Hello fellow creators, hobbyists! Today, we have the Atomstack A5 Pro 40W Laser Engraver. The perennially popular DIY-friendly power tool is something I even reviewed myself. Grab your coffee and let’s see if this budget laser is the solution for you.
Unboxing and Setup: No Sweat Required
Right off the bat, the Atomstack A5 Pro impressed me with its packaging. Everything’s neatly organized, and you get a full kit of goodies – from the main components to some sample materials and even a spare hotend. Nice touch, Atomstack!
Assembly is a breeze. I’m talking 10-20 minutes tops, even if you’re the type who usually needs an engineering degree to build IKEA furniture. The all-aluminum frame feels solid, none of that flimsy plastic nonsense here. And let’s talk about that eye-catching laser cover – it’s not just for show. This bad boy filters out 97% of UV light, meaning you can watch your creations come to life without frying your eyeballs. Goodbye, perpetually misplaced safety goggles!
The 410x400mm engraving area is generous enough for most projects, and the precise scale lines on the X and Y axes are a godsend for accurate positioning. No more eyeballing and hoping for the best!
Pros & Cons
Pros ✅
+ Excellent engraving quality, especially on wood
+ User-friendly interface and software compatibility
+ Versatile – works with a wide range of materials
+ Solid build quality with all-aluminum frame
+ Good safety features, including UV-filtering cover
+ Expandable work area
+ Affordable for its capabilities
Cons 📛
– Struggles with cutting thicker materials
– No built-in air assist
– Front-facing ports can lead to cluttered workspace
– Cooling fans can be noisy
– Best performance requires paid software (LightBurn)
User-Friendly Interface: A Joy to Use
The Atomstack A5 Pro comes with its own touchscreen interface, which is a nice touch (pun intended). While it’s not huge, it’s functional and allows for quick adjustments without having to go back to your computer.
For software, I mainly used LightBurn. Yes, it’s an extra cost, but trust me, it’s worth every penny for the ease of use alone. Setting up in LightBurn is a cakewalk – plug in the dimensions, connect via USB, and you’re off to the races.
The machine also supports offline engraving via a 32-bit motherboard, perfect for those times when you don’t want to lug your laptop to the workshop.
Laser Performance: Time to Make Some Magic
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff – how does this thing actually perform? The Atomstack A5 Pro uses a fixed-focus laser with a tiny 0.08 x 0.08mm spot size. In plain English? This thing engraves with surgical precision.
I started with some wood engraving, and holy smokes, was I impressed. At 1600mm/min with full power, this laser carved deep, dark lines that would make any lumberjack proud. Even when I cranked up the speed to 2200mm/min, the quality held up like a champ.
The level of detail is insane. I threw a complex mandala design at it, fully expecting a blurry mess. Nope! Every intricate line came out crisp and clear. And the best part? No fiddling with focus before each job – it’s set it and forget it.
I also took the Atomstack A5 Pro for a spin on other materials – leather, acrylic, even some coated metals. Consistently good results across the board. It had no trouble marking anodized aluminum, perfect for those custom nameplates or fancy “Do Not Touch” signs for your workshop.
The company does some engraving on ABS plastic and one test really impressed me. It was so neat and professional you would not believe it came out from a machine 10 times its price.
Safety Features: Protecting You and Your Workspace
Atomstack hasn’t skimped on safety with the Atomstack A5 Pro. Here are some key features:
Laser Protective Cover: This eye-catching cover isn’t just for show. It filters out 97% of UV light, allowing you to watch your creations come to life without frying your eyeballs.
Emergency Stop Button: In case things go sideways, this button cuts power to the laser faster than you can say “Oops!”
Limit Switches: These prevent the laser from overextending and potentially damaging itself or your workspace.
Fixed-Focus Laser: This reduces the risk of incorrect focusing, which can be a safety hazard with more powerful lasers.
Material Versatility: From Wood to Metal
A standout feature of the Atomstack A5 Pro is its impressive versatility, capable of working with a wide array of materials. Let’s break it down:
Wood: This is where the Atomstack A5 Pro really shines. It carves deep, dark lines that would make any woodworker proud. I tested it on everything from soft pine to hard oak and the results were consistently excellent.
Acrylic: Cutting through 3mm black acrylic was a breeze. Three passes at 250mm/min with full power, and you’ve got clean edges that need minimal cleanup.
