If you are looking to replace the GRBL controller in your existing CNC/Laser Engraver or if you’re looking to build a CNC on your own, then this guide will help you pick the controller you need.

GRBL is one of the most popular CNC controller firmware out there.

GRBL, in combination with a CNC controller such as Arduino, is what many hobbyists use.

One really good thing about GRBL is that it eliminates the need for a parallel port on your computer.

GRBL passes lines of code via USB. This lets you control it using a laptop as well.

As a maker who’s obsessed with CNCs, I tested and examined a number of GRBL-compatible CNC controllers to help build my own custom CNCs for various applications.

I tested and compared the controller boards for various factors such as ease of use, compatibility with other CNC parts, documentation and support, raw power, and overall quality.

I divided my review into two sections.

The first section consists of CNC controllers under $100 and the second section talks about CNC controllers costing more than $100.

MellowPine is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

The Openbuilds BlackBox Motion Controller is my top choice due to its extreme reliability, high power, and value for money.

• RATTM Motor 3 Axis CNC Controller -Best Budget CNC GRBL Controller

Here are the best GRBL-based CNC Controllers available today [2023].

GRBL CNC Controller	Type
1. RATTM Motor 3-axis GRBL Controller	Budget
2. Longruner-CNC GRBL Controller kit	Budget
3. CNCTOPBAOS 3-axis GRBL Controller	Budget
4. ICROATO GRBL Controller	Budget
5. Blackbox X32 GRBL Controller(Openbuilds)	Premium
6. xPRO v5 (Spark Concepts) GRBL Controller	Premium

The GRBL CNC controllers featured on this require a computer to operate. If you need a GRBL controller that can run a CNC router on its own without a controller, then a GRBL offline controller is what you need.

Best Budget CNC GRBL Controllers (Under $100)

1. RATTM Motor 3 Axis CNC Controller- GRBL 1.1

The most value-for-money CNC motor controller in this list, the RATTM motor GRBL-based controller, is a good choice for building CNC engravers and laser engravers.

As a GRBL-compatible board, it runs on Candle, a GRBL-based CNC Software.

It can be controlled from your computer using Universal Gcode Sender(UGS), as expected. This newly updated version also allows running GRBL 1.1.

The RATTM Motor 3-axis GRBL CNC controller runs on an input voltage of range 12 – 24V with the recommended voltage of 24V for best operation.

It’s important to know the specifications of the stepper motor and spindle that can be supported by this CNC controller.

The RATTM motor controller has a driving voltage of 12V with a maximum current of 2A.

This means it can drive a NEMA 17 or smaller motor well, but it is not designed for the larger NEMA 23/24 motors.

Actually, you can run NEMA 23 motors using this GRBL board, but the results are not ideal.

If you are looking to run powerful stepper motors like NEMA 23 and higher, I suggest you look into the Premium CNC GRBL controllers at the end of this list of controllers.

The controller supports a spindle of 24V with a 2A current. Spindle PWM speed can also be varied via the controller. 

Improving from their earlier models, the enhanced spindle drive in the controller can now support more powerful CNC spindles with RPMs of up to 20,000. 

The controller has an added outer casing in order to protect the control board in transit from short circuits. The controller also has an added power switch. A heat-dissipation aluminum alloy is also added for temperature regulation.

The housing also encases a fan for cooling. Overall the heat sink on this product is excellent, giving the board a much higher life.

The offline recognition mode is an added feature. Computer, as well as offline controllers, can be inserted at the same time, and the offline recognition automatically identifies if a computer is plugged in. 

This CNC router controller can be used in a laser engraving setup, and most users report favorable results when using this controller for laser engraving.

It is compatible with operating systems such as Windows XP/7/8/10, which makes it quite versatile.

Since GRBL sends code via USB, the controller also has a USB interface.

The USB interface has been upgraded to make it into a plug-in type with a much stronger build, resolving the issues with the USB in earlier models.

