You can easily get your hands on a great 3D printer for less than $250.
There’s never been a better time to join or upgrade (for experienced makers) the world of 3D printing. You can get some of the best 3D printers and plenty of material for under $300 in 2022.
The two most common types of home 3D printers are filament FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and resin MSLA (Masked Stereolithography). FDM printers use reels full of plastic filament that is fed into a hot nozzle and then extruded out layer-by-layer, thus forming a solid model whereas MSLA printers use a UV-cured resin material to form a model layer-by-layer.
- CREALITY ENDER 3 S1 PRO
The Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro is the best 3D Printer Overall
Specifications:
- Technology: FDM
- Build Volume: 220mm x 220mm x 270mm
- Build Platform: PEI Spring Steel Sheet, heated
- Interface: Colour Touch Screen
- Bed Levelling: CR Touch
- Connectivity: SD Card, USB-C
Advantages:
- It’s assembly is easy
- It’s print quality is great
- It has direct drive
- It has all-metal hotend
- It has auto bed levelling
Disadvantages:
- It’s pricey for an Ender
- It’s UI is mediocre
The latest, and most impressive iteration of the popular Ender 3 line, the Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro is not a cheap DIY 3D printer. It does not need upgrades like its predecessors. Priced at $479, S1 Pro arrives fully loaded and delivers an out-of-the-box experience that is powerful for experienced makers and simple for beginners.
- ANKERMAKE M5
The Ankermake M5 is the fastest 3D Printer
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 colour touch screen
- Bed Levelling: Auto Levelling with detectable probe
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi/USB-C
Advantages:
- It has AI print monitor
- It has a built-in camera
- It gives 250 mm/s standard print speed
- It has direct Drive
- It has auto bed levelling
Disadvantages:
- It has no SD card slots
- It’s AI monitoring only works with native slicer
- It’s proprietary nozzles are a disadvantage
- It has noisy fans
The AnkerMake M5 was launched as a Kickstarter campaign in April and is now available for retail with a price of $799. The speed of the printer at 250 mm/s is quite standard and five times faster than the average 50 mm/s that is often recommended for Cartesian type printers.
- ELEGOO MARS 2 PRO
The Elegoo Mars 2 Pro is the best Budget Resin 3D Printer
Specifications:
- Technology: Resin
- Build Volume: 129 x 80 x 160 mm
- LCD Resolution: 1620 x 2560 px
- LCD Size: 6.08-inch
- XY Resolution: .05mm
- Interface: Colour touch screen
- Connectivity: USB
Advantages:
- It has spring-loaded self-levelling build platform
- It has an integrated air filtration system
Disadvantages:
- It’s build volume can feel limited
The options and price points for a resin printer are really overwhelming if you’re getting it for the first time. However, beginners do not need to sacrifice their budget for quality. You can find the easy-to-use Mars 2 Pro on sale for a small amount of $200.
- ANYCUBIC KOBRA GO
The Anycubic Kobra Go is the best Budget FDM 3D Printer
Specifications:
- Technology: FDM
- Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
- Build Platform: PEI Spring Steel Sheet, heated
- Interface: 2.4 inch colour LCD with knob
- Bed Levelling: Inductive Auto Levelling
- Connectivity: MicroSD/USB
Advantages:
- It’s price is affordable
- It provides quality prints
- It has auto bed levelling
Disadvantages:
- It requires some assembly
For new makers who want to learn the craft as well as seasoned pros who want a trouble-free second (or third) machine, the Anycubic Kobra Go is the perfect budget 3D printer . Sure, there is not an option of a fancy touch screen, but it does have two features that will make your life easy: a PEI coated flex plate and auto bed levelling.
- CREALITY ENDER 5 S1
The Creality Ender-5 S1 is the best High-temperature 3d Printer
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 colour touchscreen
- Bed Levelling: CR Touch Auto Leveling
- Connectivity: SD card, USB Type-C
Advantages:
- It has an all Metal Hotend
- It has high Flow Nozzle
- It has improved Speed
- It has direct drive
- It has an auto bed levelling
Disadvantages:
- It’s nozzle is mislabeled
- It’s print surface is easily damaged
PLA can be handled by any 3D printer, but when it comes to engineering grade material, you will need a printer that gets hot and heavy. With a titanium alloy heartbreak, a high-flow nozzle and an extra large cooling fan, the Ender 5 S1 is a cube style printer, capable of reaching a toasty 110 degrees on the heat bed and 300 degrees at the nozzle.
- ELEGOO NEPTUNE 3 PRO
The Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro is the best 3D Printer for Beginners
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 Levelling: Automatic, Inductive probe
- Connectivity: microSD card, USB Type A
Advantages:
- Its assembly is easy
- It has simple Auto bed levelling
- It has direct drive
Disadvantages:
- It is difficult to upgrade
We have a bone to pick with so-called experts recommending cheap and unassembled kit printers to raw beginners. The theory they state is that only if beginners build a printer from scratch, they will learn about their new machine. The truth is that it is quite frustrating to build kits, and bare-boned machines give a lot of pain to get working correctly. This is why the Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro is recommended by us because its assembly is really easy which won’t cause any difficulties to beginners.
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