The 5 Best 3D Printers Under $200 in 2024

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3D printing is considered by many to be one of the most exciting and creative activities. Some people use it as a source of money, relying on their artistic abilities to make a living.

However, 3D printers can be costly, especially the more modern versions that integrate various well-developed technologies. Nonetheless, today’s market has a wide range of economical solutions, so you may easily choose the best 3D printer under $200 that suits your requirements.

Comparison Table 

ModelPriceBuild Volume(inches)Filament TypePrinting Speed(mm/s)
Official Creality Ender 3 3D8.6 X 8.6 X 8.6PLA, TPU, ABS, PETG180
Monoprice – 15365 Select Mini 3D4.7 X 4.7 X 4.7ABS, PLA, PET, TPU, PVA, TPC100
da Vinci Mini Wireless 3D5.91 X 5.91 X 5.91PLA, PETG,Carbon Fiber120
Voxelab Aquila X2 3D8.6 X 8.6 X 9.8PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU180
COMGROW Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D8.7 X 8.7 X 9.8PLA180

The 5 Best 3D Printers Under $200 in 2024

If you want to try your hand at 3D printing from home or if you’re looking for early Christmas gifts, we’ve put together a list of the five best 3D printers under $200.

1. Official Creality Ender 3 3D – Best Overall

Official Creality Ender 3 3D

The Official Creality Ender 3 3D is arguably the best printer under $200 because of its remarkable features and print quality. In addition, the printer is a free and open-source project, which means that you can modify, upgrade, and tune the printer as much as you want.

It also has a feature that allows you to continue printing even if the power goes out. And not only is the construction plate large, but it’s also heated. This makes printing more manageable and allows you to use more rigid filament materials.

And, of course, all the essentials are present for less challenging 3D printing operations. The printer features a heated build plate and a print volume of 220 X 220 X 250 mm. The bed also heats up to 110 degrees Celsius, which enables printing higher-temperature materials like ABS on occasion.

Moreover, Ender 3’s users are numerous, and its extensive online community ensures that no issue goes unanswered if you run into difficulties.

In addition, the Official Creality Ender 3 3D took home 3D printing to the next level. That’s because it has moved away from unnecessarily complicated DIY kits and towards semi-assembled simplicity with adequate print quality and flexibility for customization. Of course, there’s some assembly required, but it’s minimal.

Pros:

  • Heated build plate
  • Overall performance is good
  • Open-source software for modifications, tuning, and upgrading
  • Resume printing during a power outage

 Cons:

  • Some assembly required

Bottom Line

The official Creality Ender 3 3D combines quality and price. This printer can produce quality comparable to printers costing four times as much. Also, beginners and tinkerers will love it.

2. Monoprice – 15365 Select Mini 3D – Most Affordable

Monoprice - 15365 Select Mini 3D

The Monoprice – 15365 Select Mini 3D is from a well-known brand, and it can give you excellent quality at an affordable price.

This 3D printer has many valuable functions. It’s meant for PC and desktop use and comes in a semi-enclosed profile with the exposed build partially concealed. Additionally, the print head and the printer are pre-assembled. Also, the unit is simple to set up. Also, the printer allows you to work with filaments other than ABS and PLA.

Though the mono price is simple to use, it appears outdated in the digital age, which is dominated by touch screens. 

Pros:

  • Simple to use and operate
  • Comes completely assembled
  • Supports several filaments
  • Comes with a heated build plate
  • Has a fantastic, built-in UI

Cons:

  • Limited build volume
  • Outdated manual calibration on the knob

Bottom Line

Because of its fantastic price, the Monoprice – 15365 Select Mini 3D has opened up a whole new market for 3D printing. So, it’s a catch, considering how feature-packed it is.

3. da Vinci mini Wireless 3D – Best Connectivity

da Vinci Mini Wireless 3D

The da Vinci Mini Wireless 3D has a few features often only found in more expensive 3D printers. For example, it features Wi-Fi connectivity, and you may use wireless networks to transfer data from your computer to the machine.

