Have you been thinking about buying a 3D printer? This 3D printer comparison table will help you choose. In this emerging "maker" industry, numbers are very important. What if somebody tells you he makes the world's cheapest 3D printer? Well, it all depends on the price per volume. A good average guide is approximately $2 per cubic inch of printer volume. You can sort the columns of this comparison table to find the specs that matter to you. Scroll down for a detailed explanation on the abbreviations used.
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Printer Name |
Type |
X |
Y |
Z |
Print Vol |
Price, $ |
$/Vol |
Features |
Res |
Ext |
Filaments |
Buy US |
Buy UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3dmakerworld Artifex |  |
9 | 12.2 | 7.5 | 823.50 | 1,895.00 | 2.30 | OEM software, G-code gen compatible with opensource 3d soft, heated bed, 3-point levelling system, dual fan | 50 - 300 | 1 | ABS, PLA |  |
 |
| Afinia H-Series | |
5.5 | 5.5 | 5.25 | 158.81 | 1,299.00 | 8.18 | OEM software, portable, auto-levelling feature | 150 - 400 | 1 | ABS | |
|
| Airwolf AW3D HD | |
12 | 8 | 12 | 1152.00 | 2,995.00 | 2.60 | OEM software, Slic3r Gcode gen, heated bed, high resolution, multiple materials, jam-resistant hot end | 60 | 2 | ABS, HIPS, PLA, Nylon, PVA, LayWOOD-3, Soft PLA, TPE, LAYBRICK, BendLay, T-glase | |
|
| Airwolf AW3D HDx | |
12 | 8 | 12 | 1152.00 | 3,495.00 | 3.03 | OEM software, Slic3r Gcode gen, heated bed, hi-res, Polycarb compatible, jam-resistant hot end able to sustain 315 C | 60 | 2 | ABS, HIPS, PLA, Nylon, Nylon Bridge, Polycarbonate, PVA, LayWOOD-3, Soft PLA, TPE, LAYBRICK, BendLay, T-glase | |
|
| Airwolf AW3D XL | |
12 | 8 | 7 | 672.00 | 2,295.00 | 3.42 | OEM software, Slic3r Gcode gen, heated bed, Borosilicate glass plate | 80 | 1 | ABS, HIPS, PLA, Nylon, PVA, LayWOOD-3, Soft PLA, TPE, LAYBRICK, BendLay, T-glase | |
|
| Cubify Cube2 381000 | |
5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 166.38 | 1,595.00 | 9.59 | Not one of the best 3d printers, OEM software, wireless, safe for kids | 200 | 1 | ABS, PLA | |
|
| Glacier Summit | |
16 | 16 | 18 | 4608.00 | 5,795.00 | 1.26 | ReplicatorG software, STL and AMF files, print from an SD card, max 400 C temperature, enclosed aluminium frame | 50 - 500 | 2 | |
- | |
| Ink BeThink Studio 3D | |
7 | 7 | 5.9 | 289.10 | 611.00 | 2.11 | OEM software for printing and slicing, supports stl and gcode, made in Europe | 100 | 1 | ABS, PLA | |
|
| LulzBot TAZ 4 | |
11.7 | 10.8 | 9.8 | 1238.33 | 2,194.95 | 1.77 | Open source, heated bed, print from an SD card, additional filament: nylon, Laywood, Laybrick, NinjaFlex (rubber) | 75 - 350 | 1 | ABS, PLA, HIPS, PVA, Laywood, Laybrick | |
|
| Makerbot replicator 2 | |
11.2 | 6 | 6.1 | 409.92 | 1,999.00 | 4.88 | Soon out of stock, OEM software, wear-resistant bearings | 100 | 1 | |
- | |
| Makerbot Replicator 2X | |
9.8 | 6.3 | 5.9 | 364.27 | 2,499.00 | 6.86 | OEM software, enclosed, print from an SD card, supports stl and obj files | 100 | 2 | PLA, ABS, Flexible, Dissolvable | |
|
| Makerbot replicator mini | |
3.9 | 3.9 | 4.9 | 74.53 | 1,375.00 | 18.45 | OEM software, wi-fi connectivity, on-board camera | 200 | 1 | PLA, ABS, Flexible, Dissolvable | |
|
| Makers Toolworks MendelMax | |
9.05 | 12.2 | 8.86 | 981.54 | 2,195.00 | 2.24 | Made to order only, Open Source, all metal hot-end, heated bed, aluminum build plate and frame | 100 - 400 | 1 | PLA, ABS, HIPLA, IMPLA, flexible filament | |
|
| ORION Delta 3D Printer | |
6 | 6 | 9 | 324.00 | 1,374.00 | 4.24 | Open source, heated bed, SD card and LCD control for PC-free printing | 50 | 1 | PLA, ABS Taulman Nylon | |
|
