The Best 3D Printers
The 3D printer has come a long way in a very short time. Not long ago, they were gigantic machines only used in warehouses for commercial use, but these days, 3D printers are a lot smaller and more accessible. They allow you to bring digitally modeled designs to life by using highly detailed filament printing. Whether you're a designer, a small business owner, a coder, or a hobbyist looking to have a good time, there's a 3D printer on the market that can meet your needs.
What to Look For
There’s a lot to consider when you’re on the hunt for a new 3D printer. To help make it easier, it’s important you ask yourself three questions: Is this printer appropriate for my experience level? Is its print quality up to my standards? And does it have potentially useful features, such as an extruder conversion to simplify my work? With those questions guiding us, we landed on a few of our own favorites. If you’re a beginner, Creality’s Ender 3 Pro is an excellent pick because it allows you to download other people’s designs. For more serious enthusiasts, we’d recommend the ELEGOO Saturn 2 MSLA, which is packed with premium features and has an unbeatable 8K printing definition. Read on to see all our top picks and find the 3D printer that’s right for you.
Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer
Beginner friendly
The wide world of 3D printing leaves room for endless possibilities. An excellent way to get started on the path of 3D printing is the Creality Ender 3 Pro from Comgrow. The Ender 3 Pro is a fully open-source 3D printer, which means you can edit and share your designs, or upload other peoples’ designs from the internet. Open-source coding has allowed for 3D printing to become something of a communal cyber experience where users can build off of each other’s creations. The Ender 3 Pro is a quick and easy installation, so you’ll be up, running, and ready to print in no time. We highly recommend this 3D printer to anyone looking for an excellent entry-level 3D printer.
Pros:
- This is a super accessible and user-friendly 3D printer for entry-level use.
- The fact that the Creality Ender 3 Pro is fully open-sourced makes it easy for you to download and print schematics from anywhere on the web.
- The price is great considering its abilities and ease of use.
Cons:
- This pick might be a bit tame and pedestrian for intermediate to expert-level 3D printing enthusiasts.
Creality Ender 3 V2 Pro 3D Printer
Think it, print it
We fell in love with the first iteration of Creality’s Ender 3 Pro, so when we heard about the V2 we expected big things. Luckily, Creality did not disappoint. The Ender 3 V2 is everything a 3D printing enthusiast could ask for, wrapped up into one convenient, user-friendly machine. Creality’s 3D printer utilizes a new and improved feeding method for printing filament that makes for faster and more precise prints. The well-regarded MeanWell power supply ensures quick and evenly appropriated heat during prints. One of the best new features that the Ender 3 V2 boasts is its resumed printing function. In the event of an unexpected power outage, this function allows the 3D printer to start from the exact spot it left off, instead of having to start over.
Pros:
- The highly stable MeanWell power supply provides even and fast heating.
- The “resume printing” function makes it easy for you to break up printing sessions without losing your progress.
- It’s constructed with a carborundum glass platform for smooth, warp-free printing.
Cons:
- There’s a lot to love here, but we can’t help but wish the installation process was a bit more straightforward.
Anycubic Kobra Max 3D Printer
The premium pick
Few 3D printers stand out from the pack quite like Anycubic’s Kobra Max. This 3D printer is priced like a consumer-grade 3D printer but performs like an industrial-grade one. Between the seamless double thread Z-axis, Anycubic LeviQ leveling, and filament runout sensor, it’s a miracle that this 3D printer costs as little as it does. If you’re looking to challenge yourself with a 3D printer that can take your designs to the next level, you can’t go wrong with Anycubic’s Kobra Max 3D printer.
Pros:
- Unlike many 3D printers in this price range, the Anycubic Kobra Max has a large build volume of more than one cubic foot.
- The double-thread z-axis construction can minimize shaking for a more stable, detailed print.
- This model prints up to 28% faster than most other printers in its price range.
Cons:
- There’s a higher asking price for this pick, but if you’re willing to spend the money, you’ll be happy with your investment.
ELEGOO Saturn 2 MSLA 3D Printer
Bigger and better
If you’re looking for a 3D printer that goes above and beyond the norm, this premium model from ELEGOO has all the bells and whistles that make it a hot commodity. This UV resin photo-curing printer has a large printing volume that allows you to print one large item or several small items in one batch. It also has a fresnel collimating light source for more detailed accuracy and a smoother print texture. With an 8K printing definition, this 3D printer is fit for making the most precision-based figures on the market. When nothing but the best will do, this 3D printer has you covered.
Pros:
- The activated carbon filter system can absorb most of the resin odor, making for an odor-free environment.
- This unit has non-slip hexagon socket screws that make for easier leveling.
- It has a cure time of only 1-3 seconds per layer, making it just as efficient as it is innovative.
Cons:
- This is fairly pricey, even for a premium 3D printer.
Asked Questions
What are some different kinds of filaments I can use for 3D printing?
There are more than a few options for 3D printer filaments available for your designs. The most common filaments are several plastic variations. ABS, PLA, and PET are plastic 3D printing filaments that are popular with consumers because of their relative durability and low price. Other types include nylon, sandstone, metal, and even wood filament. Wood and nylon filaments are primarily used for decorative pieces, while sandstone and metal are much more durable.
How do I download 3D printing schematics?
3D printers come with software that allows you to design your own prints. However, it also allows you to upload other peoples’ designs to print on your own device. Files that contain 3D print schematics are called STL files. There are plenty of websites across the internet that host open-source STL files for free download. You can download and print everything from coffee mugs to action figures to drink coasters.
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