HEROLASER T700 vs. Xlaserlab X1 Pro

The Budget-Conscious Buyer's Dilemma

Below $5,000 in the laser welding market, the competitive set has expanded significantly in 2024–2025. The HEROLASER T700 and Xlaserlab X1 Pro are both 700W all-in-one laser welders that launched in this window, both priced in the $3,400–$4,700 range, and both targeting the accessible end of professional laser welding.

The wattage match makes this a more nuanced comparison than most. You're not choosing between more power and less — you're choosing between two products with different design philosophies, different form factors, and meaningfully different feature sets at similar price points.

The HEROLASER T700 is a table welder — a desktop/semi-fixed form factor with APP + button controls. The X1 Pro is a portable handheld welder with a 14µm fiber core, 7-inch touchscreen, and 6 distinct functions including underwater welding and CNC retrofit.

Understanding the actual differences requires specific numbers. This comparison provides them.

For the complete detailed review of the Xlaserlab X1 Pro — including real-world weld testing results — see our Xlaserlab X1 Pro review.

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HEROLASER T700: Specs and Key Features

Power and Weld Capability

Confirmed HEROLASER T700 specifications, per HEROLASER's current published documentation:

• Laser power: 700W
• Laser wavelength: 1080 ± 10nm
• Weld depth (stainless steel / carbon steel): 4mm
• Weld depth (aluminum): 2mm
• Cooling: Air-cooled (no external water chiller required)
• Operating mode: CW / modulation working modes
• Controls: APP + button controls
• Wire feeder: TS1-5 automatic wire feeder included standard on the North American package; supports 0.8–1.0mm wire and 1–5kg wire rolls
• Price: Sale $3,399 USD (regular price $5,499.99 on herolaser.net); Amazon pricing approximately $3,399–$3,499
• Warranty: 1-year warranty for the whole machine

The T700's weld depth ceiling — 4mm stainless/carbon steel and 2mm aluminum — is the most important specification to understand. It covers thin-to-mid gauge sheet metal fabrication, decorative metalwork, automotive bodywork (panels are typically 0.8–1.5mm), light repair work, and small-scale production within that range. It isn't built for heavy structural welding beyond that depth.

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3-in-1 Design: Welding, Cutting, Cleaning

The HEROLASER T700 offers 3 functions: welding, cutting, and cleaning. Mode switching is achieved through specialized copper nozzles — a physical nozzle swap rather than a software-based mode selection.

The cleaning function removes surface contaminants, rust, and oxidation before welding. For more on what laser cleaning delivers and when it's the right tool for surface preparation, our laser rust removal guide covers the technology in detail.

The table welder (T1 series) form factor is notable: the T700 version is designed as a semi-desktop unit rather than purely portable handheld. It's the "World's Lightest Table Laser Equipment" in HEROLASER's marketing — semi-transparent design, RGB light strip that changes colour based on machine state, adjustable LED lighting. This is a product that occupies the intersection between workshop tool and maker-aesthetic equipment.

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Laser Source and Build Quality

The T700 is air-cooled in its standard configuration and does not require an external water chiller — a genuine simplicity advantage for shops without existing water-cooling infrastructure or plumbing.

The machine is designed to weld normally at minus 10 degrees Celsius — environmental temperature tolerance marketed for outdoor or cold-environment use.

HEROLASER markets the T700 with APP + button controls — a companion smartphone application used alongside physical button controls for setting welding parameters, monitoring machine state, and (in some configurations) setting cutting and engraving paths. This digital integration is a differentiator in the sub-$4,000 price range.

Every machine passed various authoritative laboratory tests in simulating extremely harsh environments before leaving the HEROLASER factory.

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After-Sales Support

The T700 is sold direct through herolaser.net/ailaser.ai and on Amazon with US stock. Warranty: 1-year for the whole machine. HEROLASER CORP. maintains a U.S. location at 111 Roberts Street, Unit B, East Hartford, CT 06108, providing U.S. inventory and product-support assistance alongside its Amazon and direct-sales channels.

