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Super cheap 3d printer


The Top Cheap 3D Printers on the Market

Published on February 3, 2022 by Alexandrea P.

The democratization of 3D printing has led to a meteoric rise in the number of machines available on the market, but above all to a strong competitiveness when it comes to price. It is currently possible to buy a 3D printer for about $100, where even a few years ago it cost $2,000. Now more than ever, it is easier to get a desktop 3D printer and get started without spending a fortune. But with so many cheap 3D printers on the market, which one should you choose? We made a selection of machines, mainly FDM and SLA, at low prices (less than $500), ranked in order of increasing price. Do take note that there are many models: our list is not exhaustive!

The da Vinci Nano 3D Printer from XYZprinting

One of the brands that we could not fail to include in our list of cheap 3D printers is undoubtedly XYZprinting. With a range of more than 20 3D printers, we have chosen the da Vinci Nano, a desktop FDM solution that was launched in 2017. Based in Taiwan, XYZprinting has developed this 3D printer compatible with the company’s proprietary PLA and PETG filaments. It features a limited print volume of 120 x 120 x 120mm, a weight of 4.7kg and an enclosed enclosure that offers enhanced security while preventing part deformation. The da Vinci Nano has a print speed of 70mm/s, is compatible with XYZmaker Suite software and accepts stl, 3w, obj, 3mf and many more formats. You can purchase this machine from $199.95 from the manufacturer’s website.

Photo Credits: XYZprinting

Voxelab Aquila

Marketed by Chinese 3D printer manufacturer Voxelab, the Aquila 3D printer series is based on FDM technology. Delivered partially assembled, printers of the series should be easy to install. Compatible with standard thermoplastics, such as PLA, ABS or PETG, they offers a printing volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm. Easy to use, the machine would be according to the manufacturer very quiet during the printing process, with a sound estimated at 50 decibels. The Aquila is particularly aimed at beginners in 3D printing and is intended to introduce them to the technology. The machine works with Cura, Simplify 3D and VoxelMaker software and like many 3D printers, supports STL and OBJ formats. For those who wish to go further, improved versions of the Aquila exist. On the manufacturer’s website, the machine is sold at a price of 160 euros, not including shipping.

Photo Credits: Voxelab

A Cheap 3D Printer Kit

Anet Technology is a Chinese company founded in 2015 that offers cheap 3D printers, both resin and FDM machines. Among its range, you’ve probably already heard of the Anet A8, a 3D printer in kit form that is easy to assemble and use. With a volume of 220 x 220 x 240 mm, it allows all beginners to quickly learn about 3D printing. We can also mention the Anet ET range, especially the Anet ET4 model that was launched in August 2019. It features an end-of-filament detection system, a touch screen and a more generous print volume (440 x 340 x 480 mm). The Anet ET4 machine starts at $189 on the manufacturer’s website, or about €167.

Photo Credits: Anet Technology

The Mini Delta V2 3D Printer from Monoprice

A common favorite among many low-cost 3D printer connoisseurs, the Monoprice Mini Delta V2 3D Printer is available from $199.99. As you might have guessed, the V2 is an update to the already popular Mini Delta from the company, taking customer suggestions in mind. Some of the exciting features include an adaptive touchscreen and an updated and simplified user interface. The company also notes that it has updated the auto leveling system to make start-up faster. Of course, users can still expect the features that were so loved in the previous version, including USB Connections, slicing that is compatible with Cura or open-source software and a small and compact size. The build volume is 110 x 120mm, it is compatible with PLA, ABS, Wood Fill, Copper Fill, Steel Fill and Bronze Fill and can print at a sped of up to 170mm/sec.

Photo Credits: Monoprice

Photon Mono, A Cheap Resin 3D Printer

Anycubic is one of the most popular cheap 3D printer manufacturers on the market. It has developed a wide range of products, from FDM models to small machines from the SLA office. The manufacturer recently introduced the Mega X, an FDM solution that can create 300 x 300 x 305 mm parts with a suggested print speed of 60 mm/s. The focus, however, will be on its Photon line, which relies on a light-curing process. One of the most affordable machines is the Photon Mono, which incorporates a monochrome LCD screen to design parts measuring 130 x 80 x 165 mm.  Exposure time is reduced to one second and the manufacturer claims its screen is 4 times more durable than a conventional LCD.  The Photon Mono is available from $199 on Anycubic’s website or 175 euros.

