Top 100 3D Printers Evaluated: Essential Features Now Indispensable
The world of 3D printing has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with a host of innovative features making their way into the mainstream. These advancements have resulted in improved print quality, reliability, ease of use, and versatility compared to earlier 3D printers.
One of the most notable changes is the introduction of flexible plates with a variety of coatings for every filament, pioneered by Wham Bam Systems. This development has made it easier to achieve better adhesion and print quality.
Another key improvement is automatic bed leveling, a feature now standard in most 3D printers. This innovation greatly enhances first-layer adhesion and reduces the manual calibration effort required, compared to older manual leveling systems.
Modern 3D printers also boast improved user interfaces, such as color LCD touchscreens that make navigating menus simpler and more intuitive than the basic controls on older machines. Additionally, silent stepper motor drivers have become common, reducing printing noise and enhancing user comfort during long prints.
Enhanced extruders like the "Sprite" extruder provide smoother filament feeding and better material compatibility compared to older Bowden or basic extruders. Moreover, larger and more stable build volumes supported by robust frames allow for bigger and more accurate prints with reduced vibration or frame flex.
Multi-material and multi-extruder support, including multi-tool changers, enable printing with several filaments or colors automatically. This feature, uncommon in older, simpler models, is now a standard feature in many new 3D printers.
Advanced print monitoring and error detection systems, such as AI-powered cameras, detect print failures early on, a feature not available in older printers. Improved cooling systems also contribute to better print quality on challenging overhangs and support printing with a broader range of materials.
Enclosures or heated chambers maintaining consistent temperatures are crucial for printing with engineering-grade materials like ABS or carbon fiber reinforced composites. These features were nearly absent in older hobbyist printers.
Modern 3D printers also offer faster printing speeds, with capabilities upwards of 250-600 mm/s, significantly faster than prior generations.
The author of this article started printing with the Creality CR10S in 2017, which required several modifications such as an upgraded hotend, Raspberry Pi for Octoprint, Capricorn tubes, custom spool holder, bed leveling wheels, a new magnetically attached flexible PEI build plate, and a BL Touch for auto leveling. In the past, programming a Raspberry Pi was necessary for remote access and Klipper modifications.
The Ender 3 S1 Pro, launched in 2022, has an exorbitant $479 price tag because it includes about $350 worth of mods that were standard on older printers. Remote access to 3D printers is now standard, thanks to Bambu Lab. Many new 3D printers now come with cameras for monitoring prints.
The author has reviewed over 100 3D printers during their time at Tom's Hardware. Klipper added extra processing power to early 3D printers, offloading motion planning to a Raspberry Pi for a performance boost. Snapmaker's new tool changer is expected to make multicolor 3D printing even more accessible.
Grippy removable bed surfaces have become the norm in 3D printing, making it easier to print and remove prints without the use of glue, tape, or hairspray. The Elegoo Centauri Carbon comes with a decent, if poorly lit, camera. Wi-Fi, LAN, and the Cloud are common features in new 3D printers.
The FLSun S1 can reach an impressive print speed of 500mm/s. Despite these advancements, there is still a market for replacement build plates due to their ease of damage and coating wear-off. The Mosaic Palette, which could feed eight colors to a 3D printer, was an expensive option in 2021.
3D printer forums used to focus on necessary modifications to make machines usable, but now people are interested in running their printers from a phone. Multicolor 3D printing is now common and affordable, pioneered by Prusa Research and Bambu Lab. As the technology continues to evolve, features that were once considered luxury add-ons are becoming standard.