Moreover, da Vinci is roughly 30% smaller than the former pick. It measures 14.75 X 13.23 X 14.25 inches and weighs approximately 24.25 pounds. As a result, it’s easy to transport and doesn’t take up much room. In addition, the printer is simple to use, which is why it’s advertised as a school printer.

While there’s no LCD screen, it does have a bar that users may press to stop the printing process and an LED display. The printer’s status is displayed on the LED panel using color codes. For instance, the color green indicates that the machine is in standby mode. The color red indicates that the printer has encountered a paint problem.

 Pros:

  • Exceptional print quality
  • Good wireless connectivity
  • Auto-calibration included
  • Large print volume for a low-cost 3D printer
  • Simple to use

Cons:

  • No LCD screen on the printer

Bottom Line

To summarize, the da Vinci Mini Wireless 3D is an excellent purchase for first-timers. It’s inexpensive, but it also has many functions that go well with the colorful design, making it suitable for both novice and experienced users.

4. Voxelab Aquila X2 3D – Best for Professionals

Voxelab Aquila X2 3D

The Voxelab Aquila X2 3D printer is a professional-grade printer with great precision. The carbon-silicon crystal glass print bed on the Aquila X2 can be heated to 110 degrees in 5 minutes. Its high stickiness allows for outstanding first-layer printing, resulting in excellent print quality and easy model removal.

Moreover, this 3D printer is easy-to-use and has been enhanced with several smart features to make it even more user-friendly.

Manufacturers have added a filament identification sensor, which aids in increasing print success rates while reducing filament waste. So, the detector will raise the alarm and halt printing if the filament runs out or breaks.

Also, the printer’s auto-resume feature eliminates the threat of a power outage. After experiencing unexpected power failures, it resumes printing from the last recorded extruder position, saving you time and decreasing waste. Unfortunately, the printer heats up relatively fast.

Pros:

  • Ideal for professionals because of its high quality
  • Printing resumes after a power outage
  • Filament identification function to decrease filament waste and increase the success rate
  • Straightforward and quick assembly

 Cons:

  • Heats up so fast

Bottom Line

If you acquire the Voxelab Aquila X2 3D for your company, you’re in for a treat. Expect fantastic prints from this machine, especially in PLA. And we can’t forget the printer’s filament identification feature.

5. COMGROW Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D – Best for Beginners

COMGROW Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D

COMGROW Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D is an excellent printer for someone just getting started. That’s because it’s a straightforward machine that employs fused deposition modeling. In addition, it has a large print size, so you’ll be able to do some more significant work with it.

The printer also comes in pre-assembled sections. It allows you to learn how a 3D printer works while assembling and setting it up for the first time, which is another reason the printer is suggested for beginners.

Furthermore, the unit is compact, so you may store it on a desk or table. Its dimensions are 17.3 X 16.1 X 18.3 in. It’s small, light, and portable, weighing only 19 pounds. It can also work with various filaments, including ABS, PLA, carbon fiber, and wood. Also, its accuracy is around 0.1mm.

Not to mention, this model’s engineering advancements protect the construction while maintaining a uniform temperature over the whole build area. Furthermore, the redesigned build plate makes it easier to remove models after they’ve cooled.

Also, this printer has a vast number of attachments. Also, you can get a set of nozzles in various sizes, a variety of beds, and an updated extruder. On the downside, if you want any additional accessories, you’ll have to pay extra.

Pros:

  • An excellent 3D printer for beginners, as it’s straightforward
  • Produces high-quality prints
  • Pre-assembled for quick set-up
  • Improved engineering results.

Cons:

  • Not suitable for businesses
  • Has many accessories available separately, resulting in extra cost

Bottom Line

Because it’s simple to set up and use, the COMGROW Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D is ideal for beginners. In addition, it produces high-quality prints and has various attachments.

