Sep 24, 2025
- 2 min read
Have you been scratching your head thinking "CO₂ vs. RF Lasers: Which One Fits Your Shop?" Then this one's for you!
When it comes to laser cutting and engraving, one of the biggest questions is:
Should I go with a CO₂ laser or RF laser?
Both are powerful tools, but they’re built differently and shine in different situations. Let’s break it down so you can make the right call for your shop.
What is a CO₂ Laser?
Phantom’s CO₂ lasers use sealed glass tubes filled with CO₂ gas, excited by high voltage to generate a cutting beam. These machines are built for raw power.
Best for: Cutting thicker materials like hardwood, acrylic, leather, and plastics.
Wattage options: Higher wattage (90W, 130W, and up) = faster cutting speeds and the ability to tackle dense substrates.
Cost advantage: More affordable upfront, making them great for shops needing serious cutting power without breaking the bank.
Maintenance: Tubes eventually wear out, but replacements are relatively inexpensive.
What is an RF Laser?
Phantom’s RF lasers use a sealed metal tube (Radio Frequency excited), which produces a sharper, more focused beam. This tech is all about precision and consistency
.
Best for: Fine engraving, detailed logos, intricate text, photo marking, and lighter cutting.
Durability: Longer tube life than glass CO₂ tubes, with less performance drop-off over time.
Clean results: Superior beam quality means smoother edges and ultra-crisp engraving detail.
Higher investment: More costly upfront, but pays off in shops focused on precision production.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature | CO₂ Laser (Glass Tube) | RF Laser (Metal Tube) |
Best Use | Cutting thick materials | Fine engraving, light cutting |
Beam Quality | Good | Excellent (pinpoint accuracy) |
Tube Life | Shorter, replaceable | Longer, more durable |
Upfront Cost | Lower | Higher |
Speed on Thin Cuts | Moderate | Faster, cleaner |
Maintenance | Tube replacement needed | Minimal, long lifespan |
Which One Should You Choose?
If your shop is focused on cutting heavy substrates (wood, acrylic signage, leather goods, thicker plastics), a Phantom CO₂ Laser gives you the muscle you need without overinvesting.
If your shop specializes in engraving, marking, and detailed customization, an RF Laser delivers cleaner edges, faster turnaround, and a longer-lasting tube.
Many shops run both — using CO₂ for heavy cutting and RF for precision engraving. That’s when you really unlock versatility.
💡 Phantom’s Takeaway
At Phantom Photon Systems, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all machines. We believe in machines that fit your work. Whether you need the raw cutting force of CO₂ or the surgical accuracy of RF, Phantom has a system designed to rule your shop floor and you can then stop asking the question "CO₂ vs. RF Lasers: Which One Fits Your Shop?" and know that you will have exactly what you need for the jobs you're working on.
👉 Ready to figure out which laser is right for you? Talk to Phantom today and let’s get the perfect system in your hands.
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