The rise of the consumer 3D printer has yielded amazing devices for designers, engineers, hobbyists, tinkerers, and schools alike. I've been reviewing 3D printers for PCMag since the first widely available models emerged in the 2010s. Since then, PC Labs has reviewed more than 60 3D printers built around different applications and print technologies. They have ranged from professional printers that cost $5,000 down to budget models as affordable as $200. That's quite the spread. We evaluate models based on usability, value, and print quality, subjecting each to extensive hands-on testing and printing a fixed set of test objects. Our current overall favorite 3D printer is the Bambu Lab P2S, but we stand by all our picks, ideal for a host of scenarios and users. In addition to the product selections, you'll find a wealth of 3D printer shopping advice, plus a handy spec comparison.
Overview
-
Jump To Details
![Bambu Lab P2S]()
Best 3D Printer OverallBambu Lab P2S
-
Jump To Details
![Qidi Q2]()
Best Budget 3D Printer OverallQidi Q2
-
Jump To Details
![Bambu Lab H2C]()
Best Premium 3D PrinterBambu Lab H2C
-
Jump To Details
![Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max]()
Best Mainstream Resin 3D PrinterAnycubic Photon Mono M7 Max
-
Jump To Details
![Formlabs Form 4]()
Best Pro-Level Resin 3D PrinterFormlabs Form 4
-
Jump To Details
![Ultimaker S5]()
Best Pro-Level 3D Printer for Large ObjectsUltimaker S5
-
Jump To Details
![Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus]()
Best Budget 3D Printer for Large ObjectsElegoo Neptune 4 Plus
-
Jump To Details
![Toybox Alpha Three]()
Best 3D Printer for KidsToybox Alpha Three
-
Jump To Details
![Bambu Lab A1]()
Best Mainstream Multicolor-Capable 3D PrinterBambu Lab A1
-
Jump To Details
![Bambu Lab A1 mini]()
Best Budget Multicolor-Capable 3D PrinterBambu Lab A1 mini
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
-
Credit: Joseph Maldonado
![Bambu Lab P2S]()
Best 3D Printer OverallBambu Lab P2S
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Bambu Lab P2S represents a rare combination of performance, intelligence, and refinement. It delivers professional-level output in a desktop form factor without requiring constant adjustments. For newcomers, the P2S offers a remarkably gentle learning curve. Automatic calibration, guided maintenance, and built-in error detection mean that the first print is likely to succeed. For experienced users, the printer’s speed and reliability translate into faster iteration and less downtime.
Who It's For
3D printing newbies: The P2S is a good choice for people with little or no 3D printing experience who are willing to spend a bit more than they'd pay for an entry-level budget machine for a 3D printer they won't soon (if ever) outgrow. A 5-inch color touch screen is on the front panel; menus slide fluidly, animations load quickly, and setup prompts are clear. The printer guides the user through automatic bed leveling, filament loading, and first-layer calibration. During our tests, the P2S completed these steps without manual adjustment and produced excellent prints.
Upgraders: The Bambu P2S is ideal for someone who got their feet wet with an entry-level 3D printer and is ready for something better. Its automatic bed leveling will be a joy for anyone who's experienced the oft-dicey bed leveling found in many beginner machines.
Professionals and enthusiasts: The P2S's facility in producing excellent prints using a variety of filament types makes it a great choice for use in short-run manufacturing, rapid product prototyping, creating exacting engineering models, and much more. The AMS 2 Pro unit included in the P2S Combo that we reviewed allows a user to easily switch between any of four filament colors or types.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Dimensions (HWD) 15.4 by 16 by 18.8 inches Frame Design Closed LCD Screen Materials Supported ABS Materials Supported ASA Materials Supported PETG Materials Supported PLA Materials Supported TPU Maximum Build Area (HWD) 10.1 by 10.1 by 10.1 Number of Extruders 1 Number of Print Colors 4 Primary Interface(s) USB Thumb Drive Primary Interface(s) Wi-Fi Warranty (Parts/Labor) 1 Weight 32.8 Learn More Bambu Lab P2S Review -
-
Credit: Michael Lydick
![Qidi Q2]()
Best Budget 3D Printer OverallQidi Q2
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Qidi Q2 is a reasonably priced workhorse positioned between serious hobbyist rigs and prosumer 3D printers. The Q2 is a fully enclosed, heated-chamber unit that can print with a wide variety of materials, including engineering-grade filaments. Featuring advanced automatic leveling, it can print out of the box without requiring any tuning or adjustments. It is capable of producing good print quality, although it may require some fine-tuning for optimal results.
