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Low cost 3d printing


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.

11 Best Cheap and Fast 3D Printing Services Online (Sept.

2022)

3D printing services allow you to bring to reality the 3D designs that you have in mind. You can avail of different types of 3D printing services such as rapid prototyping, laser cutting, 3D designs, and more.

If you want to 3D print an object but you don’t have a 3D printer or you’re too busy to look for the nearest shop near you, don’t worry. There are many online 3D printing services that can help you do the job.

Contents

  • 1 Top Cheap 3D Printing Services
  • 2 What Do 3D Printing Businesses Offer?
  • 3 Who Needs This Service?
    • 3.1 You’re a Business Person
    • 3.2 You Want Lesser Investment Risk
    • 3.3 You’re Not Technology Savvy
    • 3.4 You Want to Customize Something
    • 3.5 You Want to Try New Stuff, Materials, Designs
    • 3.6 You Want to Save Money on 3D Printing
  • 4 How much do these services cost?
  • 5 Best Online Services for 3D Printing
  • 6 3D Hubs
  • 7 3D Printing Ally
  • 8 i. Materialise
  • 9 MakeXYZ
  • 10 Ponoko
  • 11 Proto Labs
  • 12 Sculpteo
  • 13 SD3D
  • 14 Shapeways
  • 15 Voodoo
  • 16 Xometry
  • 17 Conclusion

Top Cheap 3D Printing Services

The answer is on the tip of your fingertips. To help you find one, check out our comprehensive list below.

Before I give you the list of the 3D printing companies that offer the best services online, I’ll give you an overview of what this industry has to offer.

What Do 3D Printing Businesses Offer?

3D printing companies offer 3D printing jobs like 3D design and printing. This is very useful for prototyping or bringing to life your ideas in reality. This technology is practical and is also applicable to aerospace, medicine, and education.

For this reason, 3D printing manufacturers and companies have become in demand. In fact, they are experiencing rapid growth and this is expected to continue in the coming years. Even individuals who own a 3D printing machine and are knowledgeable of the craft offer this to those who need it.

3D printing technologies are very accessible. In fact, there are a lot of 3D printing online shops and you can easily find them when you browse and check the internet.

Who Needs This Service?

3D printing applies to almost any area of your life. So getting your own machine will be very helpful. However, if you are not willing to invest in one, then a 3D printing service is perfect for you.

Here are more reasons why you should get a 3D printing service.

You’re a Business Person

If you are in business and you need a working prototype for a client presentation, using a 3D printer will make the process easy and fast by delivering 3D printed parts and functional prototypes.

Some of the individuals who use this type of service include Architects, Engineers, Real Estate Brokers, Interior Designers, and Business owners. They prefer this approach because it reduces cost, time and labor.

You Want Lesser Investment Risk

3D printers can be cheap or expensive depending on the brand and model. However, buying one and maintaining it isn’t that easy and practical especially if you do not use it often. These types of machines are not a plug-and-play thing, there are tons of things that you have to consider when you want to get one.

Sometimes it might involve training yourself or staff, setting up software, maintenance, purchasing materials (filaments, print heads, etc.) and disruption operations. This type of service makes 3D printing affordable and accessible to anyone who needs it.

You’re Not Technology Savvy

Owning a high quality 3D printer can help you save if you have a business or you have to do three-dimensional printing often for some reason. Yes, owning one will be practical if you know how to use it and make money from it. However, if you don’t and if you rarely need it, then the best option for you is to get a 3D printing company’s service.

You Want to Customize Something

Customized items are very popular nowadays. In most cases, even gifts like mugs or key chains are now customized by adding the recipient’s name or photo. Custom 3D printing is a real thing.

With this, you can almost realize anything you have in mind be it a stand for iPad, a bottle opener, a pencil container, a cup, an accessory holder or even a shoe.

The benefit of customizing shoes is that it caters to the actual shape and size of your feet, which delivers great comfort. For athletes, this could help them maximize their performance.