Photo Credits: Anycubic

Cheap 3D Printers From Creality

Creality is one of the most popular companies when it comes to offering cheap 3D printers. It has several lines of machines that work with different manufacturing technologies, and this time we wanted to highlight three of them. The first and most economical is the Halot ONE, a resin 3D printer based on LCD technology. With a print volume of 127 x 80 x 160 mm, the machine can be purchased for a price of $229. One of Creality’s most popular solutions is the Ender 3 v2, capable of printing with a wide variety of materials, such as ABS, PLA and wood, with a print volume of 300 x 300 x 400 mm, a replaceable 0.4 mm nozzle, and a final price of$262. Also worth mentioning is the CR-10 Smart, one of the newest machines in the CR series launched by Creality, which has a higher price of $479.

On the left, the Halot One 3D printer. On the right, the Ender-3 V2 (photo credits: Creality)

The X-ONE2 from QIDI Tech

You may have already heard of QIDI Tech, a Chinese manufacturer of both FDM and LCD resin 3D printers, as its X-Pro 3D printer is often listed is one of the most popular cheap machines on the market. It is known for its Turbofan which blows on all four sides, removable plate, dual extruder and breakpoint printing. However, we also wanted to draw your attention to another FDM printer from the company that is gaining popularity on sites like Amazon, the X-ONE2 single extruder 3D printer, available from $249. In this machine, QIDI points to features like the full aluminum frame which provides more stability than plastic and the beautiful colorful appearance. Additionally, it shares features with its sibling the X-PRO, including a built-in turbofan that circulates air around the nozzle, a stable, heated print bed and user-friendly slicing software. The machine is compatible with PLA, TPU and ABS though QIDI notes that more filaments will be coming soon and the build volume is 11.8”x9.8”x11.8”(300x250x300mm)

Photo Credits: QIDI Tech

The Tornado 3D Printer from Tevo

TEVO is also a Chinese manufacturer that develops affordable 3D printers for all makers and 3D printing enthusiasts. One of its most popular models is the TEVO Tornado, a desktop machine that offers a generous 300 x 300 x 400 mm print volume for its price (about 290€). It comes almost fully assembled and is compatible with most plastic filaments on the market, including ABS thanks to the presence of a heating plate. The TEVO Tornado has an aluminum frame that guarantees its stability and an E3D extruder that can reach 260°C.

Photo Credits: Tevo

The Mars 3 From Elegoo

The Mars 3 is the latest 4K LCD printer in the Mars series from Chinese manufacturer Elegoo. Compared to its predecessor, the Mars 2, the Mars 3 is said to have a 30% higher printing accuracy. With an installation space of 143 x 89.6 x 175 mm, the Elegoo Mars 3 has a larger print volume compared to other resin printers with 4K resolution. The device also scores with a chip-on-board (COB) light source and an improved cooling system. The sandblasted build plate ensures models stick and don’t fall off prematurely. The Mars 3 is available on the market from $349. Plus point: The CHITUBOX Pro Slicer software is included in the purchase price.

Photo Credits: Elegoo

The Sonic Mini 4k from Phrozen

Founded by a group of Taiwanese 3D printing enthusiasts in 2016, Phrozen offers professional and desktop 3D printers. After the success of their first LCD 3D printers, known as the “Phrozen Shuffle”, they created a new generation of LCD 3D printers, the Sonic series. Within this line, the Sonic Mini 4k stands out. With a precision level of 35 microns, the 3D printer takes between one and two seconds to solidify a layer. Featuring a 6.1-inch monochrome LCD screen, the Sonic Mini 4k has a print volume of 134 x 75 x 130 mm. If you are interested in the machine, its price is about $349.99.

