If you've read online reviews or used a dysfunctional 3D printing pen in the past, you know how important it is to make the right choice when buying a new one. The DigiHero 3D Printing Pen is popular online, with lots of good user reviews to vouch for its quality. Is this 3D pen really all it's cracked up to be, though? This DigiHero 3D Printing Pen review considers the pen's best and worst aspects and offers our unbiased opinion so you can buy with confidence.
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Value
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Design
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User Experience
DigiHero 3D Printing Pen Review Basics
Opting for a fairly bulky, round shape, the DigiHero 3D Printing Pen is surprisingly comfortable to hold considering its size. The pen’s low-density plastic casing is lighter than it appears, however. Choose from a patriotic color selection including Red, White, and Blue pens. This is especially convenient if you’re buying multiples for siblings or classrooms.
Remarkably, this inexpensive 3D printing pen allows you to print in either PLA or ABS filaments. Relatively simple temperature and speed settings help kids learn quickly with less room for error. Control all operational settings using the “L” button on the side of the unit. Simply choose your filament type and a speed setting from 1-3.
For your safety, the DigiHero 3D Printing Pen turns off after 3 minutes of down time, and uses a clear indicator system to show when the pen is hot. Notably, the 0.6mm nozzle is not removable, nor is there any clean way to access the inside of this pen, making troubleshooting tedious.
DigiHero 3D Printing Pen Review Pros
PLA or ABS
The freedom to use either PLA or ABS filament with the DigiHero 3D Printing Pen is perhaps its greatest feature. While PLA is recommended for younger kids because it’s non-toxic and emits no foul odor, ABS gives adults and older kids much more creative flexibility.
Good Value for Kids and Casual Hobbyists
The DigiHero 3D Printing Pen is primarily marketed toward children and casual adult users. That’s why we commend them for including a solid kit of accessories and clear, helpful instructions. Accessories include a large pack of PLA filament rolls in 12 fun colors, a helpful scraping tool for lifting models off your work surface, a cradle for easy storage, and a USB power supply.
DigiHero also makes it easy to buy additional filament with your order. Both this pen and DigiHero’s filament refill packages are reasonably priced, too. This 3D pen’s value makes it an even smarter choice for children and casual adults, as you won’t be too bummed if it breaks or your kids lose interest.
DigiHero 3D Printing Pen Review Cons
Poor Design
As comfortable as this 3D pen is to use, its design forces you to hold it in one specific position. In this position, your fingers fall over the “L” and filament loading buttons. Accidentally pressing the operational buttons is a real problem depending on your grip. Buttons at the top or rear of the pen would have been a better design choice.
Although more dependable than other cheap 3D pens, the DigiHero 3D Printing Pen’s light, flimsy casing and irreplaceable components are disappointing. Oh, and you’ll likely have to replace the short USB power cable with something longer, which is an annoying added expense.
DigiHero 3D Printing Pen Review Verdict
Serious artists and hobbyists beware: the DigiHero 3D Printing Pen is a highly functional toy intended for creative kids and weekend crafters. Reliable enough to buy as a gift or as your first introduction to 3D printing, this 3D pen just doesn’t offer the advanced features and hearty construction that experienced users expect.
Since not everyone is looking for an expensive, professional-grade pen, however, the DigiHero 3D Printing Pen certainly fills a niche. If you happen to belong in that niche, this 3D pen is a great buy. If you’re looking for something more, however, we suggest the AIO Robotics 3D Printing Pen or MYNT3D Professional 3D Printing Pen.
