Given the high pricing of 3D printers, most of us try to find the budget versions and end up buying cheap rip-offs. How do you prevent yourself from wasting a lot of money and yet buy a decent if not good quality printer? Finding a great printer that fits right in your budget might not be a herculean task after all. All you need to do is answer 3 simple and most important questions before clicking on the buy button.
What is the type of printer I need?
If you are a beginner, you would be better off with a basic FDM printer. But if you are advanced, you do not need a suggestion to go with SLA or SLS printer
What materials should I use?
Assuming that you would be building models to stay for a long time, it is advised that you go with ABS thermoplastic resin materials for your printing and modelling.
Slicing Software:
This is the special software that runs your 3D printer. There is no single option but depending on how flexible you feel with various software such as Cura, 3DPrinterOS or OctoPrint 3D or other software. You can watch youtube walkthroughs to decide. While these three are the most crucial factors, there are a lot of other factors that you need to consider. We will be discussing them in the “Buying Guide” section of the article. Make sure that you are giving that a read as well. We have also included some frequently asked questions to help you further. Let us now jump into reviewing the best 3D printer kits to buy in 2023
List of the Best 3D Printer Kits 2023
Top 3D Printer Kits: Reviews
1. Comgrow Creality Ender 3 3D Printer
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First on our list is a Creality Ender-3 3D printer from Comgrow. Creality’s Ender is an award winning printing technology and Comgrow’s printer customization comes with DIY resume print features. Top Features:
Aluminium Material for superior and stronger build quality Resume Print feature gives you the flexibility to be able to pause and resume at will Fast and Easy to assemble in under 2 hours. Most of the machine comes with some pre-assembly and needs only 20 nuts to assemble it Comes with advanced extruder technology with upgraded extruder. It helps in the reduction of plugging risk Noiseless and smooth movement with the durable V Shape POM wheels Rapid heating of the hot bed from regular to 110 degrees C in just under 5 minutes
Things we liked about this Printer
Highly rated and reviewed product Perfect for beginners Great gift for kids too Upgraded technology
Things we didn’t like about it
No warranty. Only lifetime technical support provided
2. LONGER LK4 3D Printer DIY Kit
Next on our list is an FDM from the house of Longer, a standalone Chinese 3D printer manufacturing company. This FDM printer comes with a user friendly touch screen that increases the usability of the machine Top features:
A 2.8 inch Full colour display touch screen with a user friendly UI. Makes model previews and offline printing processes much easier. Heating bed with a unique tempered glass plate for the resolution of warped bed issues. Comes with a sturdy Aluminium frame for longevity The printer is equipped with a uniquely developed, intelligent and user friendly operating system Resume and Recover printing functionalities included. In case of power outages or power loss, the printer remembers the printing presets and when the power comes back, it resumes back the printing. The power supply is hidden and placed below the flat bed to ensure proper safety for the users The printer comes with 12 months of warranty and also round the clock support
Things we liked about this printer:
Highly reviewed and rated product Good UX and UI making it easy to use printer for beginners and intermediates alike The company provides 1 year Warranty and also trust with its 24 hour technical support
Things we didn’t like about it
Nothing in particular to mention
3. JGMAKER Magic 3D Printer DIY Kit
The JGMAKER Magic is a 3D printer that comes with filament run out detection sensors making it a great pick. Top Features:
Filament run-out detection which warns the user when there is any problem with the filament or when the filament runs out. Resume print function that will remember the presets during power outages and resume the printing when power comes back Can print modules of the size 220x220x250mm or 8.6 inches x8.6 inches x9.8 inches. Has an industry grade high quality silicone wiring Power supply stoved away beneath the base for better safety and security Hot plugin feature for the SD Card makes it easy for you to remove the SD card even during the printing process. Simply re-insert the SD Card to resume printing. Has a Sturdy metal base and comes with a side filament holder that facilitates simpler filament change that does not disturb the printing process Easily Removable printing base for better flexibility Comes with a simple 8 assembly modules that makes the entire assembly process complete in just under 2 hours.
