Best CNC Machines of 2024 – Review & Buying Guide

The right woodworking equipment can make a huge difference in your workshop efficiency and in the number of products you are able to produce. 

Modern technology is astonishing! Today, you can get a machine for almost any function, and these advanced woodworking tools are instrumental for reducing your workload and helping you produce fine-quality wooden furniture or décor pieces in no time at all.

One machine that carpenters frequently gawk at is CNC machines. These woodworking machines are extremely handy for creating all sorts of finishes in wood, including fine art carvings. Yes, we are talking about those delicate artworks you used to see in vintage wooden furniture pieces that used to be carved out by hand using small pallet knives. 

In A Hurry? Here Are Our Top Picks...

Last update on 2024-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

With the best CNC machines, you can create a huge variety of finely detailed artworks in just about any type of wood. These machines are ideal for creating fine finishes in small to large pieces so you can craft an abundance of décor items or furniture pieces. 

The 5 Best CNC Machines to Buy Now

In this guide, we are going to have a quick look at 5 good quality CNC machines that are practical for use in your home workshop. With one of these machines, you can take your furniture crafting to the next level and produce fine pieces in less time.

Here is a quick look at our top picks. 

1. The SainSmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer CNC Router Machine

Genmitsu 3018-PROVer V2 CNC Router Machine for Beginner, Mini Milling...
  • Best Entry-Level: The Genmitsu 3018-PROVER V2 is the first choice for beginners looking to enter the world of CNC machining. It offers incredible value and opens up a world of possibilities, from...
  • Effortless Enhancement: Accessories can be easily added to increase the functionality of the CNC machine. A wide range of accessories can be added, including extension kits, powerful spindle and...
  • Easy Assembly: The 3018-PROVer V2 has Pre-Assembled Main Parts (gantry frame and the one-piece aluminum spoilboard) and Clear Cable Management. You can have your first CNC machine in under an hour.

Last update on 2024-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The SainSmart Genmitsu is an ideal CNC machine if you want to create wood carvings or if you want to make engravings in wood or soft metals. 

This CNC machine has an engraving area of 260 x 155 x 35 mm and a fast 10,000 RPM drill speed so you can get your projects done in no time at all. 

It is also compatible with various operating systems and has common software that most woodworkers can easily master. 

Specifications

  • Weight – 21.4 pounds
  • Size – 18.63 x 16.5 x 10.9 inches
  • Main materials – Aluminum with ABS axis
  • Engraving area – 260 x 155 x 35mm 
  • Frame size – 15.7 x 13 x 9.4 inches
  • Motor – 10,000 RPM with 775 Motor spindle
  • Rated power – 6 to 120 Watts
  • Drill bits – 0.1 mm drill tip, 20 degrees with 3.175mm
  • Compatibility – Windows XP, Windows 7 (32 or 64bit), Windows 8, Windows 10, Linux, MacOS
  • Software – Grbl Control 
  • Suitability – Hobbyists, crafters, woodworking, industrial design, education and many others
  • Included – 1 x CNC router machine, 1 x tool box, 1 x screw or nut accessory box, 1 x offline control module

Pros:

  • The small size is ideal for compact workshops
  • The motor is very strong with up to 10,000 RPM
  • Compatible with various operating systems
  • Has the common Grbl software
  • Perfect for carving wood, metal, paint and all sorts of plastics
  • Can be used for engraving
  • The large 1.8” LCD screen makes it easy to see what you are doing or to alter the machine 
  • Quick to set up
  • A 5mm acrylic baffle blocks flying pieces for enhanced safety
  • Machine is made of durable materials 
  • Perfect for beginners

Cons:

  • It can take a while to learn how to use the machine
  • The 260 x 155 x 35mm engrave area is not very large




MYSWEETY 2 in 1 5500mW CNC 4540 Pro Engraver Machine, GRBL Control 3...
  • 🛠️【2-IN-1 CNC 4540 Pro】 - Designed for the absolute beginner, this machine is a great tool for starting CNC learning. It come with the spindle motor on Z axis. If you use the spindle, please...
  • 🛠️【Offline Controller】- The offline controller is 1G Capacity. You can control the CNC router without connecting to the computer. The CNC router can be placed wherever you want, such as...
  • 🛠️【New Control Board】- Integrated driver chip + fixed heat sink + external fan + sturdy casing to extend the life of the control board, Self-contained short circuit protection, Not easy to...

Last update on 2024-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The MySweety is an ideal engraver for beginners. This one can only engrave wood, plastic and other soft materials and isn’t really suitable for carving.

It does have a surprisingly large engraving area of 30 x 18 x 45 cm which is surprising for such a small machine and the machine is also very fast at 10,000 RPM.

This little engraver is also compatible with various operating systems and it is ideal for learning the Grbl software. 

