If you’re in the market for a beginner or low-cost 3D printer, there’s reason to be happy. Even if robust capabilities are what you’re after, you may pay less than you expect, because many once-high-end features have migrated down to inexpensive models. We would know: PCMag has been reviewing 3D printers for more than a decade, since the very first consumer models. We assess their filament types, ease (or difficulty) of setup, and how suitable they are for their intended audience, as well as scope out their sample prints. You can trust our verdicts, which are based on a strict editorial ethics policy in addition to our hands-on testing. Our top-recommended budget 3D printer at the moment is the AnkerMake M5C, but we stand behind all of the other picks in this list, too. This guide will also help you understand the concepts and specific 3D printer specs relevant to beginners.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best Overall Budget 3D Printer
AnkerMake M5C 3D Printer
Pros & Cons
Great quality prints
Fast standard print speed
Print bed offers large print volume and easy print removal
Quick assembly
Easy-to-use slicer software
Requires Wi-Fi to connect to a PC
No real-time video monitoring or time-lapse capability
No on-device screen or control panel
Needs mobile app to load and unload filament
Why We Picked It
The surprisingly affordable AnkerMake M5C open-frame 3D printer is easy to assemble and to use. It has a generous print area for its price, and our testing shows it is capable of high-quality prints, even with the default settings in the slicer software. Having the ability to control the printer from a mobile device is a nice touch. We also like the availability of the fast 500mm-per-second mode. The M5C supports printing with various filaments, including PLA, PLA+, PETG, ABS, TPU, carbon fiber, and wood composite. AnkerMake provides its own software for print preparation, but according to the company, you can alternatively use UltiMaker Cura or PrusaSlicer.
Who It’s For
Overall, the $400 AnkerMake M5C is an excellent choice for both beginners and 3D-printing veterans. It is easy to put together and supports a wide variety of filaments. The M5C’s included tool kit adds even more value for people just starting a 3D printing hobby, with Allen wrenches, a filament cutter, and an extra extruder nozzle.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
Materials Supported
ABS, Composite, PLA
Number of Print Colors
1
Number of Extruders
1
Frame Design
Closed
Maximum Build Area (HWD)
9.3 by 9.2 by 9.8 inches (HWD)
Top Print Resolution
50 microns
Primary Interface(s)
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB Type-C
Dimensions (HWD)
18.9 by 18.9 by 14.7 inches
Weight
24.2 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year(s)
Learn More
AnkerMake M5C 3D Printer Review
Best Budget 3D Printer for Beginners and Hobbyists
Anycubic Kobra 2
Pros & Cons
Affordable
Prints fast and accurately
Easy to assemble
Very noisy fans
Leveling software is inconsistent
Can get worryingly hot
Why We Picked It
Among the things we look for in an entry-level 3D printer are a low price, ease of setup and use, largely problem-free operation, and solid print quality. The Anycubic Kobra 2 ticks off all these boxes. It lists at just $279 and is easy to use, too, with a unique extruder designed for fast printing. For software, it works with the popular open-source Cura program we’ve seen with numerous other 3D printers, but it also comes with the PrusaSlicer app, with tons of editing options for both new and advanced users.
Who It’s For
The Kobra 2 is great for newbies thanks to its bargain price, easy setup, and fast operation. Although its output in our tests was nearly misprint-free, print quality was unspectacular, with detailing that makes it a less-than-optimal choice for intermediate or expert users. Still, it’s a fine, low-risk first platform for those getting their feet wet in 3D printing.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Materials Supported
PLA, ABS, TPU, PETG
Number of Print Colors
1
Number of Extruders
1
Frame Design
Open
Maximum Build Area (HWD)
9.8 by 8.7 by 8.7 inches
Top Print Resolution
100 microns
Primary Interface(s)
microSD card, USB Type-C
Dimensions (HWD)
19.1 by 17.3 by 17.1 inches
Weight
18.5 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year(s)
Learn More
Anycubic Kobra 2 Review
Best Budget 3D Printer for Tinkerers and DIY Types
Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro
Pros & Cons
Easy assembly
Supports many filament types
Generated nicely detailed test prints
Auto-leveling program could be more accurate, may require slight adjustments
Why We Picked It
The Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro is an impressive open-frame 3D printer that supports high-temperature printing, which ensures its compatibility with a wide range of filaments. The S1 Pro produced some striking-looking prints with intricate detail in testing. Setting up this printer is a breeze, since most of the machine comes preassembled. It is a welcome addition to the 3D printer middle ground, sure to satisfy both 3D printing newbies and experienced creators looking for an affordable printer.