Metal: The Atomstack A5 Pro can’t cut metal, but it excels at engraving on coated metals and even stainless steel. I etched a company logo on an aluminum plate, achieving a crisp and professional finish.
Leather: The precision of the laser makes it great for leather work. I engraved a intricate mandala design on a piece of leather, and every detail came out sharp and clear.
MDF and Plywood: It handles MDF like a champ, but thicker plywood can be a challenge. Quarter-inch MDF? No problem. Half-inch plywood? That’s pushing it.
Cutting Capabilities
The Atomstack A5 Pro is fantastic at engraving, but its cutting performance is inconsistent. Let’s explore this further:
Acrylic: This is where the laser really flexes its muscles. It sliced through 3mm black acrylic like a hot knife through butter – three passes at 250mm/min, full power, and we’re done. Clean edges, minimal cleanup needed. Chef’s kiss!
MDF: Quarter-inch MDF? No problem. Four passes at 240mm/min, full power, and you’ve got yourself a clean cut with edges smoother than a jazz saxophone solo.
Plywood: Here’s where things get a bit hairy. The Atomstack A5 Pro struggled with quarter-inch plywood, even after I tried every trick in the book. Multiple passes, slower speeds – no dice. The lack of an air assist system is probably the culprit here. It’s like trying to blow out birthday candles with a stuffy nose.
Thicker Materials: Half-inch plywood? Forget about it. This isn’t unusual for a diode laser in this class, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re planning on working with chunky stock.
But don’t get me wrong – this machine is a champ with thinner materials. Cardboard, thin wood (up to about 6mm), craft materials – it cuts through these like they owe it money. I made some intricate ornaments out of 2mm craft plywood that came out looking like they were made by elves, not a budget-friendly laser.
User Experience: The Little Things That Count
The built-in touchscreen is a nice touch (pun intended). It’s not huge, but it gets the job done for quick adjustments. There’s also an emergency stop button that’ll cut the power faster than you can say “Oops!”, and limit switches to keep the laser from going rogue.
The honeycomb working panel is a thoughtful inclusion. It supports your materials and reduces back reflection, which is fancy talk for “makes your cuts and engravings look better.”
I’m a big fan of the modular design. You can extend the engraving area to a whopping 410x850mm with some extra frame bits. It’s like future-proofing your purchase – your skills grow, your machine grows with you.
Oh, and adjusting the laser height? It’s as easy as turning a knob. No more fumbling around trying to get the perfect focus for different material thicknesses.
Software and Control: User-Friendly or Bust
The Atomstack A5 Pro plays nice with popular software like LaserGRBL and LightBurn. I mainly stuck with LightBurn for this review – yeah, it costs a few bucks, but trust me, it’s worth every penny for the ease of use alone.
Setting up in LightBurn is a cakewalk. Plug in the dimensions, connect via USB, and you’re off to the races. The machine also supports offline engraving via a 32-bit motherboard, perfect for those “I don’t want to drag my laptop to the garage” moments.
One minor issue is the USB port and other connections located on the front of the control box. While not a major problem, it can lead to messy cables if not managed properly.
Specifications Chart
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Atomstack A5 Pro 40W |
| Engraving Area | 410 x 400 mm (expandable to 410 x 850 mm) |
| Laser Power | 5~5.5W |
| Wavelength | 445 ± 5nm |
| Spot Size | 0.08 x 0.08 mm |
| Engraving Speed | Up to 6000 mm/min |
| Cutting Speed | Varies by material (e.g., 250 mm/min for 3mm acrylic) |
| Input Format | NC, BMP, JPG, PNG, DXF, etc. |
| Operating System | Windows XP/7/8/10, Mac OS |
| Connectivity | USB, Offline via TF card |
| Power Supply | Input: AC100-240V 50-60Hz; Output: 12V 5A |
| Machine Dimensions | 570 x 600 x 270 mm |
| Weight | 3.426 kg |
Room for Improvement: Nobody’s Perfect
Look, the Atomstack A5 Pro is impressive, especially for the price, but it’s not without its quirks:
- Air Assist: The lack of built-in air assist is the biggest limitation for cutting thicker materials. Adding this would seriously up its game.
- Cable Management: Those front-facing ports can make your workspace look like a wire factory exploded. A bit of redesign here wouldn’t go amiss.
