3D printer under 2000

Best 3D Printers Under $2000 in 2022: Buyer's Guide

To help you make shrewd use of that plump stack burning a hole in your wallet, we’ve leveraged our collective expertise and experience to steer you towards the best 3D printer under $2000.

$2000 sits in a sweet spot of sorts, bridging the gap between consumer 3D printers and hulking professional-grade machines. It’s the best of both worlds combining to propose capable and reliable printers suitable to a vast spectrum of applications and hobbies. But, as with other price points, we’re spoiled for choice. Something that can make finding the best 3D printer under $2000 an elusive task.

We’re here to help as we highlight the very best 3D printers under $2000. Every printer that made our list did so by striking a balance between integrated technologies, print quality, use cases, capabilities, and unique distinguishing features.

Best 3D Printers Under $2000 2022

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Qidi Tech X-Max

Price: Check price on Amazon here
Build volume: 300 x 250 x 300 mm

The Qidi Tech X-Max may not be the freshest-faced 3D printer out there, but you’ll invariably find hordes of makers still happy to fawn over its impressive feature list and print results.

In our estimation, the Qidi Tech X-Max is as much an investment in a machine capable of printing with more temperamental and exotic materials out-of-the-box, as a down payment for consistency. Qidi Tech X-Max’s print quality rarely wavers, easily one of this printer’s best qualities.

The fully enclosed chamber ensures uniformly distributed temperatures, crucial to marshaling materials like carbon fiber, nylon, and PC, which the X-Max deftly handles. The Qidi Tech X-Max is no slouch when it comes to wrangling staple ABS and PLA filament into stellar prints, either.

With a roomy 300 x 250 x 300 mm, there’s enough printing real estate to fuel all manner of passion projects, whether that’s figurines, functional parts, or products to stock a modest Etsy shop.

The printer comes fully assembled and packed to the rafters with useful features, such as assisted bed leveling, touchscreen functionality, Qidi’s effortlessly straightforward Cura modded slicer, and a removable magnetic plate.

For demanding hobbyists and even burgeoning small businesses looking to prototype and iterate before making the jump to the production line, the Qidi X-Max is a versatile and affordable pick.

Creality CR-5 Pro – A Versatile ABS/PLA-Ready Machine

Price: $1,199 — Available at Creality official store here
Build volume: 300 x 225 x 380 mm

A sleek, all-metal framed and snow-white cased distinctive looker, the Creality CR-5 Pro draws more than a sliver of inspiration from perennial best-of list topper, the Ultimaker S5. No slight intended here; Creality CR-5 Pro looks the part and, fortunately, matches that with some of the smoothest print finish and detail accuracy in the best 3D printer under the $2,000 range.

The Creality CR-5 Pro ships almost entirely enclosed, making it perfectly capable of excelling at ABS and PLA prints equally. A sizable 300 x 225 x 380mm build volume gives you more space to play with than you’ll likely ever need.

An Ultrabase-inspired carborundum glass plate scores points for print anchoring and making easy work of snapping off finished work. Near silent operation, broad slicer compatibility, and an ultra steady Bowden extruder only sweeten the deal.

At times, it feels like the Creality CR-5 is in the throes of an identity crisis, unsure whether it wants to be a bonafide industry-grade printer or consumer-level device peppered with semi-pro niceties. Despite this, we remain fond of the Creality CR-5. For amateur makers, educational settings, and small businesses looking to pump out steady product batches, it’s money well spent.

Pulse XE

Price: Check price at Matterhackers here
Build volume: 250 x 220 x 215 mm

More akin to a tank in size and stature than a piece of high-tech equipment capable of delivering precision printed parts, the Pulse XE excels at producing rough and ready prints using the toughest variety of filament.

Think NylonX, RYNO, carbon fiber, brassfill, and more besides. No retrofitting or aftermarket upgrades are needed; the Pulse XE does it all and with considerable assurance.

A thick-set aluminum frame and the absence of any discernible vibration or movement during the printing process ensure reliable and consistent results at every turn. The 250 x 220 x 215 mm build volume falls slightly under what you’d expect at this price point. Nevertheless, this caliber of build volume is likely sufficient to handle everything from household items to toys of a respectable size. For the largest projects, we would recommend exploring the larger volumes on our other under $2000 picks.

That said, as far as trade-offs go, Matterhackers has made the right call here as all the other parts are of the highest quality you’ll find for prosumer printers. A hardened steel nozzle and a garolite surfaced plate are worthy highlights, too.

If your 3D printing journey has you considering filaments off the well-beaten PLA and ABS path, it’s hard to go wrong with the Pulse XE at this price point. Ease of use is baked into the printer. We repeatedly marvel at how effortlessly the Pulse XE tackles all manner of projects.

Dremel 3D45 – Best For Education and Schools

Price: Check price on Amazon here
Build volume: 255 x 155 x 170 mm

Designed and manufactured by Dremel of power tools fame, the Dremel 3D45 lends itself particularly well to contexts requiring an accessible and predictable printing ecosystem that leaves little to chance. Those in the education sector, in particular, will find a lot to like about the Dremel 3D45, one of the best 3D Printers under $2000.