You Want to Try New Stuff, Materials, Designs

Companies that 3D print objects from models are not only for those who are completely inexperienced because even experts seek this type of service from time to time to try or learn new stuff, materials and design.

According to Stratasys Directs, a number of 3D printer owners come to them to try new materials that they don’t have or to customize their tools, jigs, and fixture.

You Want to Save Money on 3D Printing

At some point, you might think that owning a machine will help you save more, but this also depends on how frequently you need it and how much the maintenance cost is.

For instance, according to Sculpteo.com, it is more affordable to avail of this service from a 3D printing business than buying Makerbot Replicator 2x and Formlabs Form 1 for one or a few 3D prints.

Sculpteo.com calculates its 3D printing price by considering the printer cost (divided by output over 3-year life) materials, maintenance, labor, and electricity.

So, for example, a ring measuring 23 x 11.6 x 23mm will cost $8.37 from Sculpteo, $9.34 from Makerbot Replicator 2x, $11.01 from Formlabs Form 1 and $33.10 from Stratasys Mojo.

How much do these services cost?

Online 3D printing service cost depends on several factors. For Shapeways, service cost includes the materials used, machine space and labor.

On the other hand, Sculpteo’s pricing considers these three factors: investment cost of the printer, materials and maintenance, and labor and electricity. It can also use this formula: retail price of printer and installation cost over a 3-year timeframe.

A small item is cheaper compared to bigger items because it uses less material and reduced labor. However, the complexity of the design and the number of parts have nothing to do with the price.

Source: Sculpteo

If you are looking for this type of service it is important that you check the price well because the cost can differ up to 100%. You can use 3D Printing Price Check. The site allows you to upload an STL file in mm or in units and will give you an estimate.

You can only find a cheap service after making a few rounds of comparison. The price should not be a great concern though as this technology is deemed low-cost and fast. In addition, more and more companies are starting to offer this service. With tighter competition, the price will surely go down.

Best Online Services for 3D Printing

We know that there are tons of 3D printing businesses out there, so choosing the best one might be challenging. So, to spare you from the hassle of research and to help you save time, we create this comprehensive list of 3D printing stores that offer commercial 3D services.

This is a network of thousands of 3D printers all over the world.  You can upload your 3D design in .stl or .obj format, choose a material for your application and select a 3D printing service from various 3D printers.

To help you decide it will show you the price, speed, and quality produced by different individuals or businesses who offer the service. The average work around time is 2 days (48 hours) but 50% of the orders are delivered within 24 hours.

3D Hubs also offers a number of materials to choose from including fiber-reinforced nylon that is as strong as aluminum but as cheap as plastic. Rigid opaque plastic for realistic and functional prototypes with impressive details and high accuracy. Meanwhile, transparent plastics work well for see-through parts and prototypes, full-color sandstone, simulated ABS and Industrial metals to name a few.

Pros

  • A network of thousands of 3D printers around the globe
  • Upload your 3D design, choose your material, and select a 3D printing service
  • Shows you the price, speed, and quality produced

 

 

 

 

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3D Printing Ally's online 3D printing service caters to any industry and 3D print any product in any size. It offers custom parts and has a fast turnaround time of 24 hours.

They also offer an instant 3D printing quote by uploading your .stl file. If you have a CAD design but can't decide the material that you should use for it, the site has a model uploader feature for this.

This site uses different technology including Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Fused deposition modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), MultiJet Printing (MJP) and ColorJet Printing (CJP).

It also offers a number of materials like DuraForm PA, ABS-M30, Polycarbonate, Ultem 9085, VisiJet SL Clear, VisiJet Crystal and Ceramic to deliver any 3D printed object you have in mind.

Pros

  • 3D print any product in any size
  • Offer instant quote by uploading your file
  • Uses different technology and materials

 

 

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This site is more than an online 3D printing service as it helps you discover the unimaginable. With its 20 different materials and over 100 possible color combinations, you can turn all your ideas into 3D printed reality. They also offer polishing, dyeing, gold plating and more.