Who It's For
3D printing newbies: The Q2 is an excellent choice for beginners to 3D printing. It is a cinch to get up and running. With a large color display, its user interface leads you, step by step, through the setup process.
Tinkerers: Hobbyists will enjoy the Q2's ability to print with most any filament type, and its active chamber heating helps prevent warping. Also, Qidi includes its own slicer software, which you can tweak to resolve print issues such as Z-banding.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Dimensions (HWD) 22 by 19.7 by 24.8 inches Frame Design Closed LCD Screen Maximum Build Area (HWD) 10.6 by 10.6 by 10.1 inches Number of Extruders 1 Number of Print Colors 1 Primary Interface(s) Ethernet Primary Interface(s) USB Primary Interface(s) Wi-Fi Top Print Resolution 0.1 Warranty (Parts/Labor) 1 Weight 77.2 Learn More Qidi Q2 Review -
-
Credit: Michael Lydick
![Bambu Lab H2C]()
Best Premium 3D PrinterBambu Lab H2C
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Bambu Lab H2C assumes the mantle of the company’s flagship 3D printer: a product built to minimize waste, expand material possibilities, and push multi-material printing closer to tool-changer territory (swapping between whole different nozzles and extruders on the fly) without abandoning Bambu Lab’s tightly integrated ecosystem. The H2C isn't aimed at beginners or even casual power users. Instead, it's Bambu Lab planting a flag at the top of its lineup, saying that the future of its platform is not just faster prints, but smarter ones. It's simply the best desktop filament printer yet for high-end multi-material, multicolor printing.
Who It's For
Engineers and design pros: Whether you're an engineer crafting a component, an architect preparing a model, a product designer perfecting a prototype, or an inventor creating a multicolor toy, the Bambu H2C is a great vehicle for translating your ideas into physical form.
Advanced makers: The H2C lets avid 3D printing enthusiasts experiment with a wide range of materials and filament colors, producing high-quality prints smoothly and efficiently.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Dimensions (HWD) 24.6 by 19.3 by 20.2 inches Frame Design Closed LCD Screen Materials Supported ABS Materials Supported ASA Materials Supported PA12 Materials Supported PA6 Materials Supported PC Materials Supported PETG Materials Supported PLA Materials Supported Polycarbonate Maximum Build Area (HWD) 12.79 by 12.9 by 12.59 inches Number of Extruders 2 Number of Print Colors 5 Primary Interface(s) USB Primary Interface(s) Wi-Fi Top Print Resolution 120 Warranty (Parts/Labor) 1 Weight 71.6 Learn More Bambu Lab H2C Review -
-
![Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max]()
Best Mainstream Resin 3D PrinterAnycubic Photon Mono M7 Max
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Fast, precise, and with exceptional automatic resin handling, the Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max is a great choice for enthusiasts, hobbyists, and professionals seeking an SLA 3D printer for personal or business use. It can generate the smallest of miniatures up through exceptionally large models, with easy-to-use remote monitoring. Its excellent resin management works entirely behind the scenes, allowing you to get to the print quickly and cleanly. The printer's light-source system easily handles the most stringent calibration files down to the 10-micron level with remarkable print quality. And it comes in at a very reasonable price for a 3D printer of its capabilities.
Who It's For
Professionals: With a build quality that approaches industrial-grade standards, along with exceptional reliability and the ability to print fine details, the Mono M7 Max should appeal to professionals seeking a 3D printer for rapid prototyping and short-run manufacturing.