The printer boasts a relatively large 255 x 155 x 170 mm build volume allied to an enclosed build chamber, semi-automatic bed leveling, heated bed, and printing accuracy of up to 50 microns. It confidently tackles your standard filament types such as ABS and PLA while dabbling in high-temp materials like Nylon. That said, it is geared towards Dremel’s bespoke filaments. When used, these proprietary filaments deliver stunning results without fail, not least thanks to automatic settings adjustment.

Smart touches like sensor tech, carbon filters, and see-through access points for onlookers to satisfy their curious urges without risk of harm bolster the Dremel 3D45’s safety chops. This is ideal for classroom environments where safe learning is crucial. Dremel even includes lesson plans to guide educators and an easy-to-use Dremel Print Cloud and Dremel DigiLab 3D software bundle.

The seasoned hobbyist maker won’t find their fill with the Dremel 3D45, though. The lack of experimentation possibilities and steep downward curve in quality when veering to non-Dremel vetted third-party filaments will cause frustration. As such, we’d strongly urge opting for a more versatile, ‘open’ printer such as the Qidi X-Max if a closed ecosystem limits your aims.

Prusa SL1S Speed – Best Resin 3D Printer Under $2,000

Price: $1,999 — Available at Prusa store here
Build volume: 127 x 80 x 150 mm

The original Prusa SL1 was for years lauded as one of the best resin 3D printers on the market, let alone one of the best 3D Printers under $2000. The Prusa SL1S Speed takes those firm foundations and injects, as the name suggests, a good dose of speed and a refined custom LCD panel while also ballooning the build volume to 127 x 80 x 150 mm.

Compared to the original, layer curing drops to under 2 seconds without sacrificing quality print after print, whether small intricate parts or larger resin work. You’d be hard-pressed to find a competitor resin printer in this price range capable of similar high-level definition and sharpness.

For us, the Prusa SL1S Speed stands as the top pick for those weary of time-consuming tinkering and troubleshooting that want dependable resin prints. It’s an ecosystem printer, and Prusa has gone to considerable lengths to streamline everything from the software to the Prusament Resin for systematically reliable results.

Prusa XL

Price: $1,999 — Pre-order available at Prusa store here
Build volume: 360 x 360 x 360 mm

When Prusa announces a new product, the 3D printing community perks up. The Prusa XL may appear on the surface to be an iterative upgrade on the ever-popular Prusa i3, but a gaggle of new technologies bumps it up to the most exciting addition to the Prusa staple in quite a few years.

Among them is integrating an ultra-stable CoreXY architecture, which should do wonders to ensure high-quality results even when maximizing the XL’s massive 360 x 360 x 360 mm build volume. The load cell sensor-equipped ‘Nextruder’ and its automatic first layer calibration, as well as the energy-efficient modular bed design with its array of individually-heated segments, should all but eliminate warping.

It’s unquestionably exciting stuff, and despite no deep-dive into how the Prusa XL performs, the company’s enviable track record means the hype is certainly warranted. Now, the Prusa XL won’t enter production until midway through 2022. The global chip shortage and a flurry of pre-orders likely signal the XL won’t start arriving on doorsteps until possibly 2023.

If you’re looking to own what is likely to be the best 3D Printer under $2000 on the market and can stomach the wait, the Prusa XL is well worth considering.

Best 3D Printer Under $2000 Buyer’s Guide – What To Consider

Here you’ll find a few choice tips to help guide you towards the best 3D printer under $2000 for your needs.

Build Volume

Build volume refers to the size of the prints a printer can tackle. The build area tends to be larger than average in the $2000 range, unlike race-to-the-bottom budget picks, which often sacrifice size to keep costs down. Unless you explicitly need to maximize efficiency with batch part printing, you’ll likely be amply served with any of the printers above.

Filament/Material Types

Filament comes in all manner of robustness, rigidity, color, and price. Choosing the right one depends on your end goals.

PLA and ABS are the most common, not least, because they are inexpensive. If dabbling in more exotic material types, be sure your printer of choice is suited to their specific characteristics, whether that be abrasiveness, toughness, or even the production of excess waste and acrid fumes in the case of resin.

As we approach $2000, we also expect manufacturers to incorporate a high-temperature nozzle along with, ideally, an enclosed build chamber to cater to a broader selection of filament types.

Print Speed

3D printing is the patient person’s pursuit, but within the $2000 range, you’re likely splashing out enough cash for speeds that make professional-grade production viable.

That said, print speeds vary significantly between models and based on the underpinning technology along with filament type, so be sure to check up on print speeds before committing to a purchase.

Bed Leveling and Calibration

Nothing quite saps the joy out of trialing a new 3D printer that hours tackling bed leveling and calibration.

Fortunately, manufacturers are increasingly propping up their wares with assisted or even automatic leveling to ease the process.

At this price point, we’d wager this is almost a necessity and should come as standard. If you aren’t partial to tinkering and need to get up and running fast, we suggest gravitating towards printers sporting these.

Software

Printing prep software comes in one of two categories: proprietary, manufacturer-developed, and third-party open-source. Which one you opt for fundamentally comes down to a choice between a predictable, optimized workflow and scope for experimentation.

An open-source slicer like Cura emphasizes giving the maker the tools to design as they see fit, albeit with a fair slice of tinkering thrown in. On the other hand, proprietary software pairs with a specific printer or series and, as such, is easier to work but less versatile when paired with the best 3D Printer under $2000.

