How Much Does a 3D Printer Weigh? Heavy or Not?

3D printing has become a popular technology in recent years and has revolutionized how we design and create objects. But one question that often comes up when people consider purchasing a 3D printer is the weight of the machine. 

That’s why I wrote this article, to explore the weight of different types of 3D printers to help you choose the perfect 3D printer for you.

How Much Does a 3D Printer Weigh?

The weight of a 3D printer can vary greatly depending on the type and size of the machine.

Desktop FDM printers, such as the Creality Ender 3 or the Prusa i3 MK3, are the most popular type of 3D printer and are typically lightweight, weighing between 4-12KG (8-26lbs). 

Some popular desktop FDM printers and their weights include:

• Ender 3: 6.6KG (14.6lbs)
• Prusa i3 MK3S: 9KG (20lbs)
• Creality CR-10: 14KG (31lbs)
• Anycubic Mega-S: 10KG (22lbs)

These printers are designed for home use and are small enough to fit on a desktop or worktable. Their lightweight design makes them portable and easy to move around, making them a great option for hobbyists and home users.

One example is the Ender 3, which is a popular budget-friendly 3D printer that weighs approximately 6.6KG (14.6lbs). 

The heaviest component of the Ender 3 is the metal frame, which makes up the majority of its weight. The rest of the printer’s components, such as the control board, power supply, and stepper motors, also contribute to the overall weight.

It also includes a filament spool holder, which can add an extra 0.5KG (1.1lbs) to the total weight, depending on the size of the spool. 

The weight of the bed surface is another factor that can affect the overall weight of a 3D printer. Glass bed surfaces are the heaviest, followed by aluminum and other metal bed surfaces, while BuildTak and other polymeric bed surfaces are the lightest.

Having a heavier bed surface can mean more vibrations during printing, which reduces surface quality. Users recommend trying to go as light as possible with the bed as a lighter bed will reduce ghosting or ringing on the finished objects. 

Ghosting and ringing are the terms used for visible distortions in the surface of the printed object. Resin-based 3D printers, on the other hand, are typically smaller and lighter than FDM printers. 

Some popular resin-based 3D printers and their weights include:

• Anycubic Photon: 2.5KG (5.5lbs)
• Elegoo Mars Pro: 2.5KG (5.5lbs)
• Formlabs Form 3: 4.9KG (10.8lbs)
• Creality Halot-One Plus: 6.8KG (15lbs)

Besides Desktop FDM printers and resin-based printers, there are the large format printers also known as industrial-sized. These are typically much heavier than desktop printers, with weights ranging from 50KG (110lbs) to over 1,000KG (2,200lbs). 

These large format printers are designed for commercial use and often have advanced features, such as multiple extruder heads, larger build volumes, and high-precision components.

Check out the video below to see an industrial-sized printer in action.

When choosing a 3D printer, it is essential to consider its weight, features, and build quality to make sure it fits comfortably in your workspace and meets your requirements.

How Much Does 3D Printer Filament Weigh?

3D printer filament is the material used to create 3D objects and is available in a variety of materials, including ABS, PLA, PETG, and more. 

The weight of a spool of filament can vary depending on the material, diameter, and length, but a typical spool of 1KG (2.2lbs) filament will weigh approximately 1KG (2.2lbs).

These are the most common sizes for filament spools you can find today:

• 1KG (2.2lbs) – most popular
• 3KG (6.6lbs)
• 5KG (11lbs)

Another important factor to consider is the difference between gross weight and net weight.

Gross weight refers to the total weight of the spool of filament, including the spool and packaging, while net weight is the actual weight of just the filament on the spool.

For example, a spool of filament with a gross weight of 1KG may have a net weight of 1.35KG due to the weight of the spool and packaging. 

One user recommends weighing your spool before starting to use it and after it is done so you can check exactly how much filament the spool had and how much that spool weighs.

Another user stated that an empty 1KG spool weighs around 140g while other 3D printing hobbyists stated that Hatchbox spools are about 240g. 

Users suggest weighing the spool before printing and subtracting the filament weight from the total weight that you got. So if you bought a spool of filament of 1KG and its weight was 1.35KG, that means the spool of filament alone weighs around 350g.

With that information, you’ll be able to easily calculate how much filament you have left by weighing it and subtracting the spool’s weight.

Check out the video below for more information on filament spools and their weight.

The type of material used for the filament also affects its weight. For example, PLA is a more dense material than ABS, so a 1KG spool of PLA filament will weigh more than a 1KG spool of ABS filament.

It’s important to be aware that different types of PLA and ABS filaments may have different densities, further impacting the weight of the filament.

You should also be aware that the weight of the filament can be affected by factors such as humidity and temperature, which can cause the filament to expand or contract slightly.

By understanding the weight of 3D printer filament, you can make more informed decisions about the type of filament to use for your 3D printing projects and better plan for storage and handling of the filament spools.