Enthusiasts: With a sub-$1,000 price, exceptional quality, and innovative resin-management features, the Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max is a natural fit for artists, hobbyists, and anyone seeking a resin-based printer to quickly output high-quality prints. Because the M7 Max conceals its powerful technology beneath an intuitive and responsive UI, users can transition from unboxing to finished prints with minimal resin interaction.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology Stereolithography Dimensions (HWD) 25.7 by 16.7 by 14.3 inches Frame Design Closed LCD Screen Materials Supported Resin Maximum Build Area (HWD) 11.7 by 6.4 by 11.8 inches Number of Print Colors 1 Primary Interface(s) Ethernet Primary Interface(s) USB Primary Interface(s) Wi-Fi Top Print Resolution 10 Warranty (Parts/Labor) 1 Weight 52.91 Learn More Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max Review -
-
![Formlabs Form 4]()
Best Pro-Level Resin 3D PrinterFormlabs Form 4
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked it
The Formlabs Form 4 is a production-line-ready powerhouse. It has fully automated leveling and calibration—simply snap in the resin cartridge and build platform, then start printing. At no point in the process are you likely to make a mistake. The Low Force Display (LFD) engine, resin handling, and wash/cure workflow combine into a system that prints quickly, cleanly, and—most important—dimensionally accurately using Formlabs resins and even well-tuned third-party materials via Open Material Mode. This reliability shows up in tangible ways: clear optical pieces you can actually see through, snap-fit brackets that snap, threads that thread, and tolerances that measure like you drew them.
Who's It For
Short-run manufacturers: The Form 4 delivers an end-to-end workflow solution designed to move from CAD model to finished, production-ready part with minimal tinkering. The Form 4 is best suited for professionals, engineers, and entrepreneurs who value speed, reliability, and accuracy.
Artists: With a seamless workflow solution and the Form 4's extreme printing precision, some artists will be tempted to use a Form 4 to bring their creations to life, just as I witnessed an artist doing with the original Form 1 at a MakerFaire more than a decade ago. The catch is that they have to be willing to either work within the Formlabs ecosystem, which includes their high-quality but somewhat expensive resins, or else pony up $2,499 to unlock the Form 4's Open Material Mode so it will accept third-party resins and enable a range of additional settings in Formlabs' slicer software, a pretty high bar for asserting one's artistic freedom.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology Stereolithography Dimensions (HWD) 15.7 by 14.5 by 21.9 inches Frame Design Closed LCD Screen Materials Supported Resin Maximum Build Area (HWD) 7.87 by 4.92 by 8.27 inches (HWD) Primary Interface(s) Ethernet Primary Interface(s) USB Primary Interface(s) Wi-Fi Top Print Resolution 50 Warranty (Parts/Labor) 1 Weight 40.3 Learn More Formlabs Form 4 Review -
-
![Ultimaker S5]()
Best Pro-Level 3D Printer for Large ObjectsUltimaker S5
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Ultimaker S5 is a significant investment, but it offers a lot for its premium price. A 3D printer geared toward professionals, the S5 features a large build area for a closed-frame printer and comes equipped with dual extruders, allowing you to print with two filament colors or types. To that end, it comes with one spool of Tough PLA (polylactic acid) and one of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), the latter a water-soluble filament commonly used as a temporary support material during printing for complex objects.
Moreover, it is easy to set up and operate. The S5 can connect to a PC via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and you can print objects from a USB thumb drive inserted into its forward-facing port. It relies on the familiar Cura open-source printing software, which Ultimaker now manages.
Who It's For
Product designers and manufacturers: The Ultimaker S5 is ideal for rapid prototyping, enabling quick and high-quality printing, modification, and re-printing of multiple versions of a design. Its dual extruders allow you to print designs in two colors; it features a large print area for a closed-frame 3D printer; and it rapidly outputs prints. All of these factors are a boon to short-run manufacturers.
