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Best mid priced 3d printer


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 See It (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 $323.98 $323.98 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.

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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.

Prusa MK3S+ 3D Printer Review: The Heavyweight Champ Continues to Dominate

Tom's Hardware Verdict

The Prusa MK3S+ continues to hold its own in a market saturated with low-cost competitors.

Pros
  • +

    + PrusaSlicer provides best-in-class model slicing

  • +

    + Flexible build platform sets the standard

  • +

    + Automatic bed leveling

  • +

    + Stealth Mode enables a nearly silent printing experience

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.

There are few 3D printers with as many industry accolades as the Prusa i3 MK3S+, and after spending some time with this printer, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best 3D printers currently on the market. With a price tag of $999 for an assembled machine or $750 for a DIY kit, the price point of the MK3S+ is towards the high end for an open format consumer 3D printer, but the features of this machine and the ecosystem created by Prusa (they make their own hardware, software, filament, and more) have made the MK3S+ a formidable machine for anyone interested in taking their 3D printing game to the next level.  

The features of the MK3S+ (silent stepper drivers, power-panic, etc.), noteworthy when originally launched, have largely become standard on lower-cost machines and may not seem particularly impressive on a spec sheet. However, clever software implementation and well-written documentation have created a machine that provides a best-in-class printing experience. For instance, the auto-leveling SuperPINDA probe of the MK3S+ maps the build platform for surface distortions, but the printer firmware is capable of storing multiple Z-offsets so you can switch build platforms without having to recalibrate every time.

The MK3S+ is a visually distinct machine; and the Prusa team has kept their black and orange color scheme for their smaller printer, the Prusa Mini+. The bright orange printed parts on the MK3S+ have created instant brand-recognition for the Prusa line of printers, and Prusa has doubled down on this by reinforcing their branding across their machine. In fact, you can find the word ‘Prusa’ printed, engraved, or etched into the MK3S+ in 25 places, 29 if you’re using a spool of their Prusa Polymers Prusament PLA material.  

Specifications 

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Machine Footprint16.5 x 16.5 x 15 inches (42.0cm x 42.0cm x 38.0cm)
Build Volume9.84 x 8.3 x 8.3 inches (250mm x 210mm x 210mm)
Material1.75mm PLA, ABS, ASA, PETG
Extruder TypeDirect Drive
Nozzle.4mm
Build PlatformMagnetic Heatbed with removable PEI spring steel sheets
Power Supply240 Watts
ConnectivityUSB, SD Card
Interface3.4-inch Mono LCD and click wheel
Filament Run-Out SensorYes

Included with Prusa MK3S+ 

The fully assembled Prusa MK3S+ ships with all of the accessories required to make your first print, and also includes enough spare parts to replace almost every fastener on the machine. The fully assembled MK3S+ also includes a bag of Haribo Goldbears, a signature addition from the Prusa team.

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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The Prusa  MK3S+ includes a full spool of silver PLA material, screwdriver, a metal part scraper, a glue stick (for adhesion), an isopropyl alcohol wipe, lubricant for the linear rails, power and USB cables, a sheet of stickers, a printed handbook, and a diagnostic printout that confirms the functionality of the mechanical and electrical systems. 

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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The usefulness of the handbook is hard to overstate. When you’re starting out with your first 3D printer, it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of problems such as loss-of-extrusion, poor layer adhesion, or a clogged extruder. The included handbook is full of detailed photographs, troubleshooting workflows, and solutions to common problems. This is an invaluable resource for beginners, amateurs, and experts alike, and it’s clear to me that Prusa has set the standard for technical documentation.  

Setting up the Prusa MK3S+ 

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The Prusa MK3S+ ships with a completed print attached to the build platform. This print features a serpentine line with 90 degree angles, curves, and a solid block in the center with the Prusa logo facing upwards. This print serves to confirm that the printer is functional and has been properly assembled and calibrated. I was able to easily remove the print from the build platform by bending the steel sheet and carefully removing it. 

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

After powering on, the printer automatically runs through an initial setup process. This process involves calibrating the Z axis by running it all the way to the top of the printer, running the mesh bed leveling process to set the Z offsets, and loading the filament. This entire process only took me a few minutes, and the high level of automation involved means that the only thing I needed to do was insert the filament into the extruder after it had heated up.  

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

You might be surprised to find that the Prusa MK3S+ is based on the RepRap i3 (third iteration) frame, originally released in September of 2012. Despite this nearly decade-old release date, the MK3S+ is full of modern advancements and enough innovative features to still be a top contender in the prosumer 3D printer market. 

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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The bright orange color makes the 3D printed parts on the MK3S+ easy to spot. The brackets mounted to the printer are printed in-house by Prusa using their own Prusament PETG filament. These brackets are robust and sturdy, and the uniform appearance between the printed parts give the printer a professional appearance. This version of the MK3S+ shipped with orange printed brackets, but the printer is also available in an all-black variant. A large selling point of the MK3S+ is the open-source nature of the machine, which means the printed parts are all available to download if you want to download, modify, or print them out yourself.  

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The monochrome LCD interface and click-wheel on the MK3S+ is one of the few less-than-impressive features on this machine; it feels dated and the UI navigation can be a little clunky. This stands in contrast with printers like the Anycubic Vyper, a sub-$400 machine that features a bright and responsive color touchscreen that shows detailed print statistics during printing. This monochrome display was industry standard when the original 8-bit i3-style of printers was introduced, but it feels outdated when compared to recent printers with color touchscreens. 

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The MK3S+ uses a filament spool holder that mounts directly to the frame of the printer. The T-shaped holder is able to hold two spools simultaneously, which is ideal if you plan on swapping between multiple colors to produce a multicolor 3D print. The direct-drive extruder on the MK3S+ feeds filament straight down into the hot end, so mounting the filament directly above the extruder gives the filament a straight path between the spool and the extruder.  

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

At the heart of the MK3S+ is the 8-bit Einsy RAMBo board, housed in a 3D printed enclosure mounted to the frame of the machine. This board is equipped with Trinamic 2130 silent stepper drivers, user-replaceable fuses, and the cable management is clean and professional.

