7 Best 3D Printers for Classrooms, Schools, Colleges & Education

Finding the right 3D printer can be a difficult task, especially when you realize just how many different choices there are. When it comes to picking a 3D printer for schools, classrooms, colleges and education in general, this can become even harder.

You have all sorts of factors involved such as general safety, ease of use, build volume, material compatibility & more. To make your life a little easier, I decided to write an article listing down 7 of the best 3D printers for the classroom.

There is a pretty wide range of features, prices, and specifications that you can enjoy, so have a read through this article to finally make the best choice for a reliable 3D printer to have in the classroom.

1. Qidi Tech X-Max

The Qidi Technology has experience of 6 years in manufacturing 3D printers. They mainly focus on producing 3D printers that can offer high-quality 3D prints and high-performance features.

The X series of the Qidi Technology is the most popular series and all 3D printers of this series are top-ranked on Amazon.

The Qidi Tech X-Max (Amazon) is their most advanced 3D printer that is specially designed and manufactured by an industrialists’ team of 3D printers.

This 3D printer allows you to print models of large size and experience more stable and high-quality 3D printing.

You can print a wide range of filaments such as PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, Carbon Fiber, and PC with maximum ease.

Features of the Qidi Tech X-Max

• Supports Plenty of Filament Material
• Decent and Reasonable Build Volume
• Closed Print Chamber
• Color Touch Screen with Great UI
• Magnetic Removable Build Platform
• Air Filter
• Dual Z-Axis
• Durable Parts
• Swappable Extruders
• One Button, Fats Bed Leveling
• Versatile Connectivity from SD Card to USB and Wi-Fi

Specifications of the Qidi Tech X-Max

• Build Volume: 300 x 250 x 300mm
• Body Frame Dimensions: 600 x 550 x 600mm
• Extruder Type: Single
• Filament Diameter: 1.75mm
• Nozzle Size: 0.4mm
• Layer Resolution: 0.05 – 0.4mm
• Maximum Extruder Temperature: 300°C
• Max. Heated Bed Temperature: 100°C
• Display: LCD Color Touch Screen
• Print Bed: Magnetic Removable Plate
• Feeder Mechanism: Direct Drive
• Bed Leveling: Manual
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet Cable
• Compatible Material: PLA, ABS, Nylon, ASA, TPU, Carbon Fiber, PC
• Assembly: Fully Assembled
• Weight: 27.9 KG (61.50 Pounds)

User Experience of the Qidi Tech X-Max

One teacher said in his feedback that he loves this 3D printer because of the following reasons:

• The 3D printer offers very high-quality products.
• It has a huge 5-Inch LCD touch screen control panel for accessing and operating menus.
• It has a removable plate that allows users to easily remove prints from the build platform.
• The build plate has two different sides, one for commonly used filaments such as PLA and the other for advanced filaments such as ABS, PETG, Nylon, PC, Carbon Fiber, etc.

One buyer said in his feedback that this 3D printer is a great package of amazing features and powerful specifications.

This 3D printer is best suitable for classrooms, schools, colleges, and education centers that require a machine with a high level of print quality.

This is a perfect choice for classes where details are important such as biology, chemistry, and physics.

This 3D printer comes with a spare filament guide to be used as backup and we all know that backup is extremely important when it comes to classrooms and schools.

You don’t have to worry if something goes wrong because you will have your backup in your hand.

Pros of the Qidi Tech X-Max

• Compact and Smart design
• Large build area to print big-size models
• Versatile in terms of different printing materials
• Does not require any assembly as it is ready to be used
• Easy to use and excellent user interface
• Easy to set up
• Includes a pause and resume function for additional ease of printing
• A fully enclosed illuminated chamber that helps in maintaining temperature
• Operates at a reliably low level of noise
• Experienced and helpful customer support service

Cons of the Qidi Tech X-Max

• Comes with a single extruder which limits the feature of dual extrusion.
• A heavyweight machine as compared to other 3D printers
• There is no filament runout detection sensor
• No remote control and monitoring system

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a 3D printer that can help you print a wide range of filaments for various applications, this should be your first choice.

Due to its safety features and large build volume, the Qidi Tech X-Max can be said as the ideal option for classrooms and educational institutes.

