This guide is intended to provide the direction needed to select the 3D printer that is most appropriate for your budget and application. The entries are focused on consumer and prosumer printers, excluding industrial printers and top-end engineering filaments (ie: PEEK).
To browse resin printers, visit our Resin Guide
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Table of Contents
- FDM Printers: Top Picks
- FDM Printers: Budget
- FDM Printers: Minimal Tinkering
- FDM Printers: Large Build Volume
- FDM Printers for High Temperature Filaments
- Miscellaneous: Resin, Industrial, and Safety
- Interactive Table
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FDM Top Picks
Anycubic Kobra
$300
($10 Off)
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (260°C)
Max Bed Temp: 110°C
Print Volume: 220mm (L) 220mm (W) 250mm (H)
Kobra vs Vyper

Artillery Genius Pro
$350
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (240°C)
Max Bed Temp: 130°C
Print Volume: 220mm (L) 220mm (W) 250mm (H)
Genius vs Prusa Mini

Qidi X-Plus
$700
Assembly: Fully
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Max Bed Temp: 100°C
Print Volume: 270mm (L) 200mm (W) 200mm (H)

Artillery Sidewinder X2
$420
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (240°C)
Max Bed Temp: 130°C
Print Volume: 300mm (L) 300mm (W) 400mm (H)
Sidewinder X1 vs X2

Prusa MK3S
$749/999
Assembly: Kit or Fully
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Max Bed Temp: 120°C
Print Volume: 210mm (L) 250mm (W) 210mm (H)
Prusa Mini vs MK3S vs XL

Prusa XL
$1,999+ ($200 Pre-Order)
Assembly: Kit or Fully
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: TBA
Max Bed Temp: TBA
Print Volume: 360mm (L) 360mm (W) 360mm (H)
Prusa XL Highlights

Budget FDM 3D Printers
A printer like the Kingroon, Artillery Hornet, Elegoo Neptune 2, or Anycubic Mega S will allow you to affordably enter the realm of 3D printing but without many of the quality of life features. Ideal for: general prints, trinkets, fixtures, and light-functional prints made from PLA and PETG
Kingroon KP3S
$180
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: No
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (260°C)
Max Bed Temp: 110°C
Print Volume: 180mm (L) 180mm (W) 180mm (H)

Artillery Hornet
$220
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Bowden
Auto-Leveling: No
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (260°C)
Max Bed Temp: ≈110°C
Print Volume: 220mm (L) 220mm (W) 250mm (H)

Elegoo Neptune 2
$200
Assembly: Kit
Extruder: Bowden
Auto-Leveling: No
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (260°C)
Max Bed Temp: 100°C
Print Volume: 220mm (L) 220mm (W) 250mm (H)

Anycubic Mega S
$210
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Bowden
Auto-Leveling: No
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (275°C)
Max Bed Temp: 100°C
Print Volume: 210mm (L) 210mm (W) 205mm (H)

Minimal Tinkering FDM 3D Printers
A printer like the Anycubic Kobra, Artillery Genius Pro, or Prusa Mini will provide quality of life features, will use higher quality of parts, and these companies have better quality control and support. Ideal for: general prints, trinkets, fixtures, and light-functional prints made from PLA, PETG, ABS, and flexibles.
Anycubic Kobra
$300
($10 Off)
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (260°C)
Max Bed Temp: 110°C
Print Volume: 220mm (L) 220mm (W) 250mm (H)
Kobra vs Vyper

Artillery Genius Pro
$350
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (240°C)
Max Bed Temp: 130°C
Print Volume: 220mm (L) 220mm (W) 250mm (H)
Genius vs Prusa Mini

Prusa Mini
$349/399
Assembly: Kit or Fully
Extruder: Bowden
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 280°C
Max Bed Temp: 100°C
Print Volume: 180mm (L) 180mm (W) 180mm (H)

Large Build Volume FDM 3D Printers
A printer like the Artillery Sidewinder X2, Sovol SV03, Anycubic Chiron, or Tronxy X5SA Pro will provide an affordable large bed with varying degrees of QOL, reliability, and print quality.
Ideal for: general prints and large items (masks, cosplay) made from PLA and PETG.
Artillery Sidewinder X2
$420
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (240°C)
Max Bed Temp: 130°C
Print Volume: 300mm (L) 300mm (W) 400mm (H)
Sidewinder X1 vs X2

Sovol SV03
$420
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (260°C)
Max Bed Temp: 100°C
Print Volume: 350mm (L) 350mm (W) 400mm (H)

