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.
Pros
- Large build volume
- Modern features
- High temp heated bed
- Linear Guide X Axis
- Easy Assembly
Cons
- Manual bed levelling
- Relatively unknown company
- Support may be lacking
- Price may be limited time only
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.
Pros
- Low cost SLA Printer
- High resolution prints
- Solid metal construction
- 25mm/h speed
Cons
- Resins are expensive
- Basic features only
- Introductory price
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.
Pros
- Open source
- Easily upgradable
- Still a large user community
- High temp heated bed
Cons
- Assembly required
- Tevo brand upgrades are expensive
- Cable routing is difficult
- Single z-screw
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.
Pros
- Clean design
- Plug-and-play
- Removable flexible print bed
- Touch screen
Cons
- PLA only
- No heated bed
- Small size
- Manual guided levelling
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.
Pros
- Fully assembled: Plug-and-play
- Removable magnetic print bed
- Touch screen
- All-metal hotend
- Wi-fi
Cons
- Small size
- Bed struggles getting up to 70°C
- Will struggle with ABS
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.
Pros
- Quick assembly
- Coated glass build plate
- Touch screen
Cons
- Not very upgradable
- Top end of the price bracket
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.
Pros
- Open source
- Ender 3 is under $200
- Pro has removable magnetic bed
- Pro has Meanwell power supply
- Power recovery
- Semi-assembled
- Highly upgradable
Cons
- Has had minor issues with PTFE coupler
- Single z -screw
If you want to 3d print, a kit is the only way to go. If you want to download trinkets and buy proprietary parts and filament, get a really expensive printer, also known as a boat. (A hole that you put money into) Seriously my tarantula isn’t a little printer anymore. The possibility of making/having a kit be what YOU want is endless. Don’t get a kit, and your stuck with what you got, and you don’t really learn printing. That’s a lose lose situation in my book.
I fully agree that kits are the best option for a hobbyist to learn the ropes of 3d printing. And to your point that’s why the Tevo Tarantula is still on this list. However, there’s some people that just don’t want to build a kit which is why printers like the MP Select Mini and Anycubic i3 are on here. And the lack of learning/willingness to learn is why there’s a lot of MP Select Minis for sale in classifieds.
I started with a Mendel Max that barely even worked but I learned a lot and have since used both fully plug-and-play machines (Cubicon) and ones I’ve built myself to great success. It all depends on what the end users wants out of the experience.
I am not familiar with the 3d printers, need to see one in action
Easy to read post on 3D printers with Pro & Cons, thanks !!
Honestly, I’d say the only one that needs to be on this list is the Ender. It’s just so amazing. Needs a lot of tweaking to get the settings right for decent quality though