To use this controller, you need to buy a 2.5mm-5mm jack DC Power Adapter that’s rated at 24V DC for optimal performance. The power adapter is not included with the controller.

With the Arduino Nano (Atmel 328P) at its core, this Arduino CNC controller has PWM control for both the laser and the spindle.

Overall, this Arduino 3-axis stepper controller is an excellent choice for those wanting good performance on a budget.

PROS : 

• Highly reliable with excellent reviews overall.
• Balances price, features, and quality of components.

CONS : 

• Stepper drivers are built-in. The stepper drivers on this controller work fine for the range mentioned, but if you’re looking to go higher than the rated Amps with a bigger separate stepper driver module, then this is not what you need.

Note: If you are looking for an offline controller along with the control board, RATTM Motor offers it as a bundled buy as well-RATTM Motor GRBL Control Board and Offline Controller.

2. Longruner-CNC controller kit with ArduinoIDE

The longruner CNC motor controller kit is different from other controllers in this list in that it is an Arduino and CNC Shield combination, unlike the others where everything is integrated into a single controller box.

This kit has the Arduino board (ATmega328), CNC Shield, and stepper drivers separate.

This means there is a bit of initial tinkering required to get your settings right, however, it also gives you the freedom to use other stepper drivers if you decide to upgrade without changing the control board.

Interestingly, this kit also has 3 NEMA 17 stepper motors bundled with everything else.

Unfortunately, Longruner does not sell a kit without the motors in case you already have the motors with you or want to use other motors.

Consider the fact that 3 NEMA 17 stepper motors are included in the kit when you compare the price of this bundle with the other controllers, which do not come with motors.

The manufacturer recommends an input power of 12-36 V DC for the CNC shield. However, the Arduino board can be powered via USB (5V DC). The shield needs extra power for the stepper drivers and motors.

Note that the Arduino UNO board in this kit is referred to as longruner board by the manufacturer, which is actually an Arduino clone.

The CNC shield in this kit has the RAMPS 1.4 board design, originally designed as a part of the RepRap project.

The RAMPS 1.4 design means that the shield has all the sockets and ports you need to smoothly connect everything you need, including up to five stepper motor drivers, six end stops, an SD card reader, and a display unit.

The CNC shield supports the four-axis motion, unlike the other controllers in this list that support 3 axes only.

This shield allows you to either clone any of the X, Y, and Z axes to use as the fourth one or even have a true fourth axis (XYZA) without cloning.

Thus this kit can be called a budget Arduino CNC 4-axis controller.

Thus this kit is designed as open-ended as it could be for people looking to play around.

This kit includes three DRV8825 stepper drivers, which is an upgrade over the A4988 stepper drivers that power most of the other integrated controllers in this list.

This also means it can take 2.5A of current, unlike the A4988, which can only theoretically run currents of 2 Amps.

As for software, this controller kit has Arduino at its core, making it automatically compatible with GRBL.

However, it is only compatible with GRBL 0.9 and not GRBL 1.1, unlike the other controllers in this list.

This kit does not have an offline controller in it, however, you can buy a GRBL-compatible remote separately and use it with this.

The kit also comes with brackets, mechanical switch end-stops, cable, and four aluminum heat sinks.

Lastly, this product has a reputation for good after-sales service.

They usually respond within 24 hours to any query.

Overall, this is a GRBL Arduino 4-axis control system that is excellent for those who want the flexibility of switching components, unlike others where everything is integrated.

PROS : 

• Open-ended design lending customizability
• Upgraded DRV8825 stepper drivers
• Can support up to 4 axes.

CONS : 

• Supports GRBL 0.9 only

3. CNCTOPBAOS 3-Axis GRBL 1.1f with offline Controller

The CNCTOPBAOS GRBL-based controller is a highly popular CNC controller board that has an offline remote hand controller bundled with it.

The controller supports 3 axes and is suited for a tabletop CNC engraver or laser engraver. It does support the latest GRBL 1.1 version.

