The best 3D printers open up a whole new world of creativity. Whether you want to create 3D art, conceptual models, toys, fashion accessories, prototypes or functional parts, you can do so just by designing on a screen then printing it out.
When Creative Bloq launched in 2012, the 3D printing revolution was just taking off, and we've been trialling out various printers ever since. For this article, we've combined our personal experience of 3D printing, our own hands-on reviews of specific models, and tests conducted by our stablemates at Future Publishing to bring you a definitive list of the best 3D printers available today. (To learn more, read our summary of how we test and review.)
Once you've chosen a 3D printer, you'll want to make sure you're using the right tools and applications to get the best out of it. So also read our guides to the best 3D modelling software and the best laptops for 3D modelling. Meanwhile, if you want to know more about how 3D printers work, skip ahead to our Best 3D printers FAQ.
The best 3D printers you can buy today
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There are three main types of 3D printer, and the cheapest and simplest are FDM printers. The Kobra 2 is the best example we've seen so far, so it's our top recommendation if you're just getting started with 3D printing.
It comes semi-assembled, and our reviewer found it took easy to put it together; the whole process took about 10 minutes. It's easy to use, too, as well as being surprisingly reliable. After 20 or more test prints, with various filaments and object sizes, our reviewer had no issues with splitting, and the cooling fans prevented any warping or pulling problems with print layers. All of this is impressive in a machine this affordable.
With a build volume of 250 x 220 x 220mm, it's possible to produce fairly large prints, and the speed of 250mm/s is also more than you'd expect at the price. One niggle was that while the power interruption feature worked well, it did slightly mar the quality of one print. For more details, see our Kobra 2 review.
Another very decent FDM printer, the Anycubic Vyper is quite affordable but comes equipped with features you won't find on some of those more expensive options. This printer produces prints with detail and clarity, all with minimum noise or fuss. The heated, self-levelling print bed is a great feature but add to that the spring steel magnetic sheet that helps you to remove the print and you are on to an absolute winner. You can read more about why we rate this printer so highly in our AnyCubic Vyper review.
Happy to spend a short time assembling your 3D printer? Then let us introduce the Anycubic Kobra Go, another low-cost FDM printer, it also boasts several neat features. Yes, it does require putting together, but it's not too much of a chore: our reviewer managed it in around 20 minutes.
On the plus side, assembling the printer means you'll understand its features better, such as the sprung metal print bed, which makes it easy to remove your 3D prints. Other highlights are the built-in levelling system, which is operated by a single button, the large build volume of 200 x 200 x 250mm, and the fast speeds of 100mm per second. Most importantly, the Kobra Go produces accurate results, even at higher speeds. For more details, see our Anycubic Kobra Go review.
Elegoo is a relatively new name on the 3D printing scene but the original Mars printer made a great impression on the creative community. The Mars 2 Pro builds on this success by making it bigger and faster. The new 6-inch screen bakes a layer in less than two seconds, without losing clarity or blurring layers, making it one of the fastest resin printers money can buy. For quick prototypes you can’t beat it, so long as you don’t need larger objects, as the only real downside to the Mars 2 Pro is the smaller build volume and a hint of smelly fumes, which is common with this type of printer.
Anycubic's Photo Mono SE is a great choice if you are into making custom toys, collectables or figures as the detail and surface quality it produces are fantastic. Like other mono screened printers the Photo is also fast, taking just a second or so for each layer. The resin can be a bit stinky but you can always print yourself an extraction adapter and use a length of tumble dryer hose. All in all, the smell is a small sacrifice for the output of this machine which really is quite something for the price.
Anycubic's Mono X 6K is designed to help you print bigger without compromising on quality. The build quality of this printer is excellent, with a replaceable screen protector on the exposure screen that isn’t seen on many resin printers but suggests it’ll keep working for a long time. It’s easy to use and the prints themselves are more detailed and accurate than previous models thanks to numerous hardware improvements. The fact that you get all of this for around $659 makes this 3D printer great value for money.
Makerbot has been around for a long time and is probably the best-known creator of consumer 3D printers. Eagle-eyed creatives may have even spotted one being used by Anna Kendrick in space in the film Stowaway. Makerbot’s experience has allowed its printers to retain a similar footprint but with enlarged build volume, reduced noise and a good number of connection options, including wifi. The Makerbot Replicator+ even has a camera so you can keep an eye on things remotely. Print results are good, with fine details, although being an FDM printer, some strata are visible from the print process. The Replicator+ is a great option though. It runs quietly and reliably, making it ideal for home offices, schools and workshops.
