Ortur Laser Master 3 Review - Is It Worth The Money? [2022]

Anyone who’s into laser engraving should be familiar with the name Ortur.

Its Laser Master machine lineup is known for affordability and efficiency. The Laser Master 2, in particular, had excellent ease of use and exceptional value.

But now comes the Laser Master 3.

And while its price has gone up from its predecessor, the engraving technology’s quality has done the same. Its new laser module is now lighter and way smaller than before and is capable of more precise engravings too.

All around, the Laser Master 3 is an improvement from its predecessor.

But how is it different, and what does it do better?

Let’s start from the beginning.

What’s In The Box?

By opening the box, you’ll see that the unit comes with a bunch of extra gear.

First, we have the frame and the laser module. They arrive with a small box of screws needed for the assembly. Thankfully, wrenches are also included, so you won’t need any additional tools to put the frame together.

You’ll also find a standard power adapter.

But there’s more.

You also get a pair of safety goggles to wear while operating the machine. Additionally, the box contains:  

• Wi-Fi antenna 
• SD card
• Card reader
• Acrylic and wood testing swatches 

Overall a pretty complete package.

Assembly

Ortur’s Laser Master engraving machines are famous for their ease of use. And this extends to the assembly process.

The SD card you get contains detailed instructions. The process is fairly straightforward, and you shouldn’t have any issues with it. The unit’s frame only fits the intended way.

You can put all the screws together using the wrenches included in the box, as well.

Installing the timing belts is also easier than with the Laser Master 2. Overall, the assembly should only take you around 30 minutes or so, give or take. Just pay attention to the instructions and the labels on the unit, and it’s easy-peasy.

Ortur Laser Master 3 Specs and Features

What exactly makes the Laser Master 3 so accessible?

It’s a combination of price, specifications, and features. All of which come together to create a product with tremendous value. 

Here’s a list of its specs:

• Laser power: 10W
• Maximum speed: 20,000mm/min
• Focal spot: 0.05x0.1mm
• Engrave area: 400x400mm
• Motherboard: OLM-ESP-PRO-V2.4
• Operating temperature: -5°C to 50°C

The unit also has a bunch of extra features that make using it safer and easier. 

Here’s what the Laser Master 3 includes:

Emergency Stop Button

Just like its predecessor, the Laser Master 3 has a giant red button for emergencies.

It’s placed at the frame’s bottom right corner and is impossible to miss. Upon hitting it, the machine immediately halts to a dead stop. However, it doesn’t power it off. It’s a software button, which means it’s potentially capable of malfunctioning.

Safety Key Interlock

The safety key is different from the emergency button.

It directly cuts off the power to the unit, and it’s a physical lock with a key. It’s intended to prevent unauthorized use of the machine. However, it can also double as an emergency power cutoff.

Exposure and Position Protection

The Laser Master 3 does have its red emergency button and the safety lock, true.

But the software it’s running also has a myriad of safety features. These activate automatically whenever the machine’s sensors detect something might be wrong.

What do I mean by that?

For instance, the laser beam will automatically turn off if the module has been in one place for too long. This is to prevent potential fires. The same thing will happen if the engraving surface gets moved or tilted.

Finally, there’s Active Position Protection.

This disables the machine whenever the frame gets moved around. That way, the laser doesn’t cause any damage to surfaces or skin.

Voltage and Current Safety Control System

Up next on the list of safety features is the voltage and current control system.

The Laser Master 3 is meant to work with voltages between 100 and 240. But if the machine detects there’s too much or too little current or voltage going in, the laser stops. Without a system like this in place, inappropriate input could cause damage to the system.

Host Computer Watchdog

This is yet another safety feature that ensures a controlled working environment.

The Ortur Laser Master 3 is supposed to be used with software, be it on computer or mobile. It’s pretty much necessary since the machine doesn’t have an interface of its own.

But software can be a fickle thing.

This is why the Ortur Laser Master 3 has safeguards in place to prevent the laser from getting out of control. If the connection between the machine and the host computer is lost, the laser automatically stops.

2.4G Wi-Fi Antenna

The Wi-Fi antenna comes with the package and attaches straight to the frame.

This gives the machine wireless internet functionality. It’s particularly useful for pairing it with either your PC or mobile phone’s engraving software. The laser engraver is easy to set up and control from an external device. 

Build Quality

Now, let’s talk about the frame a little bit.

It’s mostly made up of aluminum and stainless steel, making it quite sturdy. It’s also aesthetically pleasing, which isn’t the most important thing in the world, but it’s always a plus.

Now, there’s one issue with the frame.

And that’s how short the machine is, vertically. For many, this won’t be a problem. But what this means is you don’t have a lot of space to work with underneath the laser module. So if you’re looking to engrave on a taller surface, you’ll need to place the machine on an elevated platform.

Software

You can’t control the Laser Master 3 without the proper software. You have several options, both for Windows and macOS. But the engraver also supports mobile apps for maximum ease of use.

Let’s go over each of the available choices.

