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The Best 3D Printer Deals This Week*
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
While we’d hesitate to call 3D printing a mature technology, you might say it has reached its teenage years. Through their first decade and change, 3D printers have come down in price, grown easier to set up and operate, and become more reliable. And you may pay less than you expect: Many once-high-end features have migrated down to inexpensive models. PC Labs has been reviewing 3D printers since 2013. Today, the state of 3D printing is strong, but that wasn’t always the case. For the first several years, it was often an adventure getting one of these printers up and running, let alone successfully through our testing regimen. Issues with filament-based—aka fused filament fabrication (FFF) or fused deposition modeling (FDM)—printers were abundant. Filament feeders had to be coaxed into delivering filament from the spool to the extruder. Print beds had to be manually aligned. The extruder or hot end had to be positioned just right to minimize the gap between the nozzle and the build plate (the flat surface on which the object is printed). Objects frequently stuck to the build plate, and required careful, sometimes unsuccessful, efforts to pry them off. These and other issues required painstaking effort to resolve, often combined with calls to tech support. Not so much anymore. While they can still be rebellious at times, 3D printers have grown up a lot, and achieving the 3D printer basics has gotten a lot less likely to end in a shouting match over small things. And they’ve gotten a lot more affordable, too, for curious DIY-ers and hobbyists to try.If you’re in the market for a beginner or low-cost 3D printer, it’s important to know how lower-end models differ. Read on for mini-reviews of the top budget 3D printers we’ve tested. After that, we go into more detail on understanding the 3D printer specs and tech relevant to beginning buyers. Ready to take the plunge? Read on.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Original Prusa Mini
Best Overall Budget 3D Printer
Bottom Line:
It requires assembly and calibration care (plus shipping from the Czech Republic), but the Original Prusa Mini is a compact, open-frame 3D printer that consistently produces superb-quality output for a great price.
PROS
Top-notch object quality
Supports a variety of filament types
Useful, professionally printed user guide
Great support resources
Versatile, user-friendly software
CONS
First-layer calibration can be tricky
Only includes starter packets of filament
Requires monitoring if young children or pets are around
SPECS
Name
Value
3D-Printing Technology
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
Materials Supported
PLA, ABS, PETG, ASA, Flex
Number of Print Colors
1
Number of Extruders
1
Frame Design
Open
Maximum Build Area (HWD)
7 by 7 by 7 inches (HWD)
Top Print Resolution
50 microns
LCD Screen
Primary Interface(s)
USB Thumb Drive
Built-In 3D Scanner?
Dimensions (HWD)
14.6 by 13 by 15 inches (HWD)
Weight
22 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year(s)
Learn More
Original Prusa Mini Review
Toybox 3D Printer
Best Budget 3D Printer for Children
Bottom Line:
The Toybox 3D Printer works well as a model designed for children, offering reliable printing from a browser or mobile device and a few thousand toys to print, plus creative options to output drawings or photos. Just bear in mind the tiny build area.
PROS
Reliable, misprint-free printing
Easy setup
One-touch operation
Well-composed help resources
Access to more than 2,000 printable toys and projects
Lets you create your own printable designs
CONS
Tiny build area
Not ideal for importing 3D files created elsewhere
SPECS
Name
Value
3D-Printing Technology
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
Materials Supported
PLA
Number of Print Colors
1
Number of Extruders
1
Frame Design
Open
Maximum Build Area (HWD)
3.5 by 3.1 by 2.8 inches
Top Print Resolution
200 microns
LCD Screen
Primary Interface(s)
Wi-Fi
Built-In 3D Scanner?
Dimensions (HWD)
9.1 by 7.4 by 7.4 inches
Weight
6.6 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year(s)
Learn More
Toybox 3D Printer Review
Bambu Lab A1 mini
Best Budget Multi-Color 3D Printer
Bottom Line:
The Bambu Lab A1 mini is a top-notch 3D printer for beginners or hobbyists seeking an affordable option. It’s easy to get going, fast, capable of four-color printing, and makes great-looking prints.
