Best 3D Printer for Beginners – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Nowadays, 3D printing is becoming as commonplace in homes as it is in industrial settings. As a result, there are many great choices for novice makers, enthusiasts, and aspiring artists. What are those choices?

We’re glad you asked because we’ve invested a lot of time and effort into finding the best 3D printer for beginners. Scroll down so we can get started! 

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Monoprice is a consumer electronics retailer, which makes it all the more impressive that its in-house brand of 3D printers performs so well. It’s not the cheapest option by any stretch. But if you’re looking for the best 3D printer under 500 dollars, you just found it. 

The first thing about the MP Voxel that catches the eye is how boxy it is. That’s not to say it’s unattractive, but it gives off a functional vibe more than that of space-age chic. 

The 2.8” touch screen display has all the essential functions without overwhelming you, and the controls themselves are quite intuitive and straightforward. The printer has USB connectivity, but also Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity.

As a beginner, you’ll love its fully enclosed build chamber because it helps prevent temperature fluctuations. The large transparent panels and the built-in camera will let you track your prints’ progress every step of the way. 

Finally, the Monoprice MP Voxel is as close as a beginner can get to a plug and play 3D printer. It comes fully assembled, so you could be printing within an hour of opening the box.

Pros:

• Simple touch screen controls
• Assisted leveling system
• Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity
• Built-in camera for print monitoring
• 8GB of internal storage

Cons:

• Screen sometimes fails to register touch

Based in China, Anycubic takes advantage of Shenzhen’s state-of-the-art industrial infrastructure to deliver excellent printers at extremely affordable prices. The i3 Mega S is the upgraded version of the brand’s entry-level model, the i3 Mega, and packs many features into its bulky frame. 

But it’s that bulkiness that makes it one of the best budget 3D printers around. Though its esthetics probably isn’t going to win any design contests, this machine is certainly a sturdy one. It’s remarkably stable, primarily thanks to its rigid metal frame. 

From the first print you complete, you’ll fall in love with Anycubic’s Ultrabase bed. The surface features microporous coating, so your completed prints pop right off as soon as it cools down. 

The LCD touch screen has all the basic functions you’d expect from a beginner 3D printer. In addition, you can upload prints either with an SD card or a USB connection. Since the printer is a little on the noisy side, you might want to keep it in an office or another, separate room. 

It doesn’t have an auto-leveling bed, which is typically a drawback, but this machine is so sturdy that you’ll rarely have to adjust it, and it does have assisted calibration. Overall, given the ample print size and feature set, this starter 3D printer could be the only one you’ll ever need. That is, unless you eventually decide to go pro.

Pros:

• Robust construction
• Specially coated bed for easy part separation
• Excellent print quality
• Great customer support
• Filament sensor included

Cons:

• Quite noisy

Dremel is known for its world-class products it’s been making for almost 90 years. Such a reputable brand with a long history is also one to turn to when you’re buying a 3D printer.

One of the greatest things about the Digilab 3D20 is that it’s designed for use in an educational setting. Why’s that so great? Well, the designers assumed users would have little previous experience, so they created a top-notch, easy to use 3D printer. Everything you need is right there in the box. 

Not only is the machine user-friendly, it’s also esthetically pleasing. Though it’s large, the blue and metallic grey combo make it a showpiece as much as it is a tool. In addition, the entire printing mechanism is enclosed in a case that keeps the hot extruder away from curious fingers and minimizes the possibility of misprints.

It’s slightly expensive for an entry level 3D printer; however, it’s a high-quality item that can last for years with proper maintenance. Additionally, the company offers a 1-year limited warranty as long as you don’t use the printer for commercial purposes, in which case it’s 60 days. 

The 3D20 Idea Builder is easily the best household 3D printer for small projects and introducing kids to 3D printing. Dremel even provides various educational resources on its website, such as expertly developed lesson plans.