Architects and engineers: The S5's speed and print quality enable architects to easily print and modify multiple versions of a model. It is capable of precision printing, churning out good-to-excellent-quality prints in our testing.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Dimensions (HWD) 19.5 by 20.5 by 18 inches Frame Design Open LCD Screen Materials Supported ABS Materials Supported Nylon Materials Supported PLA Maximum Build Area (HWD) 13 by 11.8 by 9.5 inches (HWD) Number of Extruders 2 Number of Print Colors 2 Primary Interface(s) Ethernet Top Print Resolution 60 Warranty (Parts/Labor) 1 Weight 45 Learn More Ultimaker S5 3D Printer Review -
-
Credit: Joseph Maldonado
![Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus]()
Best Budget 3D Printer for Large ObjectsElegoo Neptune 4 Plus
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Looking to make big 3D prints for a modest price? The open-frame Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus 3D printer produces jumbo-sized prints, a rarity for sub-$500 3D printers, and in our testing, printed more than 20 objects of generally very good quality. It requires some basic assembly and enough table or bench space to house it, but setup and operation are easy enough. Be sure to add at least one filament spool to your order when purchasing the Neptune, or buy it in a bundle that includes filament.
Who It's For
3D printing beginners: The Neptune 4 Plus is ideal as a starter 3D printer for a newbie willing to roll up their sleeves. Some fairly simple assembly is required. As an open-frame 3D printer, the Neptune's workings—motors, belts, cables, print bed, extruder, and filament feed—remain visible. Both assembling it and seeing it in action help a newcomer to better understand the 3D printing process. The Neptune is capable of printing large objects, and our test prints were generally of very good quality.
Cash-strapped hobbyists: The Neptune 4 Plus is a good choice for a hobbyist on a budget. It sells for a modest price, it supports many filament types, and it can produce large prints.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Dimensions (HWD) 25.2 by 21 by 22.8 inches Frame Design Open LCD Screen Materials Supported ABS Materials Supported ASA Materials Supported Nylon Materials Supported PETG Materials Supported PLA Materials Supported TPU Maximum Build Area (HWD) 15.2 by 12.6 by 12.6 inches Number of Extruders 1 Number of Print Colors 1 Primary Interface(s) USB Thumb Drive Primary Interface(s) Wi-Fi Top Print Resolution 100 Warranty (Parts/Labor) 1 Weight 32 Learn More Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus Review -
-
Credit: Michael Lydick
![Toybox Alpha Three]()
Best 3D Printer for KidsToybox Alpha Three
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Toybox Alpha 3 focuses squarely on approachability, delivering a polished, kid-friendly experience that works almost immediately out of the box. Setup is fast, printing is largely one-touch, and the curated design library removes many of the barriers that typically frustrate first-time users. For families and classrooms looking for a safe, dependable way to introduce 3D printing without a steep learning curve, Toybox does exactly what it promises. The version we reviewed comes bundled with extra "printer food" (filament) and other items.
Who It's For
Children: The Toybox is a simple, safe way for children to learn about and enjoy 3D printing with minimal adult supervision. It lets kids choose between a wide variety of fun toys and projects to print.
Parents and teachers: Toybox printers are as fun for the parents or teachers overseeing the children printing as they are for the kids themselves. Minimal setup and little need for troubleshooting keep the printing process frustration-free.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Dimensions (HWD) 9.5 by 7.7 by 7.5 inches Frame Design Open LCD Screen Materials Supported PLA Maximum Build Area (HWD) 3.5 by 3.1 by 2.8 inches Number of Extruders 1 Number of Print Colors 1 Primary Interface(s) Wi-Fi Top Print Resolution 2000 Warranty (Parts/Labor) 1 Weight 5.07 Learn More Toybox Alpha Three Review -
-
![Bambu Lab A1]()
Best Mainstream Multicolor-Capable 3D PrinterBambu Lab A1
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Bambu Lab A1 is the flagship printer from a company that helped pioneer filament-based multicolor 3D printing. It boasts a four-color print capability, a large print bed, and an easy-to-switch nozzle system, all at a reasonable price. The A1 is easy to get going and offers excellent-quality prints. (Note that the A1 works with Bambu Lab’s four-color spool system as either an optional extra for the $399 base model or included with the A1 Combo, which costs $559.)