PROS
Excellent-quality prints at low cost
Fast standard print speed
Quick assembly
Optional four-color print capability via reasonably priced accessory
CONS
Small print bed
Cramped touch-screen control panel
Printing with multiple colors results in filament waste
SPECS
Name
Value
3D-Printing Technology
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
Materials Supported
PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA
Number of Print Colors
4
Number of Extruders
1
Frame Design
Closed
Maximum Build Area (HWD)
70.9 x 70.9 x 70.9 inches (HWD)
Top Print Resolution
100 microns
LCD Screen
Primary Interface(s)
Wi-Fi, microSD card
Built-In 3D Scanner?
Dimensions (HWD)
13.7 x 12.4 x 14.4 inches (HWD)
Weight
12.12 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year(s)
Learn More
Bambu Lab A1 mini Review
Anycubic Kobra 2
Best Budget 3D Printer for Beginners and Hobbyists
Bottom Line:
Anycubic’s Kobra 2 entry-level 3D printer isn’t perfect, but its high speed and a budget-friendly price make it an excellent choice for beginners.
PROS
Affordable
Prints fast and accurately
Easy to assemble
CONS
Very noisy fans
Leveling software is inconsistent
Can get worryingly hot
SPECS
Name
Value
3D-Printing Technology
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Materials Supported
PLA, ABS, TPU, PETG
Number of Print Colors
1
Number of Extruders
1
Frame Design
Open
Maximum Build Area (HWD)
9.8 by 8.7 by 8.7 inches
Top Print Resolution
100 microns
LCD Screen
Primary Interface(s)
microSD card, USB Type-C
Built-In 3D Scanner?
Dimensions (HWD)
19.1 by 17.3 by 17.1 inches
Weight
18.5 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year(s)
Learn More
Anycubic Kobra 2 Review
Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro
Best Budget 3D Printer for Tinkerers and DIY Types
Bottom Line:
You don’t have to be a pro to appreciate the Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro, an easy-to-use 3D printer that’s suited to beginners and 3D-printing hobbyists alike.
PROS
Easy assembly
Supports many filament types
Generated nicely detailed test prints
CONS
Auto-leveling program could be more accurate, may require slight adjustments
SPECS
Name
Value
3D-Printing Technology
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
Materials Supported
PLA, ABS, Wood, TPU, PA, PETG
Number of Print Colors
1
Number of Extruders
1
Frame Design
Open
Maximum Build Area (HWD)
10.7 by 8.7 by 8.7 inches
Top Print Resolution
400 microns
LCD Screen
Primary Interface(s)
SD Card, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Built-In 3D Scanner?
Dimensions (HWD)
24.6 by 19.2 by 17.9 inches
Weight
18.9 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year(s)
Learn More
Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro Review
AnkerMake M5C 3D Printer
Best Budget 3D Printer for Fast Prints
Bottom Line:
The relatively inexpensive AnkerMake M5C 3D printer offers very fast speed, nearly excellent print quality, and a large print bed, making it an excellent value for both beginners and experienced hobbyists.
PROS
Great quality prints
Fast standard print speed
Print bed offers large print volume and easy print removal
Quick assembly
Easy-to-use slicer software
CONS
Requires Wi-Fi to connect to a PC
No real-time video monitoring or time-lapse capability
No on-device screen or control panel
Needs mobile app to load and unload filament
SPECS
Name
Value
3D-Printing Technology
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
Materials Supported
ABS, Composite, PLA
Number of Print Colors
1
Number of Extruders
1
Frame Design
Closed
Maximum Build Area (HWD)
9.3 by 9.2 by 9.8 inches (HWD)
Top Print Resolution
50 microns
LCD Screen
Primary Interface(s)
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB Type-C
Built-In 3D Scanner?
