With discounts soaring up to 35%, enthusiasts and professionals alike have the perfect opportunity to upgrade or start their 3D printing journey.

Top Picks from AnyCubic’s Sale

• Photon Mono M5s Pro: Dive into detailed printing with a 27% discount.
• Kobra 2 Pro: Achieve professional-grade prints at 35% off.
• Wash&Cure 3 Plus: Simplify post-processing with a 30% discount.

Photon Mono M5s Pro	Kobra 2 Pro	Wash and Cure 3 Plus
Primary Rating: 4.6	Primary Rating: 4.8	Primary Rating: 4.5
$429.99$299.98	$714.99	$219.99
Amazon here	Amazon here	Amazon here

Photon Mono M5s Pro

Primary Rating:

4.6

$429.99$299.98

Amazon here

Kobra 2 Pro

Primary Rating:

4.8

$714.99

Amazon here

Wash and Cure 3 Plus

Primary Rating:

4.5

$219.99

Amazon here

These deals are just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you’re looking for the massive build volume of the Photon M3 Max or the precision of the Photon Mono X 6Ks there’s a deal for every maker.

Photon Mono X 6Ks	Photon M3 Max
Primary Rating: 4.6	Primary Rating: 4.5
$249.98	$959.99
Amazon here	Anycubic here

Photon Mono X 6Ks

Primary Rating:

4.6

$249.98

Amazon here

Photon M3 Max

Primary Rating:

4.5

$959.99

Anycubic here

Mark your calendars! These deals are live from February 26th, 00:00 AM PST until March 10th, 11:59 PM PST.

Photon Series: Precision Meets Affordability

The Photon Series is renowned for its stellar precision and ease-of-use, making it a favorite across the 3D printing community.

The standout, Photon Mono X 6Ks, offers remarkable 6K resolution for enthusiasts and professionals seeking extraordinary detail in their prints.

Photon Mono X 6Ks

$249.98

Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

11/16/2025 01:04 pm GMT

• Photon Mono M5s Pro: Now down 27%.
• Photon Mono M5s: 32% off.
• Photon M3 Max: Get large-scale prints for 21% off.
• Photon Mono 2: Perfect for beginners, with a 26% discount.
• Photon Mono X 6Ks: Detail-rich prints with 21% off.

Kobra Series: Versatility in 3D Printing

The Kobra Series embodies versatility and reliability, offering a model for every level of expertise and ambition.

The Kobra 2 Pro, the series’ top pick, stands out with advanced features for detailed and complex projects.

Kobra 2 Pro

$714.99

Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

11/16/2025 01:03 pm GMT

• Kobra 2: Speed and quality at 30% off.
• Kobra 2 Neo: Budget-friendly option at 33% off.
• Kobra 2 Plus: Large and in charge with 33% off.
• Kobra 2 Max: Go big with another 33% off.
• Kobra 2 Pro: Professional-grade printing at a 35% reduced price.
• Kobra Max: Your maxed-out printing solution with a 31% saving.

Post-Processing Equipment: The Finishing Touch

The Wash&Cure series from AnyCubic complements the printing process by bringing efficiency to post-processing.

Leading the pack, the Wash&Cure Max offers an expansive size for washing and curing, accommodating larger prints.

Wash & Cure Max

$489.99

Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

11/16/2025 01:03 pm GMT

It represents AnyCubic’s vision for a seamless 3D printing experience, ensuring that your prints emerge not only well-crafted but also with a professional finish, simplifying the transition from the printer bed to the display shelf.

• Wash&Cure 3: Clean and cure with a 27% discount.
• Wash&Cure 3 Plus: Larger models require the Plus, so this 30% discount is super handy
• Wash&Cure Max: The ultimate post-processing companion at 22% off.

Savings on Supplies

Don’t miss out on the essentials. Standard and specialty resins, along with a variety of filaments, are also seeing price slashes. Stock up on Standard Resin or grab the durable Water Wash Resin at a 25% discount.

• Resins and Filaments:
  • Standard Resin: Start with the basics for 21% off.
  • Water Wash Resin: Easy cleanup at a 25% reduced price.
  • ABS-like PRO 2: Toughness on a budget at 23% off.
  • Standard Resin V2: The upgraded formula is now 27% off.
  • PLA Filament: A staple with a 26% discount.
  • PETG Filament: Robust and reliable with 15% off..
  • High-Speed PLA: Speed up your prints with a 26% saving.

AnyCubic’s offerings are a blend of quality, affordability, and innovation, and with these deals, the barrier to entry has never been lower. Check out their full range on Amazon and find the perfect match for your 3D printing needs.

But hurry, these deals are only available from February 26th to March 10th. Check out AnyCubic’s Amazon storefront and secure these bargains before time runs out!

We’re here to help. We continuously update this best 3D printer guide with the latest 3D printer reviews, and we’ve tested over a dozen 3D printers on this site to create this buyer’s guide.

Best Budget Resin	Best Budget FDM	Best Fast 3D Printer
Anycubic Photon M3 Resin 3D Printer	Anycubic Kobra 2	Creality K1
Primary Rating: 4.5	Primary Rating: 4.7	Primary Rating: 4.6
$209	$249	$499
Build Volume: 163.9 x 102.4 x 180 mm	Build Volume: 250 x 220 x 220 mm	Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
Printing Speed: 50 mm/h	Printing Speed: 300mm/s	Printing Speed: 600mm/s
Anycubic Store here	Anycubic here	Creality here
Amazon here	Amazon here

Best Budget Resin

Anycubic Photon M3 Resin 3D Printer

Primary Rating:

4.5

$209

Build Volume:

163.9 x 102.4 x 180 mm

Printing Speed:

50 mm/h

Anycubic Store here

Amazon here

Best Budget FDM

Anycubic Kobra 2

Primary Rating:

4.7

$249

Build Volume:

250 x 220 x 220 mm

Printing Speed:

300mm/s

Anycubic here

Amazon here

Best Fast 3D Printer

Creality K1

Primary Rating:

4.6

$499

Build Volume:

220 x 220 x 250 mm

Printing Speed:

600mm/s

Creality here

We’ve split our recommended picks into different categories to help you find the best 3D printer based on your needs. Then, below are our full product reviews of each printer with the full details, and where to get the best price.

Why Trust Us?

Over the last 5 years, the 3DSourced team has tested more than 25 different 3D printers to recommend our favorites. We include images of our real reviews and real thoughts on which to buy or not buy, and we pride ourselves on being unbiased.

Formed of 3D printing fans and experts, our team has a combined 30+ years of hands-on 3D printing experience. Some 3D printers we’ve owned and used extensively that feature on this list include multiple Creality Ender 3 models (S1, V2 Neo, etc), Elegoo Mars models (2 Pro, 4 Ultra), the Toybox printer, Anycubic Kobra, Sovol SV04, Snapmaker 2.0, and many more.

You can read the full product reviews below for our in-depth reviews and recommendations.

Here’s the full list:

1. Best FDM Under $300 – Anycubic Kobra 2

• Price: Check price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
• Build Volume: 250 x 220 x 220 mm
• Speed: 300mm/s

The Anycubic Kobra 2 is a successor to the Anycubic Kobra, which launched in 2022 and wowed us with its advanced features like automatic bed leveling and a direct drive extruder. 

The Kobra 2 makes improvements where it matters, upping print speeds to 300 mm/s, an enhanced LeviQ 2.0 automatic bed leveling to auto-calibrate the 220 x 220 x 250 mm build volume, an improved extrusion system and cooling, and various improvements to the overall design such a dual z-axis rods for better stability and performance at higher speeds.

These are features that pack in a huge amount of value for under $300. Specs and hardware are one thing, but the Kobra 2 follows through with excellent print quality, especially if you’re willing to tinker and refine. 

It’s far more user-friendly and hands-off, and the path from assembly to printing a quality part is much easier than the Ender 3. However, it’s not as simple and reliable as pricier printers like the AnkerMake M5C.

Another option in this price range is the Sovol SV06, which, for around $200, offers specifications almost identical to the Anycubic Kobra 2. But, worse build quality, a less pleasant UI and user experience, and trouble printing with materials beyond PLA and ABS make the Sovol SV06 a worse choice than the Anycubic Kobra 2. Both machines have the potential to produce quality prints, but it’s easier to get there with the Kobra 2 in my opinion.

Best FDM Kit Under $300

Anycubic Kobra 2

Improved, upgraded version of the original Kobra, with much faster print speeds, good auto leveling, and a reliable direct drive extruder.

Anycubic here Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

2. Best Resin Under $300 – Anycubic Photon M3

• Price: Check price at Anycubic here
• Build Volume: 163.9 x 102.4 x 180 mm
• Speed: 50 mm/h

The Anycubic Photon M3 is sturdy and compact, and prints detailed miniatures, figurines, and other decorative models. 4K was great a year or so ago, but now even 12K is fairly common, but resolution isn’t the difference-maker companies make it out to be, and it’s difficult to see the difference.

You only need a simple manual leveling routine to get started and fire up your first print. The 102 x 164 x 180 mm build volume is on the smaller side (though bigger than previous Anycubic resin printers like the Mono 4K) and there’s no automatic vat refilling, Wi-Fi, etc. 

But, for $200… you can’t expect the world!! What you do get is a fast, reliable printer that just works. No hassle, no tinkering – just high-quality prints reliably.

The Elegoo Mars 3 is an alternative to the Photon M3, and is similarly priced. But the larger build volume Photon M3 means more space to work with, especially if you’re batch print minis. If you’re a stickler for detail then go with the Mars 3, as it has a very marginal extra 5 microns of detail – 35 microns compared to Photon M3’s 40 microns.

Best Budget Anycubic Resin Printer

Anycubic Photon M3 Resin 3D Printer

$209

This budget-friendly powerhouse delivers an extra-large 180 x 163 x 102mm build area perfect for printing batches of detailed miniatures.

Experience speedy 50mm/hr print speeds and crisp 40 micron resolution from the impressive 4K LCD screen.

Simple, reliable, and user-friendly, the Photon M3 makes resin printing more accessible than ever.

Anycubic Store here Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

3. Best For Kids – Toybox 3D

• Price: $299 – Available at Toybox Official store here
• Build volume: 70 x 80 x 90 mm
• Speed: 60mm/s

The Toybox is not a high-tech, workhorse 3D printer with which to start a business.

But, it is one of the simplest 3D printers I’ve ever used, and I highly recommend it for your kids and beginners looking for a stress-free start to 3D printing.

The build volume is small at just 70 x 80 x 90 mm, but if you just want to print miniatures and other fun characters, it’s a great option. 

Toybox have partnered with numerous big players to bring you a huge range of free models you can 3D print too, from Batman and Wonder Woman, to fun 3D printable dragons, tanks, cars, and so much more.

My first print was a cute seal I found in their repository, which you can see below:

For kids it’s super safe: it only prints low-temperature PLA, and any hot parts are kept well away from prying hands by the enclosure. However, you cannot print with ABS or other higher-temp filaments with the Toybox.

You get many small spools of different color filaments to print away with, which Toybox affectionately calls “3D printer food”. These are simple to set up and change, so your kids can easily print in different colors.

If you’re a beginner, want hassle-free fun, or want to get your kids into 3D printing cheaply, I highly recommend the Toybox. You can also read my full Toybox 3D printer review.

Best 3D Printer for Kids

Toybox: 3D Printer for Kids

4.8

$299-349

Super easy to set up, comes with different filament colors to get started, and a huge range of 3D printable files (including licensed Batman models!) that your kids will LOVE.

Pros:

• Very simple smartphone interface suitable for all ages.
• Fully enclosed design keeps hot parts away from fingers.
• Easy to switch between colors of PLA filament

Cons:

• Can only print PLA, not higher-temp materials like ABS.

Toybox Store here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

4. Best Resin Under $500 – Anycubic Photon M5s

• Price: Check price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
• Build Volume: 218 x 123 x 200 mm
• Speed: 105mm/h

The Photon M5s features a range of sensors, self-checks, and monitoring tools – resin level, pre-print diagnostics, force sensors, print separation detection and alerts, and more. 

All these work to make printing on M5s easier and faster while losing less resin to failures and botched prints. There’s no manual leveling either, as the sensors and detectors remove the need for tedious pre-print bed leveling. Resin is a messy business, so any printer that reduces the stress gets points in my book.

It’s as close to plug-and-play resin printing as I’ve seen. I also liked the compact design, the Wi-Fi connectivity, and the fact it has a 10.1” 12K LCD screen. 

There are other 12K resin printers now like the Elegoo Saturn 3 and Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K (with a 12K upgrade), but they don’t have these extra diagnostic and monitoring features like the Photon M5s has.

The Photon Mono M5s has an ACF film instead of FEP, which delivers faster print speeds (using fast resin) thanks to lesser peel force than typical resin films, although it will need replacing more often. Though, when I was testing the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra, the ACF did cause occasional issues – though this isn’t the case with the M5s Pro.

The M5s is my recommendation under $500 for ultra-fine print quality overall.

Anycubic Photon Mono M5s

Anycubic here Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

5. Best FDM Under $500 – AnkerMake M5C

• Price: Check price at AnkerMake here
• Build Volume: 220x220x250mm
• Speed: 250mm/s

After reviewing the AnkerMake M5C, I genuinely think it’s one of the few printers that really delivers a hassle-free, set-and-forget printing experience. 

It just works, saving the frustration-inducing tinkering and fine-tuning I’ve had with so many other FDM kits.

It includes spot-on automatic bed leveling, a PEI-coated removable print bed (with positioning notches on the heated plate as well), a direct drive extruder capable of speeds up to 500 mm/s, and an accompanying app that is among the most intuitive and pleasant I’ve come across. 

It also has a one-click button to fire off, pause, and otherwise control prints, which the Bambu Lab A1 and Creality Ender 3 V3 SE don’t have.

The AnkerMake M5C is well-built, mostly made from flush metal and high-quality parts throughout, and it handles the vibration of fast print speeds well. Even at high speeds, nothing I tried to print with the AnkerMake M5C came out badly.

Fastest Low-Cost 3D Printer

AnkerMake M5C 3D Printer

4.6

$399.00

We also have an exclusive discount code: 3DSM5C.

Use this code and get $80 off!

Pros:

• Dizzyingly fast print speeds – it printed a Benchy accurately at 500mm/s
• Superb print quality, especially on my articulated dragon print
• Impressive all-round build quality
• Sophisticated, responsive, and useful mobile app
• Tinker-free bed leveling and printing
• Direct drive extruder is always nice to have

Cons:

• Missing SD Card slot
• Very loud operating noise levels. With noise-canceling headphones, I could still hear it from 20 feet away.
• No on-printer screen
• Strangely, it didn’t ship with any filament – not even a test sample
• Spool holder feels a bit flimsy to me

AnkerMake Direct here Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

6. Best Fast CoreXY 3D Printer – Creality K1

• Price: Check price at Creality here
• Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
• Speed: 600mm/s

The Creality K1 is a nippy, fully enclosed CoreXY printer for makers who prioritize high print speeds and a simple, user-friendly printing experience. 

Above all else, it’s a CoreXY machine for under $500… rivaling printers like the Bambu Lab X1 in print performance, which is on the whole nothing short of excellent (though you’ll probably also know the drawbacks of Bambu printers…).

