Best 3D Printer for Beginners
3D printers are all the rage, with tons of applications from art to food and even organ printing. While 3D printing may sound challenging, there are tons of different 3D printers for beginners. Armed with the proper tools, tutorials, and software, getting started with 3D printing is pretty simple. But arguably most important is a 3D printer itself. Check out the best 3D printers for beginners!
1. Elegoo Neptune 3D Printer
The Elegoo Neptune is my go-to for 3D printing. This FDM 3D printer comes semi-assembled, and setup only takes about 5 to 10 minutes. There's a Titan extruder for extremely accurate extrusion, and an excellent filament drive with support for the majority of filament types including ABS, TPU, and PLA. Its Carbide glass build platform offers superb adhesion while printing, and quick, easy removal when finished.Nifty features include a built-in SD card slot, and auto-resume feature. With its auto-resume functionality, if you run out of filament during a print job you can simply load more filament, fire it up, and the in-progress print should continue. The Elegoo Neptune comes packaged with Cura for its slicing software which has become the industry standard for 3D printing software. Overall, the Neptune FDM 3D printer boasts simple set up, an affordable price point, and a solid feature set, making it one of the best 3D printers for beginners.
2. Creality Ender3Pro
Similarly, the Creality Ender3Pro arrives in a semi-kit. Putting the Ender 3 Pro together remains easy enough for beginners, and it functions flawlessly with most slicers including the Slic3er Prusa Edition. Once set up, you'll be printing in a matter of minutes.Because of the easy assembly, high-quality print jobs, and large user community, the Creality Ender3Pro is a great pick for beginners. Not only is this a fantastic option for those new to 3D printing, but it's one of the best 3D printers under $500.
3. XYZprinting da Vinci Mini
While the XYZprinting da Vinci Mini may appear plucked from the Little Tykes lineup of toys, this beginner-friendly 3D printer means business. Its initial price is low, and filament is affordable. Test prints came out perfectly, and for a budget 3D printer, the da Vinci Mini packs in tons of features. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and USB. For a plunge into 3D printing that doesn't break the bank, the XYZprinting da Vinci Mini is a fantastic pick.4. Elegoo Mars
Although the most common 3D printers are filament-based, resin 3D printers offer improved print quality. These SLA printers are often a bit pricey though. But the Elegoo Mars clocks in around $500. That's an incredible value, especially for a resin 3D printer.5. Monoprice MP Mini Delta
While Monoprice may be best-known for its array of affordable HDMI cables. However, Monoprice offers its MP Mini Delta, one of the best 3D printers under 500 dollars you can buy. Build quality and portability make the Monoprice MP Mini Delta an excellent choice. Moreover, the Mini Delta touts fast, high-quality 3D prints. It's arguably better than the Maker Select and Maker Select Plus.6. Monoprice MP Select Mini
Whereas its MP Mini Delta delivers a portable, easy-to-use 3D printer, the MP Select Mini offers a slightly larger 3D printer that still maintains a small footprint. The MP Select Mini is cheap but doesn't skimp on built quality or print quality. Instead, it's a shockingly competent little 3D printer. With stellar value, ease of use, and feature-rich hardware, the Monoprice MP Select Mini is a beginner-friendly 3D printer.Best 3D Printers for Beginners: Final Thoughts
3D printing doesn't have to be difficult, and selecting a beginner-caliber 3D printer is one of the best ways to simplify the journey. Since many websites offer free or inexpensive 3D printable models, you won't even need to design your own models. Instead, just download a few 3D printable models and start printing. I highly recommend the Elegoo Neptune for filament printing, though you can't go wrong with the Creality Ender 3 Pro. Monoprice offers a handful of affordable printers, and the Elegoo Mars is easily the best resin-based 3D printer on the market.
Moe Long is an editor, writer, and tech buff with a particular appreciation for Linux, Raspberry Pis, and retro gaming. Writing online since 2013, Moe has bylines at MakeUseOf, TechBeacon, DZone, SmartHomeBeginner, DEV.to, DVD Netflix, and Electropages. You can read his writings on film and pop culture at Cup of Moe, check out his tech reviews, guides, and tutorials at Tech Up Your Life, and hear his thoughts on movies on the Celluloid Fiends podcast. Aside from writing and editing, Moe has an online course, the Beginner's Guide to Affiliate Blogging From Scratch. When he's not hammering away at his keyboard, he enjoys running, reading, watching cinema, listening to vinyl, and playing with his dog Sebastian.
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