Best economical 3d printer

Best Budget 3D Printer 2022: 8 Great Printers at a Price You'll Love

It costs less than ever to get into 3D printing, with printers available for under $200. The catch is that these budget machines usually require some tweaking to get right. You'll save money, but it's a rough-and-tumble way to get started. The best budget 3D printers have a healthy balance between cost and usability so that's what we are looking at in this list.

3D printing -- or additive manufacturing to give it its scientific name -- has been around for a long time now. It's a fun way to create models that can be practical, or just for fun. You can print giant pieces of cosplay armor, or small statues to give as gifts. You can even buy a few printers, open your own Etsy store and make yourself a tidy profit.

These budget 3D printers all cost under $500 (though prices can drift a bit month to month), and some are better suited to beginners than others. Our list of picks for best 3D printer overall covers a much wider range of choices, but these are excellent for getting started or for buying several at once!

James Bricknell/CNET

Elegoo Neptune 2

Keep it simple

The Elegoo is one of my favorite ultra-cheap printers. When testing it, I kept expecting it to fail and it just didn't. It produced amazing results for the price, and continues to do so every time I use it. It doesn't have auto bed leveling, but the Elegoo was easy to set up. And because it's based on the popular Ender 3, it has a lot of mods available to make it even better.

$170 at Amazon

Prusa Research

Prusa Mini Plus

Small but mighty

The Mini Plus is one of the best small-footprint printers you can buy. It has everything you would expect from a Prusa machine: Auto bed leveling, crash detection and great print quality, all for under $450. Building it with my son gave us a lot of good insights into how a 3D printer works, and potentially how to fix one.

$429 at Prusa Research

Creality

Creality Ender 3

Community favorite

The Ender 3 is one of the bestselling 3D printers of all time. Its under-$200 price removes a huge barrier to entry for anyone looking to spend as little as possible for their first machine.

Its popularity means there is a huge community of people to help you get it set up and working -- it's not exactly plug-and-play -- and you may need to spend a fair amount of time tweaking the Ender 3 to get it to print as well.

$199 at Amazon

You're receiving price alerts for Creality Ender 3

Anycubic

Anycubic Kobra Go

Entry level kit

The latest entry-level printer from Anycubic is surprisingly good. It comes in kit form, which gives you a chance to learn a little bit more about the machine. While that makes the setup more complicated, the printing is much easier with auto bed leveling, something I have never seen in a $200 printer. It makes everything easier, believe me.

If you are looking to get into 3D printing and want to learn what each of the parts does, this is a great way to find out.

$200 at Amazon

Flashforge

Flashforge Finder 3

Excellent out of the box

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 is 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.

On my CNET torture test, the Finder 3 coped really well with overhangs, as well as the points of the towers. Ringing was minimal, though it did struggle with bridging.

Overall, the Finder 3 is a great printer for the price. It's perfect for a teacher in the classroom as the enclosure makes it stable, and the slicer can control multiple printers at once via Wi-Fi.

$400 at Amazon

$369 at Flashforge

You're receiving price alerts for Flashforge Finder 3

Dan Ackerman/CNET

Creality Ender 3 S1

Direct drive with advanced features

As Dan Ackerman said in his review of the Creality Ender 3 S1 "At $399, the S1 version of the Ender-3 is about $100 more than older versions but includes so many upgrades and quality of life features that it qualifies as a great beginner-friendly, plug-and-play printer. "

It's also a great budget-friendly Direct Drive printer, making it easier to use for materials such as TPU.

$399 at Amazon

You're receiving price alerts for Official Creality Ender 3 S1 3D Printer with Direct Drive Extruder CR Touch Auto Leveling High Precision Double Z-axis Screw Silent Board Printing Size 8.6X8.6X10.6in, Upgrade Ender 3 V2 for Beginners

Resin 3D printers for beginners

Most beginner printers use a plastic filament to create models, but there are plenty of affordable resin 3D printers, too. Liquid resin is a little more difficult to use than standard 3D printing material and requires safety equipment. But it also produces amazingly detailed results.

Elegoo

Elegoo Mars 3

The best starter resin printer

This small resin printer is Elegoo's latest model in its popular Mars line. Because of the 4K monochrome LCD (these printers use light from an LCD to cure liquid resin) it can print much faster than older printers. The level of detail on models is something that standard 3D printing simply can't reproduce. At this price, the Elegoo Mars 3 is the best resin printer for the money.

$259 at Amazon

You're receiving price alerts for Elegoo Mars 3

James Bricknell/CNET

Anycubic Mono X

When you need it bigger

This is expensive for a budget printer, but well worth it if you want a large enough print area to make something special. I have been using this as my main resin printer and it can handle anything I throw at it, from a D&D miniature army to highly detailed sculptures.

$450 at Amazon

James Bricknell/CNET

Frequently asked questions

What material should I use to print with?

Most home 3D printers use PLA or ABS plastic. Professional printers can use all sorts of materials, from metal to organic filament. Some printers use a liquid resin, which is much more difficult to handle but offers sharper details. As a beginner, use PLA. It's non-toxic, made mostly of cornstarch and sugarcane, handles easily, and is inexpensive. However, it's more sensitive to heat, so don't leave your 3D prints on the dashboard of a car on a hot day.

What settings should I use?

Most 3D printers include or link to recommended software, which can handle converting 3D STL or other files into formats supported by the printer. Stick with the suggested presets to start, with one exception. I've started adding a raft, or bottom layer of filament, to nearly everything I print. It has cut down dramatically on prints that don't adhere to the bed properly, which is a common issue. If you continue to have problems, rub a standard glue stick on the print bed right before printing.