Check out the Qidi Tech X-Max on Amazon today.

2. Dremel Digilab 3D45

This 3D printer is from the 3rd generation of Dremel’s 3D printers and was specially designed to be used by anyone from novice users to experienced, professional ones.

In collaboration with Dremel’s Lifetime Support, this 3D printer is extremely reliable and can be used efficiently where you need to print a lot of 3D models.

The Dremel Digilab 3D45 (Amazon) comes with easy-to-use features, everything you need in the box, and a quick start guide. You can start your printing process just after taking your 3D printer out of the box.

There are many reasons why you’d want this 3D printer in your classroom or university, mainly because it is very easy to use but because it also comes with plenty of professional training.

This PCMag 2018 Editors’ Choice Award-winning machine comes with 30 lesson plans, 4 hours of professional development credits designed just for teachers, and is a great introduction into the world of 3D printing for students of all ages.

Features of the Dremel Digilab 3D45

• Automated 9-Point Levelling System
• Includes Heated Print Bed
• Built-In HD 720p Camera
• Cloud-Based Slicer
• Connectivity Through USB and Wi-Fi Remotely
• Fully Enclosed With Plastic Door
• 5″ Full-Color Touch Screen
• Award-Winning 3D Printer
• World-Class Lifetime Dremel Customer Support
• Heated Build Plate
• Direct Drive All-Metal Extruder
• Filament Run-Out Detection

Specifications of the Dremel Digilab 3D45

• Print Technology: FDM
• Extruder Type: Single
• Build Volume: 255 x 155 x 170mm
• Layer Resolution: 0.05 – 0.3mm
• Compatible Materials: PLA, Nylon, ABS, TPU
• Filament Diameter: 1.75mm
• Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm
• Bed Levelling: Semi-Automatic
• Max. Extruder Temperature: 280°C
• Max. Print Bed Temperature: 100°C
• Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi
• Weight: 21.5 kg (47.5 lbs)
• Internal Storage: 8GB

User Experience of the Dremel Digilab 3D45

Many users love how this machine comes fully assembled, so you don’t have to spend hours putting it together, or losing screws and pieces in the process.

With a strong internet connection, you can easily control and manage your printings virtually from a long distance without any need of going near the 3D printer. All you need is that the 3D printer is turned ON.

One buyer of the Digilab 3D45  said that this is one of the best 3D printers for educational institutes such as colleges and universities.

It has a respectable biggest build volume, along with a removable build plate to make the print removal and cleaning process easy.

The heated bed and enclosed environment allows you to print more advanced filaments such as ABS and Nylon with ease.

As this 3D printer emits extremely low noise, the user said that this can be used in labs where you need to print your models while talking to your students or colleagues.

Coming from the experience of a 9-year-old that used this machine, he got up to speed pretty quickly on operation and use even without adult supervision. The fact that its enclosed means it’s a lot safer than other 3D printers.

He designs his own models on TinkerCAD to then transfer it right to the 3D printer. Many parents have attested to how fantastic this 3D printer is for their kids, and I’m sure you’ll feel the same.

Pros of the Dremel Digilab 3D45

• Print quality is very good and it’s easy to use as well
• Has powerful software along with being user-friendly
• Prints through a USB thumb drive via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and USB
• Has a safely secured design and body
• Compared to other printers, it is relatively quiet and less noisy
• Easier to set up and use as well
• Provides a 3D comprehensive ecosystem for education
• The removable glass plate allows you to remove prints easily

Cons of the Dremel Digilab 3D45

• Limited filament colors compared with competitors.
• The touch screen is not particularly responsive.
• There is no nozzle cleaning mechanism.

Final Thoughts

Because of its high-quality, fine details, precision, versatility, and high-performing functions, this 3D printer is not only good for classrooms of schools and colleges but could be an efficient product for higher grade students and educational institutes such as universities.

You can find the top-class Dremel Digilab 3D45 on Amazon today for your classroom, college or university.

3. Artillery Sidewinder X1 V4

The Artillery Sidewinder X1 V4 (Amazon) is a real competition to the well-known 3D printers of Creality. It offers some of the best 3D printing features with powerful specifications at a low price tag of just $400.

