Best 3D Printer Under $300: Low budget, high quality printing

Picture this: at 8:23 AM you have a new idea. By noon you’ve created a 3D model. And by 5:14 PM (17:14) you’re holding your idea in your hand.

The very first time I did this my mind exploded. I was so excited to buy a 3D printer of my own.

The only problem? Until recently 3d printers were $1000 to $50,000 each and CAD modeling software was another $1k (go get Autodesk’s free version of Fusion360 – it’s like SOLIDWORKS without the $1k price tag).

So what is the best cheap 3d printer? And what is the best 3d printer under 300?

The best 3D printer under $300 on the market right now is the Creality Ender 3 V2. While it is a cheap 3d printer, the Ender 3 V2 is built with quality parts, has a large build area, and very study frame. With a thriving community, you can find posts about it on Reddit, Facebook groups, and forums for when inevitably go wrong.

But if you’d rather spend your time printing (and not fidgeting with your printer) I very strongly recommend the Prusa i3 MK3S+ (review).

3D Printers Under $300 Comparison Table

Best 3D Printer Under $300: 8 picks

1. Creality Ender 3 V2 3D Printer

The Ender 3 V2 was my first 3D printer. And although it’s nowhere close to the Prusa i3 MK3S+ (my main) – it’s one-third the price and much easier to setup.

If you are looking for a really great budget 3D printer you can’t go wrong with the Creality Ender 3 V2. Though similar to its predecessor, the Creality Ender 3 Pro, it now includes a Carborundum Glass plate to print on, a 4.3″ detachable color screen, and XY axis tensioner.

As for assembly, I built it in under an hour while watching TV with a toddler tugging at me the whole time.

Easy. Peasy.

Here’s what we liked most about it:

• Quiet. My Ender 3 v2 is quieter than my Prusa i3 Mk3s+… except while idling (see below)
• Very fast shipping. All Ender 3’s are available through Amazon Prime in the US, you can get one in days VS 4-6 weeks with a Prusa.
• Quality – unbeatable quality for the price
• Expandability (lots of upgrades)
• Community – this is one of the most ignored yet most important things to consider when purchasing a 3D printer. Your printer will break, you will need help, and the best people to help are other makers online.
  
  The Ender 3 series (including the pro and v2) shines with their community (only surpassed by Prusa, because Prusa hosts their own forum).
  
  Creality has sold a lot of printers – over 40,000 for the Ender 3 v2 alone – and that means there are a ton of people and posts online to help you get your Ender 3 v2 calibrated, the speed dialed in, and even able to create the fastest FDM printer in the world (for under $600).

Pros

• Highly affordable and budget 3d printer
• Compact design with excellent print volume for its size
• Quiet when operating
• Very easy to assemble (when compared to similar units in its price range)
• High-quality prints
• Upgradable architecture
• Tight filament path (aids in improving compatibility with diverse filaments)

Cons

• Still no automatic build leveling, leveling can be a real pain
• Without a gluestick I struggle to get prints to adhere to the build plate
• Loud when idling. The motherboard cooling fan keeps running when idling.

Technical Specifications

• Modeling Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
• Max Nozzle Temp: 255℃
• Max Hotbed Temp: 110℃
• Build Volume: 220mm*220mm*250mm or 8.6×8.6×9.8 in inches
• Nozzle diameter: 0.4mm
• Filament: 1.75mm. Best with PLA, ABS, PETG, flexible carbon, wood PLA
• Build surface: Carborundum Glass
• Machine Size: 440*410*465mm or 17.3×16.1×18.3 in inches
• Power Supply: UL certified
• Total Package Weight: 8.6kg (19 lbs.)
• Working Mode: USB cable (not included) online compatible or micro-SD (offline)
• Output: DC 24V 15A 360W

2. Creality Ender 3 Pro

Our former top 3d printer until its big brother bumped it off, the Creality Ender 3 Pro is also a fantastic choice for low-cost 3d printing.

We prefer the V2, but if you’re looking to save a little money the Ender 3 Pro is still in production and is a definite step up from the standard Creality Ender 3.

Although a cheap 3d printer, this model is high-quality. It’s well packaged in a semi-kit form that takes around 40 minutes to assemble and plug in all the different cables to ensure it is fully functional.

The instruction manual is highly detailed and offers instructions in 12 helpful steps to ensure that your machine is up and running in no time. It also includes all tools needed so that you won’t have to look for anything while assembling one of the best budget 3D printers around.

