Best deals on 3d printers


Best 3D Printer Deals 2022

(Image credit: Anycubic, Photon)

Whether looking for your first 3D printer or an old pro for an upgrade or a second machine, you can find great savings. There are loads of fantastic 3D printer deals on FDM and resin models, including some of our favorites.

There are so many promotions separating the hype from the actual bargains is difficult. Fortunately, we're doing some legwork for you, combing through the best deals on printers from Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, Anycubic, and other retailers.

We're tracking all the 3D Printer deals below and any savings on consumables and accessories to make it easier for you to stock up on supplies such as filament or resin.

Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

  • Amazon: Up to 30% off Elegoo printers
  • Amazon: Up to 26%  off Anycubic printers
  • Amazon: Up to 10% off PLA Filament
  • Amazon: Up to 10% off PETG Filament
  • MatterHackers: Up to 20% off Filament
  • Anycubic: Save up to $240 on 3D printers

3D Printer Deals

Anycubic Kobra Go: now $189 at Anycubic (was $259)
This Editor's choice 3D printer features auto bed leveling and a build volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm this Bowden tube-fed printer is the ideal way to get started with 3D printing. The heated PEI spring steel print bed makes removing prints a breeze.

Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K LCD Resin 3D Printer: now $449 at Amazon (was $599)
This high-resolution resin printer scored Editor's choice in our review and for good reason. It produces wonderfully detailed prints out of the box. The 165 x 72 x 180mm build volume is generous and capable of much more than trinkets.

Creality Ender 3 V2 3D Printer: now $259 at Amazon (was $319)
The Creality Ender 3 V2 is a great beginner's printer and it is now at one of its best prices yet. The Ender 3 V2 is easy to assemble, requiring just a few screws to connect the print gantry to the base. This price is also available on the official Creality website but Prime users can take advantage of free shipping.

Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer: now $246 at Amazon (was $339)
Creality's Ender 2 Series of printers are the workhorses of the 3D printer community. They are cheap and dependable. The only issue is the lack of auto bed leveling. With a magnetic, removable build surface and a 220 x 220 x 250mm build volume there is a lot to like.

Voxelab Aquila-M 3D Printer: now $165 at Amazon (was $239)
The Aquila-M is similar to other Aquila models, with a resume print function, a heated glass print bed and a focus on silent printing. It differs from other models with an easy-to-access top-loading filament spool. 

Creality Ender 3 3D Printer: now $199 at Amazon (was $249)
The Creality Ender 3 is a smaller form factor 3D printer with a heated print bed and a resume print feature. Focuses on quieter extrusion.

3D Printer Filament and Resin deals

Overture PLA Filament (1kg): now $17 at Amazon (was $26)
Overture, a reliable brand in the filament space, has deep reductions on all of its colors of PLA, 1. 75mm filament. The gray color is the cheapest, going for $16.99, reduced from $21.99. Other colors may be a few dollars more.

PRO Series Tough PLA Filament: now $45 at MatterHackers (was $57)
MatterHackers make great filament and this tough PLA is a powerful alternative to ABS. With little to no warping, unlike some ABS filaments, this tough PLA alternative offers strength and a choice of vibrant colors.

MIKA3D 12-in-1 color 3D printer filament: now $119 at Amazon (was $149)
Get PLA filament of any colors you could possibly want in this bulk deal, which gives you $50 off. Each spool has 500g of filament and you get a bottle of 3D printer stick for free.

Elegoo Water Washable 3D Printer Resin: now $39 at Amazon (was $49)
This resin from Elegoo is water washable, making the finishing process much easier to complete. This discount applies to multiple colors but not all of them. The $31 price is for the 1000-gram bottle.

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Stewart Bendle is a deals writer at Tom's Hardware. A firm believer in “Bang for the buck” Stewart likes to research the best prices for hardware and build PCs that have a great price for performance ratio.

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Best 3D Printer Deals: 7 Fantastic Printers at the Best Prices

This story is part of Amazon Prime Day, CNET's guide to everything you need to know and how to find the best deals.

