3D Printer Buying Guide

3D printing can open up a world of possibilities, as it offers you endless creativity options right at your fingertips. This incredible technology also fits a range of needs, from a Hobbyist looking to create 3D prints for fun, a manufacturer looking to save costs and 3D print at scale, or even small business owners looking to create customised jewellery at incredible speed.

In this blog, we will go over some of the different types of 3D printers, as well as how 3D printers are being used in varying industries and a recommendation for the best 3D printer models for each use.

What are FDM, Resin and SLA Printers? 

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers work by heating filament through a tube and creating the shape along X, Y and Z axes. These can come in many affordable models, and often have distinctive horizontal lines.

Resin 3D printers use liquid resin to create the prints, this could be a standard resin which is perfect for prototyping, tough resin which is ideal for professional settings as it is more physically resistant than standard resins, or even medical-grade resin which can be used in a variety of medical fields. 

Stereolithography (SLA) uses a photo-solidification process whereby a chemical reaction forms layers, the SLA resin solidifies as the photons focus to a specific point. These can offer precise, detailed and smooth prints. 

Which 3D printer is best for me? 

With such a huge variety and range of 3D printers, it can be hard to know which is best. This is why we have broken down our 3D printer recommendations by needs and industry, to help you find the perfect 3D printer for you.  

Hobbyist 3D printers

3D printing can make an excellent hobby, as it allows you to express your inner creativity whilst also producing some great work, it can also be great for fixing little jobs around the house, such as replicating a missing screw, or creating a doorstopper. Here we talk you through our Best Hobbyist 3D Printers.

Best 3D Printer for Large Prints - Flashforge Adventurer 3

Your prints and models will come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but not all 3D printers support your bigger and more ambitious designs. The Flashforge Adventurer 4 features a spacious interior build volume that is completely enclosed, which will allow you to produce much larger models with much less hassle. Additional conveniences like an automatic levelling platform and an integrated HD camera will allow you to produce high-quality prints even with little experience in the world of 3D printing and design. 

New users can also take advantage of the file-sharing resource that is accessible alongside your Flashforge Adventurer 4, which will allow you to engage with other users and slice print files automatically. There is also a free model database that is accessible that allows you to manage and monitor your printer ecosystem online.

                                                 

Best Beginner 3D Printer - Creality Ender-3 3D Printer 

As a beginner, we recommend looking for a cheap 3D printer, as it’s not ideal to spend loads when getting started on a new hobby. This way you can test the water in 3D printing without breaking the bank, so if 3D printing ends up as just another phase your bank account won't be paying the price. 

It’s no wonder the Ender-3 is a massively popular printer as it combines quality with affordability, making it the go-to for a beginner. Even as you decide to progress in your 3D printing journey, this will still be a suitable 3D printer as it can give good build volumes whilst keeping precision and consistency at the forefront. Plus with this set, you get 1KG filament, perfect for giving you a headstart on printing supplies.

Best Budget 3D Printer - Spark 3D SP1 3D Printer

It's no secret that getting involved in 3D printing, even as a hobby can be quite costly. When you factor in all the different pieces of equipment you will need, as well as the materials and then also the man hours required for you to actually get to grips with all the different features and functions, the costs really do pile up. That's why making sure you start your journey off with a budget-friendly 3D printer that doesn't compromise when it comes to usability or reliability is essential. For a comprehensive breakdown of just how much 3D printing will cost you in the long-run, have a read of our recent article - 'How Much Does 3D Printing Cost?'

The SP1 from Spark 3D is perhaps the best budget 3D printer currently on the market, with its modest £199 price tag and feature-rich design that aims to help those new to the industry to get to grips with all the basics of 3D printing, while also touching on some of the more advanced nuances too. Starting off small with more compact and easy to design prints will perhaps be the best thing for a beginner, however the generous build volume will also support you as you test your knowledge with more sophisticated and ambitious models too. 

It's silent fans and mainboard will keep the noise to a minimum, which means you can set up your SP1 3D Printer in your home or your garage and you won't be a source of distraction for your other household members or neighbours. For just £10 you can even purchase the Spark 3D SP1 3D Printer and Filament Bundle, which will supply you with everything you need to instantly get started without having to do your own research initially when it comes to the right material for your prints, which is always helpful. 

Best 3D Printer for Jewellery Making - Creality Halot-One CL-60 

3D printing has opened up a wealth of possibilities for jewellery makers, as not only can it offer complete freedom over the design, shaping and sizing, it can also provide incredibly intricate detailing. Using a 3D printer can drastically reduce the time it takes to create beautiful designs as well as reducing the cost of creating the item. 