Community support is primarily through the HEROLASER website, YouTube channel, and Amazon Q&A. For a product that launched relatively recently, the community review base is growing but not as established as either Xlaserlab or the professional Theo/IPG tiers.

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Xlaserlab X1 Pro: Specs and Key Features

Power and Weld Capability

• Laser power: 700W (X1 Pro; X1 base is 460W)
• Laser type: Fiber laser, 14µm fiber core
• Weld depth (stainless steel / carbon steel): 0.2mm–3mm+ (up to 5mm structural stock in Xlaserlab documentation)
• Weld depth (aluminum): up to approximately 1.8mm
• Cooling: Air-cooled (no external chiller required)
• Interface: 7-inch colour touchscreen with preset parameters
• Wire feeder: Auto wire feeder included
• Price: $3,699–$4,699 (direct from Xlaserlab or authorised retailers)

The X1 Pro welds steel and stainless steel up to 3mm in practical single-pass use, with 5mm claimed for structural stock. The difference from the T700 comes down to the 14µm fiber core, which concentrates energy into a smaller spot for higher energy density per watt at the weld interface.

This distinction — same watts, different core diameter — is the technical basis for how the two machines achieve their respective weld-depth ratings despite identical power ratings.

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6-in-1 Design and Extended Functionality

Where the T700 is 3-in-1, the X1 Pro is 6-in-1: welding, cutting, cleaning, rust removal, underwater welding, and CNC retrofit.

Rust removal: A distinct function from general cleaning — specifically calibrated parameters for rust removal from steel without damaging the base metal beneath. This is the application covered in our laser rust removal guide.

CNC retrofit: The X1 Pro can interface with CNC control systems for automated, numerically-controlled cutting operations. This isn't a table/gantry built into the machine (that's the MetalFab's territory), but the X1 Pro's control interface supports CNC signal input for integration into automated setups.

For the full value assessment of multi-function laser welders and when the all-in-one capability justifies the premium, our 3-in-1 laser welder worth it guide covers the decision framework.

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Unique Features: Waterproofing and Environmental Range

The X1 Pro's waterproof design for underwater welding is a genuine differentiator. The X1 Pro's waterproof design allows underwater welding, reducing electric shock risks, which the xTool and HEROLASER lack.

Underwater welding capability matters in: marine repair work, submerged pipeline or structural maintenance, water feature and aquarium equipment fabrication, and any application where the workpiece or work environment is wet. For most fabrication shops, this is an edge case — but for mobile welders serving marine and water infrastructure clients, it's a meaningful capability.

The X1 Pro's 100V–250V wide voltage input supports standard household power anywhere in the world, including US 110V circuits, making installation infrastructure-free.

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Community and Support

The Xlaserlab X1 Pro was launched via Kickstarter in March 2025, raising over $3 million. It has a larger and faster-growing community review base than the HEROLASER T700, including independent third-party reviews from fabrication channels.

Xlaserlab offers direct sales and authorised retail (including The Maker's Chest). No established US distributor network comparable to the Theo tier, but customer service is direct and documentation is comprehensive. Price: $3,699–$4,699 vs Amazon MSRP of $6,999–$7,899 for the same machine.

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Direct Comparison: Where Each Machine Wins

Weld Quality

Both machines weld steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, and both produce clean, low-HAZ welds consistent with professional fiber laser welding standards on the material thicknesses each is rated for.

On published weld depth, the T700's current specifications — 4mm stainless/carbon steel, 2mm aluminum — meet or exceed the X1 Pro's practical single-pass rating (3mm+ steel, with up to 5mm claimed for structural stock in Xlaserlab's documentation, and approximately 1.8mm aluminum). For a shop whose thickest jobs land in the 2–4mm range, either machine now covers that work; only above 4mm does the gap favor the X1 Pro's claimed structural-stock ceiling.

Both machines now ship with an automatic wire feeder as standard: the T700's North American package includes the TS1-5 auto wire feeder (0.8–1.0mm wire, 1–5kg rolls), and the X1 Pro includes its own auto wire feeder. Gap-bridging and filler-weld capability is no longer a point of difference between the two.

