The three cost items per hour
- Depreciation: purchase price divided by the expected lifetime in print hours. A €400 printer that lasts 4000 hours costs €0.10 per hour.
- Electricity: power (kW) × electricity price. See 3D printer electricity cost.
- Maintenance: nozzles, build plates, belts and lubricant. We use €0.10 per hour.
Cost per hour = purchase price ÷ lifetime + power × electricity price + maintenance per hour
Cost per print hour for popular printers
Assumptions: lifetime 4000 print hours, maintenance €0.10 per hour, electricity €0.30 per kWh. The power draw in watts is an estimate.
| Printer | Indicative price | Power | Depreciation/h | Electricity/h | Total/h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bambu Lab A1 Mini | €220 | 80 W | €0.06 | €0.02 | €0.18 |
| Creality Ender-3 V3 SE | €200 | 100 W | €0.05 | €0.03 | €0.18 |
| Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro | €250 | 100 W | €0.06 | €0.03 | €0.19 |
| Elegoo Centauri Carbon | €300 | 120 W | €0.08 | €0.04 | €0.21 |
| Bambu Lab A1 | €350 | 100 W | €0.09 | €0.03 | €0.22 |
| Creality K1C | €400 | 120 W | €0.10 | €0.04 | €0.24 |
| Bambu Lab P1S Combo | €560 | 130 W | €0.14 | €0.04 | €0.28 |
| Prusa MK4S | €1,000 | 100 W | €0.25 | €0.03 | €0.38 |
Maintenance (€0.10 per hour) is included in the total. Prices are indicative, see also compare printers.
Cheap per hour is not always cheap per print
What matters is the cost per print, not per hour. Suppose printer A costs €0.22 per hour and needs 5 hours for a print, while printer B costs €0.28 per hour but finishes the same print in 3 hours. Then the print costs €1.10 in machine cost on A and €0.84 on B. The faster printer is cheaper per print even though it is more expensive per hour.
What if you print very little?
The depreciation per hour is only right if you really use the printer a lot. If you print only a few hours a week, the printer is written off by age rather than use. Lower the expected lifetime in the calculator in that case.
All amounts are estimates based on the stated assumptions.
Frequently asked questions
What does a 3D printer cost per hour?
For the printers in our overview it is between €0.18 and €0.38 per print hour, including depreciation, electricity and maintenance. Filament comes on top.
Is a more expensive printer much more expensive per hour?
Less than you might think. With a lifetime of 4000 hours, a €1000 printer costs €0.25 per hour in depreciation, against €0.10 for a €400 printer. Speed and reliability often make more difference.
What lifetime should I assume for my printer?
Be conservative and assume 3000 to 5000 print hours. If you barely use the printer, age rather than hours sets its lifetime. Lower the lifetime accordingly.
What is not included in the cost per hour?
Filament, labor, failed prints, VAT and any upgrades. Filament and failed prints are included in the calculator.