Looking for a fun hobby that combines creativity, STEM topics and entrepreneurship? 3D printing is as big as it's ever been, and the additive manufacturing sector is expected to be worth $10 billion by later this decade. A large chunk of that market is hobbyists selling their creations on Etsy, so now is the right time to get on the 3D-printing train.

If you're a first-time buyer or looking to buy a 3D printer as a gift for a beginner, getting a good deal is even more important. All of the best 3D printers have advanced features that make your life easier, so if you can snag one for less than the normal price, that's a big plus. 

Anycubic Kobra Go - Special price for Prime members

We recently reviewed this new entry-level printer, which offers fancy features like a self-leveling bed at a reasonable price. Many stores are offering it for under $200, which is a great value. On Amazon it's $200, but only for Prime members. On Anycubic's website it's currently on sale for $190, but you'll have to pay for shipping on top of that.  

Read the review of the Anycubic Kobra Go. 

$199 at Amazon

Snapmaker 2 A350T: $1,040 - Save $560

The Snapmaker 2 is not just a 3D printer; it's a 3-in-1 fabrication machine that lets you 3D print, laser etch and carve wood with a CNC machine with just a module change. It's big too. I managed to print a full-size Mandalorian helmet that fit my massive head in one go. Perfect for the cosplayer in your life.

$1,040 at Matterhackers

Elegoo Mars 3: $285 - Save $73

If you are looking for a small but powerful resin printer, then the Mars 3 is the best in its class. The 4K LCD offers stunning detail on any model that is printed and it does so at a high speed. I love this printer and use it almost daily. Remember to clip the coupon for this to make the most of the deal.

$285 at Amazon

You're receiving price alerts for ELEGOO Resin 3D Printer, Mars 3 Pro MSLA 3D Printer with 6.66-Inch Ultra 4K Monochrome LCD, Print Size of 143. 43×89.6×175mm / 5.647×3.52×6.8in and Replaceable Activated-Carbon

Flashforge Finder 3: $400 - Save $100 with coupon

I've recently been working with the Finder 3 and I'm impressed with the quality it was able to produce straight from the box. It's easy to set up and comes with a flexible build plate that you can replace the glass bed with. It makes it far easier to remove builds. 

This is the perfect printer for a teacher, as the enclosure makes it stable, and the slicer can control multiple printers at once via Wi-Fi.

$400 at Amazon

You're receiving price alerts for Flashforge Finder 3: $400

Anycubic Kobra Plus: $400 - Save $160

The Kobra Plus is in that sweet spot between a printer that is overly large, and one that is too small to be useful. You can make full-size helmets and big cosplay items without needing an entire workbench dedicated to it. With $160 off the price, it's a bargain.

$600 at Amazon

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Creality CR-30: $1,000 - Save $100

The CR-30 is one of the first commercially available conveyor belt 3D printers, and it is fascinating to use. It isn't for the beginner hobbyist as it takes a little bit of tweaking to get right, but once you do you can print long models like swords or lots of small models on a production line.

If you make the same model over and again for your Etsy store, this is a great printer to try.

$1,000 at Amazon

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Anycubic Mono 4K: $189 - Save $61

The Photon 4K is being replaced with the new M3 series, but it could still be worth your time. With a 4K monochrome screen, the printer is very fast without sacrificing any detail. In fact, the details on this machine are superb, especially on small models like miniatures.

At $189, the Photon 4K offers an amazing entry into resin 3D printing, even if Anycubic is selling off the stock.

$189 at Amazon

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Materials and accessories

It's not just the 3D printers themselves that are on sale. It's often the accessories and materials too. While the savings aren't as drastic -- $5 to $10 savings, maybe -- these add up over time when you have to buy a lot of materials for your projects.

Anycubic 10kg PLA mystery box: $149 - Save $111

Having a large supply of filament is important if you want to make anything you like on a whim. If you don't mind being surprised by the colors of your PLA, then this Anycubic deal is a stunner. It works out to be just $15 for each kilogram roll. 

