We love CNC machining and have always admired the precision and design of the top-of-the-line models. We also know how expensive they can be to buy and set up.
In this article, we chose the best CNC machines at several price points, with an emphasis on value for money. But we did throw in one or two models for all of you CNC geeks who don’t mind dropping the big bucks on an absolute beast of a machine.
Thankfully, it’s no longer necessary to spend several grand to acquire and run a high-quality CNC machine. Back in the day, purchasing a CNC machine meant taking a huge hit to the ol’ piggy bank. But nowadays you can find several very good CNC machines for a fraction of the cost.
Our top choice: the BobsCNC E4
- Built for beginners but excellent for experts as well
- Excellent instructions for assembly
- Comes with a Dewalt router
- Cuts plastics, soft aluminum, woods, acrylics, PVCs, and PCBs
The good thing about the more expensive machines is that they really are the best in class across all price points. The BobsCNC E4, for instance, is one of the top choices for beginners and seasoned machinists alike. The E3 is also fantastic when you can find it.
But for beginners on a budget, dropping a grand on a machine you have no experience using can be intimidating. That’s where the high-quality entry-level models like the SainSmart Genmitsu come in. They are built specifically with beginners in mind. In fact, let’s start exploring that machine next!
1. SainSmart Genmitsu CNC 3018-PRO Router Kit
The Gemnitsu 3018-Pro is “designed for the absolute beginner,” as the marketing material puts it. We can confirm that it is indeed a perfect entry-level machine for anyone looking to get into CNC machining for the first time.
Now, keep in mind that this is a DIY kit, not a fully assembled machine, so you will have to put it together. Assembly time is on average around 2 hours, but it can be done in an hour or less if you are used to using tools and following instructions.
The machine comes with great instructions and there are tons of resources online and youtube tutorials to get your started. Some of the machining on the parts are a little rough on the edges but nothing too bad and certainly not a deal-breaker.
The name ‘3018’ refers to the working area, which is 300x180x45mm. It is an upgrade of the previous Genmitsu 3018 non-Pro and has thicker extrusions, but apart from that and an upgraded power adapter, it is pretty much the same. It also comes with a 1-year warranty.
One accessory that might be useful is a plug-in offline controller so you can control it without needing to use the computer software interface. That is handy when you are looking to just make simple commands quickly without dealing with the software.
Once it is assembled, it can cut all types of plastics, wood, soft aluminum, PVC and PCBs. It uses Grbl, the industry-standard open-source software for CNC machining. You can manually control every aspect of the machine from within Grbl if you wish to. It has settings for
Key features:
- Built specifically for beginners
- Safe power adapter, CE/FCC/UL-approved
- Uses Grbl, the industry-standard software
- Cuts plastics, soft aluminum, woods, acrylics, PVCs, and PCBs
- Assembly required, tons of tutorials and resources available
Deeper Look At Specifications
The Gemnitsu is very sturdy and the frame will not bend at all unless you put significant force on it. There are no gaps between the plastic parts and extruded parts, and each axis is driven by lead screws with double sprung nuts for anti-backlash protection.
The wiring can be a little messy but with the provided wraps, that can be cleaned up, though it would be nice if they included instructions for that step. The stepper drivers are DVR8825s. The spindle is 24 volts and runs as high as just under 9000 RPMs. It has a collet on the end and takes 1/8th or 3.175 mm bits, and its travel height is 45mm.
The Gemnitsu also comes with good bundled software. Often this bundled software is hit or miss, but the Grbl software is actually pretty good. You can manually control every part of the machine, adjust the steppers and spindle speed, move the spindle around.
One minor issue is the that the stop clamps uses bolts but the kit doesn’t include the right wrench for these bolts. Might be a good idea to just replace them if you can’t tighten them enough with tools you have or by hand.
Also, being a CNC machine, it is quite loud, much louder than a 3D printer, for instance. If you place the machine on a piece of padding or hard foam, you can reduce the noise a little bit.
Pros
- Cheap and high-quality
- Perfect for beginners who are willing to follow DIY assembly instructions for the kit
- The bundled Grbl software is surprisingly good
- The build is sturdy and the parts are well milled for the most part (minor imperfections that can be cleaned up easily)
- 1-2 hour assembly time
- Clear instructions and several helpful files including a video tutorial included to aid with assembly
Cons
- Minor defects with the milled metal parts from the manufacturer, but not deal breakers and easy to clean up with a drill
- Loud (it is a cutting machine, after all)
- Bolts for the clamps don’t come with the requisite wrench and might need to be replaced so they can be tightened (easy fix)
- New Version: Genmitsu CNC 3018-PRO is an upgraded version of 3018. All components do not need to be positioned, which greatly reduces the difficulty of assembly and improves the working accuracy. The base height is raised to 4cm for better stability. Capable of cutting all types of plastics, soft aluminum, woods, acrylics, PVC, and PCB, the Genmitsu can be used on a wide range of projects and materials.
