Want to give 3D printing a try without spending a ton of money? These seven cheap 3D printers under $500 will allow you to get your feet wet in 3D printing without costing you a small fortune.
If you’re new to 3D printing, the first thing you might notice is how expensive some of the more popular 3D printers are. High-end, well-built, and reliable consumer 3D printers definitely come at a premium. However, if you just want to test the technology out, there are a lot of options out there that won’t cost you thousands of dollars. In this guide, we’ll go over the best 3D printers under $500.
This guide is broken down into two sections. First, we’ve chosen four of the best 3D printers for under $500. And, in the second section, we’ve gone even cheaper. We’ve picked three of the best 3D printers under $300.
A lot of the options listed below will come in a kit form, which means you will have to assemble them before you use them. However, if you’re a beginner, going with a DIY 3D printer kit to start isn’t a bad idea as the assembly process will help you get familiarized with the machine. And, that will help you if you need to troubleshoot anything down the road, and it will also be a good learning lesson on how the technology works, too.
Table of Contents
1. Our Picks for the Best Cheap 3D Printers
2. The 4 Best 3D Printers Under $500
Our Picks for the Best Cheap 3D Printers Under $500
The table below gives you our picks for the best 3D printer options under $500. We’ve made our pick for the best 3D printer under $500 overall, the option that is easiest to use, the best cheap 3D printer kit, and the best entry-level option, too.
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NAME | SPECS | RATING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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TOP PICK
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HICTOP Creality CR-10 |
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/10 | |
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SIMPLE
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Flashforge Finder |
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/10 | |
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ENTRY
|
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Monoprice Maker Select |
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/10 | |
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CHEAP KIT
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Comgrow Creality Ender |
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/10 |
*For more information on the 3D printers listed above, just click the “Read Review »” link to skip below to read our overview on that machine. You can also keep scrolling to see more options.
Best 3D Printers Under $500
If you’re looking for a 3D printer for under $500, you actually have a few different options to choose between. If you’re looking for a 3D printer that has a large print volume, or you want to go with a DIY kit, the HICTOP Creality CR-10 is your best bet.
If you want an option that is really easy to use and quick to setup, then the FlashForge Finder is your best bet If you want a sold all-around cheap 3D printer, the Monoprice Maker Select V2 offers good value.
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HICTOP Creality CR-10 |
|
/10 |
|
Recommendation
The HICTOP Creality Cr-10 has one major selling point that the other cheap 3D printers on this list do not have: an enormous build volume. And, when I say enormous, I mean that the CR-10 has a maximum print volume that is on par (and even exceed) even the most expensive consumer 3D printers on the market. Its one downside is that it doesn’t have a print bed that can get hot enough to print in ABS. Overall, though, the huge print volume makes it an option worth considering in this price range.
TECH SPECS
| VOLUME | 12″x12″x16″ |
| RESOLUTION | 100 microns |
| FIL. SIZE | 1.75mm |
| MATERIALS | PLA |
| PORTS | USB/SD Card |
| PLATFORM | Heated (only 50-70°) |
| WEIGHT | ~23 lbs. |
HICTOP Creality CR-10 Overview
The HICTOP Creality CR-10 is the perfect entry-level 3D printer for a few different reasons. First off, it comes in at just under $500. So, it is an affordable option.
Secondly, the CR-10 comes in a DIY kit that you have to assemble before you can use it. I’ve said it in this post multiple times, if you are a beginner to 3D printing, one of the best ways to familiarize yourself with the technology as well as with your machine is to go with 3D printer kit for your first machine.
And, the final feature that is appealing with the HICTOP Creality CR-10 is the fact that it has an enormous 12″ x 12″ x 16″ build platform. To put that in perspective, the only other consumer-level 3D printer on the market that has a bigger build platform is the Raise3D N2 Plus. And, the N2 Plus costs over $3,000.
Of course, the CR-10 can’t match the N2 Plus (or any of the other high-end options’) reliability and print accuracy. But, the fact that you get a huge print volume to play around with is a nice added bonus for such an affordably-priced 3D printer.