It has acceleration speeds up to 20,000 mm/s and a max print speed of 600 mm/s built on a repurposed and rebranded iteration of Klipper, meaning the Creality K1 pumps out a Benchy in roughly 13 minutes. 

A direct drive extruder with a 32 mm3/s flow rate, a ceramic heater, dual print fans, an auxiliary fan in the build chamber, and a full metal heatbreak/nozzle combo capable of 300°C prints most high-temp filaments, thanks to the enclosed chamber.

It ships pre-calibrated, has automatic leveling, and fully assembled. There’s Wi-Fi and a robust in-app software ecosystem means the K1 is very much in keeping with the push to remote print control and monitoring.

Creality K1 3D Printer

Features:

• Max Speed: 600mm/s
• Acceleration: 20000mm/s²
• Hands-free Auto Leveling
• Self-test
• with One Tap

Creality here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

7. Best Large Resin Printer – Anycubic Photon M3 Max

• Price: Check price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
• Build Volume: 298 x 164 x 300 mm
• Speed: 60 mm/h

For $850.00, you get a 298 x 164 x 300 mm, which feels more like an FDM printer size. You also get a sleek 13.6” 7K LCD, smart auto-resin refill functionality for larger extended prints, an 84 LED matrix light source that prints up to a decent (but unremarkable) 60 mm/s, and a clever dual-sided frosted FEP film – smooth where it contacts the LCD and coarse when the resin is cured to enhance adhesion. 

Combined, these produce highly detailed models and parts with an XY resolution of 46 microns, which is phenomenal for the size of the build volume.

Other options in the large resin printer space include the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K, but at $1,500 is almost twice the price for roughly 10 cm extra of height (and a bump to 8K resolution).

All in all, the Photon M3 Max is the best large resin printer out there for a balance of affordability, print volume, and pristine resin print detail.

Large Volume Pick

ANYCUBIC Photon M3 Max Resin 3D Printer, 13.6 7K UV LCD

$959.99

Anycubic here Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

8. Best Large-Format FDM – Elegoo Neptune 4 Max

• Price: Check price at Elegoo here / Amazon here
• Build Volume: 420 x 420 x 480 mm
• Speed: 500mm/s

The Eleggo Neptune 4 Max is a great option if you want to combine a massive 420 x 420 x 480 mm build volume with Klipper-powered print speeds up to 500 mm/s, all while maintaining print quality. When reviewing the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max, I earmarked it as the best affordable large-format printer for hobbyists eyeing up big projects.

And, at under $500, with 121-point automatic bed leveling, a 300°C high temperature nozzle, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a proprietary dual-gear direct extruder, the Neptune 4 Max has all the modern features you’d want. 

It’s well-equipped to print huge PLA, PETG, ABS, and TPU models and parts but also performs well with more exotic filaments like Nylon if you have an enclosure.

However, for all its merits, the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max requires tinkering to get prints dialled in. Expect some troubleshooting and hashing out settings to get this printer to really shine. 

For that reason, it’s not the best suited for beginners (if you are a beginner, go with the Ankermake M5, Kobra 2, or Sovol SV06).

Great Large-Volume 3D Printer

Elegoo Neptune 4 Max

4.4

With a large 420x420x480mm build volume, integrated auto bed leveling, and fast print speeds enabled by Klipper, the Neptune 4 Max is an affordable option for hobbyists wanting to print big.

However, some tinkering is likely needed to get the best results.

Pros:

• High potential print speeds (pre-installed Klipper + good processor)
• Huge 420 x 420 x 480 mm build volume
• 121-point mesh auto-leveling
• Direct drive print head
• Huge toggleable fan

Cons:

• Likely to need tinkering to work properly
• Difficult to swap proprietary nozzle
• Few upgrades from the cheaper Neptune Max 3

Elegoo here Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

9. Best Low-Cost Dual Extruder – Sovol SV04

• Price: $539 — Available at Sovol here
• Build volume: 300 x 300 x 400 mm
• Speed: 200mm/sec

If you want a great dual extruder 3D printer and don’t want to pay more than a thousand bucks, then you have two main options: the Sovol SV04 or the Flashforge Creator Pro 2.

The main difference is the Sovol SV04’s much larger build volume, at 300 x 300 x 400 mm, the same as the Creality CR-10. This lets you print large objects with multi-colors, or even two fairly large models at the time using the IDEX dual extrusion features. However, the Creator Pro 2 is enclosed, whereas this is open-air, so you’ll need to buy an enclosure with it.

I’ve personally tested the Sovol SV04, and managed to print some cool multi-colored 3D prints like the frog and cube shown below:

I also printed some great plant pots for some flowers and a cactus using the Copy Mode feature, with each extruder printing a plant pot simultaneously for double the productivity. The Creator Pro 2 does not have a large enough build volume to 3D print both vases simultaneously, whereas I could with the Sovol SV04.

To summarize: if you want a large-format, reliable dual extruder printer, go for the Sovol SV04. The IDEX is a really handy addition (the Sovol SV02 isn’t IDEX) for quickly making multiple parts.

But, if you don’t mind having the smaller build volume, and instead prefer the enclosed build chamber to better print materials like ABS and Nylon, then go for the Flashforge.

Sovol SV04 IDEX 3D Printer

Sovol here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

10. Best 3-in-1 3D Printer – Snapmaker 2.0 AT

• Price: Check price at Snapmaker here / Also Available on Amazon here
• Build volumes: up to 320 x 350 x 330 mm
• Speed: 60 mm/s

Snapmaker manufactures the best 3-in-1 3D printers, and you can easily switch the extruder module out and switch in the CNC carver or the laser engraver module in just a few minutes and get working.

The 3D printer module would be a standalone high quality printer. I was surprised by just how reliable, accurate, and effective it was when I used it, even when printing thin-walled vases. The metal structure and linear rails are sturdy, retaining precision even on the largest A350T we tested.

You can 3D print all major hobbyist filaments like PLA, TPU, and ABS. The smartphone-shaped touchscreen makes it really easy to operate, and the WiFi connectivity saves you the hassle of constantly plugging in SD cards or USBs.

You get a range of premium features — auto-leveling, filament run-out detection, dynamic print speeds via the intelligent software — generally making your 3D printing experience more pleasant and productive.

By default you get the weaker 1.6W cutting module which we still managed to laser engrave with nicely, as well as cutting through thin and soft wood (though it takes a lot longer than specialized lasers).

However, you can purchase the 10W high-power laser for an extra few hundred bucks, which can engrave anodized aluminum (check out our wolf engraving below) and comfortably cut through acrylic and wood – we cut out a rhino puzzle from black acrylic in under 13 minutes.

You can carve soft and hard woods, carbon fiber sheets and acrylics. We also used the 4-axis CNC module to carve chess pieces from epoxy blocks, proving the bit can comfortably carve most woods and similar materials.

We cut chess pieces using the V-bit carver and the 4-axis rotary module add-on (this costs an extra few hundred bucks, though), which lets you carve into cylindrical blocks like a lathe to create detailed characters. Snapmaker Luban software handles the four axes well, and it’s a very well-designed software and slicer generally – it was easier to use the rotary than on specialized software like Lightburn.

If you want to engrave contrasting images, you can use the laser engraver. It can engrave on woods, leather, fabrics and acrylic. We engraved a few cylinder-shaped blocks to test the 4-axis engraving module and used the laser cutter to cut through a thin piece of wood to make this gift box.

We recommend also purchasing the enclosure to improve your printing experience and keep you safer — and you may also want to pick up some extras for CNC. Their wide range of extras and goodies are on their site, which you can visit here.

If you’re considering the more expensive Snapmaker Artisan, then yes the Artisan is better at almost everything. But it’s significantly more expensive, and for the price, the Snapmaker 2.0 AT is still a great deal for all three swappable heads.

You can see more Snapmaker models in our article comparing Snapmaker 2.0, Snapmaker J1, and Snapmaker Artisan.

Top 3-in-1 Pick For 3D Printing, CNC & Laser Cutting

Snapmaker 2.0 Modular 3 in 1 3D Printer A350T/A250T

$1169 ($600 off!)

Switch the toolheads within minutes to 3D print, CNC cut, and laser cut and engrave in one machine. You can even buy the higher-power 10W laser attachment, a 4-axis rotary add-on for cutting or engraving round objects, and more!

Snapmaker here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

11. Best Professional FDM – Raise3D Pro3 Plus

• Price: Check price at Matterhackers here
• Build Volume: 300x300x605mm
• Speed: 200-350 mm/s

The Raise3D Pro3 Plus is a reliable, easy-to-operate, and extremely well-built machine to power a small additive manufacturing business, in an architect’s office, or as a rapid prototyping tool in the R&D wing of an automotive, aerospace, or electronics business.

The Raise3D Pro3 Plus offers print speeds up to 350 mm/s at an accuracy of 5 microns, and across a dual extruder setup to jump between filament types and colors. 

This is powered by the Raise3D’s proprietary Hyper FFF® technology, essentially an active vibration cancellation algorithm that absorbs excess jerks and judders at high print speeds to safeguard print quality. 

It also features a fully enclosed chamber to tackle everything from nylon to carbon fiber by way of ABS, TPU, glass fiber, and everything in between.

The Raise3D Pro3 Plus is built around a large 300 x 300 x 605 mm, with a clear emphasis on verticality to take on tall or elongated models and parts.

To round off the features list, the printer has automatic bed leveling, 300°C hotend that are modular and interchangeable, a built-in Eve smart assistant that suggests solutions for common problems and schedules maintenance, in-chamber spool holders, an HD camera for remote monitoring, and a HEPA filter-equipped airflow manager for impactful heat dissipation and air circulation.

It’s more expensive than other printers with similar specs, but you pay for repeatability and reliability.

Raise3D Pro3 Plus 3D Printer

MatterHackers here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Factors to Consider When Buying a 3D Printer

Resin or FDM?

For accurate minis for D&D, go for a resin 3D printer – they can print with much finer resolutions and smoother surface areas.

But for a simpler setup and generally more relaxed experience (no curing, no chemicals) with stronger prints, go for an FDM printer. Functional prints work better with FDM, and if you’re a D&D fan, you’ll still want an FDM printer for the terrain, even if you’re printing the mini characters themselves with a resin printer.

For FDM, PLA filament is easiest as it doesn’t really warp, doesn’t require a heated bed or enclosure (still use it if you have them), and comes in a wide variety of colors and blends (even conductive or glow-in-the-dark!), and it’s cheap.

ABS is tougher despite being just as cheap, and still comes in a wide range of colors. But, it can warp and crack if you don’t use a heated bed and, ideally, an enclosed chamber. Some consider PETG a happy medium: it’s great for adhesion and super tough – but its stickiness makes it difficult to print overhangs and supports.

For resins, you don’t have the same range of material or color options.

What size models do you want to print?

Don’t waste your money on an enormous 3D printer if you want to print miniatures, but also don’t skimp on a smaller machine if you want to print huge cosplay swords.

Think about what you want to print right now – and what you might want to print in the future. It’s an expensive decision to get wrong. Also, consider the size of your workspace – 3D printers are deceptively big, so make sure it fits.

Also, resin 3D printers typically have smaller build volumes than FDM printers.

What do you want to 3D print generally?

Beyond size, think about exactly what you want to 3D print for your projects. If you’re not as fussed about perfect quality, go for a printer with high top speeds (delta 3D printers are generally better for this, as are coreXY printers) – especially if you’re printing cubes and similar shapes that don’t have details. 

But, if you want high-resolution, pick printers that can handle lower layer heights and take smaller nozzle sizes – or resin printers with the most precise XY resolutions. 

For high-temperature filaments, get an enclosed 3D printer like the Creator Pro 2, or buy an enclosure for your printer. Creality sells their own enclosures, and there are popular DIY projects for the Prusa and other best-selling printers.

If you want to print PC, Nylon, carbon-fiber mixes, and other abrasive blends, you’ll need a printer with a hot end and nozzle to handle these temperatures.

And if you want to print flexible filaments like TPU, opt for a direct drive 3D printer.

Beginner or expert?

While you shouldn’t be discouraged if you’re a beginner, we recommend you pick 3D printers with features such as auto-leveling, WiFi connectivity, filament run-out sensors and print resume functions, and easy-to-use software and touchscreens to save you hassle if you’re newer or less technical.

WiFi connectivity saves you from taking SD cards back and forth from your laptop to your 3D printer for every print, and is generally a nice addition to boost productivity.

Filament run-out sensors and print resume features (in case of a power cut or similar) are fairly ubiquitous now – even most entry-level 3D printers have them. But they can be a lifesaver, especially if you lose power during the latter stages of a 24-hour or longer print of a large prototype or cosplay costume piece.

Cura should have you covered for the slicer, but some 3D printers have more intuitive interfaces than others. Most now have touchscreens (though turnable knobs on printers like the Enders and Prusas are fine), and we particularly liked the Snapmaker’s easy-to-use touchscreen interface and design. 

Go for a trusted brand and model if buying on the cheap side

There are hordes of low-cost 3D printers in the $160-$300 range. Most aren’t that reliable, and we recommend sticking with FDM kits like the Ender 3 range, Anycubic entry-level printers, and Elegoo or Anycubic resin printers.

The last thing you want to do is get burned and left with an expensive brick. Opt for a highly-reputed printer with large communities and active forums.

For more information on picking a 3D printer, this Reddit thread has an excellent breakdown of some other factors.

What’s Changed?

We consistently update our reviews based on our latest hands-on tests of new 3D printers. We wrote the first edition of this article back in 2018 and have maintained it to recommend the best 3D printers in 2024.

Jan 2024 updates:

• Removed the Prusa Mini and MK3S+, Flashforge Creator Pro 2, Anycubic Vyper, Elegoo Saturn S, Ultimaker S3, and Ultimaker S5.
• Either better technology has made these obsolete, or they just haven’t kept up with the pace of innovation, especially with CoreXY advances in FDM print speeds.

Feb 2024 updates:

• I added the Creality K1, AnkerMake M5C, Elegoo Neptune 4 Max, and Anycubic Kobra 2 as our top recommendation in each of their categories.

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy:

• Our guide to the best 3D pens
• Our ranking of the best 3D scanners
• Our ranking of the best 3D printers for beginners
• Our ranking of the best SLS 3D printers
• Our ranking of the best FDM 3D printers
• Our ranking of the best resin 3D printers
• 3D printer deals

1. In 1984, Bill Masters patented the first 3D printer. 
2. 3D printing is one of the most disruptive technologies and is estimated to lead the 4th industrial revolution. [4]
3. The global 3D printing market size was valued at USD 16.75 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.3% from 2023 to 2030. [6]
4. Modern 3D printers cost between $200 and $10,000 depending on the quality and requirements. [8]

Stats About the History of 3D Printing

For its relatively short history, 3D printing has garnered some impressive feats. It seemed almost immediately in its young life it began revolutionizing the medical field, with prosthetics and organ transplants receiving the brunt of the attention. 

But it wasn’t until 2009 that it started transforming into the consumer product we see today.