Tronxy X5SA Pro
$450
Assembly: Kit
Extruder: Bowden
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (275°C)
Max Bed Temp: 100°C
Print Volume: 400mm (L) 400mm (W) 400mm (H)
(Larger sizes available)

Anycubic Chiron
$400
($10 Off)
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Bowden
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 230°C (260°C)
Max Bed Temp: 100°C
Print Volume: 400mm (L) 400mm (W) 450mm (H)

FDM 3D Printers for ABS, ASA, Nylon, and PC
These printers need nozzle temps upwards of 300°C, bed temps above 100°C, and an enclosure. A non-insulated enclosure will hold chamber temperatures at 30-50°C and will allow you to print with some warping on large prints. An insulated enclosure will hold temperatures at 50°C+ and eliminate warping, but the electronics need to be repositioned externally. Cheaper printers can be modded to use these materials, but the easiest way to get started is to use a printer like the Qidi X-Plus. Another enclosed printer with dual-extrusion is the Qidi I-Fast.
Qidi X-Plus
$700
Assembly: Fully
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Max Bed Temp: 100°C
Print Volume: 270mm (L) 200mm (W) 200mm (H)

Qidi X-Max
$1,000
Assembly: Fully
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Max Bed Temp: 100°C
Print Volume: 300mm (L) 250mm (W) 300mm (H)

Creality Ender 3 S1 Pro
$520
Assembly: Partial
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Max Bed Temp: 110°C
Print Volume: 220mm (L) 220mm (W) 270mm (H)
S1 vs S1 Pro

Prusa MK3S
$749/999
Assembly: Kit or Fully
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Max Bed Temp: 120°C
Print Volume: 210mm (L) 250mm (W) 210mm (H)
Prusa Mini vs MK3S vs XL

Vivedino/Voron 0
$450
Assembly: Kit
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Max Bed Temp: 110°C+
Print Volume: 120mm (L) 120mm (W) 120mm (H)

Vivedino/Voron 2.4
$900
Assembly: Kit
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Max Bed Temp: 110°C+
Print Volume: 250mm (L) 250mm (W) 250mm (H)
(Larger sizes available)

Vivedino Troodon
$1,700
Assembly: Fully
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Max Bed Temp: 110°C+
Print Volume: 300mm (L) 300mm (W) 400mm (H)
(Larger sizes available)

Qidi I-Fast
$2,500
Assembly: Fully
Extruder: Direct Drive
Auto-Leveling: Yes
Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Max Bed Temp: 100°C
Print Volume: 330mm (L) 250mm (W) 320mm (H)
(Dual Extruder)