Who It’s For
You don’t have to be a pro to appreciate the Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro, an easy-to-use 3D printer that’s an excellent gateway for curious hobbyists as well as rookies looking to start an adventure in the world of 3D printing. Easy to install and manage, the S1 Pro is a top model for newcomers, and its support for various filament types makes it a good choice for experienced users as well. The quality of the prints isn’t perfect, but they’re good enough considering the S1 Pro’s relatively modest price.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
Materials Supported
PLA, ABS, Wood, TPU, PA, PETG
Number of Print Colors
1
Number of Extruders
1
Frame Design
Open
Maximum Build Area (HWD)
10.7 by 8.7 by 8.7 inches
Top Print Resolution
400 microns
Primary Interface(s)
SD Card, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Dimensions (HWD)
24.6 by 19.2 by 17.9 inches
Weight
18.9 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year(s)
Learn More
Creality Ender-3 S1 Pro Review
Best Budget 3D Printer for Large Prints
Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus
Pros & Cons
Prints large objects
Nearly problem-free printing
Good to very good print quality
Supports multiple filament types
Takes up a lot of space
No filament included
Why We Picked It
The open-frame Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus 3D printer represents great value in a sub-$500 3D printer, consistently producing good-quality prints in our testing, including some jumbo-sized objects. It requires some basic assembly and enough table or bench space to house it, but setup and operation proves easy enough. Be sure to add at least one filament spool to your order when purchasing the Neptune, or buy it in a bundle that includes filament.
Who It’s For
The Neptune 4 Plus is good for frugal hobbyists and daring newcomers looking to produce large prints. Some basic assembly is required, but setup is relatively easy, and our testing shows that it consistently prints good-quality objects. Advanced users will appreciate the fact that the Neptune supports a wide range of filament types.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Materials Supported
ABS, PLA, Nylon, PETG, ASA, TPU
Number of Print Colors
1
Number of Extruders
1
Frame Design
Open
Maximum Build Area (HWD)
15.2 by 12.6 by 12.6 inches
Top Print Resolution
100 microns
Primary Interface(s)
USB Thumb Drive, Wi-Fi
Dimensions (HWD)
25.2 by 21 by 22.8 inches
Weight
32 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year(s)
Learn More
Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus Review
Best Budget 3D Printer for Children
Toybox 3D Printer
Pros & Cons
Reliable, misprint-free printing
Easy setup
One-touch operation
Well-composed help resources
Access to more than 2,000 printable toys and projects
Lets you create your own printable designs
Tiny build area
Not ideal for importing 3D files created elsewhere
Why We Picked It
Not only is the Toybox 3D Printer quite affordable, but it is also a device that kids can enjoy with minimal supervision and use to output some nifty toys. A parent will be needed for the initial setup—which involves creating a free account, downloading an app, and syncing your mobile device with the printer—and there should always be an adult around during use by younger children. You can print from a mobile device or through a browser, selecting printable objects from Toybox’s generous selection or designing your own. Our testing shows printing is smooth, with no misprints. Filament-wise, it’s PLA only, which is the best choice for beginners.