The features made possible by this board (power-panic, live-Z adjust, silent steppers) were all major leaps when originally introduced, but many of these features have made their way down to less expensive FDM 3D printers like the Elegoo Neptune 2. The interface feels sorely in need of an update, and the addition of a color touchscreen and a 32-bit board (such as the one equipped on the Prusa Mini+) would refresh this platform. 

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The attention to detail on the Prusa MK3S+ is clear, and a perfect example of this is the wire management across the machine. Current-carrying wires are attached to the extruder module with zip ties that act as a strain-relief to prevent the wires from fatiguing and separating. The wires from the power supply are tucked neatly under the frame of the machine, out of sight and reach from users to prevent accidentally unplugging them during printing.  

What Makes the Prusa MK3S+ Different?  

It can be hard to understand why the Prusa MK3S+ costs so much more than a printer like the Creality Ender 3 Pro, which seems to have similar specs on paper. To understand why this machine is so much more expensive, we need to take a closer look at the individual components of the MK3S+. 

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Critical to the success of the MK3S+ is its custom-made Delta 240 Watt power supply, mounted to the frame of the machine. This unit supplies 24V power to the bed with a max current of 10 Amps, which provides fast and reliable heating for printing high temperature materials like PETG and ASA. Less expensive machines typically use lower wattage power supplies, such as the 150W power supply used by the Flashforge Adventurer 3 Lite, which take longer to heat and can have difficulty maintaining a higher temperature.  

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The 24V heated bed is able to reliably hit 100C, which is more than enough to allow high temperature materials like PETG and ASA to adhere to the build platform without delaminating. The magnetic build platform is firmly held in place without any clips or latches and can easily be removed once it cools to room temperature. PETG in particular is easy to remove from the textured surface of the textured spring steel sheet, and the MK3S+ build platform is best-in-class for high-temperature adhesion.  

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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The MK3S+ is equipped with a genuine E3D hot end, and it has the holographic sticker to prove it (seriously). E3D manufactures every component in the hot end from the nozzle to the heatbreak which means you are very unlikely to run into the type of manufacturing defects that occasionally pop up on less expensive printers (incorrectly drilled nozzles, degraded PTFE tube liner, etc. ) In addition, this nozzle is rated for a max temperature of 300C (572F), which is easily hot enough to extrude most common thermoplastics and even some higher-temperature engineering-grade materials like Nylon and Polycarbonate.

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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The printed parts on the MK3S+ are a perfect example of a company applying its in-depth knowledge of a subject to its product. The printed brackets found on the MK3S+ have been printed in PETG, and the outward-facing textured surface shows the level of quality you can expect from using a textured sheet. 

In addition, I appreciate that Prusa has applied DFAM (Design for Additive Manufacturing) principles to these parts. These DFAM principles include concepts like printing hexagons instead of circles for relief holes, which print without requiring support material, and printing brackets perpendicular to their intended load to create mechanically tough parts.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The Prusa MK3S+ comes equipped with a SuperPINDA probe which is used for hands-free leveling of the build platform. The SuperPINDA (which stands for Super Prusa INDuction Autoleveling sensor) operates by detecting the proximity of the probe to the build platform and storing that information in firmware. The MK3S+ isn’t the first printer to use a probe for bed leveling, but the software implementation in PrusaSlicer means that after the printer has been set up, you can print without spending much time thinking about calibration. 

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Compared to the manual bed leveling process of a printer like the Creality Ender 3 Pro, the MK3S+ is faster, easier to use, and requires less trial and error. PrusaSlicer includes a “G80” command in the start G-code (the instructions the printer reads when making a part), and this command performs a ‘Mesh Bed Leveling’ which probes the bed in a 3x3 grid to create a mesh surface that is used for calibration. This mesh surface causes the Z-axis motors to undulate over uneven areas while the print head remains perpendicular in the X/Y axis. During my testing, I didn’t need to run a single non-print calibration on the printer after the initial mesh bed leveling. 

Build Platforms on Prusa MK3S+ 

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Removing a printed part from the build platform of a 3D printer can be a challenging experience if the printer isn’t calibrated correctly. The Prusa MK3S+ attempts to solve this problem by using a removable build platform that is held in place magnetically and can be flexed to remove parts after the platform has cooled. I’ve tried many different types of build surfaces, and the smooth PEI sheet used by Prusa is by far one of the easiest to print on, remove parts from, and clean.  

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Prusa also offers a textured steel build platform for the MK3S+ that has a gritty surface which can give printed parts a more uniform appearance. In fact, the signature textured look of the printed parts on the MK3S+ come from this build platform. 

Parts printed on a smooth build platform will have a smooth bottom surface, which looks visually distinct from the striations on the sides of the part. By using a textured sheet, I was able to make prints that have a textured appearance on the bottom as well as the sides. This sheet is ideal for printing with PETG; the high print temperature of the material requires a textured surface to stick to, but also needs a surface that it can easily detach from.

Printing on the Prusa MK3S+  

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The sample prints on the included SD card with the Prusa MK3S+ are a refreshing change from the sample parts that are typically included with low-cost 3D printers. The MK3S+ includes 16 pre-sliced parts that have been prepared for PLA with the total print time included in the file name. The sample prints vary in time from 23 minutes (a simple block with the word PRUSA on it) to almost 14 hours (a castle printed at .1mm layer height), and have all been prepared using sensible settings for the machine and highlight various features (variable layer height, multicolor printing, and fine .1mm layer resolution).  

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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

One of my favorite sample parts is the planetary gear bearing that prints in a single print. I printed this model using the Prusament Jet Black PLA material, and after removing it from the build platform I was able to easily spin the gear freely. This part really highlights the ability of the MK3S+ to produce parts with functional strength and purpose in addition to parts designed with aesthetics in mind.  

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Another stand-out sample print included with the MK3S+ is the dragon model titled Adalinda the Singing Serpent by Loubie3D. This model takes a little longer to print (about 8 hours), but the final print is another favorite of mine. Because this model was sliced by Prusa for the MK3S+ printer, the sample print comes out with a high level of detail and no unexpected settings that can cause problems (too many exterior shells, no retraction, etc. ) like the sample prints included with other FDM 3D printers. 

