Best 3D Printers 2023: FDM, Resin and Sub-$250 Models
There’s never been a better time to join the world of 3D printing or, for experienced makers, to upgrade to a new model. With the right 3D printer, you can make toys, table-top models, stands, hooks, replacement parts for plastic devices or a new case for your Raspberry Pi. You can get one of the best 3D printers and plenty of material for less than $250 (sometimes even less than $200) or you could spend a bit more for special features such a larger build volume, higher resolution or faster output.
The two most common types of home 3D printers are resin MSLA (Masked Stereolithography) and filament FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling). The best 3D printers for beginners or those with children, FDM printers use reels full of plastic filament that is fed into a hot nozzle and extruded out layer-by-layer to form a solid model. MSLA printers use a UV-cured resin material to form a model layer-by-layer as it rises from a vat of toxic liquid that requires very careful handling and post-processing.
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There are several factors to consider before buying the best 3D printer for you, so be sure to consider the questions before making a choice.
- Resin MSLA or Filament FDM? The two most popular styles of desktop 3D printing, resin MSLA and filament FDM 3D printers offer various strengths and weaknesses, and choosing the style more suited for your application will help you get better results. For many , especially beginners, filament 3D printers are a better choice because they are easier to use and work with a wide variety of materials. They are also far safer for anyone with children or pets around.
Resin 3D printers can provide a bit more detail, so they are popular among folks printing out game pieces. However, you need to handle toxic chemicals and wear a mask when setting up a print and, after the printing is over, you must wash and cure your prints. We have some resin printers on this list but also maintain a more detailed article where we name all of the best resin 3D printers.
- How much build volume do you need? If you want to print out large parts in a single print, you’ll need a printer with ample build volume. This is usually directly tied to the price of the machine, so a larger printer is going to cost more money. Printers with a 100mm cubed or less build volume are on the smaller side, 150 to 220mm cubed are average, and 250mm inch cubed and above are considered large format.
- Manual or automatic bed leveling? Leveling the bed of a 3D printer is an important but very annoying part of the process. Many printers have auto-leveling capability, which saves you most of the work and, considering that you can now find printers with this feature for less than $250, you should consider it a must-have.
- What materials are you printing with? If you’re buying an FDM printer, you’ll want to use one of the best filaments for 3D printing so you can get good models. However, some substances require higher temperatures that not every printer can achieve. PLA filament, the most common type, can print on anything but more durable or flexible plastics such as PETG or TPU need extruders that can hit 220 to 230 degrees Celsius while ABS and Nylon require 240 or 250-degree heat. Also, note that if you want to print in TPU (a flexible material), you should get an FDM printer with a direct drive system that pushes the filament more directly through the extruder. Resin printers have fewer material choices.
Best 3D Printers You Can Buy Today
Model by Trilobyte3D
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
1. Creality Ender 3 S1 Pro
Best 3D Printer Overall
Our expert review:
Specifications
Technology:
FDM
Build Volume:
220mm x 220mm x 270mm
Build Platform:
PEI Spring Steel Sheet, heated
Interface:
Color Touch Screen
Bed Leveling:
CR Touch
Connectivity:
SD Card, USB-C
View at GeekBuying
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View at Amazon
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View at Newegg
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Reasons to buy
+
Easy assembly
+
Great print quality
+
Direct drive
+
All-metal hotend
+
Auto bed leveling
Reasons to avoid
–
Pricey for an Ender
–
Mediocre UI
Creality’s Ender 3 S1 Pro is the latest, and most impressive, iteration of the popular Ender 3 line. Not a cheap DIY 3D printer in need of upgrades like its predecessors, the $479 S1 Pro arrives fully loaded, delivering an out-of-the-box experience that’s simple for beginners and powerful for experienced makers
The Ender 3 S1 Pro comes mostly assembled and only took us about 15 minutes and a handful of bolts to put together. Bed leveling – the bane of makers new to the hobby – is no longer a worry with Creality’s CR Touch probe. This is by far one of the easiest auto leveling systems we’ve tested.
The list of improvements the Ender 3 S1 Pro has over the humble Ender 3 is massive. It has a Sprite direct drive with an all metal hotend, a PEI coated steel flex plate, a color touch screen, tension knobs, a storage drawer, a light kit and even a better spool holder. The S1 Pro also comes with a swappable tool head, allowing you to add the optional laser module for engraving.