Who It’s For
3D printing beginners: The A1 is a good fit for beginners. It is easy to set up and use, and comes at a reasonable cost. The A1 Combo version, which we reviewed, adds Bambu Lab’s four-color spool system to the $399 base model, enabling you to get started with multicolor 3D printing.
Hobbyists: The Bambu Lab A1 has much to recommend it to hobbyists and 3D printing veterans. It features a large print bed and is capable of producing high-quality prints.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Dimensions (HWD) 16.93 by 15.16 by 16.14 inches Frame Design Open LCD Screen Materials Supported PETG Materials Supported PLA Materials Supported PVA Materials Supported TPU Maximum Build Area (HWD) 10 by 10 by 10 inches Primary Interface(s) microSD card Primary Interface(s) Wi-Fi Warranty (Parts/Labor) 1 Weight 18.3 Learn More Bambu Lab A1 Review -
-
Credit: Ted Needleman
![Bambu Lab A1 mini]()
Best Budget Multicolor-Capable 3D PrinterBambu Lab A1 mini
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Bambu Lab A1 mini is not only an affordable 3D printer, but also offers an inexpensive add-on module that can print with any or all of four different-colored filaments, making multicolor creations easy. It generates high-quality prints at a relatively high speed, too. The A1 mini is exceptionally easy to get up and running and continues to be problem-free while you're printing.
Who It’s For
Beginners: The Bambu Lab A1 mini comes nearly fully assembled and is easy to set up and operate. It quickly generates good-looking prints and proved problem-free in our testing. The combo version that we reviewed includes an add-on module that can print with any or all of four different-colored filaments, making multicolor creations easy.
Budget-minded hobbyists: The A1 mini is a superb choice for someone who wants a stellar out-of-the-box experience, simple operation, and some money left in the bank. The version we reviewed sells for less than $400, making it one of the lowest-cost four-color fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers on the market.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Dimensions (HWD) 13.7 x 12.4 x 14.4 inches (HWD) Frame Design Closed LCD Screen Materials Supported PETG Materials Supported PLA Materials Supported PVA Materials Supported TPU Maximum Build Area (HWD) 70.9 x 70.9 x 70.9 inches (HWD) Number of Extruders 1 Number of Print Colors 4 Primary Interface(s) microSD card Primary Interface(s) Wi-Fi Top Print Resolution 100 Warranty (Parts/Labor) 1 Weight 12.12 Learn More Bambu Lab A1 mini Review -
Compare Specs
Our Pick | |||||||||||||
Rating |
5.0 Exemplary |
4.0 Excellent |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.5 Outstanding |
5.0 Exemplary |
4.0 Excellent |
4.5 Outstanding |
Best For | Best 3D Printer Overall | Best Budget 3D Printer Overall | Best Premium 3D Printer | Best Mainstream Resin 3D Printer | Best Pro-Level Resin 3D Printer | Best Pro-Level 3D Printer for Large Objects | Best Budget 3D Printer for Large Objects | Best 3D Printer for Kids | Best Mainstream Multicolor-Capable 3D Printer | Best Budget Multicolor-Capable 3D Printer | Best 3D Printer Overall | Best Budget 3D Printer Overall | Best Premium 3D Printer |
3D-Printing Technology | Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) | Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) | Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) | Stereolithography | Stereolithography | Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) | Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) | Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) | Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) | Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) | Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) | Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) | Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) |
Materials Supported | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU | PLA, ABS, ASA, PETG, Polycarbonate, PA6, PA12, PC | Resin | Resin | ABS, Nylon, PLA | ABS, PLA, Nylon, PETG, ASA, TPU | PLA | PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA | PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU | PLA, ABS, ASA, PETG, Polycarbonate, PA6, PA12, PC | ||
Number of Print Colors | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 | ||
Number of Extruders | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