5. In 1974, David Jones published the first 3D printing concept. [7]
6. Dr. Hideo Kodama developed the first 3D printing experiments in the 1980s. It used a photosensitive resin that was polymerized by a UV light. [1]
7. The first bladder was successfully printed in 1999. 
8. The first kidney was printed in 2022. 
9.  ZCorp launched the Spectrum Z510 in 2005, which was the first high-definition color 3D printer. [1]
10. The first 3D-printed prosthetic limb was created in 2008. [1]
11. The FDM patent landed in the public domain in 2009, leading to an innovative wave of 3D printers and increased access to desktop 3D printers. This sparked the consumer 3D market. [1]
12. In the 2010s, manufacturers started to create metal end-use parts with 3D printing. [7]
13. In 2014, Manos M. Tentzeris and Benjamin S. Cook created a method to use 3D printing to make complex electronics. [7]

3D Printing Use Cases & Users

Who is using 3D printing and how are they using it? Companies (and now everyday people) for endless reasons. Let’s break it down. 

14. Desktop 3D printers are increasingly used for domestic and household purposes [6]
15. Healthcare’s 3D printing market size was valued at $1,036.58 million in 2020 and is predicted to reach $5,846.74 million by 2030 at a registered CAGR of 20.10%.  [13]
16. Schools, universities, and educational institutes are also leveraging desktop 3D printers for training and research. 
17. The 3D-printed prosthetics, orthotics, and audiology market will gain $509 million in revenue by 2026 and grow to $996 million by 2030. [14]
18. Adidas has developed 3D-printed midsoles for its new 4DFWD shoes. [12]

14. Small businesses are beginning to offer 3D printing services to meet customer needs. 
15. Prototyping was the most common 3D printing application in 2022, accounting for over 54% of global revenue. [6]
16. Accounting for 23% of global revenue share in 2022, the automotive segment led the market in 2022. 
17. With over 33% of revenue share, North America led the market in 2022. 

Hardware Industry Facts & Stats

Hardware is the biggest sector of the 3D printing market. It includes applications (prototyping and functional parts), vertices (specific industries), and materials used for printing. Here’s what you need to know: 

Compared to other industries – like the drone industry– 3D printing boasts relatively high CAGR percentages and has expected revenue operating in the billions over the next few years.

23. Prototyping is the top hardware application market segment, capturing over 55% of revenue worldwide in 2020. 
24. The functional parts segment of the application market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.5% from 2021 to 2028, along with an increased demand for designing and building functional parts. [6]
25. The automotive vertical holds the largest share of the industrial 3D printing market accounting for over 23% of the segment’s global revenue. [6]

3D Printing Cost & ROI

Let’s face it, a 3D printer and materials are going to cost a bit more than your standard inkjet and paper. But you may be surprised by how much money this technology can save companies as well. 

26. Entry-level printers for beginners can cost between $400 and $1000. [8]
27. $10,000 is the standard cost for an industrial printer. [8]
28. By using 3D printing for titanium parts, Boeing saved $3 million. [7] 
29. General Electric predicts they will save up to $5 million over the next decade by changing to 3D printing for manufacturing.  [7]
30. In less than 4 months, The Center for Advanced Design achieved an ROI on a Stratasys F370 3D printer. [9]

3D Printing Materials

Early 3D printers used only plastics, but now they can use many different materials, expanding their capabilities. 

31. In 2022, metal was the largest material segment for 3D printing, accounting for 52% of global revenue. [6]
32. The fastest-growing materials in 3D printing are metals and metal alloys. This segment is expected to grow by over 28.2% between now and 2030.  [6]
33. Polymer had the second-largest share of revenue in 2022. [6]
34. Ceramic is a newer material segment, but it’s expected to grow rapidly at a high CAGR of over 25% over the forecast period. [6] 
35. Discrete manufacturing is the top industry for 3D printing. [3]

Technology and Software

Moving forward, streamlining user-friendliness and ready-made part designs will be paramount to the growth of 3D printing software. 

36. Stereolithography (one of the oldest printing techniques) was the largest segment in the market, capturing over 10% of global revenue in 2022. [6]
37. The design software segment accounted for 36.7% of global revenue, making it the largest software segment. [6]
38. Scanning software demand is predicted to grow due to a demand to store scanned images of objects to use when needed. 
39. Between 2023 and 2030, scanning software is expected to have the highest CAGR of 24%. [6] 
40. Hardware is predicted to continue holding the largest revenue share, but software is expected to have the fastest CAGR over the next several years. [6]
41. The market for on-demand parts services and CAD software is expected to triple by 2026. [4]

3D Printing Devices

Who’s making 3D printers? HP and GE have the most additive printing patents, but here’s what you need to know:

42. By 2030, there are expected to be 2.8 million additive manufacturing and 3D printing devices worldwide. 
43. In 2022, GE had the most 3D printing patents in the United States. [5]
44. The top 5 leading 3D printing companies are AutoDesk, HP Inc., 3D Systems, Desktop Metal, and Proto Labs.
45. The world’s largest 3D printer manufacturer is AutoDesk, with a market capitalization of $68.22 billion. [10]
46. After going public in December 2020, Desktop Metal’s market capitalization exceeded $7.5 billion in 2021, and received $575 million as part of a merger with special acquisitions company Trine Acquisition Corp.

3D Market Size & Growth 

3D printing has already made its mark, and the future looks bright. Here’s a breakdown of the market:

47. Between 2018 and 2026, the market for 3D printing materials is expected to grow by 12 percent annually to reach just under four billion U.S. dollars by 2026. [3]
48. The 3D printing market is expected to grow by nearly 24% between 2020 and 2026. [4]
49. By 2026, the global 3D printing market is expected to reach $37.2 billion dollars. [4]
50. Hardware (including applications, materials, and vertices) is the leads global 3D printing market share. [6]
51. In 2022, the industrial printer segment led the market, accounting for over 76% of global revenue because of the adoption of industrial 3D printers in the electronics, healthcare, automotive, and aerospace industries. [6]

Market Outlook for 3D Printing

According to Forbes, the future of 3D printing lies heavily in prototyping for both desktop and industrial printers. 

It seems 3D printers are on the last stretch of the home run as the industry works towards developing this technology to satisfy diverse needs. 

52. Over the next decade, we expect the majority of manufacturing spending to shift to functional end-use parts as the technology becomes more affordable and widely adopted.  [15]
53. We expect to see additive manufacturing playing a bigger role in sustainability and conservation efforts as 3D printing has proven to reduce waste and energy consumption. [16]
54. 3D printing will adopt the use of more specialized materials to meet the criteria in specialized fields. [16]
55. The next frontier of 3D printing will be to move from small models and fixtures to functional end-use parts in mass production.  [6]

Since the beginning, additive manufacturing has pushed the limits on creativity and production, and now it promises to do the same on a larger scale.

For 3D printing to achieve the monumental tasks ahead, speed and design capabilities need to be at the forefront of manufacturers’ goals to accommodate the growing need for this technology.

Sources:

[1] https://www.sculpteo.com/en/3d-learning-hub/basics-of-3d-printing/the-history-of-3d-printing/ 

[2] https://cloudtweaks.com/2015/03/3d-printing-history-organs/ 

[3] https://www.statista.com/statistics/590113/worldwide-market-for-3d-printing/

[4] https://www.statista.com/topics/1969/additive-manufacturing-and-3d-printing/#topicOverview 

[5] https://www.statista.com/statistics/315386/global-market-for-3d-printers/ 

[6] https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/3d-printing-industry-analysis 

[7] https://facts.net/3d-printing-facts/

[8] https://www.3dsourced.com/3d-printers/how-much-does-a-3d-printer-cost-price/#h-3d-printer-price-guide 

[9]https://www.stratasys.com/contentassets/1bcbb899100b4f0db586d1daa9489f27/stratasys-case-study-cad-oct19.pdf?v=48fa53 

[10] https://investingnews.com/daily/tech-investing/emerging-tech-investing/top-3d-printing-companies/ 

[11] https://wohlersassociates.com/press-releases/new-wohlers-report-2021-finds-7-5-growth-in-additive/ 

[12] https://news.adidas.com/running/4dfwd–data-driven-3d-printed-performance-technology-designed-to-move-you-forward/s/514baddb-1029-4686-abd5-5ee3985a304a 

[13] https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/3d-printing-healthcare-market 

[14] https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2021/07/06/2258303/0/en/Revenues-from-3D-Printed-Prosthetics-Orthotics-and-Audiology-to-Reach-Almost-1-Billion-by-2030-According-to-New-SmarTech-Report.html 

[15] https://www.designnews.com/automation/predictions-future-3d-printing 

[16] https://www.jabil.com/blog/future-of-3d-printing-additive-manufacturing-looks-bright.html

With the help of additive manufacturing, robots can now perform important functions with agility and precision, from gesture-controlled arms to humanoid helpers that learn as they interact with our world.

In this article, I’ll share some of the most impressive advancements made possible by 3D printing robotics.

From educational bots that teach basic programming to futuristic humanoids and adorable robotic pets, additive manufacturing is ushering in the next generation of innovative and accessible robotics.

Humanoid Robots

3D printed humanoid robotics have come a long way since Boston Dynamic’s Atlas famously fell over to the internet’s delight, and here we’ll look at some of the coolest and most impressive models that are only improving over time.

Reachy

• Learn More: Pollen Robotics

Pollen Robotics was founded in 2016 with the goal of releasing open-source software and hardware innovations for a variety of purposes. Their most notable achievement is Reachy, an expressive and versatile partially 3D printed robot that can be programmed and reprogrammed at will.

With three different varieties, this cute and functional robot is perfect for both educators and professionals alike. It can be programmed in Python or ROS and be used to prototype and test various AI capabilities and hardware applications.

ED-A

• Learn More: GWAS Tech

Less cute but no less impressive than Reachy is the 3D printed ED-A – or ‘Eddie’ – by GWAS Tech. It was printed using common filaments like PLA, PETG, and ABS, and was designed and programmed by one man.

Eddie can move, manipulate objects, and even talk using complicated AI programs that can identify and even share opinions on household objects. It may look like something from a sci-fi horror movie, but if you check out the creator’s various videos on YouTube you’ll agree that this 3D printed robot is one impressive piece of tech.

ASPIR V2

• Learn More: John Choi

The ASPIR V2 was born from the desire to see a humanoid robot that fell between the two categories of ‘toy’ and ‘advanced tech’. With an impressive 33 degrees of freedom, giving it insane maneuverability. For reference, the Reachy robot discussed above has 7 degrees of freedom.

If you’re looking to print all 90 parts of the ASPIR V2 yourself, then you’ll need to prepare to use 5kg of PLA and be willing to wait through a 300-hour printing time. You’ll also need to make sure your printer has an absolute minimum build area of 250x250x250mm.

Atlas

Learn More: Boston Dynamics

Boston Dynamics is one of the first places most people think of when talking about advances in robotics. Their strides in tech have led them to Atlas, a humanoid robot with 3D printed legs that can move and walk with incredible accuracy. 

Atlas can learn as it goes, using a highly precise 3D scanner to identify obstacles and other things in its path and moving to avoid them, all while dedicating what it learns to memory. Its agile movements are thanks to a combination of aluminum and titanium alongside lightweight 3D printed parts.

InMoov

Despite being one of the oldest robotic projects around, InMoov, invented by French sculptor and designer Gael Langevin, has been reenergized by the 3D printing industry and is once more paving the way for future development.

Starting as a single prosthetic hand, and advancing to being a full upper body as of now, InMoov is limited in its functions, restricted to simple movements and gestures, but has many intricate parts that move independently, including fingers and eyes.

However, that is not what makes InMoov special. What does is the fact that the designs are publicly available on their website, and the code is open-source, meaning anyone can print or modify InMoov themselves in their own home, and program it using community-created code.

All you need to build your own model is a desktop 3D printer with a 12 x 12 x 12 cm build volume, three servo motors, an Arduino Uno and Mega microcontroller, and MyRobot Lab and Python scripting software, as well as the required printing materials.

Naturally, InMoov is a favorite of laboratories and universities, and is used for teaching computing and programming. But the truly accessible nature of such an advanced model is a good omen for the future of 3D printed robotics.

Poppy

Poppy is a bipedal humanoid robot developed by Matthieu Lapeyre for his PhD thesis and first produced in the Flowers Laboratory in Bordeaux in 2012. Poppy is entirely 3D printed and is capable of fluid movement, including walking.

Much like InMoov, Poppy is an open-source project and the building blocks are available for any hobbyist or professional to access and reproduce. Poppy is also scalable, meaning that, with the right mechanical components, it can be produced in any size to either fit or maximize the build volume of any 3D printer.

The simplicity of the design means that components can be added or removed to reproduce at mass market levels, allowing anyone to have their own Poppy built to their custom characteristics. And she can be programmed with any number of choice commands.

Poppy’s web interface allows the user to pre-program tasks to be carried out without any need for further input, meaning you can leave your house and let Poppy act independently.

Giving anyone the ability to print these robots from home, 3D printing is democratizing a once-exclusive industry. This is the future that 3D printing has always promised to bring.

Educational Robots

3D printing robots for educational purposes is a fantastic way to get your first steps in 3D printing, mechanical engineering, and AI programming. Here are some of the best 3D printed robots for use in classrooms and beyond.

Jimmy the Robot

• Learn More: 21st Century Robot

Jimmy the Robot is an adorable and highly customizable 3D printed robot that’s available as both a toy and an educational tool for both robotics and basic programming. Using 3D printing for more versatile components, Jimmy’s exterior can look however you like, and his programming is entirely open source and available as learning tools for people with little or no programming experience.

The basic programming allows for balance, gait, and movement, while the more advanced codes will allow for social interaction, learning, and face recognition.

IMA Juno

• Learn More: Juno Instructions

If you’re eager to learn about basic robotics and 3D printing but are concerned your lack of experience will hold you back, then look no further than the IMA Juno model

Juno is an excellent first step in learning how to make and program your own 3D printed robots. Much like how Lego instructions teach kids the basics of architecture and design components, the instructions in the link above will show you basic construction, wiring, and motor configuration.

Buddy the Social Robot

• Learn More: Instructables

Curiosity is what makes robots so fascinating, a programmed will and capacity to learn and memorize is as impressive as it is endearing, and it’s the endearing side that makes Buddy here my favorite educational robot on this list.

The Wall-E-inspired educational robot teaches as much as it learns, reacting to and seeking to identify anything placed in its vicinity. The exterior case is easily 3D printed and assembled, and the easy-to-use code can be manipulated in the most basic of programs, making Buddy an ideal model for schools to introduce students to programming language.

LittleArm V3

• Learn More: Instructables

The LittleArm V3 was designed with STEM education in mind, so it’s the perfect starting place for teaching about articulation, design, and programming in robotics. It was funded by well over twice the asking amount on Kickstarter, making it one of the most popular 3D printed robots for educational purposes on this list.

The V3 simply means the design was perfected over various renditions, needing fewer parts and screws, as well as making the design sturdier and able to withstand tinkering and playing to make it an ideal addition to any classroom.

Robotic Arms

3D printed robotic arms offer flexibility and added points of articulation and freedom compared to those made with standard manufacturing techniques. Because of this, 3D printing is used to make versatile robotic arms and hands capable of more dexterous movements than would otherwise be possible.

Gesture-Controlled Arduino Arm

• Learn More: SmartBuilds
• STL Files: Gripper, Turntable, Arm, Glove

Gesture controlled robotic arms seem incredibly futuristic and complex, but the designer of this Arduino Arm has made sure to make it an accessible and freely available project for anyone eager to learn more about remote-operated 3D printed robots.