The Ender line of 3D printers are known for their excellent performance at a comparatively low cost and the Ender 3 is a fine example of this. At less than £200 you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s Black Friday all year round. Creality has somehow managed to get some top quality components into the Ender 3 too. They now come in kit form as well, which might be off putting for some but in actually gives you a solid understanding of how the printer works and can help with troubleshooting, if any issues do arise.
One of the biggest restrictions in 3D printing is the limited build volumes. The 3Doodler is a 3D printing pen, which allows you to work on projects of any size. The price of refills might make that prohibitive if you’re trying to model a 1:1 scale car but it can be done. What’s more, it is fantastic fun taking a pen from the surface of your table and drawing lines of plastic ink into the air. Filament comes in many colours too, so you could consider this to be a pretty exciting prospect, assuming you are happy with the less than precise accuracy as the extruder lies solely in your hands, not on rails. There are a few different options available, including the 3Doodler Start (for smaller people) and the Pro, too.
It’s hard not to love the EasythreeD K5, with its appealing design and simplicity. Costing not much more than a couple of weeks worth of takeaway coffee, this entry into our list of the best 3D printers is a super-accessible introduction to 3D printing, so can be forgiven for its tiny build area and lack of fine detail. It’s also incredibly intuitive to use so, combined with the fully enclosed print volume, it could make a fantastic introduction to 3D printing for kids.
Best 3D printers FAQ
How do 3D printers work?
It's important to keep in mind that not every 3D printer works the same. Different methods garner different results.
For example, some use long spools of filament that get heated in a similar way to a glue gun, then are laid out on the print bed. Whilst the quality is great using this method, it's usually a longer process as it takes more work afterwards to eliminate printed layer lines manually. Different models use an LCD screen to expose light to a pool of resin, while others use a laser to cure the liquid resin.
What can you make with a 3D printer?
There are almost endless ways you can use one of the best 3D printers. Some ideas of things you could print include tabletop game miniatures, toys, decorative ornaments and much more. It's very accessible to learn how to use 3D modelling programmes now, with a wealth of tutorials and courses available.
Are 3D printers still expensive?
Once, 3D printers were prohibitively expensive, but those days are long gone. Nowadays, you can buy an entry 3D printer for as little as $200. That said, that type of 3D printer will only be useful for hobbyist purposes, and a industrial-grade 3D printer will still cost you several thousand dollars. There's plenty to choose from in between, with serious hobbyist models starting around $500 and professional models starting around the $1,000 mark.
When budgeting for a 3D printer, it's also important to consider that you'll have to pay for printing materials, which can cost anywhere from $10 to $50 per kilogram. Other materials, such as resin, can be more expensive.
Overall, the cost of 3D printing has come down significantly in recent years. There are now many affordable options available for hobbyists and makers. However, the cost of 3D printing can still be a barrier for some people. Also, in the light of the current energy crisis, it's worth remembering that 3D printers use a lot of electricity.
What's the best type of 3D printer?
There are three main types of 3D printers available. Each comes with its own price brand, and each has its own pros and cons. So the best type of 3D printer for you will depend on how sophisticated you want your prints to be, and how much you're willing to spend.
The most common and affordable type of 3D printer is the FDM (Fused deposition modeling) type. It uses a heated nozzle to melt plastic filament, which is then deposited layer by layer to create a 3D object. FDM printers are relatively affordable, easy to use and a great choice for amateurs, hobbyists and beginners. However, they typically have lower resolution than other types of 3D printers.
A more expensive type of 3D printer is the SLA (Stereolithography) type. This uses a laser to cure liquid resin, which is then hardened to create a 3D object. SLA printers have high resolution and can create very detailed prints. That makes them a good choice for semi-pro users and creatives using 3D printers as part of their professional design work.
The most expensive type of 3D printer is the SLS (Selective laser sintering) type. This type of 3D printer uses a laser to sinter (fuse together) powdered material to create a 3D object. SLS printers allow you to create high resolution, strong and durable prints. For this reason, they are the best choice for professional and industrial-level 3D printing
There are a couple of other factors to consider when choosing a 3D printer. Think about the size of the prints you want to create ,as some 3D printers have a limited build volume. Also consider the materials you want to use, because not all 3D printers can use all types of materials.
Read more:
- Best free 3D apps: Create on the go
- Best laptop for CAD, AutoCAD and 3D modelling: Powerful software for you
- 12 ways 3D printing changed the world