The downside of the HICTOP Creality CR-10, though, is that its heated bed can’t get hot enough to print in ABS. So, with the CR-10, you’ll be limited to only printing in PLA filament. Of course, there are likely some mods you can make to the printer in order to allow it to print in ABS. But, out-of-the-box, the CR-10 cannot print in ABS.
Overall, the HICTOP Creality CR-10 is a solid budget-friendly option for anyone who wants to try out 3D printing.
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Flashforge Finder |
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/10 |
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Recommendation
The FlashForge Finder is the perfect option for anyone who wants a fairly hassle-free entry-level 3D printer. The Finder is incredibly easy-to-use and can be up and running fairly quickly (no assembly required). The downsides, though, are that it has a fairly small print volume and it cannot print in ABS filament. So, whether or not the Finder is for you will come down to whether you want a machine that is easy to use, or a machine that can achieve a higher variety of prints.
TECH SPECS
| VOLUME | 6″x6″x6″ |
| RESOLUTION | 100 microns |
| FIL. SIZE | 1.75mm |
| MATERIALS | PLA |
| PORTS | USB/SD Card |
| PLATFORM | No Heated Bed |
| WEIGHT | ~35 lbs. |
Flashforge Finder Overview
If you’re looking for the easiest-to-use 3D printer on this list, then the FlashForge Finder is likely your best bet. It is also probably the quickest to get set up and start printing on.
So, if you’re not looking to assemble a kit, the Finder would be a good pre-assembled option to go with.
The Finder is not without its downsides, though. For starters, it has a small print volume in comparison to the other options on this list.
And, since it doesn’t have a heated print bed, it will only be able to print in PLA.
However, if you’re a teacher or a parent and you’re looking for a hassle-free and budget-friendly option that you can use to demonstrate to your students/children how 3D printing works, the Finder will work for you.
Aside from its print volume, the Finder uses 1.75mm filament and can hit print resolutions of up to 100 microns. You can also send your printable files to it via USB, or an SD card.
Overall, the Finder probably isn’t the best all-around option on this list, but it’s ease-of-use and plug-n-play nature will make it a worthy option for many first-time buyers.
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Monoprice Maker Select V2 |
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/10 |
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Recommendation
If you’re looking for the best value 3D printer in the sub-$500 category, it is likely the Monoprice Maker Select V2. It does not come in a kit form, though, so if you want to put together your own printer, you’ll want to consider one of the other options on this list. However, it has a nice-sized build volume, it is pretty easy to get up and running, it can print in ABS filament, and it is much cheaper than the other options in the $300-$500 price range.
TECH SPECS
| VOLUME | 8″x8″x7″ |
| RESOLUTION | 100 microns |
| FIL. SIZE | 1.75mm |
| MATERIALS | PLA/ABS |
| PORTS | microSD |
| PLATFORM | Heated Bed |
| WEIGHT | ~27 lbs. |
Monoprice Maker Select V2 Overview
In the $300-$500 price range, the Monoprice Maker Select V2 offers the best of all worlds. For starters, the Maker Select V2 is barely over $300 and so it comes in at quite a bit of a lower cost than the other three options list above.
And, it has a moderately-sized build volume of 8″ x 8″ x 7″, which is larger than both the FlashForge Finder and the QIDI TECH X-One.
The Maker Select V2 also comes with a heated print bed and the ability to print in ABS filament.
The Select V2 does not come in kit form and so if you’re looking to assemble your first 3D printer, you’ll want to consider another option. However, if you’re looking for an option that is a bit easier to set up and get running, then the Maker Select V2 is right up your alley.
Finally, the Monoprice Maker Select V2 can also hit print resolutions of up to 100 microns and uses 1.75mm filament.
Overall, the Maker Select V2 doesn’t have the biggest print volume of the options on this list and it isn’t as easy-to-use as the Finder and the X-One. However, it offers a moderate print volume, is fairly easy-to-use and set up, and it comes in at a much lower price than the other options listed above.