You may be interested in 3D printers in other price ranges:

Best 3D printers under $200
Best 3D printers under $300
Best 3D printers under $500
Best 3D printers under $1000
Best 3D printers under $5000
Best large 3D printers
Best dual extruder 3D printers

Best 3D Printers Under $2000 In 2022

With so many options on the market, getting the Best 3D Printers Under $2000 can be a real nightmare. It is time-consuming, tiring, and confusing. You can easily fall into marketing traps and end up with the wrong 3D printer. We are here to ensure that you do well the first time. In this guide, we will discuss the best 3D printers under $2000 – and we only mean the best of the best.

So no, you will not see any cheap 3D printers that you can buy for less than $500. We have a separate guide for that. Here is a quick look at the products in this list of best 3D printers under $2000. With many different 3D printers that you can easily find and buy, you can have this advanced printing method at home.

Table of Contents

Of course, with the list of Best 3D Printers Under $2000, you can also get the printer you need for the most affordable price. You can choose the printer you find above to save more money.

MakerGear M2e

If you have a budget of $2000, you can count it best, because it is not every day that you spend twice on a 3D printer. But since no 3D printer is ever perfect, regardless of the price range, The Best option is to opt for a 3D printer that offers excellent value for money and that easily gets the job done with minimal problems. Introducing the MakerGear M2e, a 3D printer that delivers exactly that and is one of the best 3D printers under $2000. It is the fifth generation of the M2 series of 3D printers – a series that featured by excellent quality and reliability. It comes in a well-secured package, so you do not have to worry about broken parts that have suffered during shipping, a common problem with 3D printers made in China.

Best 3D Printers Under $1000

The M2e with open frame has a beautiful all-black finish, making it look good on any desk. It is equipped with a single extruder and a built-in coil holder, reducing the machine load. In general, the design is solid and well-thought-out, without any cases of foreign components. One of the most important sales arguments of the M2e is that it works straight out of the box. It is unnecessary to put it together and spend hours on the first installation, which can be a daunting process for those unfamiliar with electronics.

Although the instruction manual is not perfect, setting up the M2e does not have to take more than an hour. If you know your way around electronics, you can go from unboxing to printing your first item in less than 30 minutes. However, configuring the M2e to optimize settings is another story. The manual only applies to the base so you can not rely on it to guide your hand. For tips and detailed instructions on how to get the M2e-up form, you need to visit special forums on the Internet. Overall, this is one of the best 3D printers for under 2000 dollars.

Pros:

Easy to use and manually calibrate
Large maximum print size
Terrific print quality
Heated build plate
Open-source hardware and software
Supports various filament types

Cons:

No cover
Noisy
Single extruder

Sindoh 3DWOX DP200

The Sindoh 3DWOX DP200 is the most plug-and-play and one of the best 3D printers under $2000. It is so easy to set up that you find it almost ridiculous that during the first installation, you do not have much to go with. to work. Most pre-built 3D printers take a few hours to set up, including calibrating the machine and installing the printer software. But with the DP200, you can go from unboxing to printing in 10-20 minutes, depending on how fast you can read the manual. It contains a number of functions designed to make 3D printing as painless as possible for beginners, especially non-techies.

On the hardware side, the DP200 comes with a levelling system with supported beds that converts bed levelling into a trivial case. All you have to do is rotate the gears under the print bed according to the instructions on the touchscreen interface and you are ready to go. Charging the filament is equally easy, thanks to the automatic charging filament system. Just pull the wire into the machine and … well, that’s all. The machine takes care of everything else when the cartridge is loaded. Inside, the DP200 has a removable print bed that ensures quick removal of finished projects.

It has excellent adhesion as standard, so you do not have to use tricks like glue or tape. All moving parts are secured in the printer, giving it a clean and professional look. It also has a built-in camera, allowing you to follow your progress remotely (via Wi-Fi). On the software side, the DP200 is delivered with the 3DWOX Desktop printing software. It is user-friendly software with a simple model for beginners, which is very neat. Overall, this is one of the best 3D printers under 2000 dollars.

Pros:

Fully enclosed
An assisted bed leveling system
Auto-loading filament system
Remote monitoring via Wi-Fi
Large build size
Easy-to-use touchscreen interface

Cons:

Requires proprietary filament
Limited to PLA and ABS filaments

Last update was on: December 4, 2022 3:07 am

LulzBot Mini 2

If the MakerGear M2 and the Sindoh 3DWOX DP200 – our choices for Best Choice and Best Budget, respectively – had a crossover, the result would be the LulzBot Mini 2. So it is only fitting that it is our choice for Best Value, which represents a nice balance between value and affordability and is one of the best 3D printers under $2000. The LulzBot Mini 2 is a non-embedded 3D printer with all moving parts fully illuminated. It is housed in a sturdy frame that keeps it stable during printing. The powerbox is attached to the side, so it has a smaller footprint than other open-framed 3D printers, which usually come with bulky control boxes.

