7 Best 3D Printers Under $200 – Great for Beginners & Hobbyists
ByMichael DwamenaReading Time: 17 minutes
In recent years, 3D printers have become much more affordable. These lower prices make them accessible to more people, making it easy to get your hands on a 3D printer, though there is a wide variety of models available.
I decided to help you guys out by comparing some of the most popular cheaper 3D printers out there, so you don’t have to search all over to find the best budget 3D printer.
They are mostly very beginner-friendly and gives you the ability to expand your creativity or just have another cool hobby to entertain you. Most of these are a perfect addition for creating 3D printed gifts, or even being a meaningful gift to someone else.
I still remember getting my first 3D printer, and the feeling that you can create your very own object from scratch is great!
These printers do tend to be smaller, which is to be expected, but they are definitely durable and won’t take up much space, an upside in many cases! Let’s get right into the 7 best 3D printers on the market right now!
The Labists Mini is a great 3D printer to kick off this list, because it has such a unique look and delivers great quality, regardless of its small size. Labists has the tagline ‘Innovation seize the future’ which is a testament to the beauty of 3D printing.
This modern, portable and innovative machine is a great purchase under that $200 mark.
Below are the features, specs and other key information to help you understand why this 3D printer is a good choice.
Simple Design
Out of the many features of Labists Mini Desktop 3D printer, one of my favorites is the simplistic design. It is elegant, portable and perfect for kids to use.
Its unique build will blend perfectly with your computer table. It is easy to assemble, use and disassemble.
Due to its small size, you can easily carry it from one place to another. Also, the build volume of 100 x 100 x 100mm is a feature worth noticing. Its unique build should blend perfectly with your computer table. It is easy to assemble, use and disassemble for cleaning and maintenance.
Quiet Operation
This mini desktop printer will work great for people who get easily irritated by loud noise during work or have other people who may get bothered by it. The noise levels are pretty low, as low as 60 dB.
Many cheaper printers tend to be fairly loud, so Labists have made sure to focus in on this factor and solve the problem.
Ready-To-Print Setup
The Labists Mini printer is very easy to use. As it comes with a ready to use setup, so many things become more simplified if you are trying your hands on a 3D printer for the first time.
Also, the DIY kit that comes within is perfect to begin your creativity with.
Specifications of the LABISTS Mini
Build Volume: 100 x 100 x 100mm
Product Dimensions: 12 x 10.3 x 6 inches
Printer Weight: 4.35 pounds
Layer Height: 0.05 mm
Temperature Buildup: 180° C in 3 minutes
Nozzle Height: 0.4 mm
Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm
Voltage: 110V-240V
Supporting Material: PLA
Pros of the LABISTS Mini
Compact & portable
Easy to use
Great value for money
Simple slicing
Low-power consumption
Quick heating
Great value
Cons of the LABISTS Mini
Plastic body
Replacement parts are hard to find
Slicer isn’t the greatest so you should use Cura
Features of the LABISTS Mini
Removable magnetic plate
Professional aluminum nozzle
High quality power supply below 30W
Self-developed slicing software
Value for money
Final Verdict
For such a feature rich 3D printer, a price tag well below the $200 is an easy choice to make. The plastic body may not seem durable to a lot of people, but it can definitely stand up to normal use for years to come.
The Labists Mini has great printing speed and good heat buildup, so I’d recommend getting yourself one from Amazon today!
It’s hard to have a 3D printer list without having a Creality 3D printer in there. The Creality Ender 3 is a staple machine which is loved, not only because of its competitive price, but also because of the amazing quality output right out the box.
This was my first 3D printer and it is still going strong, so for a 3D printer under $200, you can’t go wrong with the Ender 3. Although it is a little over $200 on Amazon, you can usually get it cheaper from the official Creality Store.
It does depend on stock and delivery may take longer than if you got it from Amazon.
Below is a video of the assembly process that you can follow along with when building up your Ender 3.
Ease of Use
The Creality Ender 3 is very easy to use after assembly, but the assembly can take some time. I assembled mine in around 2 hours, which was a pretty cool project to do. It teaches you about how the parts work together and connect to create 3D parts.
It has a fairly dated LCD screen with a dial to navigate through your printer’s options. Once you level your bed, you shouldn’t have to re-level it too often, especially if you install some upgraded stiff springs.
Thanks to the extrusion technology of the Creality Ender 3 3D that it has a smooth pathway for the filament to travel to and extrude. There is no plugging or short circuit risk.
Resume Printing Function
Many of us have faced power failures at homes and offices. The worst it does is that you are losing quite a lot of your important stuff and you just can’t continue from where you left. You have to restart and enter all the commands from scratch.
