Protocol Used to Find the Bugs.

The observations below are presented in the order we encountered them. Each issue was documented and communicated to XlaserLab during the review period. Their response to our findings was summarized by their own representative, who stated in writing:

"We are indeed experiencing many problems with our machines."
— XlaserLab representative, WeChat, September 4, 2026

What follows is our documentation of what those problems are.

Observation 1 — Missing Manual and a QR Code That Goes Nowhere
On the top of the machine, XlaserLab placed a QR code directing the user to tutorials. It links to the company's home page. No tutorials were there. The box inventory listed an instruction manual. No manual was in the box.

Observation 2 — Software Download Blocked by Browser
The EDone software download was flagged and blocked by Chrome during installation. This was not mentioned anywhere in the setup documentation.

Observation 3 — Software Launched in Chinese
On first launch, EDone opened entirely in Chinese with no language selection prompt. There was no instruction in the manual directing the user to change the language setting. For an American buyer, this is the first thing they see.

Observation 4 — No Glass Preset, No Transparent Material Warning
EDone contains no preset for glass engraving and provides no warning about auto-focus behavior on transparent materials.

Observation 5 — Camera Cover Not Addressed in Setup
The machine ships with a camera cover that must be removed before use. The setup instructions did not clearly direct the user to remove it. A new user following the manual step by step would not know this was required.

Observation 6 — Camera Location Not Documented
The onboard camera's location inside the machine is not identified or explained in any provided documentation. Its function and position were discovered independently, not through any guide.

Observation 7 — Cut-Off Sentence in Vision Focus Dialog
The Vision Focus dialog inside EDone contains an incomplete sentence — the text cuts off mid-instruction. The user is left without the complete guidance the software was attempting to provide.

Observation 8 — B-Field/A-Field Lens Swap Not Explained
The manual references switching between B-field and A-field lenses without explaining that this requires a physical lens swap. A user following the instructions would not know a hardware change was required to proceed.

Observation 9 — Masking Tape Workaround Not Documented (for Focusing)
A masking tape application step — necessary for certain engraving setups — was not included in any provided documentation. This workaround was discovered through external research, not through XlaserLab's own materials.

Observation 10 — Two Red Dots Not Explained
The machine projects two red dots during operation. Neither dot is identified or explained in the manual. Their purpose, alignment function, and relationship to the engraving area are left entirely to the user to figure out.

Observation 11 — No U.S. Business-Hours Support
Live customer support is not available during standard American business hours. This was confirmed directly through XlaserLab's own chat system. A buyer in the United States with an urgent issue during their workday has no live support option.

Observation 12 — No Onboard Memory — PC Sleep Kills the Job
The machine has no onboard memory. If the connected PC goes to sleep during an engraving run, the job is lost. This was not disclosed in any documentation. For production use, this is a significant operational risk.

Observation 13 — Rotary Cannot Grip a Pint Glass
The included rotary attachment could not grip a standard pint glass. This is one of the primary use cases demanded by the industry. The rotary rollers are not designed to hold the diameter of a typical pint glass securely.

Observation 14 — No Rotary Instructions, Tutorial Videos, or Wiring Specification
No instruction booklet was included with the rotary attachment. No tutorial videos were available at the time of testing. We requested the rotary wiring specification multiple times. It was never shared. We could not determine if PiBurn or Roto Boss rotary attachments were compatible.

Observation 15 — No AI Assistant for Setup Guidance
The software contains no built-in AI assistant or guided setup help. For a machine targeting new users, the absence of any in-software guidance compounds every other documentation gap on this list.

Observation 16 — Air Purification Not Included
No air filtration or purification system was included with the review unit. XlaserLab confirmed it is sold separately. Operating a UV laser without air filtration in an enclosed space is a health and safety consideration that should be communicated clearly at point of sale.

Observation 17 — No Branding or Identification Decal
The machine shipped with no external branding decal or product identification plate. This was submitted to XlaserLab as feedback.

Observation 18 — Rotary Size Limitations Not Documented
The rotary attachment's size limitations — what it can and cannot hold — are not documented anywhere in the provided materials. A buyer has no way to know in advance whether their intended workpiece will fit.