Specifications

  • Weight – 15.82 pounds
  • Size – 17.5 x 9.5 x 7 inches
  • Main materials –
  • Engraving area – 30 x 18 x 45 cm
  • Frame size – 33 x 40 x 24 cm
  • Motor – 775 Spindle motor with 10,000 RPM, 5.5 watt laser module
  • Working temperature – 10 to 40 degrees C
  • Drill bits – 0.1mm 20 degree, 3.175 mm diameter
  • Compatibility – Windows XP, Win7, Win8, Win10
  • Software – GRBL Control systems
  • Suitability – Carve wood, bamboo, paper, ivory, leather, flammable plastic, PCB, acrylic, ceramic stone, metal surface paint, metal surface plating
  • Included – 10 pc drill bits, 4 pcs clamps, 

Pros:

  • It is a good device for beginners
  • The engrave area is nice and large
  • You can use the machine to carve or engrave all sorts of materials
  • The machine is compatible with various operating systems
  • It has the common Grbl software
  • It is quite powerful with a drill rotating speed of up to 10,000 RPM
  • Lots of spare drill bits are included
  • Working temperature can be adjusted so you have more control over the image created
  • It is fairly easy to use

Cons:

  • Won’t work on metal, iron, glass, 201/304 Stainless steel, jewelry or silver
  • A little bit too simple for advanced woodworking
  • It cannot carve. It is mostly used to engrave or burn words and symbols into objects




BobsCNC Quantum CNC Router Kit with the Makita Router Included (24" x...
  • A rigid laser cut 5-Ply Baltic Birch frame with SG20U supported rail system.
  • GT2 9mm belt drive on X and Y-axis and Tr8 Acme Rod mounted with an ACME Nut on the Z-axis.
  • NEMA 17 Stepper Motors and Home switches on all axes with a Self-Squaring Gantry.

Last update on 2024-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The BobsCNC is quite advanced and a bit pricey. It is an ideal investment for serious carpenters who want to make a lot of engravings or carvings.This machine has a large engrave area of 24 x 24 inches and it delivers up to 600 Watts of power. 

The machine is also compatible with various operating systems but it works with Java based universal code sender platform and not the more common Grbl software. 

Specifications

  • Weight – 58 pounds 
  • Size – 32 x 39 x 20 inches
  • Main materials – Multiple materials
  • Engraving area – 24 x 24 x 3.3 inches
  • Motor – 600 Watts with 75 Inch Ounce torque
  • Compatibility – Windows, OSX, Linux and Raspberry Pi
  • Software – Java-based Universal Gcode Sender Platform
  • Suitability – Cut 5-ply plywood
  • Included – CNC router kit with router included

Pros:

  • It has a rigid laser cut frame
  • Works well on the x and y aces
  • The 24 x 24 inch cutting area is nice and large
  • It is compatible with various devices
  • The software is Java Based
  • It can cut over 200 inches per minute
  • Can be used for engraving or laser cutting
  • Can be used for cutting all sorts of wood types
  • The quality work is astounding with smooth rounded edges for cut objects
  • It has a very powerful Watt output

Cons:

  • The cutter is a bit pricey
  • Installation and setting it up can be tricky
  • The machine can be large for small workshops




CNCTOPBAOS 1610 PRO CNC Milling Machine,with GRBL Offline Controller,3...
  • 【Upgrade Version 1610 Pro with Offline controller】Mini CNC machine small size, light weight, USB interface, GRBL control systems, great cnc router machine for beginers;The CNC1610 PRO machine is...
  • 【Working area】18x10x4.5cm;Frame size: 30x26x25cm;Type:USB port Desktop cnc router【System requirements】 Windows XP, win7,win8,win10; Supporting files:G-code (.nc/.txt/.tape/.gcode)
  • 【Spindle&Stepper Motor】Diameter 45mm 10000 rpm maximum power 120W; ER11-3.175mm ( can be replaced 0-7mm ); Nema17 42 stepper motor 1.3A/0.3N.m

Last update on 2024-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you are limited on space and don’t do too many large engravings then the DIY Mini is an ideal solution. This CNC machine can engrave or carve various materials including soft metals.

The machine has an 18 x 10 x 4.5cm engraving area which is quite small but not too small to work with. It also has a surprisingly powerful motor that delivers up to 10,000 RPM so you can get those projects completed in no time at all. 

This little machine is also compatible with most modern operating systems and it has the common Grbl software. 

