The 5 Best Affordable 3D Printers

Despite early 3D printers costing consumers six-digit fees to purchase, advances in technology and processing power over the last decade have brought the price for decent 3D printers to under $1,000 for beginner models. From professionals and students to hobbyists and amateurs, 3D printing has become a skill anyone can pick up and try.

When choosing the five best 3D printers for our list, we considered several metrics to decide what made a specific 3D printer better than the rest. First, there are two main types of 3D printers: FDM and SLA printers. Each uses a different technique for creating their 3D models when printing. FDM, or fused filament manufacturing printers, use an actual printhead to manually create the model, similar to older paper printers that used ink cartridges melted on metal print heads to make your printout slowly.

SLA printers aren’t just newer than traditional FDM printers—they’re also far more similar to the digital printers we see today. SLA, or stereolithography printers, use an ultraviolet laser (like those seen in DVD or Blu-Ray players) to create a physical model of your three-dimensional design. Much like traditional 2D printers, FDM printers are cheaper than we’ve seen in the SLA camp and are easier to use, clean, and operate.

A 3D printer will have varying degrees of speed, quality, and volume as to the size and shape of objects. No 3D printer can create a physical object in seconds or even minutes, but there are variations in how long each print will take. We’ve considered all these factors when trying to find our favorite affordable 3D printers. The good news is, while nothing in the budget 3D printer category will be the best money can buy, anyone shopping for a superb 3D printer this summer will want to make sure they pay attention to all five units on this list.

Whether you’re looking for a creative gift for the young inventory in your life or just diving into the world of 3D printing for the first time yourself, these are the best affordable 3D printers you can get your hands on in 2022.

The Original Prusa MINI+ kit is a superb budget-friendly 3D printer because it comes with various innovative features despite being a compact device. The printer features a build volume of 7 “×7″ ×7″ (18×18×18 cm). It makes your life easier because of its sensorless homing, automatic Mesh Bed Calibration, and replaceable nozzles. You won’t have a hard time navigating through the printer’s controls because it comes with a 2.8” colored LCD screen, which will also show you a preview of your sliced model before you begin the printing process. Once you’re ready to print, it’s as easy as confirming your print and clicking a single button. Removing your printed objects from the printer will be a breeze because of the removable spring steel sheets and magnetic heatbed. You can rest assured that the first layer of your prints will always be accurate and perfect because the printer’s high-quality sensor in its SuperPINDA probe probes several areas of your heatbed and creates a virtual heightmap. In terms of connectivity, users have the option to connect the printer to their devices using an ethernet cable. It also allows wireless printing using the optional ESP Wi-Fi module upgrade. The Original Prusa MINI+ kit is a reliable device to use that is 100% safe since it comes with safety features like a high-quality power supply, three thermistors, fan rpm monitoring, and self-diagnostics. Despite all these safety nets, you still must keep a close eye on your printer if you have kids or pets around.

Pros

• Superb print quality
• User-friendly interface
• Supports different filament types
• Excellent support resources
• Safety features

Cons

• Only comes with a starter set of filament
• Need to be extra careful when printing while kids or pets around close by
• Calibrating the first layer can be tricky

Specification

• Price $429
• LCD screen 2.8″ graphic 65k color screen
• Advanced sensors 3 thermistors + SuperPINDA, fan RPM sensors
• Max travel speed 200+ mm/s
• Max nozzle temperature 280 °C / 536 °F

If you plan on having larger prints, the Anycubic Vyper would be the right choice for you. This 3D printer features a large build volume of 9.6″(L) x 9.6″(W) x 10.2″(H). It’s one of the printers on the market that comes with an auto-leveling feature, and it can automatically adjust your uneven hotbed using its 16-point precise pressure strain gauge. The printer is perfect for those who like working fast because of its fast printing time. It can print about 7.1 inches or 18cm per second. You can trust that your entire printing process will remain stable because of the printer’s high-precision double screw design. Your prints will have superb detail and avoid print layer marks since the printer has a patented Z-axis. The Anycubic Vyper features a unique platform with a special coating and spring steel, allowing you to easily remove your 3D models by removing the entire platform and bending it. The high-quality rust-proof platform will last you for decades, so you won’t have to spend extra cash on regular replacements. Users can use different filaments like TPU, PETG, ABS, and PLA. The printer comes with a sensor that can detect if your shut off its power or run out of filament, and it will automatically pause or resume printing when applicable. It’s easy to control the printer using its 4.3″ LCD, and its touchscreen capabilities allow you to work faster.

