Which AEON Laser Is Right for Your Business? MIRA S vs NOVA Elite vs Super NOVA

Updated 6 August 2026.

Choosing an AEON laser is not simply a question of buying the largest machine or the highest wattage. The correct platform depends on the products you make, the sheet sizes you buy, how much cutting and engraving you do, the space available in your workshop and the volume you expect the machine to handle.

The short answer: choose MIRA S when you need a compact professional CO₂ laser for a studio, small workshop or mixed-product business. Choose NOVA Elite when larger sheets, stronger cutting configurations and production capacity matter more. Choose Super NOVA when one large-format platform must combine a glass CO₂ source for cutting with an RF CO₂ source for fast, detailed engraving.

MIRA S vs NOVA Elite vs Super NOVA: quick comparison

All three are professional enclosed CO₂ platforms, but they solve different capacity problems. A MIRA9 S is not automatically a lesser business tool than a NOVA10 Elite: the MIRA may be the better choice for a compact workshop with frequent product changes, while the NOVA is the better choice for larger stock and cutting-led work.

Who should choose an AEON MIRA S?

MIRA S is the compact professional family. It is designed for businesses that need serious CO₂ capability without dedicating the floor space required by a large-format production machine. The current range combines an enclosed Class 1 configuration with autofocus, camera-assisted positioning, integrated supporting systems and AEON’s stable optical-path and tool-less optical design.

It is a strong match for personalised products, gifts, awards, small signage, packaging, leather goods, rubber stamps, architectural models, plywood products, acrylic displays and other mixed-material work. It also suits education, design studios and established workshops that want a second machine for smaller jobs instead of occupying a large cutting bed.

MIRA S is often the most sensible first professional CO₂ laser because the operator can develop several product lines on one platform. That versatility does not mean every configuration is identical: glass-source models favour economical mixed cutting and engraving, while RF versions are aimed more strongly at fast, fine and repeatable engraving.

MIRA5 S vs MIRA7 S vs MIRA9 S: which bed size fits?

The best bed is not the one that just fits one sample. It is the one that fits your normal product plus sensible spacing, fixtures and nesting. If a 600 mm-wide product barely fits the nominal work area, measure the complete setup—including clamps, rotary position, margins and the direction in which stock must enter.

A smaller bed can be more efficient when most work is small and frequent. A larger bed becomes valuable when it reduces material handling, lets you nest more parts per cycle or prevents you from splitting one design into several sections. Before choosing, compare your real drawings and stock sizes with the official model dimensions—not with a photograph.

Who should choose an AEON NOVA Elite?

NOVA Elite is the cutting-led step up. Its 1000 × 700, 1400 × 900 and 1600 × 1000 mm working areas accept larger products and allow more parts to be nested in one job. European-listed configurations currently extend from 90W and 100W in NOVA10 Elite to 100W or 130W in NOVA14 Elite and 130W or 150W in NOVA16 Elite.

This family makes sense for sign companies, fabrication workshops, display makers, packaging and model businesses, furniture-related production and any operation that regularly cuts larger acrylic, wood, plywood, rubber or other compatible stock. The value is not just maximum sheet size. More bed area can shorten handling time, support larger batches and make better use of standard material formats.

Current NOVA Elite configurations combine 1200 mm/s maximum engraving speed and 5G maximum acceleration with a stable optical path, tool-less optical maintenance, autofocus, camera, integrated cooling and production-oriented supporting systems. These numbers describe machine capability, not a promise that every material should be processed at maximum speed.

Choose NOVA Elite when cutting capacity and sheet handling generate more value than adding a second engraving-optimised RF source. If detailed, high-speed engraving is only an occasional job, it may be more economical to use a suitable glass-source configuration and invest the difference in extraction, installation, materials, training or workflow.

Who should choose an AEON Super NOVA?

Super NOVA combines two CO₂ laser sources in one large-format machine. The glass source is selected for cutting power and general engraving; the metal RF source is selected for fine detail, fast pulse response, high-speed engraving and long production runs where engraving quality matters.

European-listed configurations include NOVA10 Super with 100W glass plus 30W RF, NOVA14 Super with 130W glass plus 30W or 60W RF, and NOVA16 Super with 150W glass plus 30W or 60W RF. A high-power NOVA16 configuration with 260W glass and 60W RF is also listed for cutting-led businesses that still require premium RF engraving. Availability and exact configuration should always be confirmed for the destination country.

Super NOVA is the strongest fit when the order book genuinely contains two types of work:

• large-format cutting, thicker compatible stock or high-volume cut parts; and
• premium detailed engraving, fine text, photographs, textures or high-speed personalisation.

