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Monoprice mp delta pro 3d printer review
Monoprice Delta Pro Review: Everything You Want And More
DT Recommended Product
“The Delta Pro is the Rolls Royce of 3D printers: it’s luxurious as hell but doesn’t drive any better than the competition.”
Pros
- Sturdy construction
- Convenient features
- Large build area
- Reliable print quality
Cons
- Expensive
- Mediocre max resolution
Over the past few years, Monoprice has made a name for itself as the premier purveyor of budget-friendly 3D printers, but its latest printer — the Delta Pro — seems to be a step in a different direction. Unlike the rest of Monoprice’s machines (all of which are priced under $500), this one costs a whopping 1,500 bucks.
Contents
- Standout features and specs
- Setup and configuration
- Design and build quality
- User interface and software
- Print performance
- Our Take
To see if this printer’s high-end features are worth that premium price tag, we put it through its paces for a couple weeks. Here’s how it went.
The first thing you’ll notice about this printer is just how big it is. Standing about 3 feet tall and roughly 1.5 feet wide, it’s a pretty sizable machine. The good news, though, is that this beefy skeleton allows a fairly generous build area to sit nestled inside of the printer’s frame. The Delta Pro boasts a build area that’s 300mm tall (exactly 12 inches) and 270mm in diameter. For most users, that’s more than enough room to play with.
Dan Baker/Digital TrendsIn addition to its expansive build envelope, the Delta Pro is outfitted with all the requisite 3D-printing staples that we’ve come to expect on anything with “pro” in the name — things like a heated bed, all-metal construction, auto-leveling functionality, and a 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD interface.
Thing is, all that stuff is par for the course these days. You can find most of the aforementioned features in Monoprice’s $160 Mini Delta, so to make the Pro a bit more special, MP also outfitted it with a handful of innovative new features that you don’t usually see in 3D printers.
Even with the oddball auto-leveling, the Delta Pro is a breeze to set up.
For example, this sucker comes equipped with a low-filament sensor that will automatically pause your print when you run out of plastic, then wait until you load a new spool to resume. It also has swappable hot ends, cooling fans that allow you to print more drastic overhangs, and (our personal favorite) whisper-quiet motors.
All things considered, this machine has all the bells and whistles you could ever want in a 3D printer — and then some.
Setup and configurationIf you pony up the $1,500 to get yourself one of these printers, you’ll be pleased to know that the Delta Pro comes fully assembled and factory calibrated. In other words, you can start using it almost immediately after you free it from its packaging.
Dan Baker/Digital TrendsThe only thing you need to do before printing is load up some filament and run the printer’s auto-leveling sequence. The former is pretty straightforward — just heat up the hot end and run some plastic through the extruder.
The latter step, however, isn’t quite as easy. Before you perform the auto-leveling sequence, you’ll need to attach an odd little sensor to the hot end so that it can sense when its touching the build plate. After that, you’re free to initiate the auto-level process and, when it’s complete, you can remove the sensor. It’s not particularly difficult, but it is a fairly unorthodox process — one that’s likely unfamiliar to even the most seasoned 3D-printing enthusiast.
Still, even with the oddball auto-leveling, the Monoprice Delta Pro is a breeze to set up. If you can set the clock on your microwave, you can probably configure this machine.
Design and build qualityWhile Monoprice is typically known for selling lower-end electronics in most categories, its 3D printers are a notable exception — and nothing exemplifies this better than the Delta Pro. Simply put, this machine is so well-built that it feels more like an appliance than a 3D printer. Here’s why:
Monoprice has simplified the Delta Pro’s UI so much that initiating a print is no more complex than brewing a pot of coffee.
First of all, it looks great. 3D printers typically put function before form and, as a result, often look very ugly and utilitarian. The Delta Pro, however, is fairly attractive. With its sleek, angular frame, hidden motors, and matte black finish; it’s arguably one of the most aesthetically pleasing 3D printers on the market right now. In other words, you don’t necessarily have to hide this machine in your garage or workshop. We dare say it wouldn’t look out of place in your living room.
