Desktop 3D Printers – Guide and Reviews

Desktop 3D Printers – Builds and Processes


Discover the desktop 3D printer that’s right for you. Factors such as type, build volume, whether it’s FDM or Resin, a DIY kit or a plug-and-play unit – all need consideration. The guide below will assist you in comparing your options and making the correct decision.


This guide covers:

Choosing Your Desktop 3D Printer

A lot of thought should go into choosing a desktop 3D printer. Before even considering buying one, check if you have an appropriate place to keep it. Some printers can be bulky and noisy. The area should be kept clean to avoid dust getting inside. The surface for the printer should be sturdy to prevent excessive vibration.

DIY Kits or Plug-&-Play

The next point to consider is your techy level. 3D printers come either as pre-assembled machines or DIY kits to put together yourself. DIY kits are usually much cheaper but maybe fiddly to assemble. This can delay using your new printer. Check the real upgrading of a 3-year old Original Prusa experience.

Original Prusa DIY KIT - Upgrade in Process
Desktop 3D Printer – Original Prusa DIY Kits Upgrade
(Image: 3DWithUs)

But don’t let it put you off, some DIY 3D printers’ assembly time is not more than 15 mins. For example, the modular 3D printer Snapmaker Original takes less than 15 minutes to put together.

Safety

It is important to make sure that children can’t get to the printer unsupervised. There is no such thing as a child-friendly 3D printer. Desktop printing involves either heating to high temperatures or photo-solidification. Even a 3D pen might be hazardous due to melting filament. Please make sure that the area is well ventilated especially when using ABS. A smoke detector should be fitted in the same room with a desktop 3d printer. Check the essential, safety and optional tools to come with any 3D printer.

3D Printer Tools
Top 10 Essentials, Optional and Safety Tools
(Image: 3DWithUs)

Type of Process – FDM or SLA, LCD, DLP?

FDM – Fused Deposition Modeling
SLA – Stereolithography
LCD – Liquid Crystal Display
DLP – Digital Light Processing
SLA, DLP, LCD are similar processes and are usually labeled as Resin 3D printers.

Most of the consumer desktop 3D printer processes are either Resin (SLA, DLP, LCD) or FDM. These are completely different processes using specific types of material. Decide what is more important for you: precision and quality or accessibility of various materials and colors.

– Quality. Resin is widely accepted as producing better quality for high-detail 3D printing. Also, it is impossible to scale down very much with FDM printing or the finer 3D printed bust details, especially the face, will be lost.
– Cost. FDM or filament 3D printers and Resin 3D printers are similarly affordable, so the cost of the printer doesn’t fluctuate much.
– Practice. Resin is messier and requires serious precautionary measures. Although the 3D printer itself is small, more space is required for the actual printing and post-processing. Read more about Washing and Curing Stations.

Washing and Curing Process
Washing and Curing Process

– Color Choice. Even though the choice of resin color gets bigger and bigger thanks to the various Resin 3d printer manufacturers, and liquid resin can be carefully mixed at home to achieve the desired shade, it is not comparable to the filament for FDM machines. In addition to the great choice of colors, the ability to pause the print during the process and change the color makes prints by FDM 3D printers more diverse. Possibilities of Original Prusa MMU and Mosaic Palette systems take the multicolor 3D printing at home to a different level.


FDM 3D Printer Types – Cartesian, Delta, Polar, Belt, SCARA

Cartesian

The name, Cartesian, came from the mathematical coordinate system.
“A Cartesian coordinate system for a three-dimensional space consists of an ordered triplet of lines (the axes XYZ) that go through a common point (the origin), and are pair-wise perpendicular; an orientation for each axis; and a single unit of length for all three axes.”
Source: Wikipedia
In 3D printing, a box-shaped (and box volume printing) Cartesian 3D printer is the most common one. Volume-wise it is the most efficient. Good for setting up the printing farms.