- Upgraded Power Adapter: UL Approved and out-of-the-box support for the drop in 20,000rpm Spindle, no need to modify G-code to ramp up to full speed.
- Controller Software: The Genmitsu 3018-PRO uses Grbl, a high-performance open-source software for controlling movement, and runs on Arduino. Its dependability and simplicity make GRBL an industry standard, so there’s no lack of support and resources available when you get stuck.
- Optional Upgraded Parts: Super Size your 3018 CNC to a 3040 by getting a Genmitsu 3040 Y-Axis Extension Kit. The 3040 Aluminum Spoilboard and 3040 MDF Spoilboard for this extension kit are also available to buy.
- Note: Assembly Instructions and User Guide are provided, please find at the Product Guides and Documents Section below and get everything you might need. If you get stuck, check out the SainSmart Resource Center (see at User Guide) or contact us with any questions that arise.
2. BobsCNC E4 CNC Router Engraver Kit
The BOBsCNC E4 is a great CNC router for the more serious hobbyist. It takes a Dewalt router (don’t worry, that’s included in the kit). But the coolest thing about it: it’s completely made out of wood!
Now, the E4 is very similar to its smaller sibling the E3. But the E4 does have a larger work area, at 24x24x3.3 inches (610 mm x 610 mm cutting area and 85mm depth of travel). Also, the E3 has 1/4″ insets on the spoilboard, while the E4 has a t-slotted spoilboard. Otherwise, they are very similar.
Surprisingly, both of these machines are still considered entry level, and are perfect for beginners. That is surprising because the E4 is a very powerful machine and can easily handle many smaller professional-level jobs. As a result, a lot of schools buy this CNC machine for their workshops. Bob will even give a 20% discount to educators, so make sure to take advantage of that deal if you are buying this machine for a school.
Like the Gemnitsu, it is a kit with lots of parts, and it will require a significant amount of the assembly. The wood boards for the frame must be clear coated or painted to protect them. So right off the bat, this assembly is going to take awhile.
But while the boards dry, you can begin putting the router together. Thankfully the kit comes with top-notch instructions, and there are plenty of resources on BobCNC’s website in case you get stuck.
The upshot of all of this assembly is that by the end you have a fantastic CNC router with ample work area to play with. The assembly process will also help you figure out how it works in case you need to perform maintenance more easily in the future.
Key features:
- A rigid laser cut frame made of Baltic birch
- SG20U supported rail system
- GT2 belt drive on X and Y axis
- 5/16 -18 nut on the Z axis
Deeper Look At Specifications
Some people have wondered what upgrades can be made to this machine to improve its performance. That depends on what you want to do with it, but a deeper understanding of its capabilities might help make these decisions.
For instance, one common concern is whether or not it makes sense to upgrade the nema17 stepper motors to nema23. As it is, the Nema17 stepper motors have a ton of torque. The router can hum along easily at over 200 inches per minute. That will be more than enough torque to handle reasonable cutting feed rates.
To be fair, most of the time, the rigidity of this machine is suprisingly good. But one thing to watch out for with the E4 is that the Z drive screw can have a lot of play no matter how hard the nut is fastened into the carriage. That makes stable alignment of the screw to the motor nearly impossible and causes a good amount of wobble overall on the z axis. The wobble diminishes as the spindle gets closer to work surface, but this could be a problem for larger projects that demand more precision.
If you run into this problem or any other problem with assembly or functionality of the BobsCNC E4, you can actually send a message to the company and sometimes talk directly to Bob himself! If the problem can’t be resolved via messaging online, then he will even give you a call and walk you through the troubleshooting process. Customer service doesn’t get much better than that.
Pros
- Perfect for beginners
- 20% discount for schools and educators
- Amazing customer service – you can talk to Bob himself!
- Sturdy build with a Dewalt router included
- Great assembly instructions and tons of resources online
- Large work area: 24x24x3.3 inches
- If you like playing with Legos and working with wood, this machine will be your favorite new toy!
Cons
- Sometimes the Z drive screw wobbles slightly as the router moves vertically, but this is fixable
- Long assembly time, but putting it together is half the fun!
- A rigid laser cut 5-Ply Baltic Birch frame with SG20U supported rail system.
- GT2 9mm belt drive on X and Y-axis and Tr8 Acme Rod mounted with an ACME Nut on the Z-axis.
- NEMA 17 Stepper Motors and Home switches on all axes with a Self-Squaring Gantry.