$149 at Anycubic

Mintion Beagle 3D printer camera: $64 - Save $16

While this isn't the biggest discount, the Mintion Beagle cam is such a fun accessory that it deserves a mention here. It's simple to use -- it plugs into your micro USB slot on an FDM printer -- and produces awesome timelapse videos that you can share using the app. It also acts as a real-time monitor so you can check your 3D print anywhere in the world.

$64 at Amazon

You're receiving price alerts for Mintion Beagle Camera for 3D Printer, Plug&Play, Remote Monitoring, WiFi Connection, Support PC/APP, Auto Generate Time-Lapse Video, with 32G Micro SD Card

Elegoo Mercury X bundle: $171 - Save $79

Resin 3D printing can be messy and inconvenient if you don't have the right tools. This wash-and-cure bundle lets you clean your resin prints and cure them in the special UV chamber. I like the Mercury over other wash/cure stations because of the separate stations that let you wash one model and cure another, saving you precious time.

$171 at Amazon

You're receiving price alerts for Elegoo Mercury X bundle: $171

MatterHackers filament: $18 and up - Save 20% with coupon code

Prices for even basic PLA filament for 3D printers have been hit by the inflationary hammer this year. Matter Hackers has a series of discounts right now across different types and colors, as low as $18 for a 1kg spool (even Amazon Basics is usually $23 or more for the same size). Many other types of 3D printer material are also available for 20% off using the code BESTDEALS through Dec. 31. 

$18 at MatterHackers

Best Deals June 2021 at 3DMall. 3D printers, 3D scanners

When buying a 3D printer Discount on plastic and polymers up to 10%

The best offers June 2021 in 3DMALL

08. 06.2021 Max Gusev

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REC Wiki » Best 3D printing software in 2022

model, check it for errors, convert it to machine code, and only then the 3D printer comes into play. In this article, we will share examples of programs that can help at every stage of preparatory work and directly during 3D printing. nine0003

Contents:

  • ZBrushCoreMini
  • 3D Builder
  • SketchUp Free
  • Fusion 360
  • FreeCAD
  • Blender
  • 2. Editing and repairing STL files:

    • Meshmixer
    • MeshLab

    3. Slicers:

    • Cura
    • PrusaSlicer
    • ideaMaker
    • ChiTuBox Basic
    • Lychee Slicer
    • Kiri:Moto
    • IceSL

    4. Control programs:

    • OctoPrint
    • MatterControl 2.0
    • AstroPrint

    5. Programs for visualizing G-code

    • UVTools
    • WebPrinter
    • Gcode Analyzer
    • Design Software
    1. 3D modeling software

    If you are ready to create from scratch, you will have to learn special 3D modeling software. Many of them, especially professional computer-aided design systems, can be expensive investments, but on the other hand, there are plenty of quite capable and at the same time free offers on the market. nine0003

    Tinkercad

    Tinkercad is a browser-based application from Autodesk that is great for no-experience users, even kids, because of its simplicity. In this program, 3D models are built on the basis of basic blocks - simple geometric shapes that are joined together and then "filed" to the finished look. You can also convert 2D vector images into 3D models. Of course, you have to pay for simplicity - in the case of Tinkercad, rather primitive functionality that makes it difficult to create truly complex models. But such a task is not worth it: having gained basic skills on Tinkercad, you can always move on to more complex and more capable programs on our list. nine0003

    Official website

    ZBrushCoreMini

    ZBrushCoreMini is primarily a 3D sculpting tool, especially popular among those who create human and animal figures, computer game characters and comics, and the like. This software is mainly aimed at beginners and users with moderate experience, but at the same time, it is full of impressive features that make the work easier. For example, dynamic tessellation algorithms constantly analyze the surface of the working model and automatically add polygons so that detail is not violated. nine0003

    ZbrushCoreMini is offered free of charge and is positioned as an entry-level program for learning and gradually moving to more capable and complex options - ZBrush and ZbrushCore.

