The Best 3D Printer for Beginners
A question we often get from readers is: ‘What is the best 3D printer for beginners?’. To answer that question we need to know what you want to learn / create. There are two questions you might want to ask yourself prior to making a decision:
- Are you in search of a plug-and-play 3D printer?
- On a budget and looking for a cheap machine?
Quick jump to:
When do you choose a pre-assembled 3D printer?
Go for a fully assembled 3D printer when you don’t want to worry about the hardware – a reliable plug-and-play machine that takes away the hassle of tweaking electronics. You can start your first print right after you’ve unboxed the printer. Below you’ll find a list of the best pre-assembled 3D printers for beginners.
Of course there are more aspects you might want to consider when deciding which 3D printer is right for you. Is safety an issue, and are you looking for a 3D printer that is safe to use in the classroom? Then skip the DIY kits and limit your search to the pre-assembled 3D printers. You also might want to read our article about the safety of 3D printers.
When do you choose a semi-assembled 3D printer?
Semi-assembled 3D printers can be the perfect solution for beginners that don’t want to spend too much money but are also not interested in the hassle of building a complete kit. Semi-assembled 3D printers have the best of both worlds. They’re easy to set up (10 to 20 minutes) and they’re relatively affordable because the manufacturer saves on shipping costs.
When do you choose a DIY Kit?
I started my journey into 3D printing a few years ago by building an Ultimaker original DIY kit. I didn’t have a clue about what to expect. As an electronics newcomer, assembling a 3D printer kit was certainly not easy and the learning curve was definitely steep, but it was worth every moment of my time.
We constantly update this list, so you can always check back to find out what the best 3D printers for beginners are.
Suresh Panchal says
Very Helping knowledge
Cathy Nealey says
How does the Snapmaker 3 in 1 3D printer rate?
Peter Strikwerda says
We haven’t tested it yet
Andrew says
I need to make parts for vehicles, is there a scanning tool that will allow me to scan the part I need and basically have the printer build it to the specs it scans? Is it already included in these machines? I’m totally new to this. Please help
Peter Strikwerda says
Hey Andrew – scanners are not included in these machines. 3D scanning is not something we are very familiar with – we only know it’s not as easy as one might think. We have a few scanners listed here: https://3dprinting.com/3d-scanners/