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Printing with PrusaSlicer on the Prusa MK3S+ 

(Image credit: Prusa)

Prusa has developed its own in-house slicer for the Prusa MK3S+, called PrusaSlicer. PrusaSlicer is a fork of the confusing-to-pronounce Slic3r app, which is also a free and open-source app. Prusa has invested a considerable amount of time and effort in PrusaSlicer, and this has translated into one of the most powerful 3D printing slicer apps available for desktop 3D printers on the market. 

(Image credit: Prusa)

The current version of PrusaSlicer (2.3.3) includes profiles for printers by Prusa, Creality, Lulzbot, and more, and also includes a library of material profiles. In addition to these profiles, PrusaSlicer also includes multiple print setting profiles, which range from ultra-high detail at 0.05mm layer height to a draft mode which offers .3mm layers fast print speed at the expense of reduced quality.  

Slicing Models in PrusaSlicer for the Prusa MK3S+ 

(Image credit: Prusa)

PrusaSlicer is a feature-rich program with a simplified interface that is accessible to beginners, experts, and everyone in between. I’ve spent a lot of time in the PrusaSlicer settings, and I appreciate how much work Prusa has put into making almost every parameter of the printing process addressable without creating an overwhelming interface.

The settings are broken down into three primary categories: Print Settings, Filament Settings, and Printer Settings. Print Settings generally focuses on the speed / quality of the print, Filament Settings is used to determine temperature and extrusion parameters, and Printer Settings is used for global parameters and determining start / stop instructions.  

(Image credit: Prusa)

The primary interface offers three settings: Simple, Advanced, and Expert. Simple offers a stripped-down experience with only a few parameters able to be adjusted, while Advanced and Expert allow you to adjust the print on a more granular level.  

PrusaSlicer Quality Settings for the Prusa MK3S+ / PLA 

(Image credit: Prusa)

Swipe to scroll horizontally

MaterialPrusa Basic PLA, Silver
Layer Height0.20 mm
Infill Percentage15%, Gyroid
Print Speed45mm/second
Extruder Temperature215 degrees Celsius (419 degrees Fahrenheit)
Heated Bed Temp60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit)
Print Time1 Hour, 34 Minutes

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

There are few prints that are better at testing out a printer than the 3DBenchy, so I used the included spool of silver Prusa PLA to print this model out using the default . 2mm Quality PrusaSlicer settings. I was impressed with the overall quality of the Benchy, and even with a highly-reflective material like a silver PLA which can highlight defects from uneven layers, the layers looked even and consistent throughout.  

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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The Benchy boat model is designed to highlight various features of a printer (such as the ability to print steep overhangs, small features, etc.), and a quick examination of the model shows that the MK3S+ performed very well and didn’t have any of the common defects typically seen on this model. 

PrusaSlicer Spiral Vase Settings for the Prusa MK3S+ / PLA 

(Image credit: Prusa)

Swipe to scroll horizontally

MaterialPrusament PLA, Galaxy Purple
Layer Height0.20mm
Infill Percentage0%
Print Speed60mm/second
Extruder Temperature215 degrees Celsius (419 degrees Fahrenheit)
Heated Bed Temp60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit)
Print Time3 Hours, 9 Minutes

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Slicing a model using the ‘Spiral Vase’ mode in PrusaSlicer will automatically create a model that is composed of a single continuously rising helical contour, which allows models to be printed a fraction of the time it would normally take to print using multiple layers. This mode is ideal for printing objects like vases or enclosures that only require a single contour as opposed to multiple contours and an infill structure. I printed the Curved Honeycomb Vase by eggnot to highlight this printing mode.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The Prusament Galaxy Purple is a favorite color of mine due to the glitter additive in the filament. This additive creates layer lines that are evenly blended and have a textured appearance. Combining this material with the Spiral Vase mode produces parts that look almost conventionally manufactured, with layer lines that are difficult to see. This model printed in just over 3 hours in Spiral Vase mode, as opposed to over 13 hours if it had been printed using conventional settings.

PrusaSlicer Speed Settings for the Prusa MK3S+ / PETG 

(Image credit: Prusa)

Swipe to scroll horizontally

MaterialPrusament PETG, Chalky Blue
Layer Height0. 2mm
Infill Percentage15%, Grid
Print Speed60mm/second
Extruder Temperature250 degrees Celsius (482 degrees Fahrenheit)
Heated Bed Temp90 degrees Celsius (194 degrees Fahrenheit)
Print Time4 Hours, 5 Minutes

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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

PETG is a material that offers increased mechanical toughness, heat resistance, and flexibility when compared with parts printed with PLA. Prusa has taken advantage of these material properties by printing many of the components on the MK3S+ with PETG, which creates a rigid part that is able to withstand mechanical stress. PETG is also notoriously difficult to print with due to the high level of stringing that can occur when printing multiple parts simultaneously, but I didn’t have any issues when printing with the Prusament PETG material on the MK3S+.  

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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

I used the default settings in PrusaSlicer to print the clamp model provided by Prusa that was designed specifically for PETG. This model features a functional thread, a flexible ball-and-socket joint, and can be tensioned without snapping the body of the clamp. The part printed in multiple pieces without stringing, and I was able to easily assemble it and verify functionality without damaging the clamp. If printed in a more brittle material (like PLA), I would expect the clamp to crack at a transition point on the body, but the PETG was able to hold tension without deforming or breaking.  

PrusaSlicer 3MF Import for the Prusa MK3S+ / PLA 

(Image credit: Prusa)

Swipe to scroll horizontally

MaterialPrusa Basic PLA, Silver
Layer Height0. 20mm
Infill Percentage15%, Grid
Print Speed60mm/second
Extruder Temperature215 degrees Celsius (419 degrees Fahrenheit)
Heated Bed Temp60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit)
Print Time2 Hours, 17 Minutes

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

PrusaPrinters (the online file repository created and maintained by Prusa) offers the unique ability to share 3D printable files that have been pre-sliced and prepared for the MK3S+ with detailed print statistics available from the site. A perfect example of this is the Bag Clip by Andrei; a cam-driven bag clip that highlights the type of design freedom offered by a 3D printer. 

