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 – Essentials
- DIY Kits vs Plug-and-Play
- Type of Processes – FDM vs Resin (SLA, LCD, DLP)
- FDM 3D Printer Types
- Bowden and Direct Drive Extruders
- Comparison Table
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.

(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.

(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.

– 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.

(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.

(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

(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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Printers | Volume | Images | Reviews |
---|---|---|---|
Original Prusa i3 MK4 FDM 3D printer Official Website | LxWxH 9.84x8.3x8.6in 250x210x220mm | ![]() | |
Creality Ender 5 S1 FDM 3D printer Amazon Official Website | LxWxH 220 x 220 x 280mm 8.66” x 8.66” x 11” | ![]() | Review 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” | ![]() | Review 10 min read 20 images |
Elegoo Neptune 3 Plus FDM 3D printer Official Website | LxWxH 12..6x12.6x15.7in 320x320x400mm | ![]() | Review 10 min read 26 images |
Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro FDM 3D printer Official Website | LxWxH 8.8x8.8x11in 225x225x280mm | ![]() | Review 8 min read 29 images |
Monoprice Voxel Fully Enclosed FDM 3D printer Amazon Official Website | LxWxH 5.9x5.9x5.9in 150x150x150mm | ![]() | Review 8 min read 23 images |
Anycubic Kobra Go Budget DIY Kit FDM 3D printer Amazon AliExpress Official Website | LxWxH 8.7x8.7x9.9in 222x222x252mm | ![]() | Review 6 min read 15 images |
Elegoo Neptune 3 FDM 3D printer Amazon Official Website | LxWxH 8.7x8.7x11in 220x220x280mm | ![]() | Review 9 min read 21 images |
Elegoo Mars 3 Pro 4K MSLA 3D Printer Amazon Official Website | LxWxH 5.64x3.52x6.89in 143x89x175mm | ![]() | Review 8 min read 29 images |
Mingda Magician X FDM 3D printer Amazon AliExpress Official Website | LxWxH 9.0x9.0x10.2in 230x230x260mm | ![]() | Review 8 min read 17 images |
Kingroon KP3S Compact FDM 3D printer Amazon AliExpress Official Website | LxWxH 7x7x7in 180x180x180mm | ![]() | Review 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | Review 8 min read 25 images |
Monoprice Joule FDM 3D printer Amazon Official Website | LxWxH 8.7x8.7x 9.84in 220x220x250mm | ![]() | Review 8 min read 23 images |
Mingda Magician Pro Large Build Volume FDM 3D Printer Amazon Official Website | LxWxH 15.7x15.7x15.7in 400x400x400mm | ![]() | Review 7 min read 20 images |
Elegoo Neptune X FDM 3D Printer Amazon Official Website | LxWxH 8.7x8.7x11.8in 220x220x300mm | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | Review 8 min read 22 images |
Elegoo Saturn 2 8K High Resolution MSLA 3D Printer Official Website | LxWxH 8.62x4.84x9.84in 219x123x250mm | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | Review 8 min read 22 images |
Anycubic Kobra Kobra Series 3D Printer Amazon AliExpress Official Website | LxWxH 8.7x8.7x9.9in 222x222x252mm | ![]() | Review 7 min read 15 images |
Anycubic Photon M3 UV LCD Resin Printer Amazon AliExpress Official Website | LxWxH 6.4x4x7in 163x102x180mm | ![]() | Review 7 min read 17 images |
Anycubic Kobra Max Large Format 3D Printer Amazon AliExpress Official Website | LxWxH 15.7x15.7x17.7in 400x400x450mm | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | Review 8 min read 7 images |
IdeaFormer IR 3 A larger volume belt 3D Printer Amazon AliExpress | LxWxH ∞ x9.8x9.8in ∞ x250x250mm | ![]() | Read More 1 min read 1 image |
Anycubic Photon Mono X UV LCD Resin Printer Amazon AliExpress Official Website | LxWxH 7.5x4.7x9.8in 192x120x245mm | ![]() | Review 8 min read 12 images |
Anycubic Vyper 4th Generation Upgraded Amazon Official Website | LxWxH 9.6x9.6x10.2in 243x243x259mm | ![]() | 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 | ![]() | |
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 | ![]() | Review 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 | ![]() | Quick 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 | ![]() | Review 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 | ![]() | Review 6 min read 9 images 1 video |
Rotrics DexArm Desktop SCARA - Robotic Arm Amazon | 220° R380mm | ![]() | Quick Look 4 min read 5 images |
ELEGOO Neptune 2S FDM 3D Printer Amazon | LxWxH 8.6x8.6x9.8in 220x220x250mm | ![]() | |
Elegoo Mercury Plus 2 in 1 Washing and UV Curing Machine Amazon AliExpress | Curing Size: φ140*165mm | ![]() | Review 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 | ![]() | Review 5 min read 11 images 1 video |
SainSmart INFI-20 Infinite Z Belt 3D Printer Amazon Official Website | LxWxH ∞ x7.8x6.7in ∞ x200x170mm | ![]() | |
Creality Ender 3 v2 PRO Creality Ender-3 V2 3D Printer Upgraded Available on Amazon Official Website | LxWxH 8.6x8.6x9.8in 220x220x250mm | ![]() | |
Fokoos Odin-5 F3 Foldable FDM 3D Printer. Available on Amazon Official Website | LxWxH 9.2x9.2x9.8in 235x235x250mm | ![]() | Review 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 | ![]() | Quick 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 | ![]() | Review 6 min read 5 images 2 videos |
Mingda Rock 3 DIY Large Volume 3D Printer Available on Amazon | LxWxH 12.6x12.6x15.7in 320x320x400mm | ![]() | Review 7 min read 9 images 1 video |
ANYCUBIC Photon Mono UV LCD Resin 3D Printer Amazon AliExpress | LxWxH 5.11x3.14x6.49in 130x80x165mm | ![]() | |
Lotmaxx CH-10 "Iron Box" MSLA 3D Printer. Available on Amazon Official Website | LxWxH 4.7x2.7x6.1in 120x68x155mm | ![]() | Review 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 | ![]() | Review 6 min read 7 images 1 video |
Rose Go FDM 3D Printer with Resin Resolution Kickstarter Campaign Official Website | LxWxH 5x4.3x5.3in 125x110x135mm | ![]() | Review 6 min read 9 images 1 video |
Mingda D2 DIY 3D Printing Kit for Beginners Available on Amazon | LxWxH 9x9x10.2in 230x230x260mm | ![]() | Review 6 min read 10 images 1 video |
Delta WASP 20 40 Production Automatic 3D Print Removal System. Official Website | ØxH 7.9x15.7in 200x400mm | ![]() | Quick 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 | ![]() | Review 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 | Review 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 | ![]() | Review 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 | ![]() | Review 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 | ![]() | |
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 MINI Compact 3D printer with all the bells and whistles. Official Website | LxWxH 7x7x7in 180x180x180mm | ![]() | |
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.