It can remove the need to choose one source character for every job, but it is not automatically the best purchase for every company. If most revenue comes from cutting and engraving is occasional, NOVA Elite may offer the more direct investment. If most products fit a smaller bed, an RF MIRA S may provide the engraving performance you need without the footprint and cost of a large dual-source platform.

Glass tube, RF source or both?

Source choice should follow the dominant process. A glass CO₂ tube is an effective, commercially sensible choice for cutting acrylic, wood, plywood and other compatible materials, while still supporting general engraving. An RF CO₂ source has a smaller spot potential, fast pulsing behaviour and strong consistency for detailed engraving and rapid raster work.

This does not mean that glass tubes cannot engrave or that RF sources cannot cut. Both can do both within their configuration. The difference is where each source gives the strongest production advantage. Our full glass CO₂ tube vs RF laser source guide compares engraving, cutting, service life, regeneration and ownership cost in more detail.

Speed, laser power and real production throughput

Maximum engraving speed is useful only when the laser source, motion system, artwork and material can use it. Current official comparison data lists glass MIRA S and NOVA Elite configurations at up to 1200 mm/s and 5G. RF MIRA5 S is listed at up to 3500 mm/s and 8G, while RF MIRA7 S and MIRA9 S are listed at up to 4000 mm/s and 8G. Super NOVA reaches up to 4000 mm/s on NOVA10 and up to 4200 mm/s on NOVA14 and NOVA16 in the relevant RF engraving mode.

Those maximum figures should not be transferred to cutting. Cutting speed depends on source power, material, thickness, focus, lens, air assist, required edge quality and the actual job. A 4200 mm/s engraving specification does not mean that the machine cuts at 4200 mm/s.

Real throughput also includes loading, camera placement, focusing, extraction, cleaning, file preparation, maintenance and unloading. Stable optics and tool-less maintenance matter because a machine that is easier to keep aligned and service can spend more time producing. Bed size matters because better nesting may create more sellable parts per cycle even when the headline motion speed is lower.

For acrylic cutting, use our CO₂ laser acrylic power and speed chart as a controlled testing reference rather than selecting a machine from wattage alone.

Which AEON family fits the products you want to sell?

Personalised gifts, coated tumblers, tags and small products

Start with MIRA S. Choose the bed around the largest jig or batch you will load, then decide between glass and RF from the balance of cutting and engraving. If high-resolution engraving dominates, compare RF MIRA configurations. A rotary attachment and safe clearance must be included in the size decision.

Acrylic signs, displays, lettering and sheet-based products

MIRA7 S or MIRA9 S can be highly productive for smaller signs and displays. Step to NOVA Elite when standard stock sizes, larger letters or batch nesting regularly exceed the compact-family bed. Choose Super NOVA only if premium RF engraving is also a meaningful part of the same workload.

Plywood products, packaging, models and batch cutting

The decision is usually driven by nesting area and cutting power. MIRA S serves smaller sheets, prototypes and short batches efficiently. NOVA Elite becomes valuable when larger sheets and more parts per cycle reduce handling. Test the exact plywood because glue, density, surface and moisture can change cutting quality.

Photographic engraving, fine text and premium detail

An RF MIRA S is the compact answer when the products fit its bed. Super NOVA is the large-format answer when premium engraving must coexist with stronger glass-source cutting. Do not pay for a large dual-source machine solely because its maximum speed is impressive; confirm that your artwork, materials and order volume can convert that capability into revenue.

Bare-metal marking or sheet-metal cutting

None of these three CO₂ families should be selected as a conventional direct bare-metal engraving or sheet-metal cutting platform. They can process suitable coatings and, with an appropriate marking compound, create bonded marks on certain metals. Direct bare-metal marking normally calls for a suitable fiber marker; sheet-metal cutting calls for a dedicated cutting technology. See our CO₂ vs fiber vs plasma vs CNC router comparison before choosing the wrong machine category.

See AEON machines in European creator workshops

Specification tables tell you what fits inside the machine. Creator content can show how the laser fits into a real design and production process. The following European examples are especially relevant to this comparison:

• The Swedish Maker: “the truth about lasers — AEON MIRA 7S” shows the compact MIRA7 S from a Swedish maker’s workshop perspective.
• Lothian Woodworks: “Is the AEON MIRA 9S Worth It?” provides a longer UK workshop review of the largest MIRA S format.
• Fox Corner: “My First CO₂ Laser — AEON MIRA 5S 60W” follows a Polish creator beginning with the compact MIRA5 S platform.
• Lekky Studio’s layered wooden lamp tutorial shows a Netherlands-based studio using a 100W AEON CO₂ laser for a larger multi-layer plywood project.

