How Much Do CNC Machines Cost? [2023]-Every Type

As you probably know, there are thousands of CNC machines available on the market today. But how much does a CNC machine cost?

There is no simple answer to this question because the prices of CNC machines vary between extremes.

The most expensive CNC Machines such as 5-axis robotic CNCs used to manufacture high-end military equipment, like the ones at aerospace/defense manufacturing companies can cost upwards of a million dollars.

On the other end of the spectrum, today you can get an entry-level hobbyist CNC 3018 for a price as low as $150.

The quality, speed, and versatility of the machine (what it can cut) are what determine a CNC machine's cost.

As a quick guide, this table can help you get a rough idea of CNC Machine prices.

CNC Machine	Cost
Entry Level Desktop CNC Routers (3018s and Chinese Ones)	$150-$500
Hobby CNC Router/Machine	$1k-$3k
Professional CNC Machine	$5k-$100k
Entry-Level 3 axis Mill (VMC)	$50k-$100k
Production Mills (3-axis)	$100k-500k
Production Mills (5-axis)	>$500k
Small CNC Lathe (Taig, Sherline)	<$5k
Entry-Level 2-axis Lathe	$15k-$50k
Production Lathe (Okuma, Doosan)	$50k-$300k

That's a huge range, and rightly so.

While you can see the price of hobbyist CNC Machines on the seller's website, most bigger machines do not list their price online.

You can only know the exact price after multiple back-and-forth emails and calls with the sales team.

This is because there is a lot of room for negotiation on big-ticket purchases like industrial CNC Mills.

As a side note, wood CNC machine price is significantly lower than CNCs that mill ferrous metals (Tool steel, Stainless Steel).

This is because wood is a much easier material to work with than ferrous metals.

Also, the tolerance on metal is usually much tighter, so there's little room for error there.

I always make it a point to differentiate CNCs meant for wood and for hard metals.

Based on this distinction, how much is a CNC machine?

While you can get an absolute beast of a machine for woodworking at $50,000, you can barely get an entry-level industrial mill for machining steel at that price.

So this distinction couldn't be more important.

Factors affecting the price of a CNC Machine

Size of Machine

• This is the length the cutting end of the machine can travel along each axis (X,Y,Z). The Larger the range of motion, the larger the price, in general.

Speed

• The speed of cutting directly affects the efficiency of production.
• Rapid Motion speed, which refers to the speed at which the CNC repositions itself after cutting, is a factor in the value of the machine. The fastest CNCs have a rapid motion speed of 1000 inches per minute.

Accuracy and Tolerance

• If you need +/- 0.0002 mm tolerance for every cut your CNC makes, then that greatly raises the cost of the CNC. Needless to say, perfection/accuracy is expensive. Repeatability is expensive.

No. of Axes-

• As the number of axes increases, the cost increases. A 6-axis CNC machine (they do exist), can move around much quicker than a 5-axis due to the extra degree of freedom. Most Hobby CNC machines have 3 axes.

Power

• The brute power of a CNC machine is measured in terms of specs like torque and spindle RPM.
• For larger professional-grade CNCs, they are rated based on the size of the servo motors.
• A hobbyist CNC like the Sainsmart Genmitsu CNC has its stepper motor torque running at 0.18 ft-lb, while a professional 6-axis CNC like the Zimmerman FZ100 can generate a torque of 68 ft-lb. That's almost 400 times more. This also means the Zimmerman costs in the millions while the Genmitsu costs under $300.

Those are the most common factors which affect the cost of a CNC Machine.

Next, I'll talk about the most common categories of CNC Machines that people buy and how much the machines in each category cost.

If you want to know what the different types of CNC Machines are, read this post I wrote-The Different Types of CNC Machines.

Cost of CNC Machines: Category-Wise

Cost of Entry-Level Desktop CNC Routers (3018 CNCs and Chinese CNCs)

These machines are a good way to test the waters if you're just getting started with CNC machining and just want to dip your toes.

These machines are usually desktop-sized with a size of around 30" x 18" (which is actually the most preferred size among desktop routers).

It's very important to understand the limitations of these machines before buying them.

They are not really CNC routers, but rather engravers.

They work on wood, acrylic, PCBs, plastic, and jewelry.

Some of them, with quality rails and strong enough motors, can engrave on aluminum as well.

Some of them have laser engraving modules fitted with them, while some others ask you to buy the module as an accessory.