The machine comes equipped with a sturdy 40×40 aluminum extrusion. This extrusion has been designed for the Y-axis and it leads to greater stability. Apart from that, the printer’s large bearings give the machine a certain level of stiffness that aids in reducing friction.

Here, it is pertinent to note that the Ender 3 Pro while being a highly affordable 3D printer cannot be compared to the top-tier professional machines out there. Yes, it is an amazing tool for tinkering and creating miniatures and it will serve an educated beginner pretty well.

However, if you want to buy something to help you earn a living; you might want to go for something a bit higher up the price range.

Learn about the differences between the Ender 3 vs Ender 5 here. You can also check out a comparison between the Ender 3 vs CR 10.

Pros

• Highly affordable and budget 3d printer
• Compact design with excellent print volume for its size
• Very easy to assemble (when compared to similar units in its price range)
• High-quality prints
• Upgradable architecture
• Tight filament path (aids in improving compatibility with diverse filaments)

Cons

• Print bed leveling can turn out to be a very tricky job
• The magnetic bed is not easy to work with for everyone
• Brittle filament issues
• Additional adhesion may be required sometimes

Technical Specifications

• Modeling Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
• Machine Size: 440*410*465mm or 17.3×16.1×18.3 in inches Power Supply: UL certified
• Build Size: 220*220*250mm or 8.6×8.6×9.8 in inches
• Total Package Weight: 8.6kg (19 lbs.)
• Nozzle diameter: 0.4mm
• Filament: 1.75mm ABS/PLA, flexible carbon, wood
• Working Mode: USB cable (not included) online compatible or micro-SD (offline)
• Output: DC 24V 15A 360W
• Max Nozzle Temp: 255℃
• Max Hotbed Temp: 110℃

Read the full review here

3. Monoprice Maker Select Mini V2 3D Printer

There are so many 3D printers out there yet few are both affordable and offer excellent functionality.

The Monoprice Maker Select Mini V2 is one of the best cheap, budget 3D printers around. One that offers excellent bang for the buck.

While this machine does not produce particularly amazing 3D objects, it definitely holds its own in its price range. In fact, if you are in the market for the best budget 3D printer under $300, you would definitely want to give this model a closer look.

In a nutshell, this is a nifty little low-cost, desktop-based 3D printer that offers very good performance for its price range.

This is a no-frills bare-bones machine that is a near-perfect introduction to 3D printing. It is ideal for the home, the office as well as the school classroom. In fact, just about any place that requires high-quality output at a low cost.

Technical Specs

• Printing Technology FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
• Maximum  Extruder Temperature: 482°F (250°C)
• Maximum Platform Temperature: 140°F (60°C)
• Build Area 4.7″ x 4.7″ x 4.7″
• Print Speed:: 55 mm/s
• Filament Types: ABS, Steel Fill PLA, Wood Fill, Bronze Fill Copper Fill,
• Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm
• Supported Software: Cura Software, Repetier-Host
• Firmware: Open Source
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi USB, micro SD card,
• Extruder Type Single Extruder
• Warranty: One year

Pros

• Very affordable
• Sturdy design
• Works with standard filament types
• Reliable results at lower speeds
• Very easy to operate right out of the box

Cons

• It does not have wireless connectivity
• The prints start losing their quality at higher speeds
• Hot end temperature is not always consistent

4. Tevo Tornado 3D Printer

 

If you are in the market for a state of the art yet budget 3d printer that is larger than its competitors, the Tevo Tornado is just the thing for you. It is also a great 3D printer under $300 due to its size.

The Tornado 3D printer is a markedly different printer when compared to the other offerings in the market, in large part due to the build plate which is a AC-powered heated bed as well as TEVO’s very own Titan brand extruder.

Going from unboxing to a completely built-up unit is an unusually effortless exercise. You will just have to boot up the system and you are good to go. This is a refreshing change from other Chinese printers that usually require a lot of setup.

If you want a sturdy workhorse for day to day printing, you can rest assured that the Tornado will work very well for you. Its trademark Titan extruder can easily handle just about everything you throw at it as long as it is according to specs.

You don’t have to worry about stripped filaments or ungainly tangles of TPU. Unlike many other flat-packed printers, the Tornado does not give up the ghost easily.

