Alex Thompson
2026-03-21T08:45:31-04:00

Tyvok A1 Mini 3.5W vs 5W: Which One Should You Choose in 2026?

If you're looking at the Tyvok A1 Mini, you're probably wondering: should I get the 3.5W or the 5W? Which one is actually better for beginners?

Both are great entry-level diode lasers with a solid XY frame — but they're priced differently, and they have different capabilities. Let's break it down to help you decide.

Quick Spec Comparison

Specification | Tyvok A1 Mini 3.5W | Tyvok A1 Mini 5W
Optical Power | 3.5W | 5W
Frame Type | Solid XY Frame | Solid XY Frame
Working Area | 100mm × 100mm | 100mm × 100mm
Spot Size | ~0.1mm | ~0.08mm
Included Honeycomb | Yes (from Tyvok) | Yes (from Tyvok)
Price (2026) | ~$129 | ~$169

What Can Each One Cut?

The biggest difference between the 3.5W and 5W is cutting power:

3.5W: Cuts up to ~2-3mm wood, ~1-2mm acrylic

5W: Cuts up to ~3-5mm wood, ~2-3mm acrylic

For most engravings, both work great. But if you plan to do any regular cutting, the extra power of the 5W is noticeable. Read more about cutting thickness limits here.

Engraving Quality

The 5W version has a slightly smaller spot size (0.08mm vs 0.1mm), which means you can get a little more detail.

In practice:

For most beginner projects (phone cases, dog tags), you won't notice a huge difference

The 5W gives you crisper detail on very fine text and photos

Both produce better quality than most other budget lasers in this price range

Speed

More power means you can engrave faster:

3.5W: Good speed for most small projects

5W: About 20-30% faster engraving than the 3.5W

The difference isn't dramatic, but it adds up if you're doing multiple projects every week.

Who Should Get the 3.5W?

The 3.5W is the best choice if:

You're on an extremely tight budget

You mainly plan to engrave, not cut much

You just want to try laser engraving to see if you like it

You only do small projects like jewelry and tags

At ~$129, it's the most affordable way to get a quality XY frame diode laser from Tyvok. Check latest price for the 3.5W here.

Who Should Get the 5W?

The 5W is the better pick for most beginners:

You have a little more room in your budget

You want to do some cutting as well as engraving

You want the smallest possible spot size for maximum detail

You think you might want to do more projects down the road

The $40 price difference isn't much, but you get noticeably more power and better detail. It's the sweet spot for most beginners starting out.

Our Recommendation

For most people getting started with the Tyvok A1 Mini in 2026, we recommend going with the 5W version.

The extra power gives you more flexibility, and the better detail is nice to have. You won't regret having a little more power than you need — but you might regret not having enough when you want to cut something thicker.

That said, if money is really tight and you just want to test the waters, the 3.5W is still a great machine that will handle most beginner projects just fine.

Final Thoughts

Both the 3.5W and 5W versions of the Tyvok A1 Mini are excellent entry-level lasers. The solid XY frame, included quality honeycomb platform, and budget-friendly price make them a great choice for beginners.

Just pick the power level that matches your budget and what you plan to do — either way, you'll be getting a great machine.

👉 Compare both versions and order on the official Tyvok site