Which 3D printer should you choose?
For beginners: automatic setup and a good app
A printer that calibrates itself saves you hours of frustration. Models like the Bambu Lab A1 Mini and A1 need hardly any adjustment, which makes them the most popular entry-level printers.
Open or enclosed?
An open printer is fine for PLA and PETG. If you want to print ABS, ASA or nylon, choose an enclosed printer: the stable temperature stops your print from warping. An enclosure also dampens noise.
Multicolor: useful or unnecessary?
With a material changer you print in multiple colors. It costs extra and wastes some filament with every swap, so factor that into your cost.
Work out the total cost
The purchase price is only part of the story. Click "Calculate cost" next to any printer to see what a print costs on that model, including depreciation, electricity and filament. Or first look at the cost per material.
Don't have a printer yet?
Want to try filament without buying a whole printer first? A 3D pen uses the same filament and costs a fraction of a printer.
Frequently asked questions
Which 3D printer is best for beginners?
For beginners, printers with automatic bed leveling and a good app are the most pleasant, such as the Bambu Lab A1 Mini or A1. You hardly need to tinker with them.
Do I need an enclosed 3D printer?
An open printer is fine for PLA and PETG. An enclosed printer is needed for ABS, ASA and nylon, because those materials warp without a stable temperature.
How much does a good 3D printer cost?
A good entry-level printer costs roughly 200 to 400 euros. Enclosed and multicolor models usually cost 500 to 700 euros, and professional models more than 1000 euros.
This overview is a selection, not a complete or independent test. No rights can be derived from it. Prices are in euros.