The Best 3D Printers for Beginners
Bringing 3D printing into your home or office opens the door to endless creative possibilities. Whether you’re looking to create custom parts, gadgets, figurines, or unique decor, 3D printers offer a diverse range of applications for both utility and fun. If you’re eager to explore 3D printing but don’t know where to begin, 3Dnatives has you covered. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best 3D printers for beginners, in alphabetical order. And, to ensure you have the right tools to start your printing journey, we’ve provided some guidelines for getting started.
What Makes a Good 3D Printer for Beginners?
A beginner 3D printer should be simple to set up, easy to use and reasonably affordable. Most 3D printers marketed for beginners are plug-and-play: pre-assembled and ready to go soon after unboxing. However, you may purchase a 3D printer kit that requires assembly for a more affordable price. This option allows users to understand the machine more deeply. Regardless, it’s important that a printer comes with clear instructions and is safe to use.
It is also worthwhile to consider whether a printer company provides services after the point of sale. This could include tutorials and other information sources like a Wiki page. This way, you can ensure you have resources to turn to when troubleshooting. It’s beneficial to find out if the printer has an ecosystem. For FDM printers, this would mean the slicer and an online library of print files. Bambu Lab, for example, is accompanied by their website, MakerWorld.
3D Printing Tips for Beginners
Do your research.
All 3D printing requires four basic steps: The 3D design must be created (or selected) in CAD software, sliced, printed and finally, post-processed. 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, refers to a wide range of technologies, so it’s important to distinguish which technology best suits your needs. In this article, we included Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers because they are the most common for beginners. This is because they are easy to use, affordable and don’t require a specialized environment. We also included one resin printer that’s tailored for beginner’s use, although resin printers can be trickier to handle. Familiarize yourself with the technology of your choice so you understand what the process entails.
Look for 3D printing inspiration.
Get an idea of what 3D printing files are out there. 3D models are available in various formats. Stereolithography files, known as STL files, are the most commonly used file types for 3D printing with 3MF and OBJ. There are dozens of websites to download free STL files, so you can look at what’s available.
Get creative, and consider what you want to print!
3D printing is an incredible way to release your creativity. Before purchasing a printer, consider what you want to build. How large do you need the build volume to be? What kind of quality are you looking for? These are important questions to answer before making a decision.
Consider your budget.
The 3D printers we listed here range from about $200 to $500. Further costs will then depend on the material. Filaments like PLA will be the cheapest at around $10 to $30 per kilogram, and those with better properties will be more expensive. PETG, ABS, and ASA will be a bit pricier. Slicing software is mostly free, but certain CAD software is not.
Utilize 3D printing communities.
Online 3D printing communities can be a great source of inspiration, as well as a helpful space to ask questions. Websites like Thingiverse, UltiMaker, Thangs, and Printables have community forums where you can connect with people who are taking advantage of the 3D printing world. And don’t forget to use 3D printing service providers—they can make parts for you and help direct your projects!
The A1 Mini from Bambu Lab
The Bambu Lab A1 Mini is increasingly hailed as an incredible 3D printer for beginners because it is easy to use and reliable, and the print quality is hard to compete with for its price. The machine has full-auto calibration for an easy setup, allows 4-color printing, and emits under 48 dB of noise in Silent mode thanks to active silencing via the firmware of the machine. It’s ready to go out of the box, and it has active flow rate compensation and high-speed precision to ensure high-quality prints. Another feature that makes Bambu Lab attractive for beginners is its user-friendly software. Their online platform Bambu Studio and mobile app Bambu Handy permit users to monitor their designs with ease. Additionally, users can send objects posted on MakerWorld to their 3D printers without having to slice them themselves, making the process even easier. The A1 Mini has a build volume of 180x180x180 mm³. If you’d like a larger printer option, the Bambu Lab A1 has a volume of 256x256x256 mm³ for a slightly higher price.
Photo credits: Bambu Lab
The Adventurer 5M Pro from Flashforge
The Adventurer 5M Pro from Flashforge comes fully assembled and the user only has to remove a few fasteners, connect the PTFE tube and start auto calibration to begin printing. The printer is equipped with an extruder vibration suppression algorithm for smoother prints. It has a closed chamber with a 220x220x220 mm³ print volume. There’s an internal circulation system containing dual-layer HEPA and carbon filters that block 99 percent of particles and VOC, optimal for ABS printing. There’s also an external fan to filter and draw air out of the printer for PLA and PETG printing, and an auxiliary fan inside to cool the prints during printing. The display screen and camera monitoring make printing easier to control. The PEI print platform also makes it easier to remove prints once complete. All of these qualities make it a suitable 3D printer for beginners.
