There is no denying that the 3D printers are finally becoming more and more common for the consumers to buy. Gone are the times when you had to spend an insane amount of money just so you can buy large sized commercially used 3D printers. These printers have become so much more accessible that everyone can buy them without any issue whatsoever. It does not matter whether you know how to use them or not because the learning curve can be overcome easily.
With that said, if you are in the market looking for the best 3D printer of 2021, there are going to be a lot of options available for you to choose from if you are willing to pay the price. This increased number of options often leads to confusion that many people go through and end up buying something that is not good enough for them. So, we need to understand that you should always buy the best possible option you have in the market.
In this article, we explore the best 3D printers available in the market so the consumers who are looking to buy them have no issues whatsoever. Because confusion does stem, and we’re trying to avoid it.
Top 10 Best 3d printers 2021
1. Makerbot replicator – View on Amazon
The first 3D printer on the list is the famous MakerBot Replicator; an open frame 3D printer that is making the waves in the market for being top level and offering a lot of features that most people are on the lookout for. Now the thing you need to understand about MakerBot Replicator is that it is an open frame 3D printer, and while this style usually introduces some design challenges regarding the safety, but the good thing is that this printer has one of the safest designs I have seen in any open frame 3D printer available in the market.
The MakerBot Replicator uses a very user friendly software that is easy to understand and use, so, the people who are actually using it will not have any issues whatsoever. The great thing about this printer is that it can print through USB, WiFi, Ethernet, and even USB drives, which is actually a very amazing feature for people who are looking for the more convenience. Thankfully, unlike most printers in the market, the MakerBot Replicator is actually very, very easy to setup, and start using right away. Last but not the least, the print quality of this printer is exceptionally good.
There are some drawbacks though, most of them are understandable, but it is still better if we go through them. For starters, the printer is good at printing most of the objects, but not every object can be printed. In addition to that, the printer can get a bit noisy when you are printing something, and lastly, you are going to need to spend some extra money on the filaments once they are finished, because the replacements are a bit expensive.
All in all, the MakerBot Replica is actually a great 3D printer, the flaws it brings on the table are some that have been available on the majority of 3D printers for some time now. So you really don’t have to worry about buying a 3D printer that will not serve you well as that is not the case at all.
Pros
- The print quality is great.
- The printer is easy to setup and use.
- For an open frame design, the printer does offer a good amount of security.
- It can print through various inputs.
Cons
- The printer can get noisy during operation.
2. Xyzprinting da vinci mini – View on Amazon
I will be honest, when I first heard about this specific printer, I almost thought to myself that this can very well be an elaborate joke, but it was not. The name is tongue in cheek, and I have to give it that, However, the good thing here is that the Xyzprinting da Vinci Mini is made for people who are not looking to spend a lot of money on a 3D printer, but still want something fun to boost their creativity. It certainly is not the cheapest 3D printer in the market, but the cost is low enough as compared to some of the competition.
Having the low cost does not mean that it is a bad printer by any means – as a matter of fact, it offers high quality prints using PLA plastic. The software itself is really easy to use and understand with no cluttered interfaces that plague most of the 3D printers. In addition to that, the fact that the printer prints quickly on most settings is good.
However, while I really admire the Xyzprinting da Vinci Mini, the fun does end at one point, and it starts showing the downsides. For starters, if you are thinking of printing something at the highest available resolution, you are going to run into slow speeds of printing. In addition to that, if the models you are trying to print are somewhat complex, it will not be able to print them. The printer itself supports a limited number of material it can use to print, and the biggest downside is that it can only work with filament that comes straight from XYZ, which means you can’t use the cheaper filament available in the market.
All in all, the Xyzprinting da Vinci Mini is a great 3D printer for the price, but it is marred by some of the shortcomings that could have easily been dealt with if the company had wanted to, in the first place. That being said, it is not a bad printer by any means, so you should definitely still consider it if you are on a budget.
Pros
- Low budget, high value.
- Easy to use.
- Prints really quick in most cases.
Cons
- Slow printing speed at highest quality.
- Can only use proprietary filament by the company.
3. FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro – View on Amazon
If you are looking to buy a printer that actually looks like it is straight out of Westworld, then don’t worry as the FlashForge 3D Creator Pro just might be the perfect option for you. On the surface, the printer looks extremely futuristic, but I have learned it the hard way not to trust the look, so I delve deeper into see just how good this printer is.
