Thunder Bolt vs X Tool P2 Canada

A direct product comparison of the Thunder Bolt and the XTool p2 laser cutter machines.

Depth Comparison

Compared to the X Tool P2, the Thunder Bolt has impressive amount of Depth or (aka “Z Height” ). The Bolt, comparatively, has 4.3” of Z height to start with, and if you remove the honeycomb bed and use a drop down tray for your rotary, you would be able to squeeze another 2-3 inches out of your space for a total of up to 7.1″ of Z height. That’s plenty of room to engrave everything from wine tumblers to Yeti Ramblers. And there’s no worry about rotary support either, as there’s a dedicated port off to the side of the bed. The X Tool P2 only allows for and 2.5″ of space, although you can purchase a riser to allow for a total of 3.5″ of Z Height..

Speed Comparison

The Original Bolt engraves at 1000 mm per second, and the new Bolt Plus engraves at 1500 mm/s. The XTool P2 on the other hand come close, at 600 mm per second. But when time is money, the speed of the Bolt wins every time. Watch the video below to see a direct comparison of engrave times on both machines.

Power Comparison

One of the Bolt’s defining features is the super precise RF laser tube, which has a much longer lifespan compared to glass CO2 tubes. The X Tool P2 on the other hand is a 55w C02 Glass Tube laser (similar power output to a 30w RF tube) but will need to be replaced over time.

One of the benefits of the RF tube over a Glass tube, is that the RF tube emits a beam that is 50% more compact than a CO2 laser, it’s like using a scalpel instead of a steak knife. Even though the Bolt may appear underpowered in terms of wattage, an RF tube is significantly more efficient at converting power into laser energy, effectively making it nearly twice as powerful. This is what you’re looking for in terms of cutting thicker material.

Another benefit of an RF tube is the strength and power of an RF tube which does not degrade nearly as fast as a C02 glass tube. With a glass tube, you can expect around 4000 – 5000 hours before you can notice power drop. With an RF tube, you can expect closer to 10,000 hours+ of laser life before needing to consider a tube recharge. Not to mention there’s no need for any liquid cooling solutions either. This means the Botl will outperform the XTool in working hours.

Design Comparison

The Thunder Bolt is designed to make it easy for customers to easily access open the front, back inside and insides of their machines if repairs are needed. The front of the Bolt open easily to allow makers to empty their tray or to access to tube when needed. The Xtool P2’s design is less repair friendly and does not allow for the same ease of access (Watch the video above at 16:40).

Customer Service Comparison

Thunder Laser prides itself on its customer service. You’ll always hear back from a real person and quickly! We store our parts within Canada and our machines are designed so any replacement parts you may need are super easy to install even for a beginner.

XTool on the other hand, uses AI generated responses to direct their customer service calls and the machine must be shipped in order for it to be serviced.

Cost Comparison

In Canada, the Thunder Laser Thunder Bolt sells for $7400 CAD. The X Tool P2 on the other hand retails for $6599 CAD

Laser Software Comparison

With Thunder Laser machines, you get a free Software called RD Works with purchase,.however, we recommend opting for an upgrade to LightBurn Software instead which is a one time fee of $170 CAD.

Add Ons and Extras

The Thunder Bolt comes with a built in exhaust fan and ducting to vent your machine outside or to a fume extractor which the XTool P2 does not.

Conclusion

It’s safe to say the Thunder Laser Bolt outclasses the XTool in terms of workspace height, speed, power, and resolution. The Bolt often matches and sometimes even exceeds the capabilities of its larger format cousins, offering the same high level of precision and efficiency. But the final point of comparison where other cutters can’t compete is the price.

The Thunder Laser Bolt is significantly more affordable than its large format counterparts (even more affordable than some of the smaller desktop cutters), coming in at just a fraction of the cost. This makes it an excellent choice for small businesses, hobbyists, and professionals who need that high-end performance without a hefty price tag.

With the Bolt, you’re not just buying a desktop laser cutter. You’re getting the power and capabilities of a large format laser cutter in the space and size of a desktop laser cutter. Ultimately, the choice is yours. The Thunder Laser Bolt is undeniably a top contender for any serious laser cutter user.