This is hectic but the Creality Ender 3 is here to share your load. After power failures or lapses, the printer resumes from where it stopped.
I’ve been saved at least a couple times because of this function!
Specifications of the Ender 3
Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250mm
Bed Temperature: 110° C in 5 minutes
Max. Printing Speed: 180 mm/sec
Layer Resolution: 100 to 400 microns
Printer Weight: 17.64 pounds
Filament Compatibility: 1.75 mm
Pros of the Ender 3
One of the most 3D printers ever
Large community of helpful users – more mods, hacks, tricks etc.
Smooth & high quality printing
Relatively large build volume
Great value for money
Solid starter printer for beginners (was my first)
Quick heat up
Comes with spares just incase
Cons of the Ender 3
Assembly can take some time, though there are plenty of helpful tutorials
Can be pretty noisy, but this can be fixed by installing a silent motherboard
Features of the Ender 3
Fully open source
Upgraded extruder
Resume print function
Branded power supply
Final Verdict
Considering that the Ender 3 is one of the most popular, if not the most popular 3D printer on the planet, I would definitely look at making this your purchase for a 3D printer under $200.
Get yourself the trustworthy, and well respect Ender 3 from Creality today. You can also get the Ender 3 from Amazon for faster delivery.
The Monoprice Select Mini V2 printer is a great 3D printer to have at your desk. Several users are happy with its quality.
I do have to mention, the price is around $220, but I had to throw this one in! I guess it can be our premium option.
The Select Mini V2Â printer can come in either the white or black, both being the same price.
Ready to Use Design
Unlike the Ender 3, the Select Mini V2 is fully assembled straight out of the box and already calibrated in line with industrial standards.
The printer also comes with a Micro SDTM card which accounts for this feature. Due to this card, this printer is ready to use, right out of the box, as it has pre-installed models.
Compact Build
The footprint of the base of the Monoprice V2 printer is quite small. The design is tall and less wide. So, you are quite good even in small spaces.
Wide Extruder Temperatures
The wide extruder temperatures of Monoprice V2 make it compatible with various filament types. Along with PLA and PLA+, it is also compatible with ABS.
The maximum extruder temperature is 250°C so you can 3D print with plenty of filament out there.
The Monoprice Select Mini V2 is a great all-round printer that also has WiFi capabilities, a very rare feature in cheaper 3D printers. It has many positive reviews on Amazon, so definitely consider checking it out and getting it for yourself.
Next on, there is an Anet ET4 3D printer. It’s a perfect pick if you are deciding on offering cheap 3D printing service as a small side business. With its amazing features and beautiful design, you can use it for offline printing with ease and expect great quality.
Durable Metal Body
The Anet ET4 has a durable design. It is made of metal. This might increase the weight of the product, but the product performs great in the long run. So, you can say that it’s a rewarding investment, overall.
Fast Operation
The operation of this ET4 printer is smooth, error-free, and easy. It is fast and less noisy. The printing speed of this is a whopping equal to or greater than 150mm per second. This gives this printer big leverage over the majority on the list.
Touch Display
The printer features an LCD screen that is 2.8-inch and is touch-enabled. Other than that, there is a lot of room for customization in this printer. You can set up fan speed, print speed, heated bed, and nozzle temperature with ease.
I recently made the change to a touchscreen, and the 3D printing experience just feels that much easier.
Specifications of the Anet ET4
Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250mm
Machine Size: 440 x 340 x 480mm
Printer Weight: 7.2KG
Max. Printing Speed: 150mm/s
Layer Thickness: 0.1-0.3mm
Max. Extruder Temperature: 250℃
Max. Hotbed Temp: 100℃
Printing Resolution: ±0.1mm
Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm
Pros of the Anet ET4
Well-built frame
Quick assembly
Relatively large build volume
Touch-enabled display
Filament detection
Cons of the Anet ET4
Problematic hot end plug
Features of the Anet ET4
Well-built frame
UL certified MeanWell power supply
2.8-inch LCD touchscreen
Matrix automatic leveling – self-calibrates
Resume printing after accidental shutdown
Metal body
Automatic filament assignment
Final Verdict
Although a perfect option for low budget people yet it has its own high and low points. The features are quite up to the mark, but the hot end plug has slight issues in several models. Despite everything, the Anet ET4 printer is worth trying.
Longing for higher quality 3D prints? The next one on the list is just the right one for you. Whether you are looking for office use or some low-end functionality, the Anycubic Photon Zero is sure to impress you.
Smooth Operation
The resin vat of the Anycubic Photon Zero 3D printer has marks over it. The FEP film allows you to keep an eye on the levels of FEP. So, you can easily replace it.
