How to Choose a 3D Printer
Many people buy the wrong 3D printer and end up regretting it later. This guide is designed to help you determine how to choose a 3D printer that fits your needs!
There are several different details to compare, and each of those details should be understood before you choose your 3D printer.
The last thing you want is to buy an overly priced 3D printer that has functionalities you don’t even need!
If you are unsure as to whether you should own a 3D printer, read our article on Whether or Not a 3D Printer is Worth it.
Without further adieu, if you are serious about buying your own 3D printer, make sure you read through the entire guide.
What Features Should You Evaluate in a 3D Printer?
So many 3D printers and so many selling points for each 3D printer. How can you really know which one is best for you?
Here is a list of details you should be aware of before you choose a 3D printer. These are the things that are going to influence your final decision.
- Speed: How fast the 3D printer can make your model. Measured in mm/s.
- Quality: Affects the layer thickness. High quality = smooth items.
- Build platform: The item you 3D print is made on a build platform. A good build platform will ensure the printed item sticks to it during the printing and comes off easily afterward.
- Printer size: The actual physical space the printer takes up. Make sure the 3D printer will fit where you need it to.
- Print dimensions: This is the space where your item is made. Larger volume means larger models can be made.
- Weight: An important factor if you want the 3D printer to be mobile. Large 3D printers may be heavy and immobile.
- Safety: Like anything else, 3D printers can have potentially dangerous errors. There are uncommon cases where 3D printer circuits have caught fire.
- Sound: 3D printers can be noisy. Unless you’re in a classroom or printing overnight in your bedroom, this usually isn’t a big deal.
- Open/closed frame: Some 3D printers are open, some are closed. A closed frame will reduce sound and odour from some filaments such as ABS and it is safer if you have children and animals.
- Ease of use: The ease of use will depend on hardware, software, and technical support. People without much tech experience may prefer a 3D printer that is easier to use.
- Connectivity: This is related to ease of use. You need a way to translate your 3D model into the 3D Printer. This can be done through WiFi, USB, SD card and other methods.
- Set up: Most 3D printers will be sent to you in a kit that you can assemble yourself.
- The number of extruders: Some 3D printers will come with more than one printing nozzle. This allows you to print multiple materials simultaneously. You could also use this to make water dissolvable supports for the other material.
- Upgradeability: Advanced users may desire a 3D printer that they can upgrade and add parts to.
- Material support: Most 3D printers can only print a handful of materials. If you want to be able to print metals or more exotic plastics, you’ll need a 3D printer that is capable of doing so.
- Customer service: As a beginner, you will likely run into a few problems throughout your 3D printing journey. You may not find all of your solutions on the Internet, so it could be very beneficial to have access to customer service.
In addition to the point of customer service, some sellers are known to have slow shipments or they fail to offer replacements. Make sure you check reviews for issues like these on the website that you are purchasing from.
Let’s go over some of the most important things on this list!
Quality
The quality of a 3D printer is called the highest resolution. The resolution is measured in microns.
Microns are a very small unit of measurement. A micron is 0.00004 inches or a millionth of a meter, which is where the name came from (micro-meter).
So, the lower the highest resolution, the better the printer quality.
A 3D printer with a resolution of 25 microns (0.025 mm) will result in very fine print quality. A resolution of 150 microns (0.15 mm) is on the lower end while 100 microns is average.
Budget 3D printers are usually going to have a max resolution of at least 100 microns. This is usually okay unless you are making product prototypes or tight moving parts.
Some companies may use theoretical data to prove their max resolution, but in real life, the results may be different.
Keep in mind however that the quality of the print will also depend on the material you are using. For example, a part printed with SLA is going to be higher quality than the one printed with FDM.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
- How important is quality to me?
- Is high quality required for the part I am making?
- Will the piece work if it is printed in lower quality?
- Am I making products for customers that need to be visually aesthetic?
- Does the part need to be smooth?
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Speed
When you dive right into the world of 3D printing you will want to make several parts right away. But 3D printers might take longer to make certain parts than expected.
Thankfully, you can change the printing speed of your 3D printer.