Even with the mechanisms fully illuminated, the LulzBot Mini 2 still projects a professional image. Like the DP200, the LulzBot Mini 2 requires a very little tinkering to prepare it. It is not a piece to categorize it as a plug-and-play 3D printer. It comes assembled and only needs about 30 minutes for the initial calibration and software installation. Leveling the bed is a breeze because of the automatic leveling system that – this – really works. The custom Cura printing software is the other ingredient that makes the transition from unboxing to printing a seamless process.

It has been designed with ease of use in mind. It is easy to navigate and contains simple options for cutting your 3D models. The print quality of the LulzBot Mini 2 is consistent and accurate. It contains a fast heating print bed that does not require gimmicks to achieve reliable adhesion. It can be configured to print different types of materials, including ABS and PVA. It has a fairly large construction volume, although you may find it inadequate for more ambitious and complex projects. Overall, this is one of the best 3D printers under 2000 dollars.

Pros:

Hassle-free bed leveling
Open-source
Fast-heating build plate
Excellent print bed adhesion
Good technical support
Optimization guides readily available online

Cons:

Limited to tethered USB connection
No enclosure

Last update was on: December 4, 2022 3:07 am

FlashForge Creator Pro

You rarely come across a double extruder 3D printer that you can buy for less than $2000. We even found only two or three products worth at least a second look, and the FlashForge Creator Pro is The Best of the bunch with a considerable margin and is one of the best 3D printers under $2000. A fully enclosed 3D printer, the Creator Pro is an affordable MakerBot clone that arrives in a neat and secure package, which is crucial for a delicate machine that is delivered from halfway around the world. It comes with everything you need to start immediately, including a few filaments and a set of tools and spare parts.

The first installation is quick and easy. Depending on your technical ability, it takes about 30 minutes to an hour to prepare everything. The manual is easy to follow, although it can sometimes be vague, so a lot of guesswork is needed in some areas. It is best to review YouTube tutorials to ensure that you are doing well. The print quality of the Creator Pro is good for a 3D printer of less than $ 1000. It is detailed and accurate, although you do not expect a star rating during the first few attempts. To get results that you can be proud of, you have to play with the settings and see what works.

But we recommend that you dump the standard software and replace it with a more versatile 3D printing software such as Simplify3D, OctoPrint, Slic3r, and MakerWare. Equipped with a heated bed with print, the Creator Pro can print with different types of filament, including ABS, flexible, and nylon, provided you have the right settings. For better adhesion and quick removal of completed 3D models, we recommend that you replace the standard print bed. Overall, this is one of the best 3D printers under 2000 dollars.

Pros:

Dual extruder setup
Heated build plate
Easy to set up and calibrate
Good print quality
Compatible with commercial software
Supports third-party filaments

Cons:

Loud
Limited default software
Needs glass bed

Last update was on: December 4, 2022 3:07 am

MakerBot Replicator Mini Plus

If you want a mini-3D printer with a wireless connection that really works, the MakerBot Replicator Mini Plus is for you and is one of the best 3D printers under $2000. It is the larger and better version of the original Replicator Mini, with a larger build size and higher print speed. The Replicator Mini Plus is housed in a striking open frame, with a built-in filament holder at the back. It has a small footprint and is 20.5 lb lightweight enough for easy transport through the house or in the classroom. It has no built-in interface for direct operation – everything is controlled from your computer or smartphone.

Inside, the Replicator Mini Plus has a printed bed at the factory level, so you no longer need to manually level the floor, which can be difficult and time-consuming. It has a built-in camera for remote monitoring of your progress and a “smart extruder” that automatically pauses during a filament block. In addition, the smart extruder – officially called “MakerBot Smart Extruder Plus” – can determine whether the printer has no filament. Like all other 3D printers shown here, the Replicator Mini Plus is incredibly easy to set up.

The first configuration runs through the MakerBot application. Simply follow all instructions and your printer is ready for use in no time. The standard software is user-friendly. It is easy to navigate and contains simple options so beginners can quickly learn 3D printing settings. But on the other hand, the standard software lacks more advanced options, which can be a deal-breaker for professionals. But overall, it is one of the best 3D printers under 2000 dollars.

Pros:

Intuitive app-based initial setup
Fairly fast print speed
Filament run-out notifications
Filament jam detection and auto-pause
Remote progress monitoring and control
Excellent adhesion on the quick-release print bed

Cons:

Loud
Optimized for expensive MakerBot filaments
Limited to PLA
Limited printing software

Last update was on: December 4, 2022 3:07 am

3D printer Builder Extreme 2000

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you get a 10% discount on all consumables.

Industrial 3D printer from the world famous manufacturer of equipment for additive manufacturing - Builder (Netherlands). This company is known for its developments in the field of 3D printing and has fully implemented all its technological developments in the new model of its printer.

The extensive construction area allows you to print both large objects and small-scale batches in one pass. The presence of two extruders allows the printer to work with several types of plastic at once. At the same time, it supports all popular types of polymers, including "flex", polyethylene terephthalate and Wood. The presence of a heated platform with a glass plate also greatly simplifies the work. Finished products are easily separated and are not damaged. The scenario in which the plastic ends in the process of building a model is also excluded: this is monitored by special sensors and the device will warn the user in advance about the end of the filament thread.

Despite the extensive functionality, Builder Extreme 2000 has a very affordable price tag. The same applies to spare parts for 3D printers of this type. At the same time, by purchasing this model, the user receives a real European quality and qualified service support.