Observation 19 — Complete User Manual Never Provided
A complete E3 user manual was not provided with the machine and was not available on the XlaserLab website during our testing period. Multiple requests for documentation went unanswered or unresolved.

Observation 20 — Safety Glasses Not Included or Available for Purchase
UV laser operation requires appropriate safety glasses. None were included with the machine. XlaserLab's representative confirmed that safety glasses exist but are not included with the unit. No clear specification or purchase source was provided.

Observation 21 — Safety Shield Cannot Close With Rotary Installed
When the rotary attachment is in place, the safety shield cannot be fully closed. This means UV laser operation with the rotary requires the enclosure to remain open.

Observation 22 — Contour Graphic Scaling Is Awkward
The contour graphic scaling tool in EDone does not behave intuitively. Adjusting the contour boundary around an image requires a workaround process that is not explained anywhere in the documentation.

Observation 23 — No Recent Files List in EDone
EDone contains no recent files list. Every session requires the user to manually locate and reload their project files from scratch. This is a basic software convenience missing from the workflow.

Observation 24 — No Documentation on Leather — Color vs. Contrast Results
The documentation provides no guidance on what results to expect when engraving leather — whether the output will produce a color change, a contrast mark, or depth. A buyer intending to use this machine on leather has no baseline to work from.

Observation 25 — No Sample 3D Files Included for Crystal Engraving
No sample 3D files were included with the machine for internal crystal engraving. A compatible file was eventually provided by XlaserLab during our correspondence, but it should have been included from the start.

Observation 26 — Accepted 3D File Formats Not Documented
The file formats accepted by EDone for internal crystal engraving are not documented anywhere in the provided materials. The user is left to discover through trial and error what the software will and will not accept.

Observation 27 — Height Field and Auto-Focus Relationship Not Explained
The relationship between the height field setting and the auto-focus system is not explained in the manual or the software. A user adjusting height parameters has no guidance on how those inputs interact with the machine's focus behavior.

Observation 28 — Toolbar Icons Invisible at Lower Monitor Brightness
At standard or lower monitor brightness settings, several EDone toolbar icons become nearly invisible. There is no documentation acknowledging this or suggesting display settings to compensate.

Observation 29 — Icons Grayed Out With No File on Canvas
When no file is loaded on the canvas, the majority of EDone's toolbar icons are grayed out with no explanation. A new user has no way to know why the software appears non-functional. This was resolved — but only after contacting XlaserLab's sales chatbot. It is not addressed anywhere in the documentation.

ONCE BUGS TAKE OVER

People ask for DETAILS

Observation 30 — No E3 Manual Available on the XlaserLab Website
During our entire testing period, no E3 user manual was publicly available on the XlaserLab website. A buyer who loses the printed materials or purchases secondhand has no way to access documentation through official channels.

Observation 31 — No Onboarding Direction to Chat Support
Nothing in the setup process directs a new user to XlaserLab's chat support as a resource. Given the volume of undocumented steps in this machine's setup, the absence of any pointer to available help compounds every other onboarding gap on this list.

Observation 32 — Color Marking: Defocus Step Buried and Unexplained
Color marking on stainless steel requires a 5mm Z-axis defocus — a non-obvious step that is not clearly explained in the EDone color marking module. The software provides no focus tool for this process. After more than five hours of testing, this feature could not be completed as described. It was formally closed as a failed test.

Observation 33 — EDone Auto-Deselects All Objects on Material Change
When the material setting is changed in EDone, all objects on the canvas are automatically deselected with no warning. Any work in progress is disrupted without notice, requiring the user to reselect and reposition before continuing.

Observation 34 — Z-Axis Defocus Has No Position Readout
When adjusting the Z-axis for defocus engraving, EDone provides no numerical position readout. The user has no way to confirm the exact defocus distance being applied, making repeatable results impossible to achieve.

