We’ve put together this 3D printer buyers guide to help you find the best 3D printer. This guide has 3 categories: 3D printers for professionals, with dual extrusion and best for the classroom. We’ve limited the scope of this article to desktop 3D printers.
We constantly update this list, so you can always check back to find out what the best 3D printers in each category are.
Quick jump to:
Best 3D Printers for Professionals
Professional 3D printers can be quite strenuous on a buyer’s budget but their utility should not be under-stated. These devices are for anyone looking for a serious, high-quality, production-grade workhorse. They are much larger and are often made to process a wider range of 3D printing materials, including more obscure, high-strength polymers like Nylon. As the title suggests, these are professional machines for complex printing duties.
Modix Big 60 V2
Modix Big 60 V2 features we like:
- - 10mm width PU (Polyurethane) timing belt with steel cores. Belt is designed for high speed and acceleration.
- - Mic6 cast aluminum print bed, made in USA with fully automatic bed leveling (100 probing points)
- - E3D V6 & Titan Print head, made in UK with Hotend max temp: default 300c (400c optional)
- - Premium Hiwin motion rails, made in Taiwan
- - Optional Dual print head
- Manufacturer:
- Modix
- Manufacturer country:
- Israel
- Launched in:
- 2018
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 610 x 610 x 610 mm
- Print size inches:
- 24 x 24 x 24 inches
- Printable material(s):
- PLA , PETG, PVA, ABS, ASA, PC, Nylon, TPU, Woodfil, Carbon composite
Ultimaker S5
With the launch of the Ultimaker S5, Ultimaker enters the professional side of the desktop 3D printing market.
The Ultimaker S5 is almost fully-enclosed. Its glass doors optimize the airflow & temperature inside the build chamber. In addition this model is the first Ultimaker provided with a 4.7 inch LCD touch screen display.
The S5 has multi-point bed leveling which enables you to create a precise and detailed height map of your print bed. This results in better adhesion when printing specialty materials.
- Manufacturer:
- Ultimaker
- Manufacturer country:
- The Netherlands
- Launched in:
- 2018
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 330 x 240 x 300 mm
- Print size inches:
- 13.0 x 9.45 x 11.81 inches
- Printable material(s):
- ABS, CPE, PETG, PLA, PVA
Fusion3 F410
The Fusion3 F410 is a professional grade FFF 3D printer and the successor of the Fusion3 F400. A big new feature on the F410 is that this 3D printer comes with interchangeable print heads. You have the choice between three interchangeable print heads, a .4mm and .6mm are included and a .8mm can be purchased separately.
- Manufacturer:
- Fusion3
- Manufacturer country:
- USA
- Launched in:
- 2018
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 355 x 355 x 315 mm
- Print size inches:
- 14.0 x 14.0 x 12.4 inches
- Printable material(s):
- HIPS, PLA, TPU
Dremel DigiLab 3D45
This is Dremel's DigiLab 3D45. Features we like:
- - Can print a wide range of specialty materials, including nylon
- - Remote monitoring with built-in HD camera
- - Queue your prints via cloud print management software
- - Carbon Filters
- - Easy to stack (perfect for schools, maker spaces, print farms)
- Manufacturer:
- Dremel
- Manufacturer country:
- USA
- Launched in:
- 2017
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 254 x 152 x 170 mm
- Print size inches:
- 10 x 6 x 6.7 inches
- Printable material(s):
- ABS, Nylon, PLA
Qidi Tech X-Max
Qidi Tech X-Max features we like:
- - Closed print chamber
- - 5 inch full color touchscreen display
- - Removable and bendable bed (easy to remove prints from the bed)
- - Resume capabilities (to resume printing after a power outage)
- Manufacturer:
- QIDI TECHNOLOGY
- Manufacturer country:
- China
- Launched in:
- 2018
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 300 x 250 x 300 mm
- Print size inches:
- 11.8 x 9.8 x 11.8 inches
- Printable material(s):
- ABS, PLA, PETG
Best Dual Extruder 3D Printers
Dual extruder 3D printers can print with two materials or colors in one print job. This enables you to 3D print complex objects because you can use soluble support material.
MakerGear M3 Independent Dual Rev 1
MakerGear M3 Independent Dual features we like:
- - Independent dual extruders
- - Sync mode makes it perfect for low-volume production
- - Control via Wi-Fi and touchscreen
- - Assisted bed leveling
- - Precision Cooling
- - Automatic file preparation
- Manufacturer:
- MakerGear
- Manufacturer country:
- USA
- Launched in:
- 2017
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 203 x 232 x 203 mm
- Print size inches:
- 8 x 9.1 x 8 inches
- Printable material(s):
- HIPS, PLA
Sindoh 3DWOX 2X
Sindoh 3DWOX 2X features we like:
- - Dual extruders
- - Removable / flexible bed
- - Built-in HEPA filter
- Manufacturer:
- Sindoh
- Manufacturer country:
- South Korea
- Launched in:
- 2017
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 228 x 200 x 300 mm
- Print size inches:
- 8.9 x 7.9 x 11.8 inches
- Printable material(s):
- ABS, PETG, PLA, PVA
BCN3D Sigmax
BCN3D Sigmax features we like:
- - Independent dual extruder system
- - Operating sound: 50 dBA
- - Large build volume
- - Fully constrained filament path
- Manufacturer:
- BCN3D
- Manufacturer country:
- Spain
- Launched in:
- 2017
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 420 x 297 x 210 mm
- Print size inches:
- 16.5 x 11.7 x 8.3 inches
- Printable material(s):
- CPE, HIPS, PLA, PVA
Raise3D Pro2 Plus
The closed print chamber, heated bed and high temperature dual extruders make the Raise3D Pro2 Plus capable of printing a wide range of materials. It has a resume feature so even in case of a power outage you can continue printing when the power is back on. Additionally, the Pro2 Plus is equipped with a HEPA filter that absorbs over 91% of all particles released by 3D printing.
