Top 7 3D Printers Under $300 2020

New users tend to gravitate towards cheaper options when it comes to 3D printing. Getting a well rounded machine for under $300 has always been a challenge as build quality tends to suffer at the expense of manufacturing. Our under $300 list from 2 years ago featured some of the only options on the market and now a lot of them would be considered obsolete.

This year’s list might be missing some of your favorite cheap printers but the number of quality options has grown significantly.

The list of Printers we will go through is as follows in the table of contents below.

7. DMS Create DP-X

Specifications

• Build Volume: 300 x 300 x 400 mm
• Max Extruder Temp: 260°C
• Max Bed Temp: 110°C
• Material Support: PLA, ABS, PETG, HIPS, Nylon
• Min Layer Height: 100 micron

We’re taking a flyer on this one with a little known company called DMS Create and this is by far the largest printer on the list. With a build volume of 300 x 300 x 400 mm this printer is up there with the Creality CR-10 but a lower price…for now. As of writing this printer can be found for $249 + shipping from 3D Printers Online Store.
The design is surprisingly clean and it even includes an MGN linear guide for the x axis. Rounding out the feature set are a touch screen, dual z-axis leadscrews, filament detection, and power recovery. One thing you won’t find is automatic bed levelling but you can’t have it all for under $300.

6. Sparkmaker FHD

Specifications

• Format: SLA
• Build Volume: 61.8 x 110 x 125 mm
• Material Support: Resin
• Min Layer Height: 10 micron

I can’t believe we’re including an SLA printer on this list. Only a few years ago an SLA printer couldn’t be had for under $500 let alone $300. It’s not particularly big and it’s not too feature filled but I’ll be darned if it doesn’t create high quality prints. The second generation former kickstarter product it was able to create a solid community and userbase. For the moment it can be pre-ordered for $269.

5. Tevo Tarantula

Specifications

• Build Volume: 200 x 200 x 200 mm
• Foot Print: 430 x 440 mm
• Max Bed Temp: 110°C
• Max Extruder Temp: 260°C
• Min Layer Height: 50 micron

The Tevo Tarantula is the lone holdover from our last list. The first printer launched by Tevo in 2016, the Tarantula created a strong foundation for a series of inexpensive, high feature 3D printers. They have since gone on the larger, more expensive printers like the Black Widow and Little Monster Delta but it all started with the Tarantula. As a true kit you’ll get a box of components that you need to fully assemble yourself. As an older option it has since been superseded by the like of the Creality Ender 3 as the king of the cheap kit. The best part is that it can be had for under $200 with free express shipping from China.

4. Wanhao D10

Specifications

• Build Volume: 116 x 116 x 125 mm
• Max Bed Temp: N/A
• Materials: PLA
• Min Layer Height: 50 micron

This one is going to make people mad. The Wanhao D10 strikes a major resemblance to the Kickstarter Kodama Obsidian which has yet to be delivered. And yet, available for as little as $289 from Aliexpress with free shipping it’s one of the few plug-and-play option in this price range. Without a heated bed it is PLA only and you’re going to be limited on your build size.

3. Monoprice MP Select Mini Pro

Specifications

• Build Volume: 120 x 120 x 120 mm
• Max Bed Temp: 70°C
• Max Nozzle Temp: 280°C
• Materials: PLA, ABS (limited), PETG
• Min Layer Height: 100 micron

Monoprice hit a home run with the first MP Select Mini and the V2 and Pro have each improved upon the previous model. The latest iteration includes auto-levelling, touch-screen, heated removable print bed, and increased hotend temperature. It can be had for as little as $220 directly from Monoprice or Amazon. While previous models have been PLA only (or some PETG with the V2) the increased bed temperatures open up more options, though ABS may still be difficult.

Read about the Mini Pro hack

2. Anycubic i3 Mega

Specifications

• Build Volume: 210 x 210 x 205 mm
• Max Bed Temp: 110°C
• Max Nozzle Temp: 260°C
• Materials: PLA, ABS, PETG
• Min Layer Height: 50 micron

Anycubic has quietly made some of the best budget 3D printers in recent memory. The latest generation of the i3 Mega proves that you can still have a quality product and great prints off a machine that costs around $300. The reason that it’s not number one is that it sits at the very top of the price range and you’ll have to do a bit of shopping around if you’re on a budget but deadest on the Mega. Great features like a proprietary coating on their glass bed and a touch screen polish off this machine. Assembly is quick with only the z and x axes needing to be set up and a few wires plugged in. It has since been superseded by the Mega-S which comes in just over $300 but the i3 Mega is still available. You can buy it here.

1. Creality Ender 3 Pro

Specifications

• Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
• Max Bed Temp: 110°C
• Max Nozzle Temp: 260°C
• Materials: PLA, ABS, PETG
• Min Layer Height: 100 micron

No budget 3D printer list would be complete without the king of the kits: the Creality Ender 3. At less than $200 for the Ender 3 and $230 for the Pro it is by far the best value in the price range. The pro includes a couple solid features like removable print bed and Meanwell brand power supply. Being fully open source helps with upgradability and having what is likely the largest single-printer community means there’s no shortage of people willing to help should you run into any problems. You can buy it here.