A new dimension in creativity: The best home 3D printers for beginners

Very few 3D printers are as reliable and accessible as The Creality Ender-3 V3. It’s ideal for beginners as well as 3D veterans thanks to its balance of features with genuine ease of use. The build volume hits a happy medium, too, allowing prints measuring up to 220 x 220 x 250 mm. As for resolution, the Creality Ender-3 is capable of finely detailed prints thanks to a layer height as low as 0.1 mm. That’s the sort of detail you’d normally see in professional small-scale models.

Once you get comfortable with 3D printing, this model is highly versatile regarding materials – and that means more choice when it comes to the strength and flexibility of your projects. This one can handle PLA, PETG, and TPU. Beginners will also love the inclusion of a direct drive extruder (an upgrade from the previous Ender 3 V2 Neo model) and automatic bed levelling, both of which take the hassle out of those parts of the printing process. Speed-wise, the Creality Enter-3 is more than respectable at a speedy 250 mm/s. Although, it’s worth mentioning that all 3D printers need some monitoring when printing at full speed so that you can ensure the best detail and quality. 

On the subject of keeping tabs on your print progress, this model doesn’t have a filament runout sensor, so you'll need to monitor your spools periodically to avoid any print failures. It is a little on the noisy side while running though, but most 3D printers have some level of noticeable noise. Despite this, the Ender-3 V3's combination of speed, precision, and user-friendly features make it a strong contender in its price range. We think it’s the perfect 3D printer for newcomers, offering an affordable, reliable and highly capable printing solution.​

If you’re interested in 3D printing but worried that it might be too expensive, the Creality Ender-3 S1 3D Printer is the answer. As a budget-friendly option for 3D printing newbies, it is easily assembled in six stages, resulting in a solid machine with a decent print volume of 220 x 220 x 270 mm. That means that, as budget options go, this one delivers a generous amount of space for a wide variety of projects. Much like the Ender-3 V3, this one sports the 0.1 mm resolution you’ll need for highly detailed prints, too.

One feature we particularly like is the CR-Touch automatic bed levelling system, as it takes the hassle out of setting up your print bed and, in turn, that means better accuracy throughout your print. And the budget price doesn’t limit you in terms of material choice either. This printer supports a good variety, from PLA and TPU to the tougher PETG – ideal for those projects that need more strength. And that filament is extruded via a dual-gear direct drive mechanism, which makes for more error-free, detailed prints.

As with much of the Creality range, the user-friendly interface is ideal for beginners. That said, more experienced users will still enjoy the more advanced flexibility and resolution on offer. One natural limitation of any budget 3D printer is limited print volume, so it’s only really suitable for small to medium-scale projects. But, all in all, this printer is a great and feature-rich option for hobbyists, makers, and newcomers who want to venture into the world of 3D printing on a budget.

If you want to get into 3D printing with a machine that can produce larger prints, this Anycubic Kobra 2 Max 3D Printer is a highly capable large-format option. Equally perfect for beginners and experienced users, its key selling point is the impressive print volume of 420 x 420 x 500mm. That means you can create detailed models at a much larger scale – opening up a new level of creativity.  The printer offers a high resolution of 50 microns – a staggeringly small 0.05 millimetres.

And you have plenty of options when it comes to materials too. The Kobra 2 Max is compatible with lots of filament types, including PLA, ABS, PETG, and TPU. One extra we really appreciate is the printer’s S² acceleration feature. It’s an intelligent system that allows for faster prints without lowering the output quality. Once again, we have the super-handy auto-levelling feature for the print bed, making setup and printing a breeze.

But, all of that extra print volume comes with a natural drawback: it’s a sizable machine. So, if you are just getting into 3D printing, we definitely recommend making sure you can set aside enough room to house and operate this model. All that said, the Anycubic Kobra 2 Max is an impressive printer that offers lots of versatility for all kinds of large-scale projects.

Sometimes, a small 3D printer is, well... too small. And a mid-size is just too large. Entering the 3D printing ‘Goldilocks Zone’ is the Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K S LCD Resin 3D Printer. As a resin printer, it’s incredibly compact and beginner-friendly. The print volume on offer here is a decent 165 x 72 x 180mm, too – so that’s perfect for lots of small to medium-sized craft and hobbyist projects. 

Despite its diminutive size, the Phrozen Sonic Mini is technically impressive, offering a staggeringly fine 22-micron print resolution. That’s 0.022 of a millimetre. The only real downside here is also it’s strength, depending on your needs: the limited print volume. Anyone planning to venture into medium to large-scale printing might want to up their budget and go bigger, but we think newcomers to 3D printing will be drawn to this one for its mono screen and user-friendly interface. 

Materials-wise, this printer is compatible with various resin types to suit their specific project. All in all, the Sonic Mini 8K S is a great option for those looking for limited print volume without losing out on the fine detail and finish of resin.

If there’s any group of users who really need things to be simple when it comes to 3D printing it’s young people and older children. This WEEFUN Upgraded Tina2 3D Printer is both compact and easy to use. Thankfully, unlike some others on this list, it comes fully assembled – so you can get to using this right out of the box. We also love the inclusion of auto bed levelling that avoids many of the time-consuming manual adjustments of some others.

The print volume isn’t huge, but at 100 x 120 x 100 mm, it’s perfect for small prints. Small-scale projects will take less time to finish – so much more likely to hold the average child’s attention span. Besides the smallish print bed, you won’t be stuck for detail: This one has a layer resolution of 0.1 to 0.4 mm. Materials supported include PLA, PLA Pro, and TPU filaments, so there are many options for flexible and rigid toys and models. 