Some creator material may be produced through an ambassador, affiliate or paid-collaboration relationship. Use it to observe workflow, scale and project ideas—not as a replacement for official specifications, a material test or the written terms of your quotation.

Planning an AEON laser installation in Europe

The machine model is only one part of a successful purchase. European orders may be supplied from available regional stock or arranged as a direct factory shipment, depending on the model, configuration, country and timing. The quotation should state the route clearly.

Before paying a deposit, confirm:

• the exact model, source type, wattage, lens, accessories and software included;
• CE documentation and the configuration supplied for your market;
• whether VAT, freight, customs or import costs apply to the quoted route;
• unloading, doorway access, floor position, electrical supply and extraction route;
• delivery, installation and operator training responsibilities;
• remote and on-site support availability in your country;
• warranty terms, covered labour, parts supply and the process for service cases;
• the planned materials and a representative sample test.

Local partners can help with demonstration, installation, training and service where available. Other orders may follow a factory-supply route with an agreed support arrangement. Neither route should be assumed: the final quotation and written warranty terms define what is included for the specific order.

European manuals and current software resources are available through the AEON download centre. For a broader buying process, use our guide to choosing a professional CO₂ laser cutter in Europe.

Price: compare complete configurations, not family names

As a European reference recorded on 6 August 2026, the regional store listed MIRA5 S 45W from €5,450 excluding VAT, NOVA10 Elite 90W from €10,500 excluding VAT and NOVA10 Super 100W plus RF30W from €14,500 excluding VAT. These are indicative starting references—not universal European prices, final installed costs or promises that a specific machine is immediately available.

A complete comparison should include the exact source and power, cooling, extraction, air assist, lens, camera, rotary or other accessories, freight, VAT and any customs costs, installation, training, warranty, local service and the expected cost of downtime. A lower machine price can become the more expensive production choice if the configuration is wrong for the work.

The most expensive family is not automatically the best business decision. MIRA S can outperform a larger platform financially when its bed fits the work and fast changeovers matter. NOVA Elite can deliver better value than Super NOVA when cutting is the revenue engine. Super NOVA earns its position when both glass-source cutting and RF engraving are used often enough to avoid running two separate machines or compromising one side of the workflow.

Final checklist: which AEON laser should you buy?

1. List your five most valuable products. Record material, thickness, finished size and monthly volume.
2. Measure the largest normal job. Include fixtures, rotary clearance, margins and nesting—not only the finished product.
3. Decide whether cutting or engraving drives revenue. This determines whether glass, RF or dual source is the natural starting point.
4. Estimate real weekly capacity. Include loading, cleaning, setup and file preparation rather than using maximum motion speed alone.
5. Check the building. Measure access, floor space, extraction route, electrical supply and material storage.
6. Request material tests. Use your own files and representative stock where possible.
7. Compare written quotations line by line. Confirm delivery route, taxes, installation, training, warranty, parts and support.
8. Leave useful growth room. Buy for the next stage of your order book, but do not pay for capacity with no realistic route to use it.

Quick questions buyers ask

Is MIRA9 S better than NOVA10 Elite?

Not universally. MIRA9 S offers a 900 × 600 mm compact-family workspace with glass or RF source choices. NOVA10 Elite provides a 1000 × 700 mm floor-standing cutting-led platform with higher glass-source options and greater lifting capacity. The better machine is the one that fits the products and workload.

Is Super NOVA always faster than NOVA Elite?

Super NOVA reaches much higher maximum engraving speeds in its RF mode, but cutting speed still depends on the glass-source configuration, material, thickness and quality target. A maximum engraving specification should never be used as a cutting-speed claim.

Which AEON laser is best for a new small business?

For many new professional workshops, MIRA7 S offers a useful balance of working area and compact installation. MIRA5 S can be enough for small products, while MIRA9 S provides more nesting space and larger glass-source options. The correct answer depends on your products—not on a universal ranking.

Are AEON MIRA S, NOVA Elite and Super NOVA safe to use?

The current configurations compared in the official specification source are enclosed Class 1 laser products. Safe operation still requires correct extraction, approved materials, maintained interlocks, training and compliance with the supplied manual. Never process unknown plastics; PVC, vinyl and other unsafe materials can release toxic or corrosive fumes.

If you have narrowed the choice to two models, send the team your material, maximum product size, typical sheet format, required monthly volume and whether cutting or engraving dominates. A useful recommendation starts with the work. Contact AEON about your application and European delivery options.