As printing enthusiasts ourselves, we take pride in researching and choosing the best products, tools, and resources on the market.Our goal is to assist those new to the world of 3D printing with their purchasing decisions. We also thrive when we curate our own selections, create a resource for our community, and act as a group of passionate makers who want to share their passion for 3D printing with others.
We aim to be an unbiased resource that goes through all of the pros and cons of individual product types. We hope that we can be a resource to you whether you’re trying to 3D print something for the first time or create something complex.
Whether you’re printing for cosplay, miniatures, or something else altogether, we are confident that we have curated a list of products that will suit your needs.
We’re confident that 3D printing is a hobby that everyone can enjoy. We’ve assembled a list of the best budget 3D printers, but we also break down the different cost categories for different price ranges. Depending on your needs, the price guidelines are a bit different.
We make the shopping process easy by narrowing down the options and organizing them. We have up-to-date information on software, hardware, and any news you might need to know.
How This Works
Our team writes about the latest software, products, pens, and recalls in the form of review articles and how-to information. We range from tech enthusiasts to 3D designers.
Choosing the Printers We Review
Our authors draw on life experience. They have been in the media printing space for years, and some of them were early adopters of 3D printing tech. After outlining the product in an impartial manner, we will offer our opinion and tell you why we do (or don’t) recommend it. We review 3D printers, software, printer pens, and create guides and tutorials. We update our reviews as we change our opinion and stay up to date with the latest news and product releases in printing technology.
Our Core Values
- Honesty
- Providing knowledgeable and helpful information
- Being a trustworthy and credible source
- Showing our passion for 3D printing
About the Team
The Total 3D Printing team is composed of professionals that enjoy sharing their expertise on 3D printing. Our writers are fascinated by the printing industry and the rapid changes it has experienced over the years. Their passions range from technology in general to 3D design.
Our team has experience using 3D printing in their professional lives and/or personal lives. From the dental experts who use the versatile art of 3D printing to create dental models to the doctors who use 3D printing to increase production of PPE and medical supplies to the hobbyist who simply enjoys making models from their at-home printer, the options are endless, we’ve got you.
No matter the category you fall into, there will always be specific characteristics of the equipment and processes to consider, and our team is here to help with our how-to guides and 3D printing tutorials.
Our Panel of Experts
All of our contributors have a wealth of information to share about 3D printing, however, these experts work in the field day in and day out.
Maggie Fannick – Owner of Magster LLC
Maggie is the owner of Magster LLC, a 3D printing and CAD contracting company. Her background is in mechanical engineering, but she fell in love with 3D printing so much that she decided to turn it into a full-time gig. In her free time, she enjoys climbing, hiking, scuba diving, and sitting on her couch while eating food for extended periods of time. She is also a very devoted cat mom. Connect with Maggie through Instagram at @magsterllc
Luke Woodard, 3D Printing Setup, Solidworks CAD Specialist
Luke is a 3D Printing hardware and software specialist, here to help others get their setup done right with smart software tutorials and guides for the Solidworks CAD tool.
Our Total 3D Printing Writing Team
Jodie Chiffey – 3D Designer
Jodie is a cross-functional 3D designer and blogger. She has special interests in open source 3D printing for R&D and has spent a lot of time at different projects across the globe to learn more about 3D printing. Most of what she has learned is from hands-on experience.
Why are you giving advice for Total 3D printing?
Mastering 3D printers is a constant journey of learning, exploring, trying, failing – and I’ve had a fair share of all. What always helped me the most when I got stuck was the wonderful online 3D printing community. It is an endless source of knowledge and support. I hope to be able to give some of it back now.
What is the coolest thing you’ve seen someone make with a 3D printer in-person or online?
Whenever I see someone printing real functional prosthetics on a 3D printer, I am in absolute awe. Even my most ambitious projects seem like a child’s play compared to that.
What is the coolest thing you’ve made with a 3D printer?
Last year, I printed a bunch of artsy, colorful planters with abstract geometric designs. I still have them on my terrace, and all my friends and relatives compliment them, so I guess I can be proud of this project.
What is your favorite 3D printer?
I am currently exploring Dremel DigiLab 3D45, and it looks like my new favorite. It is perfectly user-friendly and very flexible. It’s the type of machine that genuinely inspires you to enhance your creativity and improve your skills in every regard.
Where do you see 3D printing 10 years in the future?
In every household, of course! This technology has so much potential in our everyday lives. Moreover, I am confident 3D printers will also soon find their way to space. They should certainly be part of the Mars journey.
Justin Caldwell – 3D Printer Technology Enthusiast
Why are you giving advice for Total 3D printing? I’ve always found 3D printing exciting and fascinating. As I discovered more about it, I realized just how little I knew. I enjoy discovering new items to print or new and innovative ways people are putting their 3D printers to use.
What is the coolest thing you’ve seen someone make with a 3D printer in-person or online?
When the pandemic was in full swing, a friend of ours printed my family some masks with her 3D printer. I had never thought of doing something like that. It was pretty cool for her to do that for us.
What is the coolest thing you’ve made with a 3D printer?
The coolest thing is probably a mini-catapult. It’s not the most utilitarian object I’ve printed, but it’s a lot of fun to shoot things at people (safely, of course).
What is your favorite 3D printer?
I’ve always been partial to the FlashForge 3D printers. You can’t print massive objects with them, but they get the job done. They are easy to use and are always offering new features for their users.
Where do you see 3D printing 10 years in the future?
I think 3D printing will continue to provide creative and innovative ways to move society forward. I don’t think there’s any one market or industry we should focus on. 3D printing can have a positive impact on nearly any market.
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Where to Start
If you are actively looking to buy a new 3d printer, this guide to the best printers (updated frequently) is a great place to start.
Otherwise, if you have a printer and are just looking for guides and resources, this section is a good place to find information.