Second of all, it’s whisper-quiet and can run in the background without you noticing. Unlike most other printers (which almost always emit an annoying, arrhythmic whine as their motors move the print nozzle to and fro), the Delta Pro is equipped with MP’s “silent drive” technology, which keeps it under 50 decibels no matter what settings you run it at. For context, that’s quieter than normal conversation.
Honestly, I didn’t expect quiet printing to be a standout feature on this printer — but now that I’ve experienced it, I’m not sure I can ever go back.
Normally, when I test 3D printers here at Digital Trends, I have to isolate them. I can’t put them at my desk because they’d annoy the hell out of everyone in the bullpen — especially my cubicle neighbor Ryan Waniata, who reviews headphones for a living and could probably hear a mouse fart in the middle of a rock concert. With this printer, I can actually use it at my workspace without driving anyone (myself included) insane. There’s something to be said for that.
Lastly, it’s also super-easy and approachable to use. Once it’s all set up, you don’t really need a bunch of specialized knowledge in order to run the machine. Monoprice has simplified the Delta Pro’s UI so much that initiating a print is no more complex than brewing a pot of coffee.
User interface and softwareThe Delta Pro’s onboard UI is pretty great. Despite the fact that this printer has a boatload of different functions and settings for you to fiddle with, Monoprice manages to make navigating between all of them a breeze.
Instead of knobs or buttons, you interact with the machine by tapping icons on the printer’s 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD panel, which gives it a very modern yet familiar feel. It’s a lot like using a smartphone: As soon as you figure out what all the icons do when you touch them, you’re basically an expert.
Getting acquainted does take a minute or two. Monoprice has made a valiant effort to design icons that clearly communicate their purpose to the user, but some of them aren’t particularly obvious
Dan Baker/Digital TrendsThe ancillary software, however, is a bit trickier to get the hang of. As with all of its 3D printers, Monoprice’s Delta Pro doesn’t come bundled with a proprietary slicer program. Instead, it’s designed to work with a broad range of third-party software, including industry standbys like Cura, Kisslicer, and Repetier. The downside of this approach is that, since none of these slicers are built to work specifically with the Delta Pro, the setup process can be a bit daunting for new users.
Hell, I review 3D printers for a living and it took me a few minutes to figure out how to configure my slicer properly.
The upside, however, is that you’re also not stuck with a crappy proprietary slicer and can use tried-and-true programs like Cura — many of which have been carefully refined over the years to accommodate both novice and expert users alike.
Print performanceUnfortunately, the only area where the Delta Pro doesn’t quite live up to its name is print performance. Don’t get us wrong — it’s definitely not a bad printer in terms of performance. In fact, it’s quite good. The issue is that, despite costing three times as much as the Monoprice Maker Select Plus, it prints only marginally better. In some regards, we didn’t even notice a difference.
Our only gripe is that the Delta Pro’s maximum print resolution isn’t anything to write home about.
Still, there are a lot of things to like about this printer. For starters, it’s very consistent.
The machine’s sturdy construction and delta-style configuration give it the advantage of not being quite as prone to Z-axis wobbling, which ultimately means it prints very reliably from one layer to the next. Most of our test prints were free of burrs, banding, aberrations, and other printing artifacts cause by instability.
The Delta Pro is also pretty damn good at handling tricky print elements like steep overhangs and unsupported spans. This is likely due to the printer’s fans, which allow it to control the temperature of the extruded plastic and cool it down quickly. Functionally, this allows you to print a wider range of objects without using supports, which saves you both time and plastic.
Let’s not forget about the huge build area, either. With a full foot of clearance on the Z-axis and over 10.6 inches on X and Y, you’re free to print just about anything you want — oftentimes in a single piece. Gone are the days of printing large objects by breaking them down into a series of smaller pieces, which is one of the most annoying parts of owning a printer with a small build envelope.
Bigger is most definitely better, and we had a ton of fun printing giant vases and architectural models just because we could.
The Delta Pro also scores high marks for reliability, but there’s a catch. This machine comes with a heated bed and a glass build plate. The heated bed helps prevent warping and mitigate the issue of prints breaking free from the build plate mid-print — but the smooth glass plate isn’t ideal for print adhesion. You have to use something like painter’s tape, stick glue, or hairspray in order to get your print to stick. So while it does print reliably, it’s worth mentioning that this reliability can only be attained through modification.
