BEST TOP 6 3D PRINTERS IN 2023 (Reviewed and Ranked)

What characteristics distinguish an excellent 3D printer?

Rapid prototyping was a more apt word for 3D printing at the time because it was thought to be primarily useful for producing functional or aesthetically pleasing prototypes. In 2019, the terms additive manufacturing and 3D printing can be used interchangeably because the accuracy, repeatability, and material variety of 3D printing have improved to the point that some 3D printing techniques are viewed as viable as industrial production technologies. The capacity to create extremely complex shapes or geometries that would otherwise be impossible to manufacture by hand, including hollow pieces or items with internal truss structures to minimize weight, is one of the main benefits of 3D printing.

As of 2020, the most popular 3D printing technique is fused deposition modelling (FDM), which makes use of a continuous filament made of a thermoplastic substance.

Our top picks were determined using the following standards in addition to our practical experience:

Resolutions, precision, and consistency in print

Build volume is not a concern if you only wish to print miniatures, but larger can be preferable.

Reliability: We chose sturdy, dependable printers because it’s crucial in cheap printers.

Versatility includes the variety of materials you may print with as well as any add-ons like a dual extruder, enclosure, and other features.

Easy to use: uncomplicated slicer software, simple and intuitive setup, and simple assembly

Buyer’s Guide: Factors to Take into Account When Purchasing a 3D Printer

What kind of 3D printer are you interested in? Which materials are you interested in printing?

Different technologies accomplish varying tasks. Choose a resin 3D printer (MSLA / LCD) for precise D&D miniatures because they can print with much finer resolutions and smoother surfaces. But choose an FDM printer for a less complicated setup, a more laid-back experience (no curing, no chemicals), and stronger prints.

Within this, you must choose the filament or resin that best meets your requirements.

As it doesn’t actually warp, doesn’t need a heated bed or enclosure (though it’s still helpful if you have the option), comes in a wide range of colours and mixes (even conductive or glow in the dark! ), and is inexpensive, PLA filament works just fine for many people.

Even though it’s equally affordable, ABS is more durable and still offers a broad variety of colours, but it can distort and break when printed improperly and needs a heated bed and chamber. PETG is highly durable and excellent at adhesion, but because of its stickiness, it can be challenging to print overhangs and supports.

You don’t have as many possibilities for materials or colours with resins as you would with FDM. There are a few color variations, but the majority of resins are standard; nevertheless, businesses like Formlabs have created resins for dentistry work, jewellery casting, durable ABS-like construction, and a few other uses.

What model sizes are you looking to print?

If you only want to print miniatures, don’t waste your money on a large 3D printer, but if you want to produce large cosplay swords, don’t skimp on a smaller printer either.

Consider both the things you want to print now and the things you might want to print later. It can be costly to make the wrong choice considering that decent 3D printers can be purchased for as little as $300. Additionally, think about the size of your workspace because 3D printers can appear much larger than they actually are.

Additionally, FDM printers often have larger build volumes than resin 3D printers, so choose FDM if size matters.

What specifically would you like to 3D print?

Consider exactly what you want to 3D print for your projects before considering size. If precise quality isn’t as important to you, use a printer with a high top speed (delta 3D printers are often preferable for this), especially if you’re producing simple shapes like cubes and other geometric forms.

Instead, use resin printers with the highest XY resolutions or printers that can handle lower layer heights and smaller nozzle sizes if you require high resolution.

Get a 3D printer with an enclosure for high-temperature filaments, like the Creator Pro 2, or buy one for your existing printer; Creality sells enclosures, and there are well-liked DIY projects for the Prusa and other top-selling printers.

You’ll need a printer with a hot end that can withstand these temperatures if you wish to print PC, Nylon, carbon-fibre mixes, and other abrasive blends. Either get a Prusa or higher-spec machine, or purchase a hot end upgrade kit.

And if you want to print flexible filaments like TPU, choose a 3D printer that is either a direct drive 3D printer or includes a direct drive kit like the Ender 3 series. While a Bowden extruder can be used, doing so takes a lot more monitoring to prevent problems from occurring.

Do you desire a simple 3D printing process?

Even while being a beginner shouldn’t deter you, we advise choosing 3D printers with features like auto-levelling, Wi-Fi connectivity, filament run-out sensors, print resume functions, and user-friendly software and touchscreens to save you time and hassle.

Self-levelling is a convenient feature that spares you from having to manually re-level the printer after each print and should ensure that your prints are crisp rather than janky and blemish-filled.

In general, having Wi-Fi___33 connectivity is a good addition that increases print efficiency because it eliminates the need to transfer SD cards back and forth from your laptop to your 3D printer for each print.

Even most entry-level 3D printers now contain filament run-out sensors and print resuming functionality (in case of a power outage or anything similar). But if you lose power in the middle of a 24- or longer-lengthy print of a sizable prototype or cosplay costume, they could save your life.

Cura should have you covered for the slicer in terms of user-friendly software, however some 3D printers have more user-friendly interfaces than others. Although turnable knobs on printers like the Enders and Prusas are acceptable, most now feature touchscreens. We particularly loved the Snapmaker’s user-friendly touchscreen interface and design.

If you want to buy on the inexpensive side, choose a reputable brand and model.

Numerous inexpensive 3D printers in the $170–$400 price range are available. The majority aren’t very dependable, therefore we advise sticking with FDM kits like the Ender 3 line, Anycubic entry-level printers, and Elegoo or Anycubic resin printers for more affordable but trustworthy printers.

You definitely don’t want to be burned and end up with a costly brick. Choose a well-known printer with sizable communities and active forums, just in case. These are the ones we suggest here.

Would you like to print in different colours?

You’ll have trouble producing prints that are completely multicolour, as in, coloured down to the pixel (or voxel in 3D). A few years ago, XYZ produced a $3,500 full-color 3D printer, but the colours appeared washed out.

However, there are a few alternative techniques to obtain multi-colour prints. Choose a 3D printer with dual extruders to print in two colours, or use a filament splicer like the Palette to print in up to four colours at once.

Unfortunately, there are very few colour possibilities available for resin LCD or MSLA printers. The majority of post-processing is required to obtain multi-colour resin prints.