Pros:

• Excellent customer service
• 1-year limited warranty
• Educational resources
• Fully enclosed for extra safety
• Very user-friendly

Cons:

• Only supports PLA
• Higher price range 

Flashforge is an established player on the 3D-printing stage, and the Finder is its starter offer. It’s also one of the best-looking beginner 3D printers on this list. Its beveled edges and rounded corners are just as at-home in a garage workshop as in a home office. 

The Finder has an open frame that lets you track your builds’ progress, yet every component is well-isolated. Even the extruder head is encased, and there are no wires precariously hanging within reach. Moreover, the printer has a filament drawer built into the back, so it’s basically self-contained. 

Flashforge has also designed this model to be the easiest 3D printer to use. You can print via Wi-Fi or a cloud platform, and it offers USB connectability as well. You’ll notice its print surface can’t be heated, but it’s easily removable to retrieve completed prints.

One of the Flashforge Finder’s few drawbacks would be its small print size. If you ever move on to larger and more demanding projects, you’ll want to upgrade. Still, if you’re exclusively interested in small-scale printing, this is certainly an ideal entry level 3D printer for you.

Pros:

• Automatic bed-leveling
• Neat and elegant design
• Very quiet
• Built-in filament sensor
• Removable print surface

Cons:

• Print bed can’t be heated

With Elegoo’s Mars, you’re stepping into resin 3D printing. For more information on why that might be a good choice for you, scroll down to the buyer’s guide in this article. But before you do, here’s why we’ve included this printer on our top-9 list.

It might take a while to learn all the ins and outs of this printer but once you do, you’ll love the results. First we must mention the extremely faithful reproductions, which make this the best 3D printer for miniatures and board game accessories. The printer even comes with a membership to MyMiniFactory.com. 

Furthermore, it’s one of the more reliable printers overall, resin or filament. Misprints are rare, thanks in part to its high-quality UV LEDs and sturdy build surface. What’s particularly convenient is that you can use just about any SLA resin that conforms to the UV frequency. Still, for the finest print quality, you may want to go with Elegoo’s highly rated proprietary resin. 

A problem we were happy not to see was the off-gassing typical of even the best 3D printers that use resin. The Mars has a fully covered print area with a silicone rubber seal to prevent the gases from escaping. And it has an extractor fan that pushes air through an activated carbon filter and eliminates most of the resin’s odors.

Pros:

• Remarkable print accuracy
• Active carbon filter
• Lightweight and durable aluminum resin vat  
• MyMiniFactory membership
• Minimal setup required

Cons:

• USB connectivity only

In case you’re keeping track, this is the second printer by Monoprice that made it on the list. Unlike the Monoprice Voxel, this one has a much more bare-bones appearance and space-friendly design. Accordingly, its price is more accessible as well. 

We loved the Select Mini V2 because it’s a 3D printer for beginners with the potential to turn you into a pro. It’s ready to go as soon as you unbox it. You can simply plug it in, pop in the included SD card, and immediately print one of the test files. 

It’s also one of the most customizable printers within its price range. You’ll find no end to the upgrades and mods you can print for it, which will serve as a great way to get started with 3D printing. 

Though it’s meant to be factory-calibrated, you’ll probably have to do some minor tuning when you start using it. That’s admittedly a bit inconvenient since it means manual calibration is required. 

Some of the most frequently stated negative aspects are the product’s smaller print area and the absence of a touch screen. However, even with these drawbacks, this is still an excellent beginner 3D printer for anyone who wishes to break into the world of 3D printing and keep learning. 

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Accepts most third-party filaments
• Compact and efficient use of space
• No assembly required
• Compatible with open-source software

Cons:

• No touch screen
• Small build volume

It’s important to start this 3D printer review by noting that it specifically addresses the Ender V2. Why do we stress this? Well, the original Ender 3 was less-than-stellar in a lot of ways. However, Creality deserves a lot of praise for taking user feedback seriously and creating a much more stable and reliable version. 