Frame Design | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Open | Open | Open | Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
Maximum Build Area (HWD) | 10.1 by 10.1 by 10.1 | 10.6 by 10.6 by 10.1 inches | 12.79 by 12.9 by 12.59 inches | 11.7 by 6.4 by 11.8 inches | 7.87 by 4.92 by 8.27 inches (HWD) | 13 by 11.8 by 9.5 inches (HWD) | 15.2 by 12.6 by 12.6 inches | 3.5 by 3.1 by 2.8 inches | 10 by 10 by 10 inches | 70.9 x 70.9 x 70.9 inches (HWD) | 10.1 by 10.1 by 10.1 | 10.6 by 10.6 by 10.1 inches | 12.79 by 12.9 by 12.59 inches |
Top Print Resolution | 0.1 | 120 | 10 | 50 | 60 | 100 | 2000 | 100 | 0.1 | 120 | |||
LCD Screen | |||||||||||||
Primary Interface(s) | Wi-Fi, USB Thumb Drive | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB | USB, Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB | Ethernet | USB Thumb Drive, Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, microSD card | Wi-Fi, microSD card | Wi-Fi, USB Thumb Drive | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB | USB, Wi-Fi |
Built-In 3D Scanner? | |||||||||||||
Dimensions (HWD) | 15.4 by 16 by 18.8 inches | 22 by 19.7 by 24.8 inches | 24.6 by 19.3 by 20.2 inches | 25.7 by 16.7 by 14.3 inches | 15.7 by 14.5 by 21.9 inches | 19.5 by 20.5 by 18 inches | 25.2 by 21 by 22.8 inches | 9.5 by 7.7 by 7.5 inches | 16.93 by 15.16 by 16.14 inches | 13.7 x 12.4 x 14.4 inches (HWD) | 15.4 by 16 by 18.8 inches | 22 by 19.7 by 24.8 inches | 24.6 by 19.3 by 20.2 inches |
Weight | 32.8 | 77.2 | 71.6 | 52.91 | 40.3 | 45 | 32 | 5.07 | 18.3 | 12.12 | 32.8 | 77.2 | 71.6 |
Warranty (Parts/Labor) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Buying Guide: The Best 3D Printer for 2026
When shopping for a 3D printer, one question comes before all others: What do you intend to print on it? Actually, not only should you ponder what you want to print, but a more fundamental question: Why do you want to print in 3D?
A lot of the answer depends on who you are. Are you a consumer interested in making toys, figurines, or household items? A trendsetter who enjoys showing the latest gadgetry to your friends? An educator seeking to install a 3D printer in a classroom, library, or community center? A hobbyist or do-it-yourselfer who likes to experiment with new projects and technologies? A designer, engineer, or architect who needs to create prototypes or models of new products, parts, or structures? An artist who sees fabricating 3D objects as a kind of sculpture? Or a manufacturer looking to print plastic items in relatively short runs?
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)The "best" 3D printer for you depends on how you plan to use it. Consumers and schools will want a device that's easy to set up and use, doesn't need much maintenance, and offers reasonably good print quality. Hobbyists and artists may want special features such as the ability to print objects with more than one color or multiple filament types. Designers and other professionals demand outstanding print quality. Shops involved in short-run manufacturing will like a large build area to print multiple objects at once. Individuals wanting to show off the wonders of 3D printing to friends or clients will want a handsome yet reliable machine.
For this guide, we'll focus on 3D printers targeted at consumers, hobbyists, schools, product designers, and other professionals such as engineers and architects, rather than high-end industrial printers. Most printers in this segment build 3D objects out of successive layers of molten plastic, a technique known as fused filament fabrication (FFF). It's also called fused deposition modeling (FDM), although that term is trademarked by Stratasys Inc. A few 3D printers use stereolithography—the first 3D printing technique developed—in which ultraviolet (UV) lasers trace a pattern on photosensitive liquid resin, hardening the resin to form the object.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)What Size Objects Do You Want to Print?
Make sure that a 3D printer's build area is large enough for the kind of objects that you intend to print with it. The build area is the size, in three dimensions, of the largest object that a given printer can produce (at least in theory—it may be somewhat less if the build platform is not exactly level, for example). Typical 3D printers have build areas between 6 and 9 inches square, but they can range from a few inches to more than two feet on a side, and a few are actually square. In our reviews, we list printers' build areas in inches in height, width, and depth (HWD).