CoreXY

Even though CoreXY 3D printers also use Cartesian coordinate system and look similar to Cartesian 3D printers, it is a different type of machine. An extruder on a CoreXY 3D printer is more stable which prevents such defects as ghosting, for example. CoreXY is a go for choice if a larger volume printing is required.

Delta

Delta also uses a Cartesian coordinate system when operating, but has its unique name due to unique design – usually narrow in width but tall in height. Good for 3D printing tall objects, relatively precise with higher printing speeds. It typically has a rounded bed that doesn’t move. The print volume is a cylinder with a conus on top. Here is the detailed review of the Delta WASP 3d printer.

Conveyor Belt 3D Printers

These are FDM 3D printers that use rotating belts as print surfaces, allowing the machines to print objects with a theoretically infinite length. On the tide of the hype around conveyor belt 3D printers, we put together the list the emerging brands and their machines.

Conveyor Belt 3D Printers
Conveyor Belt 3D Printers
(Image: iFactory)

Polar

Rare type of 3D printer with the different “Polar” mathematical coordinate system. Check Wikipedia for more details. 3D printers with the rotating beds. Here is a detailed review of the Sculpto PRO2 Polar 3D printer.

Sculpto 2 PRO - Polar 3D Printer
Polar 3D Printer with Rotating Bed
(Photo: Andrew Sink)

SCARA – Robotic Arms

Selective Compliance Assembly Robotic Arm – If there will be one made for desktop 3D printing and available for masses, we will cover the subject and update this post accordingly. … And here is a promised quick look: Rotrics DexArm: A Multi-Function Robot Arm

Rotrics DexArm - Swappable Toolhead Modules
Rotrics DexArm – Swappable Toolhead Modules Including 3D Printing
(Image: Rotrics)

Difference Between Bowden or Direct Drive Extrusion Systems

Currently, there are two most common extrusion systems:
– Bowden. – The filament is pushed through a PTFE tube into a hotend. The distance may vary from 5cm to 30cm or more. The major advantage of such extruder is that it is relatively light and easier to maintain. Disadvantage – it is hard to tune the settings for the flexible filament and there is also the risk of a nozzle clogging or a stepper motor jamming.
– Direct Drive. – The filament is pushed by a stepper motor as close as possible to the hotend. Good for flexible filaments (TPU). As the whole extruder system is heavier, there can be such imperfections like ghosting if the vibration occurs, for example. Slower printing speeds are recommended for higher quality.


Desktop 3D Printers Comparison Table

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PrintersVolume
ImagesReviews
Original Prusa i3 MK4
FDM 3D printer
Official Website
LxWxH
9.84x8.3x8.6in
250x210x220mm


Prusa i3 MK4
Creality Ender 5 S1
FDM 3D printer
Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
220 x 220 x 280mm
8.66” x 8.66” x 11”
Creality Ender 5 S1Review
15 min read
38 images
Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo
FDM 3D printer
Amazon
AliExpress
Official Website
LxWxH
220 x 220 x 250mm
8.66” x 8.66” x 9.84”
Creality Ender 3 V2 NeoReview
10 min read
20 images
Elegoo Neptune 3 Plus
FDM 3D printer
Official Website
LxWxH
12..6x12.6x15.7in
320x320x400mm
Elegoo Neptune 3 PlusReview
10 min read
26 images
Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro
FDM 3D printer
Official Website
LxWxH
8.8x8.8x11in
225x225x280mm
Elegoo Neptune 3 ProReview
8 min read
29 images
Monoprice Voxel
Fully Enclosed FDM 3D printer
Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
5.9x5.9x5.9in
150x150x150mm
Monoprice VoxelReview
8 min read
23 images
Anycubic Kobra Go
Budget DIY Kit FDM 3D printer
Amazon
AliExpress
Official Website
LxWxH
8.7x8.7x9.9in
222x222x252mm
Anycubic Kobra GoReview
6 min read
15 images
Elegoo Neptune 3
FDM 3D printer
Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
8.7x8.7x11in
220x220x280mm
Elegoo Neptune 3Review
9 min read
21 images
Elegoo Mars 3 Pro
4K MSLA 3D Printer
Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
5.64x3.52x6.89in
143x89x175mm