But all of its bells and whistles wouldn’t land the Ender 3 S1 Pro at the top of our best 3D printers list if it didn’t also provide amazing output. When we printed a variety of detailed models such as a toy dolphin, a vase and a beckoning cat, prints were extremely sharp, with fine lines and little-to-no stringing. In addition to the great models we printed with PLA filament, we got really strong results when we worked with TPU and PETG filaments. Some green TPU produced life-like leaves on a potted plant model.
More: Creality Ender 3 S1 Pro Review
2. AnkerMake M5
Fastest 3D Printer
Our expert review:
Specifications
Technology:
FDM
Build Volume:
235×235×250 mm (9.25 x 9.25 x 9.8 in)
Build Platform:
PEI Spring Steel Sheet, heated
Interface:
4.3 inch color touch screen
Bed Leveling:
Auto Leveling with detectable probe
Connectivity:
Wi-Fi/USB-C
View at Best Buy
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View at BHPhoto
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Check Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
AI print monitor
+
Built-in camera
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250 mm/s standard print speed
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Direct Drive
+
Auto bed leveling
Reasons to avoid
–
No SD card slots
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AI monitoring only works with native slicer
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Proprietary nozzles
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Noisy fans
High-speed 3D printers are the new hotness, with the AnkerMake M5 leading the way. Launched as a Kickstarter campaign in April, the machine is now available for retail with a price of $799. The printer has a standard speed of 250 mm/s, which is five times faster than the average 50 mm/s recommended for Cartesian type printers.
Speed is a hard number to nail down, as you also have to factor in time for acceleration and slowing down for corners. Let’s put it this way: I normally run my bed slingers at 65 mm/s, and using a .2 mm layer height I can print Cinderwing3D’s Crystal Dragon (seen above) in roughly 25 hours. The delta style FLSun V400 running at its normal speed of 150 mm/s can do it in 11 hours. The AnkerMake M5 did it in 9 hours and 37 minutes at its standard 250 mm/s.
The AnkerMake impressed us not just with its quality and speed, but with its ease of use. This is a machine aimed right at the 3D printing novice who doesn’t mind splurging on a smart printer that works right out of the box. It has one of the best auto bed leveling systems, a smooth filament path that loads easily, a filament break detector and a built-in camera that can alert you when a print goes bad. Paired with WiFi and a smartphone app, it can tell you when a print is failing and let you cancel the run – even if you’re miles away. We didn’t experience any failed prints during our testing, but when we deliberately cut the filament to see what happens, we got a phone alert.
The AnkerMake M5 is not a perfect machine. The fans needed to cool prints at this speed are quite loud and you have to use AnkerMake Slicer to access both WiFi and the print monitoring system. Anker was so certain everyone would use WiFi that it did not include a flash drive with the unit – which is an unusual USB-C size.
You’ll also need to buy replacement nozzles directly from Anker as they’re a unique size somewhere between a standard MK8 and a Volcano. Personally, I don’t mind these quirks as the WiFi monitoring means I can run the printer away from my home office and watch it with my phone. Anker is also a well established manufacturer and online retailer, so I’m confident their store will be stocked with accessories when users need them.
More: AnkerMake M5 Review
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
If you’re getting into resin 3D printing for the first time, you have an overwhelming number of options and price points. The good news for beginners is you don’t have to sacrifice your budget for quality. You can find the easy-to-use Mars 2 Pro on sale for as little as $200.
Its smaller build volume is perfect for gaming miniatures and trinkets but not larger models. And though its 2k resolution may not be the most detailed among resin printers, it is miles ahead of the quality you can achieve with a filament-based machine.
The Mars 2 Pro comes with a built-in filter system that I found really helps with fumes associated with resin printing. Its spring-loaded self-leveling build platforms is hands down the easiest system we’ve ever used.
More: Elegoo Mars 2 Pro 3D Printer Review
The Anycubic Kobra Go is the perfect budget 3D printer for new makers wanting to learn the craft as well as seasoned pros who want a trouble free second (or third) machine. Sure, it doesn’t have a fancy touch screen, but it does have two features that make life easy: auto bed leveling and a PEI coated flex plate.
Anycubic kept the cost low – a remarkable $219 – by making this version a DIY Kit with a cheaper Bowden style extruder. Its tiny knob controlled screen might seem like a step backwards, but it’s so easy to navigate I didn’t even mind. The extra half hour or so spent assembling the printer is well worth the $100 dollars you’re saving when compared to the standard Kobra or the similarly kitted out Creality Ender 3v2 Neo (opens in new tab).
