Top Recommended 3D Printers for Novices, Enthusiasts, and Experts
3D printing's a wild ride, isn't it? It's not your grandma's old craft edition, nope, it's the future! With a 3D printer in your arsenal, you can create anything from cute little figurines to complex project prototypes. So let's dive into the world of 3D printing and see what this amazing technology has in store for us!
I started with one of the best 3D pens a few years back, but recently, I've been fiddling with resin printing using the Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra. Additionally, I've been experimenting with multicolor prints using the Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo and even attempting to make a HueForge 3D print.
While delving into resin printing may seem tricky, don't let that deter you. All you need is a can-do attitude, an eagerness to learn, and some reliable 3D modeling software if you're planning on printing your own creations.
In this guide, I'll introduce you to my top picks for the best 3D printers, catering to both beginners and seasoned pros. I've personally tried out the options I haven't written about, spending a small fortune in the process. So, keep reading to find out about my top recommendations!
Best Overall:
Bambu Lab makes some of the most popular 3D printers on the market, thanks to their reliability, ease of use, and fantastic print quality. However, they do come at a price. The X1 Carbon is a high-end printer featuring Core XY construction and multicolor printing. If money is no issue, this is the one for you.
Best Resin:
The Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra is a mighty resin printer that's a household name among both beginners and pros. It boasts a hassle-free self-levelling build plate and an easy-to-grasp interface. The Saturn 4 Ultra also offers exceptional print quality with a large build plate for producing large prints.
Best Budget:
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is a newcomer on the market, offering top-quality and high-speed printing in an enclosed Core XY unit. It's perfect for those seeking a simple, single-color printer, and its competitive price makes it a top choice for beginners to 3D printing.
Best Multicolor:
Anycubic's first attempt at a Core XY construction multicolor 3D printer, the Kobra S1 Combo, is an excellent option. While it faces a few challenges with needing replacement parts, its quality is outstanding and justified by its price.
Best Beginner:
Elegoo's Mars series of resin 3D printers are more affordable and compact than the brand's flagship Saturn series, making them ideal space-savers for lesser complex projects. Their design, ease of use, and included toolkit make them a top resin printer for beginners.
Best for Kids:
The ToyBox 3D printer is 100% kid-safe, featuring a free library packed with toy models from popular licensed brands, such as Looney Tunes, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and even the Ninja Turtles. It can be controlled through an app and is as easy as just hitting print.
Stay tuned for more details on these fantastic 3D printers! If you're looking for the perfect laptop to complement your 3D modeling work, do check out my picks! Until next time, keep creating!
1. Best Overall 3D Printer
Bambu Lab X1 Carbon Combo
The Bambu Lab X1 Carbon is a high-end, top-spec 3D printer with Core XY construction and multicolor printing capabilities. Its AI technology makes 3D printing a breeze, with dual auto bed levelling and an Advanced Material System for seamless color switching. The machine's reliability and consistent performance justify its higher price, making it the perfect pick for both beginners and pros.
2. Best Resin 3D Printer
Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 12K
The Saturn 4 Ultra from Elegoo is an excellent resin printer for those new to resin printing. Its user-friendly interface, slicing software, and design make the learning process far less overwhelming. The printer offers super high-res 12K prints and exceptional print quality, even though you might run into occasional print failures due to slower lift speeds and longer wait times. You can bag yourself an Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra for just $399 / £499.99.
3. Best Budget-Friendly 3D Printer
Elegoo Centauri Carbon
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is a newer version of Elegoo's original Centauri printer, but with an upgraded activated carbon filter for better airflow. It's incredibly budget-friendly, priced at just $299.99 / £299.99, offering top-quality and high-speed printing in a Core XY unit. Although it can only print with one filament at a time, Elegoo has teased plans to add multi-color compatibility in the near future.
4. Best Multicolor 3D Printer
Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo
The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo is one of the most exciting multicolor printers on the market, with its competitive price: half of the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon's at $749 / £749 (often available for even lower). Despite a few issues during testing, the Kobra S1 Combo delivers amazing print quality and has immense potential for users seeking a multicolor FDM 3D printer.
5. Best Beginner-Friendly 3D Printer
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
The Mars 5 Ultra from Elegoo is a great choice for beginners looking for a resin printer to create smaller models, such as game pieces, Warhammer miniatures, or intricate figures. The 3D printer offers exceptional print quality and highly detailed prints, but don't forget to add drainage holes to your models before slicing. The Mars 5 Ultra is an affordable option at $338 / £289.99, but it has occasionally gone on sale for as low as $269.99 / £231.99.
6. Best 3D Printer that's Safe for Kids
ToyBox Alpha Two 3D printer
The ToyBox Alpha Two 3D printer is a tremendous choice for children, ensuring a safe and fun 3D printing experience. Its one-click printing and vast library of free toy models from popular licensed brands make it an excellent introduction to 3D printing. The printer is also the world's first with one-click printing, allowing even younger children to participate in the creative process.
