Best 3D Printers You can Buy

3D printing is on the rise. Its uses range from 3D printing cases for Raspberry Pi models and other maker boards, 3D printed art, and even 3D printing a house or food. While 3D printing ideas are necessary, you'll also need a 3D printer. Discover the best 3D printers you can buy, from Lulzbot and MakerBot to the best budget 3D printers and affordable 3D printers on the market!

Best 3D Printers on the Market: What Should You Consider When Buying a 3D Printer?

When selecting a 3D printer to fit your needs, there are several considerations. Primarily, 3D printer price plays central role. Budget-oriented 3D printers clock in around $150-200 USD, though high-end models surpass the $6,000 mark. Aside from the outright cost of the 3D printer, you'll need to purchase filament. Thus, the base 3D printer cost isn't the only expense you'll see over the lifetime of your device. 

What specific 3D printer projects you're looking to create may dictate which 3D printer is best. For generating objects of certain sizes, you might need a larger device. Among the most essential qualities in selecting a 3D printer, there's build volume. If you're wondering what build volume is, it's a measurement of length, width, and height, and shows the largest size of an object your 3D printer can print. This is calculated by multiplying the maximum length, width, and height, commonly measured in inches. 

Layer resolution, or vertical resolution, shows the minimum thickness of a layer a printer can generate in a single pass. Smaller thickness translates to a smoother surface. But fine layers foster a longer printing process. 

While technical specs remain important, community is a huge factor. It's disappointing dropping a few hundred, or even thousand, dollars on a 3D printer only to find little or no support. Depending on your set up and where your 3D printer resides, noise could play a key role. If you've got a dedicated maker space, it might not be a problem. But for those running a 3D printer in their bedroom or living area, that loud noise may prove problematic. 

What to consider when buying a 3D printer:

• 3D printer price
• Filament type
• Build volume
• Noise level
• Community support
• Filament vs. resin

1. Original Prusa i3 MK3S - The Best 3D Printer on the Planet

There's a reason that many 3D printers are marketed as i3 clones. The original Prusa i3 MK3S set the standard for 3D printers. While you can find Prusa i3 alternatives, many cut corners which helps keep the price down. However, Prusa's i3 MK3S is hands-down the best 3D printer money can buy. Available as a do-it-yourself kit or a complete printer that's ready to use out-of-the-box, you've got multiple options. While printer assembly is an excellent means of getting your hands dirty and gaining invaluable 3D printing knowledge, the ease of use that comes from a pre-built 3D printer is unrivaled. 

Onboard, the Original Prusa i3 MK3S rocks an optical filament sensor that's triggered by a mechanical lever. A revamped extruder makes swapping the nozzle or PTFE tube simpler than ever. A magnetic MK52 heatbed with a replaceable PEI spring steel print sheet makes for great adhesion during printing, with easy removal after printing. A Trinamic2130 driver and Noctua fan ensure fast, silent printing. Plus, there's auto bed-leveling. An enormous userbase means you can find first- or third-party support. The only potential downside is its price. A fully-assembled Prusa i3 MK3S clocks in at $1,000 while the DIY version slides in at $750. That's not cheap, but you get what you pay for and in this case, it's a high-quality 3D printer that perfectly balances ease of use with a robust feature set. And that posits the Prusa i3 MK3S as a superb option for beginners and seasoned users alike. 

Pros:

• Pre-built and DIY options
• Fast, quiet printing with Trinamic2130 drivers and a Noc tua fan
• Stable frame
• Removable MK52 magnetic heatbed
• Auto bed leveling
• High-quality E3D V6 nozzle
• Easy to assemble
• Massive user-base
• Excellent first- and third-party resources

Cons:

• Pricey but worth the cost

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2. Best Budget 3D Printer - Anet ET4

Anet has long been renowned in the 3D printing space for its budget-conscious 3D printers. While its Anet A8 (our review) remains a top-pick, the Anet ET4 is the best budget 3D printer on the market. While its price tag hovers around the $200 USD mark, the Anet ET4 (our review) punches well above its weight class. Assembly is simple taking less than 30 minutes, and print quality is extraordinary, especially for the price. Build quality is top-notch, with a glass print bed and aluminum frame. 

Where the Anet ET4 really shines is its feature set. Despite its affordability, you'll find premium inclusions such as an auto bed leveling that works extremely well. Thermal runaway detection comes standard and the ET4 rocks a filament loading and unloading mechanism. In my tests, prints came out looking wonderful. And it's available in a few different iterations including the vanilla ET4, the ET4 Pro which comes mostly put together for a 10-minute assembly time, or the ET4 X which nixes auto-leveling. There are a few quirks. A CURA profile was difficult to come by initially, but has since been released and tweaked. The included microSD card is disappointingly low-quality, so it's recommended to reformat it or better yet just use your own. Overall, the Anet ET4 is a cheap as chips 3D printer that delivers a top-shelf experience.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Premium features like auto-bed leveling (Anet ET4 and ET4 Pro only, not the ET4 X)
• High-quality components - glass print bed, aluminum frame
• Easy to use
• Quick assembly
• Great print quality
• Thermal runaway detection
• Filament load/unload feature

Cons:

• Poor quality microSD card
• Slicing requires a bit of tweaking

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3. Best Resin 3D Printer - Elegoo Mars Pro

Elegoo offers a range of high-quality, budget-focused maker products such as Arduino starter kits. And its Elegoo Mars Pro (our review) is the best resin 3D printer available. Renowned among 3D printing experts, it's an incredible ultraviolet photocuring LCD 3D printer. While the original Elegoo Mars (our review) churned out excellent prints, the Elegoo Mars Pro maintains superb print quality and doubles down on features. There's a new quieter linear guideway, a built-in charcoal filter, and build plate that increases adhesion during printing while allowing for effortless removal of prints when finished. 