Scale of delivery

Delivery to all regions of Russia and countries of the Customs Union.

Free shipping

When you buy a 3D printer (except assembly kits) you get free shipping.

Cash

In our store you can pay for your order in cash.

Online payment on the website

You can pay for orders with a bank card on the website of our online store.

Best 3D printers of 2022 | Rating of TOP models of 3D printers for printing

Contents [Show]

The modern market of additive equipment offers many options for 3D printing equipment designed to solve various problems. Devices are in demand in engineering and design, architecture, medicine, industry, education, entertainment, engineering and many other fields.

Let's talk about what you should pay attention to when choosing a 3D printer, and also consider the rating of the best equipment models for amateurs and professionals in 2022.

How to choose the right 3D printer

There are a number of basic parameters that you need to pay attention to when choosing a printer for bulk printing. Let's briefly consider each of them.

Printer type

According to the ISO / ASTM 52900: 2021 standard, approved by the International Organization for Standardization, 3D printers are divided into several categories depending on the characteristics of the printing process (for convenience, we will duplicate the trade names for each category):

DED (SLS, MJF) - deposition and melting of material using a directed electron or laser beam.
BJT (CJP, NPJT) - selective jet application of a binder composition to the powder for sintering.
MJT (MJP) - layer-by-layer inkjet application of photopolymer resin.
MEX (FDM, FFF, PJP) - layer-by-layer application of the consumable through a heated nozzle (extrusion).
VPP (SLA, DLP, LCD, CDLP) - photopolymerization, selective curing of a liquid photopolymer in a bath under the influence of a light source.
SHL (LOM, Composite Lamination) - gluing (lamination) of sheets of material.
PBF (SLM, DMLS, EBM) - fusion of certain areas of the powder layer under the influence of thermal energy.

Approval

This parameter largely depends on the printing technology and is standardly described in the vertical and horizontal planes (Z and XY, respectively).

The Z resolution is the height/thickness of the layer. The thinner the layer, the more accurate and detailed the model will be. XY resolution is the smallest possible movement of the print head, which cannot be less than the diameter of the nozzle or laser beam.

The highest resolution is provided by photopolymer 3D printers.

Compatible materials

The choice of consumable depends on the 3D printing technology used. FDM printers use special thermoplastics in the form of filaments (PLA, HIPS, ABS, PET, PETG, Wood, Flex, etc.), while photopolymer printers use various light-sensitive liquid resins. Sintering technology devices are designed to use engineering thermoplastics or metals in powder form.

Many professional printers work with special purpose materials - composites (glass-filled materials, carbon fiber, etc.), metals, wood, concrete, ceramics, dental photopolymers, wax, etc.

Print platform (desktop, build platform)

This is the plate on which objects are printed. A high-quality platform ensures reliable adhesion of models to the surface (adhesion) during printing and at the same time makes it easy to separate them at the end of the process.

Typically, the print bed is made of glass, but other materials can also be used. To improve the contact of the material with the platform, special sprays and adhesives increase adhesion (Adhesion). Professional models of 3D printers usually have features that increase the resistance of printing to failures:

flexible, removable or magnetic platform;
automatic print area alignment system;
heated platform for handling high temperature materials.

Security

3D printing can be associated with some risks even when all safety regulations are followed. For example, high-temperature printing increases the risk of burns, and some powder materials or photopolymer resins are harmful to the skin.

To reduce the risk of exposure to toxic substances, some printers recommend the use of protective chambers, air filtration and ventilation systems, protective gloves, and goggles. There are also models of 3D printers designed to be serviced exclusively by trained personnel.

Noise level and motor drivers

Drivers and stepper motors directly affect the noise level during equipment operation. More advanced and expensive drivers, coupled with high-quality stepper motors, contribute to a significant reduction in the noise level during the printing process.

Self assembly

Most manufacturers offer additive devices that are ready to go. But some models of 3D printers are presented as self-assembly kits (DIY kits). When buying, you need to consider that assembling such a device can cause certain difficulties, especially for the first time.

Product size

The choice of the area of the working area of the equipment depends on the dimensions of the parts that are planned to be printed on a 3D printer. For a home, it is enough to purchase a device with parameters up to 200x250x200 (WxHxD). This is enough to solve most problems. For more serious tasks, we recommend considering models with a working area of at least 306x306x610 (WxHxD), such a print volume will allow you to print large objects without subsequent gluing with the same print quality and resolution.

Technology

Let's take a closer look at the main technologies used in the field of 3D printing:

FDM is a method of layer-by-layer deposition of plastic filament threads. Ideal for creating functional prototypes and parts from high-strength industrial plastics.
DLP - layer-by-layer curing of photopolymer resins using LED projectors. Allows you to produce ultra-precise, highly detailed objects with a high-quality surface.
SLA - curing layers of liquid photopolymer using a laser beam. Suitable for printing very precise products with complex geometry and fine details.

Multicolor print

There are modifications of printers that support the function of printing in two or more colors. Most of these FDM devices are equipped with two presses filled with threads of different colors. A separate file is used to print each color, and sections of different colors are combined with each other like a three-dimensional puzzle. There are also color powder printing technologies, such as CJP or MJM, but the range of their application is limited to simple layout or prototyping.

