The hype surrounding 3D printers have died down in recent years, but they're certainly no
passing fad. And it's never been more affordable to get started.
You can see our guide on how to get started in 3D printing if you're unfamiliar with the basics. Once you're ready, we've selected of a spread of printers for beginners budgets and enthusiasts willing to spend a little more for the very best.
Monoprice Select Mini
Amazon | $220
If you're looking to get into 3D printing on a budget, you're not likely to do much better than Monoprice's Select Mini 3D printer. For just $220, you get a full-featured printer that's ready to use out of the box and, and unlike some inexpensive 3D printers, it'll also give you the flexibility to use a range of different filament types.
While they expectedly found some drawbacks considering the price, Hackaday described it as a "fantastic printer" and " game-changing machine" in their review, while All3DP rated it as their best budget 3D printer.
LulzBot Mini
Amazon | $1,250
3D printers aimed at beginners can be had for as little as a few hundred dollars, but those not as concerned with cost can also step things up considerably without entering pro-level territory. The LulzBot Mini desktop 3D printer is one of the more highly regarded entry- to mid-range printers around, with PCMag calling it "amazingly easy to set up and use," and plenty of customer reviews echoing that sentiment.
It'll also work with plenty of different filament types, and includes a number of features like self-leveling and auto-nozzle cleaning that further bolster its ease of use.
Formlabs Form 2
Formlabs | $3,500
A $3,500 3D printer certainly isn't for everyone, but it can be considered something of a bargain when you compare it to what that same money would buy you even just a few years ago. While it's aimed at professionals, Formlabs' Form 2 won't disappoint enthusiasts or ambitious beginners either. In its recommendation, Digital Trends notes that it's not only "most accurate 3D printer we've used," but "far more user friendly than other printers in its class." As a bonus, it also looks more like a sci-fi film prop than many other printers.