    Official website

    3D Builder

    This program was developed by Microsoft and was included with Windows 10 for some time, although now it must be downloaded and installed separately. 3D Builder allows you to edit models in STL, OBJ, and 3MF formats, as well as create models from scratch. In this regard, the program is quite primitive, but it is simple and understandable even for novice modelers. nine0003

    One of the interesting features of 3D Builder is the ability to simplify meshes by reducing the number of polygons, file weight and processing time in the slicer - useful in cases where the original designer obviously went too far with polygons. Additionally, you can import models from the library and even use Kinect sensors to 3D scan and import models of physical objects.

    Official website

    SketchUp

    SketchUp is a web application with a great combination of simplicity and functionality. The user-friendly interface is intuitive and greatly facilitates learning, and the set of tools is quite diverse even for advanced users - hence the wide popularity of this program. nine0003

    The free version was formerly called SketchUp Make, but is now simply called SketchUp Free. It includes everything you need for 3D modeling for 3D printing, just don't forget to download the module for exporting STL files - it's also free. The kit comes with 10 GB of storage for projects in the cloud and access to the 3D Warehouse, a repository with open source user-generated content.

    Official site

    Fusion 360

    Professional CAD developed by Autodesk and famous for its ease of use and advanced functionality. This includes parametric modeling and mesh analysis and load distribution tools, including through generative design with topological optimization. The program is great for those who are engaged in 3D printing of functional products, for example, for industrial applications. nine0003

    Some versions of Fusion 360, such as hobby and student versions, are even available free of charge. FreeCAD FreeCAD The program relies on a parametric approach: at any point in history, you can scroll back and make changes to the parameters. The program even includes finite element analysis and a robotic system simulator. nine0003

    Official site

    Blender

    One of the most popular 3D modeling programs, but rather difficult to master. Not the best choice for a novice designer, but a great tool for those who have already gotten their hands on simpler editors. Fortunately, the popularity of Blender has led to a huge number of guides, tutorials, and visual examples published by experienced users for beginner colleagues.

    Developers are trying to make the program more convenient without sacrificing functionality: the interface has recently been updated, rendering has been improved, and 3D design and animation capabilities have been expanded. And yes, it's open source and freeware, so you don't risk anything. nine0003

    Official site

    2. Editing and repairing STL files

    If you find an interesting 3D model on the Internet, this does not mean that it can be immediately sent to a 3D printer. Many models are created for completely different needs, such as animations or video games, and in principle are not intended for 3D printing. But there is a solution: before processing such models into G-code, they must first be repaired so that the slicer can do its job well. The following programs on our list will help you cope with the repair. nine0003

    Meshmixer

    Meshmixer is an advanced and free program from Autodesk that allows you to view and check 3D models for errors in polygonal meshes that can ruin 3D printing. If such problems are detected, the program can automatically repair meshes. One example of an application is finishing 3D scans to a state suitable for 3D printing.

    Additional functionality includes mesh blending, 3D sculpting, surface writing, cavity creation, support branching, mesh smoothing, and more. nine0003

    Official website

    MeshLab

    MeshLab is another open source program for editing polygonal meshes. MeshLab has the necessary tools for editing, checking, cleaning and converting meshes with the ability to combine meshes into one model and patch holes that can lead to incorrect processing of models into G-code.

    Official website

    3. Slicers

    Having received a 3D model, it must be converted into machine code - a series of commands understandable to CNC machines, including 3D printers. Slicers are responsible for this task - programs that accept digital models (usually in the form of files with STL, OBJ or 3MF extensions), analyze their structure, and then compile lists of actions for 3D printers, called G-code (Gcode). Such lists contain all the information necessary for the equipment: to what temperature to warm up the extruders and tables, whether to use airflow, along what trajectory and at what pace to lay the plastic. nine0003

    Cura

    Cura is a slicer from the Dutch company Ultimaker, designed primarily for branded 3D printers, but open source and compatible with most other FDM/FFF systems. The program is easily customizable with various plugins. Since this is a very popular program, the chances are that it already has a profile with optimal settings for your 3D printer. If not, then nothing prevents you from creating a profile manually or using profiles prepared by other users. nine0003

    The program has several levels of difficulty depending on the level of training - basic, advanced, expert and complete. The higher the level, the more access to customizable options. At a basic level, the program takes the bulk of the work on itself, helping inexperienced users.

