AnyLaser X1 on Kickstarter: 1.6W Diode Laser Engraver With USB-C Power Bank Support
Updated: Aug 31
Most people who want to try laser engraving never do. Not because the idea is bad. Because the machine wants a permanent corner of the house before it will even turn on. The AnyLaser X1 on Kickstarter is a compact laser engraver built to skip that negotiation: a box light enough to keep in a drawer, running off a USB-C power bank instead of asking for a room.
The AnyLaser X1 Kickstarter campaign has raised $846,739 from 6,104 backers against a $4,995 goal, and late pledges remain open while the team moves from design validation toward production. AnyLaser is based in Hong Kong, and the X1 ships with a 1.6-watt diode laser built into the base tier.
✅ Campaign result: Successfully funded, over 169x its $4,995 goal
⭐ Our verdict: 8.7/10, a compact 1.6W laser engraver at a beginner-friendly price
💡Best for: hobbyists, DIY beginners, and craft-focused makers
📦 Status: Late pledge open, Sep 2026 estimated delivery, mass production starts October 💰 AnyLaser X1 price: From $99 Standard Set, up to $129 All-in-One Bundle
Quick Verdict
Who Is It For?
The AnyLaser X1 is aimed at hobbyists and DIY beginners who want to try laser engraving without committing to a full workshop setup, plus craft-focused makers personalizing small gifts like wood tags, leather keychains, and kraft paper envelopes. It also suits anyone who wants a laser they can tuck into a drawer or pack in a bag rather than dedicate a permanent desk to.
Main Strengths
The 1.6W blue-violet diode laser ships standard, not gated behind a separate module purchase or a pricier tier.
USB-C input, including PD power banks rated 9V/3A or 12V/2A, means it runs without a wall outlet.
AnyLaser demonstrates engraving on wood, acrylic, leather, plywood, denim, PCB, phone cases, and glass with marking paper.
Wide format support, from PNG, JPG, and TIFF to SVG, DXF, and AI, plus direct G-code, with LightBurn and LaserGRBL compatibility.
A 105 by 105 by 129mm footprint and 430g weight, light enough to keep in a bag or a drawer.
Main Limitations
AnyLaser is a first-time creator, and its own risk disclosure says the current production setup is sized for moderate volumes, with a larger manufacturing partner needed if demand runs past projections.
AnyLaser doesn't describe the X1 as fully enclosed, and protective goggles are sold separately for $10.
AnyLaser originally promised shipping from July 2026, but reward tiers now list a September 2026 estimate and the July 30 status update shows mass production not starting until October.
Is the AnyLaser X1 Worth Backing?
Hobbyists and craft makers who want a compact laser engraver small enough to store in a drawer, without paying extra for laser power some rivals reserve for a step-up tier, should give the AnyLaser X1 on Kickstarter a late pledge. Buyers who need a guaranteed delivery date, or an engraver that needs no eyewear by design, should wait for AnyLaser to close the gap between its delivery estimate and its own October production update. A 1.6-watt laser at the base tier, wide file-format support, and cordless charging make a credible technical case.
AnyLaser X1 Price on Kickstarter
The AnyLaser X1 price starts at $99 for the Standard Set, 34% off a $149 MSRP, which includes only the unit itself, the practical starting point for anyone who already owns a USB-C PD charger. The All-in-One Bundle runs $129, 31% off a $187 MSRP, and adds the Creative Starter Material Kit, a USB-C PD charger, and an adjustable raiser base.
Buying those three add-ons separately on top of the Standard Set adds up to about the same total as the bundle price, so the bundle mainly buys convenience, one tier instead of three individual add-on selections, rather than a discount. The AnyLaser X1 starts at $99 on Kickstarter through late pledge, and the bundle is worth it only for buyers who want all three accessories rather than just one or two.
What Is the AnyLaser X1 and What Problem Does It Solve?
AnyLaser X1: A 430-Gram Diode Laser Engraver Built Around USB-C Power
The AnyLaser X1 on Kickstarter is a diode laser engraver scaled down to fit in one hand, drawing power from USB-C instead of a wall brick. A blue-violet laser head handles the marking, and a built-in fan clears smoke as it runs.
The spec sheet lists a 430-gram unit at 105 by 105 by 129mm, a 1.6W optical output from 6.6W of electrical laser power, and 45 by 50mm of X and Y axis travel. A quick-focus manual adjustment, rather than autofocus, is part of how AnyLaser keeps the housing this small. Founder Shaochun He built the X1 from initial desk research in August 2025 to a working prototype by March 2026.
Why Laser Engraving Stayed a Big, Permanent Commitment
Wanting to try laser engraving usually means committing before you've made anything. Most machines live permanently on a desk or in a garage, plugged into a wall outlet, with enough safety gear and setup that trying the hobby feels like a decision rather than an experiment. That barrier keeps engraving in the hands of people who already know they'll use it constantly, not someone who just wants to personalize a few gifts.
The X1 answers by removing what makes a laser feel like furniture. It runs on a battery pack instead of staying tethered to a plug, and a body light enough to keep in a drawer replaces the permanent desk allocation. The OD4-level shield built into the housing adds a layer of protection without requiring a room set aside for it.