- Manufacturer:
- Raise3D
- Manufacturer country:
- China
- Launched in:
- 2018
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 305 x 305 x 605 mm
- Print size inches:
- 12 x 12 x 23.8 inches
- Printable material(s):
- HIPS, PLA, TPU
Best 3D Printers for Schools
Since 3D printing is becoming more accessible to everyone, there has been a clamour for safe educational printers. Classrooms are already gearing up to use 3D printers as new teaching tools. The market has responded in kind by introducing a new class of 3D printers ideal for in the classroom.
The must-haves for educational printers can vary. However, a good general rule is anything that simplifies the system and makes 3D printing safe. Think of assisted (or fully automatic) bed leveling, a closed print chamber and removable bed. This category primarily judges the printers on ease-of-use, diversity of functions and versatility.
Dremel DigiLab 3D40 Flex
This is Dremel's DigiLab 3D40 Flex. Features we like:
- - Flexible and removable build plate
- - Wi-Fi enabled cloud printing
- - Perfect for beginner and intermediate K-12 education institutions
- Manufacturer:
- Dremel
- Manufacturer country:
- USA
- Launched in:
- 2019
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 254 x 152 x 170 mm
- Print size inches:
- 10 x 6 x 6.7 inches
- Printable material(s):
- PLA
Ultimaker 3
The Ultimaker 3 is an easy to use and reliable 3D printer. Features we like:
- - Swappable print core (makes it easy & fast to switch between nozzle sizes / nozzle types)
- - Wide range of printable materials
- Manufacturer:
- Ultimaker
- Manufacturer country:
- The Netherlands
- Launched in:
- 2016
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 197 x 215 x 200 mm
- Print size inches:
- 7.8 x 8.5 x 7.9 inches
- Printable material(s):
- ABS, CPE, PETG, PLA, PVA
Qidi Tech X-Max
Qidi Tech X-Max features we like:
- - Closed print chamber
- - 5 inch full color touchscreen display
- - Removable and bendable bed (easy to remove prints from the bed)
- - Resume capabilities (to resume printing after a power outage)
- Manufacturer:
- QIDI TECHNOLOGY
- Manufacturer country:
- China
- Launched in:
- 2018
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 300 x 250 x 300 mm
- Print size inches:
- 11.8 x 9.8 x 11.8 inches
- Printable material(s):
- ABS, PLA, PETG
FlashForge Adventurer 3 Lite
This is the FlashForge Adventurer 3 Lite. The only difference in comparison to the Adventurer 3 is that this Lite version doesn't come with a built-in camera. Features we like:
- - Heats up fast - within 50 seconds to 200°C (392°F)
- - Low operating sound - perfect for in the office
- - Quick nozzle switch system
- - Flexible and removable print bed
- Manufacturer:
- FlashForge
- Manufacturer country:
- China
- Launched in:
- 2018
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 150 x 150 x 150 mm
- Print size inches:
- 5.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches
- Printable material(s):
- ABS, PLA
Robo 3D E3
This is the Robo 3D E3. It comes with two hours of online training, and a Starter Plan for MyStemKits to integrate 3D printing with K-12 STEM lessons. Features we like:
- - Built-in HEPA filter
- - Two year warranty and a spare parts pack included
- - Filament runout detection
- - Quick nozzle switch system
- - Heated, flexible and removable print bed
- - Built-in camera for easy monitoring
- - Enclosed print chamber - perfect for in the classroom
- Manufacturer:
- Robo 3D
- Manufacturer country:
- USA
- Launched in:
- 2019
- Technology:
- FFF FDM
- Print size millimeters:
- 150 x 150 x 150 mm
- Print size inches:
- 5.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches
- Printable material(s):
- ABS, PLA
Did we forget a 3D printer that we should really add to this list? Let us know in the comments below or contact us.
Bernie Lobb says
A very interesting list which certainly opened my eyes as to the direction and limits that are available.
It might have been interesting to see a section on 3D printers that can 3D print buildings. I am certainly interested to see what is currently available (not that I want to buy one!) And what the future may hold for housing.
Peter Strikwerda says
Hi Bernie, take a look here or here.
Akshay says
This is a great list of 3d printers. I am a beginner and want to get a 3d printer which is easy to use and yes is affordable, maybe under $500. I am on the same side confused which one to get because I don’t want to spoil my first impressions on this kinda printer. Can you help me decide? By the way, Tronxy X5S looks good to me… is it really great for a beginner?
Thanks!
Peter Strikwerda says
Hi Akshay! The Tronxy X5S is not a 3D printer for a beginner.
Dhruv says
I have two requirements:
– Must have a build volume of at least 325 W 325 L 120 H
– Must be under $2000 USD
Any suggestions?
Peter Strikwerda says
You can use our compare tool to filter 3d printers.
Bob says
How would you rate the Creality CR-10S5 against this list?
The Modix Big 60 V2 would work for what I’m wanting to do but I’m not clear on the added value given it’s 3x the cost.
I’m wanting a good print size as I will be doing large pieces and would prefer not to have to go to 3 or 4 sections to get them to fit together (rough dimensions are 42″ x 36″ by 12″h).
The 42″ section will have to be 3 sections by design so a 20″ printer seems like it will be fine to keep the large middle section (38″) to 2 pieces.
Ultimately I would like to print in aluminum but I can live with outsourcing the printing at that point (once the design is confirmed to work).
I would appreciate hearing your thoughts.
Peter Strikwerda says
First off, the parts that Modix uses are of better quality. Modix also offers an optional closed print chamber which you might need when printing large parts (prevent warping).