Technical Specs

• Min. Layer resolution: 50 microns
• Build size: 300 X 300 X 400 mm
• Extruder: Full Metal E3D Titan (Bowden)
• Material type: ABS, PLA, PETG, Flexible Filaments, Wood and PVA
• Printing Color: Single color capability
• Nozzle size: 1.75mm
• Maximum Printing Speed: 150 mm/s
• Maximum extruder temperature: 260°C
• Connection: TF card or USB
• Positioning accuracy: Z 0.004mm, XY 0.012mm
• Heated build plate temperature: 60-110°C
• Power requirements: 220V, 250W, 50Hz, 0.89A
• Device weight: 14kg
• File print format: STL, G-Code
• Compatibility: Windows, Linux, Mac

Pros

• The Titan extruder is ideal for printing with many different varieties of filaments
• The aluminum frame is very durable
• Very easy to assemble
• Quick heat-time
• Affordable price range
• Can print larger items

Cons

• The unit is not equipped with its own spool holder
• There is slight warping on at least some of the surfaces
• The printer takes a very long time to boot

5. Anycubic Kossel Delta 3D Printer

The Anycubic Company is justly renowned known for its Kossel 3D printers. The Anycubic Kossel Delta Printer box is a relatively small offering in its class. When you unbox it you will notice the care that Anycubic has put in to ensure that every part is in its proper place and it is in perfect condition.

There is plenty of foam to secure the contents and make sure that the contents are free from any sort of shipping damage.

The unit is completely unassembled, and like almost all other budget 3D printers, there are plenty of moving parts. If you are a DIY (Do It Yourself) kind of person, you will definitely enjoy putting this machine together. The highly detailed manual also includes plenty of instructions that are very user friendly and also easy to follow even for a complete novice,

The SD card contains a lot of simple text files that can help you get started printing right away.

The Anycubic Kossel Delta comes well equipped with both printer firmware as well as slicer software and you can update everything using the Arduino software and following the relevant links.

While there is always plenty of room for possible improvements, this 3d printer setup is fairly straightforward and only takes a couple of hours at most, even for a neophyte.

The Anycubic Kossel Delta has been constructed with a strong and high tensile aluminum frame. This is why the overall feel is sturdier than many other 3D printers under $300.

Apart from the fact that the unit is singularly well-built, it can also be easily moved during printing. This is a handy feature that is not available in most competitive 3D printers.

The print quality of this model may be considered at par with many other much more expensive printers out there. In fact, it routinely handles lettering, circles, and bridges with some of the best 3D printers around.

Delta printers are rather uncommon in the 3D printing world, but they’re definitely worth it for their speed and height if your 3D printing needs involve making tall objects.

Technical Specifications

• Model: Anycubic Kossel Delta
• Print area: 220mm x 220mm x 240mm
• Build size: 180mm x 300mm pulley version
• Printer dimensions: 315mm x 680mm
• Axis positioning accuracy: 0.001mm XYZ
• Layer resolution: 0.1 – 0.4mm
• Printer frame material: Aluminum
• Printer weight: 5kg
• Material diameter: 1.75mm
• Maximum nozzle temperature: 260 degrees C
• Power input: 100V/240V AC, 50/60Hz
• Extruder Type: Bowden
• Recommended material: PLA

Pros

• Both highly stable as well as durable
• Tall build volume
• Excellent print quality
• Great value for money
• One of the best cheap 3D printers around

Cons

• The heated bed is not included with the bare-bones package
• Some of the smaller parts seem a bit brittle for heavy-duty work
• The unit can be very hard to level properly
• Does not print quickly

6. Monoprice Maker Select Plus 3D Printer

This is a Cartesian style 3D printer in the sense that its print bed moves back and forth on the Y-axis. On the other hand, the print head itself moves about on its X- and Z- axis. This model might not have the telltale popularity of its more famous Monoprice brethren, but it is nonetheless, second to none. It’s a great buy if you are looking for the best budget printer around.

Like many of its Prusa i3-style competitors, the Monoprice Maker Select Plus also has a direct drive extruder of its own.

This means filament is pulled right into the hot end without a tube in between. The unit comes semi-assembled in two pieces and you can have it up and running in no time.