I’ve seen a lot of cheap printers, and usually they’re just machines way past their prime being clearanced out of the warehouse. This is not the case for the Kobra Go, which is a no nonsense version of the 5-month-old Kobra. You’re not buying old tech, but a modern printer with quiet fans, a 32 bit board, silent stepper drivers and built in belt tensioners.
More: Anycubic Kobra Go Review
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
5. Elegoo Neptune 3 Max
Best 3D Printer For Extremely Large Prints (Props and Cosplay Too)
Our expert review:
Specifications
Technology:
FDM
Build Volume:
420 x 420 x 500 mm
Build Platform:
PEI textured spring steel sheet, heated
Interface:
Color touch screen, removable
Bed Leveling:
Automatic, Inductive
Connectivity:
microSD card, USB Type A
Check Amazon
(opens in new tab)
Reasons to buy
+
Direct drive printing supports TPM
+
Quiet operation
+
Easy to assemble
Reasons to avoid
–
Huge footprint
If you want a printer that can output models as big as your imagination, the Elegoo Neptune 3 Max is a great choice. Thanks to a massive build volume of 420 x 420 x 500mm, it can output the large pieces you need to build cosplay helmets and props. We were able to print a very detailed, 450mm Skyrim dagger by rotating it on the build plate and, in Inland Silver PLA+ filament, it looked good enough to bring to battle. We also outputted a 500mm tall purple dragon that would dominate anyone’s display case or mantle.
Like its little sibling, the Neptune 3 Pro, the Neptune 3 Max features a Direct Drive system that allows it to handle complex filaments such as TPU. In fact, using vase mode, we were able to output a flexible, translucent green TPU trash can. The textured PEI build platform did a great job of holding prints in place without the need for glue and yet made removing them easy.
Assembling the Neptune 3 Max is a breeze as we only had to screw in a few bolts to put the machine together and attach the touch screen base to the side. Leveling the bed is pretty easy, though you will have to start by manually leveling the surface, after which there’s a 63-point auto leveling feature.
The most difficult part of working with the Neptune 3 Max is that it takes up a lot of space. We had to sit it on our air hockey table and you may need to get a large table to house it. But that’s an inconvenience that’s inevitable when you want huge prints at excellent quality.
More: Elegoo Neptune 3 Max Review
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
6. Creality Ender 5 S1
Best High-Temperature 3D Printer
Our expert review:
Specifications
Technology:
FDM
Build Volume:
220 x 220 x 280 mm (8.7 x 8.7 x 11 in)
Build Platform:
PC Spring Steel, Heated
Interface:
4.3-inch color touchscreen
Bed Leveling:
CR Touch Auto Leveling
Connectivity:
SD card, USB Type-C
View at GeekBuying
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View at Newegg
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View at Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
All Metal Hotend
+
High Flow Nozzle
+
Improved Speed
+
Direct drive
+
Auto bed leveling
Reasons to avoid
–
Mislabeled nozzle
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Print surface easily damaged
Any 3D printer can handle PLA, but when it comes to engineering grade material, you want a printer that gets hot and heavy. The Ender 5 S1 is a cube style printer with a titanium alloy heatbreak, an extra large cooling fan and a high-flow nozzle borrowed from the new Creality Spider hotend. It’s capable of reaching 300 degrees at the nozzle and a toasty 110 degrees on the heat bed.
It doesn’t come with an enclosure, but Creality’s website shows acrylic sides will soon be available as an accessory. This will allow you to print finicky materials like ABS without trouble.
The Ender 5 S1 is a good all around printer with auto bed leveling, a PC coated flex plate and easy to use touch screen. It has an all metal direct drive that tames squirrelly filament – we printed completely string free flexi toys in both TPU and PETG, something not easily done.
It’s also a fairly fast 3D printer, with a standard running speed of 120 mm/s and very decent results at its max speed of 250 mm/s. Our test prints were easily done in half the time it would take an Ender 3 Pro while maintaining quality results.
