The Best Beginner-Friendly 3D Printers in 2020
Entry into the 3D printing world can seem overwhelming but don’t worry! There are plenty of 3D printers designed for even the greenest of beginners to get started right out of the box. No matter how much (or little) you know about 3D printing, this list of the best 3D printers for beginners has something for everyone. Chosen for the dependability and ease of use, these printers make the process simple so you can spend more time printing and less time tinkering. Keep reading to find the perfect 3D printer for your needs.
Flashforge Finder Lite
Ideal for those with little or no knowledge of 3D printing, the Flashforge Finder Lite simplifies the process down to brass tacks. It features a serviceable 5.5” x 5.5” x 5.5” build area and prints only in PLA. PLA filament is a good starting place for most beginners and some people never print in other filaments. That’s because PLA is easy to work with, biodegradable and non-toxic, and doesn’t require a heated print bed.
The beginner-friendly FlashPrint software makes it easy to create high-quality models without too much foreknowledge. As you learn, you can choose to access more advanced options for even more control. Ready to print out of the box and featuring assisted bed-leveling and a removable build plate, getting started doesn’t get any easier. For a worry-free, simple printer to help get you into the 3D printing world, the Flashforge Finder Lite is our first choice. For more info, check out of full-length Finder Lite review.
Monoprice Voxel
Like other printers on this list, the Voxel is a mid-sized, budget-friendly option for beginners who want plug-and-play operation. It features a 5.9” x 5.9” x 5.9” build volume, a heated print bed and enclosed build space. That means the Voxel can print in either ABS or PLA. It also achieves some high-resolution prints with layers as small as 50-microns.
In addition to those impressive specs, the Voxel offers assisted bed-leveling straight from the touchscreen menu, as well as fool-proof filament loading. These tedious chores can add a lot of time and frustration to owning a 3D printer but the Voxel’s beginner-friendly design makes things easy. Get all the facts from our full Monoprice Voxel review.
QIDI TECH X-one2
QIDI TECH is one of our favorite 3D printer brands for their robust, dependable, fully-enclosed machines. The X-one2 follows this trend with a heavy metal exterior and removable acrylic panels. And, thanks to a heated print bed quality extruder, this model has great filament compatibility. This includes PLA, ABS, TPU and PETG. The X-one2 looks fashionable and is built like a tank, providing an excellent environment for printing in all filaments.
The QIDI TECH X-one2 uses proprietary software that’s easy for beginners to understand yet includes advanced settings for when you’re ready to experiment. The colorful touch-screen interface is another nice feature that new users will quickly understand. Of course, this 3D printer also comes fully assembled so you don’t have to be mechanically-inclined to get started. Learn more from our full QIDI TECH X-one2 review.
Anycubic Mega-S
For the more adventurous beginners, the Anycubic Mega-S presents a bit of a challenge for a lot more reward. This printer’s build volume measures 8.2” x 8.2” x 8”, which is the largest on our list. Print larger models in a variety of filaments, including ABS, PLA, TPU, and PETG. Even more impressive, the Mega-S achieves layers as small as 50-microns for precise, high-detailed print results. All this is made even better by the inclusion of the Anycubic Ultrabase. This print bed offers superb adhesion and easy removal, as well as even heat distribution for flawless first layers.
All that sounds great, so what’s the catch? Unlike the other printers on this list, the Anycubic Mega-S requires some light assembly before use. Assembly is pretty easy, though, and most people complete the 8-screw process in under 20 minutes. And, unlike other cheap DIY printers like the Ender 3, the Mega-S is more stable and reliable upfront. If you don’t mind a little hands-on assembly in the beginning, this is a great printer for novices who want to get serious about 3D printing. Check out our full Anycubic Mega-S review here.
