The Top Cheap 3D Printers on the Market

Between purchasing printers, filaments and post-processing solutions, 3D printing can be an expensive interest. Because the additive manufacturing market is so large, it is often difficult to choose which 3D printer to rely on. This is true not only for those taking their first steps into 3D printing but also for more experienced makers who want to invest in more printers without overspending. But never fear: in this article, you will find a selection of the best inexpensive 3D printers currently available on the market, to offer you affordable solutions and thus better explore your passion for 3D printing. All the printers on the list are sold at a starting retail price that does not exceed €500. This way, you can choose your inexpensive 3D printer with ease.

Voxelab Aquila

Marketed by Chinese 3D printer manufacturer Voxelab, the Aquila 3D printer series uses FDM technology. Delivered partially assembled, printers of this series should be easy to install. Compatible with standard thermoplastics, such as PLA, ABS or PETG, they offer a printing volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm. According to the manufacturer, the machine is very quiet during the printing process, with a sound estimated at 50 decibels. The Aquila is aimed at beginners in 3D printing and is intended to introduce them to the technology. The machine works with Cura, Simplify 3D and VoxelMaker software and like many 3D printers, supports STL and OBJ formats. For those who wish to go further, improved versions of the Aquila exist. On the manufacturer’s website, the machine is sold for $160, not including shipping.

Photo Credits: Voxelab

Photon Mono, A Cheap Resin 3D Printer

Anycubic is one of the most popular cheap 3D printer manufacturers on the market. It has developed a wide range of products, from FDM models to small machines from the SLA office. The manufacturer recently introduced the Mega X, an FDM solution that can create 300 x 300 x 305 mm parts with a suggested print speed of 60 mm/s. The focus, however, will be on its Photon line, which relies on a light-curing process. One of the most affordable machines is the Photon Mono, which incorporates a monochrome LCD screen to design parts measuring 130 x 80 x 165 mm.  Exposure time is reduced to one second and the manufacturer claims its screen is 4 times more durable than a conventional LCD.  The Photon Mono is available from $199 on Anycubic’s website or 175 euros.

Photo Credits: Anycubic

The Ender-3 V3 from Creality

Among cheap 3D printers, we find several solutions from the Chinese manufacturer Creality. Here, we highlight the Ender-3 V3. This FDM 3D printer is praised for its sturdy and elegant metal design and structure, as well as its functionality. It has a quick-change nozzle, an advanced cooling system with dual fans, and automatic leveling of the print bed. The print volume is 220 x 220 x 250 mm, the maximum speed is 600 mm/s and the acceleration can reach up to 20000mm/s². A powerful ceramic heater surrounds the hot end that can optimally melt ABS, PETG and other high-temperature filaments. The 4.3-inch touch-screen completes the offering. The machine is available on the manufacturer’s website for €449; on sale, the price can drop as low as around €300.

Photo Credits: Creality

Elegoo’s Neptune 3 Pro 3D printer

Chinese manufacturer Elegoo is renowned for its easy-to-use, affordable desktop machines. Offering both resin and FDM solutions, its aim is to democratize the adoption of 3D printing. The Neptune 3 Pro 3D printer is part of this approach. Based on the material extrusion process, it offers a print volume of 225 x 225 x 280 mm, a magnetic PEI platen and automatic calibration to facilitate the creation process. Open, the machine is compatible with PLA, ABS, ASA, PETG and TPU. Finally, it features a 4.3” touch screen and has been designed to be as silent as possible. It is available from 188 euros on the manufacturer’s website.

Photo Credits: Elegoo

Sonic Mini 8K S From Phrozen

Phrozen is a company founded in 2016 by a group of Taiwanese additive manufacturing enthusiasts. They develop solutions for both industrial and personal use applications. One of the brand’s cheapest 3D printers is the Sonic Mini 8K S. It is a high-resolution machine that stands out for its 7.1-inch monochrome 8K LCD display, offering exceptional accuracy of up to 22 microns per layer. With a print volume of 165 x 72 x 170 mm, it is ideal for creating detailed parts such as miniatures, prototypes and complex models. This printer combines speed and quality, allowing fast prints without sacrificing definition. Its advanced cooling system improves the durability of the screen, ensuring consistent performance over long print runs. At a price of almost 340 euros, the Sonic Mini 8K S is perfect for those looking for an affordable option with professional quality and ease of use.

