While there are multiple entry-level 3D printers on the market, retailing for under £1,000, if you're looking for speed, higher quality prints or a larger build area, then it's worth investing in a higher end model. Here's our pick of the bunch.

MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer

Measuring a compact 15 x 11.6 x 12.2 inches, and with a build area of 4.5 x 4.7 x 4.7 inches, the MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact 3D Printer (pictured above) is a desktop-friendly device that offers decent quality 3D prints.

Simple and speedy to set up, this printer features a self-levelling build plate and can print via USB and Wi-Fi, either from a desktop or mobile device. While printing, a camera in an upper corner of the Mini lets you monitor progress of print jobs from your PC, tablet or smartphone, but there's no display screen on this model.

Downsides include the relatively high cost of the polylactic acid (PLA) filament needed to construct your designs, while it's not the quietest of models on the market.

MakerBot Replicator+

With a larger build volume than its Mini sibling (enabling you to create objects up to 6.5 x 11.6 x 7.6 inches in size), the single-nozzle MakerBot Replicator+ is also speedier, and produces higher quality prints.

It's a doddle to set up and operate, while its nifty features include the Smart Extruder, which detects when you're running out of filament and automatically pauses the print. It will also send status notifications to its associated PC software and mobile iOS or Android app.

Another selling point of this model is the wide range of connectivity options, allowing you to print from a computer over USB, ethernet, or Wi-Fi, from a phone or tablet with the MakerBot Mobile app installed, or from a USB thumb drive, which fits into a dedicated port.

Ultimaker 2+

The most expensive model in our rundown, the Ultimaker 2+ boasts a high-end filament feeder, four extruder nozzles in various diameters, and a clever airflow system for smoother print quality.

With a sizeable 8.1 x 8.8 x 8.8 inches build capacity, this model also offers flexibility in terms of materials, being compatible with both PLA and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic filaments.

The Ultimaker 2+ also comes with a free, easy-to-use downloadable software package, which allows you to resize objects, load multiple objects for printing and change the resolution of your prints. Overall, this is a very strong performer with multiple customisation options, although it's not the speediest 3D printer we've tested.