Elegoo
Review
8 min read
29 images
Mingda Magician X
FDM 3D printer
Amazon
AliExpress
Official Website
LxWxH
9.0x9.0x10.2in
230x230x260mm
Mingda Magician XReview
8 min read
17 images
Kingroon KP3S
Compact FDM 3D printer
Amazon
AliExpress
Official Website
LxWxH
7x7x7in
180x180x180mm
Kingroon KP3SReview
7 min read
26 images
Snapmaker Artisan
Large volume 3-in-1 3D Printer, Laser, CNC
Preorder on
Official Website
LxWxH
15.7x15.7x15.7in
400x400x400mm
Snapmaker Artisan
First Look &
Comparison

3 min read
7 images
Monoprice Mini Delta V2
Delta FDM 3D printer
Amazon
Official Website
ØxH
⌀4.3x4.7in
ø110 x 120mm
Monoprice Mini Delta V2
Review
8 min read
25 images
Monoprice Joule
FDM 3D printer
Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
8.7x8.7x 9.84in
220x220x250mm
Monoprice Joule
Review
8 min read
23 images
Mingda Magician Pro
Large Build Volume FDM 3D Printer
Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
15.7x15.7x15.7in
400x400x400mm
Mingda
Review
7 min read
20 images
Elegoo Neptune X
FDM 3D Printer
Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
8.7x8.7x11.8in
220x220x300mm
Elegoo
Review
7 min read
23 images
Anicubic Kobra Plus
The Anycubic Kobra Plus is the middle child of the new Kobra line of printers
Official Website
LxWxH
11.8x11.8x13.8in
300x300x350mm
Anicubic
Review
8 min read
22 images
Elegoo Saturn 2
8K High Resolution MSLA 3D Printer
Official Website
LxWxH
8.62x4.84x9.84in
219x123x250mm
Elegoo
Review
9 min read
30 images
Anycubic Photon M3 Max
Large volume resin 3D Printer
Amazon
AliExpress
Official Website
LxWxH
11.8x6.4x11.8in
298x164x300mm
Anycubic
Review
8 min read
26 images
Snapmaker 2.0 A350T
Large volume 3-in-1 3D Printer, Laser, CNC
Amazon
AliExpress
Official Website
LxWxH
8.7x8.7x9.9in
320x350x330mm
Snapmaker 2.0 A350T
Review
16 min read
37 images
Anycubic Photon M3 Plus
6K UV LCD Resin 3D Printer
Amazon
AliExpress
Official Website
LxWxH
7.8x4.8x9.6in
197x122x245mm
Anycubic Photon M3 PlusReview
8 min read
22 images
Anycubic Kobra
Kobra Series 3D Printer
Amazon
AliExpress
Official Website
LxWxH
8.7x8.7x9.9in
222x222x252mm
Anycubic Kobra
Review
7 min read
15 images
Anycubic Photon M3
UV LCD Resin Printer
Amazon
AliExpress
Official Website
LxWxH
6.4x4x7in
163x102x180mm
Anycubic Photon M3
Review
7 min read
17 images
Anycubic Kobra Max
Large Format 3D Printer
Amazon
AliExpress
Official Website
LxWxH
15.7x15.7x17.7in
400x400x450mm
Anycubic Kobra Max
Review
7 min read
18 images
Snapmaker
All-Metal 3-in-1 3D Printer, CNC, Laser Engraver.
Amazon
AliExpress
Official Website
LxWxH
4.9x4.9x4.9in
125x125x125mm
Snapmaker OriginalReview
8 min read
7 images
IdeaFormer IR 3
A larger volume
belt 3D Printer
Amazon
AliExpress
LxWxH
∞ x9.8x9.8in
∞ x250x250mm
IdeaFormer IR 3Read More
1 min read
1 image
Anycubic Photon Mono X
UV LCD Resin Printer
Amazon
AliExpress
Official Website
LxWxH
7.5x4.7x9.8in
192x120x245mm
Anycubic Photon Mono X
Review
8 min read
12 images
Anycubic Vyper
4th Generation Upgraded
Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
9.6x9.6x10.2in
243x243x259mm
Anycubic Vyper