Most of these machines are made of a set of common components such as a Spindle, Controller, Stepper Driver, Stepper Motors, and Linear Rails.

There's a whole section of people who build their own DIY CNC machines by buying each of these parts separately to suit their requirements.

The cheapest ones in this category are obviously Chinese made and their customer support is usually limited.

Here's one such machine- CNC 3018 Pro Max 3 Axis Desktop.

These are dirt cheap, but you will need to do some tinkering to be on your way.

Also, you'll need to do it on your own, expect very little documentation and seller support.

The better ones among CNC routers in this category cost around $300, which is slightly higher but well worth it, like the Sainsmart Genmitsu PROVer.

Sainsmart is a company based in Kansas and offers excellent support. Also, the documentation is excellent for this product.

I personally tried this machine out and found it to be my choice in this category.

The whole process, from setting up to cutting, was quite smooth.

Cost of Hobby CNC Machine/Router ($1,000-$3,000)

This is the level at which you are just starting to get serious. Most Machines in this range start at $1,000 and go upwards.

Unlike production mills and big CNCs, which have been around for decades, this category is more recent and fast developing.

Over the last decade, CNC router price has come down considerably, making it a realistic option for many hobbyists.

You can actually do good stuff at this price range if you work with wood, plastics, and PCBs.

The BobsCNC is one such machine that I found to be a good choice, and it is the most affordable one in this category.

It can cut and engrave on wood, plastic, and PCBs.

BobsCNC does not recommend their router be used on aluminum, brass, or steel.

Although it can mill aluminum, the quality is far from being comparable to other Aluminum milling CNC machines.

That is probably why they don't recommend it for aluminum.

Around the middle of this price range is the X-Carve by Inventables. It became really popular after some popular YouTubers started using it for their projects.

One of the really good things I noticed about X-Carve is their software Easel, which seems to make things much easier for a beginner.

At least in the USA, there are people running woodworking businesses with their X-Carve CNC.

At the higher end of this category, you have routers like the Shapeoko CNC Router.

Which is a slightly nicer machine compared to the X-Carve.

Shapeoko has much better extrusion rails and parts, resulting in better-quality cuts.

It can also mill aluminum fairly well. Especially with the launch of Shapeoko 4, aluminum milling is quite easy on the Shapeoko.

There are people who run home businesses with their Shapeoko.

The X-Carve and Shapeoko are probably the most popular desktop CNC routers today.

Cost of Professional CNC Machine/Mill ($5k-$100k)

Based on the machining capability and work area, the cost of a CNC milling machine varies between the extremes.

At the lower end of this category, you have your Tormachs ($10k-$20k).

This is the point at which you can start machining steel and titanium.

None of the CNCs below this price range are rigid enough to cut steel quickly, at least not with any quality.

The Tormach is probably high-end for a hobbyist, while at the low end for any type of industrial work.

You cannot expect to run any sort of high-volume business or machining service with the Tormach though.

It's still too slow for any production work.

I often see a lot of machinists denigrate Tormach and compare it to the big expensive CNCs (costing $100k+) at the companies where they work.

I think it's unfair to do this.

Tormach does have its place in the market. Especially for people who don't have the space to keep a giant mill in their garage.

Cost of Professional Woodworking CNC machine

If you work only with wood, plastics, and PCBs, and not metal, you have the option of buying a shopbot PRSalpha that costs between $20k-$30k.

If you run an SMB woodworking company, this machine will do the job for you.

With the shopbot, you have the option of running it 8 hours a day for several years straight and it wouldn't make the machine sweat.

With its sturdy welded steel frame, it is quite a solid machine compared to other brands which compete with it, like the avid CNC.

At this price category, you also get CNCs that can mill 4x8 full-size sheets, unlike the desktop CNC routers in the previous category.

Also, feedback from most users about Shopbot's customer service is excellent.

Being a made-in-USA company, they do take that part very seriously.

For woodworkers, anything higher than the shopbot's price range would be unnecessary unless you are thinking of running a full-fledged manufacturing facility.

For large-scale industrial CNC applications, there are other brands like Onsrud, AXYZ, Biesse, and Komo, which have machines costing between $60k-90k.

Cost of Entry-level 3 axis Mill (Vertical Machining Centre) ($50k-$100k)

This is the category of CNC machines on which you can really start to machine steel and harder metals like titanium.

This is also the category where you can start using the term 'industrial CNC machine'.

Of course, you can try it on the Tormach, but that's only suitable for prototyping, and shops just getting started, and not for any serious machining business.