The one thing I really loved about this printer s that when you open the box, you come across a printer that is mostly assembled right of the box. This is a blessing because these printers can be difficult to assemble by a novice. Once you start using the printer, you come to realise that the printer is actually really good with its print quality; far better than some of the other options available in the market. During the review, I realised that one of the part was broken on the printer. I quickly decided to contact the customer support, and to my surprise, not only did they reply quickly, and professionally, they also sent me the replacement part in no time. Another great thing about this printer is the fact despite the features it provides, it does not cost a lot of money. This is a blessing for anyone who is on a budget and still wants to enjoy the experience provided by a 3D printer.
As with all the 3D printers that I have reviewed so far, there are some downsides that you need to keep in mind. For starters, the printer gets noisy during the operations, and in addition to that, you might need to upgrade, or adjust the printer in one way or another. You should also know that it is built using cheaper parts, so that is something that can be a concern. Lastly, the printer needs to be on a surface that is completely flat, because a slight inclination can mess things up for you.
Overall, the FlashForge 3D Creator Pro is a good printer but that does not cost a lot of money, and gets the job done for the most part. I find it rather easy to recommend it to anyone who is looking to buy a 3D printer.
Pros
- Comes mostly assembled.
- Print quality is nice.
- Customer support is great.
- Parts are easily available.
Cons
- The build quality is not the best.
4. New matter mod-t – View on Amazon
For anyone who wants a 3D printer that follows a simple design language, and still offers almost all the features you would find in a good 3D printer, the good news is that the New Matter Mod-T is a great 3D printer that you can buy in the market right now. What makes it so good? Well, a lot of things, actually.
For starters, the design is simple and clean; as a matter of fact, I have not seen a 3D printer look this elegant just sitting on the table. I know most people don’t pay attention to the aesthetic, but for me, these things do matter to a fair extent. In addition to that, the printing process on this printer is rather straightforward, meaning that you will not be running into any issue regarding the printing process, which is great. Another thing I really loved about this printer is that it is obvious that the company has designed this printer thinking about the novices or the beginners, as the printer does work really well for them. This only means that they are trying to make the printer more user friendly.
There are some downsides though, however, the good news is that they are not glaring, and will not break the deal for you. For starters, the printing speed is on the slower side, and in addition to that, the printer also struggles with some of the complex models that most people might want to print.
If you are okay with these minor inconveniences, then the New Matter Mod-T is actually a great option that you should definitely opt for. It provides you a simplistic, professional design, no non-sense printing process, and an overall ease of use that is good or both novices, as well as advanced users. I don’t think you could ask for anything more in a package.
Pros
- I just love how easy it is to print using this printer.
- The design language itself is simple, and clean.
- You do not have to be an expert to use this printer efficiently.
Con
- The printer is somewhat slower.
- Some complex models are not easy to print.
5. Robo 3d r1 plus – View on Amazon
Another great candidate for a great 3D printer that you can buy right now is the Robo 3D R1 Plus. Sure, by the name it looks like it is made for kids, and if I am being honest, the same goes for the looks, but upon closer inspection, and using the 3D printer properly, I have come to the realization that it is actually a lot more than just a kid’s toy. Let’s find out.
The first thing I have to commend about this 3D printer is just how easy it is to use. Seriously, this has to be one of the easiest 3D printers I have come across, and I love that. The build area itself is pretty large, so even if you want to print larger models, you will not have any issues whatsoever. The print bed is self-leveling, which serves a great ease of access to people who have reservations about the printer not being level. The printing can be done through a variety of filaments including PLA, as well ABS. The software suite is versatile, and not all that difficult to use either.
There are a few downsides though, that you must keep in mind – for starters, the print quality at default settings is unimpressive, to say the least, and once done, the prints can be a bit hard to remove from the platform.
Thankfully, none of these issues are deal breaking, making the Robo 3D R1 Plus a great candidate in the list for the best 3D printers of 2020. I think at the given price; it gives you a great value for money because there is just so much to offer. I don’t think anyone would be disappointed spending money on this amazing printer, especially when they want to make the most of their money, this is definitely the way to go.