The site also includes 3D printing tutorials to help you design, print, scan and get yourself familiar with 3D printing materials. For those who do not have the inclination to learn 3D designing, the site has a "Hire a 3D Designer" section.

The process with i. Materialise is fast, easy and affordable. You can order in seconds with instant pricing and automatic file checking.

Pros

  • 20 different materials with 100 color combinations
  • Also offer polishing, dyeing, gold plating
  • Instant pricing and automatic file checking

 

 

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MakeXYZ is a US company that offers a full menu of 3 printing services including different technologies like FDM, SLA, SLS, and Polyjet. The site is very versatile because it also accepts different types of files and materials.

The process is very easy because you can have a MakeXYZ print manager to handle everything. If you have a 3D file, you can also upload it and the print manager will handle the logistics. If you just want to connect to a 3D printer directly, that is possible too.

The site includes a "Find 3D Printers" list that includes the printer's name, location and his/her 3D print capabilities. One advantage of this is that working with a 3D printer may speed up the process and you might get the print soon, like on the same day.

Pros

  • Offers different technology like FDM, SLA, SLS, Polyjet
  • Work with materials like ABS, PLA, Nylon, Wood, Paper, sandstone, ceramic, resin, etc
  • Can provide a print manager to handle the complete process

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Source: Skilled Up

This site is a 3D printing marketplace because it connects the customers to manufacturers. Ponoko doesn't do the manufacturing itself but uses a network of manufacturers all over the world who perform the additive manufacturing process using their own machines.

Ponoko has a standard turnaround period of 1 week but it is also possible to ship the 3D printed parts on the same day. It has 180,000 designers, 550,000 custom products, over 99 beautiful materials and big-time customers like Oracle, Google, Cisco, Disney and Autodesk to name a few. Most importantly, they offer one of the cheapest services.

Pros

  • 3D printing marketplace and network that connects customers to manufacturers
  • The process easy, fast and low-cost
  • Offers over 99 types of materials

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This 3D printing service uses Industrial 3D printing, an additive manufacturing process that works best for rapid prototyping, complex designs, multipart assemblies, and functional end-use parts. Proto Labs is one of the companies with the fastest turnaround time.

They can ship or deliver custom prototypes and low-volume production parts in as fast as one day. It has global facilities in Europe and Japan. The company is now the world's fastest on-demand manufacturer of custom and functional prototypes and low-volume production parts with manufacturing facilities in seven countries.

Pros

  • Fast product development
  • 3D printing service uses industrial 3D printing
  • Uses materials like ABS, aluminum, Polypropylene, nylon, stainless steel, cobalt chrome
  • With global facilities in Europe and Japan

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This 3D printing service aims to connect you to 3D designers to give you access to thousands of ideas from designers and businesses. You can browse their collection and customize your 3D model for printing. If you need training resources to learn 3D printing or expand your expertise, the site includes ebooks, webinars, and tutorials.

Sculpteo uses different technologies to cater to different materials. These are the technologies they use for each material you wish to utilize on your application.

  • Plastic/Alumide
  • Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
  • Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
  • Resin/Wax
  • Stereolithography (SLA)
  • Digital Light Processing (DLP)
  • Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP)
  • MultiJet Printers
  • Metal
  • DLP
  • Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
  • Electron Beam Melting (EBM)
  • Multicolor
  • Binder Jetting
  • Selective Deposition Lamination
  • Triple-jetting technology(PolyJet)

Here’s a table of the technology, process, materials used by Sculpteo including the advantage and disadvantages of using it in delivering the 3D printed objects you desire.

Just like other 3D printing services, Sculpteo is very easy to use. Just upload your file, the website allows over 25 formats for your convenience. They will repair it if there are issues and give you an instant online quote. Then, set up the quantities, optimize your object using their 3D tools and place your order.