The AnyLaser X1 is one of the best entry points into laser engraving. For how it compares against other beginner and portable machines, see our best laser engravers and cutters guide.
AnyLaser X1 Key Features and Specs: Compact USB-C Power, Diode Laser Range, Safety Design, and Software Compatibility
430 Grams and USB-C Power: A Laser That Runs on a Power Bank
As a compact laser engraver, the AnyLaser X1 is built to move rather than stay put. Power comes in over USB-C, and the AnyLaser X1 Kickstarter FAQ confirms it runs on PD power banks rated 9V/3A or 12V/2A, the same standard most phone and laptop chargers already use. That removes the wall-outlet requirement most engravers depend on.
AnyLaser redesigned the charging port from a DC input to USB-C so buyers could use chargers they already own, and the campaign notes anyone with a compatible PD charger doesn't need the bundled one. Input power is rated at 12V 2A, so it's worth checking a bank's PD output before assuming compatibility.
1.6W Blue-Violet Diode Laser: What the X1 Can and Can't Engrave
The X1 runs a 1.6W optical, 6.6W electrical blue-violet diode laser as its only configuration, with no separate low-power tier. AnyLaser demonstrates it engraving solid oak wood, plywood, kraft paper, denim, leather, phone cases, PCB boards, and semi-transparent acrylic, plus glass with marking paper. X and Y axis travel is 45 by 50mm, setting the practical ceiling on engraving size.
Metal is the clear limit. AnyLaser's own FAQ says the laser can perform surface engraving on anodized metal, but that engraving bare metal remains difficult since it's still a diode module. Focus is manual rather than automatic, part of keeping the housing small.
OD4 Protection Shield and Manual Focus: Safety Without Full Enclosure
Rather than sealing the work area in a closed box, AnyLaser builds an OD4-level protection shield into the housing, which the campaign describes as helping reduce laser exposure during use and as an added layer of safety. The campaign does not state that the shield makes the X1 eyewear-free; protective goggles are sold separately for $10.
A high-speed fan clears smoke and debris while it runs, and AnyLaser says a filtration layer is still in development. On certification, AnyLaser states the X1 will ship with FDA, FCC, and CE certification for the laser system, though as of this review those certificates haven't been independently confirmed.
LightBurn and LaserGRBL Compatibility: Wide Format Support
The X1 works with LightBurn, LaserGRBL, and other GRBL-based software, running on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. It accepts nine image formats, including PNG, JPG, and TIFF, plus seven vector formats, including SVG, DXF, and AI, and takes G-code directly.
AnyLaser also lists a Preview Mode as part of the setup flow before a design goes to the laser, and describes LightBurn and LaserGRBL as the two most popular platforms in the category. Support for both, plus the format list above, means new owners aren't boxed into one piece of software just to get started.
Should You Back the AnyLaser X1 on Kickstarter?
For laser engraving that starts on a whim rather than after months of research, the AnyLaser X1 on Kickstarter is a machine you pull out for one project and put away without giving up a room to it.
A parent making name tags for a school project or a small-batch Etsy seller engraving kraft paper packaging gets the same 1.6W laser and full format support at the entry tier, without a second purchase to reach full power later. That matters more than it sounds: someone testing a new hobby rarely wants to commit twice just to find out if they like it.
AnyLaser's own account has backed one other Kickstarter project, a small additional signal of engagement from a first-time creator. The Standard Set at $99 is the smarter default unless you specifically want the bundled accessories, and the AnyLaser X1 is open for late pledges on Kickstarter.
Not sure laser is your first fabrication tool? Our fabrication tools hub covers CNC machines and 3D printers that might suit your project better.
FAQ about the AnyLaser X1 on Kickstarter
Does the AnyLaser X1 need safety goggles?
The campaign does not state that the OD4-level shield makes the X1 eyewear-free. AnyLaser doesn't describe the X1 as fully enclosed, and protective goggles are sold separately for $10.
Are shipping costs, taxes, and customs fees included in the AnyLaser X1 price?
Yes. AnyLaser's reward tiers state that shipping costs include applicable taxes, duties, and customs fees, so backers shouldn't face extra charges beyond the AnyLaser X1 price.
How does the AnyLaser X1 compare to the Hanboost T1?
Both are Kickstarter-funded portable engravers that run off a USB-C power bank. The Hanboost T1 is fully enclosed, so no eyewear is ever needed, while AnyLaser sells protective goggles as an add-on instead. The X1 ships its 1.6W laser as standard at $99, the power level Hanboost reserves for its $109 Pro tier.
How long does the AnyLaser X1's laser module last?
AnyLaser hasn't published formal lifespan data yet and says testing is ongoing. Company demo units have been used heavily for about four months without noticeable issues, according to AnyLaser, though that's a company report rather than independent, long-term test data.
Where does the AnyLaser X1 ship, and when will it arrive?
AnyLaser ships worldwide. The AnyLaser X1 Kickstarter reward tiers list a September 2026 delivery estimate, but the July 30 production update shows mass production not starting until October, so backers ordering now should expect that date to move rather than treat it as fixed.
About the Author
Michael Green
Chief Editor at GizmoCrowd
Michael has been tracking tech and innovation campaigns on Kickstarter and Indiegogo for over 10 years, covering wearables, health tech, smart home devices, and audio-visual equipment.
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