Independent 3D printer buying guide
Find the 3D printer that fits you
Buying advice for printers from Prusa, Bambu Lab, Creality, Anycubic, Elegoo and more. Answer three quick questions and we will point you to the right kind of printer.
- Prusa
- Bambu Lab
- Creality
- Anycubic
- Elegoo
- Ultimaker
Printer finder
Three questions, no sign-up. You get the type of printer that suits you and a model to start your research with.
Best 3D printers by need
There is no single best printer. Pick your need to see the full list, with the pros, cons and specs of each pick.
Bambu Lab A1
Calibrates itself, prints fast and quietly, and gives good results on day one.
Bambu Lab A1 mini
The easiest cheap printer. Small, quiet and ready for multicolor later.
Bambu Lab A1 Combo
The AMS lite feeds four spools, so color prints happen without swapping filament by hand.
Bambu Lab P2S
Enclosed, filtered and ready for ABS, ASA and carbon-fiber blends.
Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2
An enclosed CoreXY printer with a 350 °C nozzle at a budget price.
Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra 16K
A large 16K screen for detailed miniatures and figures.
Head-to-head comparisons
The matchups people ask about most, compared side by side.
New to 3D printing? Start here
Short, practical guides that answer the questions you will have in your first week.
FDM or resin?
What each technology is good at, and which one fits your projects.
Read the guide →Your first printer
The easiest printers to start with, and how to pick between them.
See the picks →How to change the nozzle
Step by step for the Prusa Core One+ and Bambu Lab A1.
Read the guide →Who is behind this
I’m Mikkel Kimergård from Denmark. I’ve been 3D printing for about a year on my own Prusa Core One+, and I made this site so people don’t buy the wrong printer and waste their money. More about me.
Independent
No brand pays for a place on my lists, and I cover all the major brands.
Clear about sources
Picks are based on official specifications and research, and I say so when something comes from my own printer.
Downsides included
Every pick comes with what it is not good at, so you can decide for yourself.
“Check price” links go to the official store. Some may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes my picks.