What are supports?

Your 3D models probably need some help to print properly, as these printers don't do well with big overhangs -- for example, an arm sticking out from a figure. Your 3D printer software can usually automatically calculate and add supports, meaning little stands that hold up all those sticking-out parts of the model. After the print is done, clip the supports off with micro cutters and file down any nubs or rough edges with hobby files.

How we test

Testing 3D printers is an in-depth process. Printers often don't use the same materials, or even the same process to create models. I test SLA, 3D printers that use resin and light to print, and FDM, printers that melt plastic onto a plate. Each has a unique methodology. Core qualifiers I look at include:

Hardware quality
Ease of setup
Bundled software
Appearance and accuracy of prints
Repairability
Company and community support

A key test print, representing the (now old) CNET logo, is used to assess how a printer bridges gaps, creates accurate shapes and deals with overhangs. It even has little towers to help measure how well the 3D printer deals with temperature ranges.

James Bricknell/CNET

Testing resin requires different criteria so I use the Ameralabs standard test -- printing out a small resin model that looks like a tiny town. This helps determine how accurate the printer is, how it deals with small parts and how well the UV exposure works at different points in the model.

Many other anecdotal test prints, using different 3D models, are also run on each printer to test the longevity of the parts and how well the machine copes with various shapes.

For the other criteria, I research the company to see how well it responds to support queries from customers and how easy it is to order replacement parts and install them yourself. Kits (printers that come only semi-assembled) are judged by how long, and how difficult, the assembly process is.

The Best Cheap 3D Printers for 2022

While we'd hesitate to call 3D printing a mature technology, you might say it has reached its teenage years. Through their first decade-and-change, 3D printers have come down in price, grown easier to set up and operate, and become more reliable. And you may pay less than you expect: Many once-high-end features have migrated down to inexpensive models.

PC Labs has been reviewing 3D printers since 2013. Today, the state of 3D printing is strong, but that wasn’t always the case. For the first several years, it was often an adventure getting one of these printers up and running, let alone successfully through our testing regimen. Issues with filament-based—aka fused filament fabrication (FFF) or fused deposition modeling (FDM)—printers were abundant.

Filament feeders had to be coaxed into delivering filament from the spool to the extruder. Print beds had to be manually aligned. The extruder or hot end had to be positioned just right to minimize the gap between the nozzle and the build plate (the flat surface on which the object is printed). Objects frequently stuck to the build plate, and required careful, sometimes unsuccessful, efforts to pry them off. These and other issues required painstaking effort to resolve, often combined with calls to tech support.

Not so much anymore. While they can still be rebellious at times, 3D printers have grown up a lot, and achieving the 3D printer basics has gotten a lot less likely to end in a shouting match over small things. And they've gotten a lot more affordable, too, for curious DIY-ers and hobbyists to try.

If you're in the market for a beginner or low-cost 3D printer, it's important to know how lower-end models differ. Read on for mini-reviews of the top budget 3D printers we've tested. After that, we go into more detail on understanding the 3D printer specs and tech relevant to beginning buyers. Ready to take the plunge? Read on.

Original Prusa Mini

Best Overall Budget 3D Printer

4.5 Outstanding

Bottom Line:

It requires assembly and calibration care (plus shipping from the Czech Republic), but the Original Prusa Mini is a compact, open-frame 3D printer that consistently produces superb-quality output for a great price.

PROS

Top-notch object quality
Supports a variety of filament types
Useful, professionally printed user guide
Great support resources
Versatile, user-friendly software

CONS

First-layer calibration can be tricky
Only includes starter packets of filament
Requires monitoring if young children or pets are around

Sold By	List Price	Price
Prusa Research	$399.00	$399.00	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Original Prusa Mini Review

XYZprinting da Vinci Mini

Best Budget 3D Printer for Schools, Community Centers

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

The XYZprinting da Vinci Mini is a consumer-oriented 3D printer that provides a winning combination of low price, ease of setup and use, solid print quality, and smooth, misprint-free operation.

PROS

Very low price.
Reasonably priced filament.
Good print quality.
No misprints in testing.
Easy setup and operation.
Quiet.
Prints over a USB or Wi-Fi connection.

CONS

Occasional problems in trying to launch prints.
Removing printed objects from the print bed is sometimes tricky.

Sold By	List Price	Price
Walmart	$199.95	$199.95	See It (Opens in a new window)
Amazon	$199.95	$199.95	Check Stock (Opens in a new window)

Read Our XYZprinting da Vinci Mini Review

Toybox 3D Printer

Best Budget 3D Printer for Children

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

The Toybox 3D Printer works well as a model designed for children, offering reliable printing from a browser or mobile device and a few thousand toys to print, plus creative options to output drawings or photos. Just bear in mind the tiny build area.

PROS

Reliable, misprint-free printing
Easy setup
One-touch operation
Well-composed help resources
Access to more than 2,000 printable toys and projects
Lets you create your own printable designs

CONS

Tiny build area
Not ideal for importing 3D files created elsewhere

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$299.00	$299.00	See It (Opens in a new window)
Toybox Labs	$379.00	$299.00	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Toybox 3D Printer Review

Monoprice Mini Delta V2 3D Printer

Best Budget 3D Printer for Beginners, Non-Techies

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

3D printing gurus will be intrigued by the Monoprice Mini Delta V2's use of the delta rather than Cartesian coordinate system, but beginners will just enjoy its low price, ease of use, and speedy printing.

