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

Typical price i
360.– to 1100.–

Heats and extrudes plastic filament layer by layer to create models.

Offers affordability and versatility, making it ideal for beginners, hobbyists, and rapid prototyping.

Typical price i
210.– to 1300.–

Works similarly to FDM by melting and depositing thermoplastic filament in layers.

Widely used for its reliability and ease of use, suitable for educational, home, or basic industrial projects.

Typical price i
440.– to 710.–

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

Delivers smooth surfaces and fine details, making it ideal for jewelry, dental models, and detailed prototypes.

Typical price i
180.– to 360.–

Cures liquid resin with a digital light projector, producing each layer at once for faster prints.

Produces highly detailed and accurate models quickly, suited for professionals needing precision, such as in dentistry or miniatures.

Typical price i
300.– to 1000.–

Made from renewable resources like corn starch, PLA is easy to print with and has a low melting point.

Ideal for beginners and everyday projects; produces smooth, detailed prints but is less heat-resistant and durable than other materials.

Typical price i
360.– to 1100.–

ABS is a tough plastic known for its higher strength and better heat resistance compared to PLA.

Recommended for functional parts and items that need to withstand wear, but requires a heated bed and emits noticeable fumes during printing.

Typical price i
340.– to 1000.–

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

Suitable for mechanical parts and outdoor use, balancing strength and printability with minimal warping.

Typical price i
340.– to 990.–

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

Best for making phone cases, gaskets, or toys, but can be more challenging to print due to its softness.

Typical price i
270.– to 680.–

Resin is used in SLA or DLP printers to produce highly detailed and smooth prints with fine features.

Great for miniatures, jewelry, or prototypes, but handling requires care as resin can be messy and needs post-processing.

Typical price i
270.– to 680.–

Enables extremely fine layer heights for highly detailed and smooth prints.

Best for intricate models, jewelry, or miniatures where maximum precision is needed, but print times are much longer.

Typical price i
260.– to 3200.–

Produces fine detail with slightly faster print times than 10 microns.

Ideal for professional prototypes and artistic models that require clarity and smooth surfaces.

Typical price i
640.– to 1900.–

Balances good detail and reasonable print speeds, suitable for most high-quality needs.

Well-suited for product prototypes, figurines, and parts where finish quality is important but ultra-high detail is not essential.

Typical price i
340.– to 890.–

Offers faster printing with visible layer lines, delivering moderate detail.

Recommended for functional parts, quick prototypes, or larger objects where speed matters more than fine detail.

Typical price i
300.– to 1100.–

Connects the printer directly to a computer or device via a USB cable.

Offers a stable and simple setup, ideal for individual workstations or direct transfers.

Typical price i
360.– to 1200.–

Enables wireless connection to a local network, allowing remote file transfers and printer management.

Provides flexibility to print from multiple devices anywhere within network range, suitable for collaborative or multi-user environments.

Typical price i
400.– to 2100.–

Connects the printer to a network using an Ethernet cable for wired networking.

Ensures a reliable and fast connection, beneficial for offices or workshops with several users and high data transfer needs.

Typical price i
300.– to 940.–

Allows files to be loaded onto the printer via an SD memory card.

Enables printing without a constant computer or network connection, making it convenient for standalone or mobile setups.

Widely recognized for affordable, customizable printers and a strong user community.

Great for hobbyists and tinkerers who value upgrade options and community support.

Known for advanced technology, high-speed printing, and smart automation features.

Ideal for users seeking premium performance and minimal manual setup.

Popular for offering reliable FDM and resin printers at competitive prices.

Balances ease of use with consistent print results, making it accessible for beginners.

Offers user-friendly, enclosed printers with a focus on safety and reliability.

Suitable for schools, families, and professionals needing dependable plug-and-play devices.

Specializes in 3D printing pens designed for creativity and hands-on learning.

Best for educational settings or creative projects where portability and ease are priorities.