Best 3D Printer for Beginners for All Budgets

Many people have heard about 3D printing. Every day, you can read news about scientists printing a kidney, a house, a spacecraft and almost anything. Because of this, 3D printing seems so complex for the common person.

However, this is a long-standing misconception as today, almost everyone can afford a 3D printer. Moreover, there are tons of resources on how to use them. Many schools are already incorporating 3D printing in their curricular.

Why Do You Need a 3D Printer?

Most activities are passed from generation to generation: mathematics, drawing, football, cutting and others. So, why get yourself or child something that is seemingly difficult to learn?

To begin, 3D printing has become easier than ever. With most printers, you just need to press one button and after a while, you’ll get a finished part printed.

Secondly, any hobby starts small. You cannot become an artist without starting with sketches in a notebook. It’s the same with 3D printing: you can’t become a good engineer without working with technology. A 3D printer can be the first step into the world of engineering, and even art sciences.

In general, understanding the principles of operation of 3D printers and CNC machines expose you to a huge range of specialties.

Finally, a 3D printer can be an add-on to your main hobby. You don’t have to fully understand 3D printing technology to use a 3D printer. For example, if your child is assembling models, then a 3D printer will be a great addition, since you can print additional parts or entire assembly kits on it.

Benefits of a 3D Printer

In addition to the above educational benefits, a 3D printer also has utilitarian purpose. For example, you can use it to print things that you cannot get in other ways. Let’s say you have a broken hardware fixture in the car. It is quite rare to find such a detail on sale. You can make a model of the hardware and print it, perhaps even improving it.

A 3D printer can be used to make gifts: boxes with a labyrinth, vases, figurines and even paintings! The scope of items is limited only by your imagination and the capabilities of a 3D printer.

Therefore, it is important to choose a 3D printer that will not limit your imagination.

Choosing a 3D Printer for Beginners

Different 3D printers have their pros and cons, i.e., there is no perfect printer. Therefore, you need to choose the appropriate model based on your preferences.

The main features of 3D printer to consider are: 3D printing technology, print area size, and maximum print bed and nozzle temperatures. The features will simply affect the print time or the types of materials that can be used.

For beginners and children, the most important feature to look for in a 3D printer are security, or rather openness. Older children can be given a printer with more functionality and capabilities. However, it will require more care.

On the other hand, small children can be given a simple and understandable printer, albeit with fewer features.

Below are the best 3D printers for beginners.

Best 3D Printers for Kids (Ages 8-12)

The best 3D printers for kids are entry level options. Their purpose is to show the child what 3D printing is and how to work with it. These printers have some limitations, but are easy to use and maintain. This will allow the child to deal with them on their own with minimal help from adults.

Wanhao Duplicator I3 Mini

The Wanhao Duplicator I3 Mini 3D printer is a reliable entry-level device. The kit contains everything you need to start printing out of the box. The printer does not have a heated bed. This reduces the likelihood of burns and also allows you to safely set up the bed while printing.

With this 3D printer, you can print with any materials that do not require heating the table (PLA, SBS, and others). We recommend this 3D printer for children from ages 8 to 12 years.

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Main Features

• Print technology: FDM / FFF
• Print area: 120 × 135 × 100mm
• Maximum extruder temperature: 260 ° C
• Maximum table temperature: without table heating
• Printing movement speed: 10-70mm / s

Pros

• Easy to use
• Small size
• Low cost

Cons

• Small print area
• Low speed

Anycubic Mega-S

The Anycubic Mega-S is a classic first choice for beginners, thanks to its versatility. The printer has an intuitive operation with a touch screen, middle print area and a heated table. The heated bed allows printing with more demanding plastics such as ABS, PETG, HIPS and others.

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Main Features

• Print technology: FDM / FFF
• Print area: 210 x 210 x 205 mm
• Maximum extruder temperature: 260 ° C
• Maximum table temperature: 110 ° C
• Printing movement speed: 10-100 mm / s

Pros

• Versatility
• Heated table
• Large print area

Cons

• Takes up a lot of space

Anycubic Photon Mono 4K

Unlike the other 3D printers on our list, the Anycubic Photon Mono 4K prints by curing the resin using ultraviolet light (SLA/DLP). This technology achieves incredible accuracy compared to printers that use FDM/FFF technology.

However, after printing, it is necessary to process the model, i.e., to clean it from the resin residue. Therefore, we only recommend this printer to users that are not absolute beginners. Read our guide on how to post process resin 3D prints.