The most well-known brand in this category is Haas.

In the CNC world, an entry-level Mill is pretty much Haas.

Now, Haas is an American machine tool company that has been making machines for almost 40 years.

Their machines start at around $50k and can go as high as $400k.

Haas machines are built really well for an entry-level mill, and there is a big market for buying and selling used Haas machines.

To give an example, one of my old colleagues started a machining business and he bought a used 2006 Haas VF-2 for $30k and it's worked well for him.

Now, HaaS wouldn't be used in an aerospace company or in a medical manufacturing facility making spine implants.

But for a small machining startup, HaaS does the job.

Granted, the spindles might break under intense applications, but they can be replaced cheaply and quickly.

This makes HaaS much easier to maintain compared to the more advanced machines like DMG Mori.

Haas also follows a transparent pricing policy and lists it directly on their website. You can find them here.

So many shop owners love the financing options for HaaS.

They take a very lenient view of credit ratings and have affordable monthly payment options, which makes them really attractive to small machine shops.

They often do this even when you don't have any customers to claim on your list.

In conclusion, I'd say HaaS has really made it easier for machinists to start their own shop business.

Cost of CNC Production Mills (3-axis and up) ($100k+)

Now, once you are in the production category, things turn really serious.

These machines cost upwards of $100k and ideally, you need months before you decide to write a check for a machine in this category.

There are so many things to consider here such as:

• Cost of the Machine
• Cost of Tooling
• Cost of Work-holding
• Service availability in your locality

Firstly the cost of the machine isn't the full picture. You need to know the cost of every accompaniment needed for your job.

For a production shop/factory, every day where you don't get to run your CNC is a loss, and you're paying interest for nothing.

So, it is essential that your CNC has no or very little downtime due to a part breaking down.

For this, you need excellent service for the machine at your location. When you buy from a Chinese CNC manufacturer, there is always the risk of not getting the service support you need.

Also, the service levels of each brand differ according to the city you're in.

Matsuura service personnel might be coming from Connecticut whereas DMG Mori might have their service personnel coming from New Jersey.

In some cities, a big brand might have agreements with third-party service agencies to do repairs.

At this level, every upgrade you seek costs heavily.

If you want to hold 60 tools instead of 32, that costs a lot more.

If you want your spindle RPM to be 20,000 instead of 15,000, that will take the costs upwards by quite a lot.

What you need to do is to really understand your shop requirements, not just current requirements but what job you might need to do in the future.

In a production facility, every second you can shave off is an advantage.

These are the good brands I know of from my experience with CNCs:

• Matsuura
• Okuma
• DMG Mori
• Mazak
• Hurco

As you probably noticed, most of the good CNCs in this category are made in Japan or Germany.

Also, A Vertical Machining Centre is cheaper compared to a Horizontal Machining Centre (HMC).

A 5-axis CNC from DMG Mori can set you back by at least $400,000.

But at that price, you're ready to run your machine 18 hrs a day for 6 days/week.

Lastly, having a robotic arm/robot added to your CNC is common these days for more productivity.

Fanuc is a well-known brand that makes cutting-edge robotic technology for CNCs.

With the robot, you can have much higher run times and almost 24-hour continuous production (I say almost because there will be downtime, whatever you do).

Of course, the value of a good machinist still exists, because robots can't do everything.

However there are fully automated shops these days, but they are nowhere near perfect yet.

Also, with a robot, you need to pay for the machine as well as pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to integrate it into your mill.

Cost of a Small CNC Lathe ($2k-$5k)

A CNC lathe is a highly popular type of CNC Machine with wide applications.

When I say small CNC lathe, I mean those that can turn small metal stocks at a speed sufficient for a hobbyist.

The most viable options in this category are CNC lathes from Sherline, Taig, and Proxxon.

While Proxxon is a brand based in Germany, Sherline and Taig are based in the USA.

All three brands have multiple options, and these CNC lathes have a price range stretching from $2k for the most basic to $5k.

For a professional machinist, these can appear tediously slow.

However, for the hobbyist who needs to make a part for their personal project, these are excellent choices.

They can be used to turn all metals including tool steel and titanium, albeit with slow speed and a constant flow of appropriate coolant.

However, turning steel accurately on these CNC lathes depends a lot on the skill of the machinist as well.

Note that these lathes are also available in manual (Non-CNC) variants and the manufacturer integrates them with a CNC control system to replace the manual mode of operation, as per your requirement.

