Best 3D Printer for Beginners in 2024

A 3D printer is an electronic device that creates three-dimensional objects based on a digital file. A 3D printer uses a process called additive manufacturing, where three-dimensional objects are created by placing material layer by layer according to a digital design.

A 3D printer provides these 4 benefits for individuals and businesses.

1. Provides rapid prototyping for cost-effective design changes.
2. Allows personalized printing based on individual requirements.
3. Reduces material waste by accurate additive manufacturing.
4. Enables manufacture of complex products even for individuals and small businesses.

Geekflare has curated this list of the best 3D printers for beginners based on features like speed, resolution, quality, and connectivity.

1. ELEGOO Saturn (Best for Detailed Prints)
2. Ender 3 Pro (Best for Custom Printing)
3. ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X2 (Best for Big 3D Models)
4. Monoprice Voxel (Best for Multiple Model Printing)
5. Official Creality Ender 3 (Best for Auto Levelling)
6. Voxelab Aquila (Best for Cloud Printing)
7. Voxelab Aquila S2 FDM (Best for Failure Recovery)
8. JGMAKER Magic (Best for Mirrored Models Printing)
9. Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K (Best for High-Resolution Printing)
10. Mingda Magician  (Best for High-Quality Printing)
11. FLSUN V400 (Best for High-Speed Printing)
12. FLASHFORGE Adventurer (Best for High-Performance Printing)

ELEGOO Saturn

ELEGOO Saturn is a 3D resin printer that produces detailed designs, swift prints, and accurate models. The printer provides excellent detailing and smooth, delicate models.

The ELEGOO Saturn 3 has a 10-inch 12K mono LCD screen with a resolution of 11520×5120 and an XY resolution of 19×24μm. This enables the fabrication of highly intricate models with ease at speeds of up to 70mm/h. The LCD screen is scratch—and resin-resistant as it is made of tempered glass of 9H hardness.

The ELEGOO Saturn 3 has a big build volume of 218.88×122.88×250 mm³/8.62×4.84×9.84 inches and is an excellent choice for larger print models and ambitious projects. It uses a Fresnel collimating light source and COB technology to emit a homogeneous light beam with a wavelength of 405nm. This yields remarkable clarity and detail, with over 90% light uniformity and a light-scattering coefficient of 0.5%, ensuring exceptionally accurate and consistent prints.

ELEGOO Saturn Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Brand	ELEGOO
Material	Resin
Dimensions	23″D x 14″W x 15″H
Weight	33 Pounds
Devices	Laptop, Smartphone

ELEGOO Saturn Pros

• Perfect for detail-orientated prints.
• Has a good print volume that makes it suitable for printing larger models.
• Compatible with third-party slicer software, such as CHITUBOX and Lychee Slicer.

ELEGOO Saturn Cons

• It requires thorough knowledge of the setup, as it has many parts to fix.

ELEGOO Saturn Price

ELEGOO Saturn is priced at $352.99.

Ender 3 Pro

The Ender 3 Pro is a 3D Printer with a resume printing function that allows uninterrupted printing even after power failures or lapses. The printer’s Easy and Quick Assembly feature includes pre-assembled pieces, requiring approximately 2 hours to build 20 nuts efficiently.

The Ender 3 has Advanced Extruder Technology, which reduces the possibility of plugging and assures smooth, noiseless movement with its V-shaped design and POM wheels. The Safety Protected Power Supply heats the bed to 100 degrees Celsius in just 5 minutes, increasing both efficiency and safety for faster printing.

Ender 3 Pro comes with lifetime technical support to ensure consumers’ piece of mind and assistance whenever necessary.

Ender 3 Pro Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Brand	Comgrow
Material	Steel
Dimensions	22″D x 22″W x 25″H
Weight	6.62 Kilograms
Devices	Laptop, Smartphone

Ender 3 Pro Pros

• It supports customized printing for versatile projects.
• Output performance has good quality and finishing for its price range.
• Low-noise operation, wear resistance, and a longer service life.