I need the highest level of detail possible ($300-1,500):
FDM is inherently limited on both the surface finish and the layer height - FDM can reasonably do 0.1mm layer heights whereas MSLA (resin) can do 0.01mm. To find out the differences, check out resin vs filament, and to compare resin printers side-by-side visit our Resin Guide. Ideal for: miniatures, lithophanes, transparent items, prototypes, high-detail and smooth surface finish, high-temp parts, jewelry casting, and complex geometry from budget, flexible, high-temp, engineering and ceramic resins.
I want to print materials such as PEEK ($5,000+):
Printers need nozzle temps upwards of 400°C, bed temps above 120°C, and a heated chamber in order to use materials such as PEEK, PEI, PPSU, and variants of PC or Nylon. Ideal for: high-demand functional items, prototypes, high-temp parts, and commercial products.
If you plan on using nozzle temps above 230°C with a PTFE-lined hotend
PTFE begins to decompose at temperatures above 230°C (PTFE Handbook, Page 25) resulting in gasses that can result in respiratory illness in humans and death in animals such as birds. To avoid this you will need to use an all-metal hotend, have the printer outside the residence, or employ ventilation; filtration should be used only as mitigation and a secondary defense.
Printer Rating System: Used for highlighting prominent printers on the market
- +2 Printer Specifications (larger build volumes, higher temps)
- +2 Quality of Parts and Design
- +2 Quality of Life Features
- +2 Open-source and reasonable prices
- +2 Customer Support
The table filters out $1,100+ printers by default - if you wish to see these press "Clear All"
Brand | Printer | Price | Rating | Build Volume | XYZ | Extruder Type | Hotend | Nozzle Max | Bed Max | Bed | Leveling | Assembly | Comments | Primary Link | Secondary Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anycubic | Kobra | $300 | 9 | 12,100 | 220x220x250 | Direct Drive | PTFE-Lined | 260°C | 110°C | Magnetic PEI | Auto | Partial | Anycubic's new printer rivaling the Prusa MK3S | Anycubic Store | Amazon |
Prusa | MK3S | $750 | 9 | 11,025 | 210x250x210 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | 300°C | 120°C | Magnetic PEI | Auto | Kit/Assembled | Gold-standard FDM printer among consumers - the printer provides hassle-free and reliable experience for hobbyists and businesses | Prusa Store | |
Prusa | Mini | $350 | 7 | 5,832 | 180x180x180 | Bowden | All-Metal | 280°C | 100°C | Magnetic PEI | Auto | Kit/Assembled | Entry-level printer ideal for users entering 3D printing and businesses for print farms | Prusa Store | |
Prusa | XL | $2000 | 9.5 | 46,656 | 360x360x360 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | TBA | TBA | Magnetic PEI | Auto | Kit/Assembled | Prusa's large CoreXY printer that is you can get now by placing a $200 pre-order | Prusa Store | |
Artillery | Hornet | $220 | 6 | 12,100 | 220x220x250 | Bowden | PTFE-Lined | 260°C | 110°C | Glass | Manual | Partial | Higher quality Ender 3 alternative - glass bed is non-removeable - needs cable relief | AliExpress | |
Artillery | Genius Pro | $350 | 6.5 | 12,100 | 220x220x250 | Direct Drive | PTFE-Lined | 240°C | 130°C | Glass | Auto | Partial | Good quality of life features - glass bed is non-removeable | AliExpress | |
Artillery | Sidewinder X1 | $400 | 6.5 | 36,000 | 300x300x400 | Direct Drive | PTFE-Lined | 240°C | 130°C | Glass | Manual | Partial | Older gen sidewinder - glass bed is non-removeable - needs cable relief | AliExpress | Amazon |
Artillery | Sidewinder X2 | $420 | 6.5 | 36,000 | 300x300x400 | Direct Drive | PTFE-Lined | 240°C | 130°C | Glass | Auto | Partial | Newer gen sidewinder - glass bed is non-removeable | AliExpress | |
Anycubic | Vyper | $360 | 6.5 | 15,607 | 245x245x260 | Bowden | PTFE-Lined | 260°C | 110°C | Magnetic PEI | Auto | Partial | Propritary heatsink/leveling sensor | Amazon | Anycubic Store |
Anycubic | Mega Zero 2.0 | $150 | 5 | 12,100 | 220x220x250 | Bowden | PTFE-Lined | 255°C | 110°C | Magnetic Sheet | Manual | Partial | Higher quality Ender 3 alternative - older model | Anycubic Store | Amazon |
Anycubic | Chiron | $450 | 6 | 72,000 | 400x400x450 | Bowden | PTFE-Lined | 260°C | 100°C | Glass | Auto | Partial | Slower print speeds compared to CoreXY - needs cable relief | Anycubic Store | Amazon |
Anycubic | Mega X | $400 | 5.5 | 27,450 | 300x300x305 | Bowden | PTFE-Lined | 250°C | 90°C | Glass | Manual | Partial | Comments | Anycubic Store | Amazon |
Anycubic | 4Max Pro 2.0 | $370 | 6 | 10,773 | 270x210x190 | Direct Drive | PTFE-Lined | 260°C | 100°C | Glass | Manual | Pre-Assembled | Comments | Anycubic Store | Amazon |
Elegoo | Neptune 2 | $190 | 5 | 12,100 | 220x220x250 | Bowden | PTFE-Lined | 260°C | 100°C | Buildtak | Manual | Kit | Higher quality Ender 3 alternative - older model | Amazon | AliExpress |
Tronxy | X5SA | $300 | 6 | 43,560 | 330x330x400 | Bowden | PTFE-Lined | 275°C | 100°C | Buildtak | Auto | Kit | Affordable large build volume - higher print speeds | Amazon | AliExpress |
