AEON vs xTool

CO2 Laser Comparison

AEON vs xTool: Which CO2 Laser Is Right for You?

Whether you are a maker leveling up, a side hustle going full-time, or a shop scaling production, here is a straight, spec-by-spec look at AEON's RF metal-tube MIRA lasers against xTool's glass-tube P2S and P3, so you can see exactly what your money buys.

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The Short Answer

AEON and xTool build very different CO2 lasers at similar work-area sizes. xTool's P2S and P3 use glass DC tubes, which keep the purchase price low but are rated for roughly 6,000 to 10,000 hours and are replaced as a unit when they wear out. AEON's MIRA lasers use RF metal tubes, which are rated for tens of thousands of hours, can be recharged instead of thrown away, run air-cooled with no separate chiller, and hold a tighter beam for finer engraving and print-and-cut work.

In short: xTool wins on upfront price. AEON wins on tube longevity, beam quality, and long-term cost of ownership, which is why serious makers, side hustles, and production shops tend to move from a glass machine up to an RF MIRA.

AEON MIRA vs xTool: Side by Side

The desktop CO2 machines shoppers cross-shop most often, matched by size and tier. Scroll the table sideways on mobile.

Desktop CO2 laser comparison. Specifications and pricing current as of 2026 and subject to change.
Spec AEON MIRA 6X xTool P2S AEON MIRA 9X xTool P3
Laser tube RF metal tube Glass DC tube RF metal tube Glass DC tube
Power 40W RF 55W glass 75W RF 80W glass
Work area 24 x 12 in
(600 x 300 mm)		 24 x 12 in
(600 x 305 mm)		 35 x 18 in
(900 x 450 mm)		 36 x 18 in
(915 x 458 mm)
Rated tube life ~20,000 hrs, refillable ~6,000 to 8,000 hrs ~20,000 hrs, refillable ~10,000 hrs
Beam quality Fine RF spot, high detail Standard glass spot Fine RF spot, high detail Standard glass spot
Cooling Air-cooled, no chiller External chiller Air-cooled, no chiller Built-in cooling
Print & cut Yes Camera assist Yes Camera assist
Autofocus Yes Yes Yes Yes
HD camera Yes Yes Yes Yes
Software LightBurn included xTool Creative Space LightBurn included xTool Creative Space
Support US-based team Brand support US-based team Brand support
Price (USD) $6,999
+ shipping 		$3,399 to $4,299 $9,999
+ shipping 		$6,399 and up

RF wattage and glass wattage are not directly equal. RF tubes are more efficient and hold a finer beam, so a lower RF wattage often matches or beats a higher glass wattage on engraving detail and sustained speed, while higher glass wattage helps raw single-pass cutting depth.

The Real Difference: RF Metal Tube vs Glass Tube

Bed size and price are easy to compare. The tube inside is what separates a hobby-tier machine from a professional one, and it drives your cost of ownership for years.

AEON MIRA, RF metal tube

Built to run for years

  • Rated for roughly 20,000 hours, then refillable for another life instead of scrapped
  • Tighter beam and smaller spot for crisp text, photo engraving, and print-and-cut registration
  • Air-cooled and sealed, so there is no separate water chiller to plumb, fill, or maintain
  • Holds detail at higher speeds, which keeps production throughput up
  • Higher upfront cost, earned back over the life of the machine
xTool P-series, glass DC tube

Lower cost to get started

  • Rated for roughly 6,000 to 10,000 hours, then replaced as a whole tube
  • Larger spot size, well suited to simple cuts and everyday engraving
  • P2S needs an external chiller; the P3 moves cooling in-house
  • Lowest entry price in the comparison, ideal for getting up and running
  • Tube replacement is a recurring cost to budget for over time

Head to Head, Tier by Tier

Matched by work area and class, here is how each pairing stacks up.

AEON

MIRA 6X

$6,999 + shipping
Tube
40W RF metal
Work area
24 x 12 in
Tube life
~20,000 hrs, refillable
Cooling
Air-cooled
Print & cut
Yes
Software
LightBurn included
xTool

P2S

$3,399 to $4,299
Tube
55W glass DC
Work area
24 x 12 in
Tube life
~6,000 to 8,000 hrs
Cooling
External chiller
Print & cut
Camera assist
Software
xTool Creative Space
Entry desktop: Same footprint, two different philosophies. The P2S is the budget on-ramp with more glass wattage. The MIRA 6X costs more upfront but trades the glass tube for a long-life RF tube, finer detail, and no chiller to manage.
AEON

MIRA 9X

$9,999 + shipping
Tube
75W RF metal
Work area
35 x 18 in
Tube life
~20,000 hrs, refillable
Cooling
Air-cooled
Print & cut
Yes
Software
LightBurn included
xTool

P3

$6,399 and up
Tube
80W glass DC
Work area
36 x 18 in
Tube life
~10,000 hrs
Cooling
Built-in
Print & cut
Camera assist
Software
xTool Creative Space
Flagship desktop: Nearly identical beds. The P3 is xTool's most capable enclosed machine with strong automation at a lower price. The MIRA 9X answers with an RF tube that lasts longer and engraves finer, plus LightBurn and US-based support.