Dimensions (HWD)
18.9 by 18.9 by 14.7 inches
Weight
24.2 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year(s)
Learn More
AnkerMake M5C 3D Printer Review
Anycubic Vyper
Best Budget 3D Printer for the Biggest Build Area Possible
Bottom Line:
Anycubic’s modestly priced Vyper whips up large 3D prints on its open-frame design, and provides automatic print-bed leveling. Just know that some minor assembly is required—and printed objects may require a bit of cleanup.
PROS
Relatively large build area
Automatic bed leveling
Simple assembly
CONS
Short (one-year) warranty
Includes only a small starter filament coil
Using Cura software with the Vyper requires tweaking a couple of settings
Test prints showed some “hairy” filament residue
SPECS
Name
Value
3D-Printing Technology
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
Materials Supported
ABS, PLA, PETG, TPU
Number of Print Colors
1
Number of Extruders
1
Frame Design
Open
Maximum Build Area (HWD)
10.2 by 9.6 by 9.6 inches
Top Print Resolution
100 microns
LCD Screen
Primary Interface(s)
SD Card, USB 2.0
Built-In 3D Scanner?
Dimensions (HWD)
20.3 by 20 by 18 inches
Weight
22 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year(s)
Learn More
Anycubic Vyper Review
Buying Guide: The Best Cheap 3D Printers for 2024
The biggest changes to 3D printers over the last few years have come to the cheaper models. Nowadays, many of those classic, ornery 3D-printing issues have been resolved (most of the time, anyway), even for consumer and bargain-priced 3D printers. Automatic print-bed leveling is the norm, and you can usually remove 3D-printed objects from heated and/or flexible build plates with a minimum of coaxing. And most 3D printer manufacturers have either developed and refined their own software, or have adapted an open-source printing platform such as Cura. What separates more expensive 3D printers from cheap ones (“cheap” defined as $500 or less, for the purposes of this article) is often a select group of features. These include the build volume, the type of frame, the varieties of supported filament, the software, and the connectivity mix. Let’s run through those in turn.What’s the Right Build Volume for a 3D Printer?A 3D printer’s build volume is the maximum dimensions (HWD) of a part that it can print. (We say “a part” because a 3D-printed object can consist of multiple parts that are printed, then glued or otherwise pieced together.) While the smallest build volume of any 3D printer we have tested is 3.9 by 3.9 by 4.9 inches, we consider any build volume smaller than 6 by 6 by 6 inches to be small, any between that and 10 by 10 by 10 inches as medium, and any printer with at least one build dimension of more than 10 inches as having a large build volume.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
As a general rule, inexpensive 3D printers have small build volumes, while more expensive ones have larger build volumes. This depends in part on the type of printer. Closed-frame 3D printers—and most semi-open models, which have a rigid top, base, and sides but are open in front and, often, back—tend to have small build volumes, while open-frame printers, lacking as rigid a physical structure, often have relatively large build volumes for the price. You’ll want to weigh the build volume against the kinds of objects you will print.Should I Get an Open-Frame or Closed-Frame 3D Printer?Which brings us to the frame “form factor” question: open-frame versus closed-frame. Closed-frame 3D printers are boxlike devices, with a rigid base, walls (with a see-through door in front), and top. Among their advantages? They muffle the operating noise, as well as reduce the odor from melted filament (which is potentially an issue with ABS plastic), and they provide some protection for people or pets who might inadvertently touch the hot extruder. A downside: They tend to have smaller build volumes than open-frame 3D printers, which have fewer (often, no) walls to constrict them. Low-cost 3D printers include both open-frame and closed-frame models, as well as a few stereolithography printers. If a relatively large build volume is a priority, you’re likely to get more bang for the buck with an open-frame model. Open-frames do have some clear downsides by definition: They tend to be noisy, emit odors when certain plastics are melted, and provide little protection for someone who might touch the hot extruder.Also, recognize some potential negatives of open frames, depending on the model. Some require assembly, being essentially kits, and most require more setup care than a closed-frame printer, plus more maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Still, these very traits should not deter—and may even appeal to—hobbyists and DIY folks.What Should I Look for in 3D Printer Software and Connectivity?Gone are the days when tinkerers had to cobble together several different programs to get a 3D printer to run. Manufacturers either include their own 3D printing program or modify an existing platform such as the open-source Cura.