Print surface

The surface quality of finished models depends on both the technology used and the print resolution. If necessary, the products are easily amenable to post-processing.

Housing type

Volumetric printers are available in an open or closed case. Open type devices are cheaper, but may have print quality issues and shrinkage of ABS products due to temperature changes. Enclosed printers have a more rigid, stable design and deliver high quality builds because their print surface is protected from dust and other unwanted particles. In addition, they have a low noise level and are safer to operate.

Connection

The majority of modern 3D printers have built-in memory, a port for USB flash drives or are equipped with SD memory cards, which allows you to continue the 3D printing process without a permanent connection to a PC. Some devices may also support wireless technology (Wi-Fi or P2P) or connect via Ethernet. Recently, more and more manufacturers include in their devices the possibility of forming 3D printing farms from a cluster of devices connected by one local network.

Software

Additive technology comes with special software or is compatible with open-source programs that can be downloaded, for example, from the manufacturer's website. As a rule, the software runs on Windows, Linux or MacOS. The software package may include modules for optimizing 3D models, building automatic supports (supports), controlling the movement of the printing block and desktop, and advanced preparation of layers for printing.

3D printer models

Consider the different models of amateur and professional 3D printers recognized as the best in 2022.

Assembly kits

Self-assembly kits (DIY) are the most budgetary and popular variant of FDM/FFF/PJP 3D printers in Russia. The use of such kits allows you to independently assemble, configure, reconfigure and upgrade printing devices to suit your needs.

The most popular DIY kits in 2022:

Creality Ender 3

Thoughtfully designed home 3D printer with open chamber, large build area (WxHxD: 220x250x220mm) and high print quality at speeds up to 180mm/s. Works great with PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, Wood and other plastics. Equipped with a single extruder, a heated worktable, a compact display that shows the main parameters, and an active cooling system. Suitable for printing small functional items, prototypes or decorative figurines. Connects via USB or microSD.

Flying Bear Ghost 5

Equipment for semi-professional use, equipped with an open chamber with dimensions of 255x210x210 mm. Due to the uniform supply of the filament, it allows you to produce high-resolution parts at a speed of up to 150 mm / s and an accuracy of up to 0.01 mm. The model is equipped with one extruder, a heated table, options for adjusting speed and temperature, an active cooling system and a convenient TFT color display. Compatible with HIPS, ABS, Wood, PLA, etc. Reliable, quiet operation. Connects via Usb, SD, Wi-Fi.

Creality Ender 5 Plus

A printer with a large working area (350x350x400 mm), one extruder and a filament sensor that prevents printing errors due to tangles or broken threads. It has a magnetic platform with heating up to 100 degrees in 10 minutes, a rigid, reinforced cubic frame and a reliable power supply with overheat protection. Provides fast, high-precision, stable printing with an adjustable layer thickness of 0.1-0.4mm.

Creality Ender 6

Equipment with a closed plastic case, one extruder with a heating temperature of up to 260 degrees, a color touch screen and a build area of 250x250x400 mm. Ideal for small batch production and prototyping. The printer is equipped with a heated bed, connects via SD and is compatible with most of the available filaments. The layer height is 0.1-0.4 mm.

Budget 3D printers

This category includes inexpensive, ready-to-use FDM/FFF 3D printers designed for beginners - ordinary users, students in robotics circles, schools, etc. The devices are endowed with additional options that allow you to achieve excellent results with simple, understandable operation.

The best budget models of 2022:

Anycubic Mega S

Functional equipment with a working space of 210x210x205 mm and the possibility of resuming the work process after a power outage. The device has a color touchscreen, a heated platform with Ultrabase coating, connects via data cable or SD and prints at speeds up to 100 mm/sec. Layer height - 0.05-0.3 mm.

FlashForge Adventurer 4

A good option for children or teenagers who are fond of 3D modeling. The printer has a working area of 200x200x250 mm, a heated platform, a color touch screen and is connected via USB, Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Construction speed - up to 150 mm / sec. Layer thickness - 0.1-0.4 mm. The model is also equipped with a built-in webcam, a filament end sensor, an auto-calibration function and the possibility of remote control through the application.

Voxelab Aries STEM

A printer with a full range of modern functions, designed to create objects of standard sizes (200x200x200 mm). Prints at speeds up to 80 mm/sec. and a layer thickness of 0.1-0.4 mm. Connection - Usb, SD, Wi-Fi.

QIDI i-Mate S

A device with a working space of 260x200x200 mm, connected via Usb, LAN or Wi-Fi. Layer thickness - 0.05-0.2 mm, construction speed - up to 80 mm/sec. Great for prototyping simple objects.

Budget Large Format 3D Printers

Devices designed to create a large number of small products in one go or to print large objects. These printers are equipped with a capacious platform and have increased reliability and stability.

The most popular low-cost large-format FDM 3D printers in 2022:

Wanhao D12/500

A model with an improved component base and mechanics, updated electronics, a redesigned feed mechanism, a heated platform and two extruders. Construction area - 500x500x500 mm. Layer thickness - 0.1-0.4 mm, build speed - up to 150 mm/sec. Connection - Wi-Fi, MicroSD.