The glove is designed to fit an average adult male’s hands, but since you’ll want it to be as accurate as possible, it’s worth noting that you may need to alter the design in your slicer software to fit your own hand size.

SCARA

• Learn More: How To Mechatronics

Another 3D printed robot arm that you can make at home today is the SCARA arm. Using a mix of PLA and PLA+, the total print time was around 120 hours at 60mm/s, but the designer has suggested that this can be shortened depending on your filament and printer capabilities.

The arm itself requires quite a few extra pieces to fully assemble, which creator Dejan has listed out along with the instructions to make sure you have everything you need to print and program this 3D printed robot arm yourself.

Ai Build

In the 3D printing manufacturing sector, companies like Ai build have commercialized the service of 3D printing using robotic arms. They offer a service for printing anything using a range of different materials in a quicker and more cost-effective way than ever before.

The process works in two combined aspects. Ai Sync is a cloud platform that allows clients to upload CAD designs, then automates the entire production process. These monitoring capabilities include detecting imperfections in the part, to the robot’s efficiency and more. Alongside this is the Ai Maker, which is a series of multi-dimension robotic arms with built-in 3D printing technology that uses artificial intelligence to program the system to print.

Ai Build claim that not only is their process cheaper than traditional manufacturing methods, but even cheaper than other forms of 3D printing, while producing next to zero waste material or human labor. It also reduces production times dramatically.

Their technology has seen applications in the defense, aviation, construction and energy sectors, and they list a number of case studies that demonstrate the benefits of the process over other methods. They are able to use nearly any 3D printable material, from plastics to metals and even concrete for varied applications, and they even offer a subscription service for frequent orders.

Zoomorphic Robots

3D printed robot animals and pets have fascinated and delighted households for years. They can be fun, educational, and even handy to have around the house if programmed with enough skill.

Here are a few 3D printed zoomorphic robots inspired by animal movements to further develop maneuverability.

Strandbeest

Strandbeests are designed to move along with the wind and even store energy so they can still move temporarily in lower breezes. Naturally, it didn’t take long for people to start looking for ways to 3D print robotic versions of these mechanical marvels.

Because of the relatively simple shapes, a 3D printed robotic strandbeest is a great way to teach the importance of mechanical accuracy, balance, and deceptively simple engineering practices.

Flexoskeletons

• Learn More: Jacobs School of Engineering

Flexoskeletons were a breakthrough for miniature robotics. Inspired by the agile movements of insects, the University of San Diego’s Jacobs School of Engineering created the method to make smaller, cheaper, and more articulate 3D printed robots.

The process involves 3D printing small, interchangeable parts that are attached to a soft body instead of a rigid one to allow for more fluid movements. Each part takes less than $1 worth of filament with a 10-minute printing time, and can be achieved on home printers.

Opencat

• STL Files: Google Drive

Robotic pets have been the dream of many households, providing all of the companionship and fun with none of the mess or allergies. This open-source 3D printed robot cat is a fun project that anyone can undertake to print and assemble their own rudimentary robot cat that moves and even lies down like a real kitten.

It’s printed using PLA and can be made on any household printer, and the electronic components are designed to work with a Bluetooth controller to remotely manipulate the kitten’s movements.

Kame

• Learn More: GitHub

It may only be the googly eyes that make this arachnid 3D printed robot cute, but you can’t deny its simplicity makes it an accessible model for anyone who wants to 3D print their own mini walking robot to shamble around their home.

It’s an easy design that’s built to be solid and survive a little abuse, making it a great toy for children that doubles as an educational tool for teaching basic robotics and movement programming.

Vorpal

• Learn More: Vorpal Robotics

Vorpal Robotics specializes in cute 3D printed robot octopi that move fluidly and are perfectly safe for children to play with.

They’re perfect for either the home or classroom, as the kits are available for sale and are targeted towards learners and 3D printing veterans alike as a new and cute introduction to 3D printed robotics.

Simple Robopets

If you want to 3D print your own robopet but find those we’ve looked at so far to be a little too complex, you can instead try your hand at 3D printing one of the many easier robopets available online.

The Boston Dynamics-inspired pet above is a simple print for anyone to try out, while the robot dog featured in the video below is a slightly more complex print for those of you looking for a larger project.

In any case, you’ll find plenty of high- and low-tech 3D printed robopets out there to try out today regardless of your 3D printing experience.

Small-Scale 3D Printed Robots

3D printing robots on smaller scales is made increasingly more possible with miniature programming tools like Raspberry Pi boards and Arduino technology. Here are some of the coolest (and cutest) of these miniature 3D printed robots you can print and program yourself today.

Xpider

• Learn More: Hackaday

Called the ‘world’s cutest spider robot’, the Xpider is a mini 3D printed arachnid robot weighing only 5.3oz. It’s also designed to be fitted with a camera so you can monitor the world from a point of view you never otherwise get to see.

The 3D printed mini spider navigates to objects automatically and can be programmed to include pathfinding or even free roam so you can see how a robot navigates your house and even use your coding knowledge to teach and improve it over time.

LittleBot

• Learn More: Instructables

3D printed miniature robots don’t get simpler in design than the LittleBot, a fun and educational toy robot that acts as an introduction to electrical engineering and 3D printing robot chassis. 

You will find all the information and assembly instructions you need in the Instructables link above, including any extra components you will need to source. But unfortunately, the original LittleBot website no longer exists, so you will have to find or write the code yourself.

SMARS

• Learn More: 3DELWORLD
• STL Files: Thingiverse

The cutest robot on this list since Buddy, the SMARS miniature 3D printed robot takes advantage of the Arduino Uno microcontroller board to create a tiny robot companion that’s as adorable as it is impressive. The code includes pathfinding and obstacle identification, so it can roam free around your home and learn as it travels.

SMARS is a modular 3D printed robot, meaning it’s designed to be added to and improved at your own discretion. This makes it a fantastic project for anyone who wants a solid base on which to build and test out their skills in 3D printing, robotics modification, and programming.

5-in-1 Arduino Robot

• Learn More: Instructables

One of the smallest and most versatile 3D printed robots is the 5-in-1 Arduino Robot that uses the updated ATmega328P microcontroller to balance 5 different functions in one tiny package. These functions include following, obstacle detection, drawing, tracking, and SUMO. The last of those involves pitting two different models against each other Robot Wars style.

It can be printed on any FDM printer with just about any filament, though if you plan on using SUMO mode more often then I recommend using a strong filament like PETG to avoid excess damage.

The History of 3D Printed Robotics

The first modern robots were invented in the 1950s by American inventor George C. Devol. His earliest prototypes for the ‘Unimate,’ a programmable system of transporting objects, used crude vacuum tubes and digital switches.

In the decades since, with improvements in production methods and computing, we have reached a point where not only are robotic systems used on an industrial scale, but artificial intelligence allows them to run without human input.

How 3D Printing is Helping Modern Robotics

In recent years, 3D printing has become a crucial component in the robotics industry. 3D printing can produce far more accurate parts for robotics projects with less wasted material. Using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) or Directed Energy Deposition (DED), metal products can be produced much cheaper than with traditional manufacturing methods.

3D printing companies like Stratasys have experimented with fitting 3D printing technology to existing robotic production tools. In 2016, they revealed their Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator.

By fitting their own FDM technology to an industrial 8-axis motion arm, they were able to use deposition 3D printing to produce some of the largest parts ever made on 3D printers. This also had the added benefit of allowing freeform manufacturing with more intricate designs much quicker than with existing 3D printers.

And the increasing availability of 3D printing to hobbyists has made previously exclusive robotics more accessible than ever before. Open source robot projects like InMoov and Poppy are available for anyone do download and print on a desktop 3D printer, bringing robotics into the home like never before.

With 3D printing becoming an ever-greater fixture of the industry, here are the two main areas of robotics in which 3D printing has made the most difference:

The Main Forms of 3D Printed Robotics

Hard Robotics

Hard robotics are robots that are made with strong, rigid structures, able to move only through actuators, a component that facilitates mechanical movement, at joints between parts.

Most of today’s robots are made using hard robotics, including the recently landed NASA Mars Rover Perseverance. They are much easier to construct and program, as well as being much stronger.

NASA has stated that 3D printing has helped to reduce the mass of these components by three or four times, which has helped to reduce fuel consumption, both of the lander and the Rover.

Almost all 3D printing on Earth focuses on metals and plastics. These are relatively easy to mold materials, and they are extremely strong and durable. Hard robotics relies on these materials and the precision 3D printing allows makes complex components far easier to produce.

Many 3D printed robotics projects use 3D printing to produce both the metal skeleton as well as plastic covering using a more targeted and customizable process than with other methods.

Engineers can now design and print their models with microscopic accuracy, reducing waste material and making parts lighter.

Soft Robotics

Comparatively, soft robotics is a much younger industry, but no less promising. It differs from hard robotics as it uses more flexible materials with actuators built throughout the structure, allowing animal-like free movement.

Already we are seeing designs and prototypes for robotic shoe insoles for helping those who struggle to walk by aiding with balance and reducing discomfort for those with flat feet, and even life jackets with mechanical components built in to help the wearer stay afloat.

Synthetic plastics like silicone are perfect for this but are very difficult to mold in a way that withstands stress by traditional methods.

Professors at Oregon State University conducted a study in 2018 to compare silicone 3D printing in soft robotics to traditional molding, and found that 3D printing greatly reduced deficiencies in human error, manual handling and multistep fabrication.

The Future of 3D Printed Robotics

A major area 3D printed robotics could revolutionize is 3D printing robotics in medicine.

While 3D printing has been previously used in the construction of prosthetics, combining this with robotics could allow amputees to have robotic limbs connected to their nervous system, allowing them to move as if they were a real limb.

Early experiments into 3D printed soft robotic prosthetic hands, which would look more realistic, have shown them to be functional and lightweight, yet not quite ready to handle the rigor of regular use, although hard robotics hands are becoming more common, with robotic surgical arms similar to those used in manufacturing.

This could change the way we treat internal injuries, broken bones, or even diseases like cancer.

Wearable robotics could also help to augment the human body and improve lifting or movement strength, particularly useful for an aging population.

Overall, my top recommendation at for a budget 3D printer kit is the Creality Ender 3 V2. It’s consistent, reliable, and still a great printer for the money. For a newer version that’s slightly more expensive, I also recommend the Ender 3 V2 Neo which I recently tested.

Also consider the Anycubic Kobra, as it’s one of the easiest kits to build, and prints with great reliability. I have personally tested it and think it’s super easy for beginners to use, and matches the Ender 3 V2 and Ender 3 S1 range in specs.

Super Budget 3D Printer	Great Home 3D Printer Kit	Premium 3D Printer Kit
Creality Ender 3 3D Printer	Anycubic Kobra 3D Printer	Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ kit
3DSourced Rating:	3DSourced Rating:	3DSourced Rating:
Primary Rating: 4.2	Primary Rating: 4.7	Primary Rating: 4.5
Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm	Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm	Build Volume: 250 x 210 x 210 mm
Assembly time: around 1 hour	Assembly time: around 45 minutes	Assembly time: Assembled (ready to print), 3D Printer Kit (6-8 hours)
Max extruder temp: 280°C	Max extruder temp: 260°C	Max extruder temp: 330°C
Max bed temp: 100°C	Max bed temp: 110°C	Max bed temp: 120°C
Filament Compatibility: PLA, ABS, TPU, wood	Filament Compatibility: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU	Filament Compatibility: PLA, PETG, ASA, ABS, PC, CPE, PVA/BVOH, PVB, HIPS, PP (Polypropylene), Flex, nGen, Nylon, Carbon filled, Woodfill and other filled materials.
$189	$299	$999
Creality here	Anycubic Store here	Buy as a kit here
Amazon here	Amazon here	Buy pre-assembled here

Super Budget 3D Printer

Creality Ender 3 3D Printer

3DSourced Rating:

Primary Rating:

4.2

Build Volume:

220 x 220 x 250 mm

Assembly time:

around 1 hour

Max extruder temp:

280°C

Max bed temp:

100°C

Filament Compatibility:

PLA, ABS, TPU, wood

$189

Creality here

Amazon here

Great Home 3D Printer Kit

Anycubic Kobra 3D Printer

3DSourced Rating:

Primary Rating:

4.7

Build Volume:

220 x 220 x 250 mm

Assembly time:

around 45 minutes

Max extruder temp:

260°C

Max bed temp:

110°C

Filament Compatibility:

PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU

$299

Anycubic Store here

Amazon here

Premium 3D Printer Kit

Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ kit

3DSourced Rating:

Primary Rating:

4.5

Build Volume:

250 x 210 x 210 mm

Assembly time:

Assembled (ready to print), 3D Printer Kit (6-8 hours)

Max extruder temp:

330°C

Max bed temp:

120°C

Filament Compatibility:

PLA, PETG, ASA, ABS, PC, CPE, PVA/BVOH, PVB, HIPS, PP (Polypropylene), Flex, nGen, Nylon, Carbon filled, Woodfill and other filled materials.

$999

Buy as a kit here

Buy pre-assembled here

These 3D printer kits can take just a few minutes to assemble, or take hours or even days. They can also vary greatly in price, print accuracy, maximum build and print speed.

3DSourced is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

The Best DIY 3D Printer Kits in 2024 – Full Reviews

1. Anycubic Kobra – Easiest Kit To Build

• Price — Check latest price at Anycubic here / Amazon here
• Assembly Time: around 45 minutes
• Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
• Max Extruder Temp: 260°C
• Compatible Filaments: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU 

The Anycubic Kobra is a reliable DIY printer by a reliable brand, at an incredibly low price. Despite the low price, it comes with auto-leveling, a touchscreen, and a filament sensor.

I’ve tested the Kobra for 3DSourced, and it performed well overall, especially for the price. I highly recommend it as a great desktop DIY kit.

For example, here’s some test prints I managed with the Anycubic Kobra:

Build volume on the Kobra is a relatively standard 220 x 220 x 250 mm for a printer of that price range. It’s impressively lightweight – just 7 kg – which makes it a convenient portable option if you’re a casual hobbyist who doesn’t have a dedicated craft space.

The Kobra is also equipped with a spring steel PEI-coated bed. It’s flexible and magnetic, allowing you to take the plate and bend it to pop prints off. No risk of damage to the print!

I would suggest the Anycubic Kobra to beginners who don’t have the time or aren’t interested in long assembly times and sharp learning curves. You can assemble the entire printer in just 15 – 60 minutes, depending on your level of skill.

Really, the Kobra is Anycubic’s version of the popular Ender 3 S1. It has similar assembly times and essentially the same build size (though the Ender 3 S1 has 20 mm more in the Z axis, it’s basically the same).

Unless you’re attached to the Creality brand, I personally feel that the Kobra is a better option. It’s cheaper, and there are minor improvements. For example, the Kobra has an inductive probe instead of a touch probe, which is the faster option of the two.

Easiest Kit To Build

Anycubic Kobra 3D Printer

This ultra budget-friendly printer assembles in a lightning-fast 15-60 mins.

The lightweight 7kg body and 220 x 220 x 250mm build volume make printing and portability a breeze.

Reliable auto-leveling and filament runout detection provide peace of mind.

