61 printers · 14brands · 5 scoring dimensions · zero sponsors
Stop researching.
Start printing.
Every printer scored on 5 dimensions from public benchmarks, owner reviews, and community signals. No sponsors, no paid placement. See how I score.
What kind of printer are you actually buying?
$150 – $400
First Printer
Auto bed leveling, huge communities, zero firmware nightmares.
$300 – $700
Maker
Faster, bigger, multi-material. These reward experience.
$600+
Professional
Carbon fiber, nylon, enclosed chamber. Runs while you sleep.
$200 – $600
Resin
Miniatures, casting masters, dental models. 20-micron layers.
Still on the fence? Answer 6 questions and I'll tell you exactly what to buy →
- 61+
- Printers I've scored
- 14
- Brands covered
- 5
- Scoring dimensions
Figure It Out Faster
Printer Finder
Popular6 questions. I tell you what to buy. Simple as that.
Cost Estimator
Real cost per print: filament, electricity, depreciation. Not marketing math.
FDM vs Resin
They're different tools for different jobs. 5 questions sorts it out.
Compare
Pick any two printers. Scores, specs, price. Side by side.
My Top 3 Right Now
Highest composite score across all five dimensions. Not paid placements.
fdmBambu Lab A1 Combo
Top PickBambu Lab
Multi-color printing out of the box, reliable enough for beginners, fast enough for anyone who's tired of watching a print head crawl.
fdmBambu Lab A1 Mini
Bambu Lab
Bambu quality at $199. Desk footprint small enough that it fits next to your monitor without crowding anything out.
What People Who Actually Own These Say
From Reddit threads, YouTube reviewers, and publications. Not cherry-picked from brand sites.
Best By Category
Know what you need. Go straight to it.
Works out of the box. Forgiving of mistakes.
Solid prints. Real money saved.
Tabletop-level detail. You'll see the texture.
500mm/s or faster, without trashing quality.
Build volumes over 300mm on any axis.
Handles ABS, Nylon, PETG without drama.
Controlled chamber temps for finicky materials.
4+ colors in a single print. No swapping.
20-micron layers. FDM can't touch it.
Runs 12-hour jobs. Earns back its price.
Fits a desk. Still does real work.
Build it yourself. Actually understand it.
Buying Guides
In-depth picks for every budget and use case.
Best 3D Printers Under $500
Multi-color, CoreXY, enclosed designs. Features that cost $1,000+ just two years ago.
Best Enclosed Printers
For ABS, Nylon, and engineering materials. Ranked at every price point from $379 to $1,200+.
Best for Beginners
Auto bed leveling, huge communities, zero firmware nightmares. Start here.
Browse All Printers
61 printers, organized by brand.