Pros
- The printer is easy to use.
- The build area is large.
- The print bed can level itself.
- Printing can be done using ABS, PLA, or other specialty filaments.
- The software suite is versatile.
Cons
- The print quality is not all that good on default settings.
- It can get tricky removing the prints from print bed.
6. QIDI TECHNOLOGY 3DP-QDA16-01 – View on Amazon (editor’s choice)
I am finally nearing the end of this roundup, and I have to say that I have come across some amazing 3D printers available in the market. Right now, I take a look at the brilliant QIDI Technology 3DP-QDA16-01 3D printer. While the name is certainly a mouthful, the actual printer is thankfully not that difficult to use. I say thankfully, because printers are becoming more and more difficult to use, and it is really important for you to find the right printer in the market for your use case.
Right off the bad, there are some impressive things you are going to get. For starters, the printer is actually compatible with all the filament types, so you really don’t have to worry about support issues. Whether its PLA, or ABS, you can use them without any issues. One thing I really love about the printer, and the same thing that makes it stand out from the rest is the fact that it actually comes with a dual extruder; meaning that you can easily add in a third, or a subsequent colour. This is great for people who want to create multi-colour designs with great ease. The company also has one of the best customer services which makes the printer a really sweet deal.
There are some shortcomings though, although I admire the feature that lets you print straight from the SD card, the difficulty arises when you try to find the slot itself. It is located under the rear cover, which is not the most accessible locations. In addition to that, I was actually surprised that the printer only comes with 3 months of warranty. For a device this expensive, it is necessary that you get a better warranty. At the time of writing, the warranty is short and limited, but I do hope it changes in near future.
All in all, the QIDI Technology 3DP-QDA16-01 is actually not a bad printer, it’s cheap, and works well for almost all the situations. To be honest, the short warranty period is the only issue I have had with this printer, and other than that, there is nothing wrong with it whatsoever.
Pros
- The printer offers great value for money.
- It is simple and easy to use.
- Dual extruder is a great feature.
- Great customer support.
Cons
- The printer only comes with a limited warranty.
- The SD card slot is located under the rear cover, which is not convenient at all
7. Ultimaker 2+ – View on Amazon
If you are looking for a high end 3D printer, then look no further than Ultimaker 2+. It is one of the most expensive printers available in the market right now, and while people have raised concerns over that, the good news is that the printer itself is rather easy to setup and use. This mean that you will not have to go through the complicated installation procedures. The printer itself provides exceptional print quality, which makes sense considering the price tag of the printer. In addition to that, you also get nozzles in different sizes that makes printing a joy. Last but not the least, despite the open frame design, the printer is actually a lot quieter.
Sadly, the printing is limited to SD cards only, and at default settings, the printer does take its sweet time to print something. If you are a beginner, then you might have a few bad prints in the beginning.
All in all, the Ultimaker 2+ is a great 3D printer that more and more people should consider buying. It’s a treat.
Pros
- Great quality prints.
- Easy to use.
- Open frame design.
- The printer is quiet.
- Several nozzle sizes.
Cons
- Printing is limited to SD cards only.
- The printer is somewhat slow at default settings.
8. Zortax m200 – View on Amazon
The last printer on the list is the Zotrax M200, another open frame printer that is looking to change things up a bit, and provide the maximum convenience to the users. The Zotrax M200 is a well-priced 3D printer that fits just right in with the rest of the options available in the market. The prints that are given are of high quality, so you really do not have to worry about on getting the best possible results. The printer comes with a build platform that is perforated, this is something that I did not get the chance to see beforehand.
There are some things that I did not like. For starters, the software is on the slower side, and in addition to that, you are either going to love the platform, or hate it; there’s no in between.
Overall, the Zotrax M200 is a great value for money if you are looking for a really powerful, and great 3D printer that makes things really, really easy for you.
Pros
- It is adequately priced.
- The prints come out really great.
- The build platform is uniquely designed.
Cons
- Software is on the slower side.
- The build platform is a hit or miss.
Conclusion :
We sincerely hope that the list helps you find the best 3D printer of 2020 that your budget allows. We made sure that we properly review every single 3D printer there is, and give our honest opinion on the printer itself. This goes without saying that you are not going to have any issues deciding the best possible 3D printer in the market.