Computer Software

The Laser Master 3 primarily works with two programs you might be familiar with:

LaserGRBL and LightBurn.

LaserGRBL is a free download and is compatible with Microsoft Windows PCs. It’s among the most popular laser engraving applications out there. On the downside, it’s not compatible with Linux or macOS.

Then, there’s LightBurn.

This is the more premium option of the two. While LaserGRBL is mainly intended for hobbyist engravers, LightBurn is used by professional laser cutters. It’s paid software but supports Windows, Linux, and macOS.

LightBurn and LaserGRBL are the two options you’ll want to go with for the best possible results. You can find the download links for each program on Ortur’s official website.

Mobile App

There’s an alternative to the computer programs we just went over.

Laser Master 3 works with Laser Explorer, a smartphone app. The machine and the application are designed to be compatible with one another. All you have to do is connect them, and you’re good to go.

Laser Explorer is capable of controlling your machine in the same way as LaserGRBL and LightBurn. Though, of course, it’s a significantly simplified version for mobile devices. However, it’s by far the easiest way to get started with the Laser Master 3.

So how do you use the app?

The central dashboard has a list of buttons that take you to different features. For instance, you can load a picture straight from your phone’s gallery and engrave it on a surface of your choosing. You can also directly control the laser, like with a remote, or through custom commands.

As for connecting your phone to the Laser Master 3, this process is as easy as it can be.

The app gives you detailed instructions on what to do, step by step. I recommend you start with it if you’re still new to the Laser Master family.

Engraving Quality

All those features are indeed very convenient. But what makes or breaks a laser engraving machine is obviously the quality of results.

So how does the Laser Master 3 fare in that regard?

Unsurprisingly, very well.

Engraving

The machine is capable of very high-quality engravings. And you have various settings to choose from. 

The speed and overall quality of the engraving will depend on the power you set the laser at. 

The focus distance can also be quickly changed using a thumbscrew on the side of the laser module.

The module itself can go up to 10 watts in power, but you can also set it lower. This also increases the machine’s lifespan.

You can also adjust the speed of engraving.

It can go all the way up to 20,000mm/min. You should definitely try messing around with the speed and power settings and see what fits best for your projects.

The unit is mainly intended to engrave wood and acrylic. But those are far from your only options. Cardboard, coasters, metal, and even leather are all fair game. 

One thing is for sure, though.

The Ortur Laser Master 3 is capable of high-quality engravings and cuts with clear features and minimal charring. You can freely engrave thin lines and high-contrast images without losing out on any detail.

Speaking of charring…

The Laser Master 3 does come with built-in air assist to help against charring. However, the pump for the module is bought separately. And with a laser module that can go up to 10 watts, having air assist is super important.

Cut-Outs

Now, aside from engraving, the Laser Master 3 is also capable of cutting.

This is where the new and improved laser module really shines.

Its precise focus ensures your cut-outs are super intricate but also very clean. Depending on the power you use, the cut-outs pop out right away without any issue. Charring is almost nonexistent, though, of course, this depends on the size and the shape you cut.

What I found most impressive was the thickness of the materials the Laser Master 3 can cut into. According to Ortur, the machine can cut wood up to 20mm thick and acrylic up to 30mm.

It almost sounds too good to be true.

Well, naturally, you’ll have to mess around with the speed and power for optimal results. But the engraver is indeed capable of cutting that deep into wood and acrylic and without much effort. Very impressive stuff for a machine of this caliber.

Pricing

How much will the Laser Master 3 set you back?

Well, that mostly depends on how many extras you want with it.

The base unit with no additional modules retails for $699. This includes all the extras in the box, like the safety goggles, SD card, and Wi-Fi antenna.

However, you also have a selection of all kinds of additions depending on your needs.

I already mentioned having to buy a separate air pump for the air assist module. What kind of air pump you get is entirely up to you, and you can skip out on one altogether. 

That’s not all.

On Ortur’s website, you can see various add-ons for the Laser Master 3. From extension kits to rotary rollers for cylindrical objects – ranging from a few dozen to a few hundred dollars. 

The Laser Master 3 comes with a one-year warranty period.

Ortur also has a 30-day return policy. This means you get a month to request a refund if you’re unhappy with the product. However, to be eligible for that, the unit has to be in brand-new condition and retain its packaging.

Depending on your situation, you may also have to cover the return shipping costs as well.

Ortur Laser Master 3 Review - Verdict

By now, you should understand why Ortur’s Laser Master engravers are so popular.

They provide tremendous value, are easy to install and use, and have excellent engraving quality. And the Laser Master 3 takes things even a step further.

While it’s more expensive than its predecessors, the new laser module is significantly lighter and more capable.

Depending on your settings and add-ons, your engravings will come out clean and mostly free of char. The same rings true for the quality of cut-outs. And not to mention the aluminum frame makes the overall product look super-premium and professional.

So what does this amount to?

There are very few cons I could find while testing it for our Ortur Laser Master 3 review. All of the above, plus its quick assembly and built-in Wi-Fi functionality, should make it a strong candidate for any hobbyist or professional.