A desktop laser engraver small enough to sit next to my computer, with built-in filters so my family doesn't complain about the smell. In 2024 I tested the Sculpfun iCube Pro 5 W on wood, cardboard, plastic, stainless steel and leather, and it surprised me.
Small machine, big ambitions
Geekbuying reached out and asked if I wanted to try it. I wasn't expecting much, and I was really surprised. The iCube 5 W is the middle brother of the family, between the 3 W and the 10 W Pro Max, and I think it's the best balance of precision and speed. It has an engraving area of 130 x 130 mm, works with LightBurn and an app, and can connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Setting up Wi-Fi is a bit tedious, but it works. Personally I keep it on my desk, plugged in with a cable and always ready.
The real highlight is the pair of HEPA filters. Burning wood and cardboard in my studio, I smelled nothing at all. Only leather gave off a smell, and that's leather for you. My bigger engravers sit in the garage collecting dust because they need ventilation and space. This one I can use indoors without my wife or kids asking "what's that smell?"
Who it's for
This is a machine for small makers who don't have a lot of space but don't want to give up on quality. Think personalising gadgets, putting names on leather, or small branding jobs. A friend of mine who makes shoes by hand here in the south of Italy is working with me on a project, and his logo on the side of his shoes looked like it came from a famous brand. Once you learn LightBurn, it's very straightforward for beginners too.
The results
A mandala on plywood at high speed and just 20% power came out beautifully. You can see it but can't feel it under your finger. Cardboard engraved straight from the app over Bluetooth was stunning. My name on a plastic ski pass came out clean, without melting. Stainless steel, which had been a disappointment on an older engraver, worked at full power and half speed in a single pass. On leather, the logos looked printed on rather than burned in, which is exactly what I wanted. I even engraved my logo directly on my workbench. My only failure was a plywood test where I used far too much power.
I didn't try cutting. You can probably cut 2–3 mm, but that's not what this machine is made for.