Creality Ender 5 Plus

Apparatus with dimensions of the working area 350x350x400 mm. It has a robust construction with a reinforced structural profile frame and a heated platform. Provides the most accurate, stable printing and smooth, stable movement along the axes. Connected via SD. The layer height is 0.1-0.4 mm.

Creality CR-10S Pro V2

A 3D printer that delivers high performance and exceptional print stability. Ideal for creating print trusses that produce large runs of the same type of parts. Construction volume - 300x300x400 mm. Print speed - up to 180 mm / sec. (recommended speed is up to 60 mm/s). Layer height - 0.1-0.4 mm. Connection - SD.

Professional 3D printers

Professional-grade printers are designed to produce complex objects using high-temperature engineering plastics and other consumables. Such equipment has a closed chamber to maintain a certain temperature and ensure stable printing.

Best Professional FDM 3D Printers of 2022:

FlashForge Creator Pro 2

Technique with two independent extruders for simultaneous printing of two identical products. The second extruder can be used to create soluble supports for the production of complex models with a quality surface. Construction area - 200x148x150 mm. Layer height - 0.1-0.4 mm, build speed - up to 100 mm/sec. Connection - Usb, SD.

Picaso Designer Classic

A printer designed to solve a wide range of tasks. It has built-in profiles for different types of plastic, which makes it easy to start printing. Chamber size - 200x200x210 mm. Work speed - up to 100 cm3 / h, layer thickness - from 0.01 mm. Connection - Usb, Ethernet.

Anycubic 4Max Pro 2.0

Advantages of the model: dual drive extruder for working with soft, flexible plastics, filament end sensor, silent drivers, color display. The device provides the most accurate, stable printing at speeds up to 150 mm/sec. Camera dimensions - 270x210x190 mm. Layer thickness - 0.05-0.3 mm. Types of connection - Usb, SD.

QIDI Tech X-Plus

A printer with a capacious working chamber (270x200x200 mm), one extruder with a heating temperature of up to 300 degrees and a build speed of up to 150 mm/sec. Equipped with a heated platform, connects via Wi-Fi, Usb or LAN, the layer height is 0.05-0.2mm.

Single extruder professional 3D printers

Additive equipment of this kind is designed to solve various problems, from relatively simple to complex.

The most popular models of professional FDM/FFF 3D printers with one print head:

Picaso Designer X S2 (Series 2)

The main difference of this modification is the heating of the extruder up to 430 degrees, which allows working with a wide range of plastics, including engineering ones (ABS, PETG, PLA, PEEK, Nylon, Flex, etc. ). Dimensions of the working chamber - 201x201x210 mm. Connection - Usb, Ethernet. Speed - up to 150 mm / s. Layer thickness - from 10-250 microns. The printer is equipped with a heated bed.

QIDI X-Max

A 3D printer with a large printable area (300x250x300 mm) and a wide range of useful features. It has a robust design with a strong double Z-rail, a heated platform with a double-sided coating for working with different types of plastic and a 5-inch touch screen. The extruder heats up to 300 degrees. Compatible filaments - PLA, ABS, PETG, PC, Carbon, Nylon, Flex, etc. Connection type - USB storage, LAN, Wi-Fi. Working speed – up to 150 mm/sec. Layer height - 0.05-0.2 mm.

Picaso Designer XL S2

The model is designed for printing with engineering and refractory materials, as the print head heats up to 430 degrees. Robust aluminum body with steel frame guarantees reliability and no vibration during operation. Chamber size - 360x360x610 mm. Speed - up to 130 cm3 / h. Layer thickness - 10-250 microns. Connection type - USB-drive, Ethernet.

TierTime UP300

It is equipped with three separate extruders for working with different materials (low-temperature, high-temperature, standard), as well as various interchangeable platforms (smooth, perforated, glass). Supports print queue for different users. Dimensions of the working area - 205x255x225 mm, layer height - 0.05-0.4 mm. Connection - Usb, LAN, Wi-Fi.

Bizon 3

An updated version of the Bizon 2 model. Layer thickness - 0.02 - 0.65 mm. Print area size: 300x300x400mm. Print speed: up to 160 mm/s. Layer height: from 0.02 to 0.65 mm. Connection type: USB, SD card.

Mid-range large format 3D printers

This category includes models for universities, specialized colleges and offices of medium-sized companies.

The best mid-range large format FDM 3D printers in 2022:

Raise3D Pro3 Plus

Equipment with a transparent body and two extruders equipped with a lifting mechanism, well-thought-out kinematics, interchangeable nozzles of different diameters and a convenient 7-inch color touch screen. Other options: Low Filament Sensor, Print Resume System, RaiseCloud Firmware, Webcam, IdeaMaker Slicer, RaiseCloud Cloud Service. Printed volume: 300x300x605 mm (for one extruder), 255x300x605 mm (for two extruders). Connection - Wi-Fi, Usb, LAN. Speed – up to 150 mm/sec. Layer thickness - from 0.01 mm.

FlashForge Creator 4

High-performance, accurate 3D printer with a system of two independent extruders and an advanced thermal management system inside the chamber (to protect against cracking and deformation of engineering plastics). Robust steel body prevents vibration. Print area - 400x350x500 mm. Speed – up to 200 mm/sec. Layer height - from 0.01 mm. Connection - Usb, Wi-Fi, LAN.