More: Creality Ender 5 S1 Review
Model by Keetah
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
7. Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro
Best 3D Printer for Beginners
Our expert review:
Specifications
Technology:
FDM
Build Volume:
225 x 225 x 280 mm
Build Platform:
PEI textured spring steel sheet, heated
Interface:
Color touch screen, removable
Bed Leveling:
Automatic, Inductive probe
Connectivity:
microSD card, USB Type A
Check Amazon
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View at Elegoo
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Reasons to buy
+
Easy assembly
+
Simple Auto bed leveling
+
Direct drive
Reasons to avoid
–
Difficult to upgrade
We have a bone to pick with so-called experts who recommend cheap, unassembled kit printers to raw beginners. The theory is that building a printer from scratch is the only way to learn about their new machine. The truth is that kits can be frustrating to build, and bare-boned machines are a pain to get working correctly.
Instead, we’re recommending that beginners pick up the Neptune 3 Pro, a 3D printer that is reasonably priced, quick to assemble and easy to level. Anyone can have this machine up and running in less than an hour and have beautiful prints the same day.
Even better, the Neptune 3 Pro comes with a direct drive, a simple to use, 36-point auto bed leveling system and flexible PEI steel sheet that made removing prints a breeze during our testing. It even has a built-in task light.
Whether we were working with PLA or PETG filament, the Neptune 3 Pro delivered gorgeous, detailed prints. Where other 3D printers in the sub-$300 price range, including the original Neptune 3, have a hard time handling flexible filament, the Neptune 3 Pro and its 260-degree hotend had no problem with TPU in our tests, outputting a beautiful TPU Christmas tree model in just under 5 hours.
More: Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro Review
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
8. Prusa MK3S+
Best High-End 3D Printer
Our expert review:
Specifications
Technology:
FDM
Build Volume:
250mm x 210mm x 210mm
Build Platform:
Magnetic Heatbed with removable PEI spring steel sheets
Interface:
3.4-inch Mono LCD and click wheel
Bed Leveling:
Automatic
Connectivity:
SD Card, USB
Check Amazon
(opens in new tab)
Reasons to buy
+
PrusaSlicer provides best-in-class model slicing
+
Swappable flexible build platforms make switching materials easy
+
Automatic bed leveling sensor is fast and accurate
+
Stealth Mode enables a nearly silent printing experience
Reasons to avoid
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Assembled printer is pricey
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Monochrome interface feels outdated
Considered the best 3D printer overall by many aficionados, the Prusa MK3S+ has received countless industry accolades and awards, and with good reason. The MK3S+ is a powerhouse 3D printer that combines reliable hardware, feature-rich software, and a support channel that makes the Prusa signature black and orange hardware a common sight in 3D printing farms. The MK3S+ is based on the i3 platform and has benefitted from several generations of incremental upgrades which have resulted in one of the best 3D printers on the market.
Silent stepper drivers, removable textured build platforms, automatic bed leveling probe and more; the list of features that come stock on the Prusa MK3S+ is certainly impressive, but that’s only part of the story with the MK3S+. Prusa has developed their own slicer app, PrusaSlicer, for processing 3D models and is actively adding new features requested by the community. Features like the ability to paint-on support material, create variable layer heights and generate custom printer profiles are examples of how PrusaSlicer enables the MK3S+ to leap ahead of the competition.
At a price point of $999 for an assembled printer and $749 for a DIY kit, the MK3S+ is one of the most expensive machines on this list. That price may raise some eyebrows among 3D printing enthusiasts who have become accustomed to printers in the sub-$300 price range, but for power users who need uncompromising performance and industry-leading documentation and support, the MK3S+ is at the top of the list.
More: Prusa MK3S+ 3D Printer Review
Loubie3D
Models by Wekster
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
9. Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K
Best Ultra High Resolution 3D Printer
Our expert review:
Specifications
Technology:
MSLA
Build Volume:
165 mm x 72mm x 180 mm
LCD Resolution:
7500 x 3240
LCD Size:
7.1 inch
XY Axis Resolution:
0.022mm
Connectivity:
USB Thumb Drive
View at Phrozen Store
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Reasons to buy
+
Highest resolution on the market
+
Pre-built, unbox, calibrate and go
+
Laser etched build plate for superior adhesion
Reasons to avoid
–
Twice the price of competitors with similar build volume
–
Build plate difficult to clean
If you’re looking for the most precise prints around, the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K is your best choice. This MSLA resin 3D printer sports a 7.1-inch mono LCD screen that operates at 7500 x 3240, which results in a show-stopping 0.22mm XY resolution, the highest on the market. It comes fully assembled and is easy to use, just calibrate and go.