Review
6 min read
12 images
Original Prusa XL
Large-scale CoreXY 3D printer with an optional tool changer.
Official Website
LxWxH
14.17x14.17x14.17in
360x360x360mm
Original Prusa XL - Toolchanger Option
Longer LK5 Pro
The Longer LK5 Pro offers a large build volume for a reasonable price.
on Amazon
on AliExpress
LxWxH
11.8x11.8x15.7in
300x300x400mm
Longer LK5 ProReview
8 min read
12 images
Creality CR-30 3DPrintMill
An Infinite-Z volume 3D printer. Belt 3D Printing For Everyone.
Amazon
AliExpress
Official Website
LxWxH
∞ x7.8x6.7in
∞ x200x170mm
Creality CR-30 3DPrintMillQuick Look
4 min read
5 images
1 video
Original Prusa i3 MK3S
Prusa i3 Plus is the newest design of upgradable 3D printer with many improvements.
Official Website
LxWxH
9.84x8.3x8.3in
250x210x210mm
Prusa i3 MK3Review
7 min read
11 images
1 video
Elegoo Mars 2 Pro
Mono MSLA 3D Printer UV Photocuring LCD Resin 3D Printer.
Amazon
AliExpress
LxWxH
5.1x3.1x6.3in
129x80x160mm
Elegoo Mars 2 ProReview
6 min read
9 images
1 video
Rotrics DexArm
Desktop SCARA - Robotic Arm
Amazon
220°
R380mm
RotricsQuick Look
4 min read
5 images
ELEGOO Neptune 2S
FDM 3D Printer
Amazon
LxWxH
8.6x8.6x9.8in
220x220x250mm
ELEGOO Neptune 2S
Elegoo Mercury Plus
2 in 1 Washing and UV Curing Machine
Amazon
AliExpress
Curing Size:
φ140*165mm
Elegoo Mercury PlusReview
6 min read
7 images
1 video
Voxelab Polaris
The Voxelab Polaris is an entry-level MSLA resin 3D printer for less than $150.
on Amazon
on AliExpress
LxWxH
4.53x2.56x6.1in
115x65x155mm
Voxelab PolarisReview
5 min read
11 images
1 video
SainSmart INFI-20
Infinite Z Belt 3D Printer
Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
∞ x7.8x6.7in
∞ x200x170mm
SainSmart INFI-20
Creality Ender 3 v2 PRO
Creality Ender-3 V2 3D Printer Upgraded
Available on Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
8.6x8.6x9.8in
220x220x250mm
Creality Ender 3 v2 PRO
Fokoos Odin-5 F3
Foldable FDM 3D Printer.
Available on Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
9.2x9.2x9.8in
235x235x250mm
Fokoos Odin-5 F3Review
6 min read
7 images
2 videos
Infinity3D
Infinity3D 2-in-1 Belt 3D Printer - 45° & 90° Modes
Kickstarter Campaign
Mode 45° LxWxH
∞x9.8x8.4in
∞x250x215mm
Mode 90° LxWxH
8.6x9.8x12.7in
220x250x323mm
Infinity3DQuick Look
3 min read
3 images
Sculpto PRO2
Polar 3D Printer with Rotating Build Platform
Kickstarter Campaign
Available on Amazon
Official Website
ØxH
⌀7.87x9.84in
⌀200x250mm
Sculpto PRO2Review
6 min read
5 images
2 videos
Mingda Rock 3
DIY Large Volume 3D Printer
Available on Amazon
LxWxH
12.6x12.6x15.7in
320x320x400mm
Mingda Rock 3 3D PrinterReview
7 min read
9 images
1 video
ANYCUBIC Photon Mono
UV LCD Resin 3D Printer
Amazon
AliExpress
LxWxH
5.11x3.14x6.49in
130x80x165mm
ANYCUBIC Photon Mono Resin 3D Printer
Lotmaxx CH-10
"Iron Box" MSLA 3D Printer.
Available on Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
4.7x2.7x6.1in
120x68x155mm
Lotmaxx CH-10Review
4 min read
6 images
1 video
Think3Dim T22 Pro
3D Printer with Strain Gauge Auto Leveling System.
Kickstarter Campaign
LxWxH
8.6x8.6x9.8in
220x220x250mm