The bundle package comes along with a USB cable and a 1G SD card, along with the controller board and the offline remote controller.

This product has an easy setup and functionality without any glitches. This makes the CNCTOPBAOS controller useful for quick projects.

The offline controller has LED lights installed on it and an intuitive axis button for easy change of axis. This offline module makes it easy to home the spindle without using the PC.

The offline controller also has options for file engraving.

Codes can be written into the root directory without the use of a computer. 

The CNCTOPBAOS Controller has the A4988 stepper driver in it.

The stepper drivers are built into this controller as well, with smooth compatibility up to NEMA 17 motors.

Although the manufacturer claims it can work with a NEMA 23, I don’t recommend it.

PROS : 

• Easy setup
• Comes along with an SD card 1G
• Offline controller

CONS : 

• Cannot upgrade stepper drivers.

4.

The ICROATO GRBL 1.1 controller comes with 3 axes control with a rated input power of 12-24V (24 V preferred). The controller works well with operating systems like Windows XP, 7,8, and Windows 10. 

You can get going on this controller right after you install the GRBL firmware through the USB input. Although you do need to have/buy a DC power input adapter for this control board, as the power jack is not included in the bundle.

The controller has spindle PWM support, and the power for it comes straight from the distribution board rather than from the control board. It comes along with motor drivers.

The controller can support up to a 12V 5A laser.

The good quality USB cable and control board makes it easy to work with and connect to the controller. The controller comes with features like an E-Stop button, and limits switch button.

This GRBL-compatible board has a good heat sink design, preventing the board from heating up even during heavy cutting tasks. This has resulted in a long product life for most buyers of this controller.

With the stepper driver built-in, this controller can obviously do micro-stepping, however, you need to calibrate your steps ratio when operating it for the first time.

PROS : 

• Presence of E-STOP and limit switch button 

CONS : 

• The step ratio has to be calibrated 

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Best Premium GRBL CNC Controllers ($100+)

1. Openbuilds BlackBox CNC Controller X32 – Best GRBL Controller

Openbuilds has released a new version of the BlackBox Motion Control System called the X32.

It is the most popular premium/ high-quality GRBL CNC controller on the market today. It can run almost any hobbyist CNC/Laser Engraver/Plasma Cutter.

X32 is a 32-bit GRBL controller, which provides better performance, and supports modern machine attachments such as rotary, air assist, and coolant.

It also has true 4th axis capability and supports WiFi, USB, SD, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The stepper drivers on the BlackBox allow up to 1/32 micro-stepping compared to 1/256 on the xPRO V5.

The whole controller is built as one box with a plug-and-play setup. The assembly is straightforward, with detailed instructions from Openbuilds and clearly labeled parts.

Openbuilds BlackBox X32 CNC controller is compatible with the GrblHAL firmware, which can be easily ported to new microcontrollers without requiring knowledge of GRBL Core.

The controller integrates well with their Openbuilds Control software, which allows users to send G-code to the controller without needing to use other software like UGS.

Openbuilds Control has built-in calibration tools for axes, a surfacing toolpath wizard, an XYZ probe library, and an easy-to-use GUI for changing GRBL settings.

The Blackbox X32 controller can also be used with the Openbuilds INTERFACE touch offline controller, allowing you to do almost anything without needing to connect to a computer.

You must purchase the INTERFACE controller separately for around $180.

Openbuilds has a robust online community of users with the same device and can provide valuable support, especially for beginners.

It also has good documentation, supports advanced firmware, and is offline capable.

Additionally, it is a part of the Openbuilds ecosystem, which offers CNC machine kits, accessories, and other products compatible with the BlackBox.

The BlackBox Motion Control System X32 is an excellent choice for a high-quality motion control solution and is backed by Openbuilds’ one-year warranty.

Combined with excellent documentation, support, and community, it is highly popular among hobbyists looking to build something more powerful than the run-of-the-mill 3018 desktop CNCs.

