Workshop comparison

xTool P2 vs P2S Comparison

Is the P2S upgrade worth it for your workshop?

The P2S keeps the familiar 55W CO2 platform, then improves the parts that matter during repeat work: acceleration, air assist, exhaust, and rotary and batch software.

Known baselineNo longer sold new

xTool P2

Laser: 55W CO2
X accel: 3,200 mm/s²
Price: Not sold new

Cleaner productionUpgrade path

xTool P2S

Laser: 55W CO2
X accel: 6,400 mm/s²
Price: $2,999 pre-order

2026 UPDATEDSOURCE CHECKEDDETAILED SPECSBUSINESS INSIGHTS

Quick Comparison

The xTool P2 and P2S are both 55W CO2 lasers with the same 600 × 305 mm bed, 600mm/s top speed, and cameras. The P2S doubles X-axis acceleration, adds a 200 kPa air pump and stronger exhaust, and runs xTool Studio; current P2S firmware drops LightBurn. The P2 is no longer sold new; the P2S Standalone was a $2,999 pre-order on September 23, 2026.

Step Up: The xTool P3

xTool's P3 is an 80W flagship CO2 laser with a 915 × 458 mm bed and a significant leap in automation. While the P2 and P2S are excellent creative tools, the P3 is designed for maximum productivity. Read our full review of the xTool P3 to see if it's the right choice for your business.

Beyond CO2: The xTool F2 Ultra

If you're looking beyond CO2 lasers and into the world of MOPA fiber and diode hybrids, xTool also makes the F2 Ultra. This machine offers unique capabilities for metal engraving and cutting. Read our in-depth review of the xTool F2 Ultra to see if its advanced features align with your needs.

Laser engraving technology continues to evolve, offering new possibilities for hobbyists, small businesses, and advanced users alike. xTool consistently pushes boundaries in competitive markets with their P2 and P2S laser cutter models renowned for their performance and innovative features.

While the P2 has already established itself as a leader in the market, the newer xTool P2S introduces significant upgrades that take laser engraving to the next level. But is it worth the extra investment? This detailed comparison breaks down their features, performance, and which model might best suit your needs in 2026.

We own and use an xTool P2 in our workshop. We have not tested the P2S, so every P2S figure below is xTool's published specification, checked September 23, 2026. xTool no longer sells the P2 new in the U.S.: its P2 product link now opens the P2S, and the refurbished P2 ($1,845) was sold out when we checked. That makes this page most useful for P2 owners weighing an upgrade and for buyers comparing a used P2 with a new P2S.

We'll also look at Gweike's Cloud Pro II, a lower-priced 50W or 55W desktop CO2 laser that Gweike sells with a rotary and an air filter, to give you a complete picture of your options.

We review all things DIY including Eufymake's E1's UV Printers recordsetting Kickstarter campaign.

As an affiliate partner with xTool, Gweike, and other brands mentioned, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

P2S store

Comparison prices use U.S. listings. Check your selected store for local pricing and availability.

Preparing P2S store links.

Decision table

Side-by-Side Comparison: What Actually Changes

The P2S upgrade is not about raw laser wattage. It is about how quickly the machine reaches speed, how cleanly it manages air, and how much help the software gives you on curved and batch work.

Comparison pick

xTool P2

NO LONGER SOLD NEW

Laser Power: 55W CO2
Engraving Speed: Up to 600mm/s
X-Axis Acceleration: 3,200 mm/s²
Air Assist: Up to 150 kPa (adjustable 15–150)
Exhaust: 145 CFM fan; 6.5 m/s airflow in xTool's lab test
Camera System: Dual 16 MP (close-range + panoramic)
Software: xTool Creative Space or LightBurn
Price: Not sold new; refurbished $1,845, sold out

Comparison pick

xTool P2S

UPGRADED MODEL

Laser Power: 55W CO2
Engraving Speed: Up to 600mm/s
X-Axis Acceleration: 6,400 mm/s²
Air Assist: 200 kPa pump (33% higher, xTool says)
Exhaust: 145 CFM fan; 19.7 m/s airflow in xTool's lab test
Camera System: Same dual 16 MP, plus 3D cylinder modeling
Software: xTool Studio; firmware 40.22.011 and later drops LightBurn
Price: $2,999 Standalone pre-order

The table separates identical baseline specs from the places the P2S earns its upgrade case.

Option A

xTool P2

Option B

xTool P2S

xTool P255W CO2

Laser PowerComparable

xTool P2S55W CO2

xTool P2Up to 600mm/s

Max SpeedComparable

xTool P2SUp to 600mm/s

xTool P23,200 mm/s²

X-Axis AccelerationxTool P2S edge

xTool P2S6,400 mm/s²Advantage

xTool P2Up to 150 kPa (adjustable 15–150)

Air AssistxTool P2S edge

xTool P2S200 kPa pump (33% higher, xTool says)Advantage

xTool P2145 CFM fan; 6.5 m/s airflow in xTool's lab test

ExhaustxTool P2S edge

xTool P2S145 CFM fan; 19.7 m/s airflow in xTool's lab testAdvantage

xTool P2Dual 16 MP (close-range + panoramic)

Camera SystemxTool P2S edge

xTool P2SSame dual 16 MP, plus 3D cylinder modelingAdvantage

xTool P2xTool Creative Space or LightBurn

SoftwareComparable

xTool P2SxTool Studio; firmware 40.22.011 and later drops LightBurn

xTool P2Not sold new; refurbished $1,845, sold out

U.S. price (September 23, 2026)Comparable

xTool P2S$2,999 Standalone pre-order

P2S proof points

Key Differences Explained

The upgrade is easiest to understand as three workshop routes: faster repeated motion, cleaner air and smoke handling, and new software for curved cylinders and personalized batches.