The Original Prusa Mini +

The Original Prusa Mini + 3D printer is the latest desktop machine from Czech manufacturer Prusa, known for the Prusa i3 mk2 and mk3s. With the Mini +, Prusa wants to provide users with a solution that offers the same features as the previous models, while being available at a lower price. Based on the FDM process, the Original Prusa Mini + has a printing volume of 180 × 180 × 180 mm and prints with a layer thickness between 0.05 and 0.25 mm. The machine, which incorporates interchangeable nozzles and a color LCD screen, can be purchased either as a plug & play (available from $500) or as a kit (from $400).

Photo Credits: Prusa

The Finder 2.0 from Flashforge

Flashforge is another Chinese manufacturer that has become well-known for low-cost FDM 3D printers. Probably the company’s most popular offering is the Adventurer 5M, launched in 2023 and building off of the original Adventurer series. The Adventurer 5M is listed at $399, although it is often sold for under $300, and has a build volume of 220 x 220 x 220 mm. Not only that, but it has a dual-sided, flexible, removable PEI steel plate, a running speed of up to 600 mm/s, auto-leveling, independent motors for better stability when printing and an upgraded direct extruder. Furthermore, the latter has enhanced flow thanks to rapid heating capabilities as well as faster cooling efficiency due to two air vents on the sides of the nozzle. Flashforge also notes its policy for users to “worry less, print more” with features like power-loss recovery, compatibility with software for better workflow and more. All in all, an easy-to-use solution that is great for both beginners and those looking for more precision in parts.

Photo Credits: Flashforge

The Sidewinder X4 from Artillery

The Sidewinder X4 Plus from Artillery 3D is an FDM printer at a very affordable price, which nevertheless has numerous interesting specifications. It comes in a minimalist design, but is very stable as the housing is mainly made of metal. It weighs 15.5 kg and measures 510 x 490 x 680 mm. As it is delivered 98% pre-assembled, you can start printing almost immediately. The 4.3-inch touchscreen makes operation very accessible and the printer can be controlled remotely via WLAN. The Sidewinder X4 Plus impresses when printing with its high resolution and generous print volume of 300 x 300 x 400 mm. As the hotend is made of metal, it can be heated up to 300°C. The printing speed (500 mm/s) and acceleration (12,000 mm/s2) are also impressive. On the Sidewinder X4 Plus you can process a variety of materials, including PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, but also PET and carbon-reinforced materials with a diameter of 1.75 mm. Ambitious makers can get really creative with this printer – and at a price of just 249 US dollars.

Photo Credits: Artillery 3D

The SIGMA 3D Printer from Dagoma

The SIGMA, developed by French manufacturer DAGOMA, is designed to be the world’s most intuitive 3D printer. It stands out for its ease of use, with a single button to start or pause printing. Equipped with the D-ONE nozzle, described as the most powerful ever created, it offers highly precise temperature management. Its automatic calibration system analyzes 18 points before each print to guarantee a perfect first layer, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. With an accuracy of 0.005 mm and optimized ventilation by three fans, the SIGMA guarantees high-quality prints. It uses FDM technology and incorporates automatic end-of-filament detection. Its reinforced monoblock base enhances stability and reduces vibration, while its flexible magnetic platen facilitates effortless removal of printed parts. You’ll find it on the market for €499.

Photo Credits: Dagoma

The FLSUN Super Racer 3D Printer

The FLSUN Super Racer is a Delta 3D printer designed to combine speed and performance. With a default print speed of 150 mm/s, up to 200 mm/s with good quality, it cuts print times in half compared with conventional printers. Its 260 x 260 x 330 mm print volume and features such as a BMG DualDrive extruder, a removable lattice glass heating plate and a filament end sensor make it a versatile machine. Fast, precise self-leveling simplifies operation, and it is compatible with PLA, PET, ABS and ASA filaments. Compact and robust, it features a 3.5” LCD touch screen for intuitive navigation. With dimensions of 440 x 390 x 960 mm and a weight of 13.6 kg, it stands out as an ideal solution for fast, efficient 3D printing. You can find it for 347€.

