With the Cube 3, when all parts are installed, its surface is mostly flush and smooth, giving the printer an almost perfect cube shape. Kits (printers that come only semi-assembled) are judged by how long, and how difficult, the assembly process is.To fully appreciate the design, you have to look at many other 3D printers where the filament holders protrude from the printer itself. Many other anecdotal test prints, using different 3D models, are also run on each printer to test the longevity of the parts and how well the machine copes with various shapes.įor the other criteria, I research the company to see how well it responds to support queries from customers and how easy it is to order replacement parts and install them yourself. This helps determine how accurate the printer is, how it deals with small parts and how well the UV exposure works at different points in the model. Testing resin requires different criteria so I use the Ameralabs standard test - printing out a small resin model that looks like a tiny town. It even has little towers to help measure how well the 3D printer deals with temperature ranges. Core qualifiers I look at include:Ī key test print, representing the (now old) CNET logo, is used to assess how a printer bridges gaps, creates accurate shapes and deals with overhangs. I test SLA, 3D printers that use resin and light to print, and FDM, printers that melt plastic onto a plate. Printers often don't use the same materials, or even the same process to create models. Testing 3D printers is an in-depth process. Our list of picks for the best 3D printer overall covers a much wider range of choices, but these are excellent for getting started - or for buying several at once. These budget 3D printers all cost under $500 (though prices can drift a bit month to month), and some are better suited to beginners than others. The best budget 3D printers have a healthy balance between cost and usability, so that's what we are looking at in this list. You'll save money, but it's a rough-and-tumble way to get started. The catch is that these budget machines usually require some tweaking to get right.

It costs less than ever to get into 3D printing, with printers available for under $200. You can even buy a few printers, open your own Etsy store and make yourself a tidy profit. You can print giant pieces of cosplay armor, or small statues to give as gifts.

It's a fun way to create models that can be practical, or just for fun. 3D printing - or additive manufacturing to give it its technical name - has been around for a long time now.

3d printer for small objects