Recommended and Purchase Guide for Small 3D Printers in 2024
6 min
In previous blog posts, we have introduced many excellent 3D printers on the market. If you are a beginner and want to enter the field of 3D printing, but don’t want to spend too much money or need a large workspace, a small 3D printer is a suitable purchase option. In this article, we will introduce the most recommended small 3D printers in 2024, focusing on their functions and technical features. If you are still in the watch-and-wait stage for 3D printer consumption, it is recommended to use JLC3DP’s online 3D printing service.
Creality Ender-3 V3
Price: $299
Build volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
Technology: FDM
Source: https://www.crealityexperts.com/creality-ender-3-v3-se-vs-ankermake-m5c
Similarities with the K1 series: The Ender-3 V3 shares many components with the K1, including the hot end and extruder, which provide reliable performance and heat up to 300°C. The printer also includes a Pii Flex plate similar to the K1, which can easily remove prints.
Printing Speed and Stability: It features a belt drive system and a lighter design (300g lighter than the K1) for high-speed printing (up to 600mm/sec) with a travel speed of 20,000mm/sec. Despite the high speed, it delivers good print quality, especially for non-detailed prints.
Wi-Fi and Software: The Ender-3 V3 is Wi-Fi enabled and supports Creality's Clipper software, allowing remote printing via the Creality app or PC. It also supports optional camera integration to monitor printing.
Easy to Assemble and Set Up: With just a few bolts and a power cable connection, the printer can be easily assembled. It features automatic input shaping to reduce vibration and improve print quality, as well as an automatic leveling feature to make setup hassle-free.
Spool Holder Design: The spool holder is located at the bottom, which makes the center of the printer lower and reduces vibration, but may cause filament tension, but this is not a big problem for beginners.
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra
Price: $269.99
Build volume: 153.36 x 77.76 x 165 mm
Technology: SLA
Source:https://3dwithus.com/elegoo-mars-5-ultra-review-plug-and-play-printing
High-resolution printing: The Mars 5 Ultra is equipped with a 9K LCD screen (8520 x 4320 pixels) and an XY resolution of 18 microns. Its high-precision printing effect excels in complex details and textures, making it suitable for users with high quality requirements.
Faster printing speed: Through the innovative tilted resin tank design (not available in the regular version), the Mars 5 Ultra can print at a speed of 150 mm per hour, more than twice as fast as the standard Mars 5 (70 mm/hour), while improving the printing success rate and reducing resin waste.
Intelligent functions: Supports self-calibration of the printing platform, automatic detection of resin level and residue, and has overheating protection and self-test functions. Through the Chitubox Manager software, Wi-Fi remote control, print file upload and monitoring can be achieved, and it is also equipped with an "AI camera" for real-time observation and time-lapse photography.
For users who want to transition from traditional FDM desktop printers or pursue high-quality printing, the Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra is a good choice.
Prusa Mini+
Price: $459
Build volume: 180 x 180 x 180 mm
Technology: FDM
Source:https://hackspace.raspberrypi.com/articles/review-prusa-mini
Fast printing: Prusa Mini+ is equipped with advanced input shaper and pressure push technology to ensure printing quality while increasing speed. With the preset profiles in PrusaSlicer, you can easily select the printing parameters that best suit your project.
Flexible printing plate: Mini+ is equipped with a magnetic hot bed and a removable spring steel plate. The print can be easily removed by simply bending the steel plate, ensuring smooth removal of the print and simplifying post-processing.
Automatic grid bed leveling: Mini+ is equipped with a SuperPINDA probe that can accurately measure the height of the print bed to ensure that the bed surface can be automatically leveled before each print. The system creates a virtual height map to ensure that the first layer is printed accurately, thereby increasing the success rate of printing.
Network connection and remote management: Prusa Mini+ is equipped with an Ethernet port and supports optional ESP Wi-Fi module upgrade, allowing you to integrate it with the Prusa Connect remote print management system. With this system, you can easily manage print tasks remotely and even update the firmware.
"One-click printing" function: Prusa Mini+ provides a one-click printing function. After inserting a USB drive with a slice file, just select the target file and click confirm, and the printer will automatically start working without complicated operations.
Recommendations for purchasing small 3D printers
When purchasing a small 3D printer, you can pay attention to the following aspects to ensure that you choose a device that meets your needs:
1. Clarify printing needs
If you need high-precision printed models, such as miniature scenes or delicate decorations, you should give priority to high-resolution devices; if it is mainly used for functional applications, such as making parts or rapid prototyping, speed and stability are more important considerations.
2. Consider budget and cost performance
For entry-level users, choosing a printer with moderate price and simple functions can avoid the learning burden caused by too many complex functions. For users with long-term needs, it is more important to pay attention to the quality of the equipment, accessory compatibility and subsequent maintenance costs, which can significantly improve the user experience.
3. Focus on ease of use and automation functions
For example, the automatic leveling function can help novices easily adjust the print bed and improve the printing success rate; the flexible print bed design allows users to take out the printed model more conveniently while reducing the difficulty of post-processing. In addition, choosing a device with an intuitive software interface can help users get started quickly and reduce the learning curve.
4. Material compatibility and expandability
Choosing a device that supports a variety of common materials (such as PLA, ABS, PETG) can meet diverse printing needs. At the same time, understand whether the device supports upgraded components (such as cameras or Wi-Fi modules) so that functions can be expanded according to needs in the future.
If you are interested in the devices recommended in this article, you may wish to filter them according to your needs and choose the one that best suits you. If you do not plan to purchase a 3D printer for the time being, but have a small batch printing demand, JLC3DP provides high-quality online 3D printing services that far exceed desktop 3D printers and can meet your personalized manufacturing needs.
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