Longer: Unlocking Creativity with Cutting-Edge 3D Printers and Laser Engravers

Longer positions itself as a steadfast companion for creators, offering a comprehensive suite of 3D printers and laser engravers designed to transform ideas into tangible realities. With the motto “With Longer, Make It Better,” the brand aims to equip both hobbyists and professionals with high-quality tools. This review delves into their diverse product ecosystem, encompassing traditional FDM and resin 3D printers, a wide array of laser engravers, and their newly introduced UV printers, analyzing their features, performance, and overall value proposition in the competitive digital fabrication market.

Innovative Offerings: UV Printers Leading the Charge

Longer is making significant waves with its UV printer technology, introducing products that stand out for their advanced features and capabilities. These devices are designed for precision and vibrant color output, targeting users looking for unique printing solutions.

• LONGER NANO DUO AI Laser Engraver: This portable marvel integrates Artificial Intelligence, boasting a 20W diode and 2W infrared laser. It’s pitched as a powerful engraving tool, currently available at a special offer of $1599.99, down from its original price of $2199.00. The AI integration suggests enhanced ease of use and potentially optimized engraving processes, making it attractive for creative professionals or tech-savvy hobbyists seeking advanced functionality in a compact form factor.
• LONGER EPRINT / SE: A pioneering personal UV printer featuring a dual print head, the ePrint series offers enhanced versatility for projects requiring intricate detail or multi-material capabilities. Launched to significant acclaim, it raised over one million dollars on Kickstarter in just 45 minutes, underscoring strong market demand and positive initial reception. Priced from $1499 (originally $2199), it represents a premium option for users demanding professional-grade UV printing at a personal scale.

Laser Engravers: Precision and Power for Every Skill Level

Longer’s laser engraver lineup is extensive, catering to a broad spectrum of users from industrial professionals to entry-level hobbyists, each series optimized for specific performance needs.

B1 Series: The Professional’s Choice

Aimed at serious users and professionals, the B1 series offers robust power and precision for demanding tasks.

• Longer B1 30W/40W Laser Engraving Machine: Available for $619.99, with options up to 40W.
• Longer B1 30W Laser Engraving Machine: Also priced at $619.99.
• Longer B1 20W Laser Engraving Machine: An accessible entry point at $459.99.

Professionals highly regard the B1 series for its capability in metal engraving, high cutting speed, and seamless compatibility with industry-standard software like LaserGRBL and LightBurn on both Windows and macOS. This series is built for heavy-duty, precise work.

Ray5 Series: The Beginner-Friendly Powerhouse

The Ray5 series is designed for ease of use and affordability, making it an excellent starting point for those new to laser engraving.

• Longer Ray5 10W/20W Laser Engraver: Ideal for beginners at just $239.99.
• Longer Ray5 20W Laser Engraver: A more powerful option at $379.99, significantly discounted from its original $799.99.
• Longer Ray5 mini Laser Engraver: A compact and economical choice at $109.99.

The Ray5 series offers a balance of power and approachability, making it suitable for experimenting with various materials and projects without a steep learning curve.

Nano Series: Portable Precision

The Nano series emphasizes portability and exceptional precision, allowing users to take their engraving capabilities on the go.

• Longer Nano Pro 12W & Nano 6W Portable Laser Engraver: Starts from $489.99.
• Longer Nano 6W Portable Laser Engraver: Priced at $489.99.

The Nano Pro 12W, in particular, is highlighted for its speed, accuracy, and ease of transport, perfect for artists, educators, or small businesses requiring mobile engraving solutions.

3D Printers: Bringing Concepts to Life

Longer’s 3D printing division offers both FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and resin-based printers, accommodating different printing needs from robust prototypes to highly detailed models.

LK Series (FDM 3D Printers): Layer by Layer Creation

The LK series focuses on filament-based printing, known for its versatility and suitability for a wide range of functional parts and prototypes.

• Longer LK5 PRO FDM 3D Printer: A robust machine for $259.99.
• Longer LK4 X FDM 3D Printer: A versatile option at $279.99.
• LK4 PRO FDM 3D Printer: The most budget-friendly choice at $179.99.

These FDM printers provide accessible entry points into 3D printing, suitable for hobbyists and educational settings, offering reliable performance for everyday printing tasks.

Orange Series (Resin 3D Printers): Detail-Oriented Production

For those requiring intricate details and smooth finishes, the Orange series resin printers are designed to impress.

• Orange 4K Resin 3D Printer: For high-resolution enthusiasts at $199.99.
• Orange 10 Resin 3D Printer: An economical entry into resin printing for $99.99.
• LONGER Orange 30 Resin 3D Printer: A reliable classic at $149.99.

The Orange series caters to users in jewelry design, miniatures, and other fields where fine detail is paramount, offering advanced resin printing technology at competitive prices.

Accessories and Materials: Completing the Ecosystem

Beyond the core machines, Longer provides a comprehensive range of accessories and materials essential for maximizing the functionality of their equipment. However, a notable observation across the accessory range is the frequent “sold out” status of several popular items.