- 1/2” MDF, with aluminum T-Slot Spoilboard and includes the Makita RT0701C Variable Speed Router.
- Designed to use GRBL1.1 firmware on the Arduino Uno with repeatability of 0.002” to 0.004”.
3. Upgrade Version CNC 3018 Pro
This so-called “Upgrade Version CNC 3018 Pro” seems to be an attempt to clone the Genmitsu from Sainsmart. In fact, it is just one of many nearly identical CNC kits that are obvious clones of the Genmitsu. This kit even has “3018 Pro” as part of its name. As a result, it almost didn’t make this list. After all, why mess around with a copy when you can have the real thing?
But this type of clone is so ubiquitous on sites like Amazon and Ebay that it is worth considering on its own merits. And this particular kit comes with a few extra bells and whistles that might make it the better choice that the original, surprisingly enough. Considering that it is quite a bit cheaper than the Gimnitsu though, these added bells and whistles start to look like a bargain.
For instance, one thing we mentioned above that would be nice to have along with the Genmitsu is an offline controller. This kit comes with one already included so you don’t have to purchase it separately. That is perhaps the main selling point of this kit over the original, especially when you take into account that it is cheaper than the Gemnitsu
The specifications and assembly procedures are nearly identical to the Gemnitsu. Just like the Gemnitsu it also comes with a range of tools (bits, for those who don’t speak CNC lingo) that allow you to mill several different styles of cuts across different materials.
The major difference is that the packaging is a little bit cheaper, and some of the individual parts are slightly different such as the collet and the power adapter, which is a Liteon power adapter that puts out 12 watts. But really the main difference is that it comes with the offline control board.
Interestingly, it comes with mini disk, not a flash drive, to deliver files like the instructions and software. That is a bit odd. It also doesn’t include any wire wraps or sleeves. Instead, it comes with zip ties.
Key features:
- Gemnitsu clone with basically the same specifications
- Straightforward assembly instructions
- Included offline controller to allow inputting commands without connecting to a computer
More Well-rounded Kit Than The Original
One thing to keep in mind about Sainsmart is that it is a large Chinese manufacturer, and many smaller brands sell similar or identical machines and parts for cheaper prices. That seems to be the case with this clone.
In fact, this clone and all of the similar clones you will find on Amazon and Ebay and other marketplaces almost certainly come from the same manufacturer or use the same production designs as each other. That means you can often find kits like this one that are cheaper and include extra features that the original doesn’t have.
The big question is: is it too risky to by from this supplier? The honest answer is that it is probably no riskier than buying from SainSmart. Customer service and return policies might be different, but SainSmart isn’t known for its customer service anyway (we discussed this in our review of SainSmart 3D printer filaments).
So if you are thinking about purchasing the Gimnitsu from Sainsmart, you might do well to shop around for a better deal. This clone is a good place to start. The added controller and cheaper price already make it a better deal than the original.
Pros
- Gemnitsu clone with basically the same specifications
- Straightforward assembly instructions
- Included offline controller to allow inputting commands without connecting to a computer
- Check the specification of the Gemnitsu for approximate if not identical specifications of most of the parts of this clone
Cons
- Not great customer support
- Doesn’t work with a Mac
- Updated GRBL Board: mcwdoit have upgraded the GRBL control board of for this mini CNC machine to make it more stable and complete- support emergency stop button and X/Y/Z axis limit which helps to protect the machine and extended service life. External cooling Fan and Fixed Heat Sink helps dissipate heat quickly during operation. The Self-contained short circuit protection, Not easy to damage. Upgraded safe protection functions help beginner to using and learning without worry.
- Easy Assembly & Use: mcwdoit cnc 3018-Pro engraver machine is an upgraded version of 3018. This new version already has the base installed, you just need to install the gantry part. Besides, this cnc machine tool set coming with a paper manual and USB flash drive of all the software and user manual files which greatly reduces the difficulty of assembly and improves the working accuracy.
- Offline Controller: Why choose offline controller? The CNC carving machine can operate even without connecting computer. It is easier to use and control as a learner: sending/wirting G-code files or NC file into the included 1GB SD card, manually adjust X, Y, Z axis location as engraving starting point, manually open or close spindle. Then you could start to engraving/ cutting all types of plastics, soft aluminum, woods, acrylics, PVC, and PCB, ect.
- Specification: Effective engraving area: 30x18x4.5cm (11.8 x 7.1 x 1.8 "). Frame size: 42x35x27cm(16.53x13.78x10.63"). Material: Aluminum alloy + PF. Spindle: 775 spindle motor (12-24V) 24V, 8000rpm. Stepper motor: 42 stepper motor, 12V-24V, phase current 1.33A, torque 0.3N.m. Software version: GRBL 1.1f version(open source).
