Best 3D Printer Deals for November 2024: Anker, Creality, and Flashforge

When considering a 3D printer, keep the following questions in mind...

What Is Your Intended Use Case?

Your printer needs to have a large enough build area to manage the object(s) you’re printing. You’ll also need enough workspace to keep your printer and filaments.

What Kind of Filament Will Your Printer Call For?

The most common types of filament are ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and PLA (polylactic acid). Each has its own properties and costs and each has a different melting point, meaning your printer needs to support a specific kind of filament to use it. Some printers will require proprietary spools or cartridges, which will often cost more.

Do You Need an Open-Frame or Closed-Frame Printer?

An open-frame printer gives you a larger build area for the cost, but a closed-frame printer is safer especially if you have pets or young children. 

What Software Do I Need for 3D Printing?

Printer manufacturers include a  suite of software with your purchase of a 3D printer, sometimes as a disk or a digital download. Some also allow you to use separate component programs if you have a program of choice. If you’re just starting out in the hobby, check out our 3D Printing Primer for tips.

What is Print Resolution?

For 3D printing, resolution equals layer height and is measured in microns (0.001mm). The lower the number, the thinner each layer,  the more layers that are needed to print and therefore the finer the details that can be presented. This also means your printer will use more filament and take longer to print.

And with those in mind, here are some more common questions:

Can a 3D Printer Print in More Than One Color?

Some printers can, but bear in mind that the file for the project you’re printing must be designed for multicolor printing. This usually means there will be multiple files, one for each color, and then the end products will require assembly. 

What is the Cheapest Type of 3D Printer? 

As with most tech, the price of a 3D printer is dictated by the number of features it has. Another important factor is the printing process and what kind of filament your printer uses. Fused filament fabrication (FFF) builds 3D objects out of successive layers of molten plastic and is the method used by most affordable 3D printers.

How Much Does a Good Cheap 3D Printer Cost? 

You can buy a 3D printer like the Creality Ender 3 on sale for under $200. Our expert recommends the Anycubic Kobra 2, which retails $299.99—especially for first-timers. The AnkerMake M5C also received high marks for great print quality, easy to use slicer software, and a print bed that allows a large print volume. 

What is the Cheapest 3D Printing Technology? 

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is a technique in which plastic filament is melted and extruded and then it solidifies to form an object. It is most commonly used in most affordable 3D printers and uses common filaments ABS and PLA, which are available in spools and cost as little as $20 per kilogram.

What is a Good Price for a 3D Printer?

When shopping for a 3D printer, ask yourself: what do you intend to print? The way you want to use our printer will determine what features you’ll need, what filaments you’ll want to use, and what size printing bed you’ll need—therefore determining the price. 

Which 3D Printer is Best for Beginners?

The Anycubic Kobra 2 I mentioned earlier is recommended by our expert specifically for newbies due to its low price, easy setup, and fast operation. It has an open frame design with a maximum build area of 9.8in-by8.7in-by-8.7in (HWD) and supports PLA, ABS, TPU, and PETG print materials. 

Can 3D Printers Print Metal? Silicone? 

Yes! 3D printers can print in these materials and more, including: nylon, high elasticity thermoplastics, wood, ceramics, glass, soluble filaments like HIPS and PVA, resin, and even foodstuffs like chocolate.

Can 3D Printers Scan Objects

3D Printers themselves don’t come with this technology, but you can buy a separate compatible 3D scanner (also called a 3D digitizer) to use with your printer.