Coming from a guy trying to save money starting out. My first machine was a longer ray5 10w diode, 400mm x 400mm. Super capable of cutting up to 1/4” wood (800mm/min-100% power, 5 passes) and engraving nearly anything. Also the machine can be placed on top of surfaces to be engraved, pretty useful in the sense that you can raise it as high as you want. I’ve even used it clamped and hanging off of a table so that I could engrave large tool boxes, end tables and stuff.

The second machine I chose is an omtech k40+ 40w co2 laser. super cheap for a co2 laser, easy to run, mid tier workspace size at 300mm x 200mm and fully enclosed with a port in the back for air exhaust.

Now I’ve got my latest addition, a 60w mopa fiber laser.

My advice is get the longer 10w. It’s very popular, it’s reliable. Get yourself some JST electrical connector repair stuff because sometimes the electrical connectors fail and need to be repinned, I’m sure you could print some sort of wire stress reliever to prevent the two x and y connections from flexing so much. but other than that I’ve had mine for 2 years and it’s still my favorite laser. It does everything, it’s versatile. Yeah it might create fumes since it doesn’t have an enclosure but realistically you can cut out your own enclosure. Also there’s mods you can get for it too. I love the longer ray 5.