Ender 3 Pro Cons

• The printer does not come with a screen protector to protect the screen.
• The bed needs to be leveled before every use.

Ender 3 Pro Price

Ender 3 Pro 3D printer costs $168.99.

ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X2

ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 2 is a 3D printer with a 6.6-inch 4K+ monochrome LCD panel resolution of 4096 x 2560. Its screen technology improves the depiction of 3D printing models through attention to detail for extreme precision. It has an ultra-large scratch-resistant screen protector. This ensures excellent protection and printing accuracy, with up to 95% light transmittance.

ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X2 Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Brand	ANYCUBIC
Material	Aluminum
Dimensions	11.8″D x 12″W x 21″H
Weight	4.5 Kilograms
Devices	Laptop, Smartphone

ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X2 Pros

• It comes with an in-built screen guard.
• The printer has touch screen mode for smooth operation.
• Easily prints larger 3D models.

ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X2 Cons

• The setup requires some working knowledge.

ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X2 Price

ANYCUBIC Photon Mon X2’s price is $229.99.

Monoprice Voxel

The Monoprice Voxel has a simple menu system that facilitates easy printing. It comes with a quick-change nozzle, which allows for seamless nozzle replacements in seconds without the use of any tools. It has a heated, flexible, and removable construction plate that makes model removal easier.

The Monoprice Voxel allows users to change the printing nozzle easily, within seconds. It has a built-in camera for close monitoring of print operations. The printer is fully calibrated and includes an auto-leveling feature for easy setup and operation. The plate can be heated to 60 °C and quickly replaced if broken, enabling continuous printing.

Compatibility is another feature of the Monoprice Voxel, as it is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. It allows auto-feeding with a filament sensor for quick filament changes, pausing prints when the filament is low.

Monoprice Voxel Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Brand	Monoprice
Material	Polycarbonate
Dimensions	15.9″D x 15.7″W x 15″H
Weight	12.92 Kilograms
Devices	Windows {XP/Vista/7/8/10, Mac OS X, Linux}

Monoprice Voxel Pros and Cons

• Has a removable flexible build plate.
• More than 5 items can be printed together.
• It ships fully calibrated so that it is ready to print straight out from the box.

Monoprice Voxel Cons

• It cannot be connected to smartphones or other smart gadgets.

Monoprice Voxel Price

Monoprice Voxel 3D printer is priced at $389.00.

Official Creality Ender 3

Official Creality Ender 3 prints at speeds ranging from 500mm/s to 8000mm/s², completing models quickly with the required accuracy. It uses smart algorithms to limit vibrations to prevent ringing or ghosting and optimizes feeding flow to reduce blobs and oozes.

Official Creality Ender 3 runs clever self-tests for Z offset, auto-leveling, simplifying setup, and maintenance. Its snappy touch UI includes an intuitive tab bar, real-time model previews, and dynamic parameter visualizations to improve user experience.

Official Creality Ender 3 has an ultra-smooth motion with exact accuracy, stability, and minimal friction. It is made of sturdy steel and can withstand long-term use. Connectivity features such as LAN printing and cloud printing offer WiFi-based smart control from a PC or phone, allowing for easy management of several printers as a print farm. Additionally, dual-model cooling fans on either side of the print head optimize cooling and shaping, resulting in higher printing quality.

Official Creality Ender 3 Specification

Product Details	Product Specifications
Brand	Creality
Material	Metal
Dimensions	8.65″D x 9.44″W x 8.66″H
Weight	7.8 Kilograms
Devices	Laptop, Smartphone

Official Creality Ender 3 Pros

• Prints at temperatures up to 300℃.
• Has been provided extra stability through dual Z-axis lead screws and Y-axis shafts.
• Offers LAN and cloud printing capabilities.

Official Creality Ender 3 Cons

• The user manual does not provide clear instructions for first-time users.

Official Creality Ender 3 Price

Official Creality Ender 3 printer costs around $299.00.