The operation starts as quickly as within 5 minutes. It’s not only smooth but also fast. So, now you can conveniently say that it’s an all-in-one printer.
Upgraded UV Module
The upgraded UV module is probably the most important and main feature of the Anycubic 3D printer. It ensures uniform light distribution which is a critical factor in 3D printing. So, it is great to have this feature in a low budget printer.
Also, the UV cooling system is one of its kind. It keeps the system cool, hence contributing to its life span, so the durability of this printer can be accredited to the UV cooling system.
Anti-Aliasing Feature
Secondly, the anti-aliasing feature is another plus point. The Anycubic Photon Zero 3D printer supports up to 16x anti-aliasing, so, you get a more accurate and nice 3D print of your desired object.
Specifications of the Anycubic Photon Zero
Build size: 97 x 54 x 150mm
Printer Weight: 10.36 pounds
Build Material: Aluminum
Printing Thickness: 0.01mm
Connectivity: USB memory stick
Print speed: 20mm/h
Rated Power: 30W
Pros of the Anycubic Photon Zero
Stable design
Easy to use
Quick setup
High precision
Extremely thin printing
Includes gloves, mask, and paper files
Cons of the Anycubic Photon Zero
No extra resin included
Small build volume
Look quite cheap
480p low resolution mask LCD
Features of the Anycubic Photon Zero
Upgraded UV module
Linear rail & leadscrew
16x Anti-aliasing
Resin marks in vat
FEP film
Photon workshop slicing software
Final Verdict
The Anycubic Photon Zero is an amazing entry-level 3D printer into the resin printing field. For the very low price you are paying, you are getting amazing quality and operation is pretty easy from out of the box.
I wouldn’t hesistate to add the Anycubic Photon Zero if you are looking to try out SLA 3D printing, and get those higher quality models as compared to FDM.
Sixth on the list is very unique and distinguished in design from all other options. It’s worth considering if you are an out of the box thinker and every item on your desk speaks for this trait of yours.
One-Key Operation
When it comes to ease of use, this device has surpassed many of its opponents. It operates just with a single click. Imagine the wonders of 3D printing, just a click away from you.
Quiet Working
The noise at maximum operation Is somewhere near to 20 dB. So, you need not worry about the printer sound constantly disturbing your work. The metal magnetic platform allows you to be innovative and experiment with new things with your work.
Power Saver
During most of its operation, the power consumed by the printer is very little. One user only used around 0.5kWh over a 25-hour period which is relatively pretty inexpensive.
So, not only do you get classy 3D prints but also savings in electricity bills, despite using such an electric device.
The Easythreed designed printer comes in a very convenient and portable design. It’s a great investment of money and all you get is like the best printer. It is my favorite on the list. So, make sure you give it a try.
You can sometimes get a nice coupon from amazon so check the Easythreed Nano Mini on there today!
Last but not the least, we have the Cube2 Mini Desktop 3D Printer, manufactured by Longer. They are quite known for their small-sized and modern design of its 3D printers.
Just like this one, all 3D printers on the list were added after a lot of research. So, there is no chance of you not liking it.
Modern Design
Just like the last option, the less conventional design of the Cube2 Mini is very unconventional and pleasing to the eyes. It has a very modern and nice touch that enhances the overall image of the desk on which it is placed.
The design features a print platform and a nozzle. It is also attached to the filament track. On the main body, there is a touch-enabled screen where commands are fed.
Off-Power Functioning
Another amazing yet worth noticing feature is this one. When the printer is powered off, it continues the job for some time.
This prevents the device from the hazards of a sudden shutdown during power failures. Such sudden shutdowns are very harmful to a sensitive device, such as a 3D printer.
Accessories
The most important accessory of any 3D printer is the nozzle. A detachable nozzle is more preferable which the nozzle of the Longer 2 Cube mini printer is.
As I have already mentioned, the operation is very user-friendly. Thanks to the high-tech LED 2.8-inch display that is touch operated for added convenience.
The platform is flat for better models.
Specifications of the Longer Cube 2 Mini
Build Volume: 120 x 140 x 105mm
Supporting Filament: PLA
File Format: G-code, OBJ, STL
Print Speed: 90mm/sec
Operational Voltage: 110V/220V
Layer Thickness: 0.1 to 0.4 mm
Connectivity Type: SD card,USB
Item Weight: 3.8 kg
Pros of the Longer Cube 2 Mini
Good dealing with power failures
Highly precise function
Great gift for kids
95% pre-assembled – start printing within 5 minutes
Easy disassembly for cleaning & maintenance
Low fan noise
Supports multiple slicing software
Cons of the Longer Cube 2 Mini
No lights above the printing platform
Features of the Longer Cube 2 Mini
Magnetic self-adehsive platform
Recover print function
One-click to print
2.8-inch HD touchscreen LCD
Includes filament run-out detection
Box design
Light in weight
SD card and USB connectivity
Final Verdict
This 3D printer is very well-loved by many current users because of its affordability and amazing collection of features.