Think3Dim T22 ProReview
6 min read
7 images
1 video
Rose Go
FDM 3D Printer with Resin Resolution
Kickstarter Campaign
Official Website
LxWxH
5x4.3x5.3in
125x110x135mm
Rose Go 3D PrinterReview
6 min read
9 images
1 video
Mingda D2
DIY 3D Printing Kit for Beginners
Available on Amazon
LxWxH
9x9x10.2in
230x230x260mm
Mingda D2 3D PrinterReview
6 min read
10 images
1 video
Delta WASP 20 40 Production
Automatic 3D Print Removal System.
Official Website
ØxH
7.9x15.7in
200x400mm
Delta WASP 2040 ProductionQuick Look
3 min read
3 images
2 videos
Anet ET4X
Sub-$200 Semi-DIY Kit 3D Printer
Official Website
LxWxH
8.6x8.6x9.8in
220x220x250mm
Anet ET4XReview
7 min read
7 images
1 video
Elegoo Mars Pro
SLA 3D Printing Technology: UV Photocuring LCD 3D Printer with Matrix UV LED Light Source.
Available on Amazon
LxWxH
4.53x2.56x5.9in
115x65x150mm
Elegoo Mars ProReview
5 min read
10 images
Trinus
Scaled-down from industrial-grade machines, Trinus delivers stability, accuracy, and durability.
Official Website
LxWxH
4.7x4.7x4.9in
120x120x125mm
Kodama TrinusReview
9 min read
8 images
Delta WASP 20 40
Eye-catching design. Accurate and reliable on all materials with pieces up to 40 cm.
Official Website
ØxH
7.9x15.7in
200x400mm
Delta WASP 20 40Review
4 min read
4 images
3 video
Creality Ender-5 Plus
Easy to Assemble and Operate, BL Touch and Tempered Glass Plate.
Available on Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
13.7x13.7x15.7in
350x350x400mm
Creality Ender-5 Plus
Original Prusa SL1S SPEED
Compact 3D printer with all the bells and whistles.
Official Website
LxWxH
4.7×2.6×5.9in
120×68×150mm
Original Prusa SL1 3D printer
Original Prusa MINI
Compact 3D printer with all the bells and whistles.
Official Website
LxWxH
7x7x7in
180x180x180mm
Original Prusa MINI
Sovol SV01
95% Pre-Assembled with Direct Drive Extruder, Meanwell Power Supply and Glass Plate Built-in Thermal Runaway Protection.
Available on Amazon
LxWxH
9.5”x11”x12”
240x280x300mm
MakerPi K5 Plus
Fully enclosed design with WiFi, touch screen and smart leveling.
Details on Amazon
LxWxH
7.9×7.9×11.8in
200x200x300mm
Creality Ender-3
Economic DIY KIT with resume printing function.
Details on Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
8.5x8.5x9.8in
220x220x250mm
Dremel Idea Builder - The Dremel DigiLab 3D20 3D Printer is the best 3D printer for tinkerers, hobbyists, and home users.
Available on Amazon
LxWxH
10x6.0x6.7in
254x152x170mm
FlashForge Creator Pro
Metal Frame Structure, Acrylic Covers, Optimized Build Platform, Dual Extruder W/2 Spools.
Available on Amazon
LxWxH
9x5.7x5.9in
225x145x150mm
Cube 3
The Cube 3D printer brings your creative projects to life.
Available on Amazon
LxWxH
6x6x6in
152x152x152mm
FlashForge Finder Meet the new kid on the block. the user-friendly, home-friendly, and wallet-friendly 3D printer from FlashForge is ready to play.
Available on Amazon
LxWxH
5.5x5.5x5.5in
140x140x140mm
Replicator+
MakerBot Replicator desktop 3D printer (5th generation)
Available on Amazon
LxWxH
11.6x7.6x6.5in
295x195x165mm
Taz Mini
