1 Principle
The photoelectric sensor is controlled by converting the light intensity change into the electric signal change; 
The laser sensor firstly emits laser pulses at the target by laser emitting diode. After being reflected by the target, the laser scatters in all directions. Part of the scattered light returns to the sensor receiver, which is received by the optical system and imaged on the avalanche photodiode and converted into corresponding electrical signals.

2 Light source　

　　The light source of photoelectric sensor is red light and infrared light, while laser sensor uses laser technology. The spot of red light and infrared light will be larger as the distance goes longer which is not conducive to the detection of small objects; The laser spot will be very small and the spot will also expand with the distance but it is very subtle changes which can be ignored.

3 Features 

The laser sensor has the advantages of non-contact remote measurement, high speed, high precision, large range, strong anti-optical and electrical interference ability;
Photoelectric detection method has the advantages of high precision, fast response, non-contact, and many parameters can be measured. The structure of the sensor is simple and the form is flexible

4 Cost
     Laser sensor is also a kind of photoelectric sensor, because the light source is different, the manufacturing cost is different, so the laser sensor and photoelectric sensor are distinguished.