Who It’s For
The Toybox 3D Printer is designed for use by children and young people—Toybox Labs suggests a minimum age of 5, as well as adult supervision. The printer should be fun for people of any age—printing with it is a good activity to bring parents and children together. You can import and print 3D files from outside its ecosystem, but the process can be tricky. That, combined with its minuscule build area and the fact that its filament is limited to PLA, make the Toybox a specialty printer unsuitable for general use. Still, it’s a great choice for its young target audience. Even better, it won’t break the bank.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
Materials Supported
PLA
Number of Print Colors
1
Number of Extruders
1
Frame Design
Open
Maximum Build Area (HWD)
3.5 by 3.1 by 2.8 inches
Top Print Resolution
200 microns
Primary Interface(s)
Wi-Fi
Dimensions (HWD)
9.1 by 7.4 by 7.4 inches
Weight
6.6 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year(s)
Learn More
Toybox 3D Printer Review
Best Budget Multi-Color 3D Printer
Bambu Lab A1 mini
Pros & Cons
Excellent-quality prints at low cost
Fast standard print speed
Quick assembly
Optional four-color print capability via reasonably priced accessory
Small print bed
Cramped touch-screen control panel
Printing with multiple colors results in filament waste
Why We Picked It
The Bambu Lab A1 mini is an affordable 3D printer in its own right, but it also offers an inexpensive add-on module that can print with any or all of four different-colored filaments, making multi-color creations easy. It generates high-quality prints at a relatively high speed, too. The A1 mini is exceptionally easy to get up and running and proved to be problem-free in our testing.
Who It’s For
The Bambu Lab A1 mini is a filament-based 3D printer suitable for beginners and budget-minded hobbyists alike. It’s the lowest-cost four-color fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer currently on the market and a superb choice for someone who wants a stellar out-of-the-box experience, simple operation, and some money left in the bank.
Specs & Configurations
3D-Printing Technology
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
Materials Supported
PLA, PETG, TPU, PVA
Number of Print Colors
4
Number of Extruders
1
Frame Design
Closed
Maximum Build Area (HWD)
70.9 x 70.9 x 70.9 inches (HWD)
Top Print Resolution
100 microns
Primary Interface(s)
Wi-Fi, microSD card
Dimensions (HWD)
13.7 x 12.4 x 14.4 inches (HWD)
Weight
12.12 lbs
Warranty (Parts/Labor)
1 year(s)
Learn More
Bambu Lab A1 mini Review
Buying Guide: The Best Cheap 3D Printers for 2024
The biggest changes to 3D printers over the last few years have come to the cheaper models. Nowadays, many of those classic, ornery 3D-printing issues have been resolved (most of the time, anyway), even for consumer and bargain-priced 3D printers. Automatic print-bed leveling is the norm, and you can usually remove 3D-printed objects from heated and/or flexible build plates with a minimum of coaxing. And most 3D printer manufacturers have either developed and refined their own software, or have adapted an open-source printing platform.What separates more expensive 3D printers from cheap ones (“cheap” defined as $500 or less, for the purposes of this article) is often a select group of features. These include the build volume, the type of frame, the varieties of supported filament, the software, and the connectivity mix. Let’s run through those in turn.What’s the Right Build Volume for a 3D Printer?A 3D printer’s build volume is the maximum dimensions (HWD) of a part that it can print. (We say “a part” because a 3D-printed object can consist of multiple parts that are printed, then glued or otherwise pieced together.) While the smallest build volume of any 3D printer we have tested is 3.9 by 3.9 by 4.9 inches, we consider any build volume smaller than 6 by 6 by 6 inches to be small, any between that and 10 by 10 by 10 inches as medium, and any printer with at least one build dimension of more than 10 inches as having a large build volume.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
As a general rule, inexpensive 3D printers have small build volumes, while more expensive ones have larger build volumes. This depends in part on the type of printer. Closed-frame 3D printers—and most semi-open models, which have a rigid top, base, and sides but are open in front and, often, back—tend to have small build volumes, while open-frame printers, lacking as rigid a physical structure, often have relatively large build volumes for the price. You’ll want to weigh the build volume against the kinds of objects you will print.Should I Get an Open-Frame or Closed-Frame 3D Printer?This brings us to the frame “form factor” question: open-frame versus closed-frame. Closed-frame 3D printers are boxlike devices, with a rigid base, walls (with a see-through door in front), and