Their normal turnaround time is 24 to 72 hours. The company is asking for an extra 2 days for dyed plastic. As for silver material, the average delivery time is 21 days.

Pros

  • Just upload your file, allows over 25 formats
  • They repair if there are issues
  • Set up the quantities, optimize your object, and just place order

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SD3D aims to be the one-stop-shop for 3D printing services in San Diego, CA by bringing you a group of aspiring entrepreneurs from different fields of background including engineering, design, business, and economics.

The company has an automated system that offers one of the most affordable prototyping and manufacturing solutions in the 3D printing market. They also use a Cloud-based network to monitor print status and print objects in batches.

SD3D offers a huge variety of materials. Their standard turnaround time is 3 to 7 days but they also offer an expedition service with a $40 fee depending on the size and quantity of your project.

Due to the extensive options that the company offers, you can surely find a service that is within your budget be it for pure rapid prototyping, high-resolution 3D prints with an added finish or large volumes.

Pros

  • Uses cloud network to monitor print status
  • Materials include PLA, ABS, T-Glase, PET+, Bridge Nylon
  • Services include pure rapid prototyping, high-resolution 3D prints with a finish, large volumes and more

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Shapeways is one of the leading 3D printing services in the world. It is a marketplace where users can design and upload their own files. As these designers easily sell their work, Shapeways process the manufacturing, distribution, customer service, and payment.

The company offers over 50 materials to 3D print your project including plastics, porcelain, aluminum, porcelain, silver, and sandstone to name a few. Standard turnaround time with Shapeways depends on the material ordered and the shipping option.

However, they offer a rush production that delivers within 2 business days. The website has a Customer Service team to help customers deal with late orders, returned items or issues after delivery.

Pros

  • The leading 3D printing services in the world
  • Offers over 50 materials to 3D print your project
  • Marketplace where users design and upload their own files

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Voodoo Manufacturing offers small-batch manufacturing with high-volume 3D printing. It offers to bridge the gap between prototype and mass productions, which makes it one of the best 3D printing services in the US.

The process with Voodoo is very easy. First, you will start with your own 3D model or have their professional designers create one for you. You can make one anywhere from 1 to 10,000 parts in as fast as 24 hours.

The company offers direct print, volume printing, print API, and 3D design. They have worked with Autodesk, Syfy, Intel, Universal and Microsoft to name a few, so you can guarantee the quality of their output as they have worked with these prominent companies.

Pros

  • 3D prints high-volume for mass productions
  • Start with your own 3D model or have professional designers create
  • Offers direct print, volume printing, print API
  • Offers small-batch manufacturing with high-volume 3D printing

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Xometry

Xometry offers high-quality 3D printing services including prototypes and production parts. The best part that I love about it, is that it offers free shipping on all US orders with no minimum orders. You can order any type of 3D project because they have over 60 metal and plastic materials in different colors. They have materials for all applications.

Xometry is making waves and is becoming more and more popular because it is versatile. It 3D prints anything you have in mind. It offers millions of possible combinations of materials, finishes, tolerances, markings, and certifications for orders. They are also easy to use. You can get the parts delivered right to your door without the hassle of sourcing, project management, logistics, and shipping.

They also deliver custom parts to your specifications. Most importantly, they guarantee quality because they back every part they ship with the Xometry Quality Guarantee. You can get an instant quote for any 3D printing service you desire to get from them by just uploading the 3D model. If you have a lot of 3D models, no worries, Xometry allows you to drag and drop unlimited numbers of 3D models.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • No minimum order
  • Guarantee quality
  • Offers instant quote to any project
  • Endless options with over 60 materials
  • Free shipping on all U.S. orders

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Conclusion

Getting online 3D printing services or a professional 3D printing service is the most convenient solution if you want to get a prototype or a certain 3D project done fast without spending too much. If you own industrial 3D printers, this is also a good chance for you to offer a printing service online.

If you need to learn more about 3D printing technology or additive manufacturing, feel free to check our homepage.

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