Technical Specifications

• Printer dimensions: 400 x 410 x 400mm
• Filament: 1.75mm
• Build Size: 200 x 200 x 180 mm
• Nozzle: 0.4mm brass
• Layer resolution: 0.1mm
• Maximum print speed: 150mm/s
• Maximum print temperature: 260 degrees Celsius
• Software: Cura, Replicator G, Repetier-Host, Simplify 3D
• Packing Type: Semi assembled (two main parts)
• Print precision: X- & Y-axis 0.012mm, Z-axis 0.004mm
• Connectivity: USB, SD Card
• UI: 3.25″ touchscreen
• Power: Integrated power/controls in the base
• Maximum weight: 22 lbs (10 kg)

Pros

• Very easy to upgrade and modify
• Excellent packaging
• Semi-assembled
• Great aftermarket support
• Good print quality
• Integrated control box with touch screen console
• Open source system

Cons

• Very noisy unit
• Actual speed (as opposed to advertised speed) is slow
• Poor quality control

7. FlashForge Finder Lite 3D Printer

For many people, the all-new FlashForge Finder Lite is the picture-perfect entry-level 3D printer that is just right for young students and hobbyists alike. The good people at FlashForge launched their iconic Flash Finder almost five years ago. Now they have created a 3d printer that is geared towards both novices and children.

This is an affordable version of their popular FlashForge Finder model. It is both safer as well as quieter than its preceding model.

Technical Specifications

• Printing tech: Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
• Layer resolution: 100 ~ 500 microns
• Build volume: 140 x 140 x 140 mm
• Third-party filament: Yes
• Position precision: X,Y: 11 microns / Z: 2.5 microns
• Filament diameter: 1.75 mm
• Connectivity: USB only
• Print bed: PEI sheet on the glass
• Nozzle diameter: 0.4 mm
• Print materials: PLA, PETG
• Frame material: Plastic

Pros

• Quiet operation
• Connects via USB cable, USB drive, and Wi-Fi
• Good print quality
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Modest build volume compared to other models in its price range
• Poor operating instructions
• The unit is limited to printing with PLA (polylactic acid filament)

8. Anet A8 Plus 3D Printer

The Chinese Anet A8 Plus is widely considered to be one of the very first trailblazing cheap 3D printers that took the world by storm. In fact, the A8 desktop 3D printer kit essentially ushered in a whole new era of affordability for FDM printing technology since way back in 2016.

Unlike its predecessor, the Anet A8 Plus has been constructed not from flimsy acrylic, but sturdy aluminum. It has also been equipped with dual Z-axis double-threaded rods located in front of its aluminum frame.

It is much bigger than its Anet A8 counterpart with an enlarged printing size of 300 x 300 x 350mm. It also features much better surge and motherboard protection than similar printers available in this price range.

Technical Specifications

• Technology: FDM (Fused deposition modeling)
• Mechanical arrangement: Cartesian-XZ-head
• Assembly: Kit or partially assembled
• Print head: Single nozzle
• Nozzle size: 0.4 mm
• Build volume: 300 x 300 x 350 mm
• Max. heated bed temperature: 100℃
• Max. hot end temperature: 250℃
• Connectivity: MicroSD
• Heated bed Frame: Aluminum

Pros

• Affordable price
• Very good print quality
• Plenty of room for future upgrades

Cons

• Set up and assembly is very difficult and time-consuming
• Stock parts require a lot of regular maintenance

Honorable mentions

• Monoprice Voxel
• Anycubic Kossel
• Longer Orange 10

If you’re willing to stretch your budget a bit, my first printer purchase was the Prusa i3 MK3S+… the Godfather of 3d printers (review here). If you know you’ll be 3D printing for years to come, splurge and get that one.

3D printer Under $300: Buying Guide when evaluating the best cheap 3d printers

There are endless companies that manufacture 3D printers of all types. However, the various types of 3D printing technologies have their own respective niches and they all fulfill their own target markets.

3D Printing Options: FDM/SLS/Cartesian/Delta

• Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is now widely considered to be the most budget 3D printing technology around and many experts believe that it is ideal for beginners.
• Selective laser sintering (SLS) is basically an additive based manufacturing (AM) technology. It makes use of a laser to transform plastic powder into a 3D object. It is commonly used for product development purposes.
• Cartesian 3D printing technology is derived from FDM 3D printers. Such printers are based on the mathematical Cartesian coordinate system. These printers typically use three separate axis: X, Y, and Z in order to determine the exact positioning of the print head.
• A delta 3D printing system consists of 3 arms on rails. These arms move up and down in order to move the print head.

Build volume

This will determine the total size of your printing room. The more the volume and build, the larger the object you can print.

Frame Material and Sturdiness

From Acrylic to Aluminum, there are plenty of frame materials for every budget. However, metal frames are almost always more sturdy than acrylic.

Look for extruded aluminum (most Ender series) or

Related

• Best 3D Printer for miniatures
• Should I buy a 3D printer?

Conclusion

The Creality Ender V2 is head and shoulders above the rest. With a great community, tens of thousands of printers sold, and an accelerating market share it’s the only one I’d buy (and did buy) for under $300.