Best Beginner 3D Printer

A comprehensive warranty protects beginners from defects and failures. Knowing that their investment is protected, beginners can experiment and learn without worrying about potential hardware issues.

5 Best 3D Printers for Beginners

1. Elegoo Neptune 4

Overview

The Elegoo Neptune 4 is a 3D printer known for its impressive printing speeds and spacious build volume, making it a contender for hobbyists and makers looking to create larger projects.

We’ve chosen this as our best 3D printer for beginners because of a number of reasons. Mostly to do with its speed, it’s very easy to use even without any experience and it’s simple to understand the user interface.

Here's a breakdown of its features and suitability for beginners:

Key features

High printing speeds: Up to 500 mm/s, significantly faster than most entry-level printers.

Large build volume: 225 x 225 x 265 mm, allowing for larger prints compared to basic models.

Klipper firmware: Offers advanced customization options for experienced users.

Dual-gear direct extruder: Improves filament feeding consistency and reduces the risk of jams.

PEI spring steel printing bed: Offers good adhesion and easy print removal.

Pros and cons

Pros:

Fast printing: Saves time on larger projects.

Large build volume: More versatility in the types and sizes of objects you can print.

Quiet operation: Compared to some faster printers.

User-friendly interface: Easy to navigate for beginners.

Cons:

Semi-automatic bed levelling: Requires manual adjustments, which can be challenging for beginners.

Limited filament compatibility: Currently only supports PLA and PETG filaments.

Newer model: Less user experience and troubleshooting resources compared to established models.

Why it’s good for beginners

The Neptune 4 offers faster printing speeds compared to most beginner printers, which can be appealing for those who want to see results quicker.

The large build volume opens up the possibility of printing larger objects, which can be motivating for beginners.

The user-friendly interface makes it easy to get started and navigate the basic functions.

However, it's important to note the potential drawbacks:

Semi-automatic bed levelling can be a hurdle for beginners unfamiliar with the process.

Limited filament compatibility may restrict your material options initially.

As a newer model, there might be fewer readily available resources and troubleshooting guides compared to more established printers.

Overall experience:

Overall, we’re really enjoying the Elegoo Neptune 4. The speed and build volume are fantastic for our needs, and it's surprisingly quiet.

However, the semi-automatic bed levelling and limited filament compatibility might be hurdles for some beginners.

If you're comfortable with a little tinkering and are excited about the potential of a speedy and spacious machine, this printer is definitely worth considering.

2. AnkerMake M5

Overview

We’ve chosen the AnkerMake M5 as our second best 3D printer for beginners. Why, you ask? The AnkerMake M5 boasts exceptional printing speeds, user-friendly features, and a sleek design, making it a strong contender for beginners and experienced makers alike.

It was fantastic in many different ways, but here are the key factors that we found:

Key features

Blazing-fast printing: Up to 500 mm/s in "Fast Mode," significantly faster than most printers on the market.

AI camera monitoring: Monitors your print in real-time, allowing you to identify and address any issues remotely.

Auto-created time-lapses: Captures the printing process, offering a fun and engaging way to witness your creation come to life.

7x7 auto-levelling: Simplifies setup and ensures consistent printing quality.

Mobile app control: Monitor and control your printer from anywhere using your smartphone.

Pros and cons

Pros:

Unmatched speed: Saves significant time, especially for larger prints.

Seamless setup and use: User-friendly features and mobile app control make it easy to get started.

Built-in camera and time-lapse: Adds a fun and informative element to the printing process.

Reliable printing quality: Auto-levelling and consistent filament feed ensure successful prints.

Cons:

Limited filament compatibility: Currently only supports PLA and PETG filaments.

Newer model: Less user experience and troubleshooting resources compared to established models.

Slightly higher price point: May be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers.

Why it’s good for beginners

The user-friendly features and mobile app control make it easy to learn and operate, even for those new to 3D printing.

The auto-levelling and consistent printing quality minimise setup hassle and frustration, allowing beginners to focus on the creative aspects.

The built-in camera and time-lapse feature add a fun and engaging element to the learning process, keeping beginners motivated.

Overall experience:

As a complete beginner with no prior 3D printing experience, we found the AnkerMake M5 incredibly user-friendly. The mobile app guided me through the setup process, and the auto-levelling feature eliminated any concerns about bed calibration. It was very easy for us to use.

The AI camera monitoring and time-lapse features were a bonus, allowing us to observe and learn from the printing process in real-time.

While the limited filament compatibility might be a future consideration, the overall experience was smooth, engaging, and produced high-quality prints.

3. Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo

Overview

In 3rd position as one of the best beginner 3D printers is the Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo. It’s a popular and affordable 3D printer known for its reliable performance, user-friendly features, and large online community.