Observation 35 — Material Setting Reverts to Default on Its Own
During testing, the material setting reverted to Default without any user input. This occurred mid-session and was not triggered by any deliberate action. A job running with the wrong material profile will produce incorrect results with no warning.

Observation 36 — LightBurn Listed as Compatible — It Is Not
LightBurn is listed as compatible software for the E3. It does not work. The machine was not detected by LightBurn during testing. No galvo driver exists for this controller architecture. XlaserLab's own representative confirmed this in writing during our review engagement. The product listing has since been updated, but the claim was present at the time of purchase for buyers who relied on it.

Observation 37 — PNG Import Applies Newsprint Filter After Color Marking Session
After a color marking session, importing a PNG image into EDone caused the software to apply a newsprint-style filter to the image automatically. This is unintended behavior. The image must be re-imported or the session restarted to clear it.

Observation 38 — Model Store Is Essentially Empty
The EDone model store contains very few usable models. For a machine marketed around 3D and relief engraving capabilities, the in-software library provides almost nothing to work with out of the box.

Observation 39 — Flat Engraving Double Fire on Business Cards
During flat engraving testing on business cards, the laser fired twice on the same path — producing a double-burn effect and degraded text quality. This occurred without any change to settings between runs. A YouTube Short documenting this result, which had reached over 14,000 views, was temporarily set to private while we investigated.

Observation 40 — Built-In Camera Is Mode-Specific and Undocumented
The machine's built-in camera functions only in 3D internal crystal engraving mode. It does not operate in flat engraving, rotary, or relief modes. This limitation is not disclosed anywhere in the documentation. A buyer expecting the camera to assist with alignment across all modes will find it non-functional in most of them.

Observation 41 — Third-Party Rotary Wiring Specification Inaccessible
The wiring specification required to connect a third-party rotary attachment was requested through multiple channels over the course of our review. It was never provided. Support emails sent to XlaserLab regarding this went unanswered.

Observation 42 — EDone Is the Only Software That Will Ever Work
The E3 controller architecture is not compatible with any industry-standard galvo software. EDone is the only software that will ever operate this machine. Buyers who have invested in LightBurn workflows or other platforms have no migration path. This also means the machine's long-term viability is entirely dependent on XlaserLab continuing to develop and support EDone. XlaserLab's representative confirmed during our engagement that the software was contracted from a third party.

Observation 43 — Model Library Distributes Files EDone Will Not Accept
The XlaserLab model library provides downloadable files for use with the E3. During testing, files downloaded from this library were rejected by EDone as incompatible. The library and the software are not coordinated.

Observation 44 — EDone 3D Module: No Drag-to-Position, No Center-Model
The 3D module in EDone provides no way to drag a model to a specific position on the canvas or center it automatically. Placement requires manual coordinate entry with no visual feedback. For precise work, this is a significant workflow limitation.

Observation 45 — Centering Bar Prevents Safety Shield From Closing
The centering bar — used to position workpieces — physically prevents the safety shield from closing fully when in place. A new user following setup instructions would be operating the UV laser with the enclosure open without realizing it.

Observation 46 — Centering Bar Removal Procedure Is Undocumented
Removing the centering bar to allow the shield to close is not explained anywhere in the documentation. The procedure was discovered independently. There is no guidance, no warning, and no reference to this step in any provided material.

Observation 47 — Relief Engraving Instructions Specify No File Format
The relief engraving instructions do not specify what file format is required. A user preparing to run a relief job has no guidance on whether to use STL, OBJ, or any other format before they begin.

Observation 48 — No Sample Relief Model Provided
No sample relief model was included with the machine or available through the software. To test this feature, a $4 flat-bottom bas-relief coin STL was purchased externally. A working sample file should be part of any machine marketed around relief engraving capability.

Observation 49 — Solar System Sample File Is Wrong Geometry for Relief
The solar system sample file included with EDone is not suitable for relief engraving. Relief engraving requires a flat-bottom model. The solar system file does not meet this requirement and will not produce a usable result if a buyer attempts to use it for this purpose.

