Thinking of buying a budget 3D printer?
Many people assume that 3D technology is expensive, that it is still only used in laboratory experiments, and that routine use in homes is a thing of the future.
However (luckily!), that is not the case. You can find a wide variety of budget 3D printers, even for less than 200$.
Not only are they cheap, but they also print great; you can use them in ambitious projects and be a medium-long-term investment - many of them are infinitely expandable.
In terms of technology, not so long ago, the only affordable 3D printers were filament (or FDM) printers, and they were kits to assemble yourself (DIY). Today, on the other hand, other technologies have become cheaper, and there are printers for all tastes:
- Using different printing materials: resin and filament.
- Printing large volumes or small (mini-printers).
- Plug & Play and DIY - depending on if you feel like assembling it yourself.
Hard to believe? Take a look!
Top 5 budget 3D printers
5. LONGER Orange 10. Less is more ...
The LONGER Orange 10 is an SLA 3D printer at an unbeatable price, which a priori may seem modest compared to other budget 3D printers, but as we say, "less is more."
Technical Specifications
Technology: Resin/SLA
Printing area: 98 x 55 x 140 mm
Layer thickness: 0.01-0.1mm
Materials: 405nm UV Resin
Max. Printing Speed: 30 mm/h
Z axis accuracy: 10μm
Third party materials: yes
Connectivity: SD
Screen: 2.8'' Touch
Software: LONGER
The LONGER Orange 10 is a bit smaller than other models and has a lower build volume (98 x 55 x 140 mm) than other 3D printers such as the ELEGOO Mars.
The LCD screen is also lower resolution compared to other machines of a similar range.
However, the LONGER Orange 10 more than makes up for these shortcomings with very robust construction. The entire structure under the orange lid is metallic, including the resin tub and the build surface. Of course, these metal parts last longer and provide better overall stability during printing.
Other strengths of the LONGER Orange 10:
- Bed leveling is straightforward - it uses an older system but a beginner-friendly one.
- Intuitive 2.8-inch touch screen to use when starting prints, adjusting settings, or changing profiles for different materials.
- Good own slicing software. The manufacturer claims that it is up to 30 times faster than open-source solutions.
- Excellent Customer Service - They are diligent and attentive. The technical service is professional and supports both the resolution of incidents and the ordering of spare parts.
Conclusion: With the same budget, other printers offer higher resolutions or additional functionality, but at the cost of a cheaper build, which ultimately translates to constant touch-ups and frequent service calls.
Despite having some modest features, the LONGER Orange 10 is one of the best cheap SLA printers on the market.
4. GEEETECH A10 - If you like LEGO ...
.. or assemble IKEA furniture .. this is your ideal printer.
The GEEETECH A10 is a very cheap FDM 3D printer, mainly because it comes in a kit to be assembled. But low price does not mean low quality.
It is trendy and valued among the 3D printing community for its expandability.
GEEETECH A10 Overview - 1m 19 sec.
Technical Specifications
Technology: FDM
Build volume: 220 x 220 x 260mm
Nozzle: Single 0.4mm
Filament: 1.75mm
Heated bed temp: 100℃
Max. Extruder Temp.: 250℃
Max print. speed: 180 mm/s
Layer resolution: 0.1 – 0.4mm
Connectivity: SD card reader
Print precision: +/- 0.1mm
Packing type: Unassembled kit
It is important to note that the GEEETECH A10 is not for just any hobbyist: assembly is not particularly easy, so you have to be patient and pay attention to the assembly instructions. For many, a great incentive instead of being a disadvantage allows them to learn a 3D printer's operation.
Of course, once assembled, it can give you great satisfaction since it is possible to tackle ambitious projects from the first moment for a minimal price.
Other strengths of the GEEETECH A10:
- It is a robust 3D printer thanks to its structure and metal rails, which prevent the printer from vibrating during the model's construction.
- It is compatible with a wide variety of filaments such as PLA, ABS, flexible material, wood, and Nylon.
- It includes an LCD screen with an SD card reader for offline printing.
- The kit brings 3 meters of filament, which is always a lovely surprise.
Conclusion: The GEEETECH A10 is an incredibly inexpensive 3D printer, recommended for those who like to fiddle with their gadgets and aren't afraid of new challenges.
Once in operation, it is a versatile, reliable machine that can be expanded according to the project's needs. You can't ask for more for this price.