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Main Features

• Print technology: SLA / DLP
• Print area: 130 x 80 x165 mm
• Display resolution: 2560×1620 (2K)
• Print speed: up to 50 mm / h

Pros

• Small size
• Accuracy

Cons

• It uses resin
• Small print area

FlashForge Finder

The FlashForger finder offers outstanding reliability. This model uses CoreXY kinematics and, therefore, the print speed can reach 150 mm/s. Thanks to its small size and body material (high-strength plastic), this printer can be easily moved. Moreover, it comes fully assembled, allowing you to print right out of the box.

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Main Features

• Print technology: FDM / FFF
• Print area: 140 x 140 x 140 mm
• Maximum extruder temperature: 250°C
• Maximum table temperature: None
• Printing movement speed: 10-150mm/s

Pros

• Fast print speed
• Compactness
• Mobility

Cons

• No heated table

FlyingBear Ghost 5

The FlyingBear Ghost 5 uses CoreXY kinematics, which allows travel speeds of up to 150mm/s during printing. The X and Y axes have TMC2208 drivers, which greatly reduces the overall noise during operations.

The menu allows you to customize the printer any way you want. Moreover, sSince the printer has a partially closed case, you can not be afraid of drafts when printing.

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Main Features

• Print technology: FDM/FFF
• Print area: 255 x 210 x 200 mm
• Maximum extruder temperature: 260°C
• Maximum table temperature: 110°C
• Printing movement speed: 10-150mm/s

Pros

• Fast print speed
• Heated table
• Huge print area

Cons

• Takes up a lot of space
• Complexity of repair

This category contains 3D printers that tend to border over to the professional category. Therefore, it may take some experience to use all their functionality. These are the 3D printers we recommend for users that are not absolute beginners.

 Creality3D Ender 3

The Creality Ender 3D printer is popular for its robustness and highly modifiable capabilities. However, without the upgrades or modifications, the Ender 3 is an unremarkable printer with no distinctive features.

The unit is shipped as an assembly kit. Therefore, you may need some help in the beginning to assemble it. However, after assembly, you can figure out the printing process on your own thanks to a large number of video tutorials and text instructions available for the Ender 3.

AVAILABLE ON CREALITY | AMAZON

Main Features

• Print technology: FDM/FFF
• Print area: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
• Maximum extruder temperature: 255°C
• Maximum table temperature: 100°C
• Printing movement speed: 10-60 mm / s

Pros

• Ease of use
• Can be modified

Cons

• Assembly required

Phrozen Sonic 4K

The Phrozen Sonic 4K is an outstanding representative of SLA/DLP printers. Thanks to the 4K display, this printer has the highest printing accuracy of all printers in this top. But to use this accuracy, high-quality models are needed.

Also, the 3D printer has software specially developed for it. Therefore, you will not have any difficulties when working with it.

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Main Features:

• Print technology: SLA/DLP
• Print area: 134 x 75 x 200 mm
• Display Resolution: 4096 × 3072 (4K)
• Print speed: up to 90 mm/h

Pros

• Reliability
• Small size
• Outstanding accuracy

Cons

• Uses resin
• Small print area

Wanhao Duplicator 6 Plus

The Wanhao Duplicator 6 Plus is a modification of the beloved Duplicator 6 printer. The modifications include the addition of auto-calibration and the resume print function, which allows resuming printing after a power outage. The latter can help preserve a part that took many hours to print.

Due to the wide use of connectors, repairing this 3D printer will consist only in reinstalling spare parts without using a soldering iron and other special tools.

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Main Features:

• Print technology: FDM/FFF
• Print area: 200 x 200 x 180mm
• Maximum extruder temperature: 260°C
• Maximum table temperature: 120°C
• Printing movement speed: 10-150mm / s

Pros

• Reliability
• Ease of repair
• Sturdy frame

Cons

• Heavy weight

Flashforge Adventurer 3

The Flashforge Adventurer 3 is quite close to the category of professional 3D printers. Apart from excellent performance, the Adventurer 3 impresses with its many additional features: Wi-Fi connectivity, a built-in camera that allows you to shoot amazing time lapses, auto calibration, a flexible removable table and a filament end sensor.

Despite its simple appearance, the printer has an intuitive operation that beginners can understand.

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Main Features:

• Print technology: FDM / FFF
• Print area: 150 x 150 x 150 mm
• Maximum extruder temperature: 240°C
• Maximum table temperature: 100°C
• Printing movement speed: 10-100 mm/s

Pros

• Reliability
• Great functionality
• Easy to use

Minuses:

• Relatively small print area
• Big size

 Anycubic Mega Pro

The Anycubic Mega Pro is an improved version of the Anycubic Mega-S. The most important improvement is the laser engraving module. That is, now, in addition to 3D printing, a CNC engraver is available. The engraver can be used to burn drawings and inscriptions on wood, paper and leather.