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QIDI TECH X-One |
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/10 |
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Recommendation
The QIDI TECH X-One is another smaller 3D printer that is easy to use and can be set up fairly quickly. Like the Finder, the X-One has a small 6″ x 6″ x 6″ build volume. But, unlike the Finder, the X-One does come with a heated print bed and ability to use ABS filament. Overall, the X-One is a slightly less polished version of the Finder in terms of ease-of-use and reliability, but the ability to print in ABS helps make it a worthy competitor to the Finder.
TECH SPECS
| VOLUME | 6″x6″x6″ |
| RESOLUTION | 100 microns |
| FIL. SIZE | 1.75mm |
| MATERIALS | PLA/ABS |
| PORTS | SD Card |
| PLATFORM | Heated Bed |
| WEIGHT | ~42 lbs. |
QIDI TECH X-One Overview
An alternative to the FlashForge Finder is the QIDI TECH X-One. The X-One is the smaller brother of our pick for the best value 3D printer currently available: the QIDI TECH I.
The X-One is another worthy option in the sub-$500 range. Like the Finder, it does have a small build volume (6″ x 6″ x 6″) when compared to the other options on this list. And, also like the Finder, the X-One is fairly easy-to-use and set up.
Although, in terms of ease-of-use and the time it takes to get up and running, the Finder has the edge there.
Where the X-One edges out the Finder, though, is the fact that it comes with a heated print bed and, thus, the ability to print in ABS as well as PLA filament.
So, if you like the hassle-free nature of the Finder, but you want to be able to print in ABS, then the X-One is probably the choice for you.
The X-One uses 1.75mm filament and can hit print resolutions up to 100 microns. You can only send your printable files to the X-One by way of an SD card, though.
In the end, the X-One and the Finder will compete for users who are looking for a 3D printer that comes pre-assembled and is easy to use. And, you probably can’t go wrong either way you choose.
Best 3D Printers Under $300
If you really want a budget-friendly option, the three 3D printers below all come in at under $300. They also all come in kit form. So, if you are looking to go the DIY route and you don’t want to save a ton of money, these options will work for you.
Of the kits below, the Anet A6 might be the best option if you’re looking for the biggest build volume for the lowest price. And, ultimately, all of the options below will offer you a similar experience.
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Comgrow Creality Ender 3 |
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/10 |
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Recommendation
The Comgrow Creality Ender 3 is another extremely affordable option you might want to consider. It comes in a DIY kit form, so if you are looking for the experience of assembling your own 3D printer, this one will give you just that. The Ender 3 also has a large 9″ x 9″ x 10″ build platform and can print in ABS filament as well (it has a heated print bed.) Although, for about ~$10 less you can pretty much identical specs from the Anet A6 Prusa i3 kit (listed below).
TECH SPECS
| VOLUME | 9″x9″x10″ |
| RESOLUTION | 100 microns |
| FIL. SIZE | 1.75mm |
| MATERIALS | PLA/ABS |
| PORTS | SD Card |
| PLATFORM | Heated Bed |
| WEIGHT | ~20 lbs. |
Comgrow Creality Ender 3 Overview
The Comgrow Creality Ender 3 offers a massive build volume for the price you pay for it. For under $250 the Ender 3 offers a 9″ x 9″ x 10″ build platform. That is on par with (or even higher than) some 3D printers that cost over $1,000.
So, if you’re looking for a cheap 3D printer kit and you want to have the ability to print large objects, the Comgrow Creality Ender 3 has you covered there.
Along with is large print volume, the Ender 3 also comes with a heated print bed and can print in ABS filament. It can hit resolutions as high as 100 microns as well. The printer can only be connected to via an SD card, though.
Ultimately, the Comgrow Creality Ender 3 is a nice alternative to the more expensive HICTOP Creality CR-10. It doesn’t quite have as big of a build volume as the HICTOP option, but it does come with a heated bed.