| Portabee GO | |
4.7 | 6.3 | 4.7 | 139.17 | 595.00 | 4.28 | Folding aluminium case, portable | 50 | 1 | PLA | |
|
| Printrbot Go v2 Large | |
24 | 12 | 12 | 3456.00 | 1,999.00 | 0.58 | Open source, heated bed, Raspberry PI Wi-fi control, auto-level | 3 | ABS, PLA | |
|
|
| Printrbot Go v2 Medium | |
16 | 8 | 8 | 1024.00 | 1,699.00 | 1.66 | Open source, heated bed, Raspberry PI Wi-fi control, auto-level | 2 | ABS, PLA | |
|
|
| Printrbot PLUS | |
10 | 10 | 10 | 1000.00 | 1,299.00 | 1.30 | Open source, heated bed, micro USB, laser-cut birch frame | 1 | ABS, PLA | |
|
|
| Printrbot Simple | |
6 | 6 | 6 | 216.00 | 599.00 | 2.77 | Open source, GT2 belt pulley system, steel and aluminium construction, semi auto-leveling bed | 100 | 1 | ABS, PLA | |
|
| Printrbot Simple Maker's Edition | |
4 | 4 | 4 | 64.00 | 424.00 | 6.63 | Open source, no timing belts, no auto-level, aluminum print bed and extruder | 100 | 1 | ABS, PLA | |
|
| Solidoodle 2nd Gen - Base | |
6 | 6 | 6 | 216.00 | 499.00 | 2.31 | Open source, short lead time, heated acrylic bed, sturdy frame, fully enclosed | 100 - 400 | 1 | ABS, (PLA) | |
|
| Solidoodle 2nd Gen - Pro | |
6 | 6 | 6 | 216.00 | 599.00 | 2.77 | heated acrylic bed, sturdy frame, fully enclosed, spool holder, 120W power supply | 100 - 400 | 1 | ABS, (PLA) | |
|
| Solidoodle 3D Printer 3rd Gen | |
8 | 8 | 8 | 512.00 | 799.00 | 1.56 | Open source, short lead time, heated acrylic bed, sturdy frame, fully enclosed | 100 - 400 | 1 | ABS, (PLA) | |
|
| Solidoodle 3D Printer 4th Gen | |
8 | 8 | 8 | 512.00 | 999.00 | 1.95 | Open source, short lead time, heated acrylic bed, internal steel frame, internal fan, fully enclosed | 100 - 400 | 1 | ABS, (PLA) | |
|
| Type A Series 1 | |
12 | 12 | 12 | 1728.00 | 2,295.00 | 1.33 | Open source, heated bed, aluminium/acrilic body, glass build surface, modular design | 50 - 250 | 1 | PLA | |
|
| Ultimaker 2 | |
9.05 | 8.85 | 8.07 | 646.35 | 2,581.00 | 3.99 | Open source, highly accurate, fully enclosed, long lead time, print from an SD card, heated bed | 20 | 1 | PLA | |
|
| XYZ daVinci1.0 | |
7.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 474.55 | 529.00 | 1.11 | OEM software, also supports .stl, fully enclosed | 100 - 400 | 1 | ABS, PLA | |
|
| Makergear M2 | |
8 | 10 | 8 | 640.00 | 1,775.00 | 2.77 | Open source, fabricated steel frame for higher precision | 100 | 1 | PLA, ABS | |
|
| Deezmaker Bukobot 8 v2 Duo |  |
8 | 8 | 8 | 512.00 | 1,499.00 | 2.93 | Compatible with 3rd party open source firmware | 50 - 100 | 2 | ABS, PLA, Nylon, Polycarbonate, PVA, HIPS and other | |
|
| Deezmaker Bukobot 8 v2 Kit X3 | |
8 | 8 | 8 | 512.00 | 1,299.00 | 2.54 | Compatible with 3rd party open source firmware | 50 - 100 | 1 | ABS, PLA, Nylon, Polycarbonate, PVA, HIPS and other | |
|
| Makerfarm Prusa 8" i3v Kit | |
8 | 8 | 8 | 512.00 | 570.00 | 1.11 | Open source, heated bed, print without a pc | 50 | 1 | PLA, ABS, Polycarbonate, Flexible | |
|
| Makers Toolworks Fusematic | |
7.87 | 8.86 | 7.87 | 548.76 | 799.00 | 1.46 | Optional heated bed, Bowden-style extruder, easy to assemble and use | 100 - 300 | 1 | PLA only with base version. PLA, ABS, nylon and polycarbonate with heated | |
|
| Makers Toolworks MendelMax | |
9.05 | 12.2 | 8.86 | 981.54 | 1,595.00 | 1.62 | Open Source, all metal hot-end, heated bed, aluminum build plate and frame | 100 - 400 | 1 | PLA, ABS, HIPLA, IMPLA, flexible filament | |
|
| Makibox A6 HT | |
5.9 | 4.33 | 3.54 | 90.44 | 300.00 | 3.32 | Clear partial casing, steel print bed. Long wait time, power and USB cables | 300 | 1 | PLA | |
|
| Makibox A6 LT | |
5.9 | 4.33 | 3.54 | 90.44 | 200.00 | 2.21 | Clear partial casing, acrylic print bed. Long wait time, power and USB cables | 300 | 1 | PLA | |