Photo Credits: FLUNS3D

Longer 3D’s LK5 PRO FDM 3D Printer

This 3D printer from Longer 3D has an extra large build volume of 300 x 300 x 400mm, so for less than $500, you are really getting some high value (and volume) given the price. The printer has an all-metal design with dual tie rod support for stable, high-precision printing. It comes 90 percent pre-assembled too, so it is easy to begin printing. Its open source firmware has three sets of TMC2208 ultra-silent chipsets for quieter printing, and while the printer is not enclosed, it comes with a tent-like printer encloser that you could opt to use. The LK5 Pro’s typical printing speed is 100 mm/s, and its max speed is 180 mm/s. The printer also comes with some upgrades, including an upgraded silicon carbide lattice glass build platform for strong adhesion, and an upgraded dual fan kit for better temperature control. The LK5 Pro is compatible with PLA, ABS, PETG and wood.

Photo Credits: Longer 3D

WEEFUN’s Tina2s 3D Printer

The WEEFUN Tina2S is a compact 3D printer with dimensions of 210x210x290 mm and a weight of about 3 kg. Since it has plug-and-play functionality, it can be used right out of the box. According to the manufacturer, printing with WEEFUN Tina2S is quiet and fast thanks to the motherboard that keeps the noise level between 40 and 50 dB. Despite its noiselessness, the printing speed can reach up to 200 mm/s, and the upgraded processor provides an 8-fold increase in CPU performance, making operations smoother. The heatable printing plate is made of magnetic PEI spring steel. This in fact ensures excellent adhesion of the pattern, making it easy to remove once printing is finished. The built-in LED light improves visibility even in dimly lit environments, useful for makers who want to view and photograph prints. Among other features, the printer has both a WiFi cloud to initiate prints remotely and a cloud library that allows the user to access a wide range of ready-to-print templates. The current selling price is $219.99.

Photo Credits: WEEFUN3D

Creality’s Halot-Mage S

Creality’s Halot-Mage S is a high-performance resin 3D printer whose print volume is 223x126x230 mm. The Halot-Mage S makes use of a high-resolution 14K LCD screen of 13320×5120 pixels to provide a quality user experience. Its UV light source provides more than 90 percent uniformity, ensuring accuracy on every print layer. Among the qualities of the Halot-Mage S is definitely the Dynax+ mode, which allows printing speeds of up to 150 mm/h. The print bed is made of aluminum alloy and laser engraved, thus ensuring excellent adhesion of the model during printing and subsequent fast removal. In addition, the printer features a convenient tilting opening system, MageArch, which can be easily operated with one hand. The iconic orange protective screen blocks 99.89 percent of UV light, minimizing interference during the printing process. Post-processing operations have been simplified by the inclusion of an optional pump, which allows the tank to be filled and emptied from resin automatically. In addition, the printer has an air purifier with an activated carbon filter. The current selling price is 425.83 euros.

Photo Credits: Creality

Bambu Lab’s A1 Mini

Bambu Lab’s A1 Mini is a compact and affordable desktop 3D printer, ideal for those looking for ease of use and quality results. With a robust structure and a print volume of 180 x 180 x 180 mm, this FDM printer is perfect for creating detailed models. It is compatible with PLA, PETG, TPU and PVA filaments, features an end-of-material sensor and integrates a camera to monitor the manufacturing process. In addition, the A1 Mini features Wi-Fi connectivity and an intuitive interface, simplifying the printing process from any device. Its value for money makes it an ideal choice for entry-level users looking for inexpensive, reliable and efficient 3D printers for their projects. On Bambu Lab’s website you can purchase the A1 Mini for €325, or the A1 Mini Combo, which includes the AMS lite for multicolor manufacturing, for €497.

What is your favorite out of our chosen cheap 3D printers? Is there another one you would recommend? Let us know in a comment below or on our Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.