Today’s contenders represent the very best in 3D printing technology to date – the LulzBot TAZ 6 vs Ultimaker 2+. To find a winner, we’ll scrutinize every detail, putting them through their paces to see which is the better machine. In this LulzBot TAZ 6 vs Ultimaker 2+ Comparison, we decide which premium 3D printer deserves a place on your desk.
LulzBot TAZ 6 Printing Specifications
Why settle for a budget 3D printer when you can have the best? LulzBot has been trusted for years to produce the most dependable 3D printers with the most software and print material options available. The TAZ 6 features a 200mm/s move speed, lightning-fast average print speed of 30-50mm/s. It takes up quite a bit of space at 26 in x 20.47 in x 20.47-inches, but can print up to 1,185 cubic inches, blowing the Ultimaker 2+ out of the water. It also has automated self-callibration and self-cleaning features that most other printers lack, including the 2+.
The LulzBot TAZ 6 also has better connectivity than the Ultimaker 2+, allowing you to share files through SD card and USB. Neither printer allows for wireless file sharing, however. Check out our full review of the TAZ 6 here.
Ultimaker 2+ Printing Specifications
This is one quick little machine, moving at an incredible speed of 300mm/s in just a 19.4 x 13.5 x 23.1-inch package. Featuring a smaller printing area than the LulzBot TAZ 6, the Ultimaker’s printing space is 8.8 x 8.8 x 8.1-inches, it’s still large enough for plenty of applications. Enjoy the large variance in print thickness from 20 to 600 microns. This 3D printer comes complete with 4 extruder nozzles of varying resolution sizes so you always have the right tool for the job.
Notably, the Ultimaker 2+ only accepts SD cards for file upload, although it has a USB port to install updates. Here’s our recent full review of the Ultimaker 2+.
LulzBot TAZ 6 vs. Ultimaker 2+ Speed and Reliability
Both these 3D printers are at the height of speed and reliability. The LulzBot TAZ 6 has a greater print speed, while the Ultimaker 2+ has a quicker movement speed, but both are incredibly fast. Neither of these machines compromises quality for speed, either. Both offer variable resolutions, with the LulzBot TAZ 6 printing from .05-.5mm, and the Ultimaker 2+ printing from .02-.6mm.
As both 3D printers have open frame designs, variation in the finished product is most often due to changes in the environment (atmospheric pressure, temperature, etc.) rather than technical malfunction. When used in a controlled environment, these 3D printers build with unmatched accuracy.
LulzBot TAZ 6 vs Ultimaker 2+ Printing Materials
The starkest contrast between these two 3D printers is printing material options. While the Ultimaker 2+ has multiple material options, including PLA, ABS, CPE, CPE+, and nylon, it doesn’t hold a candle to the flexibility of the TAZ 6.The LulzBot TAZ 6 can accommodate all the same materials the Ultimaker 2+ can, as well as HIPS, PVA, copper, polycarbonate, wood filled filaments, UV luminescent filaments, and more. If you like experimenting with different materials, you’ll be spoiled for choice with the TAZ 6.
The LulzBot TAZ 6 can accommodate all the same materials the Ultimaker 2+ can, as well as HIPS, PVA, copper, polycarbonate, wood filled filaments, UV luminescent filaments, and more. If you like experimenting with different materials, you’ll be spoiled for choices with the TAZ 6.
Both printers have better printing material options than their competitors, but the TAZ 6 is truly dedicated to unparalleled building flexibility.
LulzBot TAZ 6 vs Ultimaker 2+ Verdict
While these two 3D printers are both fine machines, the LulzBot TAZ 6 takes it in the end. This 3D printer’s long list of build materials, alongside its multi-software compatibility, makes the TAZ 6 unrivaled in flexibility. It also features a larger build space, meaning you have more options and can express greater creativity.
If it weren’t for those features, the Ultimaker 2+ may have won, as it’s more compact and offers greater resolution options. We still recommend it as one of the top of the line 3D printers currently available. Unfortunately for the Ultimaker 2+, the TAZ 6 simply outshines all competition at the moment.
