Too Many 3D Printers? Here’s How to Choose the Right One

Typical price i
370.– to 1200.–

Builds objects by melting and extruding plastic filament, layering it to form the final shape.

Offers affordable, durable prints and is ideal for functional prototypes or larger objects with less detail.

Typical price i
440.– to 710.–

Uses a laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, producing smooth and highly detailed surfaces.

Best for intricate designs, miniatures, or models where surface finish and fine features matter most.

Typical price i
210.– to 400.–

Cures entire layers of resin at once using a digital light projector, resulting in high-resolution prints.

Delivers fast and detailed results, making it suitable for jewelry, dental models, or projects needing rapid, precise output.

Typical price i
320.– to 1000.–

PLA is a biodegradable plastic made from renewable resources and is easy to print with low temperatures.

Ideal for beginners and general-purpose printing, it offers smooth finishes and minimal warping but is less heat-resistant.

Typical price i
360.– to 1200.–

ABS is a durable plastic known for its strength and ability to withstand higher temperatures.

Best for functional parts or items that need to resist impact and heat, but it requires a heated bed and can emit fumes.

Typical price i
370.– to 1200.–

PETG combines the ease of PLA with the durability of ABS, offering good flexibility and chemical resistance.

It’s suitable for mechanical parts and outdoor use, providing strength without the printing challenges of ABS.

Typical price i
320.– to 610.–

Resin is a liquid material used in SLA or DLP printers, producing highly detailed and smooth prints.

Perfect for miniatures, jewelry, and prototypes, but handling requires care and post-processing with UV light.

Typical price i
260.– to 710.–

Extremely fine layer height allows for high-precision prints with very smooth surfaces.

Ideal for detailed models, miniatures, and prototypes where surface quality is critical, but print times are significantly longer.

Typical price i
710.– to 1700.–

Offers a balance between fine detail and reasonable print speed, producing smooth results.

Suitable for professional models, jewelry, and functional parts where detail matters but speed is also a consideration.

Typical price i
360.– to 840.–

Standard resolution for many consumer 3D printers, providing good detail with faster print times.

Works well for most prototypes, hobby projects, and parts where ultra-fine details are not required.

Typical price i
440.– to 1600.–

Thicker layers enable much quicker prints, though with more visible layer lines and less detail.

Best for rapid prototyping, large objects, or functional parts where speed is prioritized over surface finish.

Typical price i
290.– to 990.–

Involves connecting the printer directly to a computer or USB drive using a USB cable or stick.

Ideal for users seeking a simple, stable connection, especially in single-user setups or secure environments.

Typical price i
370.– to 1100.–

Allows wireless connection to a local network, enabling file uploads and printer control without cables.

Provides flexibility to manage prints from multiple devices or remotely, which is useful for shared spaces or advanced workflows.

Typical price i
370.– to 2600.–

Connects the printer to a network through an Ethernet cable for wired network access.

Offers reliable and fast data transfer, making it suitable for busy environments or when multiple users need to access the printer.

Typical price i
360.– to 940.–

Supports loading print files directly from an SD card inserted into the printer.

Good for offline printing or when network access is limited, offering convenience for quick, on-the-spot jobs.

Widely recognized for affordable, open-source 3D printers popular among beginners and hobbyists.

Benefit from a large support community, easy upgrades, and extensive online resources for troubleshooting.

Specializes in high-speed, feature-rich 3D printers with advanced automation and multi-color capabilities.

Ideal for users seeking fast, reliable results and minimal manual calibration, making production efficient.

Known for user-friendly, reliable machines suitable for education, professionals, and home use.

Offers strong out-of-box performance, enclosed designs, and robust technical support for peace of mind.

Focuses on 3D printing pens designed for creative, hands-on projects and artistic expression.

Great for educational settings, quick prototyping, and users interested in freeform or craft applications.

Offers a wide range of affordable FDM and resin printers with good print quality for all experience levels.

Popular for their value, ease of setup, and versatility, making them suitable for both beginners and advanced users.