See also: How to use a 3D printer? [Step By Step Beginner’s Guide]

Factors to Consider When Buying a 3D Printer Under $200

Purchasing the best 3D printer under $200 necessitates thorough research, so we’re here to help you with a buying guide.

Type of Printer

Some printers are more cost-effective than others. And there are a variety of printers accessible in the market at different price points. They’re as follows:

  • DLP (Digital Light Processing)
  • SLA (Stereolithography)
  • FDM (Fused Deposition Model)
  • SLS ( Selective Laser Sintering)
  • SLM (Selective Laser Melting)

Slicing Software

When it comes to slicing software, most manufacturers supply their machines with open-source slicing software installed.

For simple 3D printing, a unit without open-source slicing software takes a long time. Furthermore, the results aren’t particularly commendable. So, before purchasing a 3D printer, make sure it includes slicing software. In less than a minute, the software can complete a 30MB.stl file.

Printing Material

In 3D printers, two types of thermoplastic materials are usually employed. So, they become soft when heated yet harden when exposed to air. Also, if you want to create anything, you’ll need a lot of printing supplies. The higher the quality of the plastic, the better the outcome will be. And of course, the kind of material you need depends on what you want to print.

To illustrate, polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) are the two choices (ABS). Some printers accept only one type, while others allow both.

Resolution

The resolution of a 3D printer is measured in microns. So, on the back of resin-based machines, there are around 100 microns. As for FDM printers, you can change the resolution of the final print. And the layer height and belt tension will give your prints a smoother finish.

In addition, the precision of a resin printer’s laser determines the quality of its output. Also, consider the model with simple configurations and more microns if you’re looking for the best 3D printer for under $200.

Automatic Leveling

Even if it’s tough to locate a printer with automatic leveling for less than $200, it’s doable. The most irritating element of 3D printing is leveling the printer’s bed because even a minor miscalculation in the bed’s angle or height might damage the entire model.

But if you can’t find a device with fully automatic leveling, some printers have assisted leveling systems that employ sensors to direct you into getting the print bed in the correct print position.

Size

Printer size matters because you must choose an appropriate storage place. Also, if you have enough storage space in your room, a smaller one will suffice.

Furthermore, it’d help if you also thought about the print size you intend to make, which varies from printer to printer. For example, some 3D printers can print tiny designs, while others have larger build platforms to obtain good creatives.

Open vs. Closed Frame

Choosing the frame is a matter of personal preference. For one, open-frame printers allow you to see what’s going on more clearly. This way, it’s much easier to troubleshoot and perform maintenance.

If you have children, closed-frame printers may be a preferable option. Because the hot filaments are out of reach, they provide more safety.

Also, if you’re going to use ABS, a closed frame may be preferable because it reduces the amount of smoke you have to inhale. Not to mention, closed-frame printers are quieter because all of the mechanisms are contained.

Build Volume

The build volume of a 3D printer is perhaps one of the essential characteristics, as it determines the maximum size of a print.

Compared to mid-range alternatives and enormous industrial-grade printers, 3D printers under $200 often have limited build volumes. But aim for those with a larger build volume if you plan on building more substantial, functional creations with predetermined dimensions.

Connectivity Options

It would be best if you considered your connectivity options. For example, while most printers come with a USB cable to connect to a computer, some also have an SD card slot, so they can operate without the use of a computer.

If you want to get serious about 3D printing, though, we recommend getting one with a USB port, a USB wire, and an SD card slot. These will provide you with various options for exporting the model file, which is a helpful feature.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, we hope you’ve found the best 3D printer under $200 for you. The Official Creality Ender 3 3D takes the top spot on this list, thanks to its lightning-quick heat-up time and compatibility with various filaments.

Another excellent option is the Monoprice – 15365 Select Mini 3D. It comes completely assembled and supports multiple filaments. Finally, the Voxelab Aquila X2 3D printer features great wireless connectivity options, auto-calibration, and much more.

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