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Versatility

The X1 Pro's 6-in-1 vs T700's 3-in-1 is the most straightforward advantage: dedicated rust removal mode, CNC retrofit, and waterproof underwater welding extend the X1 Pro's application range beyond the T700.

The T700's APP + button control system and table form factor are different types of versatility — the desktop setup with camera-assisted positioning (mentioned in some HEROLASER marketing) suits a workshop where the machine stays in one place and projects come to the machine.

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Ease of Use

HEROLASER T700: APP + button controls let you set parameters quickly through HEROLASER's companion app paired with physical buttons on the unit, with guided setup via smartphone. The table form factor means the machine stays put while you position work — different workflow than handheld.

Xlaserlab X1 Pro: 7-inch touchscreen with preset parameters — select material and thickness, weld immediately with factory-calibrated settings. The touchscreen is more feature-rich but also more capable of being navigated without technical background. Portable handheld operation requires consistent torch technique from the operator.

Both are marketed as beginner-accessible. Real-world community feedback positions the T700's app-and-button interface as slightly simpler for someone with no prior laser welding experience; the X1 Pro's preset system provides guided parameter selection that similarly reduces setup friction.

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Price and Value

The X1 Pro's $300–$1,300 price premium (depending on configuration) buys 3 additional functions (rust removal, underwater welding, CNC retrofit), portable handheld operation, and the 14µm core's energy density advantage. Both machines now ship with an automatic wire feeder and air cooling as standard, so those are no longer part of what the premium buys.

For the complete pricing framework across the laser welding market and how to evaluate whether this tier is the right investment for your shop, our how to choose a handheld laser welder guide covers the decision criteria.

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Who Should Buy the HEROLASER T700?

The T700 is the right choice for:

Buyers with a hard budget ceiling at $3,400 — the T700 at sale price offers 700W 3-in-1 welding capability at the most accessible entry point in this power tier. For a budget-limited buyer who primarily works on steel and stainless within its 4mm rated depth, the T700 provides real laser welding capability, now with an automatic wire feeder included as standard on the North American package.

Desktop/workshop table users — the T1 table form factor suits a shop where the workpiece comes to the machine. If you prefer a semi-fixed workspace setup over handheld operation, the T700's design suits this workflow.

AI app and digital workflow enthusiasts — the HEROLASER app-plus-button control system is a distinct feature for operators who want smartphone-based parameter management.

Low-volume repair and fabrication — agricultural equipment repair, decorative metalwork, DIY production, and sheet-to-mid-gauge fabrication up to 4mm steel/2mm aluminum where the T700's capability covers the work.

Buyers who want a wire feeder without paying the X1 Pro's premium — the T700's North American package includes the TS1-5 automatic wire feeder standard, at a lower price point than the X1 Pro.

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Who Should Buy the Xlaserlab X1 Pro?

The X1 Pro is the right choice for:

Buyers whose thickest jobs may exceed 4mm — Xlaserlab's documentation claims up to 5mm on structural stock, above the T700's published 4mm ceiling, for shops that occasionally push past that thickness.

Marine and wet environment applications — the genuine waterproof design for underwater welding is unique at this price point. For mobile welders serving marine, water infrastructure, or outdoor clients, this is a real operational advantage.

CNC integration planning — if you intend to integrate into a CNC-controlled cutting workflow in the future, the X1 Pro's CNC retrofit capability provides that path without buying a new machine.

Buyers who want a portable handheld over a semi-fixed table welder — the X1 Pro's portable design takes the machine to the job rather than bringing the job to the machine.

Any application including rust removal as a regular function — the dedicated rust removal mode (beyond general cleaning) makes the X1 Pro a single-tool solution for pre-weld preparation that the T700's 3-in-1 set doesn't fully cover.

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Verdict

At the same wattage and similar price points, the HEROLASER T700 and Xlaserlab X1 Pro are genuinely different tools serving different buyer profiles.

