The Strongest Laser you Can Legally Own

Let’s be super clear: There is no limit on the strongest laser you can legally own in the United States. However, under federal law as governed by the FDA, any laser above 5 mW must comply with FDA/CDRH laser product requirements for labels, safety features, quality control and more. Further, the laser must not be promoted as a “laser pointer” or for pointing purposes. 

At Alpec, the heart of our business is laser pointers. Though we recognize the need for class 4 lasers in medical and other industrial settings where higher mW power is beneficial, we do not sell class 4 lasers as they are not legal for use in anything called a laser pointer. 

Laser Pointer Class 4 – Power and Problems

Laser class 1, class 2 and class 3, the classes we sell, max out at 5 mW. That is, they produce no more than 5 milliwatts of power yet produce a comfortable visible region for the human eye. Class 4 lasers, the highest class and therefore the strongest laser you can legally own, produce 500 mW of power – or more – there is no legal maximum on milliwatts for class 4 – and is considered hazardous for users outside of an industrial setting. This is of concern for the business or casual user who generally require a laser with light in the visible range. When direct or reflected light from a class 4 laser hits your eye, significant damage will result. A class 4 laser’s light is so powerful, the burn is nearly instantaneous. A class 4 laser will also burn skin and other materials. Proper eyewear must be worn to prevent injury.

Class 4 lasers are too powerful to be used as laser pointers. 

Learn more about class 4 lasers and other laser classes in our Basics of Laser Pointers article. 

Are you in search of a more powerful laser pointer or lasers in a different laser pointer class? Reach out if we can answer any questions about which laser pointers are right for your business.