Compared to laser cutters, CNC machines are not as effective at intricate designs, and can be cost-prohibitive to use because of their scale of overhead. For detailed pieces like event decor, signage, or thin plywood projects, a laser cutter is often the better choice for speed, accuracy and cost-effectiveness.

Although laser cutters are renowned for their speed and precision, their cutting depth is limited to a few millimeters. This makes them ideal for thinner materials or when only surface etching is required. On the other hand, CNC machines, equipped with penetrating router bits, can handle much greater depths.