Need more than xTool's largest CO2 machine? The AEON MIRA X steps up to a 100W or 150W RF tube and a 39 x 24 in bed (from $16,999), a size and power class xTool's CO2 lineup does not reach.

Why Makers and Shops Upgrade to AEON

The reasons owners give when they move from a glass-tube machine to an RF MIRA.

Longer Tube Life

An RF metal tube rated near 20,000 hours, refillable rather than replaced, means far fewer tube swaps over the life of the machine.

Finer Detail

The tighter RF beam holds crisp text, photo engraving, and clean print-and-cut registration that a larger glass spot struggles to match.

Print & Cut Built In

Load printed sheets, let the camera read your registration, and cut on the line. Every MIRA X model supports professional print-and-cut.

No Separate Chiller

The RF tube is air-cooled and sealed, so there is no water chiller to plumb, top up, or troubleshoot. Less to set up, less to fail.

LightBurn Included

MIRA ships with LightBurn, the industry-standard laser software, so you design and run production in the tool most pros already know.

US-Based Support

Reach a real US team for setup, training, and service, with on-site installation available so you are running production quickly.

Which One Should You Choose?

An honest read. The right laser depends on your budget, your materials, and how hard you plan to run it.

Choose AEON MIRA if...

Serious makers, side hustles & shops
  • You run the machine often, or plan to, and want a tube that lasts for years
  • Fine engraving, photo work, or print-and-cut precision matters to your product
  • You want the lowest long-term cost of ownership, not just the lowest sticker price
  • You value LightBurn, US-based support, and the option of on-site setup
  • You may scale up to a larger 100W or 150W RF machine later

Choose xTool P-series if...

Just getting started & occasional use
  • Upfront price is the deciding factor and you want the lowest cost of entry
  • Your work is mostly straightforward cutting and everyday engraving
  • You are just getting started, or running the machine occasionally rather than in daily production
  • You are comfortable budgeting for a glass tube replacement down the road
  • You prefer xTool's Creative Space software and ecosystem

AEON vs xTool FAQ

Straight answers to the questions buyers ask when comparing the two.

Is AEON better than xTool?
Neither is simply better; they target different buyers. xTool's P2S and P3 offer the lowest entry price with capable glass-tube CO2 lasers. AEON's MIRA uses an RF metal tube that lasts far longer, engraves finer, and lowers long-term cost of ownership, which is why serious makers and production shops tend to choose AEON. If price is your top priority, xTool wins; if longevity, detail, and total cost matter most, AEON wins.
What is the difference between an RF metal tube and a glass CO2 tube?
A glass DC tube is lower cost and is rated for roughly 6,000 to 10,000 hours, after which it is replaced as a whole unit. An RF metal tube like the one in AEON's MIRA is rated near 20,000 hours, can be recharged for a further service life, is air-cooled with no separate chiller, and produces a smaller, more stable spot for finer engraving and cleaner print-and-cut.
Why is the AEON MIRA more expensive than the xTool P2S or P3?
Most of the difference is the tube. RF metal tubes cost more than glass tubes but last several times longer and can be refilled instead of replaced. Add in the finer beam, air-cooled design, included LightBurn software, and US-based support, and the higher sticker price is meant to be earned back over the life of the machine rather than paid again in tube replacements.
Does the AEON MIRA do print and cut like xTool?
Yes. Every MIRA X model supports print-and-cut: you load a printed sheet, the built-in camera reads the registration, and the laser cuts precisely on the line. The tighter RF beam helps keep that cut crisp, which is especially useful for stickers, labels, and packaging.
Do AEON lasers work with LightBurn?
Yes. AEON MIRA lasers include LightBurn, the industry-standard design and control software, so you can run production in the tool most professional laser users already know. xTool machines primarily use xTool Creative Space.
Which laser is better for a side hustle, small business, or production shop?
If you are running a side hustle, small business, or production shop, the AEON MIRA is usually the stronger long-term choice. The RF tube holds detail at speed, lasts for years, and needs no separate chiller, so throughput stays high and downtime stays low. xTool's P-series is a great starting point if you are new to lasers, using it occasionally, or keeping the initial investment as low as possible.
How big are the AEON MIRA and xTool work areas?
They are close at each tier. The MIRA 6X and xTool P2S both work around 24 x 12 inches. The MIRA 9X (35 x 18 in) and xTool P3 (36 x 18 in) are nearly identical. For larger jobs, AEON's MIRA X reaches 39 x 24 inches with a 100W or 150W RF tube, beyond xTool's CO2 range.

Not Sure Which Laser Fits Your Work?

Book a Laser Fit Call with our resident laser pro Steven. He'll learn about your materials, volume, and budget, then help you choose between the MIRA models and weigh them honestly against anything else you are considering.

Steven H., AEON Laser specialist
Steven H.
Your AEON Laser Pro

"Hi, I'm Steven. Whether you're an individual maker just getting started or a shop running daily production, I've helped all kinds of users find the right machine. On your Laser Fit Call, I'll learn what you make and match you to the exact model, power, and bed size for your goals and budget."

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