Furthermore, Elegoo made a number of small yet significant updates such as moving the USB port from the back to the front of the unit. Coupled with a remodeled resin vat comprised of aluminum alloy and matrix UV light source with 28 50-watt UV LED lights, the Elegoo Mars Pro reigns supreme among resin-based 3D printers. The only minor downside is that its frequent popularity can lead to the Mars Pro being out of stock. Most of the cons are general resin printing annoyances such as messy, smelly substances. 

Pros:

• Excellent print quality
• Activated charcoal filter
• USB port moved to the front
• Quiet, stable linear rail
• Build plate that improves in-print adhesion while allowing for easy print removal
• Affordable

Cons:

• Resin 3D printing is messy and smelly
• Small build area

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4. Best 3D Printer for Beginners - Frankensbox FX-800

Equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, a microSD card slot, and USB port, the Frankensbox FX-800 allows for printing from a variety of methods. You can even send prints to the Frankensbox via Android and iOS devices. Unlike many 3D printers, the Frankensbox FX-800 comes completely assembled and ready to use right after unpacking. It's compatible with several materials like PLA, ABS, and wood. Operation is absolutely silent, print quality is amazing, and the print bed is completely enclosed. So for kids, the Frankensbox FX-800 is a safe option. 

However, intermediate and advanced users may be disappointed. The paltform isn't heated which, while excellent for use with small children, means more difficult bed adhesion. The built platform is a bit small and moreover, it takes a small filament spool so standard 1KG spools won't fit in the filament holder. Nevertheless, for plug-and-print simplicity, the Frankensbox FX-800 is a great choice. 

Pros: 

• Plug-and-print simplicity
• Easy to use
• Comes fully assembled
• Great connectivity (Wi-Fi, microSD, USB)
• Completely enclosed build platform
• Safe for kids

Cons:

• Small build area
• Non-heated build platform
• Won't hold 1KG filament spools

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5. An Easy-to-Use 3D Printer for Beginners - XYZprinting da Vinci Mini

In its review, PC Mag awarded the XYZprinting da Vinci Mini a rating of Excellent, and four out of five stars. Filament prices are reasonable, misprints are rare, and set up is a breeze. Moreover, the da Vinci Mini handles printing via USB or over Wi-Fi. The da Vinci Mini arrives with a low learning curve. With a respectable build volume, intuitive setup, and low price tag, the XYZprinting da Vinci Mini is easily the best cheap 3D printer for beginners. It's perfect for 3D printing enthusiasts as well. PC Mag did find the odd software hiccup, and occasionally finished builds proved tough to remove from the print bed. Contrastingly, some prints don't stick well. But covering the print bed in blue painter's tape or using a copious coating of glue stick helps. Nevertheless, it's an incredible 3D printer for the money. 

Pros:

• Affordable
• Easy-to-use
• Compact size
• Simple set up
• Bed leveling is a breeze

Cons:

• Prints sometimes have trouble sticking to the print bed or are touch to remove from the print bed 

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6. Best Small 3D Printer - Original Prusa Mini

An affordable, space-conserving 3D printer, the Original Prusa MINI skimps on size but not on quality. It's a compact 3D printer sliding in under $400 USD, the Prusa MINI may be small but it's mighty. Unlike the Prusa i3 MK3S, the MINI only comes as a DIY kit, however assembly is a breeze and should only take around 15 minutes. Despite its small stature, the Prusa MINI packs in networking capabilities and a solid 7" x 7" x 7" build platform. There's a geared extruder, 32-bit STM32 controller, and flexible print sheets. Whether you're tight on desk space or building a 3D print farm, the Prusa MINI is a space-saving, affordable, and well-supported printer.

Pros:

• Small footprint
• Affordable
• Excellent print quality
• Great support
• Flexible print sheets
• Easy to build

Cons: 

• Assembly is somewhat fiddly

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7. Alfawise u30 Pro - A Good 3D Printer That Won't Break the Bank

Although Alfawise might not be a household name like Prusa, Anet, or even Elegoo, its cheap 3D printers manage extraordinary, particularly for the price. And the Alfawise u30 Pro (our review) proves no exception. It comes extremely well packaged and print quality remains extraordinary. Operation is pretty quiet, although not altogether silent. There's an onboard touchscreen, great connectivity, and solid reliability. Overall, the Alfawise u30 Pro is one of the best cheap 3D printers on the market. 