Perfect for beginners seeking hassle-free printing, the Kobra delivers impressive performance with no fuss!

Anycubic here Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

2. Creality Ender 3 V2 / V2 Neo – Best Under $300

• Price: Check price at Creality Store here / Amazon here
• Build volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
• Assembly time: 1-2 hours to fully assemble
• Max extruder temp: 260 °C
• Filament compatibility: PLA, TPU, PETG, ABS

Building on the success of the Ender 3 and improving on its flaws, the Ender 3 V2 is a much improved kit.

The upgraded motherboard makes the printer quieter than ever, and the extra power makes for a more stable and precise printing experience.

The upgraded extruder is also a great touch. It’s easier to load and feed filament into via the rotary knob, which is ideal for PLA and flexible filaments. The large 4.3-inch screen makes the interface more intuitive, and the Ender 3 V2 is really easy to use overall.

Another extra is the carborundum glass platform, which can heat up faster than ever and improves adhesion so you can be sure of a great first layer. If you have the extra $100 to spare, I recommend going for the Ender 3 V2 over the original.

However, having since owned and tested the new Ender 3 V2 Neo, I recommend buying this instead of the standard V2 if you have the budget.

I put it through its paces for my test, and I was impressed with the V2 Neo overall.

The Ender 3 V2 Neo has auto-leveling – a big improvement! – as well as an all-metal extruder. The DIY kit itself has also been simplified to be quicker to create, so it’s more beginner friendly.

If you have the budget, I recommend the Ender 3 V2 Neo over the standard V2.

Top Budget Kit, and Most Upgradeable

Creality Ender 3 V2 3D Printer

Upgraded version of the original Ender 3 with a number of key improvements.

This easy to assemble DIY kit creates a 220 x 220 x 250mm build volume for printing epic creations. Experience ultra-quiet operation and stable, precise printing with the upgraded motherboard and extruder.

And, get great first layers with the heated carborundum glass print surface.

Creality Store here Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Incredible Value for Money

Ender 3 V2 Neo

An easy-to-use enclosed 3D printer with auto-leveling and removable steel print surface.

With pristine 0.1 mm resolution, you won't find a more precise 3D printer for this price anywhere.

Easy setup, operation and print removal make this an ideal pick for beginners.

Creality Store here Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

3. Creality Ender 3 – Cheapest DIY Kit

• Price: Check price at Creality Store here / Available on Amazon here
• Build volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
• Assembly time: around 1 hour
• Filament compatibility: PLA, ABS, TPU, wood

The original Ender 3 is still one of the world’s most popular 3D printer kits, years after it was originally released. The low price, great build area, and reliability have cemented the Ender 3 as one of the best 3D printer kits around.

Whereas issues caused by low-quality parts plague most DIY printers in this price range, the Ender 3 is dependable and consistent, partly due to its upgraded extruder to prevent clogging or poor extrusion.

However, many of the features that were rare and innovative at the time, are standard or considered basic now. Print resume functions are expected, and the Ender 3 does not have auto-leveling which is frustrating.

As an older kit, the original Ender 3 also takes longer to assemble than the newer kits.

So now, I recommend the Ender 3 V2 Neo instead, and you can read my full review of the Ender 3 V2 Neo here, or read on to the V2 section in this article for more details.

If you’re on a tight budget, then absolutely the Ender 3 is still the best printer under $200. But, if you have the spare cash, then upgrade. You’ll be glad you did, for the quality-of-life improvements like auto-leveling, and the far better metal extruder.

The ultimate super cheap 3D printer

Creality Ender 3 3D Printer

$189

The best budget 3D printer kit around - and the best-selling, too.

If you have the budget, pick up the V2 or V2 Neo version, or even the Ender 3 S1 if you prefer a direct drive extruder.

Creality here Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

4. Creality Ender 5 S1

• Price — Check latest price at Creality here
• Assembly Time: 1 hour
• Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 280 mm
• Max Extruder Temp: 300°C
• Compatible Filaments: PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, PC, ASA, HIPS

The Creality Ender 5 S1 is one of the more recent printers in a long line of DIY Creality kits. It’s a long way from the original Ender 3, now boasting easy leveling, great filament compatibility, and a more stable design.

Assembling the Ender 5 S1 only takes slightly longer than the Anycubic Kobra at 1 – 2 hours, depending on experience. The build plate is also similar– a PC spring steel sheet with a magnetic base. It has high sticking power but allows for popping off models by bending.

You can expect the same quality-of-life features that are on any cheaper printer, like auto-leveling through CR-touch, a touch screen, and a filament runout sensor. But the Ender 5 S1 boasts high print speeds of 250 mm/s, too.

It has a stronger extruder than previous Ender models and other cheap DIY kit options. Allowing for a max temp of 300°C, you will be able to use a wide variety of filaments.

A key benefit to purchasing the Ender 5 S1 is that Creality’s entire Ender series is somewhat open source. All Ender printers are built off a similar layout as the Ender 3, which is completely available on GitHub.

Plus, Creality has a huge community that loves DIY. Any project or upgrade you want to do with your Ender 5 S1 has probably been done before, and it’s likely you can find numerous tutorials or forum threads online to help you out.

Sturdy and large kit for big prints

Official Creality Ender-5 S1

This user-friendly DIY kit assembles in just 1-2 hours. Print big projects up to 280mm tall with its spacious 220 x 220 x 280mm build volume.

Print fast at speeds up to 250mm/s and use exotic filaments like ABS and PC thanks to its durable 300°C extruder.

Amazon here Creality here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

5. Flsun Super Racer – Best Delta Kit

• Price: Check latest price at Amazon here / Flsun here
• Assembly Time: 20-40 minutes
• Build Volume: 260 x 260 x 330 mm
• Max Extruder Temp: 260°C
• Compatible Filaments: PLA, ABS, PETG

The Flsun Super Racer is the newer replacement for Flsun QQ-S Pro. It’s a niche option, instead using a delta triangle configuration instead of standard Cartesian setups.

Delta 3D printers are known for being much faster than standard Cartesian printers. As a result, print speeds reach as high as 200 mm/s, with the default printing speed left at 150 mm/s. Even the default speed is faster than the default of comparable printers like the Ender 5 S1, at 120 mm/s.

Despite the high speeds, the Flsun Super Racer can still produce the high-quality prints we’ve come to expect after the QQ-S Pro.

Here’s some of the high-quality prints I managed on my Flsun QQ-S Pro, and the Super Racer achieves even better consistency as well as speed improvements.

Assembly time is similar to the Flsun QQ-S Pro, taking around 15 to 45 minutes.

The Super Racer comes with a ton of spare parts, so you don’t need to worry about losing or breaking pieces. It even has a digital version of the user guide, and videos to help you on your way.

One interesting quirk about building the SR is the leveling sensor. You need to attach it in order to level the bed properly, but then you are instructed to detach it before printing. The process is repeated for every re-level – which isn’t often on a delta printer.

The main upgrade that the Super Racer brings to the table is a better motherboard. It uses a 32-bit high-speed motherboard with 4 TMC 2209 for quieter and more accurate printing. All things considered, the Flsun SR is a great DIY 3D printer for those who want high speeds and tall prints.

Best FAST delta 3D printer kit

FLSUN SR Super Racer

This lightning fast delta 3D printer assembles in just 20-40 minutes.

Max print speeds hit an incredible 200 mm/s for insanely fast prints.

Achieve new heights with the generous 260 x 260 x 330 mm build volume.

Precise 32-bit motherboard and auto-leveling deliver professional quality prints every time.

Amazon here Flsun here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

6. Prusa i3 MK3S+ – Most Reliable Kit

• Price: Varies — Available on the Prusa store here or Amazon here / Fully assembled — Available on the Prusa store here or Amazon here
• Build volume: 250 x 210 x 210 mm
• Assembly time: Assembled (ready to print), 3D Printer Kit (6-8 hours)
• Max extruder temp: 330°C
• Filament compatibility: PLA, PETG, ASA, ABS, PC, CPE, PVA/BVOH, PVB, HIPS, PP (Polypropylene), Flex, nGen, Nylon, Carbon filled, Woodfill and other filled materials.

The Prusa i3 MK3S+ is known as the undeniable king of DIY 3D printer kits.

These RepRap kits are fantastic, with an impressive print volume of 250 x 210 x 210 mm, and able to print at speeds up to 200mm/s.

The Prusa is extremely accurate, precise, and a reliable workhorse 3D printer. For a long time it has been the gold standard in FDM 3D printer kits.

Accessible via USB stick or by SD card, the Prusa i3 MK3S+ kits are designed to be simple to use as well as effective.

With layer resolutions up to 50 microns, the Prusa i3 homemade 3D printer is so effective that it outperforms far more expensive 3D printers.

It can print tougher filaments than more expensive printers too, with a Bondtech extruder that can reach temperatures of up to 300°C, making printing Polycarbonate, ABS, Nylon, and other difficult filaments no problem.

Additionally, you can print up to 5 colors simultaneously with your Prusa if you purchase their multi-material upgrade kit, costing $300. This makes colorful model printing a breeze, and opens up for far more extravagant printing projects.

• With a Multi Material Upgrade kit, it can also print multiple colors. We explain more in our color 3D printer buyer’s guide.
• You can buy the Multi Material Upgrade Kit 2.0 here.

You can choose to either assemble the kit yourself or buy the printer pre-assembled, though this costs a few hundred dollars more.

Overall, the Prusa remains the undisputed king of DIY 3D printer kits.

Top 3D printer kit

Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ kit

4.5

$899.00

Meet the gold standard in DIY printing - the Prusa i3 MK3S+!

Print like a pro with exotic filaments like PC and nylon thanks to the 300°C hotend.

Reliable, precise, and loaded with innovations like auto bed leveling, the Prusa i3 MK3S+ delivers exceptional performance right out of the box!

Prusa here Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ 3D printer (pre assembled)

Prusa here Amazon here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

7. Peopoly Moai 130 – Top Resin 3D Printer Kit

• Price: Check latest price at Peopoly here
• Assembly Time: 4 – 6 hours
• Build Volume: 130 x 130 x 180 mm
• Resolution: Z-layer: 5 micron (resin dependent), XY: 70 microns

The Peopoly Moai 130 kit is an incredible feat of engineering. It’s huge, offers incredible precision, and best of all, it lets you build your own 3D resin printer at home from scratch.

Featuring a 70-micron laser spot size and a 130 x 130 x 180 mm build volume, you can create everything from resin molds for 3D printed jewelry, dental models, engineering pieces, or miniatures.

The Moai 130 costs slightly more than the now-unavailable original Moai. In return, you get a variety of quality-of-life upgrades that were previously missing. The inclusion of an FEP film vat and an easier-to-level build plate makes the Moai 130 more approachable as a printer kit.

It is only to be expected that the Moai will take some time to assemble, as resin 3D printers are more complex than their FDM 3D printer counterparts. Most makers will be able to build their own Moai 130 within 4 – 6 hours.

As a DIY kit, Peopoly understands that people don’t want to buy branded resins only. You can use the Moai 130 with any third-party resins you want. Another great DIY opportunity is in the form of add-ons. Certain add-ons are supported by Peopoly itself, such as a heater module.

The Moai 130 is something in between an extreme do-everything-yourself experience and a pre-assembled wonder. So long as you’re willing to put in the effort, it’s a reasonable resin option for both beginner and experienced makers.

Best DIY Resin Printer Kit

Peopoly Moai Laser SLA 3D Printer Kit

$625.86

This expansive DIY kit offers a generous 130 x 130 x 180 mm build area for sizable resin prints.

Expect perfect 70 micron XY resolution and astonishing 5 micron Z resolution for professional quality results.

Build it yourself in 4-6 hours and unleash your creativity.

Matterhackers here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

8. Voron 2.4 LDO Kit – Professional DIY Kit

• Price: Check latest price at Matterhackers here
• Assembly Time: 20 – 40 hours
• Build Volume: 350 x 350 x 350 mm
• Max Extruder Temp: 300°C (customizable)
• Compatible Filaments: PLA/Tough PLA/PLA+, PETG/CPE, ABS/ASA, TPU/TPE, Nylon/NylonX/NylonG, PVA, Polycarbonate

The Voron 2.4 LDO Kit is in sharp contrast to beginner printers like the Anycubic Kobra. It’s hands down the most customizable, and that’s because it’s a true DIY printer. You get the pieces, and you build it entirely yourself. No pre-assembly included.

In the past, the Voron project just gave you a sourcing guide and instructions for you to buy all of the pieces individually. This LDO kit makes the process significantly easier, since they’ve sourced all the pieces already.

It’s pricey because it comes with pretty much everything you could want in a printer. There’s the touch screen, auto-leveling, and filament runout sensor. But the Voron 2.4 also has an enormous build volume of 350 x 350 x 350 mm.

The Voron 2.4 LDO Kit comes with clear acrylic panels for you to mount onto the frame. You will need to print or purchase the panel clips in order to properly enclose the printer, but it’s an option for anyone with the kit.

You can opt-in to purchase better parts, like stronger nozzles or better hotends. Since you’ve built the whole thing by hand, without any proprietary parts, you can really adjust anything you want except build volume.

If the trial-and-error, DIY process is the fun part for you, the Voron 2.4 Kit is perfect. It will take you anywhere from 20 – 40 hours to assemble (and then some if you have add-ons), but the result is incredible.

High-quality, professional 3D printer kit

LDO Voron 2.4 R2 3D Printer Kit

4.5

This epic DIY kit offers a massive 350 x 350 x 350mm build volume to print colossal projects. Tinker to your heart's content assembling the kit in 20-40 hours.

Print like a pro with exotic filaments like ABS, ASA, nylon, and PC!

Matterhackers here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Advantages of DIY 3D printers

• Open source: Most homemade 3D printers are also open source 3D printers, meaning they can be tinkered with, upgraded, and modded freely, with the printer files usually hosted on a repository like GitHub. Many Creality and Prusa printers are open source.
• Easily upgradable: Makers frequently switch out parts, such as nozzles, hot ends, and extruders for better quality parts or for certain projects.
• Lower price: For the quality and size, they’re cheaper 3D printers than pre-assembled versions.
• Larger build volume: The open build area means you can have a larger 3D printer build area for the same size.

Build your own 3D printer: what makes a good DIY 3D printer?

We used several criteria to determine which 3D printer kit made it into our ranking:

• Affordable: We only included FDM 3D printer kits under $1,500. The printers are listed in price order, cheapest first.
• Print quality
• Easy to build: Not everyone is a technology wizard. Therefore, any kit that can be assembled quickly, easily, and is simple to operate, is at an advantage.

FAQs

What’s Changed

In our August 2023 update of this article, we changed the following:

• The Flsun QQ-S was switched out in favor of the newer Flsun Super Racer. It is better in every dimension, and is now the 3DSourced choice for delta printer kit.
• Added the newest versions of the Ender 3 range, including the V2 Neo, which we have tested and reviewed on our site.
• Updated the Peopoly Moai section now that the newer Moai 130 version is sold.
• Replaced the Ender 5 Pro with the newer Ender 5 S1.
• The Voron 2.4 LDO kit was added, as it is a high-quality, premium kit.

Jan 2024 updates:

• Updated pricing information for 2024.

