From something as advanced as additive manufacturing to creating prototypes and models for school projects, 3D is all the rage in 2024. With the emergence of technology, not only has 3D printing become more affordable but also more accessible in the past few years. This is one technology that has matured quite a bit and is definitely here to stay. And the good news is that, you can now get your hands on your own little fully functional 3D printer in less than a grand. Whether your 3D printing needs are to cater to an enterprise or for your personal use, there’s definitely a printer that can serve the purpose. If you are trying to figure out which printer would suit your need the best, this list is just for you. In this list, we have carefully curated 10 best 3d printers under $1000 that you can choose from. We hope that this will guide you to find the right product effortlessly.
Best 3D printers under $1000 in 2024
| Product | Layer Thickness | Max Build Size | Supported Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flashforge Creator Pro | 100 microns | 8.9 x 5.8 x 5.9 in | PLA, ABS, TPU, PVA, and more |
| BIBO 3D | 50 microns | 8.4 x 7.3 x 6.3 in | PLA, ABS, HIPS, PVA, and more |
| Monoprice Select Mini | 100 microns | 4.7 x 4.7 x 4.7 in | PLA, ABS, TPU, PVA, HIPS, and more |
| ROBO 3D R1 Plus | 100 microns | 9.9 x 9.0 x 8.0 in | PLA, ABS, Wood PLA, and more! |
| FlashForge Finder | 100 microns | 5.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 in | PLA |
| QIDI 3DP | 50 microns | 8.8 x 5.9 x 5.9 in | PLA, ABS |
| Monoprice Maker | 100 microns | 7.9 x 7.9 x 7.1 in | PLA, ABS, PVA, Jelly, and more |
| prusa i3 V2 B | 100 microns | 8.0 x 8.0 x 7.0 in | PLA, ABS, PVA, Wood, TPE |
| da Vinci Mini | 100 microns | 5.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 in | PLA, PETG, Tough PLA |
| Dremel Digilab | 100 microns | 9.0 x 5.9 x 5.5 in | PLA |
#1 Flashforge Creator Pro 3D Printer
If you are new to the world of 3D printing and need a reliable partner to guide to your ultimate goal, the Flashforge Creator Pro is for you. The manufacturer has a long standing legacy of being extremely customer friendly and supportive. So you can be sure that you will have help when you need it. The printer itself is a metal frame one as opposed to the older wooden frame printers. It comes with a preassembled front door and a platform that’s just right. With a build volume of almost 5 liters and layer thickness as fine as 0.1-0.3mm, this printer is certainly at the top of its technical game. The Flashforge Creator Pro is compatible with Windows, Mac OSX and Linux. The printing build envelope on this one is 225*145*150mm which is pretty decent.
#2 BIBO 3D Printer
The next on this list is the BIBO 3D printer which is everything you ask for in a 3D printer and more. If you intend to engrave some really cool things on surfaces like wood, leather and paper, this printer will certainly do justice. The possibilities are endless with this printer. Its sturdy aluminum composite panel and acrylic hood make it quite the machine. With a build size of 214*186*160mm this printer is suitable for printing slightly larger objects as well. Add to that the fact that this has a layer resolution of as fine as 0.05mm – 0.3mm and you have the perfect printer for hobbyists. Another cool feature that it offers is the dual extruders which brings down printing time by about 50% and can print two colors without having to change the filament.
#3 Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer v2
Now if you are just a beginner at 3D printing and don’t wish to blow out a fortune on the hardware, the Monoprice Select Mini v2 is the perfect choice for you. It is the go-to for anybody who wants to just experiment with 3D printing. With a cubic build are of 120*120*120mm, this is the quintessential mini printer. With a resolution of 0.1mm, the Monoprice mini is certainly one of the best products of its category in this price range. The size however is not the unique selling point of this printer. It’s the wide variety of materials that can be used for printing. From ABS to felty, jelly and foam, you name it and this Monoprice Mini will print it for you. We highly recommend it for your in house experiments.
#4 Dremel Digilab 3D20 Printer
Ask any hobby experimentalist and they’ll tell you they’ve heard of Dremel. A brand that has been a pioneer in the field of rotary machinery and DIY project tools, they have established a reputation for them in the industry. You can be sure that a product from Dremel is built to last. The Dremel Digilab 3D20 is not any different. If you are looking for a sizable 3D printer that you can experiment with a little, this is just the machine for you. For all you techies out there, this printer opens up greater opportunities for tinkering. With its 0.1mm resolution and other standard features like a touch screen, Dremel Digilab 3D20 is appropriate for beginners. It’s easy to use construction makes it particularly suited for anyone who is a first timer.