Photo credits: Flashforge
The Ender-3 V3 SE from Creality
The Ender-3 V3 SE is suitable for beginners because it is ready to print within 20 minutes, has a user-friendly user interface, and automated features like auto leveling and auto filament loading/unloading. The printer has an interchangeable base, the “Sprite” extruder, that allows the users to change printheads. This expands the printer capabilities and works with PLA, PETG, and flexible TPU. Users can slice their designs with Creality Print, Cura 5.0, or Simplify3D, and more. Also, they can find free 3D models on the Creality Cloud. One thing to note is that file transfers must be done through an SD card. For a Wi-Fi connection, users can buy the WiFi Box combo to enable real-time remote control. The Ender-3 V3 SE’s build volume is 220x220x250 mm³. For smooth prints, the printer has a stable dual Z-axis.
Photo credits: Creality
The Kobra 3 Combo from Anycubic
The Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo is a smart printer that can use four to eight colors. It comes with the ACE pro, a container for the filaments that feed them through four tubes, and has several features to make the process easier like nozzle clog detection. The printer has a built-in Accelerometer G-Sensor that detects vibration frequencies and adjusts motion control to prevent ringing issues. This intelligent technology makes for smooth and high-quality prints. The Kobra 3 Combo was designed to be hassle-free, so its setup and cable connections are simplified. The bed level automatically calibrates for each print job as well. Additionally, it has a unified module system to protect the core components and eliminate filament residue for easy cleanup. The printer also comes with a touchscreen that pairs with the Anycubic App and slicer to allow for smart connectivity, slicing and coloring. The print volume is 250x250x250 mm³.
Photo credits: Anycubic
The M5 3D Printer from AnkerMake
AnkerMake’s M5 printer takes about 15 minutes to assemble and comes with a quick-start guide so users can begin with ease. It is equipped with a touchscreen and can be controlled via the AnkerMake app, or AnkerMake slicer software. Designs can be sliced with AnkerMake’s Slicer, PrusaSlicer, or Cura. There’s also a camera and AI recognition for monitoring and improving your prints. An error detection system notifies you in real-time if something goes wrong. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the AnkerMake M5C is available for about $120 less, but its print volume is smaller and lacks some features like AI recognition and a touch screen.
Photo credits: AnkerMake
The Mars 5 Ultra from Egeloo
The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra is a resin 3D printer for beginners. While dealing with resin is significantly trickier than handling FDM printers, this plug-and-play printer is supposed to simplify the process. It is equipped with a smart mechanical sensor, self-check and auto-leveling, and an AI camera for full control. The Mars 5 Ultra also promises a fast speed of up to 150mm/h, and its use of tilt release technology allows swift model peeling from the release film. If you are seeking to create prints with high resolution, a resin printer like this that has 9k resolution might be for you. The build volume is smaller than the other printers on this list at 153.36×77.76×165 mm³, but this is typical of resin counterparts to FDM printers, and Elegoo also offers larger models.
Photo credits: Elegoo
The Original Prusa Mini+ from Prusa
The Original Prusa Mini+ is similar to the original Prusa 3D printer but with a print volume of 180x180x180 mm³. Designs can be sliced with the Prusa Slicer software, once you insert a USB drive with your design, you can print with one click. Then, you can monitor the printing with the machine’s ethernet or optional WiFi. Removing the print is just as simple: remove the print sheet from the magnetic heatbed and bend the sheet to release the object. Additionally, the Prusa Mini+ is open-source and easy to maintain, so it is a good option for those interested in tinkering. The Input Shaper and Pressure Advance technologies help the printer run fast while maintaining high-quality prints. Notably, you can purchase the Prusa Mini+ already assembled or as a kit, if you would like to assemble it yourself.
Photo credits: Prusa
The SV06 from Sovol
The Sovol SV06 is a great 3D printer for beginners, for one because it can be assembled in five steps. It features easier filament feeding and automatic leveling and has features that make printer maintenance minimal. For example, the SV06 has an I3 linear rail structure that prevents wear and tear, making it more applicable for household use. Sovol upgraded the SV06 firmware this year, enabling a faster print speed. Additionally, Sovol developed the All Metal Direct Drive Extruder that provides SV06 with a higher drive ratio and lighter motor, promoting more accurate extrusion. The build volume is 220x220x250 mm³ and the printer features a PEI build plate for print removal without any tools.
Photo credits: Sovol
Which 3D printer for beginners would you choose? 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.