3. LABISTS X1 - Mini 3D Printer
Due to its small or portable format, the LABISTS X1 is one of the cheapest 3D printers you can find. It measures only 24.5 * 20.5 * 21 cm and weighs 1.3 kg. Who does not want one on the desk!
LABISTS. How to assemble it - 2.47m
Technical Specifications
Technology: FDM
Printing area: 100 x 100 x 100mm
Nozzle: 0.4 mm
Filament: 1.75MM PLA
Max. print. speed: 10-40 mm/s
Max. layer resolution: .1-0.3mm
Printing precision: 0.1mm
Connectivity: USB
Assembly required: simple
Filament sensor: No
Software: LABSLICER, Priest
Due to its small size, the LABISTS X1 logically prints smaller pieces, 10x10x10 cm.
However:
- Very basic in operation but ready for use in a few minutes after a straightforward assembly.
- The prints' quality is decent but not the most spectacular, although it is not the printer's goal either.
- The LABISTS X1 has a folding magnetic print bed, making it very easy to remove the base piece.
- It does not have a hotbed or printing platform, so it could be used by younger children who want to enter the world of 3D printing.
Conclusion: The LABISTS X1 is not a machine for experienced users, and even if you are a beginner, you should consider whether short-term cuts will be.
However, if what you are looking for is a mini, cheap, portable printer, or even for your children to do their first experiments without complications, the LABISTS X1 is a perfect option.
2. ELEGOO Mars - The best selling SLA printer
The ELEGOO Mars is a 3D printer for both beginners and experts, offering high-resolution 3D prints at a very affordable price.
Sales leader, stocks in major online stores literally "fly." And judging by the opinions of its user community, the demand is fully justified.
Technical Specifications
Technology: Resin/SLA
Printing area: 120 x 68 x 155mm
Layer height: 10+ microns
Filament: 1.75MM PLA
Max. print. speed
Max. layer resolution: 405NM UV Resin
Third party materials: yes
Connectivity: USB
Assembly required: no
LCD: touch screen 3.3''
Software: ChiTuBox
The ELEGOO Mars stands out for the volume of its prints, up to 120 x 68 x 155 mm, which places it at levels of much more expensive SLA 3D printers.
- High print quality thanks to its high resolution 2K LCD screen.
- The design (industrial style) and the quality of the structure are functional. However, it has a small drawback: the USB input is at the machine's back, so it is necessary to turn the printer often to access it. Luckily, the manufacturer has corrected this detail on the later model, ELEGOO Mars Pro, by changing its position to the front.
- It can print offline, directly from the USB port.
- It comes equipped with a 3.5-inch color touch screen, on which you can preview the model on the SD card and follow the printing process on the screen in real-time.
- Installation and leveling of the printing surface very easy. It does not take more than two minutes to plug in the machine, level, and launch the first impression.
- It includes the CHITUBOX Slicing program, which takes just 1 minute to split 30Mb .stl model files, while other open-source programs would take up to 10 minutes.
Conclusion: ELEGOO Mars is a safe investment. Its value for money is excellent and more than explains its position in the ranking of the best-selling 3D printers in the US.
1. Creality Ender 3 - the best-selling FDM printer
The Ender 3 is the winner by a landslide of the FDM 3D printers, among the cheapest 3D printers, and the most sold and valued.
Technical Specifications
Technology: FDM
Printing area: 220 x 220 x 250mm
Nozzle: 0.4 mm
Filament: 1.75MM PLA
Max. print. speed: 200 mm/s
Max. layer resolution: .1-0.3mm
Printing precision: +/- 0.1mm
Connectivity: SD, USB
Assembly required: simple
Filament sensor: No
Software: Cura
Despite being very inexpensive, the technology used in the Creality Ender 3 is relatively mature, and the features it houses are comparable to many high-end printers.
- It has a construction volume of 22 x 22 x 25 cm, already allowing to undertake very ambitious projects.
- It introduces a patented extrusion mechanism ("MK8"), which reduces the risk of plugging or uneven extrusion, which works quite well.
- It includes a function to resume printing in an unexpected power failure from the last recorded extruder position, preventing failed prints.
- You can print with almost all filaments on the market.
- It comes partially assembled, being the assembly not very complicated.
- On top of that, the growing community surrounding this 3D printer has led to more and more updates.
Conclusion: The Creality Ender 3 is an excellent choice for beginners or creators on a budget.
It is a must-have for school robotics projects or prototypes in science and engineering.
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