Photo Credits: Phrozen

The Polaroid PlaySmart 

Polaroid, the American camera company, has also developed a 3D printer called Polaroid PlaySmart. Launching in 2019, it offers a print volume of 120 x 120 x 120 mm and is based on extrusion technology. The PlaySmart can print with three different materials: PLA, P-Wood and PETG. Equipped with a Wi-Fi camera, the 3D printer allows its users to view the printing process live. The machine is very small, measuring 30 x 27 x 32 cm and weighing only 1 kg. Designed for beginners and 3D printing enthusiasts, the Polaroid PlaySmart costs € 375.

Photo Credits: Polaroid

The Original Prusa Mini +

The Original Prusa Mini + 3D printer is the latest desktop machine from Czech manufacturer Prusa, known for the Prusa i3 mk2 and mk3s. With the Mini +, Prusa wants to provide users with a solution that offers the same features as the previous models, while being available at a lower price. Based on the FFF process, the Original Prusa Mini + has a printing volume of 180 × 180 × 180 mm and prints with a layer thickness between 0.05 and 0.25 mm. The machine, which incorporates interchangeable nozzles and a color LCD screen, can be purchased either as a plug & play (available from €419) or as a kit (from €379).

Photo Credits: Prusa

The Finder 2.0 from Flashforge

The Finder 2.0 from Chinese manufacturer FlashForge is designed for 3D printing novices and educators. The 3D printer was also designed for children, and includes a removable print tray for easy cleaning. This FDM printer creates objects with biodegradable PLA, and has a build volume of 140 x 140 x 140 mm. It also features WiFi connectivity and automatically detects when a roll is finished. The printer has 50 micron accuracy and automatic calibration. It is available on the manufacturer’s website for a price of $349

Photo Credits: Flashforge

The Sidewinder x2 from Artillery

An improved version of the Sidewinder x1, the Sidewinder x2 is a 3D printer from Chinese manufacturer Artillery based on the FFF process. The 3D printer, which comes pre-assembled, offers a print volume of 300 x 300 x 400 mm. With a speed of up to 150 mm/sec, the machine offers a layer thickness of between 0.1 and 0.35 mm. The temperature of the nozzle can go up to 240 degrees Celsius. Compatible with filaments from other manufacturers, the Sidewinder x2 is sold at a price of $469. The manufacturer also offers other budget-friendly 3D printers in its lineup, such as the Artillery Genius and Genius Pro.

Photo Credits: Artillery

Magis by Dagoma, a Cheap French 3D printer

The Magis is the latest version of the French manufacturer’s delta 3D printer. It would be even easier to use than its big sister, still with this single button system that allows to start, stop and resume printing. It offers a printing volume of 180 x 200 x 200 mm and a precision of 100 microns. It still integrates its end of filament detection system as well as an automatic calibration of the printing plate. More than 50% of the parts of the small desktop machine are 3D printed. You will find it on the market from 499€.

Photo Credits: Dagoma

The Bresser REX

Developed by Bresser, a German manufacturer of technological tools, the Bresser REX 3D printer is aimed at people already initiated to 3D printing but especially at beginners. With a printing volume of 150 x 150 x 150 mm, the machine is based on the FFF process. Equipped with a heated and flexible printing plate, the Bresser REX would be, according to the manufacturer, easy to use, especially thanks to its intuitive touch screen. Compatible with PLA and ABS, the 3D printer offers a printing accuracy of 0.1 mm. Moreover, Bresser specifies that thanks to its compact size, the dimensions of the machine are 400 x 380 x 405, and its relatively light weight, it weighs 9 kg precisely, it is possible to install it in various places. Finally, thanks to the HEPA filter integrated into the 3D printer, the ambient air is guaranteed to remain clean during the entire printing process. For those who would like to buy the Bresser REX, it is sold new for €489 by the manufacturer.

What is your favorite out of our chosen cheap 3D printers? Is there another one you would recommend? Let us know in a comment below or on our Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.

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.

Top 20 Inexpensive 3D Printers ($199 to $1000)

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