- Noise Level: It’s not exactly ear-splitting, but the cooling fans aren’t winning any stealth awards. Some extra sound dampening would be nice for those late-night engraving sessions.
- Software: While it works with various options, the best experience comes from LightBurn, which is an extra cost. A more robust free option would be the cherry on top.
- Waste Management: The “poop chute” for purging filament is, well, less than elegant. A better waste collection solution would be a welcome upgrade.
Potential Upgrades and Modifications
One of the cool things about the Atomstack A5 Pro is its potential for upgrades. Here are some possibilities:
Expandable Work Area: You can extend the engraving area to 410x850mm with additional frame components. It’s like future-proofing your purchase.
Air Assist: While not built-in, you can add an air assist system to improve cutting performance, especially on thicker materials.
Rotary Attachment: Atomstack offers a compatible rotary attachment, opening up possibilities for engraving cylindrical objects.
Enclosure: For safer operation and to contain fumes, you can add an enclosure. Atomstack offers one, or you can DIY it.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Is It Worth It?
The Atomstack A5 Pro isn’t the most affordable out there at around $400, but it offers a good value. It offers almost the same level of engraving quality as machines that costs a lot and laser control can be used for several different projects.
For beginners and hobbyists, the value proposition is strong. You’re getting a capable machine that can grow with you as your skills improve. For small business owners looking to offer custom engraved products, the Atomstack A5 Pro could quickly pay for itself.
The main drawback is its limitations with thicker materials. If your projects frequently involve cutting thick wood or acrylic, you might need to look at more powerful (and expensive) options.
The Verdict: A Solid Entry into the Laser Game
The Atomstack A5 Pro 40W is like that overachieving kid in class who’s good at everything. Its engraving quality is off the charts, rivaling machines that cost way more. While its cutting abilities have some limitations, it’s more than capable for most hobbyist needs.
The thoughtful design touches show that Atomstack has really considered the user experience. And the ability to upgrade? That’s just icing on the cake.
While it is problematic with thicker materials, the Atomstack A5 Pro makes up for that by being ideal laser engraver starter or hobbyist grade unit. This one is a blend of features, performance and an reasonable price.
After thorough testing (and a few accidental marks on my workbench), I’m confident in recommending the Atomstack A5 Pro 40W for beginners. It offers a great balance of features to learn with and potential to expand as your skills grow.
Whether you’re starting a custom gift business, enhancing your crafting skills, or searching for a fun workshop tool, the Atomstack A5 Pro offers excellent value.
Just a word of warning – once you start laser engraving, it’s hard to stop. you might get the urge to engrave everything around you after reading this. Don’t blame me if you do! Now, excuse me while I go waste some fine furniture due for a makeover.
FAQs:
How thick can the Atomstack A5 Pro cut?
According to specifications, the Atomstack A5 Pro can cut up to 10mm paulownia wood and 8mm black acrylic. The A5 M50 Pro version can cut up to 15mm light basswood and 15mm black acrylic.
What is the lifespan of the Atomstack A5 Pro laser?
The laser module has a normal service life of over 20,000 hours. However, the operating environment can affect both its lifespan and engraving performance. If you notice the laser module lens turning yellow or becoming blurred, it should be cleaned appropriately.
What type of laser is the Atomstack A5 Pro?
The Atomstack A5 Pro is an LED-based laser, unlike most others which are CO2 laser-based.
Does the Atomstack A5 Pro have air assist?
Yes, the Atomstack A5 Pro is available with an air assist kit, which can improve cutting performance and help manage debris during operation.
How big is the Atomstack A5 Pro?
The product dimensions are 23.3 x 14 x 5 inches, with an item weight of 10.88 pounds.
Robb Koch is a USA tech journalist focused on laser engravers and other tech tools. He delivers concise, insightful reviews that help readers make informed decisions. Koch’s work spans the United States, Europe, and Asia, keeping users up-to-date on the latest advancements in the field.
Feel free to reach out to me at i.robbkoch@gmail.com.
Hi Robb,
I’ve read a couple of your laser cutter reviews now and I appreciate your thoughts but you need to be a little more careful when you re-use a document from a previous review because both this one and the Creality Falcon 2 60W ones have remnant text from a review you’d written about a 3D printer.
Hi Paul,
Thanks for pointing that out. I apologize for the oversight. I’ll be sure to double-check my work more carefully in the future. I’ve already made the necessary corrections to the reviews.