(Credit: Molly Flores)What Kind of Filament Should Your 3D Printer Use?
As for the materials you'll use to print with, most affordable 3D printers use the abovementioned FFF technique, in which plastic filament—available in spools—is melted and extruded, then solidifies to form the object. The two most common types of filament are acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA). Each has slightly different properties. For example, ABS melts at a higher temperature than PLA and is more flexible, but emits fumes when melted that many users find unpleasant, and it requires a heated print bed. PLA prints look smooth, but they tend to be on the brittle side.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Other materials used in FFF printing include, but are not limited to, high-impact polystyrene (HIPS); composite filaments made of wood, bronze, and copper; UV-luminescent filaments; nylon; Tritan copolyester; polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); polyethylene terephthalate (PETT); polycarbonate; conductive PLA and ABS; plasticized copolyamide thermoplastic elastomer (PCTPE); and PC-ABS. Each material has a different melting point, so use of some exotic filaments is limited to printers designed for them or ones with software that lets you control the extruder temperature. So your printer needs to support a given kind of filament to use it.
Filament comes in two diameters—1.85mm and 3mm—with most models using the smaller of the two. Filament is sold in spools, generally 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds), and costs $20 to $50 per kilogram for ABS and PLA. Although many 3D printers will accept generic spools, some companies' printers use proprietary spools or cartridges. These may contain an RFID chip that allows a printer to identify the filament type and properties but restricts the material to the manufacturer's compatible printers.
Make sure the filament is the right diameter for your printer, and that the spool is the right size. In many cases, you can buy or make (even 3D print) a spool holder that will fit various spool sizes. (For much more on 3D printing filaments, check out our filament explainer).
(Credit: Molly Flores)Stereolithography printers can print at high resolutions and skip filament in favor of photosensitive (UV-curable) liquid resin, which is sold in bottles. Only a limited color palette is available, usually clear, white, gray, black, or gold. Working with liquid resin and isopropyl alcohol, which is used in the finishing process for stereolithography prints, can be messy and odiferous, but the print quality is often spectacular.
How High a Resolution Do You Need in a 3D Printer?
A 3D printer extrudes successive thin layers of molten plastic in accordance with instructions coded in the file for the object being printed. For 3D printing, resolution equals layer height. Resolution is measured in microns (0.001mm); the lower the number, the higher the resolution. That's because the thinner each layer is, the more layers are needed to print any given object, and the finer the detail that can be captured. Note, however, that increasing resolution is sort of like increasing a digital camera's megapixel count—although higher resolution often helps, it doesn't guarantee good print quality.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Nearly all 3D printers sold today can print at a resolution of 200 microns—which should produce decent-quality prints—or better. Many can print at 100 microns, which generally delivers attractive objects. A few can print at higher resolutions still, as fine as 20 microns, but you may have to go beyond the preset resolutions and into custom settings to enable them.
(Credit: Molly Flores)Higher resolution comes at a price, as printers with resolutions higher than 100 microns tend to cost more. Another downside of increased resolution is that it can add to print times—halving the resolution will roughly double the time it takes to print a given object. But for professionals who require the highest quality, the extra time may be worth it.
(Credit: Molly Flores)The field of 3D printing for consumers and hobbyists is still in its infancy. The technology has been evolving at a rapid rate, making these products ever more viable and affordable. We can't wait to see what improvements the coming years bring.
(Credit: Molly Flores)Can a 3D Printer Print in More Than One Color?
A subset of 3D printers can print objects in two or more colors. Some are dual-extruder models, with each extruder being fed a different color of filament. One caveat is that these printers can only print multicolored objects from files designed for multicolor printing, with a separate file for each color, so the areas of different colors fit together like three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle pieces.
Recommended by Our Editors
(Credit: Michael Lydick)A growing number of single-extruder models can also now print in multiple colors with optional add-ons. Bambu Lab offers the Automatic Material System (AMS) line of filament feeders, which hold up to four spools of different types or colors and enable automated filament switching when used with some of the company's printers. Other manufacturers, including Elegoo and Creality, offer similar types of feeders for filaments of different materials and colors.