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Anet A6 |
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/10 |
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Recommendation
If you’re looking for a cheap 3D printer that will allow you to get some nice hands-on experience with 3D printing, then the Anet A6 might be your best option. At just under $230, the A6 is the cheapest option on this list. It also has one of the biggest build volumes (9″ x 9″ x 10″) and comes with a heated print bed as well.
TECH SPECS
| VOLUME | 9″x9″x10″ |
| RESOLUTION | 100 microns |
| FIL. SIZE | 1.75mm |
| MATERIALS | PLA/ABS |
| PORTS | SD Card |
| PLATFORM | Heated Bed |
| WEIGHT | ~18 lbs. |
Anet A6 Overview
Last but not least, we have the Anet A6 Prusa i3 kit. For just under $230, the Anet A6 is the cheapest 3D printer on this list. But, that doesn’t mean that it lacks in features.
In fact, the Anet A6 has the 2nd largest build volume among the 3D printers listed above (smaller than the Creality CR-10, and tied with the Creality Ender 3).
It also can print in ABS filament (it comes with a heated print bed), can hit print resolutions up to 100 microns, and uses 1.75mm filament. It doesn’t have a variety of connection options, though, as it can only be connected to via SD card.
Still, though, all of those features for just a little over $200 is a steal. Now, it’s not going to be the most polished 3D printer in terms of ease-of-use and consistent print quality. However, since it comes in a kit form, and because it will take some tinkering to get churning out quality prints on a consistent basis, it is the perfect option for beginners who really want to get a hands-on experience with the technology.
Overall, if you are working with a tight budget and you want a DIY kit so that you can have the experience of putting together your own 3D printer, then the Anet A6 is a nice budget-friendly option that you’ll want to consider
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REPRAPGURU Prusa I3 V2 |
|
/10 |
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Recommendation
The REPRAPGURU Prusa i3 V2 kit is a solid all-around budget 3D printer. At just under $300 it offers a solid print volume and the ability to print with ABS filament (it has a heated print bed). The company is also U.S.-based, so if you need support on the printer you’ll likely have a better experience with this option than with one that is made overseas. Still, though, for less money you can land either of the two printers below, both of which have the same specs plus bigger build volumes.
TECH SPECS
| VOLUME | 8″x8″x7″ |
| RESOLUTION | 100 microns |
| FIL. SIZE | 1.75mm |
| MATERIALS | PLA/ABS |
| PORTS | USB/SD Card |
| PLATFORM | Heated Bed |
| WEIGHT | ~12 lbs. |
REPRAPGURU Prusa I3 V2 Overview
I’d probably rate the REPRAPGURU Prusa i3 kit higher if it weren’t for the fact that the two options below do pretty much everything this kit does, but just for less money.
Still, though, this Prusa i3 kit has a decent-sized build volume (8″ x 8″ x 7″) for the price you pay. It also comes with a heated print bed, so it can print in ABS filament as well as PLA filament.
The kit can also hit resolutions as high as 100 microns, uses 1.75mm filament, and can be connected to via USB and SD card.
It’s really a solid offering overall and for just under $300 it is a great entry-level kit.
But, again, for even less you can land the Comgrow Creality Ender 3 or Anet A6 for less—and both of those options have a bigger build volume.
REPRAPGURU is a bit more well-known than both Anet and Comgrow, though, and they also offer U.S.-based customer support. So, if you’re looking for an option that offers some better protection, this kit would be worth considering.
More 3D Printer Options
Not everyone needs a thousand dollar 3D printer. If you’re new to the technology and you just want a cheap option that you can use to learn more about how 3D printers work, then the options listed above will serve as a good starting point.
In fact, even if you do have a larger budget, my advice would still be to start out with one of the cheaper kits listed above. And, then when you have mastered using that machine, and if you have the need for a higher-end machine, then upgrade to one of the better 3D printers available. By going with an affordable 3D printer to start, you can ensure that you like the technology enough to where you can justify spending more on a high-end printer.
For more 3D printer options at higher price ranges, check out our full guide on the Best 3D Printers for 2019.
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