If you’re in a hurry and just want to know what the best 3D printer of 2020 is then we recommend the FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro as the best one.
We are now in an era where 3D Printing technology is no longer only used by scientists and engineers. Now, you have the ability to create anything you can imagine. As the market grows, this fascinating technology improves year after year. With that, prices continue to drop. 3D printing has been around for over 30 years. Yet, it is still new for beginners, hobbyists, designers and more. Now, more than ever people are investing in owning their own 3D printers. When it comes to 3D printer reviews, this one is a must read.
In this guide, we will cover the best 3D Printers of 2020.
Making a sound informed decision is at the top of everyone’s list when looking to buy a 3D printer. There are several things to consider. That’s where we come in. We’ve researched the best 3D printers on the market. We’ve broken them down into sections and highlighted their most notable features. Finally, we will show you where to find the best 3D printer in one click.
Things to Consider
This buying guide aims to explain what to look out for when choosing a machine. This will help to ensure that you find a printer that will fulfill your needs. Not leave you with the ever too familiar buyer’s remorse. Before moving on to checking out the machines below, let’s cover a few important things first. We want to highlight some things that are important to consider for the long term.
Without a doubt, some of the information below will be a bit on the dry side. But it WILL save you hundreds of dollars and ensure that you feel great about your decision.
Materials
When it comes down to material to use there are a ton of options. So what type of materials should you print with? Well, it depends. It depends on what you are printing and what the goal of your print is. It’s important to note that not all 3D printers can use all kinds of materials.
The most popular materials are ABS, PVA and PLA. Let’s review what these materials are:
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) – is a common low cost thermoplastic. This material is often used in electronic housing, automotive bumper parts and LEGO bricks. It’s a great material for musical instruments, toys and even kitchen appliances. All in all, it’s great for producing tough and durable parts that can stand up to high temperatures.
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is best known for its ability to dissolve in water. It is a go-to material as a support material for complex printing. It is also a biodegradable polymer that works well when printing complex shapes. It’s a great option for model material or for quick prototypes.
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is the most commonly used material for the majority of users. It is easy to use, cost effective and can create parts for a wide range of uses. Not only is it biodegradable it even gives off a sweet smell during printing if you’re into that sort of thing.
Printing Speed
Keep in mind that not all 3D printers are equal and the speed in which they can “create” may vary. This is also another important consideration when deciding on a machine. Upon first glance, you may think that faster is better but that isn’t the case. Even with the recent advances in 3D technology things are still a bit slow going. The faster your printer prints, the lower the quality of the end product. It really boils down to what you are printing. Even the best 3D printer on the market isn’t all about speed.
Once you have a solid idea of what it is you’ll be printing you can determine the best print speeds for your project. Slower printing is usually always the way to go. This is especially true for larger high quality results.
There is a bit of good news. Some printers allow you to add an extruder which speeds up the process. Furthermore, this allows you to use other materials at the same time if you choose. Buying a dual extruder model is the way to go if you like these benefits.
Patience is the key with 3D printing and you’ll get plenty of practice with it as you produce more and more objects. How long will it take to 3D print your project? Well, it depends on the size and complexity of the project itself. Resolution and layer height are other factors that impact time.
Build Area
To keep it simple, the build area of a 3D printer determines the greatest size of an object you can produce. 3D printers come in an array of shapes and sizes. Some 3D printers may have a wider or taller build area than others on the market.
Here, it’s important to take note of what you plan on creating using your 3D printer. The larger the build area the better. The size of the build area is unfortunately often associated with the price tag. So, the bigger the build area the pricier the printer. Try to find a balance between size and cost for your needs.
The Best 3D Printers of 2020
Comgrow Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer
Let’s face it, 3D printers aren’t cheap. Comgrow Creality Ender 3 Pro comes with an attractive price tag compared to others on the market. Perfect for buyers on a budget.
This 3D printer is also affordable which is attractive to those who are getting started with 3D printing. With its compact design and decent build volume, this machine is easy to assemble. Which means you’ll be printing before you know it.
The Ender 3 offers several features that you will be hard-pressed to find on more expensive 3D printers. Some of these features include:
- A magnetic bed
- Power recovery mode
- A tight filament pathway
- Good build volume of 220 x 220 x 250mm.
No 3D printer on the market is perfect and with anything, there are usually at least a couple drawbacks. Drawbacks on this printer include:
- Challenges leveling the print bed
- The magnetic bed is a little flimsy and requires attention to detail when adjusting
Even with these minor drawbacks, this machine is a great fit. Beginners and hobbyists alike will love it. Not to mention those looking for great results without breaking the piggy bank.
FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro
Next up is the FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro. This machine definitely takes things up a notch when it comes down to quality and features. It comes with a sturdy metal frame and includes a warp-resistant aluminum build platform. This platform can stand up to some serious heat. The build volume for this machine is 227 X 148 X 150mm which isn’t bad.
There are a ton of pros for this printer. It is a great option for designers and hobbyists as it features dual extruders with a 0.4mm diameter. The FlashForge Creator Pro uses an array of filaments. These filaments include PLA, ABS, wood filled and metal filled.
One added benefit of this machine is its clear acrylic covers. The covers help to create the perfect environment for ABS printing. They reduce poor results due to temperature fluctuations within the printer.
One con of the FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro is that its enclosure panels are a little fragile. FlashForge owners praise it’s customer service so you’re in good hands should this happen.
All in all, anyone looking for an all-around, solid 3D printer should consider this machine.
Dremel Digilab 3D20 3D Printer
The Dremel Digilab 3D20 3D Printer is a printer designed for high-quality printing right out of the box. This means that it will be ideal for individuals who are brand new to 3D printing, tinkerers or hobbyist. This machine comes pre-assembled with a 0.5kg spool of filament to get started.
Compared to many other printers this one is a bit lighter and smaller as well. It weighs in at under 15.5 pounds with a build area of 255 X 155 X 170mm.
This printer also comes with some interesting features which include:
- A color LCD touchscreen for adjusting settings and selecting designs via SD card or cable.
- A fully-enclosed system that keeps internal temperatures even. This prevents deformities in your final results while printing.
- 1 year limited warranty which is especially great for beginners
There are a few cons to take note of when considering this printer. The first is that you cannot upgrade the system besides any software updates. Generally, this is not a big deal for a hobbyist. This may be a negative to those looking to push the envelope. The second con is that this 3D printer only made to use Dremel Brand PLA filament. This filament comes in spools that are about one quarter of a regular spool. There are other options, but you must be cautious.
The Dremel Digilab 3D20 3D printer is one of the best options out there for beginners and hobbyists. Or anyone wanting to jump right into the action. Those looking to upgrade their machine as soon as possible may not be happy with this option long term. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong.
QIDI Tech X-Max
Looking for a 3D printer with a much larger build size area? The QIDI Tech X-Max boasts a large build area of 300 x 250 x 300mm. Users can create large high-quality prints. With their choice of PLA, ABS, TPU, PC, PETG, Carbon fiber, Nylon, and others.
This machine has several notable features which include:
- A double Z-axis for increased stability for large size prints
- A newly developed extruder that has two sets of extruders with different capabilities
- Extruder A: designed for general printing and materials such as PLA, ABS, and TPU
- Extruder B: designed for using more advanced materials like PC, carbon fiber and nylon
- 5-inch touchscreen with an easy to use interface
Besides these great features, it’s important to note that the Qidi Tech X-max is much larger than most 3D printers designed for home use. This printer is about 62 pounds. So be sure to take this into consideration when it comes to having the proper amount of space available.
The QIDI Tech X-Max produces high quality, next-level items and can make use of an exhausting number of filaments. This printer has amazing quality, material flexibility, and a high capacity build area. If these are things you’re looking for the Qidi Tech x-max is a wonderful choice.
BIBO 3D Printer with Dual Extruder and Laser Engraving
This next printer is jam-packed with awesome features you don’t usually find all in one place. The BIBO 3D Printer (also known as the BIBO 2) is a fantastic printer that comes with dual extruders as standard.
With this model, users are able to use two materials during prints using the dual extruders. A nice feature, not every printer on the market has. Users will also enjoy a solid build area size of 214 x 186 x 160 mm. The BIBO 3D printer has the ability to use ABS, PLA, Dissolvable filament and TPU.
Other features include:
- Full-color touch screen for simple navigation
- Laser engraving
- Sophisticated filament detection system which pauses the system whenever filament runs out
- G-code programming for printing multicolored projects
This printer is ideal for the intermediate and advanced printers out there. A patient beginner will do well with this model as well. But with the expectation that there will definitely be a learning curve.
If you’re in the market for a flexible, easy to use, 3D printer that produces high quality prints. Then consider the BIBO 3D Printer as a great option.
Conclusion
Let’s face it. There are a ton of different options on the market when it comes to 3D printers. But when it comes down to it, there is only one 3D printer on this list we recommend for most users. This printer delivers high quality results, won’t break the piggy bank, and allows for filament flexibility.
Our pick is the FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro. It sports a decent-sized build area and falls more into a mid-range budget. This is great for both the beginner and intermediate user. Compared to other 3D printers on the market it provides excellent quality for the price. Not to mention, it comes with dual extruders.
Last update on 2024-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