|
| Mendel90 Complete Kit | |
7.87 | 7.87 | 7.87 | 488.19 | 846.00 | 1.73 | Open Source, heated bed with a 2mm glass sheet, ducted fan | 400 | 1 | PLA | |
|
| NWRepRap Prusa i2 | |
7 | 7 | 5 | 245.00 | 699.00 | 2.85 | Open source CAD and CAM, RepRap, higher density plastic parts, aluminium mounting plate, heated bed | 100 - 300 | 1 | PLA | |
- |
| ORION Rostock MAX v2 | |
11 | 11 | 14.75 | 1784.75 | 999.00 | 0.56 | Open source, heated bed, SD card and LCD control for PC-free printing | 50 | 1 | PLA, ABS Taulman Nylon | |
|
| Portabee Kit | |
4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 103.82 | 495.00 | 4.77 | Open source, small size, portable, fits in a laptop bag, heated bed | PLA | |
|
||
| Printrbot Simple Kit | |
6 | 6 | 6 | 216.00 | 539.00 | 2.50 | Open source, GT2 belt pulley system, steel and aluminium construction, semi auto-leveling bed | 100 | 1 | ABS, PLA | |
|
| Printrbot Simple Maker's Kit | |
4 | 4 | 4.5 | 72.00 | 349.00 | 4.85 | Open source, GT2 belt pulley system, laser-cut wood construction, auto-level sensor | 100 | 1 | ABS, PLA | |
|
| RepRapPro Ormerod Kit | |
7.87 | 7.87 | 7.87 | 487.44 | 849.00 | 1.74 | Open source, modular and upgradable, metal rod frame, shipped from the UK (subject to sales tax) | 100 | 1 | ABS, PLA, Thermoplastic | |
|
| RepRapPro Tricolor Mendel | |
8.26 | 7.48 | 5.51 | 340.43 | 938.00 | 2.76 | Open source, triple extruder, metal rod frame, shipped from the UK (subject to sales tax) | 100 | 3 | ABS, PLA, Thermoplastic | |
|
| Ultimaker Classic | |
8.26 | 8.26 | 8.07 | 550.60 | 1,352.00 | 2.46 | Open source, highly accurate, fully enclosed, additional $680 for an assembled version, heated bed | 20 | 1 | PLA | |
|
| Velleman k8200 | |
7.87 | 7.87 | 7.87 | 487.44 | 730.00 | 1.50 | Open source RepRap software, heated bed, aluminium frame, easy to modify | 200 - 250 | 1 | ABS, PLA | |
|
The comparison table quotes the prices in US dollars because the majority of the printers are made in the USA. Nevertheless, most of them will ship to the UK and other countries.
The price doesn't include customs fees, sales tax or any other surcharges your country may levy on imports. You have to do your own research to establish the final price of an imported 3D printer. However, if you buy through Amazon, the price you see, is the price you pay.
The box icon represents an assembled unit, the wrench icon is a kit. Don't buy a 3D printer kit if you don't enjoy DIY - it's not easy to assemble a printer.
The X, Y, Z values represent width, length and height of the printer work area. The bigger these numbers are, the bigger items you'll be able to print. All sizes are in inches. Printer volume is in cubic inches.
Res - stands for printer resolution in microns. 100 microns is 0.1mm. It shows how precise the printer is - essentially, the lower the resolution, the higher quality objects you're going to make. Don't confuse - in 2D printers, higher resolution number means better quality, in 3D it's the other way round!
Ext - stands for extruders, or the number of extruders. Most of the desktop printers will come with one extruder, meaning you can't make multi-colour objects. We've listed some 3D printers that have 2 or 3 extruders enabling you to print multi-colour or multi-material objects.
In our opinion, the most important column in this table is $/Vol as it's a factor between the printer price and the maximum size of the object. There's no use buying a super cheap printer only to find out that your creativity is limited by the size of it's printer bed.
Finally, if you have any questions, please get in touch.