Best 3D Printer Under $300

In this comprehensive guide, we have curated a list of the 10 best 3D printers under $300 available in the current market. These exceptional machines have been selected based on their quality, efficiency, and affordability after conducting thorough research. Continue reading to gather all the necessary information that will help you make an informed decision on which printer to choose.

Whether you’re a 3D modeler or a construction engineer working with CAD software, having the best 3D printer at your disposal can yield impressive results faster and with less effort. As 3D printing technology continues to grow in popularity, the competition between manufacturers to produce top-quality printers at the lowest prices possible has become increasingly fierce.

Now is the perfect time to dive in and explore the best 3D printers under $300 to elevate your productivity and stay competitive in this ever-evolving industry.

Things That Might Look Before Buying the Best 3d Printer Under $300

When it comes to purchasing a 3D printer within a budget, there are a few important aspects to consider. In this article, we’ll discuss the essential factors to keep in mind before buying the best 3D printer under $300, followed by a list of top options in the market.

Print Quality:

Although there might not be a significant difference in print quality among various 3D printers under $300, some models do stand out. However, there are 3D printers available under $300 that offer a significant improvement in print quality when compared to their counterparts priced below $200.

Body Quality:

You might wonder, why does the exterior appearance matter, especially for those who aren’t familiar with the intricacies of 3D printers? The answer lies in the fact that a more durable build quality results in increased print stability and accuracy. If you have ever examined devices priced below $200, you would notice the stark difference; these lower-cost printers often resemble toys more than professional equipment. Opting for a preassembled printer with an enclosed chamber under $200 might leave you questioning if it’s a 3D printer at all.

Print Bed:

Although the print bed may not be as large as those found in more affordable options, its features will be notably improved. If you’re familiar with 3D printing, you’ll understand the significance of a heated print bed. Such a feature is typically available in printers priced around $300, providing you with the flexibility to experiment with various filament types. This allows you to print using ABS or TPU, in addition to the standard PLA filament.

Below is a list of the best 3D printers under $300, complete with their features, pros, and cons. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to make a wise decision and choose the perfect 3D printer for your needs.

Our top pick is the Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer, which is popular, reliable, and efficient. It features a replaceable built-in surface plate that maintains a consistent temperature across the entire surface. This makes it easy to remove printed models once they have cooled down. Additionally, the resume print option allows you to restart printing right where you left off.

Equipped with a UL-certified power supply, the Ender 3 Pro quickly heats the hotbed to 110°C while protecting your printer from power fluctuations.

The easy-to-assemble kit arrives half-assembled, providing you with an opportunity to learn about 3D printer assembly as you put it together. It’s an enjoyable and educational STEM learning experience in mechanical engineering and electronics.

Reasons to Buy

The Creality Ender 3 Pro boasts an array of excellent features, such as a UL-certified safe power supply, user-friendly design, and consistent temperature, making it a top choice under $300.

The Ender 3 V2 has secured its place among the top 3D printers under $300, thanks to its outstanding features. Boasting a built-in silent motherboard designed for anti-interference, it provides efficient, consistent motion performance, noiseless printing, and quiet operation.

Equipped with a MeanWell power supply, the Ender 3 V2 meets most requirements for rapid heating and long-lasting printing. Additionally, the power supply is concealed within the printer, enhancing its safety.

A rotary knob on the extruder simplifies filament loading and feeding, while the 4.3″ smart color screen offers an excellent user experience.

There’s no need to worry about unexpected power outages; the Ender 3 V2 can resume from where it left off, saving you time and effort.

Reason to Buy

The Creality Ender 3 V2 has captured our interest with its impressive features. Its UL-certified safe power supply, resume printing functionality, and built-in silent motherboard make it one of the best 3D printers available under $300.

The Elegoo Mars Pro stands out as the best budget option, offering incremental improvements over its predecessor. With a sleek design that aligns with the original, it’s easy to spot the changes and make comparisons. The Mars Pro is designed with user-friendliness in mind, benefiting from numerous small enhancements that collectively improve its usability. You can expect high-quality prints from this elegant 3D printer.

The Mars Pro’s masking LCD screen boasts a resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels on a 5.5-inch diagonal screen, resulting in a pixel size of 47 microns. This level of print resolution ensures competitive performance, producing smooth print surfaces that capture fine details when examined closely. Additionally, the printer’s use of voxels creates a visible staircase effect in the prints.

Reason to Buy

As an entry-level resin 3D printer, the Elegoo Mars Pro is an excellent option. It’s clear that user feedback has helped refine and improve upon the previous model, while still maintaining an incredibly competitive price point.