    Cura is constantly being developed and improved through regular updates and is also offered free of charge, although a paid version of Cura Enterprise is available to professional users with licensed plug-ins from the Ultimaker Marketplace, technical support and additional security measures. nine0003

    In addition to converting 3D models to G-code, Cura can also take on the role of a control program, but this will require a constant connection between the 3D printer and the computer throughout the 3D printing. Professionals appreciate another feature of Cura - seamless integration with professional computer-aided design systems such as SolidWorks and Siemens NX.

    In general, Сura is suitable even for novice users, especially since a huge number of training videos and step-by-step guides are available for this program, both from developers and enthusiasts. nine0003

    Official website

    PrusaSlicer

    3D printer manufacturer Prusa Research, under the leadership of the legendary Czech engineer Josef Prusa, whose designs are copied and refined around the world, has developed its own open source software based on the Slic3r slicer. PrusaSlicer quickly gained popularity as it not only retains the original program's extensive customizations, but also adds a number of useful features not found in Slic3r. nine0003

    A redesigned interface, support for Original Prusa branded 3D printers, and profiles with settings to work with many common polymers are just some of the improvements. Additionally, algorithms for generating support structures have been improved, support for multimaterial 3D printing and the ability to dynamically adjust the layer thickness have been added.

    PrusaSlicer can process models not only for FDM 3D printers, but also for stereolithographic systems printing with photopolymers. As with Cura, the user can select a difficulty level with appropriate access to fine-tuning. nine0003

    Official website

    ideaMaker

    Raise3D's slicer is optimized for branded additive hardware in the same way that PrusaSlicer is optimized for Original Prusa 3D printers, and Cura is optimized for Ultimaker 3D printers, but this does not mean that it cannot be use with third party systems. The organization of workflows and the interface is somewhat more complicated than in Cura and PrusaSlicer, but on the other hand, ideaMaker allows you to set up individual layers and apply textures for product customization. nine0003

    ideaMaker users can connect to the cloud platform and access hundreds of 3D printer profiles and materials created by other operators, or create their own library of settings.

    Add the ability to customize support structures, split models for more efficient 3D printing of large parts, integrated mesh repair tools, and OctoPrint compatibility, and you have a flexible, versatile program to suit the needs of most 3D printers. nine0003

    Official website

    ChiTuBox Basic

    This is a specialized slicer for those who use stereolithographic 3D printers that print with photopolymer resins. Most budget LCD masked stereolithography (MSLA) 3D printers rely on motherboards and firmware from ChiTu Systems, which also developed this software.

    Users gain control over technology-specific parameters such as layer exposure time, as well as access to predefined profiles with settings for many popular 3D printers. The slicer takes into account such moments as the orientation of the model and the automatic construction of support structures with the possibility of manual optimization. nine0003

    Official website

    Lychee Slicer

    A program from the independent Franco-Belgian team Mango 3D, not affiliated with 3D printer manufacturers, but with support for many popular stereolithographic 3D printers, including those from Elegoo, Anycubic, Phrozen and Creality.

    One of the features of this program is the high level of automation. If you wish, you can simply click on the "magic" button (it's called Magic), and the slicer will do everything by itself: it will orient the model on the platform, generate supports, and so on. Although, here you are lucky: the results are not always optimal, but usually adequate for relatively simple models. Otherwise, everything can be configured manually. nine0003

    The program is offered in free and paid versions. The functionality of the free version is slightly reduced, but it has everything you need.