The LulzBot Mini is a high performance desktop 3D printer engineered to be easy to use.
Available on Amazon
LxWxH
6x6x6.2in
152x152x158mm
CraftBot Plus
The ultimate 3D printing tool for both beginners and experienced users.
Details on Amazon
LxWxH
10x10x8in
250x200x200mm
Creality3D CR-10
Large Size Desktop DIY Printer LCD Screen Display with SD Card Off-line Printing Function
Details on Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
12x12x16in
300x300x400mm
Afinia H800+
The H800 setup is fast and easy allowing anyone to be printing in a matter of minutes.
Details on Amazon
LxWxH
10x8x8in
254x204x204
XYZ da Vinci Mini
The da Vinci Mini streamlines its printing function through a single-button print design as well as providing different colored LEDs to indicate printing conditions.
Details on Amazon
LxWxH
5.9x5.9x5.9in
150x150x150mm
Anet A8
Engineered to provide redefined usability, quality, performance.
Details on Amazon
LxWxH
8.5x8.5x9.5in
220x220x240mm
Zortrax M200
The reliable, efficient and extremely precise Zortrax M200 3D printer has already won the hearts of thousands of users.
Details on Amazon
LxWxH
7.8x7.8x7.2in
200x200x185mm
QIDI TECH I
Each 3D printer is leveled, fully calibrated and operated 8 hour before delivery. Qidi Tech after-sales team supplies technical support and lifetime service.
Details on Amazon
LxWxH
8.8x5.9x5.9in
225x150x150mm
Elegoo Mars
3D Printing Technology: LED Display Photocuring. Great industrial design and user-friendly system.
Details on Amazon
LxWxH
4.72”x2.68”x6.1”
120x68x155mm
Rostock Delta
All the Anycubic 3D printers have been certificated by CE.
Details on Amazon
ØxH
Ø9x10.6in
Ø230x270mm
Monoprice Mini
This printer not only comes fully assembled, it has already been calibrated at the factory so it's ready to print out of the box.
Details on Amazon
LxWxH
4.7x4.7x4.7in
120x120x120mm
Taz 6
The LulzBot TAZ 6 features innovative self-leveling & self-cleaning, and a modular tool head design for flexible and multi-material upgrades.
Details on Amazon
LxWxH
11x11x9.8in
280x280x250mm
TEVO Tarantula
TEVO Tarantula I3 Aluminium Extrusion 3D Printer Kit Auto and Large Bed.
Available on Amazon
LxWxH
8x11x8in
200x280x200m
Ultimaker 2+
The Ultimaker 2+ is easy and reliable, updated for the best experience in 3D printing.
Details on Amazon
LxWxH
8.8x8.8x8in
223x223x205mm
Form 1+ is an award-winning desktop 3D printer, that makes stereolithography (SLA) printing technology accessible to engineers, designers, and artists.
Details on Amazon
Official Website
LxWxH
4.9x4.9x6.5in
125x125x165mm
DOBOT MOOZ
3 in 1 Industrial Grade Transformable Metallic 3D Printer, Support CNC and Laser Engraving.
Details on Amazon
LxWxH
5.1x5.1x5.1in
130x130x130mm

Please feel free to contact us if you think that a particular printer should be added or to publish your review.

Read More & Compare

For a comparison of resin 3D printers please refer to the
detailed resin 3D printers guide.

For a comparison of FDM 3D printers please refer to the
detailed budget FDM 3D printers guide.



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