This remarkable device marks a new era for Anycubic, combining impressive features with an elegant design. Notably, the Photon Mono operates quietly, with the only audible noise being the motor during layer changes. In contrast to other printers, its cooling fans are not overly loud or intrusive.

The user-friendly onboard Photon Workshop software makes operating the printer a breeze. Although it comes with preset settings for Anycubic printers, you can also create profiles for any other printer you desire. One standout feature of the Photon Mono is its monochrome LCD, which significantly enhances printing speed. With a mere 2-second waiting time for standard rising, it’s three times faster than its competitors in this price range.

The screw and linear rail system ensure that the z-axis moves smoothly, while the integrated FEP film is easy and quick to replace, allowing for a hassle-free printing experience.

Regarding print speed, the Photon Mono boasts an exposure time of around 1.5 seconds and a maximum printing speed of 600mm/h. This 3D printer truly offers the best of both worlds: top performance at an unbeatable price.

Reason to Buy

Within an affordable price range, the Photon Mono is a fantastic option that offers a premium-like experience. Equipped with all the essential features of a high-quality printer in its class, it delivers exceptional printing speeds and significantly reduced exposure times. This remarkable 3D printer truly provides exceptional value without compromising on performance.

If you’re seeking the ultimate 3D printer with top-notch performance, pick Flashforge Finder. This outstanding device has rightfully earned the title of the best-value 3D printer. As a plug-and-play printer, setup is a breeze — simply unbox, remove the protective packaging, and calibrate the platform using the touchscreen. The intuitive menu guides you through the process, ensuring your printer is up and running in mere minutes.

The Flashforge 3D printer boasts print quality comparable to much more expensive models, delivering layer resolutions as fine as 50 microns. Not only is it precise, but it’s also impressively fast, capable of printing up to 24 cubic centimeters of PLA in just an hour.

One of the standout features of the Flashforge Finder is its whisper-quiet operation. While noise reduction is a focus for many next-generation printers, the Flashforge surpasses its competition with a mere 50 dB of noise during use.

To enhance the user experience, the printer features a 3.5-inch touchscreen, along with versatile connectivity options including USB, SD card, and Wi-Fi. Compatible with the most popular programs and boasting its own app, the Flashforge Finder is truly a remarkable 3D printer that offers exceptional performance and value.

Reason to Buy

A key factor that entices many to choose this 3D printer is the exceptional print quality it delivers, rivaling that of considerably more expensive models. The printer is not only robust, but also remarkably quiet and swift. With its ability to produce high-resolution prints, it truly offers an outstanding combination of performance and value for discerning users.

Introducing the LulzBot Mini 2, the best enthusiast printer available in the market. As a professional upgrade in the company’s product lineup, it arrives with significant improvements over its predecessor, including an LCD screen that supports value 3D printing.

Ideal for architects, designers, and engineers, the LulzBot Mini 2 is user-friendly and features one of the best extruders on the market—the E3D Titan Aero—which ensures high-quality, reliable 3D printing. Moreover, the printer boasts both open-source software and hardware, allowing users to leverage cutting-edge technology from the ever-evolving 3D printing industry.

With its plug-and-play functionality, you can begin printing in no time. The specially designed Cura LulzBot Edition software offers pre-configured profiles for over 30 materials, ensuring optimal results. Equipped with premium polymer bearings and silent TMC 2130 stepper motor drivers, the LulzBot Mini 2 operates smoothly and quietly, making it suitable for libraries, offices, classrooms, and more.

Measuring 22.5 by 20.1 by 17.7 inches and weighing just 3.5 ounces, the LulzBot Mini 2 offers exceptional performance at a fair price, ensuring you don’t have to break the bank to acquire this remarkable 3D printer.

Reason to Buy

For those seeking the perfect balance of price and performance in a 3D printer tailored for enthusiasts, this remarkable device is one of the best options available under $300. With an array of impressive features typically found in higher-priced models, this budget-friendly printer is sure to exceed your expectations and deliver exceptional value.

Introducing the Voxel, an incredibly user-friendly and versatile 3D printer designed for beginners. With its intuitive menu and 2.8-inch color display, the Voxel makes 3D printing accessible to everyday users. Equipped with 8GB of memory for storing 3D models, a USB port, and Wi-Fi connectivity with hotspot functionality, this printer allows seamless integration with your computer. The built-in camera further enhances the printing experience.

Upon arrival, the Voxel is ready to print in minutes, complete with 3D model samples and filaments. Unlike many other 3D printers, which require a significant amount of time and tools to replace the nozzle, the Voxel features a quick-change nozzle that can be swapped out in seconds without additional tools.

The printer also boasts easy removal of completed prints—simply remove the support and gently bend it to release the model. If the printed circuit board becomes damaged, it can be easily replaced, allowing for uninterrupted printing.