Because of its silent operating, heated print bed, and many other advanced features, this 3D printer has remained a top-selling printer since it was launched in 2018.

As it offers a large build volume with ease of usage, this 3D printer could be a great choice for places where heavy printing is required such as classrooms, colleges, and higher educational institutes.

Features of the Artillery Sidewinder X1 V4

• Rapid Heating Ceramic Glass Print Bed
• Direct Drive Extruder System
• Large Build Volume
• Print Resume Capability After a Power Outage
• Ultra-Quiet Stepper Motor
• Filament Detector Sensor
• LCD-Color Touch Screen
• Safe and Secure, Quality Packaging
• Synchronized Dual Z-Axis System

Specifications of the Artillery Sidewinder X1 V4

• Build Volume: 300 x 300 x 400mm
• Printing Speed: 150mm/s
• Layer Height/Print Resolution: 0.1mm
• Maximum Extruder Temperature: 265°C
• Maximum Bed Temperature: 130°C
• Filament Diameter: 1.75mm
• Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm
• Extruder: Single
• Control Board: MKS Gen L
• Nozzle Type: Volcano
• Connectivity: USB A, MicroSD card
• Bed Levelling: Manual
• Build Area: Open
• Compatible Printing Materials: PLA / ABS / TPU / Flexible materials

User Experience of the Artillery Sidewinder X1 V4

Many buyers have provided similar feedback stating that it is rare to see a 3D printer with all these amazing features and specifications in this competitive price range.

One of the many buyers says that they haven’t upgraded or replaced a single component of this 3D printer, yet they get excellent results when it comes to quality, consistency, ease of usage, and reliability.

Some users have said that the print quality was not according to their expectations at the beginning but after going through some forums and getting help from YouTube videos, they learned how to make certain adjustments needed for better quality prints.

Once the adjustments were made, they got 3D prints even better than their expectations.

For a classroom, you need a 3D printer that can work for a relatively long time without showing any error.

One buyer said in his feedback that after printing with this 3D printer for more than 2 months, he can safely say that this is one of the best 3D printers he has ever used in his life.

Pros of the Artillery Sidewinder X1 V4

• Heated glass build plate
• It supported both USB and MicroSD cards for more choice
• Well-organized bunch of ribbon cables for better organization
• Large build volume
• Quiet printing operation
• Has large leveling knobs for easier leveling
• A smooth and firmly placed print bed gives the bottom of your prints a shiny finish
• Fast heating of the heated bed
• Very quiet operation in the steppers
• Easy to assemble
• A helpful community that will guide you through any issues that come up
• Prints reliable, consistently, and at a high quality
• Amazing build volume for the price

Cons of the Artillery Sidewinder X1 V4

• Uneven heat distribution on the print bed
• Delicate wiring on the heat pad and extruder
• The spool holder is pretty tricky and hard to adjust
• EEPROM save is not supported by the unit

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a 3D printer that can offer a large build volume and allow you to print models of various types according to your student’s projects and classes, this printer could be a perfect option for you.

You can take a look at the Artillery Sidewinder X1 V4 on Amazon today.

4. Creality Ender 3 V2

As we all know that Ender 3 is the most favorite and popular 3D printer series of Creality in the 3D printing industry. The Creality Ender 3 V2 has some amazing updates that can attract users to different applications.

The Creality has studied the feedback and reviews given by the users on their previous 3D printers. After complete analysis, they have designed the Ender 3 V2 to mitigate complaints while fulfilling all expectations of the users.

The Ender 3 V2 (Amazon) has capabilities to be used for simple printings, industrial-grade projects, and for classrooms and educational institutes.