PROS

Sub-$200 price
Quick, nearly misprint-free printing
Easy setup and operation
Sturdy steel-and-aluminum frame
Supports multiple filament types

CONS

Tiny build area
So-so print quality
Mere one-year warranty

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$179.99	$179.99	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Monoprice Mini Delta V2 3D Printer Review

Anycubic i3 Mega S

Best Budget 3D Printer With an Open Design, Big Build Area

3.5 Good

Bottom Line:

The Anycubic i3 Mega S, an inexpensive open-frame 3D printer, produced decent-quality prints in our testing. To get the most out of it, though, may require precise calibration.

PROS

Modestly priced
Large build area for an inexpensive printer
Supports a variety of filament types
Generally solid print quality
Uses well-known Cura software

CONS

Finicky print-platform alignment
Supported coils of filament are small
Poorly placed spool holder

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$229. 98	$229.98	Check Stock (Opens in a new window)
AnyCubic	$279.00	$279.00	Check Stock (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Anycubic i3 Mega S Review

Anycubic Vyper

Best Budget 3D Printer for the Biggest Build Area Possible

3.5 Good

Bottom Line:

Anycubic's modestly priced Vyper whips up large 3D prints on its open-frame design, and provides automatic print-bed leveling. Just know that some minor assembly is required—and printed objects may require a bit of cleanup.

PROS

Relatively large build area
Automatic bed leveling
Simple assembly

CONS

Short (one-year) warranty
Includes only a small starter filament coil
Using Cura software with the Vyper requires tweaking a couple of settings
Test prints showed some "hairy" filament residue

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$429. 99	$429.99	See It (Opens in a new window)
AnyCubic	$369.00	$319.00	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Anycubic Vyper Review

Creality Ender-3 V2

Best Budget 3D Printer for Tinkerers and DIY Types

3.5 Good

Bottom Line:

Hands-on tweaking defines Creality's budget-price Ender-3 V2, an open-frame 3D printer that you build from a kit. It produces generally above-par prints, but its print bed can be tricky to keep leveled.

PROS

Inexpensive
Slightly above-average print quality
Good-size build area for its price
Supports several filament types

CONS

Manual print-bed leveling can be tricky
Setup instructions could be deeper, more legible
Questionable quality control on some parts

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$299. 00	$246.00	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Creality Ender-3 V2 Review

Flashforge Finder 3D Printer

Best 3D Printer for the Very Tightest Budgets

3.5 Good

Bottom Line:

The Flashforge Finder 3D Printer is moderately priced and offers good print quality, but it proved tricky to get up and running in our tests.

PROS

Quiet.
Good print quality.
Connects via USB 2.0 cable, USB thumb drive, or Wi-Fi.
Reasonably priced.

CONS

Some objects pulled off the platform during testing.
Poor documentation.
Modest build volume.
Limited to printing with polylactic acid filament (PLA).

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$729.00	$729.00	Check Stock (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Flashforge Finder 3D Printer Review

Polaroid PlaySmart 3D Printer

Best Budget 3D Printer for Dabbling in Small Objects

3. 5 Good

Bottom Line:

The Polaroid PlaySmart 3D Printer is a compact, stylish 3D printer with above-par overall print quality, but, alas, a tiny build area for the money.

PROS

Small, lightweight for a desktop 3D printer.
Easy to set up and use.
Supports PLA, PETG, and wood composite filaments.
Multiple-color support.
Wi-Fi camera monitors print jobs.
Prints from USB drives, SD cards, or mobile devices.

CONS

High price for its capabilities.
Small build area.
Too-brief warranty.

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$699.00	$699.00	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Polaroid PlaySmart 3D Printer Review

XYZprinting da Vinci Jr. 1.0 A Pro

Best Budget 3D Printer With Closed Design, Roomy Build Area

3. 5 Good

Bottom Line:

The XYZprinting da Vinci Jr. 1.0 A Pro is a moderately priced closed-frame 3D printer with a large build volume and overall good performance, but a potentially balky filament-feeding system.

PROS

Spacious build area
Works with third-party filaments
Self-leveling print bed

CONS

Build plate is not heated
Limited to PLA- and PETG-based filaments
Guide tube is prone to detaching

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$299.95	$199.95	See It (Opens in a new window)
Best Buy	$449.95	$449.95	Check Stock (Opens in a new window)

Read Our XYZprinting da Vinci Jr. 1.0 A Pro Review

Monoprice Voxel 3D Printer

Best Budget 3D Printer for Cheap Filament

3. 0 Average

Bottom Line:

The Monoprice Voxel is an under-$400 3D printer that's easy to set up and use. It exhibits generally good print quality, but it was unable to print two of our test objects.

PROS

Easy to set up and use.
Budget price for printer and filament spools.
Supports PLA, ABS, and several composite filament types.
Versatile software.
Prints over Ethernet or Wi-Fi, or from a USB thumb drive.

CONS

Frequent misprints on certain test objects.
Slightly balky touch screen.

Sold By	List Price	Price
Amazon	$449.99	$369.26	See It (Opens in a new window)
Walmart	$429.99	$369.26	See It (Opens in a new window)

Read Our Monoprice Voxel 3D Printer Review

Buying Guide: The Best Cheap 3D Printers for 2022

How to Buy a Cheap 3D Printer

The biggest changes to 3D printers over the last few years have come to the cheaper models. Nowadays, many of those classic, ornery 3D-printing issues have been resolved (most of the time, anyway), even for consumer and bargain-priced 3D printers. Automatic print-bed leveling is the norm, and you can usually remove 3D-printed objects from heated and/or flexible build plates with a minimum of coaxing. And most 3D printer manufacturers have either developed and refined their own software, or have adapted an open-source printing platform such as Cura(Opens in a new window).