Tronxy | X5SA Pro | $380 | 6 | 43,560 | 330x330x400 | Bowden | PTFE-Lined | 275°C | 100°C | Buildtak | Auto | Kit | Affordable large build volume - higher print speeds - uses linear rails | Amazon | AliExpress |
Creality | Ender 3 Pro | $240 | 4 | 12,100 | 220x220x250 | Bowden | PTFE-Lined | 260°C | 110°C | Buildtak | Manual | Kit | Low quality parts and poor quality control - older model | Amazon | |
Creality | Ender 3 V2 | $280 | 4 | 12,100 | 220x220x250 | Bowden | PTFE-Lined | 260°C | 110°C | Glass | Manual | Kit | Improvements over Ender 3 Pro but still poor quality control | Amazon | |
Raise3D | Pro2 | $4000 | 8 | 27,908 | 305x305x300 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | 300°C | 110°C | Magnetic Plate | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Propriatary parts | Amazon | |
Raise3D | Pro2 Plus | $6000 | 8 | 56,280 | 305x305x605 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | 300°C | 110°C | Magnetic Plate | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Propriatary parts | Amazon | |
Makerbot | Replicator+ | $2000 | 7 | 9,492 | 295x195x165 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | 230°C | n/a | Buildtak | Manual | Pre-Assembled | Propriatary parts | Amazon | |
Makerbot | Method | $4500 | 7 | 7,076 | 190x190x196 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | 60°C | Buildtak | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Propriatary parts | |||
Makerbot | Method X | $4900 | 7.5 | 7,076 | 190x190x196 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | 100°C | Buildtak | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Propriatary parts | |||
Dremel | 3D20 | $640 | 5 | 4,469 | 140x228x140 | Bowden | PTFE-Lined | 230°C | n/a | Acrylic | Manual | Pre-Assembled | Comments | Amazon | |
Dremel | 3D45 | $1600 | 6 | 6,719 | 255x155x170 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | 280°C | 100°C | Glass | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Comments | Amazon | |
Flashforge | Guider II | $1000 | 6 | 21,000 | 280x250x300 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | 240°C | 120°C | Buildtak | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Propriatary parts | Amazon | AliExpress |
Flashforge | Guider IIs | $2000 | 7 | 21,000 | 280x250x300 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | 300°C | 120°C | Buildtak | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Propriatary parts | AliExpress | |
Flashforge | Creator 3 | $3200 | 7 | 15,000 | 300x250x200 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | 300°C | 120°C | Steel PEI Sheet | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Propriatary parts | ||
Flashforge | Creator 3 Pro | $3500 | 7 | 15,000 | 300x250x200 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | 320°C | 120°C | Steel PEI Sheet | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Propriatary parts | ||
Flashforge | Creator Pro 2 | $650 | 6 | 4,440 | 200x148x150 | Direct Drive | PTFE-Lined | 240°C | 120°C | Aluminum | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Propriatary parts | Amazon | AliExpress |
Flashforge | Adventurer 3 | $370 | 5.5 | 3,375 | 150x150x150 | Direct Drive | PTFE-Lined | 240°C | 100°C | Aluminum | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Propriatary parts | Amazon | AliExpress |
Flashforge | Adventurer 4 | $800 | 6 | 11,000 | 220x200x250 | Direct Drive | PTFE-Lined | 265°C | 110°C | Aluminum | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Propriatary parts | Amazon | AliExpress |
Qidi | i-mate S | $500 | 6 | 10,400 | 260x200x200 | Direct Drive | PTFE-Lined | 250°C | 110°C | Buildtak | Manual | Pre-Assembled | Amazon | AliExpress | |
Qidi | X-Pro | $470 | 5.5 | 5,175 | 230x150x150 | Direct Drive | PTFE-Lined | 250°C | 110°C | Buildtak | Manual | Pre-Assembled | Amazon | AliExpress | |
Qidi | X-Max | $1000 | 6.5 | 22,500 | 300x250x300 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | 300°C | 100°C | Buildtak | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Amazon | AliExpress | |
Qidi | X-Plus | $700 | 6.5 | 10,800 | 270x200x200 | Direct Drive | All-Metal | 300°C | 100°C | Buildtak | Auto | Pre-Assembled | Amazon | AliExpress | |
Brand | Printer | Price | Rating | Build Volume (cm3) | XYZ (LxWxH mm) | Extruder Type | Hotend | Nozzle Max (°C) | Bed Max (°C) | Bed | Leveling | Assembly | Comments | Primary Link | Secondary Link |
To compare resin printers, browse resin, and get equipment inspiration visit our Ultimate Resin Guide.
To compare FDM printers via an interactive table, side-by-sides, and in-depth articles.
Application & Safety FAQ answers common questions about resin.
Ventilation Simulations has animations for common DIY venting setups, and Heating Resin Printers during winter provides data for specific heat sources.
Our Resin Print Settings Table has associated images, mixes, and does a resin giveaway.
To browse resin properties and find your ideal strong, durable, flexible, or high-temp resin visit our Resin Properties Table. To find properties of filaments, visit our FDM Properties Table.
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