Really, our only gripe is that the Delta Pro’s maximum print resolution isn’t anything to write home about. It’s mediocre at best, and actually pales in comparison to many of the low-cost resin printers that have sprung up over the past couple years.
All things considered, this is still an excellent printer in terms of print performance.
You just don’t get much bang for your buck when it comes to resolution.
Our Take
This is a great printer. In fact, it’s one of our new favorites. Between the silent drive technology, the big build area, and the attractive looks, there’s a lot to like here.
At the end of the day, though, these are definitely luxury features. They’re nice to have, but you don’t necessarily need them — which makes it difficult to justify the Delta Pro’s $1,500 price tag.
Is there a better alternative?You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more affordable printer that offers so many high-end features and such a large build envelope. But if you aren’t looking for luxury, the Delta Pro might not be the best option.
If your main concern is getting the most bang for your buck, you can definitely find cheaper FDM printers that offer comparable print performance. In fact, Monoprice’s own Maker Select Plus offers many of the same features that the Delta Pro does, yet costs less than $400.
If you don’t need luxury features like filament sensing and silent drive, you’d be wise to consider it.
If your main concern is print quality and resolution, we suggest looking into SLA/DLP printers. These machines use a different printing technique, and are typically capable of reproducing far greater detail. The Form 2 ($3,200) is the gold standard in this category — but luckily a handful of more budget-friendly competitors have sprung up in the past year. For $1,500, you could easily find a great resin printer, such as the Peopoly Moai or the Anycubic Photon. Be warned though: Working with resin is far messier than working with plastic filament.
How long will it last?Years. If properly maintained, there’s no reason this printer can’t keep on ticking for the better part of the next decade.
Should you buy it?Yes. Just keep in mind that the extra money you’re spending here doesn’t get you huge gains in print performance — it mostly gets you luxury features that are really nice to have, but not essential.
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Monoprice Delta Pro Review - ToBuyA3DPrinter.com
Monoprice’s Delta Pro is turning heads for its masterful design, awesome features, and sheer enormity. The devil is in the details, though, so we take a closer look at this printer in today’s Monoprice Delta Pro Review.
Monoprice Delta Pro Review BasicsStarting with the Delta Pro’s most impressive feature, this delta 3D printer features a large ø270 x 300 mm (ø10.6 x 11.8 inches) build volume.
Notably, unlike more common Cartesian-style 3D printers, which use cubic build areas, delta build areas are cylindrical. Build on a heated glass print bed which benefits from auto-leveling for a perfectly flat surface every time. The heated print bed and quality hotend make it possible to print with a variety of filaments including ABS, PLA, Nylon, and PETG.
More Details ❯
Another benefit of delta printers is that they print much more quickly than Cartesian printers. The Delta Pro performs well at speeds even above 100mm/s, maxing out around 150mm/s. Choose resolutions from 50 to 300 microns depending on the project and the speed you wish to print.
Monoprice Delta Pro Review ProsLarge Build VolumeThe Monoprice Delta Pro’s claim to fame is its large print volume measuring almost a foot high and 10.6” in diameter. That’s over 1,000 inches in volume, giving you plenty of space to build projects twice the size of average 3D printers.
Monoprice prides themselves in producing cheap 3D printers with solid construction. The MP Mini Delta and MP Select Mini are both excellent examples of the company’s commitment to hearty construction at a fair price. The Delta Pro is no different. This 3D printer is made almost entirely of metal parts and components sourced from Germany and Japan. No expense was spared in the construction of this 3D printer, which translates into reliable prints with predictable results and less troubleshooting.
More Details ❯
User Friendly FeaturesAs you would expect from the name and price of this 3D printer, the MP Delta Pro includes a number of premium features that make users’ lives a little easier. These features include near silent printing, filament detection, an easy-switch all-metal hotend, exceptional temperature control, and everyone’s favorite: auto-leveling.