This model has been uploaded as a .3MF file that contains all of the information required to print, such as slicer settings, nozzle and bed temperature, and custom support structures (visibile in the screenshot above. ) 3MF is an increasingly popular alternative to the STL file, which doesn’t contain much information aside from the raw geometry of a model.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

This part printed flawlessly on the first try, and the provided .3MF (or .gcode) allows a user to send this file to anyone else with the same printer and material and feel confident that the part will be indistinguishable in appearance and performance. I’ve always thought of a 3D printer as the replicator from the Michael Crichton novel Timeline, which is able to produce identical objects at various locations by converting them into digital information. However, the success of a part is frequently beholden to the settings selected by a user for fabrication, so the ability to share the fabrication plans is one step closer to being able to send a physical product as a form of digital data.  

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

At a price-point of $999 for an assembled printer (or $749 for a kit), the Prusa MK3S+ is a machine that doesn’t compromise on user experience and is absolutely one of the best 3D printers currently on the market. The MK3S+ has a professional and neat appearance, but the 8-bit monochrome LCD user interface might be a challenge for some users to get past, given the steep price. Interface aside, the prosumer features of the MK3S+ make it a stand-out machine for anyone who is looking for a reliable machine to produce functional parts without worrying about spending a lot of time tinkering.

If you are looking for a less expensive machine outside of the Prusa ecosystem, the Elegoo Neptune 2 (currently on Amazon for $180) offers similar printing size and features (with the notable exception of automatic bed leveling) at a fraction of the price but without the same level of robust support and documentation provided by the MK3S+ or any of the name-brand components like the E3D hotend. If you want the Prusa experience but are looking to spend a little less money, the Prusa Mini+ (available from Prusa for $399 assembled, $349 for a kit) is an excellent place to start. 

Andrew Sink first used a 3D printer in 2012, and has been enthusiastically involved in the 3D printing industry ever since. Having printed everything from a scan of his own brain to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, he continues to dive ever more deeply into the endless applications of additive technology. He is always working on new experiments, designs, and reviews and sharing his results on Tom's Hardware, YouTube, and more.

Top 10 best 3D printers in Ukraine - Rating 2022

At the time of the presentation of the first 3D printers, such equipment could only be treated as a luxury item. Today they are so affordable that many people buy them for entertainment and creativity. Nevertheless, if you decide to print even a simple and small craft at home, you need to have certain knowledge in order to purchase a quality product that can cope with such a seemingly simple task at the proper level. In our ranking of the best 3D printers of 2022, we will consider both high-quality models and important issues that allow you to realize the task on your own. nine0003

Roughly speaking, such products can be divided into two categories, which include amateur and professional solutions: created model. The same units may have the abbreviation FDM or FFF.

  • SLA printers - these solutions are based on resin and laser, the combination of which allows the realization of very precise and thin details. nine0008

    Colored ABS or PLA plastic can be used for home printing. Some experts argue that the first option is more designed for professional printing, and the second for beginners. In our opinion, this is an erroneous judgment, since much depends on the class and technology, and not consumables, although there are still fundamental differences.

    Table of Contents

    Best 3D Printers (FDM/FFF)

    3D printers for plastic guiding are presented in this category. Such inventions work on the basis of classical technology: special types of plastic are fed into an extruder, where it is melted and then exits through a nozzle. If necessary, the lines can be superimposed laterally, reaching the optimal area for creating certain elements. nine0003

    Artillery Hornet

    Opens the top 10 good 3D printers for the Artillery Hornet series, which is made of aluminum profile. At the heart of this functional invention is a 32-bit motherboard. The press is carried out at the expense of one extruder with Bowden supply of material. You can use a memory card and be guided by a convenient screen, which allows you to automate the operation of equipment. This device is delivered already actually assembled, no difficulties in this regard should arise. According to the reviews, it is clear that quiet drivers are used, which significantly reduce the noise level of the invention. The advantages include a good PSU, the power of which reaches 350V. The base of the equipment heats up to 80 degrees in just 3 minutes. Of the useful options, we can only highlight the resumption of printing, which allows you to continue the work process from where you left off. nine0003

    Pros:

    • heating up to 240⁰С;
    • good power supply;
    • aluminum profile;
    • have screen;
    • software.

    Cons:

    • few options.

    Creality Ender 3

    The list of budget 3D printers is replenished with another reliable and powerful model of the Creality Ender 3 series, which attracts with balanced technical characteristics. The consumable material can be one of several options, including ABS, HIPS, and PLA. Accordingly, the temperature range guarantees a very wide range of applications. The device has a modest size and a good printing nozzle, the diameter of which reaches 0.4 millimeters. In terms of print speed, there is nothing to complain about here either, since the specified parameter can vary in the range from 40 to 120 millimeters per second. Layouts can be loaded using a memory card, as well as USB for connecting portable equipment or a PC. nine0003

    Pros:

    • optimal speed;
    • miscellaneous materials;
    • easy operation;
    • is a good nozzle.

    Cons:

    • minimum of functions.

    Gembird 3DP-GEMMA

    Continuing the discussion of good 3D printers for printing with PLA, I would like to highlight the model of the Gembird 3DP-GEMMA series, which works based on FDM or FFF technology. Several file formats can be downloaded, including obj as well as gcode for working with models. It should be noted that the volume of this unit reaches 1.2 liters, but the engineers managed to take care of the compact dimensions of the equipment. It should be noted that the software is supported by WiiBuilder and Cura. It is extremely difficult to imagine a more convenient amateur solution. In particular, this is due to the support of a 3.5-inch display based on LCD technology. The print speed, unfortunately, is not too high and reaches a maximum of around 40 millimeters per second. nine0003

    Pros:

    • small size;
    • very handy technique;
    • handy screen;
    • two utilities;
    • print quality.

    Cons:

    • low speed.

    Anycubic Mega-S

    If you need a powerful FDM printer, you should probably look into the Anycubic Mega-S line. This device has a powerful metal construction, durable drive and stylish design. The manufacturer managed to make the heated platform of the Anycubic Ulpabase series as reliable as possible. By itself, it is dense and very rigid. This greatly simplifies the operation process and guarantees high adhesion of early plastic layers. Moreover, customers appreciate the calibration and accuracy of the process. The cost, respectively, is higher than that of simpler analogues. Management is also very simple: there is a screen, several languages, simple parameter settings. Of the useful options, we note the print protection system and the thread sensor. nine0003

    Pros:

    • range of plastic consumables;
    • the presence of a thread sensor;
    • calibration accuracy;
    • base security;
    • manufacturer experience.