It's a solid choice for beginners looking for a good balance of functionality and value. Here are more details around some of the things we found most impressive about this 3D printer.

Key features

CR Touch auto-levelling: Simplifies setup and ensures consistent printing quality.

Full-metal Bowden extruder: Durable and reliable for smooth filament feeding.

PC spring steel magnetic build plate: Offers good adhesion and easy print removal.

Silent mainboard: Reduces operational noise for a quieter printing experience.

Open-source design: Allows for customisation and modding for experienced users.

Pros and cons

Pros:

Affordable price point: A great value for beginners who want to get started without breaking the bank.

Easy to use: User-friendly features and large online community make it easy to learn and troubleshoot.

Reliable printing: Consistent performance and durable components minimise printing failures.

Upgradable: Open-source design allows for future customisation and expansion.

Cons:

Slightly slower printing speeds: Compared to newer models like the AnkerMake M5.

May require some assembly: While straightforward, it might involve a short learning curve for complete beginners.

Limited warranty: Compared to some competitors offering longer coverage periods.

Why it’s good for beginners

The affordable price point makes it accessible for new users without a major investment.

The user-friendly features and large online community provide ample support and resources for learning the ropes.

The auto-levelling, reliable components and open-source design offer a good balance of ease of use, functionality, and future customisation potential.

Overall experience:

We found the Ender 3 V2 Neo to be a very good starting point for beginners looking to get started in 3D printing. The clear instructions and online community helped us navigate the initial setup and printing process.

We also loved the auto levelling feature which saved us both time and frustration from doing all of this manually. Overall, the printing quality was very impressive as well.

While the assembly process required some initial effort, the open-source design gives me the option to explore customisation in the future. Considering the price and features, the Ender 3 V2 Neo proved to be a valuable learning tool and a reliable printer for my first foray into 3D printing.

4. Bambu Lab P1P

Overview

At fourth place, the Bambu Lab P1P is a unique 3D printer that blends cutting-edge technology with user-friendly features. It boasts high speeds, an enclosed build chamber, and innovative features, making it ideal for beginners seeking a premium and future-proof first printer.

You can quickly see why we liked this one, and why it’s ranked as one of the best beginner 3D printers in 2024.

Key features

High-speed printing: Up to 500 mm/s, rivalling the fastest printers on the market.

Heated and enclosed build chamber: Enables printing with a wider range of filament materials, including ABS and nylon.

Automatic bed levelling with LiDAR sensor: Ensures consistent first layer adhesion for optimal print quality.

AI-powered filament run out sensor: Automatically pauses and resumes printing if the filament runs low, saving time and filament.

Built-in camera with time-lapse recording: Monitor your prints remotely and create engaging time-lapses.

Pros and cons

Pros:

Exceptional printing speed and quality: Produces high-quality prints quickly, ideal for impatient creators.

Wide material compatibility: Opens up new possibilities for experimentation with diverse filaments.

Advanced features like LiDAR levelling and filament run out sensor: Minimise printing failures and frustration for beginners.

Enclosed build chamber: Provides a controlled environment for printing with temperature-sensitive filaments and reduces warping.

Cons:

Higher price point: Compared to other beginner-friendly printers, the P1P comes at a premium cost.

Newer model: Less user experience and troubleshooting resources compared to established models.

Bulkier design: Requires more space on your workbench compared to some open-frame printers.

Why it’s good for beginners

The user-friendly interface and automated features like bed levelling and filament run out detection minimise the learning curve for beginners.

The enclosed build chamber and wide material compatibility allow for exploring a wider range of project possibilities.

The high printing speed and quality cater to impatient beginners who want to see results quickly.

Overall experience:

While the initial cost was higher than other options, the features and user-friendliness won us over eventually.

The auto-levelling and filament run out detection minimised setup hassles and potential printing failures, allowing us to focus on learning and experimenting with different materials.

The enclosed build chamber opened up the possibility of printing with ABS, which wasn't feasible with other open-frame printers.

Despite the bulkier design and newer model status, the P1P's innovative features and user-friendliness made it a rewarding and future-proof investment for us on our 3D printing journey.

5. Kingroon KP3S 3.0

Overview

So, lastly we have the awesome Kingroon KP3S 3.0. In a short summary, this is a budget-friendly 3D printer known for its simplicity, reliability, and ease of use. It's a great option for beginners who want a no-frills printer to get started with 3D printing without breaking the bank.

Now, here are the key features that we loved, hated and found with this printer:

Key features

Open-frame design: Offers easy access and visibility to the printing process.

Heated bed: Enables printing with PLA filament, a popular choice for beginners.