Why Is a 3D Printer's Build Platform Important?
We've mentioned its size, but other aspects of the build platform (the surface on which you are printing) can prove critical in practice. A good platform will let an object adhere to it during printing, but should allow easy removal afterward. The most common configuration is a heated glass platform covered with blue painter's tape or a similar surface. Objects stick to the tape reasonably well and are easy to remove when completed. Heating the platform can prevent the bottom corners of objects from curling upward, a common issue especially when printing with ABS.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)On some build platforms, you apply a glue stick to the surface to give the object something to adhere to. This is workable as long as the object can be easily removed after printing. (Sometimes, you must soak both the platform and the object in warm water for the object to come loose.)
A few 3D printers use a sheet of perforated board with tiny holes that fill with hot plastic during printing. This design holds an object firmly in place during printing, but it may not come loose easily afterward. Using a thumbtack or an awl to push the plugs of hardened plastic out of the perforations to free the object and/or clean the board is a time-consuming process and can damage the board.
(Credit: Molly Flores)If the build platform becomes tilted, it can impede printing, particularly of larger objects. Many 3D printers offer instructions for leveling the build platform or a calibration routine that moves the extruder to different points on the platform, ensuring they're all at the same height. A growing number of 3D printers automatically level the build platform.
Setting the extruder at the proper height above the build platform when starting a print job is also important for many printers. The process, known as Z-axis calibration, is usually performed manually by lowering the extruder until it's so close to the build platform that a sheet of paper placed between them moves with slight resistance. A few printers automatically perform this calibration.
Is an Open-Frame or a Closed-Frame 3D Printer Better?
Closed-frame 3D printers have an enclosed structure with a door, walls, and lid or hood. Open-frame models offer easy visibility of print jobs in progress and provide the easiest access to the print bed and extruder. (Sometimes, too easy.)
A closed-frame model is safer, keeping kids and pets (not to mention nosy or klutzy adults) from accidentally touching the hot extruder. It's also quieter, reducing fan noise, and it can keep the burnt-plastic smell of ABS from your nose.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)On the other hand, as mentioned earlier, you tend to get a larger build area for your money with an open-frame printer. So it comes down to the space you'll be printing in, your tolerance for noise and smell, and how many cats you have.
How Do You Connect to a 3D Printer?
With most 3D printers, you initiate printing from a computer via a USB connection. Some printers have their own internal memory, which is an advantage because they can keep a print job in RAM and continue printing even if the USB cable is disconnected or the computer is shut down. (That's important because some complex prints can take many hours, depending on the printer!)
A few offer Wi-Fi or peer-to-peer wireless connectivity. Another connection method we've seen is Ethernet, which is used for sharing a printer on a local network.
Many printers have SD or microSD card slots, from which you can load and print 3D object files using the printer's control panel and display screen. Others have ports for USB flash drives. The advantage of printing directly from flash media is that you don't need a computer to do so. The downside is that it adds an extra step: transferring the files to your card. Typically, wireless, SD card, or thumb-drive connectivity is offered in addition to the basic USB cable, although a few models omit the latter.
What Software Do You Need?
Today's 3D printers come with a suite of software—almost always Windows-compatible, and often available for macOS and Linux as well—available for download. Not long ago, 3D printing software consisted of multiple apps, including a printing program that controlled the extruder's motion, a "healing" program that optimized the file to be printed, a slicer to prepare layers for printing at the proper resolution, and the Python programming language.
(Credit: Anker)These components were derived from the RepRap open-source project, which spurred the development of low-cost 3D printers. Today, printer manufacturers have integrated these programs into seamless, user-friendly packages, many of which build on the Ultimaker Cura open-source platform. Some 3D printers also allow you to use separate component programs if you prefer. It depends on the manufacturer and the model.
(Credit: Formlabs)Ready to Buy the Right 3D Printer for You?
Our list of top 3D printers encompasses a wide range of prices, features, and printing methods, but they all share one commonality: quality in their respective environments. For more information on how 3D printing works, our subject primer is a good place to start. Also, be sure to check out our roundup of the best overall printers.