    Cons:

    • no.

    Flashforge Adventurer 3

    The Best Home 3D Printer of 2022 is the Flashforge Adventurer 3 series model, which quickly gained popularity after being presented at the China Education Technology Exhibition. Sufficiently powerful machine attracts with intuitive controls and ergonomic body. Pleases and a good set of useful features, including a removable nozzle, as well as a platform with support for heating. Moreover, the engineers of the well-known brand took care of the support of cloud printing, which justifies the possibility of remote control of the equipment. The nozzle diameter reaches 0.4 millimeters at a print speed of 10 to 100 millimeters per second. As you understand, the standard thread diameter is 1.75 millimeters. It should be noted bright touch screen. nine0003

    Pros:

    • cloud printing;
    • easy operation;
    • good speed;
    • many adjustments;
    • nozzle diameter.

    Cons:

    • not found.

    Top 3D Printers (SLA)

    This type of 3D printer uses photopolymer resins that harden when exposed to light. Its source in this case is a special laser.

    Elegoo Mars

    The rating of 3D printers is replenished by a photopolymer unit of a well-known brand, which is considered one of the market leaders. We note right away that the Chinese developer of technology paid a lot of attention to the software. This affects the quick calibration of the product. Ease of use is evidenced by many user reviews. At the same time, it should be noted that this printer is not whimsical in the choice of resin, but the material is not supplied in the kit. ChiTu is used as the firmware. This system does not need presentation among experienced users. The print quality is quite good: the resolution is standard along the Z axis, but along the XY axis it is 0.047 millimeters. This allows you to create very small products, up to soldiers with a clear drawing. Among the shortcomings, we can note the inconvenient location of the ports and the very high level of fan noise. nine0003

    Pros:

    • print resolution;
    • known software;
    • simple setting;
    • unpretentiousness to materials.

    Cons:

    • volume;
    • not high speed;
    • USB location.

    Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K

    The Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K series model adds to the list of convenient 3D printers, the main advantage of which is high detail at the level of 722 PPI. The print area in this case can be in the region of 6.1 inches. According to customer reviews, you can understand that the device works very quickly, you can make a small ball in a few seconds. The device performs tasks four times faster than most analogues. To use it, it is enough to use a storage medium (USB) with preloaded models. The case is made very high quality, compact size and light weight of the invention please. We also add that the 3D printer of this series can work with resins from different manufacturers. nine0003

    Pros:

    • high speed;
    • easy operation;
    • printing area;
    • good assembly.

    Cons:

    • is not the most famous brand.

    Elegoo Mars 2 Pro

    The list of good 3D printers for home use adds to the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro series, equipped with a monochrome display and a matrix with directional UV radiation. This line operates on the basis of the CHITUBOX system. This is a convenient software that even a novice user can handle. The wavelength is 405 nm, which is a good indicator. It is worth noting the good resolution and the upgraded Z-axis mechanics. For a hobby, this is definitely a good solution, but the speed is not ideal, although it was tripled compared to its predecessor. We add that the manufacturer paid due attention to the quality of the design and the low weight of the invention. nine0003

    Pros:

    • convenient software;
    • wavelength;
    • Z-axis mechanics;
    • improved assembly.

    Cons:

    • not the highest speed.

    Anycubic Photon S

    If you haven't decided on a good 3D printer for home use, we recommend that you pay attention to the Anycubic Photon S series. In addition to the low noise level, this design attracts with a minimum volume of unpleasant odors. This unit is based on photopolymer technology, which allows you to achieve a higher resolution, as you understand. Of course, the kit includes a UV module designed to work with a special resin. The print speed is adjustable in the range from 10 to 20 millimeters per hour. Ease of operation is partly due to the use of the touch screen. nine0003

    Pros:

    • average speed;
    • good module;
    • build quality;
    • low noise level;
    • simple operation.

    Cons:

    • not found.

    XYZprinting Nobel 1.0

    The best consumer 3D printer of 2022 is the high resolution XYZprinting Nobel 1.0 series model for this class. The experts have taken care of a good laser scanning system, which is also due to the use of good software. Among other things, it is necessary to note the high quality of the design. The company's engineers took care of the possibility of automatically determining the required volume of polymer in the tank. Further, the stock is replenished offline, respectively, the role of the user is minimized. The device has an NFC chip. nine0003

    Pros:

    • NFC chip;
    • good software;
    • laser system;
    • good performance;
    • layer resolution.

    Cons:

    • no.

    How to choose a good 3D printer?

    To decide on a purchase, you first need to answer several questions for yourself, ranging from how much money you are willing to spend to what goals you are pursuing. If you don’t know how to choose a 3D printer, also keep in mind that modern models can use different types of materials for work:

    • plastic;
    • stainless steel;
    • wood;
    • resin;
    • nylon.

    As you understand, complex materials cannot be used in amateur models, they are designed for professionals, and a lot depends on the size of the coil, thread diameter, software and other aspects. We do not consider such models, since the experts themselves perfectly understand the features of different units. We are interested in the amateur segment, where the paramount parameters are such characteristics as:

    1. Print speed - depends on how quickly the nozzle dispenses filaments of plastic, the melting of which, in turn, depends on temperature and heat. It is important to note that high-speed budget models often reach this parameter at the expense of quality;
    2. Layer resolution - the higher the value, the thinner the lines will be. This should be strived for, because you can create the best possible relief;
    3. Print area - this parameter determines how three-dimensional the finished figure can be. Most often, this characteristic is indicated by the manufacturer in cubic centimeters. nine0008

    As already mentioned, a lot depends not only on the technical characteristics, but also on the software. Modern devices support Wi-Fi and special utilities for modeling objects. The more convenient the software, the easier it is to fulfill your goals.

    Which 3D printer is better to buy in Ukraine?