3D printer max speeds range between 50mm/s all the way to 150mm/s and even more than that. The difference between the slowest and the fastest 3D printer is significant. 100mm/s instead of 40mm/s is already hours saved.
Speedier 3D printers are more costly, but, you get what you pay for. If you have some extra money to spend, buy the faster one!
Keep in mind that speeds over 150mm/s tend to decrease the quality.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Am I willing to wait longer for a part to finish? (3D printers can take a long time).
- Are there going to be a lot of people using this 3D printer?
- How often will I 3D print?
- Do I need to complete my projects quickly?
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Printer Dimensions and Print Volume
There are 3D printers designed for desktops and bigger ones designed for more professional use. Most hobbyists choose 3D printers small enough to fit on desktops.
Of course, larger print volume usually comes with larger printer dimensions, so make sure you have enough space in your room if you are planning to make large parts.
Something most beginners forget to evaluate is the printer’s printing volume.
The last thing you need is having to buy a whole new 3D printer because you can’t fit your projects in the 3D printer’s printing volume.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
- How large are the things I want to 3D print?
- Where can I put the 3D printer?
- Will my spouse complain about the space it takes up? (Just kidding…hopefully)
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Safety, Set Up and Upgradeability
3D printers are typically safe to use but like anything, accidents happen.
Checking customer reviews and doing extra research into a certain product can reduce the likelihood of potential accidents.
It is important to check where wires, circuit boards, and other electronics are located. Are they on the exterior or easily accessed? This could be a problem for those who are not aware of potential hazards, such as children.
Is the 3D printer known to get hot or catch fire? The Anet A8 has been infamous for catching fire randomly during printing. The circuit board is also in an open spot where someone inexperienced could easily hurt themselves.
On the flip side, the Anet A8 has a passionate community around upgrading the 3D printer to improve all of its qualities and making it safer.
Are you into upgrading and customizing 3D printers? Upgrading usually requires experience to know what you are doing.
You may also need experience in Construction or Electronics when it comes to setting the 3D printer up. When you order a 3D Printer online, it is highly likely that it will be delivered as a kit that you need to build yourself.
Nevertheless, as long as you can read and follow instructions, you should be good to go!
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
- Do you have children or pets around?
- Do I want a plug and play 3D printer or do I want to build it?
- Am I good at setting things up without breaking stuff? (Experience with Construction and Electronics?)
- Am I enthusiastic about upgrading 3D printers?
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Know Exactly What You Will Be Printing
In order to choose a 3D printer, you are going to have to think about what it will be used for.
This is going to help you find out what features to focus on.
Try to write down exactly what you want from each of the features above, especially the ones that we delved deeper into.
This is going to make it much easier to choose the right 3D printer for your needs!
Examples
If you are a total beginner and you want to learn as much as possible, you should have a 3D printer that is cheap, easy to use and offers great customer support.
Professionals making large and complicated items may want a large printing volume and two extruders.
Teachers would want a 3D printer that is fast, easy and safe.
Prototyping and manufacturing processes would require a higher budget to get a good quality 3D printer.
Essentially, knowing what kinds of features you want will help you determine which 3D printer you should get.
Where to Compare 3D Printers
If you have difficulty choosing 3D printers, then this is a great website to compare them.
You will find a list with more than a hundred of the best 3D printers! You can also sort by price, build size, technology, connectivity and user type (beginners, intermediates or pros).
When you select a 3D printer to compare, a page will open up showing ratings out of ten for each of the features we looked into above.
In addition to this, pros, cons and customer reviews are displayed at the bottom, which can help you make even more of an informed decision on whether the 3D printer is right for you or not!
Where to Buy 3D Printers
Unfortunately, you can’t just walk into a store and ask for a 3D printer. 3D printers are not a consumer item, so they usually have to be bought online.
Although you could buy one directly from the website of the 3D printer, the shipping options may be pricey or they may offer an unfair return policy.
The obvious choice then is to buy a 3D printer from amazon.com. If you already use Amazon, it’s not a bad idea to stick with it, especially if free shipping is offered or you have Amazon Prime. Plus, they have a great return policy!