(Credit: Ultimaker Cura)
3D printing software performs three main functions: processing an object file (resizing, moving, rotating, and in some cases duplicating it), slicing it (into virtual layers, based on your chosen resolution), and printing it. These are almost universally combined into a seamless process. Some high-end printers have software that supports a wider range of settings you can tweak, but even the basic suites work at least reasonably well.More likely to vary among the cheaper set is the array of connection options from model to model. Nearly all have a USB Type-A port to fit a thumb drive for printing from document files. Most also have a USB Type-B port for connecting directly to a computer, and some offer Wi-Fi, too (or as an alternative), while a handful let you connect via Ethernet to share the printer across a local network. Some printers support storing 3D files on an SD or microSD card (which may also contain the printer’s system files). Most 3D printer manufacturers (even the discount ones) have a mobile app to launch and monitor print jobs, and a few provide access to cloud services from which you can print. While high-end 3D printers tend to have an abundance of connection choices, discount models vary widely in their choices. Some are generous and some are basic, so it pays to assess what a given model offers.What Should I Look for in Filament Support?Filament support tends to be a key area that separates the cheaper models from the higher-end ones. (See our guide to understanding 3D printing filaments for more particulars.) Inexpensive 3D printers tend to support a limited number of plastic filament types, some of them only PLA and/or ABS.
Recommended by Our Editors
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
PLA (polylactic acid) is a biodegradable, plant-based polymer, while ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is the same tough plastic that Legos are made from. Objects printed from ABS are durable and nontoxic, though the material can be tricky to work with. ABS can emit an acrid, unpleasant odor during printing, and the bottom corners of objects being printed with it have a tendency to curl upward a bit, especially if you are using a non-heated print bed. This can lead to unsightly prints, and/or prints prematurely pulling off the build plate, ruining them.Many entry-level and low-price 3D printers stick exclusively to PLA. If you want to experiment with a larger variety of filaments—which include water-soluble filament, wood- and metal-laced composites, and both tough and flexible varieties—you may have to pay more, although a few discount models support a wide range of materials.Should I Consider a 3D Printing Pen Instead?Although they aren’t printers per se, inexpensive 3D pens are close kin to 3D printers—using the same filament types and a similar extrusion system—and we include them in the 3D printing category. Rather than tracing out a programmed pattern, you use the 3D pen much like a normal pen, except that you draw with molten plastic. You can trace a pattern or draw freehand, and even draw in three dimensions as the plastic quickly solidifies and hardens once extruded.
(Credit: 3Doodler)
Most 3D pens cost less than $100, and some cost $50 or less. At a glance, 3D pens may appear to be toys, but some artists and craftspeople have taken to them, as it is possible to make quite complicated and beautiful objects with them. If your aim in 3D printing is something closer to freehand design and free expression than computer-centric, structured, and repeatable output, you might give one a try.So, What Is the Best Cheap 3D Printer to Buy?Buying a budget 3D printer needn’t mean a world of sacrifice. Plenty of capable and reliable models sell at less than $500, and while they may not be as feature-rich as their more expensive cousins, there’s no sense in paying for things you don’t need.Many casual 3D-printing experimenters will be fine with printing over a USB cable or from a thumb drive, and sticking to PLA may be the best choice for a starter 3D printer. If you focus just on the features you want, you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find. Below, check out a spec breakdown of the best under-$500 3D printers we have reviewed, paralleling our picks above. Also, for a look at the broader market, see our guide to our favorite 3D printers overall.
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