While previously hamstrung by impractically rigid filament, innovative projects have spent the last decade devising workarounds to make industry disruption a more realistic prospect.

In this guide I’ll share my favorite 3D printed fashion projects for jewelry, shoes, and dresses, each leveraging 3D printing to propel fashion forward.

From offering limitless personalisation to flexible “print-at-home” fulfillment, let’s dive into how 3D printing is shaking up catwalks and wardrobes in 2023.

Jewelry

Initially, 3D printing was used in the production of jewelry in a process called lost wax casting, usually taking the form of molds for rings, bracelets, and pendants. Eventually, 3D printed parts made their way to more luxury items. 

RADIAN Design

• Brand: Radian
• Price: $33 – $1902
• Where to Buy: Radian Design

Radian Design is a 3D printed jewelry company based in Berlin. Their mission is to make beautiful, affordable pieces in a sustainable and environmentally-conscious way.

They focus on ‘statement jewelry’, which in the fashion world means all their designs are made to fit each customer’s personality. They can do this by making jewelry with abstract shapes and complex designs, which are easier achieved with 3D printing compared to traditional methods.

Lace by Jenny Wu

• Designer: Jenny Wu
• Price: $25 – $3,600
• Where to Buy: Jenny Wu Lace

Jenny Wu is an architect who always merged art into her designs, expressing her creativity with her interest in 3D printing in the fashion industry. After a successful run of 3D printed necklaces, she took to making Lace, a 3D printed jewelry line with everything from rings to bracelets made using selective laser sintering (SLS).

Lace stands out amongst other 3D printed jewelry designers by creating concept prototypes before the final print.

This allows the customer to see how the finished product will look, and whether they want to tweak a little further before they buy.

Once the design is perfected, Jenny Wu’s Lace then prints the final piece using plastics and metal, tackling complicated shapes with ease to create truly unique, bespoke jewelry.

Earth Symbols

• Designer: Jade Newman
• Price: $2 – £10
• Where to Buy: Earth Symbols

Earth Symbols is an independent UK-based company that uses thermoplastics and wood-based filaments to print creative, cheap jewelry that’s visually pleasing and environmentally sound.

Using only biodegradable filaments, designer Jade Newman makes a range of rings, necklaces, and earrings in creative and abstract shapes.

The pieces are all very affordable, maxing out at £8 (around $10) for some unique pieces that make great personal buys or excellent gifts.

Shoes

Dior Derby

• Brand: Dior
• Price: N/A
• Where to Buy: Not yet available

Paris Fashion Week in January 2023 saw some incredible additions to the 3D printed fashion industry from fashion designers all over the world. One stand out was the Dior Derby, and because Dior is no stranger to 3D printing for fashion, they practically stole the show with their 3D printed shoes.

They chose to print it using TPU filament for their new shoe collection because of its flexibility and strength, but made sure to keep the overall look of their existing Derby line.

The 3D printed Derby set will be available for purchase in late 2023, and Dior claims that they really are as strong and comfortable as they look.

Reebok x Botter

• Designer/Brand: Reebok and Botter
• Price: N/A
• Where to Buy: Not yet available

3D printed shoes benefit from additive manufacturing’s ability to produce complex geometrical shapes that would be impossible with traditional manufacturing processes.

This was the thinking behind clothing producers Reebok and Botter’s collaboration when they made their own line of amphibious 3D printed shoes based on the venus comb shell. These shoes were also revealed during Paris Fashion Week, and are designed as the perfect combination of fashion and sportswear.

ECCO 3D Printed Midsoles

• Brand: Quant-U
• Price: Available on appointment
• Where to Buy: Quant-U

ECCO first announced their 3D printed midsole design back in 2018, promising maximum comfort by ensuring every single midsole is 3D printed to a customer’s exact needs.

Unlike most bespoke 3D printed shoe companies, ECCO encourages you to make an appointment for a 2-hour session where they measure foot size, gait, and walking style. With the data collected from this session, they make a digital file for the midsole that’s perfect for you.

Zellerfeld

• Designer/Brand: Zellefeld
• Price: $185 – $370+
• Where to Buy: Zellerfeld

Zellerfeld is one of the top 3D printed shoe manufacturers, making bespoke footwear for anyone who wants an eco-friendly alternative to traditional shoe stores.

Each pair is made to order, meaning Zellerfeld has no need for factories or warehouses, significantly reducing the wasted material and space created in mass-production. Every pair of 3D printed shoes by Zellerfeld is also completely recyclable.

Garments

3D printed fashion has made tremendous strides in shoes and jewelry in recent years, but full garments are still a long time away from being on the sales racks.

There are, however, a few projects paving the way to show how additive manufacturing could be used in the future to produce truly practical high-fashion garments.

Kinematics Dress

• Designer/Brand: Nervous System
• Price: $3000+
• Where to Buy: Currently unavailable

The Kinematics dress was designed with the idea of using 3D printing for 3D shapes, specifically calling out how odd it is that we make clothes with flat materials rather than taking advantage of a body’s natural shape.

This is why Kinematics garments are tailored to fit perfectly. Like traditional clothing, the dress is made from thousands of interlocking parts, but made with nylon filament that’s closer in kind to hinges than to woven fabric.

Because this 3D printed dress is designed to fit perfectly, the dress moves and flows with the body rather than despite it, making it an impressive piece of wearable art that’s sight to behold when in motion.

Sophy Wong 3D Printed Dress

• Designer/Brand: Sophy Wong
• Price: N/A
• Where to Buy: Not for sale

Unlike many other 3D printed garments which aim to create entire wearable pieces with 3D printing, Sophy Wong experimented with 3D printing directly onto fabrics as a design method.

This technique saw the creation of her own partially 3D printed dress, which is an excellent and viable alternative to traditional designs while avoiding the current pitfalls of entirely 3D printed clothing.

Danit Peleg Collection

• Designer: Danit Peleg
• Price: N/A
• Where to Buy: Not for sale

Danit Peleg leveraged TPU’s properties in her 2015 collection, “Liberty Leading the People“, creating lace-like patterns resembling cloth. The garments were light, flexible, strong and formed naturally to the body, made using desktop 3D printers in her home, hinting at the technology’s potential for democratizing fashion.

Julia Daviy Collection

• Designer: Julia Daviy
• Price: N/A
• Where to Buy: Not for sale

The field has since evolved with innovative techniques and polyurethane blends. Julia Daviy’s 2018 “Liberation Collection” is a striking example, employing soft, flexible thermoplastic – 70A TPE (Thermoplastic elastomer) – to create clothing that emulates conventional streetwear, contrasting with the abstract, futuristic aesthetic common in 3D printed fashion.

The Obstacles to Mainstream 3D Printed Fashion

Despite 3D printed clothing now close to matching conventional fabrics in comfort and flexibility, it struggles to make the leap from runway to mainstream due to cost and effectiveness.

Cost

3D printed clothing is currently expensive due to the time and expertise required in the process. For example, Danit Peleg’s jacket, one of the few commercially available pieces, takes over 100 hours to produce and costs $1,500. Likewise, Julia Daviy’s made-to-order skirt costs between $780 to $1,500, making both pieces unaffordable for most consumers.

Performance of 3D Printed Clothing

3D printed clothing underperforms conventional materials in most situations. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and spandex excel at moisture management during exercise, while TPU, a common 3D printing material, can trap sweat and cause discomfort.

In terms of weather resistance, cotton and natural fibers provide better insulation in cold weather than filament layers, and 3D printed garments can discolor or warp in prolonged sun exposure. Materials like PETG withstand weather better, but their rigidity makes them unsuitable for most clothing.

High performance is only achieved by using bespoke composite filaments (or novel structuring ideas like the Kinematics dress), meaning there’s usually a trade off in terms of performance and price.

Durability and Convenience

3D printed fashion struggled to find a flexible, robust material until thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was introduced. Traditional filaments were rigid, unfit for clothing which needs to flex with the body and withstand daily activities. TPU, invented in 1959, became a viable, elastic 3D printing filament in 2013 with the advent of Filaflex and TPU 92A-1.

3D printed clothing is more fragile than conventional materials, with daily wear and tear quickly degrading the soft filaments and mesh structures. Moreover, most 3D printed materials require hand washing, further reducing their convenience compared to machine-washable conventional fabrics.

A Vision of the Future

As this 2020 study on the outlook of 3D printed clothing shows, 79% of people would be happy to wear a 3D printed dress, with 88% in total believing 3D printing would be beneficial to the fashion industry.

Even studies as far back as 2018 showed 3D printing’s potential for sustainability and eco-friendliness when used in the fashion industry, arguing that 3D printing could revolutionize the fashion industry by minimizing its carbon footprint.

Custom-made clothing, printed at home, eradicates waste and shipping impact, while avoiding unethical production practices.

However, the issue of microplastics remains unresolved. While some filaments like PLA are recyclable and biodegradable, others aren’t. If materials used are 100% recyclable, clothing could be turned back into filament for reuse, presenting a potential solution to fast-fashion and wardrobe clutter.

Imagine traveling to a wedding with only toiletries, purchasing a suit design online, and printing it at your hotel. After the event, the suit recycles back into filament for future use. This vision was suggested by Danit Peleg in her 2016 TED Talk, where she likened the future of fashion to the digital transformation of music.

 “Music was once a very physical thing. You would have to go to the record shop and buy CDs, but now you can just download the music. Digital music. Directly to your phone. Fashion is also a very physical thing.  And I wonder what our world will look like, when our clothes will be digital, just like this skirt is.”

With the current pace of 3D printed fashion, this reality might not be far off.

Read more: the best fashion design apps and software

In this guide, I’ll reveal how 3D printing is helping engineers produce space projects like rovers, spacesuits, and even engines for use in active space missions, with drastic improvements in efficiency.

3D Printing Shelters for Space

Mars Dune Alpha Habitat

• Company: NASA
• Technology: Vulcan Construction System
• Purpose: Researching a functioning human habitat on the moon and eventually Mars

In June 2023, a simulation began in the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

This is phase one of the Mars Dune Alpha Project by NASA. Assuming all goes well, the volunteer crew will spend a year in this simulation, emulating life on the red planet as realistically as possible, including delayed contact times.

The data extracted from this mission will provide valuable insights into the behavioral and social effects of such a mission, but also the viability of 3D printed space shelters for long-term living and storage.

The mission is due for further trials on the moon in 2025, before hopefully being used for a real Mars mission in 2026 and beyond.

AI Spacefactory

• Company: AI Spacefactory
• Technology: ISRU resource finding and utilization
• Purpose: Building safe and sustainable shelters for space habitation

Companies like AI Space Factory have designed Martian dwellings that could be 3D printed from local materials such as basalt. 

Their Marsha Project proposes tall, thin structures capable of withstanding Mars’ harsh atmospheric and thermal pressures.

However, these Martian habitats, like their lunar counterparts, would need to overcome numerous challenges, including dust control and thermal management. They’re mimicking these environments on earth to find innovative ways of ensuring construction is safe and involves the least amount of destruction to nature as possible.

3D Printing in Spacecraft & Rockets

SpaceX and Boeing Embrace 3D Printing

• Company: SpaceX and Boeing
• Technology: Ultem 9085 3D Printing Thermoplastics
• Purpose: Using 3D printing to simplify the construction of complex parts

Both SpaceX and Boeing utilize hundreds of 3D printed parts in their machinery, taking advantage of the capacity to print in-house.

Given the need for accurate, light, and robust components, 3D printing is perfectly suited to this industry where rocket parts don’t need to be mass-produced.

In 2022, Boeing unveiled an update to their use of 3D printing to launch multi-purpose, taking advantage of both rapid prototyping and 3D printed parts to make a flexible alternative to traditional manufacturing.

Relativity Space and the 3D-Printed Rocket Revolution

• Company: Relativity Space
• Technology: STARGATE large format 3D printing
• Purpose: Developing mostly-entirely 3D printed rockets for efficient construction and flight

Relativity Space has taken 3D printing to the next level, boasting the world’s largest metal 3D printer in their Stargate factory. By embracing advanced machine-learning, analytics, and 3D printing, the company aims to reduce the traditionally labor-intensive process of building rockets, resulting in fewer parts and lower costs.

The company’s flagship rocket, the Terran I, is 90% 3D printed, and is designed to launch up to 1,250kg into low-earth orbit and is touted as one of the most cost-effective launchers globally.

The Terran I saw its first launch 3 years after being announced in 2015, with its first flight occurring in March 2023.

This pilot launch met an unfortunate end, however, as an engine failure prevented the rocket from successfully reaching orbit.

Rocket Lab Leaps into 3D Printing

• Company: Rocket Lab
• Technology: High end FDM 3D printing
• Purpose: Prove the efficiency and purpose of 3D printed engines in rockets

Rocket Labs has had a very successful 2023, revealing that their 3D printed Rutherford engine has been reinvented once again for more launches.

This 3D printed Rutherford engine powers the Electron Rocket, which includes a 3D printed combustion chamber, injector, main propellant valves, and pump. The company has 3D printed over 260 models of the Rutherford engine, resulting in lighter, cheaper satellite launches.

NASA RAMPT Project

• Company: NASA
• Technology: Direct Energy Deposition
• Purpose: Cutting cost and production time without sacrificing reliability

NASA has frequently utilized 3D printing in their space research and plans. NASA’s RAMPT project, for example, 3D printed rocket parts including nozzles, thrust chambers, and even propulsion chambers, reducing the number of components and weight.

In 2020, the RAMPT project was used to print a new rocket nozzle. At 40 inches in diameter, it was the largest rocket nozzle they’d ever made.

The Audi Lunar Quattro: Pioneering 3D-Printed Space Rovers

• Company: Audi
• Technology: FDM 3D printing
• Purpose: Use 3D printing to ensure longevity and survivability of technology in harsh extraterrestrial environments

Designed with 3D printed aluminum and titanium solar panels, the Audi Lunar Quattro demonstrates the potential of lightweight, efficient designs for future interplanetary exploration.

Although the Quattro did not go to space in 2021 as intended, the concept has not gone unnoticed. Nano3Dprint announced a partnership with Finite Space in May 2023 to use 3D printing for sustainable space travel and habitation, beginning with a 3D printed lunar rover.

3D Printing Tools in Space

European Space Agency (ESA)

• Company: ESA
• Technology: Various
• Purpose: Aiding space exploration with multi-purpose, lightweight 3D printed tools

After announcing plans for a 3D printed lunar base in 2013, the European Space Agency (ESA) has taken to 3D printing to help with a lot of mechanical complexities and issues. The bend-based mechanism, which you can see below, is one of their 3D printed innovations from 2023.

It may look like a mess, but this mechanism is important for stabilizing and allowing frictionless rotation of geared mechanisms like thrusters and telescopes.

In partnering with other companies like CSEM and 3D Precision SA, the ESA is continuing to improve their work by utilizing additive manufacturing.

While their lunar base has run into some issues, largely due to the moon’s atmosphere not being suitable for most 3D printing projects, they have high hopes for the future of 3D printing in space exploration.

Made In Space

• Company: Made in Space (now acquired)
• Technology: FDM Printing
• Purpose: To ensure astronauts can create bespoke tools and equipment mid-mission

In 2014, Made in Space sent an Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF), a zero-gravity FDM 3D printer, to the International Space Station (ISS). It was the first of its kind, with no other 3D printer ever sent to space before this.