(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)

What separates more expensive 3D printers from cheap ones ("cheap" defined as $500 or less, for the purposes of this article) is often a select group of features. These include the build volume, the type of frame, the varieties of supported filament, the software, and the connectivity mix. Let's run through those in turn.

What's the Right Build Volume for a 3D Printer?

A 3D printer’s build volume is the maximum dimensions (HWD) of a part that it can print. (We say “a part” because a 3D-printed object can consist of multiple parts that are printed, then glued or otherwise pieced together.) While the smallest build volume of any 3D printer we have tested is 3.9 by 3.9 by 4.9 inches, we consider any build volume smaller than 6 by 6 by 6 inches to be small, any between that and 10 by 10 by 10 inches as medium, and any printer with at least one build dimension of more than 10 inches as having a large build volume.

(Credit: Molly Flores)

As a general rule, inexpensive 3D printers have small build volumes, while more expensive ones have larger build volumes. This depends in part on the type of printer. Closed-frame 3D printers—and most semi-open models, which have a rigid top, base, and sides but are open in front and, often, back—tend to have small build volumes, while open-frame printers, lacking as rigid a physical structure, often have relatively large build volumes for the price. You'll want to weigh the build volume against the kinds of objects you will print.

Should I Get an Open-Frame or Closed-Frame 3D Printer?

Which brings us to the frame "form factor" question: open-frame versus closed-frame. Closed-frame 3D printers are boxlike devices, with a rigid base, walls (with a see-through door in front), and top. Among their advantages? They muffle the operating noise, as well as reduce the odor from melted filament (which is potentially an issue with ABS plastic), and they provide some protection for people or pets who might inadvertently touch the hot extruder. A downside: They tend to have smaller build volumes than open-frame 3D printers, which have fewer (often, no) walls to constrict them.

(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)

Low-cost 3D printers include both open-frame and closed-frame models, as well as a few stereolithography printers. If a relatively large build volume is a priority, you’re likely to get more bang for the buck with an open-frame model. Open-frames do have some clear downsides by definition: They tend to be noisy, emit odors when certain plastics are melted, and provide little protection for someone who might touch the hot extruder.

(Credit: Molly Flores)

Also, recognize some potential negatives of open frames, depending on the model. Some require assembly, being essentially kits, and most require more setup care than a closed-frame printer, plus more maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Still, these very traits should not deter—and may even appeal to—hobbyists and DIY folks.

What Should I Look for in 3D Printer Software and Connectivity?

Gone are the days when tinkerers had to cobble together several different programs to get a 3D printer to run. Manufacturers either include their own 3D printing program or modify an existing platform such as the open-source Cura.

3D printing software performs three main functions: processing an object file (resizing, moving, rotating, and in some cases duplicating it), slicing it (into virtual layers, based on your chosen resolution), and printing it. These are almost universally combined into a seamless process. Some high-end printers have software that supports a wider range of settings you can tweak, but even the basic suites work at least reasonably well.

More likely to vary among the cheaper set is the array of connection options from model to model. Nearly all have a USB Type-A port to fit a thumb drive for printing from document files. Most also have a USB Type-B port for connecting directly to a computer, and some offer Wi-Fi, too (or as an alternative), while a handful let you connect via Ethernet to share the printer across a local network.

Some printers support storing 3D files on an SD or microSD card (which may also contain the printer’s system files). Most 3D printer manufacturers (even the discount ones) have a mobile app to launch and monitor print jobs, and a few provide access to cloud services from which you can print.

While high-end 3D printers tend to have an abundance of connection choices, discount models vary widely in their choices. Some are generous and some are basic, so it pays to assess what a given model offers.

What Should I Look for in Filament Support?

Filament support tends to be a key area that separates the cheaper models from the higher-end ones. (See our guide to understanding 3D printing filaments for more particulars.) Inexpensive 3D printers tend to support a limited number of plastic filament types, some of them only PLA and/or ABS.

Recommended by Our Editors

3D Printing: What You Need to Know

3D Printer Filaments Explained

(Credit: Molly Flores)

PLA (polylactic acid) is a biodegradable, plant-based polymer, while ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is the same tough plastic that Legos are made from. Objects printed from ABS are durable and nontoxic, though the material can be tricky to work with. ABS can emit an acrid, unpleasant odor during printing, and the bottom corners of objects being printed with it have a tendency to curl upward a bit, especially if you are using a non-heated print bed. This can lead to unsightly prints, and/or prints prematurely pulling off the build plate, ruining them.

Many entry-level and low-price 3D printers stick exclusively to PLA. If you want to experiment with a larger variety of filaments—which include water-soluble filament, wood- and metal-laced composites, and both tough and flexible varieties—you may have to pay more, although a few discount models support a wide range of materials.

Should I Consider a 3D Printing Pen Instead?

Although they aren’t printers per se, inexpensive 3D pens are close kin to 3D printers—using the same filament types and a similar extrusion system—and we include them in the 3D printing category. Rather than tracing out a programmed pattern, you use the 3D pen much like a normal pen, except that you draw with molten plastic. You can trace a pattern or draw freehand, and even draw in three dimensions as the plastic quickly solidifies and hardens once extruded.