Observation 50 — Flat-Bottom Model Requirement Never Stated
The requirement that relief engraving models must have a flat bottom is never stated in any documentation or instruction. This is a fundamental requirement for the feature to function. A buyer using a standard 3D model will get no result and no explanation why.

Observation 51 — Image-to-Model Conversion Removed and Placed Behind a Paywall
EDone previously included an image-to-3D model conversion tool. During our testing period this feature was removed from the software and placed behind an 888-credit paywall. Buyers who purchased the machine expecting this capability as part of the software no longer have access to it without additional payment.

Observation 52 — Polished Brass Blocked in Relief Mode
When polished brass was selected as the material for relief engraving, EDone returned a popup stating the selected material is not suitable for the current marking mode and automatically reassigned the material to hard maple. The machine's own representative confirmed in writing that the E3 does not support relief engraving on metal materials.

Observation 53 — Square and Circle Frames Report Different Physical Dimensions
When using EDone's framing function, a square frame and a circle frame broadcast different physical dimensions for the same workspace. The inconsistency makes accurate workpiece positioning unreliable and was not acknowledged in any documentation.

Observation 54 — Displayed Power Percentage Does Not Reflect Actual Output
The power percentage displayed in EDone does not represent the machine's absolute laser output. Actual power is controlled by the material profile, not the displayed number. During relief engraving testing at 100% displayed power on hard maple, the laser output was low enough that the beam was only visible when room lights were turned off. This relationship is not explained anywhere in the documentation.

Observation 55 — Relief Engraving Produced Zero Physical Depth
After approximately one hour and fifteen minutes of relief engraving on a flat-bottom bas-relief coin model, the result was color change only. There was no measurable physical depth. No relief was produced. The machine's own representative confirmed in writing that the E3 does not support relief engraving on metal and that relief carving is currently only applicable to wood, glass, and stone.

Observation 56 — Relief Engraving on Wood Also Failed
Following the representative's written statement that relief carving works on wood, the same model was run on wood. The result was a flat burned impression with no relief pattern. Relief engraving did not function on any tested material during our review period.

Observation 57 — XlaserLab's AI Chatbot Provided Inaccurate Capability Information
XlaserLab's official AI chatbot, when asked whether the E3 supports brass coin relief engraving, confirmed that it does. The machine's own representative confirmed in the same conversation that the chatbot's answer was incorrect and that the E3 does not support this capability. The chatbot is a live buyer-facing tool. At the time this review was written, the chatbot response had not been corrected.

Our Opinion

For the beginner, in my opinion this system is not ready. The learning curve is steep, the documentation is incomplete, and the software has not matured to the point where someone new to laser engraving can pick it up and succeed without significant outside research. That is not a criticism of the concept — it is an observation about the current state of the product.

For the professional, the limitations are different but just as real. The inability to engrave a standard pint glass with the included rotary, the confirmed incompatibility with LightBurn, and the relief engraving failures we documented are not beginner problems. They are capability gaps in a machine positioned as a professional tool.

The software was, by XlaserLab's own representative's admission, built by a third party. FauxHammer noted similar concerns nearly nine months ago, before this machine shipped to us. Those concerns were not resolved before launch.

The machine is not currently sold on Amazon. XlaserLab does sell on Amazon in other categories, and the absence of the E3 there may reflect an awareness of how customer reviews accumulate on that platform.

Finally — improvements were reportedly being made throughout our testing period. If any item on this list is resolved, we will note it. We have no interest in keeping an accurate record inaccurate.

 
"On the Bright Side" 

The hardware tells a different story than the software. It is my understanding that the laser source in the E3 is sourced from a well-regarded supplier used by machines at significantly higher price points. If that holds, the optical core of this machine may be capable of more than the current software allows it to demonstrate.

Company culture can change. US business hours support is possible for a company that decides to prioritize it. Documentation can be written. Software can be updated. None of what we documented is permanent — it is a snapshot of where this product is today.

I do maintain an Amazon store where I list products for comparison — commissions can be earned on purchases made through those links. The E3 is not listed there because it is not available on Amazon. My editorial position on this review is independent of any commercial consideration.

XTOOL   ComMarker#1  ComMarker#2