Recomended 3D Printers

How we got to this list

This is list of the best 3D printers based on the reviews in a number of technological publications, i.e. magazines and a number of technological websites. We took their lists and compared them. From those lists we extracted the common 3D printers.

We then subjected our list to a customer satisfaction scrutiny. The levels of customer satisfaction for each printer was then evaluated according to their reviews on various websites, e.g. Amazon etc.

We narrowed our list down to these six printers and ranked them according to price.

Price is generally one of the most important factors in deciding what to buy. It is the limiting factor in the buying process and unfortunately, as a general rule, the more expensive an item the 'better' the item is. It may have more features, easier to use etc. In our case the more expensive the 3D printer the faster it printed and generally the easier it was to set up.

Another important factor in the choice of our list was the ease at obtaining one of these printers. There are a number of very exciting printers coming to market, particularity exciting is the new laser printers. However they are hard to come by and so we left them off.

We decided that the easiest way of getting one of these printers was to get it delivered to your front door, so all these a available through Amazon.

The list ordered according to price

1. Printrbot Simple Maker Edition Kit - approximately $349.00
2. XYZprinting Da Vinci 1.0 3D Printer - approximately $499.99
3. CTC 3D Printer - approximately $540.00
4. UP! Mini 3D Desktop Printer - approximately $599.99
5. FlashForge Creator 3D Printer (Wood Case) - approximately $977
6. FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro (Metal Case) - approximately $1349

This is a brief overview of the Printrbot Simple Maker Edition Kit, for a far more in-depth discussion of the printer click Printrbot Simple Maker Edition Kit.

This is the entry level 3D printer. It contains just enough to get you started. It is very small with a print bed of 4" x 4" x 4" (10cm x 10cm x 10cm) build volume.

It is Amazon's second most popular 3D printer.

This printer won the 2014 CES Editors' Choice Award Winner - Most Affordable 3D Printer.

It has a fairly large build volume of - 7.8" x 7.8" x 7.8" (20 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm) and has the advantage of being able to print with two types of plastic, either ABS of PLA.

The Da Vinici 3D Printer ships with free filament as the starter kit and free XYZWare software to control the system.

It is Amazon's most popular 3D Printer according to sales

This is my choice of printer

This is a Chinese knock off. Please watch the video for an in-depth review of the 3D Printer. It gives the direction you need to sort out the printing along with the problems and solutions required to use this printer.

The build table is relatively large at 8.9" x 5.7" x 5.9" (225mm x 145mm x 150mm).

The free software is in Chinese but if you listen to the video you can download an English version. Make sure you use the Chinese data files in your English software.

It has a dual extruder and can print using ABS and PLA or PVA filaments

This is a well made easy to use 3D printer. It is fully enclosed making it a pleasure to use, reducing the noise and odour levels.

Can use either ABS or PLA thermoplastic filament (sold separately)

The platform is heated to just over 59 degrees C (125 degrees F) and being enclosed the temperature is far more stable.

The dimensions of the build platform are an acceptable 120 x 120 x 120 mm (4.75 x 4.75 x 4.75 inches)

Vertical (Z-axis) resolution from 200 to 400 microns (0.20 to 0.40 mm)

I like this printer as well. The enclosed print table is big plus.

The FlashForge 3D Printer comes in two variations, the cheaper wooden case and the more robust metal case. The video gives a review of the two side by side giving you a great comparison between the two. The video is of the Creator X but is still relevant to the Creator Pro.
The FlashForge Creator Pro replaces the popular Creator X although the X is still available. The Pro is an improved version of the X.
The biggest advantage of the metal frame over the wood is the stability of the metal frame.The printer uses both ABS and PLA plastics.
The print tray is is big 255mm x 145mm x 150mm (8.8inch x 5.7inch x 5.9inch)
The layer thickness of the plastic is adjustable between 0.1mm and 0.3mm (0.003inch x 0.011inch)
The metal version has acrylic cover enclosing the chamber to reduce noise and odour. This enclosure also reduces temperature fluctuations.