Also worth noting is the auto-calibration sensor and the built-in multi-color printing function.

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Main Features:

• Print technology: FDM / FFF
• Print area: 210 x 210 x 205 mm
• Maximum extruder temperature: 260°C
• Maximum table temperature: 100°C
• Printing movement speed: 10-100 mm / s

Pros

• Laser module
• Versatility
• High quality

Cons

• Relatively low engraving speed

3D Printer Accessories and Spare parts

Almost every 3D printer can be improved by replacing some parts or using additional equipment. Sometimes, you will need to service and repair the printer.  it needs to be serviced and repaired. To save time, it is better to buy all the necessary spare parts in advance.

Fortunately, 3D printer spare parts are relatively cheap compared to the cost of the printer. Below are the main accessories you will need to repair or improve your printer.

Nozzles

The main part of the printer that determines the print quality is the nozzle. This is the part through which the filament passes. To improve the print quality, you can replace the nozzle with a similar one, but of a smaller diameter.

There are two types of nozzles: short and long. The difference between them is the length of the part outside the hotend. Also, keep in mind that manufacturers often make special nozzles designed for specific 3D printers or models.  Therefore, it is important to select the correct nozzle and then select the required diameter.

If you want to have several nozzles at once to perform different tasks, then it is better to take 2 nozzles with a diameter of 0.4 mm for standard tasks, 3 nozzles with a diameter of 0.2-0.3 mm for more precise products and 2 nozzles with a diameter of 0.5-0.6 mm to save time on models.

If you want to print with composite plastic (for example, filled with wood or metal), you cannot do so without steel nozzles. Wood and metal-filled plastics are distinguished by their abrasiveness, i.e., they can grind down the nozzle during printing.

Since brass is a relatively weak metal, when printing with such plastics, the nozzle will only last for 4-5 hours of printing. After that, the hole diameter will increase uncontrollably, and the print quality will drop significantly.

Sometimes, the nozzle will clog up due to dust settling on the plastic. When this happens, you can either replace it or purchase a set of drills to clean the nozzle. To use the drills, heat the extruder where the clogged nozzle is located, and carefully clean it from the outside. You can then continue printing.

Be careful as these drills are very fragile. Do not push them too hard. If they break, you can get burned!

Glue

In 3D printing, glue is used not only for glueing objects together, but also to increase the adhesion of plastic to the table.

The success of 3D printing depends on how firmly the model is held on the table. However, some plastics do not adhere well to the table. This is why many printers have heated tables. Sometimes even the heating of the table is not enough. In such a case, various adhesives are used.

There are many types of adhesives you can use in 3D printing. These include those that are in the form of a spray, in the form of a “pencil” and others. For adhesives, it is better to use special formulations, since they are guaranteed to be safe and work with a large number of plastics.

Drying Plastic

Any filament can absorb moisture from the air to varying degrees. Such filaments will produce low quality models. Therefore, it is very important to make sure the filament is dry.

If you have a large number of plastics, it will be very difficult to constantly dry each one. To facilitate this task, you can use the ESUN eBOX . With it, you can quickly dry plastic and start printing without removing the filament from the device.

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Post-Processing

After printing the model on an SLA printer, you need to remove excess resin from the surface of the model and light the material so that it completely cures. For this task, you can use homemade UV lamps or even nail dryers. However, these options do not take into consideration the toxic fumes produced by the resin.

A better equipment for post-processing resin models is a special camera, such as the Anycubic Wash & Cure. The unit allows you to clean the model without removing it from the table, thereby minimizing the likelihood of resin getting on the skin. Immediately after cleaning the model and removing it from the table, you can cure it in the same device.

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Conclusion

To find the best 3D printer, you have to consider your needs. If you want to introduce your child to the world of 3D printing, the FlashForge Finder or the FlyingBear Ghost 5 3D printers are the best choices.

If you need a 3D printer for hobby work, we recommend the Anycubic Mega Pro. And if you need to print high quality models, the best options would be SLA 3D printers, such as the Anycubic Photon Mono 4K or Phrozen Sonic 4K.

Also, do not forget about additional accessories that will help you use your 3D printer: spare nozzles, glue, a filament drying chamber and a device for post-processing of parts printed on an SLA printer.