7. Best Build Volume for Bigger 3D Prints
Anycubic Kobra 3 Max/ Max combo
The Anycubic Kobra 3 Max Combo and the standalone Max are some of the largest consumer-grade multicolor 3D printers available, boasting excellent build quality and outstanding print precision. However, its multicolor features and air filter dryer come as separate add-ons. The Anycubic Colour Engine Pro (ACE Pro) chamber, an essential component for multicolor printing and filament drying, needs to be purchased separately.
8. Fastest 3D Printer
Two Trees SK1
The Two Trees SK1 is the fastest 3D printer on the market, boasting an incredible 700mm/s printing speed. It features an innovative cuboid gantry-style frame and top-notch materials, offering excellent build quality and print precision. The SK1 also comes with AI tuning, remote monitoring and control, and WiFi remote printing capabilities.
9. Best One-Click 3D Printer
AnkerMake M5C
The AnkerMake M5C is perfect for beginners or professionals wanting quick prints, with its one-click printing feature designed to make the 3D printing process effortless. Besides its simplicity, the AnkerMake M5C offers several notable features, such as power and filament outage recovery and a network camera for real-time video monitoring (sold separately).
Also Tested:
Creality Halot-One Plus
The Creality Halot-One Plus is a small but powerful resin printer, providing excellent build quality and fine detail output. However, its small build volume makes it more suitable for printing miniature models or custom toys and jewelry.
Anycubic Kobra Go
The Kobra Go is another affordable mid-range 3D printer from Anycubic, featuring handy one-button levelling to help you get started with 3D printing. As it has been replaced by newer models, such as the Kobra Neo, it may be difficult to find, but it remains worth considering for its ease of use and good build quality.
Anycubic Photon M3 Premium
The Anycubic Photon M3 is an outstanding pro-level resin printer. Its user-friendly nature, combined with exceptional print quality, makes it ideal for semi-pro users and creative professionals using 3D printers in their work. Additionally, the printer comes with air filters, making it viable for small office or studio work.
Anycubic Vyper
The Anycubic Vyper is another FDM 3D printer that offers great value for money. It provides good levels of detail and an easy interface, while its self-levelling bed and decent print speeds enhance its overall appeal. Although not as powerful as pricier models, the Vyper makes a solid choice for those on a budget who still want a quality 3D printer.
How to Choose a 3D Printer:
When selecting a 3D printer, first consider the type: Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is the most common and affordable type, boasting lower resolution but being suitable for beginners and hobbyists. Stereolithography (SLA) produces high-resolution prints and is suited for semi-pro users and creative professionals. Selective laser sintering (SLS) offers the best resolution, durability, and strength, making it the best option for professional and industrial-level 3D printing.
Think about the size of the prints you'd like to create, as some 3D printers have limited build volumes. Pay attention to the materials you want to use, since not all 3D printers can handle all types of materials. PLA is the most common for FDM printers, but flexible TPU can be advantageous if you wish to make squishy or bouncy models.
If you prefer coloured models, a resin printer may not be the best choice, but it's excellent for those who have the skills to paint models using spray paint or hand-brushing.
FAQs:
1. How do 3D printers work?
3D printers work using additive manufacturing, where the printer reads instructions from a digital 3D model and deposits layers of material (such as plastic, resin, or metal powders) to create a physical object one layer at a time.
2. Do I need to understand 3D modeling?
While having knowledge of 3D modeling can help, some 3D printers come with pre-made models, allowing you to jump right into the printing process without design skills.
3. What can you make with a 3D printer?
With a 3D printer, you can create a wide variety of items, from household items like replacement parts and phone cases to toys, figurines, jewelry, and even complex project prototypes. Professionals in various fields, including engineering, architecture, and sculpture, often use 3D printers for their work.
- To find inspiration for your 3D printed designs, explore online art communities and platforms, where other creatives share their ideas.
- For a more artistic touch to your 3D printer's user interface and layout, consider customizing the design with unique colors and creative elements.
- Some 3D printers offer 3D gadgets as accessories, such as cameras for real-time monitoring of the print process.
- When selecting a 3D printer, bear in mind that incorporating a logo or branding can boost recognition and catch the eye of potential customers.
- To learn the ins and outs of 3D printing quickly, follow a tutorial even if you're a seasoned pro – they can provide helpful tips and techniques.
- Printing manuals and guides for 3D printers are valuable resources, making it easier to troubleshoot potential issues and improve print quality.
- When designing your 3D models, consider the influence of technology on the design process and the potential for future advancements in the field of 3D printing.
- Experimenting with materials is an exciting aspect of 3D printing, as various options – like metals, plastics, and ceramics – can produce unique and surprising results.
