Want nothing but the best beginner 3D Printer? Our list of the best 3D printers for beginners will surely give you some great ideas. Take a look!
Criteria For Choosing A Beginner 3d Printer
Printer Size and Weight
Most 3D printers have a compact footprint to fit on a desktop or counter. Printer size is directly related to the build volume the printer is trying to accommodate. A large printer can create larger items and a small one will be limited to smaller items.
Printing Materials
Most basic 3D printers use PLA and ABS filament. But expensive models allow for a wider range of materials, such as carbon fiber, wood, and glass. If you have the budget, use a 3D printer that supports multiple filament types for more versatility.
Build Volume
The build volume is the maximum height, width, and length of the print area. It roughly determines the maximum size model the printer can create. Shoppers should consider the type of items they hope to print and choose an appropriate build volume from there.
Ease Of Use
A beginner-friendly 3D printer should have a simple setup process, an easy refilling process, and straightforward controls. Features like a touchscreen interface, resume, robust safety measures, and a heated bed can make a 3D printer more user-friendly.
Print Speed
Print head speed lets shoppers know how far the print head can move per second. The print speed listed on your printer will be the fastest your printer allows. There are usually two settings: quality & speed. If you want precision and fine details, you’re better off with a slower speed.
Top 5 Best Beginner 3D Printers
1. Anycubic Kobra
The Anycubic Kobra climbs to our top spot this year. The printer is an excellent entry point for beginners and enthusiasts looking to upgrade from an older model. It’s a solid FDM printer that boasts several high-end features typically found in much more expensive models. For instance, it has automatic bed leveling, a direct extruder, as well as a PEI-coated removable bed.
Its large touchscreen interface makes it incredibly easy to interact with, and the belt tensioning knobs help users to tighten belts easily. It also offers a large build space perfect for creating quick prototypes or larger, less complex models.
While the printer’s plastic build may leave something to be desired, the Kobra’s budget-friendly price and impressive features make it a worthy competitor to the Creality Ender 3 V2.
Pros:
- Automatic bed leveling
- Direct extruder for easier filament loading and unloading
- PEI-coated removable bed
- Large touchscreen UI
- Decent print quality for its price range
Cons:
- Build quality is plasticky and feels cheap
2. Creality Ender 3 V2
The Creality Ender 3 V2 is a new starting point for future printers in the Ender 3 series. It has a sleek design, with neat-looking plastic covers, and the power supply is moved into a compartment under the printer, giving it a professional look.
The print quality is excellent, with good adhesion to the textured glass print bed, even for complicated models and different materials. However, the filament feed opening placed next to the lead spool is not ideal, and it is similar to Ender 3’s design flaw that has not been corrected.
The printer has several upgrades, including tension clamps on both axles, a small drawer for storing tools, a removable display, and a tempered glass print bed coated with silicon carbide that improves adhesion.
Pros:
- Sleek design with a professional look
- Good adhesion to the textured glass print bed
- Great adhesion
- Quiet printer
- Easy to use
Cons:
- The power supply’s ventilation is noisy.
3. Original Prusa I3 MK3S+
The Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ is an impressive 3D printer that builds on the success of its predecessor, the Original Prusa i3 MK3S. While it doesn’t look much different from the previous model, it features a range of under-the-hood improvements that make it more reliable and durable.
It has a sturdier build, an improved bed-leveling system, and better extruder airflow. It’s excellent for those new to Prusa Research’s flagship 3D printer line.
Moreover, it is a filament-based (FFF) printer that supports many filaments, including PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, Flex, nylon, carbon-filled, and Woodfill. It arrives preassembled with a test print already printed and adhered to the build plate, making the setup process straightforward. All you need to do is assemble the spool holder, which snaps into place on the metal bar atop the printer, then turn the printer on. Easy peasy!
Pros:
- Great quality prints
- Wide variety of filament support
- Easy to set up and use
- Readily available helpful resources
Cons:
- Expensive
4. Toybox 3D Printer
The Toybox 3D Printer is an excellent choice for parents looking to introduce their children to 3D printing. This FDM/FFF 3d printer is designed for kids to easily create their toys. Its compact design and one-touch functions make it perfect for young children to operate with minimal adult supervision.
The printer comes with a catalog of over 1,000 toy designs, and users can also upload their own drawings through the associated app. What’s more, the printer comes with eight food rolls that your kids can use to create different treats.
Pros:
- Designed specifically for kids
- It comes with a catalog of over 1,000 toy designs
- Small and compact footprint
- One-touch printing function for ease of use
- Eight food rolls for creating treats
Cons:
- Small print volume
- Slow print speed
- Limited support for files imported from other sites
5. ELEGOO Saturn MSLA
This is a resin-based mid-size 3D printer, offering accurate printing results and a large build volume for its entry-level price. It can create detailed, sizable resin models with its 7.6 x 4.7 x 7.9 build volume. The printer is also relatively lightweight, at just 30 pounds, making it easy to move and set up.
The ELEGOO Saturn features an easy-to-calibrate build plate and a uniform light source, creating excellent print results with few adjustments. It can also print multiple miniature models simultaneously, which is a great time saver.
Compared to its predecessor, the ELEGOO Mars 2 Pro, the ELEGOO Saturn MSLA 3D printer prints 60 percent faster while delivering excellent results. Its larger size also gives users the flexibility to create larger and more detailed miniatures.
Pros:
- Excellent printing results
- Simple to assemble together
- Easy calibration
- Large build volume considering the price
- Can print multiple models simultaneously
Cons:
- Test model is hard to remove from the build plate