All you have to do is to add some light to the design and you are good to go. This one is a personal favorite. Although with a little flaw, this product will work great for the majority of you.
Buying Guide for Budget 3D Printers
While looking for a printer, you have to keep certain points in your mind. These points may not necessarily apply to all 3D printers out there but apply to a maximum of them.
So, when you decide on buying a 3D printer, instead of wasting time on a bunch of useless market stuff, skim through this guide and I’m sure, you will land on some amazing printer. So, thank me later, and let’s start the video.
Print Quality
Remember, you won’t be getting a very high-end printer quality in a tight budget of $200. However, it’s safe to say that you can have a quality printer with reasonable specs in this range. Don’t think that only a low range printer falls in this category.
So, never make a compromise on the print quality for a few dollars. Low print quality means that the entire investment goes to drain. The lower the layer height, the higher the resolution.
3D printers are a great learning tool for the kids. The kids need the ease of operating it. Such activities should always be supervised. However, as a standard, you should always buy something that kids can easily operate unsupervised.
Preferably, one with a touch-enabled display will be great as today’s kids are touch-oriented.
The best one you can do is get one that is fully-assembled and one-click printing, some of which you can find in the list above. The semi-assembled ones are still really good though.
Print Speed
Also, checking for print speed is highly important. Nobody intends to print as much in a second or minute as the maximum print speed says. Yet, this point greatly affects the overall efficiency of your printer.
There are some relatively slow printers out there, so keep this in mind if you want to maxmize your print output. If you are more relaxed and have a good amount of patience, a slower 3D printer should still do the trick.
3D Printer Material Design
This is also as important as other ones. If you are looking for a lightweight option, a plastic printer is not a bad idea if the body material is hard-core plastic.
Metal ones are also available in the market but when it comes to weight, plastic ones are preferable. This factor isn’t too significant, but it can make a difference depending on your environment and what type of look you are after.
For a professional looking office, you might not want a bright orange 3D printer sitting beside you because it will stick out like a sore thumb.
Filament Compatibility
Carefully check for the variety of filaments allowed along with the printer you are selecting. This may sound trivial but is a crucial factor. Many 3D printers can only 3D print PLA, especially the ones without a heated bed.
Although PLA is a 3D printing plastic which is very versatile and easy to print, you may want to expand your printing capabilities in the future.
Conclusion
3D printing really doesn’t have to break the bank and be some kind of premium experience. You can really get a great quality 3D printer for $200 or less, so wait no longer, get a 3D printer in your home today and really experience the future of production.
Everyone has to start somewhere. I started with my trusty Ender 3 and its still going strong.
The list above should guide you in the right direction to choosing a suitable 3D printer for yourself. I hope the buying guide was also helpful in making you more confident in choosing.
Dremel’s Digilab 3D20 3D printer is one that isn’t talked about enough in the 3D printing community. People usually look at more popular, simpler 3D printers, but this machine definitely shouldn’t be overlooked. When you look at the professionalism and reliability of the Digilab 3D20 (Amazon), you see why it’s such a great 3D printer…
If you are thinking of buying a 3D printer then the Creality CR-10S Pro V2 may be the correct choice for you. Whether you are just a beginner and start learning more about 3D printers and their characteristics or an expert, it’s a great contender. There are many choices and decisions to make when buying…
The Creality CR-10 Smart is a machine created to give users a more intelligent experience and performance that really translates to a modern feel. Creality are no newcomers to creating popular and well-loved machines, which is definitely seen in this 3D printer. There are plenty of features that you’ll be able to enjoy with the…
There is no doubt about the fact that the Creality printers are one of the trending brands in the marketplace. This company is particularly famous for its diversified printers and its budget-friendly costs. This Creality model is a big hit for its several fascinating features. The improved metal frame, dual cooling duct, and power resume…
3D printers are a revolutionary printing machine, and they can help you create from prototype to fully functional product. 3D printers can be used in any possible field you can imagine, so far, it has been used in industrial, architectural, medical, movie, and DIY field. This post will be a review of a specific 3D…
One of the best things about owning a 3D printer is that it opens up a whole world of creative possibilities to you. Models that you thought you couldn’t have or couldn’t even get from the store are now hours away with a 3D printing machine. Miniatures are a fun example of those creative possibilities….
