It may not look like much, but the XYZPrinting da Vinci 3D Pen is an incredible achievement. This pen is one of the most affordable and user friendly 3D printers on the market, taking us one step closer to finding a printer in every home. In today's review, we put this $50 pen up against the competition to see if it's worth getting one for yourself.
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Value
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Design
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User Experience
XYZPrinting da Vinci 3D Pen Review Basics
This is a hearty 3D pen that weighs in at 2.4 ounces and measures roughly 7x1x1-inches. It appears so much thicker than other 3D pens because it features no ergonomic curves or slender lines. Using the XYZPrinting da Vinci 3D Pen is a lot like using a thick marker. It’s compatible with 1.75mm PLA filament only, and features no temperature settings. That may seem limiting, but PLA is highly versatile, and fewer settings make this pen easy for anyone to use.
Extrusion is pretty slow, and there is only one speed setting. You can double click the extrusion button for an auto-feed option, but honestly that’s only really useful when you’re loading filament. The chunky .8mm nozzle is bigger than most, though we found that it actually extrudes thinner lines than other 3D pens.
XYZPrinting da Vinci 3D Pen Review Pros
Easy Maintenance
Jams are a common hassle with all 3D pens and printers, especially when you’re just starting out. Unclogging the XYZPrinting da Vinci 3D Pen is easy, though. The casing comes apart effortlessly by applying pressure and sliding the two pieces apart. From there, simply remove the guide tube and use the included unblocking tool. It’s easy to figure out how this pen works once the casing is removed, and the instructions are extremely thorough.
Value
This is a simple 3D pen without extras like LCD screens or variable temperatures. With fewer moving parts, though, this pen has fewer opportunities to malfunction. Print quality is acceptable for beginners, while the build is solid and durable. We especially like this pen for children, since you won’t feel like you’ve wasted $100+ if they don’t like it.
XYZPrinting da Vinci 3D Pen Review Cons
Design
XYZPrinting made a few sacrifices to get this pen under $50. The design leaves a little to be desired, starting with the bulky plastic body. It’s an awkward fit and takes some getting used to. Tip visibility is particularly poor. This pen also doesn’t feel as sturdy as other pens like the 3Doodler Create, which feature aluminum bodies. Thankfully, the XYZPringint da Vinci ISN’T known for defective units or for falling apart after a few uses.
XYZPrinting da Vinci 3D Pen Review Verdict
Overall, we’re impressed with the XYZPrinting da Vinci’s performance and quality components. Other budget 3D pens feel like they may fall apart in a strong wind, but despite its plastic body the da Vinci was built to last. Using this pen is self explanatory and intuitive, but if you ever need help, the included instructions are well-written and inclusive. Its durability and ease of use make this the perfect 3D pen for children and beginners. It may not offer the most features or options, but this pen is a step in the right direction to introducing 3D printing to the world.