Features of the Creality Ender 3 V2

• Open Build Space
• Glass Platform
• High-Quality Meanwell Power Supply
• 3-Inch LCD Color Screen
• XY-Axis Tensioners
• Built-In Storage Compartment
• New Silent Motherboard
• Fully Upgraded Hotend & Fan Duct
• Smart Filament Run Out Detection
• Effortless Filament Feeding
• Print Resume Capabilities
• Quick-Heating Hot Bed

Specifications of the Creality Ender 3 V2

• Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250mm
• Maximum Printing Speed: 180mm/s
• Layer Height/Print Resolution: 0.1mm
• Maximum Extruder Temperature: 255°C
• Maximum Bed Temperature: 100°C
• Filament Diameter: 1.75mm
• Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm
• Extruder: Single
• Connectivity: MicroSD Card, USB
• Bed Levelling: Manual
• Build Area: Open
• Compatible Printing Materials: PLA, TPU, PETG

User Experience of the Creality Ender 3 V2

The experience of having the Creality Ender 3 V2 beside you is mostly a positive one for most users that have got it for themselves. There are people of all ages that are enjoying high quality 3D prints for a reasonable price.

The assembly process isn’t a difficult one at all, only requiring you to put the pre-assembled pieces together with a few screws. Once it’s put together, operation and overall use is very simple.

Even if you are a beginner, or a student just learning about 3D printing, you can get started pretty quickly.

The glass build platform comes in nice and flat, allowing you to get some respectable adhesion for your 3D prints, so they don’t come off the build plate. Once the print cools down, they tend to pop off the build plate.

As this 3D printer emits minimum noise, you can easily use it in your classroom while giving lectures to your students and printing your 3D model in the background.

One user talked about assembly stating that the 3D printer came with all necessary tools required for assembly, but the instruction guide wasn’t the clearest.

If you do have experience putting any DIY items together, it shouldn’t be too difficult to put this together, but you can watch a YouTube video to follow along while assembling the Ender 3 V2.

Pros of the Creality Ender 3 V2

• Easy to use for beginners, giving out high performance and much enjoyment
• Relatively cheap and great value for money
• Great support community.
• Design and structure look very aesthetically pleasing
• High precision printing
• 5 minutes to heat up
• The all-metal body gives stability and durability
• Easy to assemble and maintain
• The power supply is integrated underneath the build-plate unlike the Ender 3
• It is modular and easy to customize

Cons of the Creality Ender 3 V2

• A bit difficult to assemble
• Open build space is not ideal for minors
• Only 1 motor on the Z-axis
• Glass beds do tend to be heavier so it may lead to ringing in prints
• No touchscreen interface like some other modern printers

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a 3D printer that can be used for almost all kinds of applications and can be availed in a low price range, this 3D printer is specially designed for you.

Check out the Creality Ender 3 V2 3D printer on Amazon right now.

5. Anycubic Mega S

The Anycubic is a well-known 3D printer brand because of its low prices and excellent print quality.

The Anycubic Mega S is one of those 3D printers that can be trusted by users in terms of print quality, consistency, and easy operation.

As this 3D printer offers many new features at a relatively low price, it has dominated many other 3D printers in the market.

The Mega S (Amazon) is the latest version of the Anycubic’s Mega series and it includes some major upgrades that can take your 3D printing experience to a new height because of the printer’s enhanced capabilities.

It can now detect low filament through a mechanical filament sensor and its extruder can print flexible filaments in a much better way.

Many new features of such type have been included in the Anycubic Mega S, making it a great 3D printer to be used in classrooms, schools, colleges, and universities for different applications.

Features of the Anycubic Mega S

• Full-Color Touchscreen
• Large Build Volume
• Power Recovery Feature
• Filament Run-Out Detection
• Increased Filament Compatibility
• Rigid Solid Metal Frame Structure
• High-Quality Resolution
• Ultrabase Print Bed
• Comes Semi-Assembled
• Titan Extruder

Specifications of the Anycubic Mega S

• Build Volume: 210 x 210 x 205mm
• Print Speed: 20-100mm/s
• Max. Extruder Temperature: 260°C
• Max. Print Bed Temperature: 110°C
• Layer Resolution: 0.05 – 0.3mm
• Positioning Accuracy: X/Y 0.0125mm, Z 0.002mm
• Connectivity: Memory Card; Data Cable
• Software Input: STL, OBJ, DAE, AMF
• Net Weight 16.5Kg
• Frame: Aluminum
• Extruder: Single
• Compatible Materials: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, HIPS etc.
• Printer Dimensions: 486 x 492 x 453mm

User Experience of the Anycubic Mega S

While talking about its assembly, one user said that the Anycubic Mega-S 3D printer comes almost pre-assembled.