It also boasts native integration with both the ChituBox and Lychee Slicer apps. Combine the Sonic Mini 8K with Phrozen’s Aqua Gray 8K resin and you’ll see smoother prints with more crispy details than ever before.
The Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K has a sturdy metal build, dual rails and an all-metal vat with feet that prevent the FEP sheet from touching your work surface. The build plate is laser etched for amazing adhesion.
Selling for a retail price of $599.99 the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K is targeted towards miniature makers and jewelry designers who are ready to level up their prints. For beginners looking for a high-resolution machine at a lower cost, the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K offers .035mm XY with the same speed and precision for $349.00.
More: Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K Review
Model by Bugman140
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
10. Creality Ender 2 Pro
Best Compact 3D Printer
Our expert review:
Specifications
Technology:
FDM
Build Volume:
165 x 165 x 180 mm
Build Platform:
Textured Magnet on a heated bed
Interface:
LED screen with Control Knob
Bed Leveling:
Manual
Connectivity:
Micro SD, Micro USB
View at Creality
(opens in new tab)
Reasons to buy
+
Quality Prints
+
Easy to assemble
+
Small footprint
+
Silent stepper motors
Reasons to avoid
–
No assisted leveling
–
Tiny build volume
If you’re looking for your first 3D printer and don’t want to spend a lot of money, the Ender 2 Pro is a great choice. The machine retails for $169, but can often be found on sale for much less (we bought it for just $129 at Micro Center). Many printers at this price point are novelties built of cheap plastic, but the Ender 2 Pro is a solid workhorse (or perhaps pony) that shares many parts with its big brothers of the Ender 3 line.
In our tests, the Ender 2 Pro delivered great print quality when used with decement filament and a slicer. Our prints of 3D Benchy (a model of a boat people often for testing) and a crystal dragon looked fabulous.
Need to move the printer around the house? The Ender 2 Pro is a compact machine that weighs under 10 pounds. Its top mounted handle makes it portable enough to be stashed in a closet when not in use – perfect for the weekend hobbyist. The main trade-off is that the 165 x 165 x 180mm build volume is tiny compared to most printers.
Putting together the Ender 2 Pro was a breeze for us. It comes 90% assembled – screw in a few bolts and the machine is ready for use. It has silent stepper drivers and quiet cooling fans, making it a pleasant office companion. The flexible textured bed holds models tight while printing and peels right off when finished.
The Ender 2 Pro can be easily upgraded with 3rd party hotends and more durable bed surfaces, making this a machine that can grow with you.
More: Creality Ender 2 Pro Review
Model by DrLex0
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
11. Elegoo Neptune 3 Plus
Best Large Format FDM 3D Printer
Our expert review:
Specifications
Technology:
FDM
Build Volume:
320 x 320 x 320 mm
Build Platform:
Flexible PEI
Interface:
4.3-inch Color Touchscreen
Bed Leveling:
Automatic 49 Point
Connectivity:
microSD, USB
Check Amazon
(opens in new tab)
Elegoo
(opens in new tab)
Reasons to buy
+
Silent steppers allow for very quiet printing
+
Large and usable build volume
+
Automatic 49-point bed leveling with adjustable thumbscrews
+
Integrated LED bar for illuminating build volume
+
Removable PEI sheet makes for fast part removal
+
Dual Z axis threaded rods
Reasons to avoid
–
Limited stock
The Elegoo Neptune 3 Plus is a game-changing 3D printer that brings large format printing to a new price point without compromising on the user experience. It offers a 320mm x 320mm x 400mm build volume, a direct drive extruder, automatic build platform leveling, and only requires a few bolts to fully assemble.
In our tests, the Neptune 3 Plus’s direct drive allowed it to print a squeezable model of a Pokemon Snorlax using flexible TPU filament. Many printers in this price range use bowden-style extruders that can’t handle TPU.
The large build volume and flexible PEI sheet are ideal for printing models that have a wide, flat base that would be otherwise difficult to remove from a glass or other rigid platform. During our testing, we found the automatic build platform leveling probe worked perfectly and produced a clean and even first layer, even when printing on the outer edges of the platform.
If you’re looking for a large format machine on a budget, it would be hard to find a better machine than the Neptune 3 Plus. For under $400, the feature set of the Neptune 3 Plus is unmatched and the quality-of-life features like the stabilizing rods and integrated LED light bar make it an even more attractive machine.
