Dear reader,
I‘m thrilled you want to get into 3D printing! As an experienced maker, I remember how confusing and intimidating this world can seem initially.
So I put this guide together based on my 5+ years helping newcomers find the perfect entry-level 3D printers. My goal is to simplify the research process for you by breaking down the key factors to consider and revealing the best options across budgets.
Get ready to enter an exciting new dimension of creativity!
How to Select the Best 3D Printer as a Beginner
With so many printer models out there boasting an alphabet soup of features, allow me to demystify the process for you based on a methodical framework I guide all my students through:
1. Set Your Budget Expectations
Desktop 3D printers for home and classroom use start at about $180 nowadays and go upwards of $4,000+. As with most gear, what you spend impacts the quality, capabilities and reliability you get.
Entry-level Budget – $180 to $300
Great for getting basic familiarity. But don‘t expect refined performance or durability.
Mid-Range Workhorses – $300 to $500
The sweet spot for most enthusiasts starting out. Balances print quality, speed and robustness.
High-End Prosumers – $500+
For business, education and professional applications needing maximized performance.
Consider what you hope to prototype and how quickly you intend to scale skills before deciding on amount to invest upfront.
You can always start low and upgrade components like extruders and hot ends as technical competence and funding permits. The open source community makes this conveniently doable.
2. Determine Ideal Print Bed Size For Your Needs
Bed size essentially indicates max dimensions of objects the printer can produce in a single job. Typical build volumes for desktop devices are:
- 150 x 150 x 150 mm
- 220 x 220 x 250 mm
- 300 x 300 x 300 mm and above
Larger is naturally better but comes at a higher cost. I always counsel newbies to start at 150 mm minimum (for keychains, game pieces, basic tools etc) and scale up only when feeling limited during use.
3. Assess Supported Filament Materials Carefully
The two most popular thermoplastics used are:
PLA – Made from plant starch, prints at low 200°C temperatures. Limited thermal/temperature resistance but great for beginners.
ABS – Petroleum-based requiring 250°C+ heat. More durable, flexible and heat/ moisture-resistant but needs an enclosed, ventilated printer to limit nasty fumes emitted.
Other notable filament materials include:
- PETG – Stronger than PLA with smooth ABS-like finish
- TPU – Flexible like rubber allowing bendable prints
- Wood, metal and carbon fiber PLA composites for exotic visual/tactile effects
I always have newcomers start with regular PLA plastic because it prints easily without nasty odors on most hardware. As you gain experience, branching into more exotic composites like glow-in-the-dark, magnetic iron PLA or conductive ABS introduce exciting possibilities!
4. Open vs. Enclosed Frame Printers
Desktop FDM printers come in two basic mechanical designs:
Open Frame – Exposes key components allowing adjustment access but releases some odor/particles during printing with materials like ABS. Generally cheaper as well.
Fully Enclosed – Seals components within vented cases mitigating unwanted emissions and noise. Costlier but preferred for classrooms, offices and home use when appearance matters. Some include integrated HEPA and activated carbon filtration to further limit odors when processing common polymers.
If planning to exclusively use PLA initially, an open frame design will work fine and cost less. I suggest stepping up to an enclosed system only if wanting to also utilize ABS and other composites down the road.
5. Understand Key Printer Specifications Relevant to Beginners
Beyond obvious stats like dimensions and weight, here are some additional terms useful to comprehend when comparing different models:
- Print Resolution – Indicates minimum layer height achievable measured in microns or millionths of a meter. Typical numbers range anywhere from 50 microns to 300 microns for desktop printers. Lower means finer detailes are renderable.
- Positioning Accuracy – How precisely the extruder head moves in X, Y and Z planes to deposit material. ±0.011 mm or below is solid.
- Maximum Print Speed – Speed achievable when doing basic quality prints measured in mm/s. 40-60 mm/s is common for beginner-grade hardware.
- Connectivity – Important for sending print files to device. Look for USB, WiFi, Ethernet and SD card capability.
- Noise – Measured in decibels emitted during active printing. Under 50dB is considered minimal and preferred.
- Heated Print Bed – Crucial for securing ABS plastic adhesion up to 100°C+. Other materials stick at lower 60-70°C temps.