You can also buy from online retail stores such as Aliexpress, Gear best or Newegg. While shipping and return policies may not be as good as Amazon, they may be worth checking out, especially to compare prices.
3D Printing in Canada?
If you are living in Canada, then you should check out 3Dprintingcanada.com to find some great deals for Canadians!
Just make sure that when you are browsing other stores, you set the currency to CAD instead of USD. Sometimes this can be done by changing the .com in the address to .ca.
3D printing is more expensive in Canada so make sure you are looking at the right price.
Examples of Top 3D Printers
I’ve done some of the work for you and identified a few great 3D printers in 2019 for beginners or professionals.
Let’s start with the best options for beginners.
The Best 3D Printers For Beginners
The best 3D printers to choose for beginners are budget 3D printers; however, a cheaper printer usually means lower resolution prints and less reliability.
Creality Ender 3
This 3D printer is famous for being one of the most cost-effective, budget and starter 3D printers anyone could buy. It is easy to set up, acquires a decent max resolution and it’s safe. For the low cost, issues are hardly encountered. I definitely recommend that you check this one out as there isn’t much to lose.
Anycubic i3 Mega
This is another great, cheap 3D printer for beginners. It’s easy to use, reliable and has great printing quality. It’s also capable of printing multiple types of plastics. It comes with the starting tools and is quick to set up, making it a great starter 3D printer. If you are looking for a reliable partner for your journey in making, I recommend this 3D printer as your first!
The Best 3D Printers For Professionals
3D printers for professionals (engineers, manufacturers, and architects) will be the most expensive, but you get what you pay for. You will benefit from high-resolution prints, high speed, and reliability.
MakerBot Replicator+
Read any list of the best 3D printers in 2019 and you will find the MakerBot Replicator+, and for good reason too. This 3D printer is fast, quiet, reliable and has great print quality. It’s perfect for manufacturing purposes. It’s also very user-friendly. It’s a high-end 3D printer with a high-end price, but in my opinion, the price is justified. (It also looks really cool).
Makerbot Method
This 3D printer from Makerbot attempts to make industrial quality 3D printing more accessible. It boasts high precision and speed, for the fraction of the cost of a typical entry-level industrial 3D printer. The Makerbot Method is a great option for small companies and startups who want to keep their costs low.
Ultimaker S5
The Ultimaker S5 is special because it has two extruders, allowing for dual-coloured printing. It is, however, very pricey. But for the price, you get one of the largest 3D printer printing dimensions with excellent quality and ease of use. If you need to make large prototypes and models for engineering or architectural projects, this 3D printer won’t let you down.
ORIGINAL PRUSA i3 MK3S with MULTI-MATERIAL (addon)
Here is a bonus 3D printer that I recommend for artists with experience in 3D printing. The Prusa i3 MK3S is already a great low-cost 3D printer, but i3 Multi-Material addon allows the 3D printer to print up to 5 different colours at the same time! This is a great option for artists making things that are specifically meant to look visually aesthetic. Beginners, beware however as it is difficult to set up and calibrate without experience.
What Not to Choose – 3D Printers to Watch Out For
3D printers are becoming more accessible each year; however, some companies take it too far, too soon.
A year ago, I almost bought what was “The World’s Most Affordable 3D Printer”. At first glance, it seemed like a great product! The dimensions were small and it looked easy to set up; it was exactly what I needed for a low price!
Upon further research, I found that the performance wasn’t so great. Other users of the product said that it took at least twice as long to print compared to what was promised and the nozzle was constantly jammed, leading to new parts being bought.
If you want to get started with a small investment and commitment, then this could be a good option for you. But don’t expect it to be a long term solution that will consistently deliver.
Conclusion
While it is important to know what features you want to determine which 3D printer is best for you, don’t spend too long researching and deciding because you may never start!
There will always be a better 3D printer that is faster or cheaper. The most important thing, however, is to get started with your passion and put your fears aside.
At the end of the day, all you need to do is a little research and it doesn’t hurt to read customer reviews before making a final decision!
Which 3D printer are you thinking of buying and why? Let me know in the comments below!