Specifications

  • Weight – 11.27 pounds 
  • Size – 14.49 x 9.06 x 7.13 inches
  • Main materials – Aluminum alloy
  • Engraving area – 18 x 10 x 4.5 cm
  • Frame size – 30 x 26 x 25mm
  • Motor – 45mm spindle diameter, 10,000 RPM
  • Rated power – 120W max power
  • Drill bits – 1mm, 20 degree
  • Compatibility – Windows XP, Win 7, Win 8, Win 10(32/63 Bit)
  • Software – Grbl Controller
  • Suitability – Engrave plastic, wood, acrylic, PVC, PCB, Carbon fiber, Wood density board
  • ncluded – 1 set 1610 CNC router, 1 x control board, 1 x offline hand controller, 1 x power supply, 10 x drill bits, 1 set allen wrench, 1 4GG USB flash drive with software and user manual

Pros:

  • The machine has a powerful motor that can deliver up to 10,000 RPM
  • It has a powerful power output
  • It is compatible with various operating systems
  • The machine contains the Grbl controller software
  • You can use it to engrave a huge variety of materials
  • Lots of accessories and tools are included with the set
  • It is an ideal tool for small workshops
  • You can also engrave soft metal like copper and aluminum
  • It is simple to set up

Cons:

  • The cut area is rather small
  • It cannot be used to engrave hard metals
  • It can be tough to learn how to program the machine via your computer




1310 CNC Router Machine Kit, RATTMMOTOR GRBL Control 3 Aixs DIY Mini...
  • 【Technic Parameters】Working Area: 126mm×88mm×38mm. Frame Size: 281mm×281mm×287.5mm. Control Software: Grblcontrol / Lite.fire. Power Supply: 5A, 24V(110V-240V). Spindle Motor: 775 spindle...
  • 【Simple Assembly/Use】This mini cnc router machine kit is mainly designed for DIY carving enthusiasts/beginners, easily assembled and opertated, coming with a paper manual and USB flash drive/CD...
  • 【Applicable Engraving Material/Shape】CNC 1310 nachine can engrave plastic, wood, acrylic, pvc, pcb and silimar materials , as well as copper, aluminum, and other kinds of soft metal materials....

Last update on 2024-10-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Those who prefer to engrave harder metals and want to carve and engrave other materials like wood and PVC should consider the Rattmotor.

This compact machine can engrave items up to 281 x 281 x 287mm in size. At 8,000 RPM, it doesn’t have the fastest motor, but it will still get the job done relatively fast.

The machine is compatible with quite a few operating systems and, unlike most machines, it has two software applications that you can use to get your projects designed. 

Specifications

  • Weight – 17.66 pounds
  • Size – 17.8 x 10.08 x 7.17 inches
  • Main materials – Metal
  • Engraving area – 126 x 88 x 38mm
  • Frame size – 281 x 281 x 287mm
  • Motor – 775 Spindle motor, 8,000 r/min
  • Rated power – 80W
  • Compatibility – OS, Windows XP, Win 7 and Linux
  • Software – Grbl control / Lite.fire
  • Suitability – Carve copper, aluminum, soft metal, plastic, wood, acrylic, PVC, PCB and more
  • Included – CNC machine kit, offline controller, extension rod, 2 x drill bits, and 1 CD disk with manual 

Pros:

  • The small machine is ideal for tiny workshops
  • It is compatible with most operating systems
  • Two different software types are included
  • You can cut all sorts of materials 
  • The machine can also cut hard metals
  • Lots of accessories are included with the set
  • It is very easy to set up
  • It is fairly easy to use

Cons:

  • The engrave area is rather small
  • The RPM is slower than some of the other units on our list
  • You cannot update the software




Buying Guide

As you can see, there are quite a few great CNC machines to choose from! If you are not sure which one to buy, then perhaps this quick guide can help you decide on one that is best suited for your needs. 

For Tiny Workshops

Most of these CNC machines are quite small and should fit comfortably in a small workshop. The SainSmart Genmitsu CNC, MySweety DIY, and Rattmmotor are all desk-sized.

But if you are extremely limited on space, then you should consider the DIY Mini. This one is very small and surprisingly flexible, since it can even engrave soft metals like copper. 

For Larger Workshops

For larger workshops or for making larger wood pieces, you should consider the BobsCNC Evolution 4. This machine has a large cutting area of up to 24 x 24 inches, which makes it ideal for larger carvings or engravings. 

For Engraving Hard Metals and Wood

If you are someone who loves to incorporate different materials in your furniture designs,  then you should consider a CNC machine that can engrave hard metals as well as wood. 

The Rattmmotor is our top pick for carving harder metals. This one can be used to carve copper, aluminum and other soft metals. The SainSmart is also a good alternative for engraving soft metals. 

For Carving and Engraving Wood and Plastics

Not all CNC machines can carve metal, but if you are only working with wood anyway, then you should consider the BobsCNC for delicate carvings or the MySweety for simpler engravings. 

Final Thoughts

We do hope that our guide has helped you find a fantastic CNC machine so you can make your woodworking business an even greater success. 

If you are looking for other woodworking items such as the best woodworking books, the best spar varnishes, the best marine varnishes, or even the best beginner table saw then we welcome you to have a look at some of our other guides where we discuss more terrific equipment and products!

Last Updated on January 30, 2021 by Tom Bradly

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Tom Bradly
 

My entrepreneurial journey started in 2006, when I dropped out of university. I wanted to work with my hands, to build things. Now I mix my background with computers with my first-hand experience with woodworking to provide insights into the tools I like best. I love everything about woodworking and have been building stuff for over 20 years of my life. I hope to pass some knowledge and expertise. See more at TomBradly.com

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