The AMF, which has a 6 x 6 x 6 inch print volume, can 3D print with ABS, ULTEM 9085, and HDPE materials. The 3D printer has successfully produced parts like a wrench, an antenna part, and a connector for free-flying robots while orbiting Earth.

In the event of an unforeseen issue on the ISS, astronauts can now have the tools or parts they need to fix the problem designed on Earth and remotely sent to Made in Space’s 3D printer on the ISS, which is 250 miles away.

Unfortunately, there has been no further news since Made in Space was acquired by aerospace manufacturing company Redwire in 2020.

Tethers Unlimited

• Company: Tethers Unlimited
• Technology: FDM 3D printing with recyclable parts
• Purpose: To make sustainable 3D printing solutions for space exploration

Tethers Unlimited shipped a ReFabricator to the ISS in February 2019, enabling astronauts to recycle waste materials that accumulate while in space. This high-performance polymer printer can also recycle these parts back into feedstock for re-use.

The company’s CEO, Rob Hoyt, envisions astronauts using this technology to manufacture and recycle food-safe utensils.

3D Printing Food in Space

NASA and BeeHex

• Company: BeeHex Automation
• Technology: Food 3D printing
• Purpose: Allowing astronauts to enjoy nutritional and interesting 3D printed food in space

NASA is exploring 3D printing’s potential for producing food in space and has provided BeeHex with a $1 million investment to develop a 3D printed pizza.

By using specially-designed cartridges, 3D printable food ingredients for pizzas can be stored in a manner that significantly slows down spoiling along with other benefits like ease of transportation and reducing food waste, providing sustenance for astronauts on their journey into the far reaches of space.

To learn more, you can check out our detailed article on 3D printed food and some of the most mouthwatering projects here.

Ceramics

• Company: Redwire
• Technology: Ceramic 3D printing
• Purpose: Printing ceramics in zero-g to environments for stronger pieces

In 2020, Redwire-acquired company Made In Space tested a Ceramics Manufacturing Module (CMM) utilizing Stereolithography (SLA) to 3D print ceramic components in zero gravity. The zero-gravity environment alleviates intense stresses on the parts during the printing process, allowing for a more uniform stress distribution.

As a result, stronger, lighter parts can be created in space than on Earth. This approach may open the door for future manufacturing of high-performance ceramic turbine blades in Earth-orbiting additive manufacturing mini-factories. These parts could then be sent back to Earth for sale and use.

Now a decade later, we’ve seen notable improvements to produce ortheses that are comfortable, effective, and helping patients get back to their normal, active lives.

From fully 3D printed casts to design software, there are now plenty of options to help professional physicians treat broken bones and bad sprains. 

In this guide I’ll share the most impressive 3D printed cast projects, as well as the technological developments that are underpinning their efficacy.

Best 3D Printed Casts 2023

Cortex Cast

• Best for: Offering localized support for fractures with a breathable design.
• Price: N/A
• Learn More: Evill Design

New Zealand engineers Ollie and Jake Evill created the Cortex Cast in 2013, a groundbreaking 3D printed orthopedic cast. This high-tech, breathable, and lightweight cast offers localized support for fractures, a previously unattainable feature.

The Evills’ innovative work placed second at the International James Dyson technology awards and led them to design roles in the Hollywood blockbuster, Blade Runner 2049.

CastPrint

• Best for: Producing unique casts for specific arm areas and being among the initial innovators of 3D casts for leg injuries.
• Price: ~$110
• Learn More: CastPrint

Latvia-based CastPrint was founded by entrepreneurs Janis Olins and Sigvards Krongorns, pioneers in the 3D printed cast industry. It produces unique casts for specific arm areas such as the wrist, thumb, and fingers, and is among the initial innovators of 3D casts for leg injuries.

Having achieved prominence in the Latvian healthcare sector, they have recently entered the UK market, gaining adoption by numerous private healthcare firms. CastPrint’s rapid expansion suggests an imminent continental dominance.

Xkelet

• Best for: Reducing production time and enabling recasting of the same injury multiple times.
• Price: $200 – $500
• Learn More: XKast

Spanish startup Xkelet is revolutionizing 3D printing casts, aiming to reduce production time from 2 hours to 12-30 minutes. COO Tim Dobrinich spearheads this goal using a specialized iPad camera attachment and app to photograph patients’ limbs from all angles, bypassing lengthy 3D scanning and modeling.

Their unique design employs reusable anchor points, or o-rings, enabling recasting of the same injury multiple times.

Exiom

• Best for: Rapid design and production of high-quality casts that allow patients to lead normal, active lifestyles.
• Price: N/A
• Learn More: Exiom

Naming themselves the pioneer of next generation orthopedic bracing, Exiom make sure their high-quality casts are designed, fitted, and printed as fast and efficiently as possible while maintaining product quality. 

Using CAD software, they can rapidly make casts perfectly suited to each patient’s injury and limb. Their custom-created 3D printed casts are made quickly and efficiently.

Their main promise to their clients is that they can continue to lead normal, active lifestyles even while wearing their cast. They are waterproof and easy to remove and clean, so patients can take a shower and bathe without needing to tie a garbage bag around their injured limbs.

Activarmor

• Best for: Ensuring patients can continue their daily activities, including swimming, without hindrance.
• Price: Only available on request
• Learn More: Activarmor

Like Exiom, Activarmor is a revolutionary 3D printed cast company that focuses on its patients’ comfort and ability to continue life as normal even when having to wear a cast.

One testimonial from a 19-year-old lifeguard attests to this, saying they were still able to swim and perform their duties as needed even after having surgery on a broken wrist. Such things wouldn’t be possible with fiberglass casts, which need to stay dry to avoid skin irritation and infection.

Physicians seem to love it as well as patients, praising the quality of the product and its effective cost-cutting benefits. Since each Avctivarmor cast is printed as needed, there’s no inventory or need for extra supplies like splints, cutting costs drastically.

Proper healthcare is important to Activarmor too. They call their products the world’s first sanitizable casts, as they’re not only easily removable and easy to clean, but also are designed to make sure they don’t trap dirt or bacteria like traditional casts. All Activarmor casts are also 100% recyclable, meaning you can dispose of your cast in an environmentally friendly way once you no longer need it.

Cast21

• Best for: Combining compassionate care with some of the most reliable 3D printed casts on the market.
• Price: Depends on severity of injury and insurance
• Learn More: Cast21

Cast21 offers compassion as well as promoting healthy healing, making sure patients are comfortable while they recover.

The largely female-led company has developed some of the most reliable 3D printed casts on the market since their founding in 2016. They’ve also been very public in promoting news and studies about the present and future of 3D printed casts, making sure everyone is aware of the kind of innovations they’re bringing to the medical field.

Spentys

• Best for: Offering a cost-effective solution with high-resolution 3D scanning, modeling, and printing tailored to each patient.
• Price: N/A
• Learn More: Spentys

Spentys 3D printed orthopedic casts offer a cost-effective way for physicians and other professionals to treat various conditions.

Their process involves high-resolution 3D scanning, modeling, and printing casts unique to each patient and their conditions, be them temporary or chronic, to aid in recovery and keep their clients happy, comfortable, and healthy along the way.

Spentys offers the 3D printing cast service themselves too. They do this by looking over your design to make sure the casts are printed perfectly every time.

And you shouldn’t be worried if you have no CAD or 3D modeling experience, as Spentys offers an easy to understand, streamlined experience with their guided workflows from scan to print for anyone who’s willing to learn.

Invent Medical

• Best for: Providing a range of products including standard splints, cranial remoulding helmets, and protective face masks.
• Price: N/A
• Learn More: Invent Medical

As a global leader in new orthopedics and 3D printed casts, Invent Medical offers amazing new products in their 3D printed line, including standard splints, cranial remoulding helmets for babies, and protective face masks for facial injuries.

For professionals interested, but not experienced, in using 3D printed solutions for treatments, Invent Medical ensures full support from scanning to printing.

To find out more about what Invent Medical has to offer, you can check out their online showroom for a full tour.

Artus3D

• Best for: Assisting athletes in their recovery journey
• Price: Variable
• Learn More: Artus3D

Artus3D aids in accessibility of modern technologies by offering their services to any medical company who wants to provide their patients with new 3D printed orthopedic solutions.

Artus3D had already cemented itself as an invaluable resource for 3D printed casts and splints, but they really made their mark when one of their designs helped Dutch hockey legend Eva de Geode rejoin her team after breaking her wrist in 2021. Wearing this brace, her and her team went on to win the EuroHockey championship against Germany.

Mercuris

• Best for: Aiding patients with complex prints for recovery.
• Price: Up to $495/month
• Learn More: Mercuris

With their step-by-step guides, Mercurius helps from scanning to creation and even helps you make sure your model is a perfect fit for your patient before printing begins.

Regardless of complexity, Mercuris ensures exact prints every time, making sure patients get exactly the equipment they need for healthy recovery.

If you’re interested in the Mercuris systems, you can check out what they offer on their official site. 

How do 3D Printed Casts Work

Creating 3D printed casts involves three steps

• A standard x-ray is taken of the patient’s limb to identify the exact position of the broken bone.
• The patient’s arm is scanned using a 3D scanner to create a 3D model. Based on the exact dimensions of the patient’s arm, a perfect-fitting cast shape can be made.
• Using strong but lightweight plastic, the cast is 3D printed and can then be fitted to the patient in seconds.

The Pros and Cons of 3D Printed Casts

Benefits of 3D printed casts

Cheaper

3D printed casts, like those from CastPrint, are a more economical treatment option, costing roughly $100 compared to the traditional plaster casting’s average cost of $856 per patient, according to UK National Health Service data. The affordability is primarily due to reduced material costs and decreased specialist time.

More Comfortable and Personalized

A 3D printed cast offers a targeted, more comfortable healing experience than a plaster or fiberglass cast. Their open lattice structure improves breathability, enhances comfort and maintains mobility, especially beneficial for children during bone healing, making them a real game changer.

Reusable

3D printed casts, notably Xkelet, promote cost reduction through reusability. Their adaptive design ensures efficient material use and quicker processes. This approach far exceeds using multiple traditional plaster casts in terms of cost and effectiveness.

Disadvantages of 3D printed casts

Leg Injuries Still Not Widely Treatable

Despite CastPrint’s development of leg casts, only a handful of global companies offer similar products. Although sturdy and lightweight, these casts are bulky and resemble traditional walking boots, posing challenges in wearing socks and shoes, and providing less freedom than arm-based equivalents.

Not Enough Data

Despite being around for a decade, with Cortex Cast being revealed in 2013, 3D printed casts have yet to see significant adoption. But as we learn more and patient testimony becomes more common, we’ve already seen a rise in the use of 3D printed casts since 2022.

A 2021 study revealed excellent healing with 3D printed casts in children without sacrificing comfort or making any significant lifestyle changes while wearing their casts.

How 3D Printed Casts Are Improving Outcomes

Ease of Fitting and Removal

3D printing enhances the plaster cast application and removal process. Its efficiency eliminates the lengthy, intricate task of manual bandage application, reducing discomfort. Fitted rapidly using a few clips, 3D printed casts are equally simple to remove, circumventing the need for potentially harmful electric saws.

Breathability and Infection

Plaster casts have a key downside: they block airflow, leading to blocked pores, potential skin infections, discomforting itchiness, and skin irritation due to trapped warmth and sweat.

On the contrary, 3D printed casts, with their lattice structure, allow for ample air contact. The large open sections, held together by plastic struts, maintain structural integrity without entirely covering the limb, contributing to the significantly higher comfort rating as observed in medical studies.

Waterproof

Unlike traditional casts, 3D printed casts can be safely exposed to water, unlike traditional casts which need to remain dry at all times to prevent irritation and infections.

Personalization

Any 3D printed cast will have a lattice design, offering a significant advantage over a traditional plaster cast. Unlike the latter’s one-size-fits-all methodology, which can hinder healing due to uneven pressure distribution, a 3D cast provides patient-specific support with a custom fit. This approach focuses on specific areas needing reinforcement, while ensuring comfort and accelerating recovery.

The Future of 3D Printed Casts

More 3D printed cast companies are being FDA approved, meaning these casts are now acknowledged by governing bodies for their benefits in the medical field. The casts have improved patient satisfaction compared to traditional casting, and many insurance companies will even cover them now, meaning we should see a significant rise in the use of 3D printed casts and other orthoses going forward.

Other articles you may be interested in:

• 3D printed shoes and sneakers projects

3D printing shoes allows companies like Reebok and Nike to design more complex footwear using materials previously thought unfeasible.

Allowing for complete customization, the best 3D printed shoes come from companies like Zellerfeld and FUSED, which can cater to any customer regardless of foot size or tastes.

This process removes the need for factories and warehouses, significantly reducing both cost and environmental impact, and the process continues to be refined even now in 2023.

In this guide I’ll walk you through some of my favorite 3D printed shoe projects that are changing how we look at the footwear industry.

Best 3D Printed Shoes Projects in 2023

Zellerfeld

• Best for: Affordable, custom-fit shoes with eco-friendly recycling options.
• Price: $185 – $370
• Learn More: Zellerfeld

Zellerfeld uses additive manufacturing to create unique and custom footwear that’s ‘printed, not made.’ They do this by using a fused mesh design to make their 3D printed shoes provide maximum comfort, perfectly sized, and printed to order.

Their collection of 3D printed shoe models is one of the most affordable around, and one of the reasons they can afford to make them so cheap compared to other high-end brands is because they don’t rely on factories.

As well as being made to fit, Zellerfeld 3D printed shoes are odor-protected and machine washable, making them convenient and easy to take care of as well as comfortable. You can also return old shoes when purchasing new ones for recycling to receive a discount on your next pair!

Dior Derby

• Best for: Fashion-forward individuals seeking lightweight and comfortable designer shoes.
• Price: $250+
• Learn More: Design Boom

The first Paris Fashion Week of the year may have wrapped back in January, but a lot of the product lines displayed are still being talked about today. One of the more interesting entries, at least to me, was the 3D printed shoes exhibited by Dior.

These shoes were essentially upgrades to the Carlo Derby shoe, which was 3D scanned and recreated using additive manufacturing. Despite their heavy, boot-like appearance, they’re ultra-lightweight, comfortable, and very easy to wear.

Botter

• Best for: Trendsetters looking for a blend of high-end design and practicality.
• Price: N/A
• Learn More: Sneaker News

Botter collaborated with Reebok to make what I think of as the world’s first 3D printed shoes that combine high fashion with sportswear. The footwear, also demonstrated in Fall/Winter Fashion Week 2023, combines high-end designs with comfortability and practicality.

While not on the market just yet, crowds were impressed by the amphibious aesthetic, smooth design, and seashell-inspired form based on the carapace Venus is depicted using as a comb.

Nike

• Best for: Athletes seeking performance-enhancing, water-resistant footwear.
• Price: $600+
• Learn More: Hype Beast

The Nike Flyprint was integral to the achievement of Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-2 hour marathon. Developed from a 3D printed upper made of TPU, and building on the the existing Vaporfly Elite, the Flyprint underwent thousands of design iterations.

Fortunately, the rapid prototyping capability of 3D printing cut the timescale of the project significantly, ending with a shoe that’s both lightweight and water-resistant.

