Top 5 Upgrades for Your Tyvok A1 Mini You Actually Need in 2026
So you got your new Tyvok A1 Mini, and you're loving it. But you've probably seen people talking about upgrades, and you're wondering: "Which upgrades are actually worth the money?"
I've had my A1 Mini for months, and I've tried most of the popular upgrades. In this guide, I'll break down the top 5 upgrades that actually make a difference, and which ones you can skip.
Let's dive in.
1. Air Assist — #1 Upgrade You Need
What it is: A small air pump that blows air directly at the laser spot during engraving.
What it does:
- Blows away smoke and debris
- Reduces charring on wood
- Gives cleaner engraving results
- Helps prevent soot buildup on your lens
- Can extend the life of your lens
Do you need it? Yes, absolutely. This is the first upgrade you should get for your A1 Mini. The difference in engraving quality is noticeable immediately.
How much does it cost: $20 - $50 for a small pump that works perfectly. You don't need an expensive one.
DIY option: You can even repurpose an old aquarium air pump if you have one. It works fine for a small machine like the A1 Mini.
Our rating: 10/10 — worth every penny. Get this first.
2. Honeycomb Work Bed
What it is: A honeycomb-patterned metal grid that goes under your material.
What it does:
- Allows smoke and fumes to vent away from your material
- Prevents laser from reflecting back up from a solid bed
- Helps cut through thinner materials more cleanly
- Keeps your work surface cleaner
Do you need it? If you do any cutting at all, yes. If you only do engraving on wood, you can probably get away without it at first, but it still helps with smoke ventilation.
The stock bed that comes with the A1 Mini is usually solid or just a grate. A proper honeycomb bed does a better job.
How much does it cost: $20 - $40 for a small honeycomb that fits the A1 Mini.
DIY option: Some people make their own from scrap metal, but it's easier just to buy one purpose-made for your machine size.
Our rating: 8/10 — definitely worth it if you cut, still useful if you only engrave.
3. Enclosure / Ventilation
What it is: A box around your machine to contain fumes, plus a fan to vent them outside.
What it does:
- Contains laser fumes so they don't fill your room
- Reduces smoke smell in your workspace
- Keeps dust and debris contained
- Can help protect your eyes from accidental laser exposure
Do you need it? It depends on where you have your machine set up.
- If it's in your living room or bedroom → Yes, you need ventilation
- If it's in a dedicated workshop with good ventilation → Maybe not as urgent
- Even with an enclosure, you still need to vent fumes outside
Options:
- Pre-made laser enclosures: $50 - $150
- DIY enclosure from acrylic sheets: Cheaper if you're handy
- Small inline fan: $20 - $30
Important: Laser engraving produces fumes that aren't good to breathe. You need some form of ventilation, especially if you're running your machine regularly.
Our rating: 9/10 — important for your health, worth investing in.
4. Rotary Attachment
What it is: A device that holds cylindrical items like bottles, tumblers, and pens so you can engrave around them.
What it does: Allows you to engrave cylindrical objects that wouldn't sit flat on your bed.
Popular items for rotary engraving with A1 Mini:
- Stainless steel water bottles
- Wine glasses
- Tumblers
- Pens
- Cylindrical wooden items
Do you need it? Only if you actually plan to engrave cylindrical items.
If you want to do water bottles or tumblers (which sell really well), then yes, you need a rotary. If you only do flat items like keychains and coasters, you don't need it.
How much does it cost: $40 - $80 for a small rotary that fits the A1 Mini.
Our rating: 7/10 — worth it if you need the capability, skip it if you don't.
5. Better Power Supply
What it is: Aftermarket higher-quality power supply for your machine.
What it does: Can provide more stable power to the laser, which can help with consistent engraving depth.
Do you need it? Probably not. The stock power supply that comes with the A1 Mini works fine for most users. I've never heard of many people having issues with it.
Only upgrade this if you're actually having problems with inconsistent power from the stock unit.
Our rating: 3/10 — skip unless you have a known issue.
Upgrades That Are Not Worth It (For Most People)
High-Powered Laser Module
The A1 Mini comes with a 10W galvo module. Upgrading to higher power costs a lot, and for the projects that fit the A1 Mini, you probably don't need it. Save your money and upgrade the whole machine when you outgrow it.
Expensive Focusing Tools
The A1 Mini comes with a focusing gauge. It works fine. You don't need an $50 electronic focuser when you're just starting out.
Frame Reinforcement
For the size and power of the A1 Mini, the stock frame is plenty stiff. You don't need to reinforce it unless you're doing something very heavy that it wasn't designed for.
What Order Should You Get Upgrades In?
If you're on a budget and want to upgrade gradually, here's the order I recommend:
- Air Assist — Get this first. Improves every engraving you do.
- Ventilation / Enclosure — Second most important for your health.
- Honeycomb Work Bed — Third, especially if you do any cutting.
- Rotary Attachment — Only when you actually need to do cylinders.
- Anything else — Only when you identify a specific problem that an upgrade fixes.
How Much Do All the Worthwhile Upgrades Cost?
If you get all four of the useful upgrades:
- Air Assist: $30
- Honeycomb bed: $30
- Ventilation fan: $25
- Basic enclosure: $50
- Total: ~$135
That's still less than the cost of the machine itself, and it makes your A1 Mini perform significantly better.
If you're on a tight budget, you can start with just air assist ($20-$30) and add the others over time as you make money from your machine.
Final Thoughts
The Tyvok A1 Mini is a great machine out of the box, but a few well-chosen upgrades make it even better. Focus on the upgrades that improve quality of life and engraving quality first: air assist, ventilation, and honeycomb bed. Skip the fancy upgrades you don't actually need.
By investing about $100-$150 in the right upgrades, you can turn a good budget machine into a great one that will serve you well for a long time.
What's your favorite upgrade for the A1 Mini? Did I miss anything that you think is essential? Drop a comment below and share your experience!