Two standout features of the Voxel include its user-friendly leveling system, which only requires a few simple steps via the touchscreen for calibration, and an automatic filament loading system that simplifies fiber replenishment.

Additional features include a heated removable printing plate, quick-change gearbox, AC connection cable, screwdriver, fiber tool, nozzle cleaning kit, grease pack, and an Allen key. Measuring 19.6 by 16.9 by 20.2 inches and weighing 28.4 pounds, the Voxel is an exceptional 3D printer that combines convenience, ease of use, and versatility.

Reason to Buy

Experience an array of premium features, including a USB port, Wi-Fi connectivity with hotspot functionality, and 8GB of memory for storing print models, all at an impressively affordable price. This exceptional 3D printer delivers outstanding value without compromising on quality or functionality.

The JGMaker Magic 3D printer may not be as well-known as some competitors, but it’s definitely worth considering. Its simple yet sturdy design ensures stability during prints. The printer features a 220 x 220 x 250mm heated bed with a removable and flexible build plate, providing an excellent environment for prints while also making it easy to move.

The JGMaker Magic offers a variety of useful features, such as a filament runout detector, removable build plates, and a resume printing function. Its compact design, complete with a built-in power supply, sets it apart from competitors like the Ender 3.

With the underside of the printer fully accessible, you can easily reach the controller board and power supply. Although the power supply is wired correctly, it’s important to note that the USB port is not grounded. To properly ground the USB port, you’ll need to attach a ground wire from the USB port to the DC negative terminal. Exercise caution when connecting a PC to the printer until you’ve verified proper grounding.

The mainboard is an in-house 80 mega 2560 controller, which runs a fairly recent version of Marlin, potentially version 1.1. Overall, the JGMaker Magic 3D printer offers a solid blend of features and design, making it a worthwhile option to explore.

Reason to Buy

The JGMaker Magic boasts an array of enticing features, making it a top contender among the best 3D printers under $300. With its removable build plates and well-wired power supply, this budget-friendly printer offers excellent value without compromising on functionality or quality.

The GeeeTech A10M stands out among 3D printers under $300, offering multicolor printing capabilities. Its 2-in-1 extruder enables printing in four distinct modes: single, dual-color, grated color, and mixed color, making it an attractive option for those seeking variety. However, it’s important to note that this printer is best suited for expert users and requires careful adjustments.

As a budget-friendly cartesian 3D printer using filament, the A10M has a bed that moves on the Y-axis and a build volume of 220 x 220 x 260 mm—an ideal size for an entry-level printer. It works with 1.75mm diameter filaments and a standard 0.4mm nozzle.

The A10M’s unique feature is its dual extruders feeding into a single mixing hot end, allowing two different types of filaments to blend. At under $300, this dual extruder printer offers exceptional value if it prints well.

In terms of print quality, the A10M delivers impressive results, with smooth surfaces and consistent layers. It handles layer heights between 0.1 and 0.3mm with ease, and its print quality is on par with other top entry-level 3D printers. With the added advantage of multicolor printing, the A10M truly stands out in its class.

Reason to Buy

This printer excels in dual extrusion, featuring two extruders mounted at the top with Bowden tubes leading to a single hot end. This design not only allows you to print each color separately, like a typical dual extruder, but also to print both colors simultaneously, mixing them in any desired ratio. This innovative approach adds a unique flair to your 3D printing projects, enabling a blend of colors and enhanced creativity.

Anycubic has taken a unique approach with the Mega Zero, an affordable 3D printer that features thoughtful design choices to balance cost reduction with enhanced capabilities. While the lack of a heated bed may seem like a drawback, a non-heated bed can still be versatile, especially for printing materials like PLA and TPU.

The Mega Zero stands out with its excellent BMG Extruder, inspired by Bon Tech’s dual-geared filament feed and a constricted nozzle, offering improved performance. Its 220 x 220 x 250 mm build volume is impressive for its price range, as is the improved extruder design.

Power loss recovery is another feature that sets this printer apart. With auto-resume capabilities, you can easily continue a print after a power outage without losing your progress. The PTFE tube in the back helps prevent filament from wearing into the extruder, while larger knobs make leveling the machine a breeze.

Overall, the Anycubic Mega Zero is a thoughtfully designed, budget-friendly 3D printer that doesn’t compromise on essential features, making it a great option for those looking to enter the world of 3D printing without breaking the bank.

Reason to Buy

If you’re seeking an affordable 3D printer with a generous build volume, this printer is an excellent choice. It comes equipped with an auto-resume feature, ensuring that unexpected power outages won’t disrupt your projects, providing you with peace of mind and a reliable printing experience.