Monoprice Delta Pro Review ConsEnormous DimensionsMonoprice’s copy for this machine boasts that its build volume is 17x that of the Mini Delta.
That’s quite impressive until you realize that the exterior is also many, many times larger. In fact, the Monoprice Delta Pro measures a remarkable 37.5”H x 20.8”D x 20.8”W. That mean this 3D printer is over 3ft tall!
If this printer were geared toward hobbyists or beginners, the print quality wouldn’t be an issue. As it stands, however, the MP Delta Pro runs for $1,500MSRP and even has “pro” in the name. That’s why it’s a bit disappointing to see some visible and uneven layering. Additionally, the included glass build plate heats up well but does nothing to help adhere the first layers of your print. That means you need an additive, like tape or glue, to help prints stick. This is especially important since the bigger a print is, the better foundation it needs in order to avoid late-print mishaps.
Monoprice Delta Pro Review VerdictMore Details ❯
Monoprice are well known in the 3D printing industry for making good, cheap printers.
Maybe they made the Delta Pro to prove that they can design beyond the budget 3D printer market. Unfortunately, the MP Delta Pro doesn’t quite deliver on its hefty price tag. Sure, it’s big and fast, but the print quality is just average, and that’s IF you even have the space for it in your house. So if it’s impractically large for the home, but doesn’t have the print quality for prosumers or industrial applications, then who is the Delta Pro designed for?
At the end of the day, you can get a better 3D printer for as much or even less money. Looking for a huge build volume? The CR-10S or QIDI TECH X-Max are excellent options. Want to experiment with a delta 3D printer? Monoprice’s own Mini Delta is a fraction of the price with similar print quality. Ultimately, the Monoprice Delta Pro probably isn’t worth your time, but it does meet its claims. That said, if you have the space and don’t mind average print quality with some visible layers and post processing, the MP Delta Pro is a safe, if not expensive, purchase.
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Delta Top 5 3D Printer Review and Buyer's Guide
A Delta printer is a type of 3D printer that is designed to perform a more systematic printing process.
It has three arms that move up and down trigonometrically. They determine the exact location of the printhead, which is usually lightweight. This allows you to print faster than other types of printers.
Another good feature of this type of printer is that it is able to print tall models due to its natural construction and design. Models are printed on normally stationary print platforms, which ensures a more stable process.
However, due to being a fast printable 3D model, they usually provide a less detailed finish. Most Delta printers also have more limited capacity when it comes to the types of fibers they can use.
Fortunately, there are many improvements and innovations in the delta 3D printer models now. We have been looking for all units that have these new upgrades that can solve the above problems.
After some tests and observations that we have done with enthusiasts and professionals in the field, we have compiled a comprehensive list and information about each of them.
And to better guide you on your buying path, we've put together the best deals on Amazon for them. So, weigh each delta 3D printer we have listed and hit the buttons below.
2. 3D printer FLSUN Mini Delta
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20-150 mm / s
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Automatic alignment function
9000 9.2 x 10.2 x 14.5 -
150 mm / sec
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180 - 260 ° C Extruder temperature
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Extractions0056
- The automatic level sensor helps to automatically level the bed.
- Has a large built-in slatted bed measuring 255 x 360 mm. Provides strong adhesion when printing.
- Most filaments such as ABS, PLA, PVA, flex, HIPS and wood can be used.
- Made of high quality metal material that is durable and stable for maximum print accuracy even at high speeds.
- Features a full color touch screen for ease of use.
- Effective at 24 volts.
- Supplied assembled. The rest of the parts can be quickly assembled.
- Good bed adhesion.
- Although the model states that it only works at 50 dB, it is still quite loud.
- The frame assembly is rather thin.
- Fusion modeling is used as a simple and clear printing technology.
- Supplied assembled. This saves you time on installing the rest of the parts.
- Has auto leveling function. You only align once and save the alignment data.
- Has a large print size of 10.
2 x 10.2 x 14.5 inches. This allows you to print larger models. - Can print quickly and efficiently with a recommended speed of 50mm/s.
- Has an XY positioning accuracy of 0.012mm and a Z-axis positioning accuracy of 0.004mm.