- Warm Tips: Tips1: This cnc wood router machine come with a UL Approved power adapter which support for the drop in 20,000rpm Spindle, no need to modify G-code to ramp up to full speed. Tips2：You could also match a lassr module to replace the included 775 spindle motor if you are a CNC engraving enthusiast looking for an upgrade, it can absolutely give you different ways to unleash your creativity.
1. NEXT WAVE AUTOMATION CNC Piranha Fx
Benchtop CNC machines like the Piranha Fx have really grown in popularity over recent years in the woodworking industry. They offer a lot of capabilities for a relatively small investment.
Next Wave has really upped the ante though by adding a laser engraver and 3D printer to the machine on top of the CNC functionality. The tripple functionality of this machine instantly makes it one of the most versatile additions to any workshop.
First thing to notice about the machine is that it comes with a beautiful offline controller with an LCD touch screen so that you can control it without hooking it up to a computer. You can plug a flash drive into the controller, choose the file you want to work with, and let the machine to the rest.
When you want to change over to the laser engraver, you simply switch out the router head from the CNC with a laser head. Just make sure to retighten the collet properly after you make the switch. It is a 4 watt laser, than is going to let you engrave beautiful designs in wood and several other types of materials, such as leather and wood-fil 3D filaments.
Then, if you want to switch over to the 3D printer, a few more adjustments are needed. You switch out the laser head for the an extruder head, but this time you also flip up the mounting block for the router to create enough z-axis room to print. Finally, add a glass print bed to the CNC work bed.
Key features:
- 3-in-1 CNC, 3D printer, and laser engraver
- Perfect for beginners and educators working with children
- Offline controller with LCD touch screen
- Sturdy build and all-metal construction.
3-in-1 CNC, 3D printer, and laser engraver
With three types of work that can be done all in the same machine, the creative possibilities open up significantly. You can work the same materials in several ways and save on storage space by reducing three machines into one.
The main question with these kinds of multifunctional tools is whether the capabilities will be high enough quality across each of the different domains of work for the combo to make sense. After all, it is not worth investing in a 3-in-1 machine if the 3D printer clogs too much, or the CNC router can’t handle details, or if the laser isn’t powerful enough.
In this case, Next Wave has done a great job ensuring that each of the 3 core functionalities of the machine are able to produce good results with minimal error and a smooth user experience. In addition, the parts of the machine are study, and the three heads are made of solid metal so they won’t be damaged easily.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Vcarve software that comes with this machine is not as easy to work with as other bespoke softwares. The learning curve can be steep and the UI can be cumbersome. Watch out for this especially if you are intending to do a lot of 3D printing on top of CNC cutting.
Another tip: order the XL model if you can. The FX work area / build volume is relatively small which limits the size of the objects you can work on (12″ x 12″). The XL model provides ample room to carve larger boards and provides more Z-axis headroom (4 inches as opposed to the Fx’s 3 inches) so that you can work with larger bits and make deeper cuts into thicker boards.
Pros
- 3-in-1 CNC router, 3D printer, and laser engraver
- Offline controller with LCD touch screen
- Sturdy build and all-metal construction
- CNC can carve many different materials, including wood, plastics, and more
- Laser engraver can operate on wood, wood filaments, and leather
- 3D printer functions just like an entry-level 3D printer, such as the Monoprice Mini
Cons
- Smaller work are / build volume
- Steeper learning curve
- Vcarve software is a bit hard to use (but you get used to it)
- Sold on Amazon
Conclusion
The benchtop CNC router has become a staple of the woodworking industry and spurred an entirely new generation of young people to rediscover the joy of woodworking. These machines offer a huge amount of value for a relatively low amount of investment. Considering how hard it is to achieve similar results carving wood with a conventional router, these machines are a must-have for any wood shop or maker space.
The make thing to keep in mind when looking to a model to purchase is the quality of the parts, whether it comes with assembly instructions or not, and whether the size of the machine will allow you to complete the projects you want to work on.
For instance, more than a couple of people have bought the Piranha FX CNC machine only to discover that it is smaller than expected. They eventually upgrade to the XL, but they could have saved a lot of time and energy by checking the size of the build area in the first place.
If we had to recommend one machine on this list, it would be the BobsCNC E4. Yes, it does take a long time to assemble, but hey, that’s half the fun of buying the machine! Think of it like building a lego set to make more legos. Also if you get stuck, you can just contact Bob directly and have all of your troubleshooting requests answered by the man who made the kit directly.
Let us know what you think of these CNC machines and the others out there like them. There are tons of good CNC machines carving away these days. If you find one you like more than those on this list, or if you have a question about anything we covered, feel free to let us know in the comments section below.
Happy carving!