The T700 is the right purchase if you have a hard budget ceiling, your work fits within its 4mm steel / 2mm aluminum weld-depth range, and you prefer a desktop/table welder form factor. At $3,399 sale price, it's the most affordable genuine 700W 3-in-1 laser welder in the current market, and its North American package now includes an automatic wire feeder standard.

The X1 Pro is the right purchase if your thickest jobs may exceed the T700's 4mm ceiling (Xlaserlab documents up to 5mm on structural stock), if you want more functions (rust removal, underwater, CNC retrofit), or if you need portable handheld operation. The 14µm fiber core's energy density advantage is real, and the additional functions and portability are what the price premium buys.

Independent reviewers who have tested both note the X1 Pro's waterproof design and user-friendly touchscreen as strengths, and it offers professional weld quality with easy setup via pre-loaded settings. For buyers who can accommodate the $300–$1,300 price difference and want the extra functions or portability, the X1 Pro's capability set is more future-proof. For buyers who don't need those extras, the T700's corrected specifications — 4mm weld depth, air cooling, and a standard wire feeder — make it a genuinely capable machine at a lower price point.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the HEROLASER T700 and the Xlaserlab X1 Pro?

Both run 700W laser sources, both are air-cooled with no external chiller required, and both now include an automatic wire feeder as standard. Key differences: the X1 Pro is a portable handheld unit with a 7-inch touchscreen preset system and 6 functions (welding, cutting, cleaning, rust removal, underwater welding, CNC retrofit), while the T700 is a desktop table welder with APP + button controls and 3 functions (welding, cutting, cleaning). On published weld depth, the T700 is rated to 4mm stainless/carbon steel and 2mm aluminum, while the X1 Pro is rated to 3mm+ in practical single-pass use with up to 5mm claimed for structural stock. Price: T700 at approximately $3,399; X1 Pro at $3,699–$4,699.

Is the HEROLASER T700 a good laser welder for beginners?

Yes — the T700's APP + button controls are designed for accessibility, with HEROLASER's app providing guided setup via smartphone. For a beginner whose work fits within its 4mm steel / 2mm aluminum weld-depth range (automotive bodywork, light repairs, decorative metalwork), the T700 provides accessible laser welding at the lowest price point in the 700W tier, and its North American package includes the TS1-5 automatic wire feeder standard.

Can the Xlaserlab X1 Pro weld thicker material than the HEROLASER T700?

It depends on the spec you compare. The T700's published rating is 4mm on stainless/carbon steel and 2mm on aluminum. The X1 Pro's practical single-pass rating is 3mm+ on steel, with Xlaserlab's documentation claiming up to 5mm on structural stock, and approximately 1.8mm on aluminum. So the T700's standard rating now exceeds the X1 Pro's typical practical depth, while the X1 Pro's upper claimed ceiling for structural stock (5mm) exceeds the T700's. For jobs solidly within 4mm, either machine is rated to handle it; for anything beyond that, the X1 Pro's structural-stock claim is the relevant number.

Is the HEROLASER T700 waterproof for underwater welding?

HEROLASER markets underwater welding capability for some models, and the T700 listing mentions cold-environment operation (down to -10°C). However, the X1 Pro's waterproof design is more specifically documented for genuine underwater welding as a primary feature — and independent reviewers specifically note the X1 Pro's waterproof design as an advantage the HEROLASER lacks. For applications where underwater welding is a genuine requirement, the X1 Pro's explicitly waterproof design is the more reliable choice.

Which is better value — HEROLASER T700 or Xlaserlab X1 Pro?

For buyers whose work fits within the T700's 4mm steel / 2mm aluminum weld-depth range and who prefer a fixed desktop setup: the T700 at ~$3,399 provides real 700W 3-in-1 laser welding — with a standard automatic wire feeder — at the most accessible price in this tier. It's good value. For buyers whose thickest jobs may exceed 4mm, who want portable handheld operation, or who need the additional functions (rust removal, underwater, CNC retrofit): the X1 Pro's $300–$1,300 premium is justified by those specific capabilities. The X1 Pro is more future-proof as a general-purpose, multi-function laser welding tool.