Things we liked about it:
The filament detection makes the entire printing process much safer and easier Economic pricing SD Card halt is also a very handy feature
Things we didn’t like about it
No warranty
4. Anycubic Mega S 3D Printer
Next on our list is an FDM printer from the house of ANYCUBIC. This FDM printer works great for beginners, as it comes with a user-friendly touch screen. Top Features:
It is quick and easy to assemble the printer with 3 simple steps, which save your time and let you enjoy printing and creation. Its high-quality titan extruder is compatible with most filaments and thus provides precise extrusion for printing and reduce plugging risk. The rigid metal frame of this printer will minimize the shaking and thus improve the print quality. This Mega S 3D printer will resume printing after power outage or any other unexpected stoppage. It has sensor detection that pauses prints and sets off an alarm when you’re running out of filament. Its ultra-base printing platform surface has patented microporous coating with adhesion when printing and falls off bed when it cooled. It has TFT touch screen for an easy to operate It has printing volume of 8.27X8.27X8.07 inches and positing accuracy is X/Y 0.0125mm Z 0.002mm. This 3D printer is backed with 1-year limited warranty along with lifetime technical support. It supports print on materials like PLA, HIPS, ABS, PETG, TPU, and wood and has SD card & data cable support connectivity. Its one-piece hanging design of suspended filament rack will make storage of filament more convenient.
Things we liked about this printer:
Perfect option for beginners and kids. Upgraded technology Easy and quick assembly User-friendly TFT touch screen. Filament sensor with auto-pause, if filament runs out. Ultra-base with excellent adhesion for easy removal. Anycubic provides lifetime technical support.
Things we didn’t like about it:
The quality of printing bed (warped) is not up to the mark. It is good choice for beginners but not for pros or hobbyists.
5. Voxelab Aquila 3D Printer
Next on our list is Voxelab’s Aquilla 3D printer. Voxelab specializes in developing advanced 3D printers and 3D printer resins with easy-to-use features. Top Features
The carbon crystal silicon glass plate helps in fast heating with a heating time of 5 minutes. The adjustable pulley ensures that if there is a power cut in the middle of printing, you can resume accurate printing once the power is back. It is easy to install the 3D printer as it comes partially assembled. Besides, the toolbox comes integrated with the printer. The power supply is located within the body of the 3D printer. This ensures safety while you are assembling the printer. The XY axis adjuster helps in the quick adjustment of the belt tightness. There is a color screen with a rotary knob that provides an improved user experience. The 3D printer works on open-source technology. This makes it easier to download software updates and choose your favorite firmware without any restrictions. The 3D printer comes with a 12 months warranty and the brand provides lifetime technical assistance to resolve your issues.
Things we liked about it
Heats fast and provide accurate printing designs Open source technology provides easy access to flexible and latest upgrades Comes with a 12 months warranty
Things we didn’t like about it
Lack of durable construction Lots of loose attachments
6. Creality ender Pro 3D Printer
The Ender Pro is one of the best 3D printers from the brand Creality. And moreover, it is available in a budget-friendly price range. Top Features:
UL certified MeanWell power supply Magnetic bed surface Wide range of applications Rapid heating Simple leveling method
Things we liked about the printer:
Easier to operate Stable and durable
Things we didn’t like about the product:
Has packaging issues Construction quality could have been better
7. SainSmart x Creality Ender-3 Pro 3D Printer
The next one in our list is a Creality Ender – 3 Pro 3D printer from SainSmart. This is an upgraded version of Ender-3 that give you more printing fun. Top Features:
Aluminum material for superior, durable and stronger build quality that is easier to operate. Resume print feature gives you the flexibility to be able to pause and resume at will. Its C-MAG magnetic sticker is removable, flexible and can adhere to platform. All you need to remove the upper from lower and bend the print surface to pop off the printing surface. It is redesigned with more sturdy (40X40) aluminum extrusion for the Y-axis base to provide stability and delivers a better print quality. Comes with advanced extruder technology with upgrader extruder. It helps in reducing the risk of clogged nozzle. A rapid heating of hot bed from regular to 110°C in just under 5 minutes. It has a large build volume of 8.7X8.7X9.8 inches will allow you to create large and complex models. The filament is compatible with 1.75mm PLA, ABS, TPU and PETG and has connectivity options of USB and SD Flash. The printer comes with 1-year manufacturing warranty along with lifetime technical support.