(Credit: 3Doodler)

Most 3D pens cost less than $100, and some cost $50 or less. At a glance, 3D pens may appear to be toys, but some artists and craftspeople have taken to them, as it is possible to make quite complicated and beautiful objects with them. If your aim in 3D printing is something closer to freehand design and free expression than computer-centric, structured, and repeatable output, you might give one a try.

So, What Is the Best Cheap 3D Printer to Buy?

Buying a budget 3D printer needn’t mean a world of sacrifice. Plenty of capable and reliable models sell at less than $500, and while they may not be as feature-rich as their more expensive cousins, there's no sense in paying for things you don’t need.

Many casual 3D-printing experimenters will be fine with printing over a USB cable or from a thumb drive, and sticking to PLA may be the best choice for a starter 3D printer. If you focus just on the features you want, you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find. Below, check out a spec breakdown of the best under-$500 3D printers we have reviewed, paralleling our picks above. Also, for a look at the broader market, see our guide to our favorite 3D printers overall.

Best 3D Printers for Schools and STEM Education 2022

More and more schools around the world are turning to more creative ways to teach students, moving away from boring lesson plans and moving towards learning through play. The world is changing and education must change with it. To prepare kids for a career as an engineer or 3D software designer, schools are looking for the best 3D printers for kids to learn.

As a result, a number of 3D printers have been developed specifically for educational institutions. So we've compiled a list of seven FDM 3D printers that we think are best suited for teaching kids - from elementary to high school and up - how 3D printing works. nine0003

Contents

What makes a good educational 3D printer?
Benefits of 3D Printers in Schools:
Best 3D Printers for Schools & Education 2022
Toybox 3D Printer - Great for Young Children to Learn 3D Printing
Makerbot Sketch Solution - Dedicated 3D Printer for Education
MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition
Flashforge Creator Pro 2
Dremel Digilab 3D40 EDU - Dremel Dedicated 3D Printer for Education
Ultimaker S3 - simply the best
Monoprice Select Mini V2 - very affordable 3D printer for classrooms
Buyer's Guide - what to look for when choosing a 3D printer for schools
Tips for 3D printing in schools and educational institutions
How 3D Printing Helps Education
Here we've rounded up some of the best ideas for 3D printing in schools that students are sure to get excited about.
Q&A

What makes a good educational 3D printer? nine0041

Of course, ease of use, especially for younger students. If they can't operate the printer, they won't get inspired or learn anything, so simplicity is the number one priority. 3D printers for elementary grades should be safer and simpler, while more advanced students, such as engineering students, will feel safer and more comfortable with more sophisticated printers.

In addition, reliability. Teachers can't teach while fixing broken printers - any educational 3D printer should be stable. nine0003

Finally, ideally a 3D printer for schools should come with lesson plans, class projects, or interactive exercises. 3D printer companies such as Makerbot, Tinkerine and Dremel 3D have focused on developing 3D printers as educational tools, offering complete lesson plans designed with the age group in mind.

Since good educational 3D printers are also suitable for children to play outside of school, we have chosen the following printers for both criteria: the best 3D printers for schools and STEM education. nine0003

Benefits of 3D printers in schools:

Makes learning interactive and active: Unlike studying a textbook or watching a lecture, 3D printing involves students interacting with machines and engaging in the printing process.
Encourages understanding of the real world: much of what is taught in schools is theoretical, rather than allowing you to see the results and effects visually. The fact that a real 3D printer creates real parts is better than abstract theories and will help to develop the student's engineering skills and spatial intelligence much better. nine0053 More interesting: The technology is cool and if the students are interested, they will learn faster.

Best 3D Printers for Schools & Education 2022

Toybox 3D Printer - Great for Young Kids to Learn 3D Printing

Price: From $300
Assembly volume: 70 x 80 x 90 mm
Material Compatibility: PLA
Minimum layer height: 200 microns
Print speed: 60 mm/s

Primarily for children

Affordable price

Biodegradable, non -toxic PLA

Convenient printing with one touch from the box

Access to a free printing catalog 2000+ toys

Small seal area

Limited opportunities for practical use in training

9000 9000

TOYBOX stringing a gold kick by creating a 3D printer designed exclusively for children, encouraging independent creativity and fostering an interest in technology. The Toybox 3D printer can also serve high schoolers or adult learners who want to avoid the usually steep learning curve of 3D printing before moving on to a more serious education-focused printer. nine0003

Affordable and affordable, the Toybox 3D Printer is the entry point to the world of 3D printing, with a friendly design aimed at young pioneers. The touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity, small footprint, non-toxic, biodegradable PLA compatibility, and support for iOS/Android devices and web browsers all work to give young students the tools to easily explore 3D printing. .

When we tested the Toybox, we were very impressed with its affordability, how easy it was to start printing almost immediately, and how easy it was to switch between filaments. nine0003

The Toybox printer also comes with Creator Space, a universal application, library and customization kit. The kid-friendly app contains everything you need to print from a catalog of 2,000 customizable toys. It also provides kids with everything they need to print their own creations or complete a fun school project.