    Today, many online stores in Ukraine already have this type of electronics in their warehouses. If you do not know which 3D printer to buy, we suggest you once again pay attention to the following product lines:

    1. Best Inexpensive 3D Printer - Artillery Hornet;
    2. Good amateur 3D printer - Flashforge Adventurer 3;
    3. Comfortable model for home - Elegoo Mars 2 Pro;
    4. Best Premium 3D Printer - XYZprinting Nobel 1. 0.

    Obviously, professional models are in a completely different price category, but we did not consider solutions for industrial scale, because this is a different segment of goods. In addition, the experts themselves are excellently versed in the characteristics that must be taken into account, first of all. nine0003

    TOP 15 best models in terms of quality and reliability

    A 3D printer is a device used for 3D printing. In this article, we will tell you how to simplify the search for the necessary 3D printer model among the variety on the market. We analyzed the options available in online stores, studied their functionality, got acquainted with the technical characteristics and user reviews. Here we present the ranking of the best 3D printers for 2022-2023. They are grouped by the most popular request categories. nine0003

    Rating of the best 3D printers for 2022-2023

    Place Description Price Description
    Best 3D printers by price/quality for 2022-2023
    1 Wanhao D12/500 Ask for a price User Choice Best Price/Quality 2022-2023
    2 Creality 3DPrintMill CR-30 Ask for a price High quality 3D printer using conveyor printing method
    3 Phrosen Schuffle XL Lite Ask for a price Stable and easy to use large format 3D printer
    Best Kids Education 3D Printer
    1 Creality Ender 7 Ask for a price nine0354 Best Educational 3D Printer for Kids
    2 Anycubic Vyper Ask for a price Excellent value for money 3D printer with new board and high performance control chip
    3 Flying Bear Aone Ask for a price Budget model of children's educational 3D printer
    Top Industrial 3D Printers
    1 Anycubic Photon Mono X Ask for a price Experts voted the best industrial printer today
    2 Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K Ask for a price Rugged 3D printer for industrial projects
    3 CF Chef Ask for a price A new chocolate 3D printer that is suitable for creating various types of chocolate figurines
    Top Resin 3D Printers
    1 Creality HALOT ONE PLUS Ask for a price Best Large Area Resin 3D Printer Chosen by Users Today
    2 Phrozen Sonic 4K 2022 Ask for a price Good photoresin 3D printer often used in dentistry and dental laboratories
    The best 3D printers for home
    1 Creality Ender 3 Pro Ask for a price Best 3D printer for home projects
    2 Flash Forge Adventurer 3 Ask for a price Reliable and high quality 3D printer for various home projects
    Best Inexpensive 3D Printers
    1 Creality Ender 3 Ask for a price Best budget 3D printer available as a do-it-yourself device
    2 Anycubic Mega-S Ask for a price Inexpensive 3D printer model with excellent functionality

    Contents

    • Best 3D Printer Rankings 2022-2023
    • How to choose a 3D printer?
    • Best 3D printers by price/quality for 2022-2023
      • 1. Wanhao D12/500
      • 2. Crely 3DPRINTMill CR-30
      • 3. PHROSEN Schuffle XL Lite
      • Best children's educational 3D printers
        • 1. Cremy Ender 7
        • 2. Anycubic Vyper FlyingBear Aone
      • Top Industrial 3D Printers
        • 1. Anycubic Photon Mono X
        • 2. Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K
        • 3. CF Chef
        • Top Resin Printers 0028
      • 1. Crealy Halot One Plus
      • 2. Phrozen Sonic 4 K 2022
    • Best 3D printers
      • 1. Crelyity Ender 3 Pro
      • 2. FlashForge Adventurr 3 9000 9000 9000
      • 9000
      • 1. Creality Ender 3
      • 2. Anycubic Mega-S
    • Which company to choose?
    • Useful video

    How to choose a 3D printer?

    When looking for the model you need, pay attention to the following parameters:

    • printing technology and volume;

    If you are going to produce high precision and small parts, SLA or DLP is the way to go. If the range of tasks is wider and low manufacturing cost is important, then your choice is an FDM printer.

    • workspace size;

    Many 3D printers have a working space of 200x200x200mm. This is enough for most tasks. However, you may need a smaller size, or vice versa, you will need a larger one, it depends on your needs. nine0003

    • printing accuracy;

    Nozzle size affects print accuracy. Not only smooth layers depend on it, but also the detailing of the model. A smaller nozzle diameter gives more detail, but slower production speed. Many printers have the ability to change the nozzle for a specific task.

    • platform heating;

    The presence of this function ensures better adhesion of the first layer. Engineering plastics, for example, cannot be used without heating the table, since the figures can warp. nine0003

    • camera type;

    Can be open or closed. The latter options are usually presented on more expensive and advanced models.

    • number of extruders;

    When printing complex elements, you will need a model with two materials and corresponding extruders in order to be able to print supports from soluble material. Models with a large number of angles greater than 30 degrees or a large number of hanging elements are called complex. If the models are not too complex, one extruder will suffice, which will greatly help save the budget. nine0003

    • print speed;

    The parameter implies the maximum head movement speed. A 14x4x10 tablet stand will print approximately 6-6.5 hours at 100mm/sec.

    • functionality;

    Printers can support wireless communication with various devices: phones, tablets, etc., as well as memory devices. Plus, as a rule, printers are already equipped with software when they are sold. Pay attention to the compatibility of the OS with the OS of the computer. nine0003

    Best Price/Quality 3D Printer 2022-2023

    1. Wanhao D12/500

    Wanhao D12/500 is the best price/quality 3D printer for 2022-2023 as voted by users. A 3D printer that is great for mass production. The optimal size of its zone makes it possible to print a large model in one cycle. The control system here is intuitive and clear, the user can easily calibrate the printer to fit his needs. nine0003

    The Wi-Fi connection helps you connect to your PC or laptop. Extruders will allow you to print using supports. The color display with touch keys will be an excellent assistant in setting up the device.