Things we liked about this printer:
Great reviews and ratings Easy to assemble and simple to use. Ender-3 pro suits for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts. Offers 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. Meanwell power supply for fast heating and longtime 3D printing. Redesigned Y-axis base to have stability and better print quality. Comes with various enriched accessories.
Things we didn’t like about it:
Could improve on its performance. Lacks filament runout alarm.
8. JGAURORA 3D Printer Kit
Next on our list is a very stylish and neat looking 3D printer, the JGAURORA. JGAURORA can all be assembled in a half hour. Top Features:
Simply DIY 10 minute set up and running. Can print outputs of the size 305305320mm Comes with a 2.8 inches HD colored touch screen for interface toggling Filament run out detection notifies you on the screen when the printing runs out of filament and the resume print function remembers the pre set program so that it resumes the printing when the filament is re-introduced. The resume print function also gives you a power failure safety protection feature in cases of power outages Included Leveling program with a simple adjustment knob will let you level the bed for better accuracy and precision Comes with a free 250 grams filament Can print with Wood, SLA and also ABS
Things we liked about this printer:
Great design Comes with 6 months of warranty Easy to set up and use Has convenient features such as the resume print function, power failure and filament end detections
Things we didn’t like about the printer
Product has heavy reliability issues Print quality is not so adequate thus making it a good choice for beginners but not for hobbyists or pros The frame quality is not so good and is loose The electrical safety is not so good and there have been reports of small static shocks to the users
9. Snapmaker Store 2.0 3D Printer
The 2.0 3D printer from the Snapmaker is a combination of excellent features and quality. It is perfect for both beginners and professionals alike. Top Features:
Large working space Built with high-precision parts Can print, engrave, cut and carve Auto leveling Power loss recovery Multi-material support
Things we liked about this printer:
Excellent quality Powerful enough for most of the tasks
Things we didn’t like about this product:
A little expensive for the quality
10. Creality CR-10S 3D Printer
Straight from the house of Creality, the CR-10S is an FDM 3D printer that is made for absolute beginners and can be used to print basic to moderate level models. Top Features:
Can print outputs of the size 11.8 inches x 11.8 inches x 15.8 inches(300 mm x 300 mm x 400 mm) Comes with dual Z axis lead screw rods Has a normal printing speed of 80 mm/second and a maximum print speed of 200mm/ second Easy to use UI Has filament alarm which notifies you when the filament is run out Includes a resume print functionality Comes with 6 months of warranty
Things we liked about this printer
A perfect and simple 3D printer for beginners Easy to use Easy to assemble Comes with a warranty
Things we didn’t like about it
Not so ideal for building large volume prints ( thermal runaway is not enabled) The output is not so fine and has some granular consistency Needs more maintenance
Buying Guide: How to choose the right and perfect 3D printer kit?
3D Printers are an expensive affair and you need to be really sure of which product you would be buying. This buying guide comes with all the research material that you need to go through before making a buying choice. Now before we jump right into listing out the factors that you need to consider, let us first understand the different types of 3D printers that are available to buy.
Types of Available 3D printers:
In total, there are four types of 3D printers available and their difference is totally based on the technology they use for their modelling. Let us look at each different type of technology in detail now.
1. FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) Printers
FDM is one of the most common types of technology available in 3D printing. Here, a heating filament is used along with long tubes for the printing mould to travel in. these tubes will perform extrusion of various shapes of the heated resins along with all the 3 directions. When the resin reaches the plate, the shape is moulded into the final output. This will give you a fast and simple output and will also not cost you a lot as well. But given the high speed of printing and also the simplicity involved, they will probably give your end models horizontal layer lines. This will affect the smoothness of the models and thus may not give you a smooth print model. The output models will be having delta style frames or cartesian frames. Simply put, cartesian printers have the printing beds that move in a horizontal Y-Axis whereas the individual motors move up or backwards in X and Z axis respectively. Delta Frames move the extruder (the molten hot print material) using all the 3 motors evenly in all directions. Delta frames are not so common and for a beginner and a 3D printing hobby person, it is ideal that you pick a Cartesian FDM printer. This will give you better control than delta styled printers as you will be able to move individual motors and thus get better prints as well.