Following the disputed record, the final design, the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly, is now available to the public for an admittedly steep price.

Adidas

• Best for: Sneaker enthusiasts and athletes wanting cutting-edge, research-backed shoes.
• Price: $150+
• Learn More: Adidas

Adidas has collaborated with Carbon 3D, a resin 3D printing company, to utilize their Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) technology for creating 3D printed sneakers. 3D printing reduced the lead time for new models, with the Futurecraft 4D taking only 11 months to release compared to the usual 15-18 months.

In 2021, Adidas unveiled the 4DFWD, a 3D printed running shoe designed for peak performance building on their Futurecraft technology. After coding millions of different midsole structures and meshes, they settled on the best form they found and created one of the world’s foremost performance-driven 3D printed shoes.

These shoes are both top quality, affordable, and were made building on years of research and prototyping, so it’s easy to see why sneaker and 3D printer enthusiasts are hyped about this series.

Reebok

• Best for: Runners valuing weight reduction, enhanced traction, and innovative design.
• Price: $189+
• Learn More: BASF

In 2016, Reebok introduced their 3D printed Liquid Speed shoe outsoles, developed in collaboration with BASF. The 3D printing allowed a 20% weight reduction in the shoes and the use of “liquid laces” – directly printed on the shoe and requiring no tying. The design also included a ‘liquid grip’ for enhanced traction, contributing to a ‘high-rebound outsole’ that absorbs and returns energy during running.

In 2018, Reebok released the Liquid Floatride Run, using the same technology and weighing just 170 grams each.

New Balance

• Best for: Consumers seeking advanced cushioning and weight-saving features in their trainers.
• Price: $400+
• Learn More: Bailiwick Express

New Balance partnered with 3D Systems in 2015 to develop flexible and shock absorbent Duraform Flex midsoles using SLS technology and thermoplastic elastomer material.

Building on this, they helped create “Rebound Resin” to further improve their shoes’ performance. They launched the 990 Sport trainer with 3D printed heels for weight savings and better cushioning.

The 2019 Fuel Cell Echo Triple also featured Rebound Resin 3D printed parts, which produced the limited-run Zanate Generate model.

Fused 3D Printed Shoes

• Best for: Environmentally conscious consumers wanting fully 3D printed, recyclable shoes.
• Price: $250+
• Learn More: Fused Footwear

FUSED Footwear is an indie 3D printed shoe company founded by Philippe Holthuizen, breaks industry norms by eliminating the need for large factories and mass production This makes them amongst the best 3D printed shoes for eco-conscious consumers.

The company offers two variations of its entirely 3D printed sneaker, the FUSED Kodo, available in white or translucent. Made from flexible TPE filament, the sneakers retail for $250, and customers receive a 20% discount on their next purchase if they return their worn-out shoes for recycling.

How do 3D Printed Shoes Work?

Market research has shown that the 3D printed footwear industry is worth as much as $993.22 million as of 2022, with the projection to grow to $3758.75 million by 2030. While this may seem ambitious, 3D printed shoes are already commonplace.

All major footwear brands use 3D printing for rapid prototyping, facilitating quicker and more precise mold creation, and expedited product launch. Companies like Reebok have been using additive manufacturing and 3D design for rapid prototyping for years.

However, 3D printing’s role has expanded over recent years to mass production of shoes. Shoes manufactured through the additive processes are now sold in hundreds of thousands across various familiar brands, especially after having been thrust into the spotlight in January 2023.

Most 3D printed shoes feature a 3D printed midsole, which is vital for absorbing impacts and maintaining foot health. 3D printed midsoles can potentially reduce weight, provide better foot cushioning, and enhance shoe strength.

Most 3D printed shoe projects involve resin 3D printers, with companies like Carbon and Formlabs partnering with top sneaker brands like Adidas and New Balance.

Materials typically used include elastic polyurethane and flexible TPU, with occasional use of SLS 3D printers. But there are some 3D printed shoes you can design and make at home, like these flip-flops from Thingiverse.

Other articles you may be interested in:

• 3D printed casts
• Flexible filament 3D printing
• 3D printing TPU and flexible filaments on the Ender 3

I recommend Sculpteo as the best high-standard 3D printing service in Europe and North America overall. If you’re looking for a service that will allow you to monetize your designs, too, Shapeways is the top choice.

In our upcoming ranking, I’ll share my hands-on experience with the best online 3D printing services of 2023, helping you pinpoint the service that best fits your needs.

Online 3D Printing Service Providers To Choose From

1. Sculpteo: Best for Quick, High-Quality 3D Printing in Europe and North America

• Benchy Test Cost: From $14.03
• Part Delivery: 4 – 14 working days
• Company Based: France
• Established: 2009
• 3D Printing Technologies Offered: CLIP/DLS, MJF, SLS, Binder Jetting, DMLS/SLM, PolyJet, lost wax casting, FDM

Established in 2009 in France, Sculpteo specializes in cloud-based 3D printing and additive manufacturing. With additional offices in San Francisco, they offer a diverse range of technologies including Carbon 3D’s CLIP (DLS), SLS, Binder Jetting, DMLS, PolyJet, and more.

Their online 3D printing service caters to various materials such as PA11 & PA12 varieties, resins, aluminium, steel, bronze, silver, brass, among others.

Sculpteo is an optimal choice for individuals in Europe and North America seeking high-standard, quick 3D printing services for their models.

2. Shapeways: Best for Designers Looking to Sell Their 3D Designs

• Benchy Test Cost: From $16.27
• Part Delivery: 3 – 10 business days
• Company Based: Holland / USA
• Established: 2007
• 3D Printing Technologies Offered: SLA, SLS, DMLS, FDM, PolyJet, Binder Jetting

A frontrunner in online 3D printing, Shapeways was initiated in 2007 by Peter Weijmarshausen and currently operates out of New York. More than a standalone service, it’s a 3D printing marketplace, enabling designers to earn revenue by selling their 3D designs.

Shapeways stands out for its breadth of 3D printing technologies and materials. With an array of technologies including SLA, SLS, DMLS, FDM, PolyJet, and Binder Jetting, you can print your designs in materials ranging from standard PLA and ABS to metals like steel, bronze, silver, gold, aluminium, brass, and even unique options like sandstone or porcelain.

3. Xometry: Top Choice for Diverse Service Options and Cutting-Edge Technology

• Benchy Test Cost: From $20.61
• Part Delivery: 5 – 10 business days
• Company Based: USA
• Established: 2014
• 3D Printing Technologies Offered: FDM, SLA, SLS, DMLS, MJF, DLS/CLIP, PolyJet

Founded in 2014, Xometry has made strides in the 3D printing industry, notably as one of the first to incorporate advanced processes such as HP’s MultiJet Fusion and Carbon’s DLS / CLIP technologies.

Xometry offers the most extensive variety of 3D printing services compared to other companies we surveyed, supplemented by additional offerings like injection molding and CNC services.

Their use of Carbon’s innovative 3D printers underscores their commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancement.

4. Protolabs: Ideal for Those Needing a Balance of 3D Printing and Traditional Manufacturing

• Benchy Test Cost: From $47.21
• Part Delivery: 4 – 10 working days
• Company Based: USA
• Established: 1999
• 3D Printing Technologies Offered: SLA, SLS, DMLS, MJF, PolyJet

Protolabs, founded by Larry Lukis in 1999, boasts a rich manufacturing history. Originally established to provide low-cost injection molding and CNC machining, the company expanded its portfolio to include 3D printing services in 2014.

Protolabs provides a variety of 3D printing technologies such as SLA, SLS, DMLS, MJF, and PolyJet, accommodating needs for plastic, resin, and metal 3D printed parts.

5. i.materialise: Perfect for Designers Seeking a Comprehensive Range of 3D Printing Technologies

• Benchy Test Cost: From $18.08
• Part Delivery: Approximately 7 working days
• Company Based: Belgium
• Established: 1990
• 3D Printing Technologies Offered: SLA, SLS, FDM, MJF, PolyJet, Lost Wax Casting, metal 3D printing

I.materialise is a 3D printing marketplace rooted in Belgium, bringing to the table over 25 years of experience in the industry. Comparable to Shapeways, it allows 3D designers to list, sell their designs, and earn a share of the sales revenue.

i.materialise also offers an online 3D printing service. Users can upload their model, select their preferred material, and pay for their 3D model to be printed and delivered.

i.materialise boasts a comprehensive range of 3D printing technologies, including SLA, SLS, FDM, Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), PolyJet, Lost Wax Printing, and metal 3D printing technologies. 

You can opt for materials ranging from standard plastics like ABS and PLA to a variety of resins, polyamide, metals like bronze, silver, gold, titanium, steel, brass, and even rubber for your 3D printed model.

6. MakeXYZ: The Go-To Service for Localized, Community-Sourced 3D Printing

• Benchy Test Cost: From $29.20
• Part Delivery: Within 1 – 4 days
• Company Based: USA
• Established: 1990
• 3D Printing Technologies Offered: Depends on local users, predominantly FDM, SLA, SLS, and PolyJet vendors

MakeXYZ operates as an online 3D printing service and marketplace, fostering a sense of community among makers. MakeXYZ allows desktop 3D printer owners to register and sell their services. Anyone with a 3D printer can earn revenue through MakeXYZ by offering their 3D printing services.

MakeXYZ doesn’t directly print your model; instead, it connects you with a reliable printer. Their software provides a quote based on factors such as size, technology, and material, facilitating transactions between buyers and sellers.

Although MakeXYZ doesn’t own any 3D printers, they list FDM, SLA, SLS, and PolyJet printers on their site. These are predominantly located in the UK and USA and offer a range of materials including PLA, ABS, Nylon, TPU, and resins.

7. Treatstock: Optimal for Complete Manufacturing Solutions and Vendor Variety

• Benchy Test Cost: Approximately $17 (depending on location)
• Part Delivery: Around 10 working days (depending on supplier)
• Company Based: USA
• Established: 2016
• 3D Printing Technologies Offered: Depends on the manufacturer

Treatstock operates as a platform that enables anyone, from individual enthusiasts to full-scale 3D printing factories, to start a business and provide 3D printing services.

Customers seeking 3D printed parts can browse and compare a wide variety of vendors, evaluating technology, material options, and pricing to select the best fit. Besides 3D printing, Treatstock offers additional services such as CNC machining and laser cutting.

Treatstock also offers comprehensive manufacturing solutions, including the services of 3D designers for creating or modifying 3D CAD files, or even purchasing pre-existing 3D models. 

8. Kraftwurx: Pioneering 3D Printing Services and Designer Empowerment

• Founded: 2004
• Company based: USA
• 3D printing technologies offered: Depends on material chosen

Kraftwurx is an online 3D printing marketplace and service similar to Shapeways in that it allows budding 3D designers to publish their 3D printer models online for others to buy in their chosen material.

This Texas-based company has over fifteen years 3D printing experience, having pioneered their Digital Factory service along with their goals of minimizing waste and empowering designers and engineers all around the world. 

9. 3D Systems On Demand Manufacturing: Versatile Industrial 3D Printing Solutions

• Founded: 1983
• Company based: USA
• 3D printing technologies offered: SLS, SLA, ColorJet, Direct Metal Printing, CNC Machining

3D Systems offers four core services for its industrial audience: rapid prototyping, functional prototyping, low-volume production, and appearance model creation, ensuring companies receive custom parts in a timely manner.

Their portfolio extends to CNC machining, die casting, injection molding, and investment casting patterns.

They utilize a range of their in-house 3D printers to meet diverse needs, offering Selective Laser Sintering, Stereolithography, ColorJet 3D printing, and metal 3D printing services.

With a team of over 100 application engineers and the capacity to print parts within 24 hours, they demonstrate their deep expertise in additive manufacturing.

10. Stratasys Direct: Large-Scale, Multi-Sector 3D Printing Services

• Company based: USA.
• 3D printing technologies offered: FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF, DMLS/SLM, PolyJet.

Stratasys is one of the largest and most valuable 3D printing companies in the world, so it is inevitable that they would move into the online 3D printing service space.

Leveraging their industrial-grade 3D printing systems, Stratasys Direct provides on-demand parts using technologies including DMLS, FDM, SLS, Multi Jet Fusion, PolyJet, and Stereolithography.

Not limited to 3D printing, Stratasys Direct also delivers CNC milling and injection molding services. Offering over 20 diverse materials across their technologies, they cater to a wide client base, including the aerospace, medical, and transport sectors.

11. 3DPRINTUK: SLS 3D Printing Service for UK and Europe

• Company based: UK
• 3D printing technologies offered: SLS

Dedicated to excellence in Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), 3DPRINTUK offers high-quality SLS 3D printing services to the UK and Europe, utilizing their state-of-the-art Formiga SLS 3D printers. Unlike many other services that spread their expertise across various technologies, 3DPRINTUK has chosen to specialize and excel in SLS.

Simply upload your STL file go through the product criteria (choosing your color, etc) and get your nylon 3D model delivered to you a few days later. They even offer a healthy student discount for if you’re trying to get a prototype made for a student project!

Choose an Online 3D Printing Service

Which Technologies are Available?

Different online 3D printing service companies offer different options, depending on a variety of factors. Newer, innovative technologies such as CLIP and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) are becoming increasingly available, whereas FDM and SLS are already offered by most 3D printing services.

Be aware also of whether a service is able to accommodate larger orders, for those with industrial-level needs. Some more bespoke services used to smaller orders may be less effective at dealing with large volume orders.

Choosing a Material

The most suitable material for your part or model depends on the functions you need your part to perform. If it is purely aesthetic to check for shape and design, then standard plastic filaments or polymer resins will suffice, but if you need a metal part for strenuous testing or a tough plastic part, it will cost more.

In the past, options for metal 3D printer parts were limited, often needing DMLS, EBM, or Binder Jetting 3D printers. Now, many services have adopted these technologies for rapid prototyping. For instance, metal 3D printing companies like Stratasys make point of providing affordable metal parts with relatively quick turnaround times.

How Much Will a 3D Printed Part Cost to Make?

This one’s always tough. The answer — and the answer everyone hates to read — is that it depends, on the size of the part, material, and a host of other factors.

Online 3D printing services tend to have a built-in calculator: simply upload your 3D printer model, choose your material and it will calculate the estimated part cost.

For a common benchmark, let’s consider the cost of printing a standard 3DBenchy STL file. According to our research, the most economical service is Sculpteo, offering this service from $14.03.

How Fast Do I Get My Part?

Delivery time varies across different services. Most tend to take between 7 and 14 days as standard, but you can pay more for urgent rapid prototyping and over night delivery. This will end up costing you more than the print itself 

In terms of reasonable shipping options, my top pick is MakeXYZ. They ship prints within 1 – 4 days as standard.

Do I Need to Find a 3D Printing Service Near Me?

Honestly, not really. Almost all the 3D printing services listed here have production facilities in multiple continents and service customers across Europe, North America, and sometimes other areas. These 3D printer companies have no problem with geographical distance, so there’s no real pressure to pick a local 3D printing service.

Additionally, 3D printing marketplaces like MakeXYZ pair those who need a part printed with local makers who will print it for you — for a small fee. The company itself may not be local, but your part will still be locally printed; the 3D printing marketplace is just the facilitator and middleman.