More: Elegoo Neptune 3 Plus 3D Printer Review
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
12. Anycubic Vyper
Best 3D Printer for a Print Farm
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
(opens in new tab)
Specifications
Technology:
FDM
Build Volume:
245mm x 245mm x 260mm
Build Platform:
Heated Textured Flexible Removable Platform
Interface:
4.3-inch Color Touchscreen LCD
Bed Leveling:
Automatic
Connectivity:
SD Card, USB
View at Amazon
(opens in new tab)
View at HongKong Anycubic Technology Co.,LTD
(opens in new tab)
Reasons to buy
+
Automatic bed leveling system
+
High print speeds
+
Advanced cooling design
Reasons to avoid
–
Included Cura profile needs optimizing
–
Kickstater-style launch may turn off some users
The Anycubic Vyper is designed for high-throughput 3D printing, and impressed us with its rock-solid build construction and impressive list of features. Silent stepper drivers, dual Z threaded rods and a high-airflow part cooling system are just a few of the many features that make the Vyper an easy choice for anyone interested in printing out large quantities of parts.
The strain-gauge bed leveling system allows the Vyper to quickly and accurately complete an automatic mesh bed calibration. This form of calibration is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of time tweaking or calibrating the printer, and it worked well during testing and didn’t require any further adjustments to get an even first layer.
The Vyper isn’t the cheapest printer on this list, but it earned its place by providing a fast setup and trouble-free operation throughout our testing. The Vyper was designed with an impressive level of attention to detail, and the various areas on a 3D printer that would require adjustment (extruder, X/Y belts, etc.) are all easily accessible and adjustable. The included Cura slicer app is easy to use, but the printer profile that ships with the machine might require some tweaking that beginning users may struggle with.
More: Anycubic Vyper Review
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
13. Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
Best 3D Printer for Miniatures
Our expert review:
Specifications
Technology:
MSLA
Build Volume:
132mm x 74mm x 120mm
Connectivity:
USB Thumb Drive
View at Amazon
(opens in new tab)
View at MatterHackers, Inc. US
(opens in new tab)
Reasons to buy
+
4K resolution gives highly detailed XY accuracy
+
Native integration with ChituBox app
Reasons to avoid
–
Difficult bed leveling process
–
Review unit had some machining issues
If you’re interested in printing models with lots of fine detail, the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K should be on your short list. Using a 4K mono LCD screen, the Sonic Mini 4K is capable of printing high resolution models with a per-layer cure time of just over 2 seconds per layer. This translates to high detail and high speed, but you’ll pay for it in the difference in cost between the Sonic Mini 4K and other MSLA 3D printers like the Anycubic Photon.
In our testing, we found the Sonic Mini 4K’s ability to produce fine features to be as-advertised, so printing table-top gaming miniatures and small sculptures is something this printer excels at. In addition to the high XY accuracy, the Z-stepping is barely visible even at a standard 50-micron layer height due to the software-enabled anti-aliasing provided by the ChituBox app.
Leveling the build platform on the Sonic Mini 4K was a little tricky, and the conflicting information provided by Phrozen can make the process intimidating for a first-time user. The quality of a print can depend heavily on the initial build platform calibration, so be prepared to spend some time getting this printer dialed in.
More: Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K Review
14. Anycubic Kobra Max
Best 3D Printer for Props and Cosplay
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
(opens in new tab)
Specifications
Technology:
FDM
Build Volume:
400 x 400 x 450 mm
Build Platform:
Carborundum coated glass
Bed Leveling:
Automatic resistance strain gauge
Interface:
Color touch screen
Connectivity:
microSD card, Micro USB
View at Amazon
(opens in new tab)
View at Tomtop WW
(opens in new tab)
Reasons to buy
+
Massive build size
+
Accurate auto bed leveling
+
Build plate releases when cool
Reasons to avoid
–
Massive footprin
–
No profile in Cura
Do you want to print helmets, props and large pieces of cosplay armor – but you don’t want to slice them up into a jigsaw puzzle? Then the Anycubic Kobra Max is your dream machine. It has an enormous 400 x 400 x 450 mm build volume that can only be beat by the endless CR-30 belt printer.
Warning – this is a beast of a machine that needs three square feet of operating space. We had some trouble finding a good spot for it, because it was too big for our workshop counter. The Kobra Mas makes up for it’s gigantic footprint by being incredibly easy to assemble. It comes as a mostly assembled modular kit, and after placing a few bolts and screws, we had it unboxed and printing in about 30 minutes.