2. SLA (Stereolithography) Printers
SLA printers use a particular moulting and solidification process called Stereolithography. This consists of photo-solidification of layers which are formed by chemical reactions of light photons when they are focussed on specific spots of the print material. This focusing of light will cause the SLA resins to solidify and form the final output. SLA gives you smooth outputs because light photos are highly precise on the resins. The output is not only smooth but are also highly detailed and are of high quality.
3. DLP (Digital Light Processing) Printers
Mostly similar to SLA printers, DLP uses light photons to target specific areas in order to get prints. The difference between DLP and SLA is that while SLA cools off the material after they reach the bed, DLP printers will cool down the material right after the light hits and melts them. This process is called vat polymerization and here, you would be creating each individual layers for the final print. The output for such process is probably not that defined as that of an SLA printer but it has better smooth quality than FDM printers and also prints at a better speed (faster than FDM and SLA)
4. SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) Printers
Again, SLS printers too are more or less like the SLA printers. While SLA printers use liquified resin material, SLS uses powdered resin. New layers are created by focussing high powered lasers on specific points in the powder resin vat. When the laser is moved from one point to another, the powder instantly solidifies and forms layers. Outputs in SLS come with great detailing. Thus this printing process is great for making complex designs and minuscule and highly detailed project prototypes etc, where details are of the essence.
Choosing the Right Material for Printing
As much as choosing the right printer and process is, choosing the right print material is also important. While traditional printers have ink and paper (pretty much narrowing down our choices to easy), 3D printers are a different ball game. Here, your choice of ink is a little tricky and might get complicated if not understood properly. You would be choosing the type of printing depending on what type of form of output you would be needing. Also, understand that not every form of printer uses the same type of print materials. While SLS and FDM printers use Resins, other printers may use other print materials such as ABS, plastic or filament etc, Firstly, let us look at the different types of resins that are available
1.Standard Resin:
Available in Grey or white clear colours, these resins are mostly used in the making of tiny gadgets or other models. They are fragile and not so good for long-lasting prints
2. Tough Resin:
Tough resins can give stronger print outputs. They are usually used for creating tools which need to be strong and can be used for resistance and strength.
3. Medical Grade Resins:
Ever heard of 3D printed prosthetics or hearing aids or dental aids? Medical Grade resins can be used for printing medical-grade prosthetics and aids. Resins are a form of plastics too. But apart from powdered resins, plastics are available in 2 different types;
Thermoplastics Thermosets
Thermoplastics and Thermosets are different polymer powders used for 3D printing. These both are different from one another depending on how they react when they are subjected to heat. Thermoset gets strengthens when heated whereas thermoplastic melts. Thermoplastics are first melted and then moulded into their proper shapes whereas thermosets are first arranged in the required output fashion and then heated to set. Thermosets cannot be moulded again or changed in their formation. Thermosets have higher melting point and do not easily lose their structural integrity and are thus great for long-lasting prints. Thermoplastics have a relatively lower melting point and are thus great for simple and easy to built prints. Given that you are here as a beginner, you are more inclined towards picking thermoplastics as your choice of print material. Here, again, Thermoplastics are available in 2 forms.
PLA (Poly Lactic Acids) ABS plastic (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
1. PLA (Poly Lactic Acids)
PLA is great for beginners and for people who need to make simple prints. Moreso ever, PLA is made from corn starch and is thus eco-friendly as well. It is biodegradable and can be cooled down very fast as well. It is available in solid and translucent colours. One can make simple miniature figurines, small models and common keychains etc, using PLA.
2. ABS Plastic (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ABS is popular and very common in not just in printing but in making everyday objects. ABS is made out of petroleum and has superior strength and flexibility. This makes it a great material for making any and almost all types of prints. It has a higher melting point which gives rise to building miniature if not large scale objects too with better longevity. As PLA has longer cooling time, it may make your models wrap onto its layers causing structural damage. ABS does not possess any such problems as most of the ABS models cool down very fast.
Factors to Consider while Choosing and Buying a 3D Printer
Now that you are all caught up on all the different types of printers and print material, now let us jump right into listing out all the important factors you need to consider while choosing a 3D printer.
