What should a beginner look for?
- Automatic bed leveling. An uneven build plate is the biggest cause of failed first prints. Let the printer handle it.
- A good app or slicer. Sending files and watching a print from your phone saves a lot of hassle.
- Open or enclosed. Open is fine for PLA and PETG. ABS and ASA need an enclosed printer. An enclosure also reduces noise and keeps small hands and pets away from hot parts.
- Build volume. Around 220 × 220 mm is enough for almost everything a beginner prints. Smaller is fine if you mostly make small objects.
- Total cost. The printer is only part of it. Filament, electricity and failed prints count too. Work them out with the calculator.
Cheapest possible start: Creality Ender-3 V3 SE
The lowest entry price of the printers we compare, with automatic leveling. It is open and sometimes needs a bit more tuning than the pricier models. A good choice if you want to find out whether 3D printing is for you without spending much.
Calculate what a print costs on this printer
Least hassle: Bambu Lab A1 Mini or A1
These printers calibrate themselves and work with a clear app, which is why they are the most popular entry-level printers. The A1 Mini (180 × 180 × 180 mm) fits a small space, the A1 (256 × 256 × 256 mm) is the all-rounder. Both can be extended later with the AMS lite for multiple colors.
We have no shop link for these two. You can find them at Bambu Lab itself and at most 3D printing shops.
Calculate costs for the A1 Mini · for the A1
Multiple colors on a small budget: Creality K2 SE
If you want to print in multiple colors from day one, the K2 SE with the CFS system is an affordable route. Keep in mind that every color change uses some filament. If you mostly print in one color, one of the printers above is cheaper.
Enclosed, quiet and ABS and ASA too: Bambu Lab P1S
An enclosed printer that is ready to use. The enclosure keeps the temperature stable, so ABS and ASA work too. The Combo includes the AMS for multicolor printing. If you want to start with a single color, the P1S without AMS is cheaper; you can add the AMS later.
Calculate what a print costs on the P1S Combo
Prefer European support?
Prusa is a Czech manufacturer that sells direct, with European support and open-source software. The Original Prusa MINI+ is their entry model (180 × 180 × 180 mm). More expensive than the other printers on this page, but known for its reliability.
What else do you need?
Really just filament. Start with PLA: it is cheap, easy to print and suitable for almost anything. A 1 kg spool covers dozens of small prints (see the cost per material). A filament dryer is handy, but only needed once you print PETG or TPU or have many failed prints (see drying filament).
Frequently asked questions
What is the best 3D printer for beginners?
Choose a printer with automatic bed leveling and a good app. For the cheapest start, pick an open entry-level model around 200 euros; if you also want to print ABS or ASA or want it quiet, pick an enclosed printer.
How much should I spend on my first 3D printer?
A good entry-level printer costs about 200 to 400 euros. Enclosed and multicolor printers usually cost 500 euros or more. On top of that, count on 20 to 25 euros per kilo of filament.
Do I need a multicolor printer as a beginner?
No. Most prints are single-color. Multicolor printing is fun, but it uses extra filament at every color change and makes the printer more expensive.
This advice is a selection, not a complete or independent test. Specifications and prices change quickly: check the current details with the manufacturer or shop. No rights can be derived from it.