best 3d printers
3D printers print 3D models, in a process called Additive Manufacturing or AM. This process uses computer control to lay successive layers of material to build a 3D model.
ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and the more eco friendly PLA (Polylactic acid or polylactide) both plastics, are the most common materials used, but increasingly almost any material can be printed, from food to metal, just not necessarily at home.
The most widely adopted 3D print file format is .stl which can be exported from most 3D modelling and scanning applications. As well as creating 3D models yourself you can download a huge selection from sites such as makerbot’s Thingiverse.com.
As with conventional 2D printers resolution and size is all important. A high resolution will produce a higher quality print than a low one, and a large print bed may be more convenient enabling you to print your objects in one go rather than splitting the print over several parts.
If you’re in the market for a home 3D printer then there’s a lot to consider: single colour, dual or more, do you need a 3D scanner, physical size and weight is always an issue if space is at a premium, high quality or speedy printing and of course price. Here we take a look at ten of the best based on price.
1. CubePro Trio
Best for three colour, three material printing at an incredible price
Price: About £3075 / $4299
Buy: Amazon | Dabs | Nigel OHara | Cubify
The bulk of home 3D printers are limited to one or two colour printing, but the CubePro Trio has the capability to print three different materials in one session. This can be especially useful if you want to create an enclosed mechanism. Nylon can be used for the gears, ABS for the surround and PLA for the support structure that can then be dissolved with caustic soda. The CubePro is an ideal solution for modellers and engineers who need to create 3D prints with moving parts.
2. AirWolf 3D HD2x
Recommended for dual stand alone printing
Price: £2685 / $3995
Buy: Amazon | AirWolf 3D
The AirWolf 3D HD2x is a sleek multi material printer designed with prototyping at its heart. The dual material and colour printing make this printer stand out as does the huge 11" x 8" X 12" print area, an ideal choice for prototyping. The design features a semi enclosed structure to protect the plastic during the print process and for absolute convenience print files can be loaded direct from an SD for autonomous printing without a computer. A great choice for product designers who need a large print bed and choice of colour and material
3. MakerBot Replicator 3D Printer (5th Generation)
Great for higher level education
Price: £2,639, $2,899
Buy: Robo Savy | Amazon | MakerBot
Makerbot are one of the best known 3D printer manufacturers, and that’s all due to the Replicator. It was one of the first production printers to look like a conventional product rather than something that had been built in a garage. Its ease of use, consistent print quality and auto calibration features make this a popular choice. Now on the 5th generation the semi-enclosed enclosure, slick design and huge support community make this a very tempting choice for anyone in the education market as well as high end home enthusiasts.
4. Ultimaker 2
Good for the home modeller
Price: £1,818.00 / $2499
Buy: Robo Savy | Amazon | Dream 3D
The original Ultimaker arrived in kit form which appealed to many DIY enthusiasts who wanted to put together their own machines and see how the technology worked. The 2nd generation comes pre-built as a finished and configured product. Design and ease of use are at its heart with the excellent Cura software from Ultimaker making adjusting settings and print quality simple. Print quality and times are good but it’s the lack of noise that really appeals, especially for longer prints, making it an ideal choice for the home.
5. Wanhao D5S Large
Ideal for tall prints
Price: £1,596.00 / $2373
Buy: Amazon | Robo Savy | Technology Outlet
Print size is a consistent issue across printers, so if you want a larger print it often means splitting your models into several different sections and then fixing them together later. The Wanhao has a decent size print base of 29cm x 19cm but it’s the height of 59cm that really stands out. The Wanhao doesn’t feature a heated print bed so is best used with PLA for fine printing rather than the stronger ABS plastic, but if you’re into printing figures, building or just want to print big then the price is exceptional.
6. SeeMeCNC – Orion
Amazing to watch and optional touch tablet
Price:£1,320.00 / $1964
Buy: Amazon | Robo Savy | See Me CNC
The SeeMCNC Orion takes a different approach to most other 3D Printers with a mechanism that sees the print head suspended between 3 legs, it also features a circular rather than more common print bed. Watching it create a print is spectacular. This printer also packs in a heated print bed and the ability to be controlled with the use of the Android based MatterControl Touch pad. This is the choice if you want something a bit different.
7. UP! Plus 2 3D Printer
Pure simplicity in a printer
Price: £1249 / $1782
Buy: Maplin | Amazon | PP3DP
The UP! features one of the smallest footprints of any 3D printer on the market and it’s pure simplicity of design is almost unrivaled. Quality is no issue and the printers build and design provides good quality prints, although the size does restrict the bed size to 14cm x 14 x 13.5cm. There’s little setup needed with full automatic calibration making this a great choice for anyone just wanting a discrete 3D printer that can easily be moved and stored until needed.
8. BEEVERYCREATIVE – BEETHEFIRST
One for work and home
Price: £1,140.00 / $1643
Buy: RoboSavy | Amazon | Go Print 3D
In general terms 3D printers are designed as boxes with purpose, however BeeTheFirst has created a printer with both quality of print and actual design in mind. This is a machine that really wouldn’t look out of place in any modern living room. They have also thought about how and where people will be wanting to use their printers at work, home or both, so have incorporated a thin design with handle that enables the printer to be easily lifted and transported.
9. LulzBot Mini 3D Printer
Recommended for the true home print enthusiast
Price: £925 / $1350
Buy: Amazon | Lulzbot
LulzBot printers are based on projects from the Open Source community and the printers and company reflect this ethos. 3D Printed components are part of this printer’s build and while this is a nice acknowledgment to its RipRap project origin, it also gives this printer a bit of street cred, while not forsaking quality. The Mini’s compact size and 15.2cm x 15.2cm x 15.8cm print area and exceptional price make this an ideal home printer.
10. XYZprinting Da Vinci 1.0 AiO All-in-One 3D Printer
Good all in one solution
Price: £599 / $799
Buy: Amazon | Best Buy | Newegg
Creating your own 3D models rather than downloading can be complex, requiring specialist software and skill. XYZ Printing make printers aimed at the education market and the AiO is an all-in-one solution that offers both printing and scanning. Simply pop an object you want to print in the scanner and the XYZ software will create a 3D model that you can then send back to the machine to print. The XYZ printers are large and fully enclosed making them an ideal and safe choice as an introductory printer for education.
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