PROS : 

• Extreme power and versatility to do most tasks
• Highly active community around the product

CONS : 

• Pricier than the other economy options on this list.

2. Spark Concepts-xPRO V5 CNC Controller

Like BlackBox, xPRO V5 is also a 32-bit CNC controller, but it is really the monster CNC controller in this list.

In terms of specs, performance, and ease of use, it is much better than the other controllers, however, this obviously comes at a price.

xPRO V5 is also 4-5 times as expensive as the other controllers in this list.

It can be powered by a 24V DC power input. Your best bet is to buy the Meanwell 24V/14.6A power supply bundle along with the xPRO V5.

To start with, the controller is one single box with everything built out for you to just plug and play.

And when I say plug and play, I do mean it. There’s very little to do with the xPRO V5 before you can get started.

Plug in the 24V power supply, and you’re good to go.

xPRO V5 runs on GRBL ESP32, which is a 32-bit port of GRBL. This is a regularly updated version of GRBL with excellent compatibility with most GRBL senders and post-processors.

The ESP32 is not just a difference in software but hardware as well. The Esp32 board is an upgraded version of the Arduino Uno.

ESP32 packs considerably more RAM and Flash with a 32-bit board compared to the Arduino, which is an 8-bit microcontroller.

Most importantly, it has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth support which is its most distinguishing feature. This means you can operate your CNC from your computer or even your phone through WiFi without using a USB.

This controller supports 4-axis motion with either a true 4th axis added or a clone of any of the XYZ axes.

The stepper driver on this is the Trinamic TMC5160 which can drive motors up to 6 Amps. The 2-2.5A stepper drivers on the other controllers pale in comparison.

TMC5160 is a step up from the highly popular TB6600 stepper drivers as well.

This means it can drive even high-torque NEMA 42 motors with ease and blaze through NEMA 23 motors with its high driving current.

You can hook up to 2 motors for each of the four axes in this controller, and that lets you connect up to 8 motors in total on this single controller. This lets this controller do heavy-cutting jobs with ease.

It offers 1/256 micro-stepping, unlike most steppers in this list which offer only up to 1/32 micro-stepping (DRV8825).

Almost all laser bundles and spindles are supported by this controller. It uses a 0-5V PWM signal to drive most lasers and small spindles.

For driving the VFDs and larger laser modules, it uses the 0-10V analog signal, making it very convenient.

The xPRO V5 does everything that the other controllers do and more in a much better way.

Additionally, it uses the latest USB type C for fast connectivity. The xPRO V5 also has a built-in heat sink and temperature-controlled cooling fans.

This CNC motion controller is powered by a 32-bit processor wrapped in an ABS case with integrated cooling.

The xPRO V5 comes fully assembled and programmed with XYZ probe input, integrated relays, an E-Stop switch, and a power switch.

In terms of what this controller can do for you, the xPRO V5 can run most 3-axis CNC mills with dual-drive motors and 4-axis CNC Mills with a rotary table.

The xPRO V5 has a reputation for being one of the best DIY CNC controllers for hobbyists doing their own CNC machine build with custom parts.

The documentation for the xPRO V5 is quite good, with their Github wiki page detailing everything you need to get things done.

An Ohio-based US company, Spark Concepts has very quick response times, and after-sales service for this product is more than satisfactory.

If you are looking for a plug-and-play type CNC router controller with the power to do almost any hobby work, and you don’t mind paying a bit extra for the convenience and power, then the xPRO V5 is for you.

PROS : 

• Extreme power and versatility to do any hobbyist task
• Plug-and-Play without initial setup time

CONS : 

• Pricier than the other economy options on this list.
• Buyers can face a waiting time as the product is not always in stock

Overall Thoughts

Whichever GRBL CNC controller you choose to go with, ensure that it is compatible with the rest of your CNC setup, including stepper drivers, stepper motors, spindles, and power supply.