top. Among their advantages? They muffle the operating noise, as well as reduce the odor from melted filament (which is potentially an issue with ABS plastic), and they provide some protection for people or pets who might inadvertently touch the hot extruder. A downside: They tend to have smaller build volumes than open-frame 3D printers, which have fewer (often, no) walls to constrict them. Low-cost 3D printers include both open-frame and closed-frame models, as well as a few stereolithography printers. If a relatively large build volume is a priority, you’re likely to get more bang for the buck with an open-frame model. Open-frames do have some clear downsides by definition: They tend to be noisy, emit odors when certain plastics are melted, and provide little protection for someone who might touch the hot extruder.Also, recognize some potential negatives of open frames, depending on the model. Some require assembly, being essentially kits, and most require more setup care than a closed-frame printer, plus more maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Still, these very traits should not deter—and may even appeal to—hobbyists and DIY folks.What Should I Look for in 3D Printer Software and Connectivity?Gone are the days when tinkerers had to cobble together several different programs to get a 3D printer to run. Manufacturers either include their own 3D printing program or modify an existing platform, such as the open-source UltiMaker Cura.
(Credit: Ultimaker Cura)
3D printing software performs three main functions: processing an object file (resizing, moving, rotating, and in some cases duplicating it), slicing it (into virtual layers, based on your chosen resolution), and printing it. These are almost universally combined into a seamless process. Some high-end printers have software that supports a wider range of settings you can tweak, but even the basic suites work at least reasonably well.More likely to vary among the cheaper set is the array of connection options from model to model. Nearly all have a USB Type-A port to fit a thumb drive for printing from document files. Most also have a USB Type-B port for connecting directly to a computer, and some offer Wi-Fi, too (or as an alternative), while a handful let you connect via Ethernet to share the printer across a local network. Some printers support storing 3D files on an SD or microSD card (which may also contain the printer’s system files). Most 3D printer manufacturers (even the discount ones) have a mobile app to launch and monitor print jobs, and a few provide access to cloud services from which you can print. While high-end 3D printers tend to have an abundance of connection choices, discount models vary widely in their choices. Some are generous and some are basic, so it pays to assess what a given model offers.
Recommended by Our Editors
What Should I Look for in Filament Support?Filament support tends to be a key area that separates the cheaper models from the higher-end ones. (See our guide to understanding 3D printing filaments for more particulars.) Inexpensive 3D printers tend to support a limited number of plastic filament types, some of them only PLA and/or ABS.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
PLA (polylactic acid) is a biodegradable, plant-based polymer, while ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is the same tough plastic that Legos are made from. Objects printed from ABS are durable and nontoxic, though the material can be tricky to work with. ABS can emit an acrid, unpleasant odor during printing, and the bottom corners of objects being printed with it have a tendency to curl upward a bit, especially if you are using a non-heated print bed. This can lead to unsightly prints, and/or prints prematurely pulling off the build plate, ruining them.Many entry-level and low-price 3D printers stick exclusively to PLA. If you want to experiment with a larger variety of filaments—which include water-soluble filament, wood- and metal-laced composites, and both tough and flexible varieties—you may have to pay more. However, a few discount models support a wide range of materials.So, Ready to Buy the Right Budget 3D Printer for You?Buying a budget 3D printer needn’t mean a world of sacrifice. Plenty of capable and reliable models sell at less than $500, and while they may not be as feature-rich as their more expensive cousins, there’s no sense in paying for things you don’t need.Many casual 3D-printing experimenters will be fine with printing over a USB cable or from a thumb drive, and sticking to PLA may be the best choice for a starter 3D printer. If you focus just on the features you want, you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find. Check out our spec breakdown of the best under-$500 3D printers we have reviewed, paralleling our picks above. Also, for a look at the broader market, see our guide to our favorite 3D printers overall.