Just about in every place the Ender had problems, Creality turned them into strengths, resulting in one of the best budget 3D printers. For instance, users were having problems understanding the Ender’s UI. So, Creality completely redesigned it and installed a new, easy-to-use interface. Moreover, this model requires manual bed leveling, but users generally don’t consider this an issue since it’s done fairly easily when clear instructions are provided.

Since there were also complaints about the original Ender’s nozzle gumming up the filament, the V2 has an improved brass nozzle consistently delivering top-tier performance. The result of all the upgrades is a highly reliable 3D printer for home use within a reasonable price range.

One of the best things the manufacturer did was make the whole thing open-source. Everything from components to software is available for review, so you can use the Ender 3 V2 to learn a lot about this technology and how to work with it. 

There’s not much about the Ender 3 V2 to be dissatisfied with, but you’ll need to invest some effort to set it up. It’s what you might call a 3D printer starter kit—the components are mostly assembled, and you’ll just need to put it all together.

Pros:

• Open-source
• High extruder temperature
• Low-noise stepper motors
• Variety of filaments
• Adjustable track-belt tension

Cons:

• Some assembly required

You won’t find many beginner 3D printers that are quite as versatile as the da Vinci Jr. 3-in-1. First and foremost, this is a high-quality model with all the specifications necessary to back that up. But it can also handle several tasks that most others on this list can’t. 

In addition to 3D printing, the printer also has 3D scanning functions. It has a fully rotating platform for full object scans with a high-resolution laser module. The maximum scan size is about 4.7 x 4.7 inches, which in itself isn’t a lot. However, it’s an important feature for users who want to do some (more advanced) prototyping. 

Moreover, 3D printer reviews frequently mention that the da Vinci Jr. 3-in-1 also has an optional laser engraver add-on. With the output power of 350mW, it’s powerful enough to engrave wood, plastic, leather, cardboard, and paper. The laser engraving process is similar to 3D printing from the user-experience standpoint and relies on the printer’s proprietary software.  

Last but not least, this printer model includes auto-calibration, Wi-Fi connectivity, and material profile optimization. Its only minor drawback is that it imposes a slightly higher learning curve on the user than some other entry-level options. 

Pros:

• Sleek and attractive design
• Automatic material detection and profile setup
• Fully enclosed build chamber
• Auto-calibration
• 3D scanning and (optional) laser engraving

Cons:

• Somewhat bulky
• Higher price range than most other models here

When it comes to Creality and resin printers, it’s hard not to recommend the LD-002R. At first sight it seems like a pretty standard MSLA printer with a modest build size. However, there are several perks which make it the best entry 3D printer for those who want to learn about resin printing. 

For such an affordable price, you might expect mediocre build quality, but that’s not the case. It performs better than many midrange printers. The model features a 2K LCD system with excellent resolution and anti-aliasing. Without getting too technical, anti-aliasing results in far smoother prints without much compromise in other areas.

To put that anti-aliasing to good use, Creality employs UV bulbs in a parallel matrix. Again to avoid getting into the weeds, this kind of bulb distribution means every part of the screen is illuminated evenly and better prints are therefore produced. 

It also has a perforated print bed, which is a nice touch, pushing this printer even further away from being just another basic 3D printer. Perforated print beds provide better adhesion so the model doesn’t fall off and ruin the print, but they’re typically seen on much larger printers. 

One of the subtle drawbacks is that it doesn’t come with any resin, so the material needs to be purchased separately. Some users also point out that the print speed could stand to be a bit higher. Still, overall the Creality LD-002R is considered an excellent combination of reliable and affordable.

Pros:

• Competitive price
• Resin vat with level markings
• Excellent print quality
• Anti-aliasing pixel processing
• Odor-eliminating carbon filter

Cons:

• Resin not included
• Modest print speed

The sphere of 3D printing encompasses a wide range of technologies with numerous applications. Every printer’s design matches different end-goals. Even if you’re just getting started in 3D printing, there’s no turnkey printer option for all users. 