Let‘s now look at some of the best entry-level 3D printers matching the above wisdom…
Reviews of 15 Best Beginner 3D Printers Under $500
Based on hundreds of hours testing gear with students and monitoring community experiences, I feels these devices offer tremendous value for money.
Top Budget Options Under $300
Want capable basic printing without breaking the bank? Here are my top recommendations:
Monoprice Voxel 3D Printer
- WiFi connectable for remote printing
- Touchscreen interface simplifies usage
- Fully-enclosed for safer operation
- Above average 150 mm cubic build area
- Around 50 dB noise production
With 600+ positive reviews averaging 4.5/5 stars on Amazon, this is a proven machine for novices seeking good value. Setup and calibration may require some learning but excellent Monoprice documentation and videos get you printing fast. Well suited for classrooms too thanks to low noise signature and small footprint.
Rating: 4.5 ⭐ | Price: $249
ELEGOO Neptune 2 3D Printer
- Self-developed slicing software simplifies printing
- Quiet stepper motor drivers below 50dB
- Accurate auto bed-leveling capability
- User-friendly touch screen for convenience
- Prints common materials like PLA, ABS, PETG nicely
As one of the top selling entry-printers under $200 in 2022, the Neptune 2 punches way above its weight. Testers and owners praise the sturdy all-metal construction, hassle-free operation and stability of the open frame design. Supported by an engaged community too for upgrades, accessories and troubleshooting as skills progress.
Rating: 4.7 ⭐ | Price: $189
Anycubic Mega Zero 2.0 3D Printer
- Patented hotend design for steady extrusion
- Compatible with common slicers like Cura
- Contains popular TMC2208 stepper drivers
- Sturdy metal frame with acrylic covers
- Heated bed reaches 110°C for flexibility
Evolving from earlier iterations, the Mega Zero 2.0 provides amazing value for money as attested by 900+ satisfied Amazon reviewers. Everything works out of the box with minor assembly and calibration. Anycubic also offers exceptional support resources like manuals and an engaged forum community. Ideal choice for STEM education and starter printing applications.
Rating: 4.5 ⭐ | Price: $185
Mid-Range Goldilocks Options $300 – $500
Want significant upgrades in print fidelity, speed and reliability without overspending? Consider these…
Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ 3D Printer
- Open source with amazing community support
- Print speed boost with Bondtech extruder
- Removable spring steel sheet print bed
- SuperPINDA auto bed leveling probe
- Multi-material upgradeable with addon modules
Czech outfit Prusa Research is revered for making workhorse printers accessible to mortals! This MK3S+ model improves on already proven credentials of the MK3 lineup. Reviewers praise the easy 5 minute setup, reliability of prints and overall polished experience belying the pricing. Parts are readily sourced too thanks to release of all documentation.
Rating: 4.8⭐ | Price: $399
Flashforge Adventurer 3 Lite 3D Printer
- Plug-and-print simplicity with assisted setup
- Touchscreen and WiFi monitoring camera
- FlashCloud app controls printer remotely
- HEPA filter minimizes ultrafine particle emissions
- Good 120 mm/s print speed on small builds
Flashforge has always prided itself on delivering premium features scaled for home and classroom usage. This Adventurer 3 Lite keeps up the tradition with enclosure filtration and a camera for monitoring prints remotely. Reviewers like the relatively quiet operation, built-in storage drawer and overall compact footprint.
Rating: 4.6⭐ | Price: $379
ANYCUBIC Vyper 3D Printer
- Auto bed leveling for fuss-free printing
- Above average 80 mm/s print speed capability
- Sturdy profile via dual Z axis rails
- Compatible with common slicers like Cura
- Touchscreen user interface for convenience
Anycubic‘s Vyper impresses buyers with its rapid printing, wifi monitoring and self-leveling capability. Everything adheres well to the carborundrum glass print bed. Customers also appreciate Anycubic‘s responsive support through community forums and documentation. Ideal for enthusiasts seeking quality results fast with minimum hassle.
Rating: 4.7⭐ | Price: $429
With exceptional devices now available under $500, newcomers to 3D printing are truly spoiled for choice! Do your homework about use cases and user experience before purchase.
And don‘t hesitate to ping me for any other insights needed to pick the perfect starter machine.
Happy printing ahead!