Voxelab Aquila

Voxelab Aquila is a high-precision printer with a carbon-crystal silicone glass platform. It has a print capacity of 15.6″ x 15.6″ x 15.6″ and effectively tackles large-scale printing projects. Using an optimized structure and control system, the Aquila X3 Max printer maintains high-quality prints at a speed of 200mm/s. Its noise reduction technology reduces printing noise to ≤45 dB, making the printing environment more comfortable and silent.

The Aquila X3 Max has auto-leveling technology, which uses intelligent algorithms to automatically adjust platform height to ensure ideal printing conditions without the need for manual intervention. Moreover, the printer produces better success rates and print quality as it uses a flexible PEI platform.

Voxelab Aquila comes with a filament identification feature and resume printing capability to improve printing dependability and efficiency. These features save time, money, and materials by preventing printing failures brought on by power outages or filament depletion.

Voxelab Aquila Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Brand	Voxelab
Material	Acrylonitrile But, Polylactic Acid
Dimensions	8.65″D x 9.44″W x 8.66″H
Weight	6.2 Kilograms
Devices	Laptop, Smartphone

Voxelab Aquila Pros

• Easy to assemble upon following the instructions manual.
• High-speed but silent printing with filament detection.
• Good customer support.

Voxelab Aquila Cons

• Bed leveling needs to be monitored for each print to ensure proper printing.
• Needs some level of expertise for quick installation.

Voxelab Aquila Price

Voxelab Aquila 3D Printer costs 299.00.

Voxelab Aquila S2 FDM

The Voxelab Aquila S2 FDM has a double-sided design, and the Magnetic PEI Steel Platform makes the model simple and reduces maintenance expenses over time.

Voxelab Aquila S2 FDM optimizes printing conditions by concurrently preheating the nozzle and platform for maximum efficiency with printing rates of up to 200mm/s.

Voxelab Aquila S2 FDM includes features like filament run-out detection and resume printing to avoid printing failures caused by power outages or filament depletion. Voxelab Aquila S2 FDM Printer box includes a range of copper nozzle diameters to accommodate various filament types.

Voxelab Aquila S2 FDM Specification

Product Details	Product Specifications
Brand	Voxelab
Material	Metal, Steel
Dimensions	22.44″D x 14.96″W x 8.46″H
Weight	9 Kilograms
Devices	Laptop, Personal Computer, Smartphone

Voxelab Aquila S2 FDM Pros

• Supports power failure recovery.
• Comes with 32-bit Silent Motherboard.
• Is a DIY printer that can be assembled easily.

Voxelab Aquila S2 FDM Cons

• Using auto-leveling might be tricky.
• Customer support can be an issue.

Voxelab Aquila S2 FDM Price

The 3D Voxelab Aquila S2 FDM printer is priced at US$ 143.00.

JGMAKER Magic

JGMAKER Magic is a larger 3D printer model that offers an ultra-large forming volume of up to 300x300x340mm. When using the “duplicate” or “mirror” mode, it prints two identical or mirrored models simultaneously in an area measuring 111x300x340 mm.

JGMAKER Magic Upgraded features the TMC2209 ultra-silent motor drivers and a 32-bit motherboard, which are given priority and enable silent movement during printing. It comes with Meanwell power supplies, which are renowned for their quality and service. These power supplies further enhance reliability by guaranteeing stability and safety during operation.

JGMAKER Magic’s Upgraded mechanical limit switch has been replaced with an X-axis optical switch for increased accuracy and precision. Moreover, a 3.5-inch HD color touchscreen and an updated operational user interface (UI) system guarantee ease of use.

JGMAKER Magic Upgraded Specification

Product Details	Product Specifications
Brand	JG MAKER
Material	ABS PLA TPU PVA
Dimensions	22.04″D x 22.44″W x 35.43″H
Weight	15.7 Kilograms
Devices	Laptop, Personal Computer

JGMAKER Magic Upgraded Pros

• Two mirrored items can be printed at the same time.
• It comes with a colored touchscreen interface.
• Printer fans provided a silent printing experience.