With such an emphasis on simplicity and one-touch printing, the Toybox is very limited in its applications, making it very similar to a 3D printer for classroom use in lower grades. Beyond toys, Toybox lacks the necessary features and versatility for more advanced and practical STEM learning applications. nine0003

Makerbot Sketch Solution - Dedicated Education 3D Printer

Company Based: USA
Price: $1,799 for the whole set (2 3D printers)
Print volume: 150 x 150 x 150 mm

With over 7,000 Makerbot printers installed in North American schools, Makerbot is positioning itself as the leading 3D printing brand for education. Their latest educational 3D printing solution, Sketch, builds on this commitment to helping schools teach effectively. nine0003

Makerbot offers a comprehensive guide for educators, featuring over 600 free lesson plans hosted by Makerbot, as well as a certification program for students who want to stand out as STEM leaders. They offer the only comprehensive ISTE-certified 10-hour 3D printing training and have an organized cloud-based file management system that seamlessly integrates with TinkerCAD or Fusion 360 3D CAD software into their printers. nine0003

For this price, you get a lot more than just two Makerbot Sketch 3D printers. You'll also get 6 spools of classroom-safe PLA filament, 4 build plates, 2 spatulas to remove prints from the plate, 2 replacement nozzles, 2 teacher certification spots, 10 student certification spots, and a Makerbot Cloud with a queue. free prints for a year. Makerbot has focused on building a complete STEM education solution, making it as easy as possible to order everything you need to teach kids about size, shape, design and shaping. nine0003

MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition

Price: Check Amazon here
Assembly volume: 295 x 195 x 165 mm
Material Compatibility: MakerBot PLA, MakerBot Tough PLA
Minimum layer height: 100 microns
Print speed: 175 mm/s

STEM lesson plan

Easy classroom management

Easy setup and easy printing

Excellent software suite

Expensive

PLA only, which could limit potential use in education

Another strong contender among 3D printers for schools and a favorite among educators, the MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition is a solid ecosystem-based printer with features printing and security.

Set it and forget it quality pervades every aspect of the MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition. It comes fully assembled with automatic bed leveling, Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring and printing, and an easy-to-navigate LCD display. nine0003

The MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition fits seamlessly into the classroom with a great suite of software including MakerBot Cloud, TinkerCAD compatibility, and the intuitive MakerBot Print app for phone, desktop, and browser. Safety is also well ensured with a built-in camera, removable build plate, hands-free printing, and compatibility with MakerBot's own classroom-safe PLA and MakerBot Tough PLA materials. nine0003

Educators will also benefit from the included MakerBot Educators Guidebook. It also has a library of classroom-ready projects and 600+ lessons, as well as an ISTE-certified MakerBot software and teacher license. The latter is an invaluable resource for learning how Replicator+ works and for deeper student learning.

Compared to the MakerBot Sketch, another great choice of the best 3D printer for students, the MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition has a larger build volume to help educators with more ambitious projects or multi-part printing. The MakerBot Sketch is probably the safer option thanks to its closed chamber design and particulate filter. It also has a few extra features that the Replicator+ doesn't have, such as touch screen controls and a heated plate. nine0003

The MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition is costly, and the strict PLA restriction won't work for those who want to expand their learning to other types of content. Machine material compatibility is limited to MakerBot coils, eliminating the possibility of using cheaper third party materials.

Flashforge Creator Pro 2

Price: Available in
Assembly volume: 200 x 148 x 150 mm
Material Compatibility: PLA, Pearl PLA, ABS, ABS Pro, PVA, HIPS
Minimum layer height: 100 microns
Print speed: 30-100 mm/s

Independent dual extruder system suitable for more complex multi-material printing

High learning opportunities thanks to material compatibility

Safety features

Won't run out of school STEM budget

Linked to FlashPrint 9 slicer0003

Flashforge Creator Pro 2 is one of the best 3D printers for schools. It is an economical, closed-type printer suitable for a wide range of materials. Teachers will find the Flashforge Creator Pro 2 an adaptable 3D printer for classroom use. This is especially true for those who teach advanced design and technology, as well as their various applications.

While most school 3D printers usually work with plain and predictable PLA, Flashforge Creator Pro 2 offers a lot more. This is mainly due to providing ideal conditions for more heat sensitive materials such as ABS, while printing confidently on PLA, PVA and HIPS. nine0003

The independent dual extruder is also a godsend for educators who want to teach more complex 3D printing techniques using two different types of filament in one print: two-color parts, support structures for a particularly complex model with a lot of ridges, or printing multiple student-designed parts at the same time .

Flashforge Creator Pro 2 also scores points for ease of use. It comes fully assembled and ready to print, eliminating the need to spend time tweaking and fine-tuning to get the best results. While Flashforge Creator Pro 2 doesn't come with tutorials and lesson plans like many other classroom-ready 3D printers, its simplicity won't cause any problems for teachers and students. nine0003

The only downside to an otherwise great offering is that Flashforge ties the printer to its FlashPrint slicer. It's a competent slicer with a lot of functionality, but for those who want more advanced features and the freedom of an open source toolkit, there are limitations. We recommend Cura, a third-party tool of choice for layout designers of all levels.

Dremel Digilab 3D40 EDU - Dremel Dedicated 3D Printer for Education

Company Based: USA
Price: $1,699
Assembly volume: 255 x 155 x 170 mm

American company Dremel moved from being just a tool manufacturer to 3D printing with the Dremel Digilabs series. The 3D40 EDU is designed to teach kids how to 3D print.

The printer comes with a lesson plan designed in accordance with American educational standards and accepted in all US states. These lessons teach problem solving and teamwork through 3D printing, helping students develop manufacturing skills that will be key to the future. What's more, the course counts towards 4 hours of PD - while you're learning 3D printing! nine0003

Price: See price
Assembly volume: 255 x 153 x 170 mm
Material Compatibility: PLA, PETG, Eco-ABS, Nylon
Layer height: 50 microns
Print speed: 150 mm/s

Minimal setup and easy-to-use features

Comes with great learning resources

Compatible with more media types than most educational printers

Safe for a dynamic and unpredictable classroom environment

Expensive for a school on a budget

The Dremel 3D45 EDU is another 3D education printer from Dremel's craftsmen. It provides a complete, easy to use and minimal 3D printing setup perfect for students.

