3D Printers for Beginners and Pros

3D printing is expanding quickly, covering more and more users. The technology is appealing to those who see it as a trend with perspectives. Either for hobby or for bigger purposes, 3D printing has found its application in multiple industries.

This selection of 5 beginners and 5 pro 3D printers is based on the reviews of those who have used the device for enough time to make an opinion on its usability and capabilities.

5 3D Printers for Beginners and Intermediates

We often are asked by our customers which is the best 3D printer for a beginner. It is important to know that 3D printers come in pre-assembled and in kit forms. The advantage of the pre-assembled 3D printer is that it will save you the hassle of dealing with electronics and printer parts. On the other hand, the assembly kit will let you discover every part that your 3D printer is made of. You will get the chance to hold every piece in your hand and learn more about its technical features. Which one your choice will fall on it truly depends on your preferences.

1. LulzBot Mini Desktop 3D Printer (Pre-Assembled)

LulzBot 3D PrinterThis device comes with incredibly easy-to-use features. It has an auto-bed leveling and an auto-nozzle cleaning. It runs on Cura printing software, but it can be used with other 3D printing software such as OctoPrint, BotQueue, Slic3r and etc.

Although the price tag is a little too high for a 3D printer designed for beginners, the 3D printing output will make you see that it’s a good value for money.

• Open source: Hardware & Software
• Build volume: 152 mm x 152 mm x 158 mm
• Heated bed: Yes
• Materials supported: All
• Dual extruder: No
• Recommended for: Beginners/Home Use

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2. Original Prusa i3 MK2 (Assembly Kit)

2. Original Prusa i3 MK2 (Assembly Kit) 3D PRINTERS

Original Prusa i3 MK2 is the highest rated desktop 3D printer in the Budget range. The little guy is enhanced with a bunch of features that makes it stand out from the crowd in the similar price tag range.

It incorporates a heating bed, which heats up and cools down quickly. According to the reviews from the users of the 3D printer, the device is reliable and yields clean print results. Bonus, the kit comes with a 2-year warranty for the electronic parts.

• Open source: Hardware & Software
• Build volume: 250 mm x 210 mm x 200 mm
• Heated bed: Yes
• Materials supported: PLA, ABS, PET, and many other
• Dual Extruder: No
• Recommended for: Beginners, Intermediates

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3. Rostock MAX (Assembly Kit)

3. Rostock MAX (Assembly Kit) 3D Printer

Rostock 3D printer has known a flourishing popularity since its launch in 2012. The 3D printer stands about 1 m tall.

The only disadvantage to this device is the long hours that it requires to be put together. Reviewers stated as many as 30 h to assemble the kit and make it run. However, once this is overpassed, the user can enjoy great quality and reliability of the components.

• Open source: Hardware & Software
• Build volume: 224 mm × 224 mm × 375 mm
• Heated bed: Yes
• Materials supported: PLA, ABS, other exotic ones
• Dual extruder: No
• Recommended for: Intermediates

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4. QIDI Technology 3DP-QDA16-01 Dual Extruder 3D Printer

QIDI Technology 3DP-QDA16-01 Dual Extruder 3D Printer

This 3D printer is equipped with a dual extruder. Its external frame is made of metal, which the manufacturer states as being much more durable than the wooden frame. Its build plate is made of aluminum.

• Open source: Hardware & Software
• Build volume: 225 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm
• Heated bed: Yes
• Materials supported: PLA, ABS, PVA
• Dual extruder: Yes
• Recommended for: Beginners/Intermediates

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5. Printrbot Simple Metal

Printrbot Simple Metal

This printer is praised for its metal frame and quality of the 3D print. Also, it makes a good budget printer for those who aren’t just ready yet to invest thousands of dollars in a 3D printing machine.

Pintrbot Simple Metal enjoys a large supportive community who will give you a helping hand in troubleshooting the most common problems that you can face.

• Open source: Hardware & Software
• Build volume: 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm
• Heated bed: Yes
• Materials supported: PLA, ABS, other exotic ones
• Dual extruder: Yes
• Recommended for: Beginners/Intermediates

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5 3D Printers for Pros

Although in this category are presented printers designed for pros, they can actually be used by everyone. These 3D printers, however, are used by professional who expect amazing quality of their print parts. The machines themselves feature a variety of applications and suit small businesses.

1. Ultimaker 2+

Ultimaker 2+ 3D Printer

We have an Ultimaker 2 3D printer in our office for over a year now and it has never failed us. As long as the machine is calibrated correctly and the print bed is leveled nicely, the quality of the prints is outstanding. Since it came in our office, this guy has been 3D printing constantly, with short breaks between prints. We have a nice collection of 3D printed high-poly video game-inspired 3D models, which you can check at our Pinterest or Facebook pages.

The design of the Ultimaker 2+ hasn’t suffered many changes: it is the same translucent wall box. But it is equipped with a new PT100 printhead and the option of using different nozzle sizes. The new printer has an improved cooling system allowing for faster cooling and airflow.

The Dutch company has really thought about its customers and makes it possible for Ultimaker 2 users to upgrade their 3D printer to an Ultimaker 2+ thanks to the upgraded extruder.

• Open source: Hardware & Software
• Build volume: 223 mm × 223 mm × 205 mm
• Heated bed: Yes
• Materials supported: PLA, ABS, CPE
• Dual extruder: No
• Recommended for: Everyone

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2. Form 1+

Form 1+

Formlab really revolutionized 3D printing with their Form 1+ 3D printer, which, compared to others available on the market, uses liquid resin to 3D print with high precision and quality.

• Open source: No
• Build volume: 125 mm × 125 mm × 165 mm
• Materials supported: Resin
• Dual extruder: No
• Recommended for: Intermediates/Pros

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3. Form 2

Just like his older brother, Form 2 is an SLA 3D printer printing in liquid resin. This 3D printer has got some improvements, with a slightly larger build area and a self-heating resin tank. The Formlab 3D printers are valued for their accuracy of the output and reliability.

• Open source: No
• Build volume: 145 mm × 145 mm × 175 mm
• Materials supported: Resin
• Dual extruder: No
• Recommended for: Intermediates/Pros

Here you can read more tech specs of Formlab 3D printers.

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4. Zortrax M200

4. Zortrax M200 3D Printer

Zortrax started as a Kickstart project back in 2013 and since then has been a reliable machine for those who want to build quality prints. Made of aluminum frame and with a perforated built platform to reduce warping of the print, the 3D printer is ideal for those who choose ABS as a print material.

Zortrax has a precise calibration, which makes the use of the 3D printer easy.

• Open source: No
• Build volume: 200 mm x 200 mm x 185 mm
• Heated bed: Yes
• Materials supported: ABS, HIPS, ULTRAT
• Dual extruder: No
• Recommended for: Everyone

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5. MakerBot Replicator

Makerbot Replicator 3D Printer

Now at its fifth generation, the MakerBot Replicator 3D printer creates high-resolution and high-precision 3D prints right on your desktop. Its built-in camera allows you to monitor the progress of the 3D printing from your mobile, thanks to the free MakerBot Mobile app.

• Open source: No
• Build volume: 252 mm x 199 mm x 150 mm
• Heated bed: Yes
• Materials supported: MakerBot PLA Filament
• Dual extruder: No
• Recommended for: Pros

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