JGMAKER Magic Upgraded Cons

• The user interface is difficult to understand.
• The leveling system does not stop automatically at times.

JGMAKER Magic Upgraded Price

JGMAKER Magic Upgraded cost 499.00.

Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K

Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K is a 3D LCD resin printer. It has the highest resolution for making 3D models, f 22 µm for printing in high quality with an unmatched level of detail.

Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K has a smooth surface and up to 50% fewer layer lines. This function improves the overall quality of the printed output by enabling the production of 3D models. The printer is suitable for users of all backgrounds and skill levels because it is designed to be accessible.

The Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K comes with features that allow users to work with their preferred tools easily, regardless of whether they are using Lychee, Chitubox, Tango, or another slicing software. This feature improves the overall quality of the printed output.

Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Brand	Phrozen
Material	Resin
Dimensions	11.42″D x 11.42″W x 16.93″H
Weight	4.4 kg
Devices	Personal Computer

Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K Pros

• Easy to use with good-quality printing.
• It comes with complete instructions to make the setup of the product easy.
• The printer comes with some tools included in the box.

Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K Cons

• The LCD screen does not respond at times.

Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K Price

The 3D Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K printer is priced at 499.99.

Mingda Magician 

Mingda Magician is an automatic leveling printer. Its sensitive sensor and auto-leveling mechanism print objects. The printer installation process is easy and takes just 15 minutes to complete. Improved extruder assembly procedures facilitate easy disassembly and reassembly of the printer.

Mingda Magician has options for complete metal hotends and PEI steel plates. It expands the 3D printing creations. This adaptability improves overall printing quality and efficiency by enabling users to customize the printer according to their requirements and preferences.

Mingda Magician comes with features like auto power-cut heated bed cables at the back and a well-organized cable design. It is designed to guarantee a refined and organized complement to your workstation, augmenting both general visual appeal and practicals.

Mingda Magician Specifications

Product Details	Product Specifications
Brand	MINGDA
Material	Metal & Plastic
Dimensions	21″D x 17″W x 10″H
Weight	10.1 Kilograms
Devices	Personal Computer

Mingda Magician Pros

• It comes with a highly sensitive sensor and intelligent leveling, which automatically adjusts the hotbed.
• It can be easily removed and assembled.
• Support PEI steel plates and all-metal hot ends.

Mingda Magician Cons

• The parts of the printer are made of plastic and can break easily.

Mingda Magician Price

Mingda Magician 3D printer is priced at $349.99.

FLSUN V400

FLSUN V400 is a 3D printer built with a bi-metal extruder throat tube that supports high-temperature printing up to 300°C. Its 7″ wide-angle IPS interactive screen provides an easy-to-use interface, and its KlipperScreen interface improves use and work.

FLSUN V400 uses a special leveling algorithm that fixes 25-point processing faults to guarantee perfect initial layers. Moreover, it is a dependable and effective option for 3D printing aficionados as it offers consumable detection, stops printing when necessary, and effortlessly continues after replacement.

The FLSUN V400 3D Printer has features that are both quick and high-quality. Its pre-installed Klipper software allows for high-speed printing at 600 mm/s without requiring a lot of setup. With its 70N extrusion power and ultralight short-range extruder, it is an excellent printer for printing PLA and other hard and flexible consumables.

FLSUN V400 Specification

Product Details	Product Specifications
Brand	FLSUN
Material	Plastic
Dimensions	38.9″D x 8″W x 19.2″H
Weight	20.5 Kilograms
Devices	Personal Computer, Smartphones

FLSUN V400 Pros

• Supports high-speed printing.
• Supports printing at high temperatures.
• The printer supports a multitouch interaction scheme.

FLSUN V400 Cons

• The fans of the printer create a loud noise.

FLSUN V400 Price

FLSUN V400 3D printer cost 579.00.

FLASHFORGE Adventurer

Flashforge Adventurer 4 Pro is a high-performance printer that prints at a maximum speed of 300 mm/s with an acceleration of 10,000 mm/s2. It provides a quick printing size of 220x200x250 mm for larger build volume.