Simplicity is the theme of this printer. Dremel has gone to great lengths to make the Dremel 3D45 as easy to use as possible. It features automatic bed leveling, multiple connectivity options including Wi-Fi and cloud networks, a sleek touch interface and comes pre-assembled. Together, these features make it much easier to set up and use the printer, so educators and students can get started right away. nine0003

The Dremel 3D45 EDU comes with all the safety measures you need: a HEPA carbon air filter, a fully enclosed chamber, a filament holder enclosed in the printer body, and even a handy built-in HD camera for remote monitoring of print progress. The EDU kit also includes additional filament spools, a glue stick and a spare mounting plate.

In addition to top-notch specifications, the Dremel 3D45 EDU comes ready to teach with plenty of lesson plans suitable for grades 3-12 and even a self-study program for teachers. nine0003

The program provides educators with all the hardware and software knowledge from design to printing to confidently use and teach the Dremel 3D45 EDU, as well as instructor certification culminating in a Dremel seal.

Wider material compatibility distinguishes the Dremel 3D45 EDU from its 3D40 EDU cousin. Instead of just playing with standard PLA, the Dremel 3D45 EDU gives teachers and students the opportunity to experiment with PETG, Eco-ABS and nylon. Under the hood, the two models share the same high-quality features, with the exception of a straight all-metal extruder that can withstand temperatures up to 280 degrees Celsius and a heated bed that the Dremel 3D45 EDU has. nine0003

Ultimaker S3 simply the best

Location: Holland
Price: $3,850
Print volume: 230 x 190 x 200 mm

Any manufacturer in the know knows that the Ultimaker S3 is one of the best FDM 3D printers out there. It features industrial-grade quality, reliability and, most importantly for 3D printing in schools, simplicity. It is also open source, which is an advantage for all curious and advanced engineering students who want to try modifying any part of it. nine0003

Although the Ultimaker 3 is more expensive - especially if there are more than 20-30 students in the class - the ease of use and print control (smart auto-leveling features, remote printing by phone) make it a fantastic option for 3D printing in schools. Simply because the printer rarely fails because it is so reliable, the Ultimaker 3 is perfect for teaching kids how to 3D print.

Monoprice Select Mini V2 is a very affordable classroom 3D printer

Country of manufacture: USA
Price: $199
Assembly volume: 120 x 120 x 120 mm

While not billed as an education 3D printer, the Select Mini V2 is a cheap 3D printer and easy enough to use that every student can have their own, for the same price as one or two more expensive printers.

It's simple enough that students can easily use it, and cheap enough that if something goes wrong, it won't be a disaster. What's more, its open layout allows students to see the printing process up close, which is not always possible with more enclosed printers. There are no lesson plans or tutorials included, but the Monoprice Select Mini V2 can definitely be used to teach 3D printing in schools. nine0003

Buyer's Guide - What to Look for When Choosing a 3D Printer for Schools

Ease of Use

Given that inexperience and keen curiosity go hand in hand in educational settings, we recommend 3D printers that take the extra steps to streamline and simplify the process.

Features such as automatic bed leveling, Wi-Fi connectivity and touch screen controls take the more technical and subtle aspects out of the equation. nine0003

These features should make the printer accessible not only to younger students, but also to less experienced teachers who are introducing 3D printing into their classroom for the first time.

Assembly

For the easiest and fastest set up of the print station, we recommend that you select 3D printers shipped assembled. To help, most printers designed for schools and educational institutions come fully assembled as standard.

Materials and types of filaments

We recommend PLA as a starting point. This material is biodegradable, non-toxic and melts at a relatively low temperature compared to other types of filaments. PLA improves the overall safety of learning about 3D printers while offering a fairly wide range of application and printing options.

For more advanced users or for tutorials covering specific topics that require a more versatile filament type, we recommend looking at a printer that can print with ABS and possibly other types such as PVA and HIPS. nine0003

Safety

3D printer safety is an important consideration when working in a dynamic, sometimes hectic classroom environment. We recommend paying particular attention to features such as closed chambers, air filtration systems, built-in cameras for hands-free surveillance, and easy-to-remove plates, all of which help keep users safe.

Slicing software

Slicing is an important step in the 3D printing process. We recommend slicing programs that don't overwhelm users with advanced options and have a clean, intuitive user interface.

Manufacturer-designed slicers offer full integration and optimization of settings with specific printers and are therefore a good option. Otherwise, third-party slicing programs like the always-reliable Cura can be a great alternative.

Tips for 3D printing in schools and colleges

Go to class prepared. There are a wealth of resources available, from lesson plans to projects covering a wide range of topics. Use them to steer your learning in the right direction.

Use a simple, beginner-friendly design program. It will relieve you of many of the complex aspects of 3D printing, facilitating quality learning and skill acquisition. TinkerCAD is a great starting point, although other options exist such as 3D Builder, SketchUp Free, and Meshmixer. nine0003

Let students experience 3D printing. This does not mean touching hot ends or tearing the printer apart. Instead, involve them in the process, whether it's choosing parts to print, adjusting slicer settings, matching colors, or assembling printed parts. The sense of belonging to the project is priceless.