1. Identifying the Type of Printer for the Purpose
The first and foremost thing that you need to do is to identify what kind of printer you are going to buy. As we have already mentioned before, this totally depends on what your use case is and more specifically, why would you be using this printer. For beginners and hobbyists who wish to make some simple models as such, they would probably go with a simple FDM printer. But for people who wish to have greater detail, they will probably go for SLA or SLS printer. For people who want more speed in their prints, they will be opting for DLP printers. But as mentioned, for a beginner, it is always suggested that you go ahead with a simple FDM printer, to begin with.
2. Choosing the Right Print Material
As we have discussed earlier, there are different types and a lot of varieties of print material available. Your choice of print material depends on not just what you wish to build but also what kind of printer you are choosing as well. For people who are building something temporary then maybe go with a simple standard resin. For people who are environmentally conscious, you can go with PLA print material. PLA material also does not tend to wrap around easily because it cools down quickly. If you are building and modelling something permanent like a tool or a utility, your preferred choice should be ABS thermoplastic. Even beginners can make models using ABS plastic as it gives out a very strong and sturdy print. You can even make a bunch of household utilities using ABS plastic.
3. 3D Printer Slicing Software
The third and most important aspect after you have picked the print material and the printing method is the slicing software. As we have mentioned at the beginning, a slicing software is the software you use to make the printer work. Simply put, this software gives specific instructions to your printer on how to print the model and how much material it should use. These instructions include the number of layers needed, the end point, the starting point, the hollow parts to ignore and the solid parts to fill etc., Your choice of software depends on not just usability but also compatibility. While your first instinct and choice should be going with the recommended or the slicing software that comes with the printer, you can always be flexible. There are a lot of freeware slicing software out in the market which have better usability and have greater flexibility as well. They can be downloadable or come in a disk. Softwares such as Cura, IdeaMaker, KISSlicer, Repetier-Host or the OctoPrint are some of the most popular softwares out there. Check if your printer is compatible and flexible with most of such software before making a purchase.
4. 3D Modelling Software
While the slicing software is all about the print, modelling software is all about creating the model that needs to be printed. Think of this as the photoshop or MS paint but for building stuff that you can print in real life. Here, you can create digital files that, when the printer processes, gives you a 3D printed real item. Youmagine, Thingiverse are some of the most popular custom modelling softwares available. For beginners, you can start with simple 3D modelling software applications such as 123D Make, Cubify Sculpt, SketchUP Make, Wings 3D, ZBrush or Seamless 3D.
5. Community Of Users
Though 3D Printing is on an explosive path of growth, not a lot of people really know the nuts and bolts of every aspect to it. A lack of community makes it difficult if you buy a product and you are probably the only one who uses it. For products as such, it is vital that it has a community around it. This will help you cut down (pun intended) your problems and work out solutions. These range from basic troubleshooting to any other issues that you might face with your printer that a typical customer support may not be able to help with. Furthermore, communities of a product will help you expand your understanding of the product and also widen your knowledge base. You will have the opportunity to learn to do more with your printer than there is. If the printer of your choice is already popular, chances are that it already has a vibrant community online. If not, search for the existence of such a community and if you find at least active communities for the product of your choice, you are good to go.
6. Customer Support and Warranty
Honestly, 3D printers are an expensive affair and proper warranty is needed to protect you from any probable manufacturing defects or damage. There are a great number of brands that provide a meagre warranty of just 3 or 4 months and a not so adequate support. Steer clear of such brands as you can find out about their quality within their reviews. For the warranty, anything above 6 months or 1 year smells of good quality.
Wrapping it up:
Comgrow’s Creality Ender 3 3D Printer has an Aluminum Frame and a strong build quality. This DIY 3D printer is easy to assemble and has Resume Print functionality. The advanced extruder technology protects you from plugging risk and the printing is noiseless and smooth. A great kid for kids, this is a good printer to pick from. While those were our picks, we are interested to learn about your choices, thoughts and opinions. If you feel like we have missed something or if you want us to add something, feel free to write to us in the comments section below. Our team of product experts will write back to you as soon as possible. Comment * Name * Email * Website
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