Picaso Designer XL Pro S2

Large-format model with a working area of 360x360x610 mm, a heated platform and two extruders with a heating temperature of up to 430 degrees. The device has a simple automatic calibration, a built-in material spool drying mode and a plastic feed control system. Layer thickness - 0.01 mm, speed - up to 130 cm3/h. Connection type - Usb, Ethernet.

CreatBot D600 Pro

The printer with the largest print area is 600x600x600 mm. Equipped with two extruders with heating up to 260 and 420 degrees respectively (for working with standard or engineering plastics). Other features: heated chamber, platform and compartments, speed - up to 120 mm/s, layer thickness - from 0.05 mm. Connection type - Usb.

Professional Dual Extruder 3D Printers

Professional FDM printers with two extruders are designed to solve the most complex tasks. This technique is equipped with a fully functional slicer and a reliable nozzle lift mechanism or independent extruders.

The most popular professional grade dual extruder 3D printers:

Raise3D Pro2 Plus

The flagship model of the manufacturer, endowed with a full range of useful features. The equipment, enclosed in a transparent case, is connected via Usb, Wi-Fi or LAN and is distinguished by quiet operation. Equipped with an extruder lifting mechanism, a 7-inch color touch screen, a filament end sensor, and a print resume system. Includes RaiseCloud software, webcam, replacement nozzles. Print volume - 305x305x605 mm (for 1 extruder), 280x305x605 mm (for 2 extruders). Speed – up to 150 mm/sec. Layer height - from 0.01 mm. Connection - Usb, Wi-Fi, LAN.

Picaso Designer X Pro S2

A compact device with dimensions of the construction area of 201x201x210 mm, providing excellent print quality. It has a high temperature mode with heating up to 430 degrees for printing with complex filaments. Speed - up to 130 cm3 / h, layer thickness - from 0.01 mm. Connection - Usb, Ethernet.

Raise3D E2

High-performance 3D printer with two independent print heads (IDEX system), heated platform and print speed up to 150 mm/sec. A built-in step-by-step video instruction for site calibration is provided. Layer thickness - 0.02-0.25 mm. Connection - Usb port, Wi-Fi, LAN. Print volume - 330x240x240 mm (1 printhead), 295x240x240 mm (2 extruders).

FlashForge Creator 3 Pro

Model with a large chamber (300x250x200 mm), HEPA filter, built-in webcam, color screen and the ability to install hardened nozzles with a material melting point of up to 320 degrees. The heating speed of the working platform is up to 120 degrees in 3 minutes. Print speed - up to 150 mm / sec. Layer thickness - 0.05-0.4 mm. Connection type - Usb, Ethernet, Wi-Fi.

CreatBot F430 PEEK

3D printer ideal for PEEK and other filaments. Equipped with a closed chamber with temperature support and two printheads with heating up to 260 and 420 degrees, respectively. Construction area - 400x300x300 mm. Layer height - from 0.02 mm. Speed – up to 180 mm/sec. Connection - Usb.

Ultimaker S5

An easy-to-use device that prints with threads of non-standard diameter - 2.85 mm. The size of the working area is 330x240x300 mm. Layer thickness - from 0.02 mm. Speed - 24 mm3 / sec. Connection type - Usb, Ethernet, Wi-Fi.

Photopolymer desktop 3D printers

Modern models of 3D printing devices using photopolymers are equipped with monochrome displays with a resolution of up to 8K, which provide high speed and quality of building objects of any geometry.

Best photopolymer 3D printers of 2022:

Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K

A compact budget LCD printer with over 2000 hours of uninterrupted operation. Equipped with 8K 7.1” Mono LCD display. Print volume - 165x72x180 mm. Layer height - 0.01-0.3 mm. Resolution along the XY axis - 22 microns.

Phrozen Sonic 4K 2022

Equipment for permanent loads, ideal for dental laboratories and dental clinics. It has a heated chamber 134x75x200 mm with an odor filter and a Mono 4K 6.1” LCD display. Layer thickness - 0.01-0.3 mm.

Formlabs Form 3+

LFS printer with an intuitive interface and many special settings. The light source is a 250 mW laser. The size of the working area is 145x145x185 mm. Layer thickness - 0.025-0.3 mm.

Anycubic Mono X 6K

3D printer with a working chamber 197x122x245 mm and a high-quality Mono 6K 9.25” LCD screen. Layer height - 0.01-0.15 mm.

XYZ Part Pro 150

Equipped with a 5 inch LCD touch screen. Illumination source: 405 nm UV laser. Print area size: 150x150x200 mm. Layer thickness: 25 to 200 microns (0.025 - 0.2 mm).

Best Large Format Desktop Resin 3D Printers

Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K

The best 3D printer in its segment, capable of solving tasks that usually only an entire farm can handle. Suitable for both mass production of small detailed products, and for printing huge objects and dioramas. It is equipped with a 15-inch Mono 8K LCD display and has a working area of 330x185x400 mm. Resolution - less than 50 microns, layer height - 0.01-0.3 mm.

Formlabs Form 3L

LFS-technique with a construction area of 335x200x300 mm, creating high-precision details using a 2x250 mW laser with a spot diameter of 85 microns.