A cheap printer is only a good deal if it actually prints well. These are the lowest-priced printers we would still recommend, ordered from the cheapest open printers to budget enclosed machines. Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
How this list was made: picks are based on the manufacturers’ own specifications and public information, checked in October 2026, plus my own experience with the Prusa Core One+, the printer I use myself. More about me. “Check price” links go to the official store and may be affiliate links, which never changes the picks.
| Printer | Best for |
|---|---|
| Bambu Lab A1 mini | The cheapest easy printer |
| Creality Ender-3 V3 SE | The lowest price, if you don’t mind tuning |
| Bambu Lab A1 | The best value full-size printer |
| Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 | The best value enclosed printer |
| Anycubic Kobra S1 | An enclosed alternative with a 4-color combo |
Our picks
1. Bambu Lab A1 mini: best cheap printer that just works
The A1 mini costs little but still calibrates itself, which removes most of the frustration of a first printer.
Pros:
- Self-calibrating and quiet
- Can grow into multicolor with the AMS lite
Cons:
- Small 180 mm build volume
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 180 × 180 × 180 mm |
| Type | Open bed-slinger |
| Multicolor | AMS lite (Combo) |
| Best materials | PLA, PETG, TPU |
2. Creality Ender-3 V3 SE: lowest price
The Ender-3 V3 SE is one of the cheapest printers from a big brand. It levels its bed automatically, but expect to spend a bit more time tuning than on a Bambu Lab.
Pros:
- Very low price
- Simple, well-known design with lots of community help
Cons:
- More tuning and less polish than the A1 series
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| Type | Open bed-slinger |
| Setup | Auto bed leveling, direct-drive extruder |
| Price level | Entry |
3. Bambu Lab A1: best value full-size printer
For a little more than the A1 mini you get a 256 mm build volume, which fits most projects you will want to try.
Pros:
- Large build volume for the price
- Multicolor ready
Cons:
- Open frame, not for ABS or ASA
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Type | Open bed-slinger |
| Nozzle / bed | 300 °C / 100 °C |
| Best materials | PLA, PETG, TPU |
4. Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2: best value enclosed printer
An enclosed, fast CoreXY printer at a price close to open printers. A good choice if you want to print PETG, ABS or carbon-fiber blends.
Pros:
- Enclosed chamber, 350 °C nozzle
- Multicolor upgrade available
Cons:
- Multicolor unit costs extra
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 256 × 256 × 256 mm |
| Type | Enclosed CoreXY |
| Nozzle / bed | 350 °C / 110 °C |
| Multicolor | Upgrade ready (Canvas, sold separately) |
5. Anycubic Kobra S1: enclosed alternative
Another fully enclosed CoreXY printer at a budget price, also sold as a Combo with a 4-color filament hub.
Pros:
- Enclosed, with a 120 °C bed
- Affordable multicolor Combo
Cons:
- Smaller ecosystem than Bambu Lab
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| Build volume | 250 × 250 × 250 mm |
| Type | Fully enclosed CoreXY |
| Nozzle / bed | 320 °C / 120 °C |
| Multicolor | Combo with 4-color filament hub |
Where cheap printers cut corners
The cheapest models may need manual tuning, and a printer that calibrates itself saves a lot of failed prints. Open printers cost less, but they struggle with ABS and ASA. Filament is the main ongoing cost, so the price of the printer is only the start.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest 3D printer that is still worth buying?
In budget threads the choice usually comes down to the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE (€169) and the Bambu Lab A1 mini (€189). The Ender has the larger build volume, 220 × 220 × 250 mm against 180 × 180 × 180 mm, and it levels the bed with a CR Touch sensor.
Owners comparing the two say the A1 mini is the one that works with less fuss, while the Ender needs more tuning and suits people who want to learn how the printer works and modify it. With €20 between them, most replies recommend the A1 mini unless you need the bigger bed. The budget guide lists both.
Should I buy a used 3D printer as my first one?
Forum replies mostly advise against it for a first printer. You cannot see how a used printer was treated, and a worn part or a bad earlier modification is hard to find when you do not yet know what a working printer looks like. One poster compares it to buying a used car.
It can work if you are handy, the price is low and the seller shows you a test print. Older Ender-3 models are the common case, because spare parts are cheap and easy to find. Keep in mind that a new A1 mini costs €189 and an Ender-3 V3 SE €169, so the saving on a used machine is often small.
What else do I need to buy, and how much does filament cost?
Start with PLA. In October 2026 a 1 kg roll of Bambu Lab PLA Basic costs €22.99 at Bambu Lab’s EU store, with lower prices per roll if you buy four or more. A 3DBenchy test boat uses about 13 g, so small prints cost cents.
Beginner threads and accessory guides suggest a few cheap extras: a digital caliper for measuring parts you want to replace, a glue stick for first-layer adhesion, a plastic scraper and an airtight box with desiccant to keep filament dry. A filament dryer can wait. One accessory guide says sealed storage matters more for beginners than regular drying.
Sources: Bambu Lab store.