The Adventurer 4 Pro’s three cooling fans (advanced cooling technology) and adaptable PEI platform guarantee superb printing quality and accuracy when printing detailed projects. Moreover, the printer’s platform makes printing more efficient by enabling simple model removal in seconds without needing tools.

FLASHFORGE Adventurer has printing options supporting a wide range of filaments, such as ABS, PLA, PETG, silk, and carbon fibre versions. It includes advanced features like silent printing (<45db), reminders for filament run-out, and the ability to continue printing after power interruptions.

FLASHFORGE Adventurer Specification

Product Details	Product Specifications
Brand	Voxelab
Material	Steel
Dimensions	22.44″D x 22.83″W x 24.8″H
Weight	1 Kilogram
Devices	Laptop, Smartphone

FLASHFORGE Adventurer Pros

• Has a HEPA13 air filter that removes 99% of the smell of TVOC powder.
• Built-in HD camera and Wi-Fi module.
• Fully enclosed design.

FLASHFORGE Adventurer Cons

• It is troublesome to set up without sufficient technical knowledge.

FLASHFORGE Adventurer Price

The price of FLASHFORGE Adventurer is $449.00.

Best 3D Printer Comparison Table

3D Printer	Material	Dimensions	Weight	Compatible Devices
ELEGOO Saturn	Resin	23″D x 14″W x 15″H	33 lbs	Laptop, Smartphone
Ender 3 Pro	Steel	22″D x 22″W x 25″H	6.62 kg	Laptop, Smartphone
ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X2	Aluminum	11.8″D x 12″W x 21″H	4.5 kg	Laptop, Smartphone
Monoprice Voxel	Polycarbonate	15.9″D x 15.7″W x 15″H	12.92 kg	Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10, Mac OS X, Linux
Official Creality Ender 3	Metal	8.65″D x 9.44″W x 8.66″H	7.8 kg	Laptop, Smartphone
Voxelab Aquila	Acrylonitrile But, Polylactic Acid	8.65″D x 9.44″W x 8.66″H	6.2 kg	Laptop, Smartphone
Voxelab Aquila S2 FDM	Metal, Steel	22.44″D x 14.96″W x 8.46″H	9 kg	Laptop, Personal Computer, Smartphone
JGMAKER Magic	ABS, PLA, TPU, PVA	22.04″D x 22.44″W x 35.43″H	15.7 kg	Laptop, Personal Computer
Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K	Resin	11.42″D x 11.42″W x 16.93″H	4.4 kg	Personal Computer
Mingda Magician	Metal & Plastic	21″D x 17″W x 10″H	10.1 kg	Personal Computer
FLSUN V400	PLA	38.9″D x 8″W x 19.2″H	20.5 kg	Personal Computer, Smartphones
FLASHFORGE Adventurer	Steel	22.44″D x 22.83″W x 24.8″H	1kg	Laptop, Smartphone

How to Choose the Best 3D Printer

These are the 4 things to consider when choosing the best 3D printer.

1. The purpose and use of the 3D printer will determine the quality of output needed, i.e., whether it is to be used for amateur projects, professional prototyping, or educational purposes. Knowing the purpose and use also helps in the selection of the features and specifications that work best.
2. Budget and maintenance factor in the upfront cost as well as ongoing expenses such as filament, maintenance, and potential upgrades. The running costs need to be factored into the long-term financial plan and budget.
3. Print quality and resolution matter when detailed prints are required, as high resolution and accuracy are integral. The printer’s print quality, layer height, and support materials should all be considered to determine this.
4. Ease of use and setup are especially important for beginners. Simple assembly and intuitive software interfaces are what make a printer easy to set up and use.

Support and community are factors worth considering, as when users are stuck, and the manufacturer’s user manual or website fails, community forums are the best bet. Manufacturers that provide good after-sale support, warranty coverage, and spare part availability add to the overall product value.

Frequently Asked Questions

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