    Designed with a heavy duty frame and adjustable straps. The working surface is automatically heated to achieve adhesion to the first layers of plastic. The switch is equipped with 2 fuses for emergency protection. nine0003

    Specifications:

    • Print technology: FDM/FFF/PJP
    • working space dimensions: 500x500x500 mm;
    • print speed (extruder speed): 150mm/s;
    • number of extruders: 2;

    Advantages:

    • 2 extruders;
    • high speed printing;
    • workspace size;

    Drawbacks:

    • cost;

    2.

    Creality 3DPrintMill CR-30

    The Creality 3DPrintMill CR-30 is a quality 3D printer using a conveyor printing method, which is perfect for small and medium businesses with the ability to organize mass production. Instead of a platform, there is a nylon-based transport tape with excellent adhesive properties.

    The design allows printing of long products of non-standard dimensions. Three powerful fans provide excellent airflow. Management is carried out using a convenient display, which is located on the right side of the case. There is an SD slot for downloading files offline. nine0003

    End of filament sensor will stop the device if the filament breaks. In the event of a power failure, auto-update will help restore functionality. The maximum extruder temperature is 240 degrees.

    Specifications:

    • Print technology: FDM/FFF/PJP;
    • working space dimensions: 200x170 mm;

    Advantages:

    • wireless connection;
    • the ability to adjust the temperature and speed; nine0008
    • is suitable for small and medium businesses;

    Disadvantages:

    • noisy;

    3.

    Phrosen Schuffle XL Lite

    The Phrosen Schuffle XL Lite is a stable and easy to use large format 3D printer. It makes it possible to print both large models as a whole, and many small ones at once. The new matrix shows excellent print accuracy. The software is included in the kit, so it is quite easy to manage the device. nine0003

    The printer is suitable for dentistry, jewelry and prototyping as it prints reliably with high precision. The double linear guide guarantees long-term operation without interruption.

    Operation is simplified by the large and bright display with an easy-to-use touch panel. The device can be used not only by professionals, but also by amateurs. Z-axis of the printer is stable, has zero fluctuations during printing.

    Specifications:

    • print technology: DLP, LCD;
    • print material: photopolymer;

    Advantages:

    • acceptable cost;
    • high precision printing;
    • stable Z-axis;

    Disadvantages:

    • sometimes there are some difficulties when changing already programmed material;

    Best Kids Educational 3D Printer

    1.

    Creality Ender 7

    The Creality Ender 7 is the ultimate children's educational 3D printer and one of the fastest in the mainstream segment. Its speed is its main trump card, but you need to remember that it is impossible to work with some types of thermoplastic at high speed. In general, not very high-precision details are printed quickly.

    Operation is carried out using a convenient display, which is located in the central part of the housing. For downloading files offline, there is an SD slot and a USB connector. The maximum extruder temperature is 260 degrees. nine0003

    The print platform is heated to 100 degrees. The nozzle has one of the most popular diameters of 0.4 mm. The printer is also equipped with a filament control sensor, and calibration is automatic.

    Specifications:

    • Print technology: FDM/FFF/PJP;
    • working space dimensions: 250x250x300 mm;
    • print speed (extruder speed): 250mm/s;

    Advantages:

    • reasonable cost;
    • high speed printing;
    • large working space;

    Flaws:

    • small printable area;

    2.

    Anycubic Vyper

    The Anycubic Vyper is a great value 3D printer with a brand new board and high performance Cortex M3 control chip. It features good speed and smooth operation. It prints not only accurately, but also silently. The platform has a high-strength coating that provides easy removal of the finished model. nine0003

    The blower system consists of a pair of fans that will allow you to quickly cool the models. Management is carried out using a large touch screen. It features a new interface, simple and smooth operation, and the ability to switch languages ​​to English and Chinese.

    The electronic system automatically calibrates the platform with sixteen points. The dimensions of the device are compact, and the working space is large. Printing is recommended at a speed of 80-100 mm/sec.

    Specifications:

    • Print technology: FDM, FFF, PJP;
    • working space dimensions: 245x260x245 mm;
    • print speed (extruder speed): 100mm/s;

    Advantages:

    • quick and easy to assemble;
    • silent operation of the device;
    • convenient and clear control;

    Disadvantages:

    • not very convenient location of the coil; nine0008

    3.

    FlyingBear Aone

    FlyingBear Aone is a budget model of a children's educational 3D printer, dressed in a compact body and suitable for home projects. It comes as a self-assembly kit. Its case is open, like many inexpensive models. The printing table is heated from 60 to 100 degrees Celsius.

    Print speed up to 100 mm/sec. Management is carried out using a special color touch screen, which is located at the bottom of the printer. nine0003

    The USB port can be used to connect to a PC or laptop, while the SD slot is suitable for stand-alone operation. The power supply is installed in the bottom of the case and is built-in. The extruder is equipped with a nozzle with a diameter of 0.4 mm.

    Specifications:

    • Print technology: FDM, FFF, PJP;
    • working space dimensions: 190x190x190 mm;
    • print speed (extruder speed): 100mm/s;

    Advantages:

    • fast and clear assembly;
    • inexpensive 3D printer;
    • is easy to use for beginners;

    Disadvantages:

    • very noisy fans;

    Best industrial 3D printers

    1.

    Anycubic Photon Mono X

    The Anycubic Photon Mono X is the best industrial printer according to experts today. It has the largest printable area among resin printers. It features good speed and smooth operation. It prints not only accurately, but also silently. The platform has a high-strength coating that provides easy removal of the finished model. nine0003

    Controlled by large touch screen. It features a new interface, simple and smooth operation. The dimensions of the device are compact, and the working space is large.

    Printing recommended at 80-100 mm/sec. The printer is equipped with a wireless Wi-Fi connection to connect to the Internet, to a computer or laptop. The matrix light source consists of UV LEDs. This improves accuracy and reduces exposure time.

    Specifications:

    • Print technology: LCD, SLA;
    • working space size: 120x245x192 mm;

    Advantages:

    • high detail;
    • large height and print area;
    • comfortable and bright screen;

    Disadvantages:

    • high cost of spare parts;

    2.

    Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K

    The Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K is a robust 3D printer for industrial projects with a large build area and high print speed. It is an excellent choice for both creative and professional use. The new matrix shows excellent print accuracy. nine0003

    The software is included, so the device is easy to operate. The printer is suitable for dentistry, jewelry work and prototyping, as it has a reliable print with high accuracy.

