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The Best 3D Printers to Help You to Unleash Your Creativity
Tools that unlock a world of creative possibilities.
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A 3D printer enables you to create various objects, design concepts, replacement parts, and even tools relatively easily and inexpensively. Entry-level models offer kids and students a great gateway into the engineering realm. At the same time, more advanced offerings can speed up the development process of products you want to create by effortlessly churning out prototypes and parts.
Best 3D Printers
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What to Consider
There are several essential things to consider when shopping for a 3D printer, starting with build volume, filament options, and ease of use.
Build Volume
The feature mentioned above will ensure that the 3D printer you choose can produce objects in various sizes. Build volume typically measures in inches or cubic inches. The larger it is, the bigger objects you can create.
Products with a robust build volume are often costlier than their rivals. Spending extra will get you a more versatile and futureproof 3D printer.
Filament Types
There are several major types of filament options for 3D printers you should know about — PLA, ABS, and PETG. The first two are the most common ones.
Thankfully, many high-quality printers support multiple filaments, allowing you to choose the best for your project. The essential materials are widely available and fairly inexpensive, but you should still budget extra to keep your projects going.
Layer resolution is typically measured in microns, with lower micron numbers resulting in higher layer resolution. The higher the latter is, the more complex objects the 3D printer can create.
Additional Features
The type of controls a 3D printer offers are important, especially if you are looking to buy your first or gift one to a beginner. Touchscreen controls are highly recommended in this day and age because they'll make the process of using these capable tools more straightforward.
In addition, 3D with onboard Wi-Fi connectivity are all but guaranteed to give you more tools to control them, and so will a companion app. Unless you are shopping on a tight budget, keep an eye out for these features.
Most 3D printers come with software for creating and uploading models. There are also plenty of sources online with model files, so getting started is easy.
Now that you know the basics, find the best 3D printer for your needs and budget among these extensively researched offerings.
Pros
- Fast and precise prinint
- Sleek and durable design
- Easy to set up and use
Cons
- Pricey
The AnkerMake M5 is the best 3D printer worth your attention and an equally great option for newbies and seasoned 3D printing enthusiasts.
It offers an exciting amalgam of sleek design with an aluminum alloy build, a printing performance with incredible speed and quality, excellent build volume, and intuitive controls that include a touchscreen, a mobile app, and Amazon Alexa voice commands. The product’s price tag is also quite reasonable, considering the design, features, and performance it offers.
Remarkably, the AnkerMake M5 is several times faster than some of its rivals without skimping on precision. According to its maker, the 3D printer can produce details that measure only a tenth of a millimeter.
I also tip my hat to Anker for equipping the 3D printer with a Full HD camera that can create time-lapse videos of your projects.
Key Specs
| Build Volume | 9.3 x 9.3 x 9.8 inches |
|---|---|
| FIlament Compatibility | Multiple types |
| Other | Touchscreen, app, Alexa controls, Wi-Fi connectivity, built-in Full HD camera |
Pros
- Versatile build area
- Intuitive controls
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Could use a built-in camera
The FlashForge Finder 3 is an ideal 3D printer for beginners, offering a rich set of features, reliable printing performance via a high-temperature nozzle, support for multiple filament types, and intuitive touchscreen controls, all at a reasonable price point. Wi-Fi connectivity and a built-in light are also on board, with the latter giving the gadget a cool, decidedly high-tech look.
Thanks to a versatile build area with removable glass and steel plates, the FlashForge Finder 3 can adapt to various tasks. On the other hand, sophisticated sensor technology allows the 3D printer to save your projects in case of a power outage and resume them once it’s back on.
Key Specs
| Build Volume | 7.5 x 7.7 x 7.9 inches |
|---|---|
| Filament Compatibility | Multiple types |
| Other | Touchscreen controls, Wi-Fi connectivity |
DigiLab 3D45 3D Printer
DigiLab 3D45 3D Printer
Pros
- Produces prints with excellent quality
- Robust build volume
- Convenient controls
Cons
- Expensive
The DigiLab 3D45 printer by Dremel is one of the product category’s best options, and it comes with a price tag to match. It has a stellar build volume and a layer resolution that ranges between 50 microns and 300 microns. Having such a low layer height allows the device to create incredibly detailed objects.
Dremel has equipped the DigiLab 3D45 with a self-leveling print bed and a heated plate. Other key features of the product include an enclosed printing area, a 4.5-inch touchscreen interface, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a built-in camera for keeping an eye on your projects.
Key Specs
| Build Volume | 10 x 6 x 6.7 inches |
|---|---|
| Filament Compatibility | Multiple types |
| Other | Built-in HD camera, touchscreen controls, Wi-Fi connectivity |
Pros
- Great printing performance for the money
- Supports multiple filament types
- Affordable
Cons
- Could use Wi-Fi connectivity
With an under-$250 sticker before factoring in potential deals and discounts, the Creality Ender 3 Neo is a solid option for 3D printing enthusiasts on a tight budget.
It has a robust build volume, onboard auto-leveling and heat-reducing tech, and a surprisingly quiet operation. The 3D printer can also work with multiple filaments — a rarity for a product at this price point.
The Ender 3 Neo also features a heated print bed, a metal filament extruder, and a convenient LCD display. We like that, unlike some of its similarly priced rivals, the product can save and resume your projects, thus reducing the possibility of botched prints and waste of filament.
Key Specs
| Build Volume | 8.7 x 8.7 x 9.8 inches |
|---|---|
| Filament Compatibility | Multiple types |
| Other | USB connectivity, TF card slot |
Pros
- Incredibly user-friendly
- Nontoxic filament in multiple colors
- Very affordable
Cons
- Uses a proprietary filament
As its name suggests, the 3Doodler Create+ 3D pen allows you or your child to add a whole new dimension to sketches. It extrudes low-heat, nontoxic plastic that hardens almost instantly so you can draw out of thin air.
Save for its metal tips that can get very warm when you use it, the super affordable 3D pen doesn't have additional hot spots where you could get burned. The kit comes bundled with filament refills in 15 colors, as well as an activity guide.
Key Specs
| Build Volume | N/A |
|---|---|
| Filament Compatibility | Proprietary PLA |
| Other | Companion 3Doodler app |
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He has more than a decade of experience covering consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear. He was previously the US editor for GSMArena.com; his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics and other Hearst publications.In the rare moments when he’s not playing with a new gadget, Stefan likes to watch live Premier League games or hang out with his cat and rabbit. He’s also an espresso snob.
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