Too many 3D printers? Here’s how to pick the right one

Typical price i
320.– to 1000.–

Heats and extrudes thermoplastic filament layer by layer to create objects.

Suitable for functional prototypes and larger parts, offering affordability and wide material compatibility.

Typical price i
220.– to 1700.–

Essentially identical to FDM, using melted filament to build up layers.

Popular for home and educational use due to its user-friendly setup and cost-effectiveness.

Typical price i
440.– to 710.–

Uses a laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, producing high-resolution prints.

Ideal for detailed miniatures, dental models, and applications where surface finish matters most.

Typical price i
190.– to 490.–

Projects light to harden resin all at once per layer, enabling faster print times than SLA.

Best for small, highly detailed models, such as jewelry or miniatures, where precision is critical.

PLA is a biodegradable plastic made from renewable resources, known for easy printing and minimal warping.

It is ideal for beginners, educational projects, or decorative objects where strength and heat resistance are not critical.

ABS is a strong, heat-resistant plastic that requires higher printing temperatures and an enclosed printer.

It is well-suited for functional prototypes and durable parts, such as automotive components or enclosures, but may produce fumes during printing.

PETG combines the ease of PLA with improved strength, flexibility, and chemical resistance.

It is recommended for mechanical parts, outdoor objects, or food-safe containers, offering a balance between durability and printability.

TPU is a flexible, rubber-like material that can bend and stretch without breaking.

It excels in creating wearable items, phone cases, or gaskets, ideal when flexibility and impact resistance are needed.

Resin is a liquid material used in SLA or DLP 3D printers, producing highly detailed and smooth prints.

It is best for miniatures, dental models, or jewelry prototypes, offering superior surface finish but requiring post-processing and careful handling.

Typical price i
300.– to 3200.–

Produces extremely fine layers, resulting in high-detail prints with smooth surfaces.

Best for intricate models, prototypes, or miniatures where detail and surface quality are critical, but prints take longer to finish.

Typical price i
300.– to 1900.–

Offers a balance between detail and print speed, creating well-defined objects with moderate smoothness.

Suitable for most design prototypes, functional parts, or decorative items, providing good quality without excessive print times.

Typical price i
340.– to 640.–

Prints with thicker layers, resulting in faster production but more visible lines and lower detail.

Ideal for quick drafts, large objects, or simple mechanical parts where speed is preferred over fine surface finish.

Typical price i
300.– to 1100.–

Connects the printer directly to a computer using a USB cable for file transfer and control.

Ideal for stable, direct connections and recommended if your printer and computer are close together or you prefer a simple setup.

Typical price i
400.– to 1200.–

Enables wireless connection to your local Wi-Fi network, allowing file uploads from any compatible device.

Provides flexible printer placement and convenient remote access, suitable for shared or multi-user environments.

Typical price i
420.– to 1800.–

Uses a wired Ethernet connection for stable, high-speed data transfer within a network.

Best for reliable performance in offices or workshops where multiple users send print jobs over a shared network.

Typical price i
300.– to 890.–

Lets you transfer print files via an SD card inserted directly into the printer, without needing a constant computer connection.

Useful for standalone operation or in spaces without network access, making it easy to start prints directly at the machine.

Specializes in affordable, versatile FDM printers with a large user community.

Ideal for beginners and hobbyists seeking easy upgrades and reliable support.

Focuses on high-speed, multi-material printing with advanced automation.

Recommended for users who prioritize productivity and seamless workflows.

Offers both FDM and resin printers known for excellent print resolution.

Suited for detailed prototypes, model making, and users wanting more flexibility.

Produces reliable, enclosed printers designed for consistent results.

Preferred by schools and professionals who value safety and repeatability.

Known for handheld 3D printing pens enabling freeform creation.

Great for educational use, arts, and crafts, allowing easy creative exploration.