Pros:

• A cheap 3D printer with great quality
• Affordable
• Excellent print quality
• Easy to use
• Quick assembly

Cons:

• Not truly silent
• Fiddly cabling

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8. Creality Ender 3 Pro - A Cheap 3D Printer that Works Well

Don't judge a book by its cover, or a 3D printer by its cost. As the Creality Ender 3 Pro (our review) proves, you can snag a pretty solid cheap 3D printer that doesn't suck. Print quality is decent, connectivity is outstanding, and the price is mind-blowingly low. Still, it's not a 3D printer for beginners. There's a slight learning curve, reliability can be iffy, and the Ender 3 Pro is somewhat noisy. Still, it works well and won't leave a hole in your pocket.

Pros:

• Good print quality
• Affordable
• Great connectivity

Cons:

• Noisy
• Not terribly reliable

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9. An Affordable 3D Printer That Rocks: Monoprice MP Select Mini V2

While Monoprice may be most renowned for its budget-oriented computer cables and headphones, its Monoprice MP Select Mini is an affordable 3D printer for entry-level 3D printing. With its minimum layer height of 100, 120 x 120 x 120 build area, and around $200 cost, it's a fantastic choice. There's robust community support, costs of materials and maintenance remain low, and simplicity in overall use. Supported 3D printing materials range from ABS, PETG, Nylon, and PLA to HIPS. Unfortunately, build volume isn't fantastic and it's a bit slow. Though the Monoprice MP Select Mini won't satisfy hardcore 3D printing buffs, it's sure to appease beginners. 

Pros: 

• Inexpensive
• Small footprint
• Great printed material support

Cons:

• Small build area
• Slow printing

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10. Best Mid-range 3D Printer Lulzbot Mini 2 

Aleph Objects makes the LulzBot Mini 2, a ridiculously easy to use 3D printer. Onboard, you'll find everything you need to get started, including an auto-leveling bed and self-cleaning nozzle. Loaded with features and featuring a low learning curve, the LulzBot Mini caters to beginners and intermediate 3D printing enthusiasts. A large part of its appeal derives from the open-source nature. Community support from the massive user base as well as LulzBot itself.

Since the LulzBot Mini eschews a control panel on the device, it could be frustrating for users. But clever LulzBot makers jerry-rigged a fix with Octoprint and a Raspberry Pi. However, price proves the main detriment for beginners. Despite its ease of use, excellent customer support and community support, as well as open-source software and hardware, an over $1,000 starting price makes it a hefty investment for beginners. Add to that its somewhat noisy operation and moderate build volume. Ultimately, LulzBot's open-source nature, intuitive operation, and material compatibility which includes ABS, PLA, HIPS, PETG, Nylon, and Exotics make it a worthy 3D printer. You may also consider the LulzBot Taz Workhorse, although it's a pricey 3D printer at just under $3,000. 

Pros:

• Larger build volume
• GLCD controller for tetherless 3D printing
• Out-of-the-box support for flexible and rigid filament
• Silent operation
• Multi-material printing

Cons:

• Pricey

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11. Click-to-Print Simplicity: MakerBot Replicator+ 

At $2,000 the MakerBot Replicator+ is an excellent upper to mid-range printer. Ease of use, print quality, and simple software make this a delightful click-to-print experience. With a USB port, Ethernet, and onboard Wi-Fi, there's an array of connectivity options. Plus, it's a quiet 3D printer with a huge 11.6" x 7.6" x 6.5" build area. The mobile app isn't great, though the main downside is price. If you're just starting out with 3D printing, you might not wish to drop around $2,000. Still, it's one of the best 3D printers you can buy. 

Pros:

• Excellent connectivity
• Large build area
• Easy to use
• App printing available
• Excellent print quality

Cons:

• Expensive
• Poor mobile app

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12. Best Feature-filled 3D Printer: Dremel DigiLab 3D45 

Striking a pleasing balance of quality, ease of use, and power, the Dremel DigiLab 3D45 comes as a fantastic mid-range 3D printer. You'll find a host of printing options including USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi, as well as low noise volume meaning you'll benefit from a premium experience. There's an enclosed build area and compatibility with a variety of printed materials. PC Mag disliked the filament color options, and noted that the touchscreen wasn't quite as responsive as other 3D printers. Still, with the combination of intuitive printing and power-user features, the Dremel DigiLab 3D45 is one of the best 3D printers that money can buy, but it costs a lot. 

Pros:

• Enclosed print area
• Massive print bed
• Touchscreen
• Cloud-based printing

Cons:

• Expensive
• Not the most responsive touchscreen

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Best 3D Printers You can Buy: Finishing Touches

Overall, you'll find tons of 3D printers on the market. These range from affordable 3D printers and cheap DIY 3D printer kits to several thousand dollar 3D printers. Which you pick depends on your intent and desired features. For 3D printing beginners, the da Vinci Mini is a superb option, and Monoprice's MP Select Mini comes as a pleasant offering. If money is no object, turn to the Ultimaker 3 Extended. Open-source junkies might consider the LulzBot, an excellent 3D printer with one of the best communities you can find.

Which 3D printers are you using, and what are you printing?