Pros

• Simple setup
• Larger build area than rivals
• Auto heatbed leveling
• 4.3" touchscreen LCD

Cons

• Need to calibrate settings when using the Cura software
• Only comes with a small starter filament coil
• Warranty only lasts for a year

Specification

• Price $489.99
• LCD screen 4.3" 4K
• Advanced sensors N/A
• Max travel speed 180mm/s
• Max nozzle temperature ≤ 500 °F / 260 °C

The Creality Ender-3 V2 is ideal for those with a tight budget because it will only cost you less than $300. The printer is equipped with a self-developed silent motherboard with fast and stable motion performance, low decibel operation and silent printing, and strong anti-interference capabilities. You can expect long-time printing and fast heating with this printer because of its UL-Certified MeanWell power supply. Its power supply is hidden inside the printer, so you’re guaranteed top-notch safety. Users will find it easy to load and feed filaments into the printer because of the rotary knob on its extruder. You get a 4.3″ smart color screen and a user-friendly interface for a more convenient operation. If you suffer a power outage, the printer will remember the last recorded extruder position and can resume your printing process from where you left off once you get your power back. The Creality Ender-3 V2 has a Carborundum glass platform that allows the hotbed to heat up faster and enhance the adherence of your prints. You will instantly notice incredible smoothness on your first layer. Since this is a highly affordable printer, it has areas where it needs to significantly improve on. Some examples are its manual print-bed leveling because it can get tricky at times, and other parts of the printer don’t have the best quality compared to its competitors. People have also noticed how its setup instructions should’ve been more legible.

Pros

• Highly affordable
• Decent build area for its price
• Supports various filaments
• Above-average prints
• Silent operation

Cons

• Some parts have questionable quality
• They should make their setup instructions more legible
• Manual leveling of the print-bed can get tricky

Specification

• Price $279.00
• LCD screen 4.3"
• Advanced sensors N/A
• Max travel speed 180mm/s
• Max nozzle temperature 255°C

There are 3D printers out there that consumers will find complicated to operate, but the XYZprinting da Vinci Mini Wireless 3D printer isn’t one of them. You will get to print a wide range of objects with this printer because of its printing dimension of 5.9″ x 5.9″ x 5.9″. The printer is quick with its printing process because its extruder and print bed move simultaneously, and it doesn’t sacrifice the quality of your 3D prints. You won’t have a long wait time before you can start printing because it will only take about a minute for its nozzle to heat up. Users can keep it old-school and connect their devices to the printer using a USB cable, but you can also have a hassle-free wireless printing experience using Wi-Fi. Once you receive your package, you can instantly try out your first print because there’s no assembly required. Customers will get easy access to the company’s after-sale customer service in case any problem arises. The XYZprinting da Vinci Mini isn’t perfect because some users reported that removing your prints from the print bed can get tricky sometimes, and some experience issues when attempting to launch prints.

Pros

• Affordable
• Excellent print quality
• Easy setup and operation
• Quiet operation
• Can print via Wi-Fi or USB

Cons

• Removing prints from print bed can get challenging
• Possibility of having issues when launching prints

Specification

• Price $199.95
• LCD screen 5" LED
• Advanced sensors N/A
• Max travel speed 0.4mm
• Max nozzle temperature 15 ~ 32 °C / 59 ~ 89.6 °F

For those who are getting into 3D printing for the first time and don’t necessarily need a printer ready for professional-grade work, you can opt for the Monoprice Mini Delta V2 3D Printer. This is a 3D printer built for beginners who only plan to make small prints. The printer has a limited build volume of 110 x 120mm. Users can print immediately after unboxing the product because it gets shipped to you fully assembled. The Monoprice Mini Delta V2 3D Printer has a touchscreen panel with large icons for easy navigation, and it’s easy and quick to get the hang of things. Starting your print is simple and fast because of the printer’s advanced auto leveling system. The printer won’t make too much noise because of its quieter driver motors. Users won’t have to use cables to print from their devices because the printer can connect using Wi-Fi. The PoloPrint Pro app is available for Android and iOS users. Once you’re not a beginner anymore and want to play around with your printer, you are free to tinker with the printer since it’s open-source friendly. You can use it with Cura and various open-source 3D printing slicing software packages.

Pros

• Cheap
• Simple operation and setup
• Durable build
• Fast printing process
• Works with multiple filements

Cons

• Print quality could be better
• Small build volume
• Could use a longer warranty period

Specification

• Price $227.29
• LCD screen 4.3"
• Advanced sensors N/A
• Max travel speed 0.4mm
• Max nozzle temperature +356 ~ +500°F (+180 ~ +260°C)