The Best Budget 3D Printers Under $300
Budget doesn't have to mean bad when it comes to 3D printers. You can find a great 3D printer for under $300. Heck, we use budget 3D printers for some of our biggest and most practical 3D printed projects here at Howchoo, so we have some great recommendations for you based on how you plan to use the printer.
What to look for in a 3D Printer
Here are a few things to look for when buying a budget 3D printer (and things we'll be sure to mention when recommending one for you!).
If you're going to drop hundreds of dollars on a budget-friendly 3D printer, then you want to make sure your investment will last and work properly for years to come.
Print Volume
Essentially, this tells you how big of a 3D-print you can make with the printer. If you're only going to be using the 3D printer for miniatures or small, practical uses—then you can save some money by going with a printer with a smaller overall build volume.
Filament type(s)
Most 3D printers will be able to handle PLA-type filament, but you should keep an eye out for those that support only specific types of filaments or use a resin-based goo. A resin 3D printer makes highly-detailed, smaller prints—so it is preferred by many who are looking to make miniatures.
Assembly
We're going to let you know when a 3D printer comes fully assembled, so you know that you don't have to spend hours putting it together before you can make your first print. Keep in mind that having to assemble a 3D printer does have the benefit of teaching you about its function—but it does require time.
Auto bed leveling
We also mention when a 3D printer has an automatic bed leveling feature that makes it easier to avoid the mistakes common to manual bed leveling. This is a great feature to have when buying a 3D printer for a kid or young adult who might not have the patience required to manually level the bed.
Overall quality
This may seem obvious, but quality varies widely among the 3D printers you come across while browsing on Amazon. If you're going to drop hundreds of dollars (even when less than $300) on a budget-friendly 3D printer, then you want to make sure your investment will last and work properly for years to come.