Laser Engraver Accessories

• Laser Modules: Power upgrades for Ray5 (5W, 10W, 20W, 30W — currently sold out!) or B1 (40W — currently sold out!).
• Honeycomb Worktables: Essential for surface protection and improved engraving quality, but frequently out of stock.
• Rotary Roller Kits: For engraving cylindrical objects like mugs and bottles, also popular enough to be consistently sold out.
• Extension Kits: To enlarge the working area for Ray5 and B1 series, these are also currently sold out.
• Laser Engraver Enclosures: For safety and environmental protection, enclosures for Nano, B1, and Ray5 are highly requested and sold out.

While the availability of these accessories demonstrates a commitment to a full ecosystem, the consistent “sold out” status for popular items like higher-wattage laser modules, worktables, rotary kits, and extension kits suggests a significant supply chain challenge or extremely high demand that Longer is struggling to meet. This could be a considerable frustration for users looking to expand their machine’s capabilities.

Engraving Materials

• DIY Engraving Material Pack (77 pieces): $39.99.
• Engraving Consumables (10 vibrant colors): $12.99.
• Longer Diversified Plywood Sheets (30x30x0.3 cm): $29.99.

3D Printing Materials

• PLA Filament (1KG): $20.99.
• ABS Filament (1KG): $20.99.
• TPU Filament for 3D printer: $20.99.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Diverse Product Portfolio: Longer offers a broad range of 3D printers (FDM, Resin, UV) and laser engravers (beginner to professional, portable to high-power), catering to a wide user base.
• Innovation and Advanced Features: The introduction of AI-powered laser engravers (Nano Duo AI) and dual-print head UV printers (ePrint/SE) demonstrates a strong commitment to innovation.
• Targeted Offerings: Clear segmentation of products for beginners (Ray5 series, Orange 10) and professionals (B1 series, Nano Pro, Orange 4K) makes selection straightforward.
• Strong Market Validation: The ePrint series’ rapid success on Kickstarter (over $1M in 45 minutes) highlights a product that resonates deeply with the creative community.
• Software Compatibility: Professional laser engravers (B1 series) are fully compatible with industry-standard software like LaserGRBL and LightBurn.
• Competitive Pricing and Deals: Many products, especially newer or higher-wattage models, are offered with significant discounts from their original prices.
• Comprehensive Support and Services: Includes 12-month warranty, flexible payment options, free shipping over $49 (US/EU), and dedicated customer support.
• Community and Ecosystem: Programs like Affiliate, Trade Up, Maker Kits, and Makers Club foster engagement and continued creativity.

Weaknesses:

• Consistent Stock Shortages: The frequent “sold out” status of popular accessories (laser modules, honeycomb tables, rotary kits, extension kits, enclosures) is a significant drawback. This indicates either an underestimation of demand or supply chain inefficiencies, which can frustrate users looking to enhance their equipment.
• Limited Information on Software for 3D Printers: While laser engraver software compatibility is highlighted, similar details for 3D printers (slicers, etc.) are not explicitly mentioned in the provided content.
• Lack of Specific Use-Case Examples for UV Printers: While “color and precision” are mentioned, detailed real-world applications or material compatibility for the new UV printers could further enhance their appeal.

Real-World Applications and Unique Differentiators

Longer’s product range facilitates a plethora of creative and commercial applications. The precision of their laser engravers allows for personalized jewelry, custom wedding gifts, and unique designs etched into wood. Small businesses can leverage these tools to offer bespoke customization services, adding significant value to their product lines. The 3D printers, both FDM and resin, empower rapid prototyping, creation of functional parts, and highly detailed artistic models, from concept to tangible object.

What truly sets Longer apart are its innovative strides: the integration of AI in portable laser engravers (NANO DUO AI) signals a future-forward approach to intelligent tools. The pioneering dual-print head personal UV printer (EPRINT/SE) offers unmatched versatility for color and multi-material projects. Furthermore, the strong community backing demonstrated by the ePrint’s Kickstarter success solidifies Longer’s position as a brand that genuinely connects with its user base and delivers highly anticipated products.

Verdict and Recommendation

Longer presents a robust and impressively diverse ecosystem of digital fabrication tools that genuinely cater to a broad audience, from absolute beginners to seasoned professionals. Their commitment to innovation, exemplified by AI-powered laser engravers and advanced UV printers, is commendable and positions them as a forward-thinking brand.

For beginners, the Ray5 series laser engravers and LK4 PRO FDM 3D printer offer excellent, affordable entry points without compromising too much on capability. The Orange 10 provides a budget-friendly foray into high-detail resin printing.

Professionals and small businesses will find immense value in the B1 series laser engravers for their power, precision, and software compatibility, along with the high-resolution Orange 4K resin printer. The NANO DUO AI Laser Engraver and EPRINT/SE UV printer are particularly compelling for those seeking cutting-edge technology and unique customization capabilities.

While the persistent “sold out” status for popular accessories is a tangible weakness that could hinder user experience and expansion plans, it also speaks volumes about the high demand and desirability of Longer’s products. This is a challenge the company needs to address to fully support its growing user base.

Overall, Longer delivers significant value with its competitive pricing, innovative features, and comprehensive support. Despite the accessory availability issues, their core machines are powerful, versatile, and well-suited to help creators “Make It Better.” Longer is highly recommended for anyone looking to invest in reliable and advanced 3D printing and laser engraving technology.