Batch-work routeProduction speed

Acceleration & Speed

While both the P2 and P2S have the same 600mm/s max speed, the P2S offers double the X-axis acceleration at 6,400 mm/s² versus the P2's 3,200 mm/s².

Impact: The P2S reaches top speed sooner on short back-and-forth moves. xTool's lab figure is up to 40% less engraving time on certain slender designs; it says actual speed varies.

Start here if your jobs repeat, nest tightly, or turn into batches.

Cleaner-cut routeAirflow and exhaust

Air Flow Systems

xTool rates the P2S's dual-cylinder air pump at 200 kPa, which it says is 33% higher than the P2. The P2S exhaust fan is rated at 145 CFM, and in xTool's lab test its exhaust airflow reached 19.7 m/s versus 6.5 m/s on the P2.

Impact: Stronger air and exhaust are aimed at cleaner cuts, less charring, and a clearer view of the work. xTool lists the same maximum cutting thickness for both machines.

Start here if smoke control and cleaner edges affect your finish work.

Precision routeCurved and batch work

Same Cameras, New Software

xTool lists the same dual 16 MP cameras (close-range plus panoramic) on both machines. The P2S adds software: 3D modeling of curved cylinders for rotary engraving, and Batch Processing 2.0 for varied names, serial numbers, or images in one batch.

Impact: That helps on tumblers, curved blanks, and personalized batches. On flat stock, camera positioning is the same as on the P2.

Start here if you engrave curved, irregular, or already-finished pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the xTool P2, P2S, and Gweike Cloud Pro II

What are the key differences between xTool P2 and P2S?

Both use a 55W CO2 laser with the same 600 × 305 mm work area, 600mm/s top speed, and dual 16 MP cameras. xTool lists four main changes on the P2S: twice the X-axis acceleration (6,400 vs 3,200 mm/s²), a dual-cylinder air pump rated at 200 kPa (33% higher than the P2, xTool says), a stronger exhaust (19.7 vs 6.5 m/s airflow in xTool's lab test), and new software features such as 3D cylinder modeling for rotary work and Batch Processing 2.0. The P2S runs xTool Studio, and current P2S firmware no longer works with LightBurn; the P2 is not on xTool's list of affected machines.

What are the key differences between xTool P2, P2S, and Gweike Cloud Pro II?

The xTool P2 and P2S both use a 55W CO2 laser; the P2S adds faster X-axis acceleration, a stronger air pump and exhaust, and xTool Studio software. Gweike's Cloud Pro II comes in 50W and 55W versions with a 510 × 300 mm work area and LightBurn support. On September 23, 2026, Gweike listed it at $2,400 (50W) or $2,539 (55W) with a rotary and an air filter. The P2S Standalone was a $2,999 pre-order, and the P2 is no longer sold new.

Which laser cutter is better for beginners?

On a tight budget, Gweike's Cloud Pro II costs less, and its in-stock bundles include a rotary and an air filter. The xTool P2S costs more; for that, xTool includes dual 16 MP cameras and LiDAR autofocus, which help a first-time user place and focus jobs. Either way, plan for exhaust ventilation and fire monitoring.

Is the xTool P2S worth the upgrade over the P2?

For P2 owners, only if a specific bottleneck costs you time. xTool says the faster X-axis can cut engraving time by up to 40% on certain slender designs, and the stronger air and exhaust target cleaner cuts. The P2S adds no power, bed area, or cutting thickness. If your P2 already handles your work, or you rely on LightBurn, keep it.

Buyer routes

Final Verdict: Is the P2S Worth the Upgrade?

Read the P2S choice by where you are in the shop right now: buying your first enclosed CO2 machine, upgrading from a P2, or pressure-testing the value against daily production needs.

New buyer routeFirst CO2 laser

Budget vs future-proofing

For new buyers

For new buyers: xTool no longer sells the P2 new in the U.S., so a first-time buyer is really choosing between a new P2S, a used P2 priced to reflect its older air and exhaust hardware, or a lower-priced machine such as Gweike's Cloud Pro II. The P2S Standalone was a $2,999 pre-order when we checked.

Choose this route when price, runway, and production plans all matter.

Compare current xTool deals

Upgrade routeExisting P2 owners

Speed, airflow, precision

For existing P2 owners

For existing P2 owners: The upgrade makes sense when a specific bottleneck costs you time: engraving time on detailed work, smoke and char on cuts, or rotary work on curved cylinders. The P2S adds no laser power, bed area, or cutting thickness, and current P2S firmware no longer works with LightBurn. If your P2 already handles the work, keep it.

Choose this route when the upgrade can pay you back in repeat work.

Check xTool P2S pricing

Bottom-line routeBest-fit decision

Production need

Bottom line

Bottom line: The P2S is the one to buy new: it keeps the P2's bed and power and improves speed, air, exhaust, and rotary software. It earns the most in shops that engrave detailed designs, cylinders, or personalized batches. P2 owners without those jobs can keep their machine, and buyers on a tighter budget should price Gweike's Cloud Pro II.

Choose this route when the answer depends on output, not just specs.

Read the P3 step-up review

Weighing Bambu Lab's new R1 instead? See how the R1 compares with the xTool P2 you may already own and how it compares with a new P2S.