- Equipped with Wi-Fi function. This allows you to control the printing process even when you are away from the printer.
- Has an automatic calibration function.
- A little labor intensive when manually leveling the bed.
- Owner's manual lacks details and useful information.
- The extrusion nozzle and print platform can withstand a wide range of temperatures.
- You can print directly from your computer or laptop via Wi-Fi, USB connection or offline microSD card.
- Automatic calibration. This ensures that you will not have any problems leveling the bed.
- Supplied fully assembled for ABS and PLA.
- Has a high print speed up to 150mm/sec.
- Extruder nozzle temperature ranges from 180 to 260°C and up to 60°C for the build plate.
- Has a build area of 110 x 120 mm.
- Has a free microSD card loaded with 3D printable models.
- Provides layer resolution down to 50 microns.
- Small print area.
- The surface of the bed is rather rough, making it difficult to clean.
- Made of metal. This ensures printing stability for high quality prints.
- Supplied fully assembled. This will save you more printing time.
- Features a touch screen interface for easy operation and parameter setting.
- Equipped with auto leveling function.
- Allows you to create larger models due to the large construction volume of 270 x 300 mm.
- The extruder is heated to a maximum temperature of 310℃.
- Produces a very low noise level of less than 50 dB.
- Low filament sports sensor.
- Not suitable for beginners.
- Although it has an auto level feature, you still need to calibrate the high limit sensors before use.
- Can be connected to a Wi-Fi network.
- Has nozzle temperature up to 250℃.
- Has a print size of 150 x 150 x 175 mm.
- Printing speeds up to 150 mm/s possible.
- Can print from iOS, PC, Mac, or the included Micro SD card.
3. Monoprice 121666 Mini Delta 3D printer
Cons:
Final take:
This 3D printer is designed to print at high speeds up to 300mm/s with high print precision.
The hot grate stand and high quality metal material body ensure that it is stable enough to ensure quality print accuracy even at high print speeds. The printer has an auto-leveling function that makes it easy to use and saves you time. Pre-assembled by the manufacturer, and the rest of the parts are easy to assemble. This saves you the hassle of assembly and saves you time. It also offers a Titan extruder which provides a smoother feeding process with higher extrusion power. Finally, since it can use different fibers on the market, you have the freedom to choose among the many fibers you like for your printing project.
Cons:
Final take:
If you are looking for a printer that prints quietly, the FLSUN Mini Delta 3D Printer is the best option for you. The printer may also return to the previous print position after a power outage or unexpected power outage.
You can start printing right out of the box as it comes with a Micro SD and test filaments. The extrusion temperature is 240-260°C. The printer can also continuously heat the bed up to 100°C for 48 hours. So if you're going to be using it for large print projects that could take all day, this is the perfect option. Finally, the aluminum material that the printer body is made from makes it more stable when printing and ensures that it will serve you effectively for a long time.
Cons:
Final take:
This delta 3D model is undoubtedly one of the best 3D printers you should consider. It has a solid construction, as it consists of a steel frame and an anodized aluminum body. The temperature ranges of both the extruder with nozzles and the print platform ensure that you can work flawlessly with ABS and PLA fibers from different manufacturers.
The auto-calibration design also ensures you have an easy bed leveling time that won't take up much of your time. The package also comes fully assembled, so you just need to unpack it and you can start printing with a reloaded MicroSD card loaded with sample 3D printable models. It also has great potential for upgrades. So if you love customizing your car, you better have this one.
37 x 21 x 20 inches
Weight
2.2 pounds
features
for 93%
easy to use
Pros :
Cons:
Final take:
Monoprice 130993 Pro 3D is designed for beginners and professionals.
It has a solid and durable construction to ensure you get great prints with it every time. It is also equipped with a glass plate which ensures printing precision. In addition, it is equipped with automatic PID control, which ensures that the printer is constantly heated during printing. Also, fairly reliable parts: the machined actuating plate, magnetic actuating arms and machined parts are all Japanese and Taiwanese components. The 32-bit ARM processor is great and can run comparatively faster than most brands of printers. Also quite detailed at 50-300 microns.
Cons:
- The spool holder on the top of the printer is very small.
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