Preset the extrusion temperature and calibrate the bed. This saves time and captures the fleeting attention of students, and reduces the chance of bad prints, errors and troubleshooting on the go. nine0003

How 3D printing helps in education

Here are some examples of how 3D printing can revitalize and transform learning.

Anatomy — Print body parts or even the entire skeleton piece by piece for teaching anatomy. Involve students in the process.

Chemistry and Physics - 3D printed models of molecules and atoms are a powerful way to turn an obscure concept into something students can understand on a physical level.

Design, Engineering, Technology - Have students design and print functional parts for structures such as a bridge or a catapult.

History - print models of historical figures, artifacts, ancient monuments, and why not make a diorama depicting the turning points of history to bring novelty to the lesson.

Geography — Make a puzzle of a specific country, continent, or entire globe to help students learn geography and have fun. nine0003

Math - Print out models to help young learners hone their counting skills in a tactile way. Why not print geometric shapes or even Sudoku?
Ideas and projects for 3D printing in schools and education

Here we have selected some of the best ideas for 3D printing in schools that are sure to interest students.

Puzzle Cube - Sharpen your problem-solving skills with the classic cube puzzle.
T-Rex Scale Skeleton - Recreate a perfect copy of the most ferocious dinosaur.
3D Pyramids of Giza - Bring Ancient Egypt to life.
Molecules - Flexible and modular, great for chemistry class.
US States Mystery Help the students memorize the location and name of the 50 states.
Spur Gear - math, engineering and design rolled into one.

Q&A

What is the best 3D printer for primary school? nine0003

Used and designed for children, it adds a good amount of fun to the process without losing its educational value. The low price helps too, as does access to an extensive library of toy prints.

What is the best 3D printer for high schools?

For middle school classes, we recommend the MakerBot Replicator+ Educators Edition. Plenty of learning materials, ease of use, and excellent software should play well with older and more inquisitive minds while keeping it light and fun. nine0003

What is the best 3D printer for high schools?

In our opinion, the Dremel 3D45 EDU and Flashforge Creator Pro 2 are two great options for secondary schools, if only because of the material compatibility. Compatibility with ABS and other less common filament types allows for more experimentation and variety in educational applications covering broad topics such as history, chemistry, engineering, design, and physics.

Anycubic Photon Zero 3D printer - perhaps the best photopolymer for its price / Sudo Null IT News0001

Article by Ricardo Rebelo from geekdad.com adapted for you by Top 3D Shop.

The Anycubic Photon Zero is arguably the best entry-level resin 3D printer.
geekdad.com

Chinese manufacturer Anycubic has released a new resin 3D printer, the Photon Zero, which has everything a 3D printing enthusiast could want at a modest price.

What kind of printer is this?

Anycubic Photon Zero is an LCD 3D printer. The technology is masked stereolithography, where UV LED light passes through an LCD masking screen and solidifies the liquid polymer layer by layer, creating a three-dimensional print. nine0003

Photon Zero very well packaged. Source geekdad.com

The Photon Zero is the latest in Anycubic's line of photopolymer printers. Previous models are the Anycubic Photon S and the popular Anycubic Photon.

After unpacking, all that remains is to attach the photopolymer resin bath and the print bed. Source: geekdad.com

Economic entry-level printer Anycubic Photon Zero is designed for beginners and for people who want to print small 3D products with a high degree of detail - the printer copes with such tasks perfectly. nine0003

Specifications

Source: top3dshop.ru

Only 20 minutes passed from the extraction from the packaging to the start of printing. Source: geekdad.com

First Impressions

Ricardo, a true 3D printing enthusiast, after working with printers from other companies, wanted to personally check out what the Anycubic Photon Zero 3D printer had to offer.

As soon as the Zero was sent to him, he decided to try out the new car immediately. You could already tell from the outside that this was a solid, well-engineered printer. The assembly took very little time: it was only necessary to put the print platform in place, level it using a piece of carbon paper, install the bath by tightening two screws, and fill it with resin. nine0003

A pleasant surprise was how crisp and responsive the menu touch screen on the front of the printer was. The touch screens of some other printers sometimes respond poorly to touch. To begin with, the printing of the well-known Anycubic test cube was launched.

The cube printing test demonstrates the capabilities of the printer. Source: geekdad.com

This intricate cube printed in 2 hours, and everything that looked fragile was made very strong after the curing process. nine0003

Then miniature figurines for the Call of Cthulhu board game were printed.
Using the Photon Workshop software, three 28mm figurines were printed. Perhaps the platform could accommodate up to five of these. Four hours later, the miniatures were ready to be washed and dried.

The miniatures turned out with clearly printed details. They were then washed with solvent and 30 minutes under an ultraviolet lamp, after which they were ready for final processing. nine0003

Differences

How the printer differs from competitors-classmates:

The developers did not stint on adding a Z-axis screw guide, which increases the stability and print quality.
The tub now has markings for the minimum and maximum amount of photopolymer that can be filled.
The printer is very compact, fits on the desktop, next to the computer.

Conclusions and recommendations

What the Photon Zero does better than any other 3D printer in the same price range:

easy setup and printing;
printer is practically assembled, you only need to attach two parts and align one of them;
function menu;
sensitive touch screen;.
the screen displays not only the model, but also each layer during printing, which is very clear;
Easy access to the USB port on the side panel. nine0010

Dislikes:

it all depends on your tasks. The working volume of 97 mm * 54 mm * 150 mm is intended for printing small items, including jewelry. If you want to make a larger print, you will have to print it in parts;
is not the highest resolution.

Verdict

The Anycubic Photon Zero is a good entry-level photopolymer 3D printer.