3D printing jewellery also allows you to easily mass-produce pieces as well as completely customise pieces too. Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to make jewellery for yourself, friends or family, or you’re looking to sell some of your designs, a 3D printer makes it as easy as pie. 

This award-winning brand has created the perfect resin 3D printer for jewellery making at a super affordable price. It offers incredible precision as well as a smooth finish. It also has a really user-friendly slicing software and operating system, meaning you can easily use it even if technology isn’t your forte. 

Best 3D printer for creating Outdoor Objects - Creality Ender-3 

You can also print outdoor objects, such as plant pots, outdoor decorations and much more with an ABS supported 3D printer (ABS is ideal as prints won’t break down as easily in the sun). A great choice for this is also the Creality Ender-3.

Best Professional or Industrial 3D Printers

3D printers can also be used in a range of professional or industrial environments from the automotive industry to aerospace. This is because 3D printers are easily accessible, relatively simple to use, able to mass-produce and can be incredibly precise. Next, we will talk you through our best Professional 3D Printers. 

Best 3D printer for Designers - Dremel 3D45

Architects and Designers can bring their creations to life in no time with a 3D printer. Quickly model your products to conceptualise ideas, create prototypes and more. 

The Dremel is an excellent choice as this award-winning 3D printer is actually designed for engineers. It has a large build volume, is super reliable and it’s compatible with a variety of filament types. It’s a 3D printer that is designed to bring professional printing to a simple level for everyone.

Best 3D printer for Engineers - Makerbot Method X

We would also recommend the MakerBot method printer for more industrial work as this professional printer works with a range of materials from nylon carbon fibre, to ABS, nylon PC-abs and more. Unlike many desktop 3D printers, this offers complex geometries that would be impossible to create on a desktop 3D printer. This is also the only printer in its class to guarantee finished part dimensional accuracy ± 0.2mm (± 0.007in). Plus 3D prints are given increased strength due to the heated chamber rather than a heated plate. 

3D printers and Medical Industry

3D printers are also becoming increasingly popular in the medical industry. Many of us have seen the influx of people 3D printing visors for NHS staff during the pandemic, which has helped with the shortage of PPE. There are also projects such as the 'Open Hand Project', which aims to create affordable prosthetics that are available to anyone who needs them by harnessing the capabilities of 3D printing. 

Even the dentistry industry is utilizing the benefits of 3D printing, from creating 3D printed tooth models, manufacturing dental implants and more. This can allow allowing procedures that once took weeks, to take just a few hours. 

Of course, the best 3D printers for the medical or dental industry hugely depend on what exactly you will be using them for, therefore it is a little difficult to list the ‘Best medical 3D printer’. If you are in this industry, we recommend doing some research into healthcare centric 3D printers that will suit your needs best.

Best 3D Printers for Education - Flashforge Creator Pro 2

3D printers are becoming more commonly used in schools too. Not only are they an obvious choice for design school, as they can allow pupils to physically see and hold their creations, as well as understand how the process works from CAD designs all the way through to a finished product. 3D printing can also be used for lessons such as history, as pupils can examine ancient artefacts, and biology as students can print out cells, viruses and organs to have a greater understanding of anatomy.

Whatever the subject, 3D printers can help the classroom to be a more exciting place, where lessons are engaging and interactive.

Our recommendation for a 3D printer for schools is the Flashforge Creator Pro 2, thanks to its budget-friendly price, diversity in printing materials and a good layer height for a variety of models. Plus the handy acrylic cover can offer some protection to the tube and other inner workings of the printer. 

What do I need to be able to 3D print? 

Aside from of course needing a 3D printer, you will also need the material to print such as filament. You can choose from a range of filaments, such as PLA which is perfect for those focused on asthetic, or PETG which is ideal for those who prioritise the physical qualities of the filament. 

You would also need an electricity source to plug the 3D printer into, and a computer for the slicing software. If you wanted to create your own designs, you may want access to CAD software, or if you wanted to select from a huge range of free templates then internet access would be ideal.

We also recommend using adhesive, which can eliminate the risk of the print moving. This is necessary as if the print moves even just a tiny bit during the printing process, the print will unfortunatley fail. 

So that sums up our 3D printer guide, we hope you have found this helpful. If so, make sure to check out our Box blogs where we post a range of content from ‘What is a Lite Hash Rate Graphics Card’ to the ‘Best TV LED light strips’.