A solid entry in the sub-$1,000 prosumer market, the Creality Falcon A1 Pro features a 20W diode laser in a fully enclosed build volume and software that will have users up and running in no time.
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The Creality Falcon A1 Pro is a 20W diode laser engraver that brings a full enclosure, automatic focus calibration, and a variety of safety features to the sub-$1,000 price point. An actively vented exhaust at the rear of the unit can be attached to an external smoke purifier, and the 358 x 268 mm build area is large enough to fit commonly available 10 x 10 inch sheets of plywood.
The unit used in this review is the $949 Basic Pack bundle, which includes the Falcon A1 Pro equipped with a 20W blue laser diode and a honeycomb riser platform. Designed as a platform with multiple available upgrades, the Falcon A1 Pro can also be equipped with a 2W IR laser for engraving on glass and metal, a rotary attachment for engraving on cylindrical objects, and other various upgrades.
Creality clearly invested time and effort into the build quality of the Falcon A1 Pro, and the overall industrial design allows it to stand out compared to the look of aluminum extrusions and loose wires typically seen on less expensive laser engravers. Throughout testing, I was impressed with the hardware and software experience of the Falcon A1 Pro and can see this laser being a popular choice for users who want something a bit more polished than a simple entry-level machine, but don’t want to make the larger investment required for a CO2 laser like the xTool P2 .
The Falcon A1 Pro uses the free Falcon Design Space software for laying out and processing jobs and is also compatible with LightBurn and LaserGRBL. Falcon Design Space offers projects for beginners, recommendations for parameters based on material choice, and the integrated camera can project the job on a workpiece in the digital design area. The Falcon A1 Pro doesn’t quite make our list of the best laser cutters and engravers , but it’s still worth investigating for anyone interested in a more polished hardware experience while staying under $1,000 for the base unit.
Specifications of Creality Falcon A1 Pro
Swipe to scroll horizontally Machine Footprint 22.32 x 18.43 x 8.31 inches (567mm x 468mm x 211mm) Engraving Size 14.09 x 10.55 inches (358mm x 268mm) Laser Type Diode, Class 1 Laser Power 20W Laser Spot Size 0.08mm x 0.1mm Laser Wavelength 455nm Enclosure Integrated Cutting Platform Removable Air Filter Optional Connectivity USB, Wi-Fi Basic Bundle Price $949
Creality Falcon A1 Pro: Included in the box
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