    Official site

    Kiri:Moto

    Browser solution for those who lack computing power. Kiri:Moto can prepare 3D models for both 3D printing and laser engraving or milling. The settings are somewhat more primitive than in locally installed slicers, but are sufficient for most users. nine0003

    Official website

    IceSL

    IceSL is a combination software that combines slicing with 3D modeling. In the left window, you can edit 3D models using scripts in the Lua language, which makes it possible to perform parametric modeling. On the right side, the 3D printing settings are displayed. For beginners, pre-configured settings are available, while experienced users can take advantage of features such as specific adjustment of parameters for individual layers with automatic gradation of intermediate areas. For example, this allows you to gradually reduce or, conversely, increase the filling density of the product as it is built, or gradually change the thickness of the layers. nine0003

    Official website

    4. Control programs

    Control programs are designed for exactly this - managing workflows during 3D printing. Although you can insert a G-code drive into almost any 3D printer and press the start button, this is not always convenient, especially when you have to work with several 3D printers at the same time, and even more so when you do it remotely. This is where control programs come to the rescue. In addition, some of them offer additional functionality, including slicing and even editing 3D models. nine0003

    OctoPrint

    A web-based appliance that requires connection to a 3D printer via a microcomputer such as a Raspberry Pi equipped with a Wi-Fi module. This system allows you to control 3D printers remotely. OctoPrint accepts G-code from almost any slicer and provides the ability to visualize - view files before and during 3D printing. Alternatively, STL files can be loaded and processed directly in OctoPrint.

    OctoPrint not only provides all the necessary tools for remote management, but also allows you to track the work in progress using notifications via various instant messengers. nine0003

    This is a completely free, open source program with many plug-ins created by enthusiasts and available on the official website.

    Official website

    MatterControl

    MatterHackers offers its own control program, slicer and 3D editor in one package. MatterControl allows you to directly control and observe 3D printing, slice, export G-code to SD cards for offline printing, and even create 3D models from scratch. The 3D printer will need a Wi-Fi or USB connection to run MatterControl. nine0003

    The interface is well structured: on the left side there is a file browser and a library of simple geometric shapes. Interestingly, these shapes can be dragged into the 3D model and used as support structures.

    Basic functionality is available in the free basic version, advanced users can pay to upgrade to MatterControl Pro.

    Official website

    AstroPrint

    AstroPrint is a cloud-based management platform that allows you to remotely monitor and control multiple 3D printers simultaneously, store files, convert 3D models to G-code, and track workflow statistics. The functionality ranges from basic in the free version to advanced with different levels of paid subscriptions. nine0003

    The 3D printer will require a Wi-Fi module to fully work with AstroPrint. In conjunction with the Raspberry Pi, the system is similar in functionality to OctoPrint: you can process models and send the finished code to a 3D printer via a web interface without the need for additional software. Another plus is integration with popular repositories of 3D models Thingiverse and MyMiniFactory, as well as 3D editors 3D Slash and Leopoly.

    Official website

    5. Programs for visualizing G-code

    What to do if you find an old file with a G-code, but you have no idea what it is and why - maybe garbage, or maybe an excellent, but long-forgotten model without a clear marking in the file name? The programs in this section will help you visualize the contents of such files.

    UVTools

    This program combines file browsing with layer editing and even model repair for stereolithographic 3D printing. The program can also be used as a plug-in for PrusaSlicer, adding support for third-party photopolymer 3D printers - although PrusaSlicer is open source, support for stereolithographic systems is still limited to branded equipment. At the same time, UVTools allows you to print calibration samples to check the exposure time and other parameters, which can be useful, for example, when working with new photopolymers that have not yet been tested. nine0003

    Official website

    WebPrinter

    A simple browser tool for quick G-code preview, developed by the same team that created the IceSL slicer and 3D editor. The application works very simply: follow the link, upload the file with the G-code and see how the 3D printer will grow the model according to the commands provided. Unfortunately, the functionality is limited: for example, the application does not provide information about temperature settings. On the other hand, you can quickly figure out what kind of model is hidden in a file with an incomprehensible name. nine0003

    Official website

    Gcode Analyzer

    An old but still very capable and popular G-code analysis web application. The 3D simulation doesn't work very well, but the 2D and G-code previews work great.


    Learn more