You are only required to take your 3D printer out of the box, attach the spool holder with the frame and you are ready to start your printing process.

One buyer said in his feedback that this 3D printer’s extruder gives respectable results with flexible filaments, which is a difficult filament to print with in many cases.

The base of the 3D printer is textured glass which has the ability to hold the model effectively until it cools down completely. Once the glass is cooled down, the 3D print can be removed easily using a simple plastic scraper.

One user said in his feedback that Anycubic Mega S is his 4th 3D printer from the Anycubic brand and it is probably the best 3D printer among all previous models.

If you are a person who likes to modify and tweak settings in the 3D printer, you will be disappointed as you don’t have to tweak or modify any settings while printing with this 3D printer.

Pros of the Anycubic Mega S

• It is very quick to assemble which normally takes about a maximum of 20 minutes
• Has the exceptional heated print bed
• Amazing print quality and high resolution at just 50 microns
• Easy to navigate the full-color touch screen
• Comes with a lot of extra accessories
• The new extruder heats up quickly
• Easy manual handling and leveling
• Offers modern features at a very low price

Cons of the Anycubic Mega S

• Rattling noises during the printing cycle
• The potential rocking of the frame may require a spacer for tabletop use.
• Risk of wires detaching from the bed
• Print beds can become warped over time

Final Thoughts

This is a great option if you need a 3D printer that can be used a lot in the classroom. It is specially designed for industrial use and can bring you amazing results. It has the ability to withstand heavy use making it suitable to be used by all students in the classroom.

You can get the Anycubic Mega S 3D printer from Amazon by clicking the link.

6. Dremel Digilab 3D20

The Dremel Digilab 3D20 is one of the most reliable 3D printers offered by Dremel in this industry. It is best suitable for hobbyists and beginners and can be a great choice to be used in classrooms.

With the simple, unique design of the 3D printer and its professional customer support team, this 3D printer will help you print models of any type even if you don’t have any prior experience.

The Dremel Digilab 3D20 (Amazon) comes completely assembled out of the box with a half KG spool of Dremel’s 3D printing filament.

As this 3D printer is fully enclosed and has 3rd party UL approval, it can be considered as one of the safest 3D printers for students and young children of schools and colleges.

Features of the Dremel Digilab 3D20

• Enclosed Build Volume
• Good Print Resolution
• Simple & Easy to Maintain Extruder
• 4-Inch Full-Color LCD Touch Screen
• Great Online Support
• Premium Durable Build
• Established Brand With 85 Years of Reliable Quality
• Simple to Use Interface

Specifications of the Dremel Digilab 3D20

• Build Volume: 230 x 150 x 140mm
• Printing Speed: 120mm/s
• Layer Height/Print Resolution: 0.01mm
• Maximum Extruder Temperature: 230°C
• Maximum Bed Temperature: N/A
• Filament Diameter: 1.75mm
• Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm
• Extruder: Single
• Connectivity: USB A, MicroSD card
• Bed Levelling: Manual
• Build Area: Closed
• Compatible Printing Materials: PLA

User Experience of the Dremel Digilab 3D20

One user said in his review that this device is a great choice to be used in classrooms that require low-volume printing. This 3D printer is good for beginners as it requires a little assembly and is almost ready to be used right out the box.

The Dremel Digilab 3D20 includes an acrylic build plate that requires manual bed leveling which is not that hard but the fact that the build plate is not heated, you may need to use adhesives.

A recommended product to use for better adhesion is Blue Painter’s tape, a staple in the 3D printing community to help 3D prints stick.

A teacher of the elementary school said that he is very happy with this 3D printer as it can be used in classrooms and schools without worrying about young students. Being an enclosed 3D printer, it keeps safety in mind.

This 3D printer could be a great choice as it is fully enclosed and young children can watch the printing process without any chances of sticking their hands in the working space.

It is recommended to make sure that you have enough filament to print your design 3D model because if your filament runs out in the middle of the printing process, the 3D printer will immediately stop printing.

You wouldn’t want to have to start all the way from the beginning!

