3D printing as both a hobby and a mode of production has expanded massively over the last few years. So much so that there are now a multitude of makes and models of 3D printers available for the consumer to buy.
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing can be budget friendly, and a lower price might simply translate into a smaller build volume. Even when looking at accessories and complements, like filaments and enclosures, there are plenty of offers and it’s a competitive market with various price points. On the other hand, resin-based 3D printing may be seen as a more significant investment, not just because of the machines themselves, but also because of the potential additional parts of the setup that can benefit the experience, like washing and curing stations.
While we know that you can find some FDM 3D printers for less than $100, the next question is, are they worth it? In this article, we’ll look at what’s available and also what you can expect if you want to pay a bit more and move up to the next level. We’ll be focusing on FDM machines because resin-based ones aren’t really available in the price range, although you’ll find an exception in the section on deals.
To get started, let’s consider what the market’s like.
Market Situation
The market for sub-$100 3D printers is now aimed mainly at children, beginners, and the education sector. The size of these printers is relatively small, with an average build volume of about 100 x 100 x 100 mm – which is great for a child, but can be too constraining for practical use.
That being said, a cheap but good quality printer of this type could be a good choice as either an additional printer for printing smaller parts or where space is limited. The price and size also lend themselves to educational environments, where multiple printers could be used by a class of children or young adults. Since they aren’t so big, it would be relatively easy to store them while they’re not being used in the classroom.
A note of caution before you proceed with purchasing a sub-$100 printer: There have, in the past, been a couple of high-profile Kickstarter (or similar) start-up projects claiming to revolutionize the world of 3D printing and bring a new, improved, and cheaper product to market. These have subsequently failed to get off the ground and it’s sometimes difficult to get your investment back.
Our suggestion, therefore, would be to only put money into a project if 1) you really believe in it, and 2) you can afford to lose the money. Otherwise, your best option for buying a cheap 3D printer is if it’s on sale or otherwise discounted. If you do go for a model that says it’s on “pre-order” or similar, then make sure it’s from a reputable, recognized, and well-established manufacturer before you hand over any cash.
Under $100
The selection of 3D printers that actually retail under $100 seems to be pretty limited. However, there are still a few on the market in that price range.
From our research of currently available sub-$100 3D printers, it would appear that there is one main manufacturer, Easythreed. So, let’s have a look at what they have to offer.
Easythreed K7
The Easythreed K7 is probably the cheapest fully functional 3D printer on the market. You can currently find one at the wallet-friendly price of around $75.
The basic technology and setup are the same as with most FDM printers. That is, filament is extruded through a hot end and deposited using X-, Y-, and Z-axis movement. The controls are fairly basic, but everything you need to produce quality prints is present, albeit on a small scale. Files are printed using an SD card after slicing or downloading using your preferred software.
The overall build volume is 100 x 100 x 100 mm, which doesn’t seem that big, but when compared to an average resin printer with a 127 x 80 x 160 mm volume, it’s not that bad. In fact, many resin print enthusiasts use their printers for printing miniatures and gaming pieces – and the K7 could be ideal for that purpose as well.
There is one notable drawback to both this and the X1, which we’ll look at next – neither has a heated print bed. This may cause problems for some users if they are not able to maintain adhesion and first-layer quality. However, due to the build size, the printer is still workable – especially if filaments that have good bed adhesion and don’t tend to warp are used, which isn’t fussy and doesn’t always need a heated bed. There is, of course, the option of adding a heated bed for about $40, but that puts the printer above our $100 ceiling.
- Where to get it: Easythreed K7
- Price: ~$75
- Build volume: 100 x 100 x 100 mm
- Target user: Child/beginner
Easythreed X1
Also from Easythreed, the X1 is a slight upgrade from its cousin, the K7, in terms of looks and overall size. There is a separate control panel with easy-to-use “one-touch” buttons, and this definitely looks a bit more like a proper machine than a toy. If you find this one interesting, you might want to check out our full review.
While it may have the modest build volume of 100 x 100 x 100 mm, the FDM printing principles are the same as with other machines, and this particular model has a bit more room for filament, both feeding and storage, than the K7.