Cost of Entry-Level 2-axis CNC Lathe ($15k-$50k)

These are CNC lathes that small shops use as their first machine.

The most affordable in this category is the Tormach 8L which costs between $10-$12k (including all accessories).

Tormach 8L was brought out in 2020 and caught a lot of people by surprise due to the low pricing.

It is a great choice for a starter lathe, but the limited maximum workpiece length is the major criticism of the 8L lathe.

For most businesses, the Tormach 15L Slant Pro is the entry-level choice.

The 15L slant pro costs around $25k for a sufficiently equipped version.

Once you move up from the 15L the next viable choice is a Haas TL1 which starts at $30k.

The TL1 is found in many small production shops all over the USA, partly due to the excellent financing options available.

The Haas TL1 runs on single-phase, removing the need for small shops to upgrade to a three-phase power system to operate the CNC.

While Tormach and Haas are good choices, some machinists prefer a used Okuma or DMG Mori over them.

The cost of these used machines could be the same as that of a new Haas, while being substantially more powerful.

However, there are risks associated with buying a used CNC lathe.

Other costs (or Hidden costs) of a CNC

On the shop floor, there's this old joke- "The machine is just the down payment for the tools." And rightly so, I'd say.

Believe it or not, the cost of tooling and work-holding can cost as much as your machine.

So it has to be figured right into your budget if you are considering getting a toolroom mill.

This is more applicable for CNCs costing upwards of $20k, rather than the hobby routers.

A good vice from Orange or Allmatic will set you back by $2,000 (yes!). These costs can quickly add up.

This is a general checklist of accessories for you to consider in your budget.

This is by no means comprehensive and will vary depending on your purpose:

• Work Holding
• Tool Holding
• Inserts and Insert cutter bodies
• Tooling (HSS, carbide, etc.)
• Inspection equipment
• Tooling Storage
• HSS Drills, Coolant mixers, fasteners, and wrenches.
• Measuring Tools such as micrometers, calipers, thread gauges, and pin gauges.
• PC/Computer setup with OS, Networking, and other essentials.

Apart from the physical equipment, you might need to buy a license for the software for your machine.

Sometimes, the software comes for free with the machine, but it need not always be.

Companies like HaaS and Fanuc, for example, sell the software separately, and you need to pay extra to "enable your machine", so to speak, which some customers find annoying.

One of my friends told me they paid around $4,000 to Fanuc to activate a 2MB memory for their CNC.

If you are using your CNC for woodworking, then VCarve is a good and popular design software that costs under $1,000 for a single license.

Most manufacturers like Shopbot or brands like Inventables XCarve have their own software (Easel) that comes for free with the machine.

You May Also Enjoy Reading:

• Best CNC Lathes in 2022 for Machining Metal
• Best CNC Software [2022] for Hobbyists and Pros [Free and Paid]

Cost of Used CNC Machines

When I say used CNC machines, I'm talking primarily about Mills and CNCs costing upwards of $10k.

Below that price, there isn't a big market for used machines, and most people just buy a new one.

Now when it comes to used Mills, there can be quite a price differential between a new one and a used one. If you want examples of specific prices, then here are a few:

• A friend of mine sold his 2009 DMU 50 (DMG Mori) for $40,000 because he wanted to upgrade. The new one cost him around $220,000.
• I often check websites like machinetools.com, to help friends and customers buy mills. I would say you could get a 2010 Mazak HCN 5000 for around $150k compared to a brand new HCN 5000, which would cost around $400,000.

Careful inspection and due diligence are necessary when buying a used CNC.

The rule of thumb is that it's better to buy a sparsely used 2000 model than a worn-out 2010 model.

The hours that the machine has run matter.

In general, you should check the spindle runout, RPM of the CNC, what noises it makes at speed, if there's excessive noise when the table is moving, the machine time on the CNC, stored alarms of the CNC, any leaks, etc.

This is not comprehensive.

If you buy a used machine without looking at the alarm history and maintenance logs, you might be making a big mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does a CNC router cost?

CNC routers can cost anywhere from $350 to $100,000, depending on the size, complexity, speed, and versatility of the CNC router.

• Hobbyist CNC Routers such as from Sainsmart, Shapeoko, and X-Carve can cost between $350-$3,000.
• Entry-level Professional CNC Routers, such as from Avid CNC, can cost between $3500-$12,000
• Production CNC Routers such as from Shopbot, Camaster, Laguna, and ShopSabre can cost between $20,000-$100,000