Pros of the Dremel Digilab 3D20

• Enclosed build space means better filament compatibility
• Premium and durable build
• Easy to use – bed leveling, operation
• Has its own Dremel Slicer software
• Durable and long-lasting 3D printer
• Great community support

Cons of the Dremel Digilab 3D20

• Relatively expensive
• Can be hard to remove prints from the build plate
• Limited software support
• Only supports SD card connection
• Restricted filament options – listed as just PLA

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a 3D printer that can be effectively used in classrooms and schools for young students, this 3D printer could be a great choice.

You can find the Dremel Digilab 3D20 on Amazon for your 3D printing needs.

7. Flashforge Adventurer 3

The Flashforge has come up with some major upgrades and improvements in their previous 3D printers and the Flashforge Adventurer 3 is their latest 3D printer.

This 3D printer has some wonderful features that may not be available in this minimum price range. This is the reason that attracts thousands of users and 3D printer experts, as well as students across the world.

In addition to its state-of-the-art features, powerful specifications, unique design, and easy-to-use operation, the Flashforge Adventurer 3 (Amazon) comes with an easy installation process which saves a lot of your time and effort in the first place.

Features of the Flashforge Adventurer 3

• Compact and Stylish Design
• Upgraded Nozzle for Stable Filament Loading
• TurboFan and Air Guide
• Easy Nozzle Replacement
• Fast Heating
• No Leveling Mechanism
• Removable Heated Bed
• Integrated Wi-Fi Connection
• 2 MB HD Camera
• 45 Decibels, Quite Operating
• Filament Detection
• Auto Filament Feeding
• Work with 3D Cloud

Specifications of the Flashforge Adventurer 3

• Technology: FFF/FDM
• Body Frame Dimensions: 480 x 420 x 510mm
• Display: 2.8 Inch LCD Color Touch Screen
• Extruder Type: Single
• Filament Diameter: 1.75mm
• Nozzle Size: 0.4mm
• Layer Resolution: 0.1-0.4mm
• Maximum Build Volume: 150 x 150 x 150mm
• Maximum Build Plate Temperature: 100°C
• Maximum Printing Speed: 100mm/s
• Bed Leveling: Manual
• Connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet Cable, Cloud Printing
• Supported File Type: STL, OBJ
• Compatible Printing Material: PLA, ABS
• Third-Party Filament Support: Yes
• Weight: 9 KG (19.84 Pounds)

User Experience of the Flashforge Adventurer 3

There are plenty of glowing reviews and positive experiences from people with the Flashforge Adventurer 3, and for good reason. It has 90% of its ratings rated above 4 stars, which is great for a 3D printer.

Being able to get up and running quickly is one of the ideal things you’d want in a 3D printer, especially one for students. You can get this machine printing in under 10 minutes, as many users have also done themselves.

Although this 3D printer is considered on the budget side, the quality and features are comparable to some high-priced machines out there.

In terms of noise, the Adventurer 3 is almost silent. When you hear other 3D printers out there, this is a feature that you can really appreciate since many other 3D printers can get loud.

It has a nice heated bed and is an enclosed 3D printer so it is safe for students and kids in a classroom. You don’t need to do all kinds of tinkering and adjustments to have this 3D printer providing great quality 3D prints.

The 2.8-Inch touchscreen is a great feature that provides you an easy method of operation where you can see the current status while printing.

Don’t worry about running out of filament because it contains a filament sensor that pauses the machine once it senses that filament is no longer coming through. This gives you the opportunity to replace the filament and finish off the rest of your print.

For a classroom or university, this would make a lovely choice for students.

Pros of the Flashforge Adventurer 3

• Easy to use
• Support third party filaments
• Filament runout detection sensor
• Resume printing
• Multiple connectivity options available
• Flexible and removable build plate
• Quite printing
• High resolution and precision

Cons of the Flashforge Adventurer 3

• Large filament rolls may not fit in a filament holder
• Sometimes emits a knocking sound while printing third party filaments
• The instruction manual is a bit messy and difficult to understand
• Wi-Fi connectivity may cause issues in terms of updating software

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a 3D printer that can reach a higher temperature and have a compact design so that it can be safely used in classrooms, schools, colleges, and universities, this 3D printer is best suitable for you.

You can find the Flashforge Adventurer 3 on Amazon today.