Manual bed levelling: Requires some initial setup, but simpler to manage compared to complex systems.

Filament run out sensor: Pauses printing if the filament runs low, minimising wasted material.

Silent stepper motors: Reduces operational noise for a quieter printing experience.

Pros and cons

Pros:

Highly affordable: The most budget-friendly option on this list, making it accessible for beginners on a tight budget.

Simple and user-friendly: Easy to set up and operate, with minimal features to overwhelm new users.

Reliable performance: Consistent printing quality with minimal maintenance requirements.

Compact design: Takes up less space on your workbench compared to some larger printers.

Cons:

Limited features: Lacks some advanced features like auto-levelling or enclosed build chambers found in more expensive models.

Manual bed levelling: Requires more user involvement compared to automated systems.

Limited filament compatibility: Primarily designed for PLA filament, with limited options for exploring other materials.

Why it’s good for beginners

The extremely affordable price point makes it a low-risk entry point for beginners unsure about committing to the hobby.

The simple design and user-friendly interface minimise the learning curve and allow beginners to focus on understanding the core principles of 3D printing.

The reliable performance and compact size make it a good choice for those with limited space or technical experience.

Overall experience:

Price is probably the best and biggest factor in this. The price was unbeatable, and the setup process was straightforward. While the manual bed levelling took some practice, the online community provided helpful resources.

The printer has been running consistently, producing decent quality PLA prints. It might lack the bells and whistles of some advanced models, but for us, it's a reliable and affordable way to learn the ropes of 3D printing without making a significant financial investment.

3D Printing Projects for Beginners

The world of 3D printing is full of exciting possibilities, but for beginners, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Fear not! This list offers a variety of beginner-friendly projects that will help you get comfortable with your 3D printer, explore its capabilities, and have fun in the process.

Project Ideas:

Keychain Fobs: Design and print personalised key chains with your initials, favourite symbols, or even miniature objects that you love!

Phone Stands: Create a simple yet practical phone stand for your desk or bedside table. Simple, easy and ready to use.

Plant Pots: Print customisable plant pots in various sizes and designs to add a personal touch to your home decor.

Cookie Cutters: Design and print unique cookie cutters for personalised cookies or fun shapes for crafting projects.

Organisational Tools: Print handy desk organisers like pen holders, cable clips, or business card holders.

Game Pieces: Design and print custom game pieces for board games or create your own table top game with unique pieces.

Action Figures: Start small and design simple action figures or figurines to practise character creation and articulation.

Jewellery Pieces: Explore printing simple pendants, earrings, or charms to create personalised jewellery or handmade gifts.

Why these projects are good for beginners:

Simple Designs: These projects often have straightforward shapes and minimal moving parts, making them easier to print and assemble.

Short Print Times: The smaller size and simpler designs generally require less printing time, allowing you to see results quickly and gain confidence.

Wide Range of Options: You can personalise these projects to your liking, allowing you to experiment with different design elements and colours.

Functional and Practical: Many of these projects have everyday uses, making them both fun and practical endeavours.

Support Structures: Some designs may require additional support structures during printing, which you might need to remove carefully after printing.

Filament Compatibility: Ensure your chosen filament type is compatible with your printer's capabilities.

Printing Settings: While most projects provide recommended settings, you may need to fine-tune them based on your specific printer and filament.

Remember, this is just a starting point! With a little creativity and exploration, you can find endless 3D printing projects that suit your interests and skill level. Don't be afraid to experiment, learn from your experiences, and most importantly, have fun exploring the exciting world of 3D printing!

Final verdict

After careful evaluation and hands-on testing, our definitive choice for the best beginner 3D printer is the Elegoo Neptune 4. This printer stands out not only for its impressive features but also for how well it aligns with the needs of beginners stepping into the world of 3D printing.

Why Elegoo Neptune 4 takes the top spot:

The Neptune 4's high printing speed up to 500 mm/s makes it a standout option, allowing beginners to quickly see the results of their projects without long waits.

Despite its advanced capabilities, the Neptune 4 maintains a user-friendly interface that simplifies the 3D printing process for beginners. The combination of its intuitive software and the straightforward assembly process helps to learn 3D printing.

Offering a large build volume and maintaining high print quality, the Neptune 4 provides newcomers with the flexibility to experiment with a variety of projects, from small intricate designs to larger, more complex creations.

Considering its features, the Neptune 4 presents remarkable value for money. It balances affordability with performance, offering advanced features typically found in more expensive models without breaking the bank.

Blog Author: Simon Cross is the engaging and knowledgeable voice behind the insightful articles on printers and printer consumables at IJT Direct, an ecommerce store renowned for its comprehensive selection of printers, printer consumables, and hardware. To find out more about Simon Click Here