Available at $569, the Kobra Max pumps out smooth prints with the help of a Volcano-style hotend and dual gear extruder. The bed is carborundum coated glass that gets tacky when heated. It has excellent adhesion while hot and if you listen closely as it cools down you can actually hear the prints crackle as the glass releases it’s grip.
Giant beds like the one on the Kobra Max would be difficult to level by hand. Thankfully, Anycubic’s system makes it easy with a hard mounted bed and an auto leveling sensor built right into the hotend. The nozzle physically taps the glass surface to make a very accurate mesh – we only had to tweak the Z height to adjust for the difference in filament types.
The one significant fault on the Kobra Max is the lack of an included profile in Cura, leaving us to manually plug in dimensions and puzzle out the perfect settings. We feel that Anycubic’s suggestion to use Cura defaults moves the heavy print bed way too fast so we borrowed settings from a Creality CR10s profile and then got perfect prints.
More: Anycubic Kobra Max Review
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
15. Elegoo Saturn
Best Large Format Resin 3D Printer
Our expert review:
Specifications
Technology:
MSLA
Build Volume:
192mm x 120mm x 200mm
Connectivity:
USB, Ethernet
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Reasons to buy
+
Exceptionally large build-volume-to-price ratio
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Rigid dual-Z linear rail system
Reasons to avoid
–
Difficult to find in stock
The Elegoo Saturn is the counterpart to the smaller Elegoo Mars series of printers, which offer solid build quality for a reasonable price. The Saturn takes this formula to the extreme by offering a large 7.55 x 4.72 x 7.87-inch build volume while simultaneously increasing the resolution of the masking LCD. This, combined with the 2.5-second per-layer cure time from the Mono LCD, means that the Saturn can print more parts in the same amount of time as the smaller format Mars series of printers.
Elegoo has developed a two-bolt bed leveling solution for the Saturn that makes the leveling process a quick and painless process. This, combined with the native integration with the Chitubox slicer app, makes setting up and using the Saturn a simple process that is ideal for both beginners as well as experienced users.
The Saturn has a build volume of 280.46 cubic inches, a dramatic increase from the 100.81 cubic inch build volume of the smaller Elegoo Mars 2 Pro. If you’re looking for a resin printer that offers a large build volume but you don’t want to compromise with a lower quality print, the Saturn is an ideal solution but you might have to check Amazon several times before you can find one.
More: Elegoo Saturn Review
Model by Wekster
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
16. Creality Sermoon V1 Pro
Best 3D Printer for Kids
Our expert review:
Specifications
Technology:
FDM
Build Volume:
175mm x 175mm x 165mm
Build Platform:
PC Coated Steel Flex Sheet, heated
Interface:
Color Touch Screen
Bed Leveling:
CR Touch
Connectivity:
SD Card, WiFi
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Reasons to buy
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Plug and play
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Factory leveled bed
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Built-in camera
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Child safety features
Reasons to avoid
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Tiny build size
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Pricey WiFi has to use Creality Cloud
Creality’s Sermoon V1 Pro is a plug-and-play 3D printer with safety options useful for families, schools and libraries. Unlike cheap “toy” printers aimed at young makers, this $539 deluxe machine delivers quality results with a simple-to-use interface.
The build volume is smaller than average, but it makes up for it with a direct drive, flex plate, heated bed and built-in camera. It also arrives pre-leveled from the factory, something we rarely see. It’s a great machine for beginners who only need to unbox it, load up filament and start printing. Our test machine went from box to first print in under 20 minutes.
The Sermoon V1 Pro is fully enclosed in a white case with several windows, making it look more like a counter top appliance than any DIY kit. The case serves to hide all it’s moving parts, while also keeping the print area warm and draft free. The door has a sensor that pauses the printer – further protecting curious children from moving parts.
Its Core XY design keeps the print head at the top of the machine while the bed slowly lowers downward. Combined with its lightweight direct drive, the Sermoon provides smoother, string free prints than a typical bed slinger while also keeping the hot nozzle in a difficult to reach area. We found output quality impressive, whether we were printing a sample Spaceman print or a set of Maker Coins with the St. Louis arch on them. We were even able to print a translucent wallet using TPU filament.
Our only complaint is the need to use a phone app – the Creality Cloud – to take advantage of the built-in camera and Wi-Fi capabilities. The machine also works with a full sized SD card for offline use.
More: Creality Sermoon V1 Pro Review
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