    Double linear guide ensures long, trouble-free operation. Operation is simplified by the presence of a large and bright display with a convenient touch panel. The device can be used not only by professionals, but also by amateurs. Z-axis of the printer is stable, has zero fluctuations during printing. nine0003

    Specifications:

    • Print technology: DLP/LCD/SLA;
    • working space dimensions: 200x220x125 mm;
    • printing speed (layer building): 80 mm/h;

    Advantages:

    • quiet operation;
    • fast printing;
    • compact dimensions of the device;

    Disadvantages:

    • high cost;

    3.

    CF Chef

    CF Chef is a new chocolate 3D printer that is suitable for making various kinds of chocolate figurines. It can be used to create openwork chocolate toppers for confectionery, print corporate chocolate gifts, make text messages and logos, and print chocolate figures.

    The dimensions of the printer are 300x300x380 mm, so it can be placed in any room, but the working area is quite large. The printing time of chocolate models depends on their complexity. The printer allows you to create 2D, 2.5D and 3D products. You can use a USB cable or a wireless WI-FI connection to connect to a computer. The printing speed can reach 100mm/s. nine0003

    Specifications:

    • print material: tempered chocolate and chocolate glaze;
    • print speed: 100 mm/s;

    Advantages:

    • the ability to connect to a computer or laptop;
    • good print speed;
    • is suitable for the food industry;

    Disadvantages:

    • cost;

    Top 9 Resin 3D Printers0017

    1.

    Creality HALOT ONE PLUS

    Creality HALOT ONE PLUS is the best large build area resin 3D printer according to users today. It can be used for both business and home projects. The device is controlled using a convenient display, which is located in the central part of the case.

    Wi-Fi port and USB port for uploading files and updating firmware. The nozzle has one of the most popular diameters of 0.4 mm. The printer is also equipped with a filament control sensor, and calibration is automatic. nine0003

    UV source for improved detail and print quality. Windows and Mac OS are compatible with the printer. Quad-core ARM Cortex M4 processor provides high power and performance, as well as stable operation.

    Specifications:

    • Print technology: LCD;
    • working space dimensions: 102x160x172 mm;

    Advantages:

    • low cost; nine0008
    • the presence of a USB connector;
    • UV source;

    Drawbacks:

    • 1 extruder;

    2.

    Phrozen Sonic 4K 2022

    The Phrozen Sonic 4K 2022 is a good photopolymer 3D printer that is often used in dentistry and dental laboratories. The new matrix shows excellent print accuracy. The software is included in the kit, so it is quite easy to manage the device. nine0003

    The printer is suitable for dentistry, jewelry and prototyping as it prints reliably with high precision. The double linear guide guarantees long-term operation without interruption.

    Operation is simplified by the large and bright display with an easy-to-use touch panel. The device can be used not only by professionals, but also by amateurs. Z-axis of the printer is stable, has zero fluctuations during printing. In the event of an unexpected power outage, operation can be resumed from the point at which it was stopped. nine0003

    Specifications:

    • Print technology: DLP, LCD;
    • working space size: 134x200x75 mm;

    Advantages:

    • improved accuracy;
    • excellent performance;
    • availability of various interfaces;

    Disadvantages:

    • very high cost;

    Best 3D printers for home

    1.

    Creality Ender 3 Pro

    The Creality Ender 3 Pro is the ultimate 3D printer for home projects. It is quick to assemble, easy to understand and set up and ensures stable operation. Both an experienced user and a beginner can handle it.

    Operation is carried out using a convenient display, which is located in the central part of the housing. For downloading files offline, there is an SD slot and a USB connector. The nozzle has one of the most popular diameters of 0.4 mm. nine0003

    The printer is also equipped with a filament control sensor and calibration is automatic. The device can be used both as a main and as an additional to professional equipment. Branded power supply makes the device more stable. The camera of the printer is open, like many inexpensive models.

    Specifications:

    • Print technology: FDM, FFF, PJP;
    • working space dimensions: 220x250x220 mm; nine0008
    • print speed (extruder speed): 180mm/s;

    Pros:

    • great for beginners thanks to clear assembly;
    • simple and inexpensive repair;
    • inexpensive model;

    Disadvantages:

    • noisy model;

    2.

    FlashForge Adventurer 3

    FlashForge Adventurer 3 is a reliable and high quality 3D printer for various home projects. With its use, you can print pre-prepared files. The device has a closed chamber. The supply end sensor will tell you when to add it. The printer will automatically stop when the media runs out. nine0003

    The nozzle has a typical diameter of 0.4 mm. It is made of stainless steel, which perfectly resists mechanical stress and quickly warms up during operation. LAN, USB and WI-FI interfaces allow you to connect to a computer or laptop. The printer is compatible with all major operating systems: Windows, Linux, MAC, which will be a big plus. The main working program FlashPrint will provide professionals and hobbyists with all the basic functions to work with.

    Specifications:

    • printing technology: FDM, FFF, PJP;
    • working space size: 150x150x150 mm;
    • print speed (extruder speed): 100mm/s;

    Advantages:

    • convenient and clear slicer;
    • works silently;
    • flexible removable platform;

    Disadvantages:

    • expensive to repair;

    Best Inexpensive 3D Printers

    1.

    Creality Ender 3

    The Creality Ender 3 is the ultimate budget 3D printer that comes as a DIY kit. The device is controlled using a convenient display, which is located in the central part of the case. For downloading files offline, there is an SD slot and a USB connector.

    One of the most popular nozzle diameters is 0.4 mm. Mechanical and electronic parts of the device are separated from each other. The device can be used both as a main and as an additional to professional equipment. nine0003

    Proprietary power supply makes the device more stable. The camera of the printer is open, like many inexpensive models. The workspace allows you to manage most projects. Even a beginner can handle this device.

    Specifications:

    • Print technology: FDM, FFF, PJP;
    • working space dimensions: 220x250x220 mm;
    • print speed (extruder speed): 180mm/s;

    Pros:

    • platform area is great for most tasks;
    • simple and clear assembly;
    • budget model;

    Disadvantages:

    • slightly skewed in the Z-axis due to design features;

    2.

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