#5 ROBO 3D R1 Plus
Talk Big build volume, small budget and you simply can’t ignore the ROBO R1 plus. For a single extruder machine, this is a great choice. With a build volume of 720 cubic inches, this is perfect for all the medium and big sized projects. In addition to being the most affordable product of this volume, the customer support network is impeccable with round the clock, seven days a week helpline. This should solve most of your queries seamlessly. If the thought of putting together a machine intimidates you a little, worry not. This giant comes fully assembled and ready to plug in and use. Its 0.1mm layer resolution may not be the best but it can be traded off for the other features that the ROBO R1 plus provides.
#6 QIDI Technology 3DP-QDA16-01
If you are a fan of good looking machines and technology alike, the QIDI Technology QDA16-01 is built for you. Speaking of fans, the QIDI QDA16-01 comes with 4 inbuilt cooling fans for improved temperature control. This aesthetically impressive printer had to make it to our list. In addition to easily being one of the best looking 3D printers on this list, the QIDI printer is loaded with cool features. A full touchscreen, build volume of 230*150*150mm and a layer resolution of 0.05mm is what makes this an outstanding choice in this price range. To top it all, we have the aviation grade aluminum body and acrylic lid which up the cool factor a notch. Although it does not come pre-assembled, the World Wide Web will certainly aid you in assembling it in no time. For all you perfectionists, this printer comes with warp prevention technology that sure is impressive.
#7 Monoprice Maker Select
The Monoprice Maker Select is yet another 3D printer from the Monoprice Maker series to make it to this list. Unlike the Mini, this one is a medium to large build volume printer with a build volume of 200*200*180mm. The layer resolution stands decent at 0.1mm. The other features that Monoprice offers are reliable are user friendly. A wide array of software’s can used for printing and the machine is connected with USB and micro SD. In alignment with the Monoprice products, a material of your choice can be used for printing. The manufacturer’s claim that the machine can be assembled with just 6 screws is a mark of excellent design and we approve.
#8 FlashForge Finder
The second FlashForge printer to make it to this list is the FlashForge Finder 3D printer. This light on the pocket printer is one of the best buys in the price range. It is a sturdy machine that generates almost no noise during operation. This will allow you to print at home or in an office environment without disturbance. The only drawback, like with most FlashForge printers is that you can use only PLA as material for printing. The printer is WiFi connected and works with Windows, OSX and Linux operating systems. With a build volume of 140*140*140mm and layer resolution of 0.1-0.4mm, this printer is value for money. Although the build volume is not big, it is ideal for DIYs and school projects. The 3D cloud function is an additional feature that you might interest you, especially if you wish to share and download ready models for printing.
#9 RepRap Guru prusa i3 V2 B
For any beginner who needs a simple hassle-free printer without shelling out too much money, the RepRap Guru prusa i3 V2 B is perfect. This affordable printer is a pre-assembled machine with both USB and 220V power supply support. With a build volume of approximately 200*200*177mm this RepRap 3D printer certainly makes a good choice for hobbyists. Although it may not outshine the others on this list aesthetics wise, the borosilicate glass bed is certainly built to last. The resolution is a decent 0.1mm. It can be operated with Mac, PC or Linux system. The comprehensive instruction manual will also give you a fair idea of basics of 3D printing.
#10 da Vinci Mini Wireless 3D Printer
The last printer to make it to our list is also probably one of the best looking 3D printers. The da Vinci Mini like the name suggests is a small size build volume 3D printer. The 150*150*150mm build volume is sufficient for most hobby and school project tasks. This auto calibrated machine needs no levelling and can be used by someone without a technical background as well. With a layer resolution of 0.1-0.4mm, this printer can print using PLA, PETG, Tough PLA and Antibacterial PLA. Additionally, it can print using Carbon Fiber. It can be used with the XYZmaker 3D modeling software which can be downloaded for free. Apart from being a one button machine, it is also built with eco friendly filaments.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the choice of a 3D printer for you is solely based on your purpose. The printers listed here are all promising for different requirements in the price range. However, if you are a beginner, there are a few key points you need to look for to help you compare and make the choice. The first of those is assembly and customer support from the manufacturer. This is very important for anyone who is a first timer or wouldn’t want to spend too much time troubleshooting. The next aspect to look for is the build volume, which will decide the maximum size of the objects that can be printed. Another factor is the layer resolution and material used to print. The last is the sturdiness and compatibility with operating systems and connectivity. So circle down your prime necessity in a 3D printer and simply pick one from the list that ticks all your checkboxes.
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