Instead, you’ll need to understand a few fundamental principles that will guide your decision-making process. But don’t worry, we’ve made them all super simple in this brief guide. 

Filament or Resin

The very first decision you should make is whether you want a filament or resin printer. Also, when reading 3D printer reviews, pay close attention to the types of filaments a given printer supports.

Filament Printers

Filament deposition modeling uses a plastic filament that the printer pushes through a heated extruder. In that sense, it’s a bit like a glorified hot glue gun. The plastic melts as it’s extruded, and then rehardens as it’s deposited on the print surface. Layer after layer of this process produces a finished piece. 

This type of printers typically support much larger build sizes than resin. You’ll also want to know that most cheap 3D printers rely precisely on filament deposition.

Resin Printers

These 3D printers use a vat of resin selectively hardened by a light in the correct wavelength. When a layer of resin hardens, more is allowed to flow in, and so forth. The main advantage of using resin printers is print quality. 

Resin prints are generally much smoother and cleaner than even the best 3D printing machine using filament can achieve. The one glaring drawback is the messiness of the process.

You’ll need to work with resin, which a) produces offensive odors and b) will smear and stick to your work surfaces no matter how careful you are. 

Guides on 3D printing for beginners usually recommend starting with a filament printer. But if you have a dedicated workspace, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to handle a resin printer. 

Print Surface

The type and characteristics of a printer’s work surface aren’t crucial aspects. But they’re details that can add a few quality-of-life improvements you’ll definitely notice. 

Enclosed or Open

Some 3D printers have a wholly enclosed build surface. The main advantage of that kind of printer is that you don’t have to worry about environmental conditions. 

Without an enclosure, room temperature and other environmental factors could impact print quality. In contrast, an enclosed print area is ideal for beginner 3D printing because you can set it up anywhere and get controlled work conditions. 

Nevertheless, an open work area has benefits as well. For one, you’ll be better able to track the progress of your prints layer by layer. If your goal is to move up to more advanced printing, open-frame printers are much easier to modify and adapt to specific needs. 

Heated and Perforated Print Bed

At this point in the development of filament printers, a heated print bed is more or less expected, and it’s certainly a feature to look for in the best 3D printers for beginners. It ensures that the foundation is stable and adheres to the print surface. There’s nothing more frustrating than a model getting separated from the print surface mid-build. 

With resin 3D printers, a perforated print surface plays roughly the same role. The first layer of resin will have tiny pegs printed into the surface that won’t let the model fall out. 

Nozzle Temperature

To support certain filament materials, you’ll need to purchase a printer that achieves a specific nozzle temperature to melt them. Although it’s something you can replace with aftermarket parts, you won’t want to do that if you’re just getting started with 3D printing. 

Here’s an abridged list of common materials and their respective temperatures:

Safety Features

There are many potentially dangerous aspects to this type of printing, such as heated metal surfaces, exposed wires, and volatile chemicals. Features like encased extruders, secluded wiring, and auto shut-off functions can be useful in preventing injuries and other hazards. 

Choosing a Reliable Brand 

Our 3D printer reviews focused on manufacturers that provide adequate support and generally stand by their products. You should prioritize brands with some renown, which have a good track record for support and genuinely care about customer feedback. 

The best manufacturers pay attention to their clients’ suggestions and criticism and direct them toward innovativeness and product improvement. Those innovations could eventually end up being substantial upgrades to your printer. 

Build Volume

It should go without saying that you ought to pick a printer that can handle the projects you expect to undertake. For example, if you’re looking for the best 3D printer for cosplay or for automobile parts, you’ll probably want a bigger build volume. Conversely, a printer you’ll use for miniatures doesn’t need to handle large volumes, so you can focus more on build quality. 

Conclusion

Consumer 3D printing technology is still relatively inchoate, but it’s making great strides by the day. And the printer options at this point are so wide-ranging that choosing a 3D printer can be quite overwhelming. Hopefully, our reviews have helped you navigate through that abundance of options and find the very best thing for your skill level.