But, back to those super user-friendly features. The build plate itself is magnetic, so removing prints from it is easy without using a scraping tool. We would have liked to have seen a heated print-bed, though, so that prints stay in situ without the need for tape or other adhesives. That said, the printer's interface is very intuitive and simple. Featuring a 2.4-inch LCD screen operated by a simple control knob, younger users will explore the settings with ease and introduce them to the world of 3D printing.

The ELEGOO Saturn 3 Ultra MSLA 3D Printer is our pick for the best resin 3D printer, and that’s simply due to its stellar combination of features and versatility. The LCD screen on this one is a generous 4-inch monochrome touchscreen for ease of use. Print resolution is a seriously impressive 19x24 microns too, supporting 11520 x 5120 pixels for 12K high-resolution prints. That level of detail is really hard to beat. 

As for printable project sizes, we love the large build volume of 218.88 x 122.88 x 260mm as that provides lots of space for those taller projects. Much like others here, the Saturn 3 Ultra supports multiple materials, including standard and resins similar in strength to ABS – so you will have lots of flexibility for different types of projects. And if you’re looking to get results quickly, this also has a brilliant fast print mode – ideal for rough one-offs and prototyping. 

One aspect we do find a little limiting is the lack of USB connectivity, so be prepared to rely on Wi-Fi for your file transfers. But, despite all of the technical capabilities on offer, we think that those new to 3D printing will love the user-friendly interface as well as handy features like a simple 4-point levelling system. That’ll take a lot of the legwork out of setting up each new print project and ensure great results. Overall, we find the ELEGOO Saturn 3 Ultra to be a highly capable machine with lots of creative potential.

There are quite a lot of 3D printers that fit the mid-budget category, but the QIDI TECH 3D Printer X-PLUS3 stands out. While it’s packed with features and a sizeable print volume of 10.6 x 7.9 x 7.9 inches, it’s still accessible for beginners. This printer offers a resolution of 50 microns or 0.05mm – one of the best here for very finely detailed prints. We think the price, features and build volume are very well balanced, offering a lot of project flexibility for the money.

And that flexibility extends to the materials too, as the X-PLUS3 is compatible with several, including PLA, ABS, and TPU. One feature we love to see in any 3D printer is a dual extruder system as that allows you to mix up your colours or even material choice during a single print. Not only does that mean you can get more creative, but it also lends itself well to more complex structural work. 

Unlike cheaper models, this printer's enclosed print area also helps to maintain a stable temperature. If you’re not completely new to 3D printing, you may already know that some filaments reach an optimal printing condition at a set temperature. Without a stable temperature, prints with tougher filaments like ABS can be prone to errors, so this enclosure is going to make for more successful prints. We do find the overall size and weight of this to be quite considerable for those with smaller workspaces, so definitely measure up before you buy. Other than that, this is a solid 3D printer choice that will suit most projects and budgets.

Not everyone needs to start out on their 3D printing journey with large projects. Some small-scale model enthusiasts or part makers might actually prefer a printer with a small form factor. This ANYCUBIC Photon Mono 4 Resin 3D Printer is both a compact and practical choice. Compact enough to fit into any workspace, it’s also a tough little machine with lots of usability. The print volume of 130 x 82 x 165mm (20 per cent larger than the previous model) means that it’ll cater well for the majority of small projects. And, being a resin printer with a mono resolution of 2560 x 1620 pixels, you’ll enjoy plenty of detail and – thanks to the resin – less sanding and finishing over filament prints.

Although the choice is not as wide as filament, various kinds of resin are available, and this Photon Mono 2 supports several of them. So, whether you need something with a more flexible finish or a stronger one, your project needs will be well met. This printer has a 6-inch monochrome screen, and the system is well-optimised for fast printing times. One feature we really like is the LighTurbo Matrix, which is an upgrade from the previous Photon model and eliminates grid lines in the models as they are printed.

Although we selected this printer for its suitability for small projects, it’s worth keeping this limitation in mind if you want to print larger models sooner rather than later. All that said, its combination of resin printing, small scale and affordability make the Photon Mono 4 a brilliant choice for beginners.

As we’ve mentioned elsewhere, resin printing does come with its advantages when it comes to less sanding and finishing over filament. But they don’t usually come with an affordable price tag. This ELEGOO Saturn 2 Resin 3D Printer is a solidly built and highly capable machine that’s perfect for those new to resin 3D printing. The Saturn 2 boasts a high LCD 8K resolution of 7680x4320 pixels plus a 0.01-0.2mm layer thickness to ensure super-detailed prints. 

It’s well-specified when it comes to print volume, too, allowing for prints up to 218.88 x 122.88 x 260mm. That makes this a flexible choice for a multitude of creative and hobbyist projects.
One of the standout features is its material compatibility, supporting various resins which makes it versatile for different types of projects. We particularly applaud the printer’s built-in air purifier, as resin printing fumes do need to be controlled. Its high-speed file transfer and efficient cooling system are also great for easier and more accurate printing.

However, one shortcoming to note is the tempered glass for the bed which some users have managed to damage, so this machine is best used with care. Despite this, for those who want resing printing for less outlay, the Saturn 2 is the ideal introduction to resin 3D printing with plenty of pro features if you need them.