A 3D printer enables users to create various objects, design concepts, replacement parts, and even tools in a relatively easy and inexpensive manner. Entry-level models offer a great gateway into the engineering realm for kids and students, while more advanced offerings can speed up the development process of products you want to create by easily churning out prototypes and parts.
Most 3D printers come with their own software for creating and uploading models. There are also plenty of sources online with model files, so it's easy to get started.
There are several important things to consider when shopping for a 3D printer — the most important are build volume, filament options, and layer resolution. Build volume typically measures in inches or cubic inches, so the larger it is, the bigger objects you can create.
There are two major types of filament options for 3D printers — PLA and ABS. The former is essentially biodegradable plastic, so it's more commonly used. ABS filament is made of much tougher plastic that's more widely used in manufacturing processes. Most printers in this roundup only work with various PLA filaments.
Layer resolution is typically measured in microns, with lower micron numbers resulting in higher layer resolution. The higher the latter is, the more detailed objects the 3D printer can create.
Now that you know the basics, you can shop the best 3D printers on the market today.
FlashForge's 3D printer is ideal for beginners, because it has a cool design, a rich set of features, a reliable printing performance, and intuitive controls at a reasonable price point. A Tom’s Guide review editor also praised the product for “delivering a lot of features, high print quality and fast printing for a decent price.”
The 3D printer has a versatile build-area that measures about eight inches. It has a print range between 100 and 500 microns, a removable build plate with auto leveling, an easy-to-replace nozzle, and a built-in color touchscreen. Wi-Fi connectivity and a built-in HD camera are also on board, allowing users to closely monitor the printing process.
We are really impressed that the FlashForge can work with multiple filament types. In addition to ABS and PLA, they include wood fill and copper fill, among others. There’s even a built-in filament sensor.
The DigiLab 3D45 printer by Dremel is one of the product category’s best options, but comes with a high price tag. A PCMag Editor’s Choice award winner, it has a build volume of 10 by 6 by 6.7 inches, 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.
The 3D printer works with the manufacturer's own 1.75-millimeter PLA filament, which is available in a multitude of colors.
Priced around $200, the Monoprice Select Mini 3D V2 printer is our favorite option for buyers on a tight budget. It has the ability to print layers as thin as 100 microns. The device can work with both ABS and PLA filaments — a rarity among budget 3D printers.
This pick also features a heated print bed, Wi-Fi connectivity, an SD card slot, and a convenient LCD display. We like that, unlike some of its similarly priced rivals, the product ships fully assembled and calibrated, allowing buyers to get started immediately.
As its name suggests, the 3Doodler Start 3D pen allows you or your child to add a whole new dimension to sketches. It extrudes low-heat plastic that hardens almost instantly so you can draw out of thin air.
Fun and intuitive to use, the pen doesn't have any hot spots where you could get burned, either. The kit comes bundled with 15 strands of filament and an activity guide.
The Makerbot Replicator+ 3D printer has a build volume of 11.6 by 7.6 by 6.5 inches, which is the largest on this list. Such a capacity makes the product an excellent option for creating large objects.
Makerbot's pricey offering is also fast and jam-packed with features. They include a native support for CAD files, touchscreen interface and Wi-Fi connectivity, a built-in camera, as well as the ability to arrange multiple build plates.
Stefan VazharovSenior Technology EditorStefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015; He previously covered tech products for GSMArena.com and his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics.
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