CrealityFalcon A1 10W Laser sets a new standard in affordable laser engraving
This month at Top Engravers Magazine, the spotlight on our test bench shines brightly on the brand-new CrealityFalcon A1 10W Laser engraver.
As editors deeply immersed in the world of laser technology, we wasted no time in getting to grips with this latest addition to the market, and our initial impressions have been overwhelmingly positive, suggesting that CrealityFalcon, a dedicated sub-brand under Creality, focused solely on laser engraving solutions, might have just redefined what an entry-level, all-in-one laser engraver can be for the UK market.
Designed for Immediate Creation:
Our journey with the CrealityFalcon A1 10W Laser began with its arrival, and we must commend the team responsible for its packaging. The box was meticulously organised. Unpacking felt more like disassembling an intricate puzzle. This thoughtful packing ensured the machine arrived securely, minimising damage and contributing to that “out-of-the-box” experience.
And what an “out-of-the-box” experience it was! When we say “setup,” we genuinely mean there was very little to do. Unlike many machines that demand hours of assembly, the CrealityFalcon A1 was remarkably straightforward. It included a USB-C cable to link our Mac to the engraver, and a power connection for the integrated exhaust system, and a tube for the air assist pump. There was also a single loose wire to connect the machine to a rotary device. The inclusion of a dotted calibration card for the camera setup was a welcome touch, guiding us through a process that took mere minutes to complete. This incredibly fast setup time positions the CrealityFalcon A1 as one of the most user-friendly machines we’ve encountered to date, allowing creators to jump straight into making.
Sleek for Modern Workspaces:
CrealityFalcon has truly found a sweet spot in the market with the A1’s design, which we believe will appeal to a broad spectrum of users. The current landscape of laser engravers often presents two extremes: the compact, mini-engravers with their limited working areas, or the bulkier, square open-gantry machines that can dominate a studio space. The The CrealityFalcon A1 10W carves out its own niche with a distinct rectangular profile and a generous working space (381mm x 305mm).
This thoughtful design results in a much slimmer footprint compared to traditional 400mm x 400mm square gantry engravers. It’s a machine that will comfortably fit inside smaller studios and workshops, a common reality for many UK makers, without overwhelming the space. Its relatively compact dimensions even lend themselves to portability, making it a strong contender for use at craft shows, markets, and other events where a mobile setup is advantageous.
The CrealityFalcon A1 10W’s design isn’t just about size; it exudes a premium, robust feel. It possesses a satisfying weight that speaks to its sturdy construction, ensuring a very stable engraving platform. Every integrated component – from the exhaust system and air assist to the internal lighting and camera – is powered conveniently via a single plug.
While a honeycomb workbed is not included in the standard kit, it’s worth noting that these have historically been optional paid extras with virtually all other machines we’ve used. For many users who primarily focus on engraving rather than cutting, a honeycomb isn’t strictly necessary, making its omission understandable for an all-inclusive package.
Flexibility for Every Creator:
The Creality Falcon A1 10W Laser offers excellent flexibility when it comes to software. CrealityFalcon provides its own dedicated software, which is free to use and serves as an excellent, streamlined option if you exclusively own or plan to use CrealityFalcon laser engravers. However, for those who prefer more advanced control or already have an established workflow, the CrealityFalcon A1’s GRBL compatibility is a significant advantage.
This means it works seamlessly with other popular and powerful software platforms like LightBurn and LaserGRBL. LightBurn, in particular, is a favourite among enthusiasts for its extensive features and precise control, allowing users to unlock the full potential of the machine.
Laser Engraving Performance:
The quality of the engravings produced by the CrealityFalcon A1 has genuinely been the best we have experienced from an entry-level engraving machine to date. We observed remarkably sharp, bold lines and, crucially, no streaky image filling – a common frustration with less precise machines. The consistency across various materials was impressive.
We even pushed the CrealityFalcon A1 with white tiles, a material where many other engravers struggle to achieve adequate penetration or a clean mark. This wasn’t a problem for this laser engraver; after applying and removing spray paint, it left a semi-reasonable, consistent effect, demonstrating its capability even on challenging surfaces. This level of detail and consistency, straight out of the box, is a testament to the CrealityFalcon A1’s refined engineering.
Cutting beats our expectations:
If the engraving performance was impressive, the cutting capabilities of the The CrealityFalcon A1 10W absolutely blew us away! We put it to the test by engraving our logo onto two-tone green and white acrylic and then cutting it out – all in one single job. At a setting of 300mm/min and 80% power, the entire process took approximately 4 minutes and required just two passes for a clean cut.
Even more remarkably, the same cut on plywood needed only a single pass at those identical settings! A quick sand was all that was required to clean up any dark edges, leaving a pristine finish. To further explore its versatility, we etched the CrealityFalcon A1 logo onto the acrylic piece and then mounted it onto a thick metal business card, creating a striking 3D effect that truly showcased the CrealityFalcon A1’s precision. Honestly, for its price point, the machine delivers seriously impressive cutting performance that punches well above its weight class.
‘Room’ for Improvement:
As much as we love this machine, there is one thing we would like to see improved in future developments. Our primary desire would be an extra inch or two in the vertical travel of the laser module. Right out of the box, and without any modifications, the maximum material thickness you can comfortably engrave is around 10mm. Even at this thickness, the laser head feels a little too close to the workpiece.
This limitation means we are currently unable to engrave thicker items like standard ring boxes or metal tins without resorting to installing risers and removing the base plate from the engraver – a workaround that, while effective, adds an extra step to the workflow.
New Era for Accessible Engraving:
We genuinely wish an all-in-one machine like the CrealityFalcon A1 existed when we first started our laser engraving journey. It would have saved countless hours of time, alleviated significant stress, and reduced wasted materials. When you consider the cumulative cost of purchasing a basic open-gantry engraver, then adding a separate enclosure, a camera, an air assist, and an exhaust system, you would easily exceed the price of this CrealityFalcon A1 10W Laser.
The significant difference being that with the A1, you avoid ending up with a messy studio, a huge, oversized enclosure, and a tangle of wires and cables everywhere – all after enduring hours of complicated installation, setup, and calibration of disparate components. Could there possibly be a 20W Pro version in the pipeline, offering even more power? Or perhaps, even better, an IR module that can be easily added to the A1 for metal marking capabilities?
Only time will tell what the future holds for the CrealityFalcon A1. What we do know is that a dedicated honeycomb workbed is already available for pre-order in some countries, and a rotary upgrade kit is also coming soon, promising to further expand the versatility of this already impressive machine. The CrealityFalcon A1 10W is a strong contender for anyone looking for a powerful, user-friendly, and comprehensive laser engraving solution.