PLA is highly recommended for both this and the K7, due to their being aimed at younger users. PLA has a low risk of causing any adverse fumes or fire hazards, which would obviously be of concern if a child were operating it. That said, children should always be supervised when operating the X1 (or any 3D printer in general).
It’s also worth noting that, when searching for these printers online to buy, there will be several differently named options available. These aren’t so much “clones”, but re-branded models which are in fact the same as the Easythreed original.
- Where to get it: Easythreed X1
- Price: ~$90
- Build volume: 100 x 100 x 100 mm
- Target user: Child/beginner
Tips on Finding Printers for Cheap
Although there are very few 3D printers under the $100 mark, it’s always worth noting that manufacturers have sales and offers from time to time. You may also be able to snap up a bargain from wholesale distributors or re-sale sites if you search around.
Deals
While writing this article, a resin 3D printer came to our attention at an offer price of $119.99. This is, of course, over the limit we set, but new customers to the site are eligible for a $20 discount, bringing the price to just under $100! The usual retail price is $200 – so, you can see that bargains can be found.
The printer in question is the Elegoo Mars 2 and is a real bargain. Another word of caution though, as this may only be for a limited time and not available in all countries. However, it goes to show that you can find a reasonably priced, quality 3D printer from time to time. See also the Neptune 2.
As a pro tip, keep the All3DP Deals page bookmarked and check back regularly. We’re constantly keeping an eye out for the hottest deals, and we’ve categorized them according to whether they are 3D printers, filament, resin, or other tech, including software!
Lastly, let us reiterate our word of caution when looking to cash in on deals from Kickstarter. While they can offer some great deals, they’re in no way guaranteed.
Secondhand or Refurbished
Another way that you may find a 3D printer under $100 is to look on resale sites, such as eBay, where you may find refurbished or second-hand models available. Again though, be careful what you’re buying and always check the seller’s credentials before paying.
Large wholesale distributors such as Microcenter in the US often have 3D printers for sale at massively discounted prices, but you have to be quick and regularly on the lookout for these bargains.
Next Level
So, we’ve taken a look at a couple of sub-$100 3D printers and it’s fair to say that, while they’re capable of producing (small) prints, they may not be what someone who’s more serious about 3D printing might be looking for – such as the ability to upgrade and customize the machine.
The next option then is to move up a price bracket and look at a few printers in the $100-$200 range. This will obviously open up a much wider choice of machines as most manufacturers will have at least one printer at this price.
While there are a lot of different printers to choose from in the $100-$200 price range, it would be impractical to cover all of them, so let’s look at a few popular models and see what you’re gaining by paying that bit more. If you see that the price bump could suit your needs better, take a look around to find what might be just right for you.
Voxelab Aquila X2
Our 2021 pick for the best 3D printer under $200, it’s a full-sized and full-capability printer (even if it has had its problems). It comes with a glass bed, which is great for printing the most common of filaments, PLA and ABS. We wouldn’t want to push it too hard for more difficult materials though, since the hot end is only reaching about 250 °C.
This is a great first printer (once you’ve gotten all the kit together), but the instructions might be difficult to decipher for first-timers. Note of warning, in our review we were lacking a couple of screws, so it might be a good idea to have some extras on hand.
- Where to get it: Voxelab Aquila X2
- Price: ~$170
- Build volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
- Target user: Hobbyist
Creality Ender 3
The Creality Ender 3 is at the top end of our next-level range, but definitely worth mentioning. It could be said that the Ender 3 is one of the most popular 3D printers currently on the market and sales certainly echo that belief. To go into the details, check out our full review.
Again the build area has increased, but this time by a much bigger margin. Each axis is more than double the length of the Easythreed machines, meaning an almost five-factor increase in the printing area. This allows for much more scope in the types of models you can print.
The overall technology of the machine is of higher quality with added features such as a silent mainboard, a more advanced extruder, and higher temperature ranges for the hot end and heated bed. We’re also moving into the more familiar “gantry frame” setup of an FDM printer, which allows for smoother movement of all three axes. This, therefore, allows for overall higher-quality prints.
The control panel is still a fairly simple LCD affair, but the controls are easy to use and find in the menus.
- Where to get it: Creality Ender 3
- Price: ~$199
- Build volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
- Target user: Beginner/hobbyist
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