Glowforge reviews like mine have convinced you to buy the Glowforge over other options such as Full Spectrum, Trotec, or a more DIY solution. That's great!
But which Glowforge should you buy?
Let's take a look at the differences, what those differences mean in practice, and help you decide!
Update January 10th, 2019: I am hearing stories that due to the pass-through on the Pro, Canadians cannot yet order it. Will update with more information as I get it.
Even the Glowforge Pro, the most expensive Glowforge, at $5,995, is still price competitive with other western brand laser engravers. Of course, as any Glowforge owner will tell you, using a referral code will get you $500 off your purchase!
If money is no object, and you have spare budget for additional tools, consumables, and materials, then go for it. Decision made!
Most of us, however, have to look at the math a little more keenly.
If you are based in the USA then you can get a payment plan. This makes the decision easier, the incremental cost is more digestible when amortized over a longer period.
Still, you can get two Glowforge Basic for the price of one Pro, and have money left over.
What do you get for the additional $3,500?
The Pro and the Plus have "enhanced cooling" over the Glowforge Basic. This could well be a crucial advantage if you absolutely must get some customer orders out on a hot day.
That sounds good until you find out the "enhanced cooling" is not an industrial style chiller like most people add to their K40 lasers or you get with competing brands.
Any cooling is better than none, running too hot reduces the efficiency and life of your laser.
Personally, I am fine with a portable A/C unit that I picked up for $400 USD.
The Pro and Plus have 5w more power over the Glowforge Basic.
What does that mean in practice? Not a lot, to be honest.
There hasn't been anything I could cut on the 80w or 100w lasers at the two makerspaces I am a member of that I could not cut on my 40w basic, or my (effectively) 35w K40.
5w amounts to the loss of power you get by being a bit out of focus.
They are also 20% faster. Which is nice. But how fast is 20% faster?
If you could shave 1/5 off your job time, how much money would that be worth to you?
More speed and power is always welcomed. You can never have too much! But try and figure out how much it is worth to you and work from there.
This is the big one, and the reason why despite me being able to do the "Glowforge pass-in" trick, when I have paid off my Basic I will consider also getting a Glowforge Pro.
Once the forthcoming pass-through alignment software feature is updated, you will be able to run infinitely long jobs on your Glowforge Pro. The front and back opens up allowing you to insert long work pieces through the unit.
Even with the hack I mention, you can only pass into the front flap, pass-through allows it to go in the front and out the back.
Now, personally, I haven't needed that option so far, the pass-in I have used half a dozen times, but for people who do big signs and other creations, it could be a game-changer.
One of the reasons to get a Glowforge over a more DIY product is the warranty.
The Basic gets 6 months warranty, whereas the more expensive units have 12 months. This could be a lot of comfort, especially if these tools are business critical.
Personally, I would advice you purchase two basic over one Pro in that case, as redundancy beats waiting for a lengthy return and replace period as it would almost always entail.
I am happy with my Basic, and it is almost paid off. As I say above, however, if I find I need extra capacity I will certainly consider a Pro!
Whatever you do, make sure you get your discount using my referral code :)
