The 10 Best 3D Printers for Small Business

However, it’s not an everyday use printer and you won’t be using this in an office anytime soon.

Still, they are useful for a multitude of reasons, apart from being just fun. For example, scientists and doctors are using 3D printers to make human organs, in architecture various detailed 3D structures can be made which is extremely useful. You can even make jewelry, shoes, and draw toys with 3D pens.

Basically, there is a benefit for everyone and you can “print” pretty much anything. 3D printers are easy to use but they are expensive though, and more expensive printers produce more quality items, as expected. 

That’s why we’re here, to help you pick up the best 3D printer you can buy, from more affordable choices to the best of the best, we chose the 10 best 3D printers at the moment. But first, there are some things to take in consideration.

Things to Consider

It’s always good to know what you are looking for in a product and with 3D printers, it’s the same principle, might even be more so due to their expensive nature. If you only need to print something occasionally, you might want to consider 3D printing services (you can do it online too) as it will be considerably cheaper.

If you are 100% sure you need a 3D printer, then knowing in advance what kind of objects you want to print and how often should influence your decision, since some 3D printers are better at certain functions.

Also, if it says that a printer heats quickly, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, since this basically means it will start printing faster. That being said, here’s a rough guideline on what you should be looking for.

1. Printer type

There are different types of printers or to be more precise, printers that use different technology to do their job. There are several, but the most common ones are FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and SLA (Stereolithography).

Printers that use FDM technology work in a way that they heat a thermoplastic filament and then extrude it to create what is needed, while the SLA printers use a photosensitive liquid resin that solidifies via UV laser beam. FDM printers are less expensive and are a good starter choice, while SLA printers offer extreme precision and such they cost more.

SLA printers are also somewhat harder to operate, so beginners beware. A special note, if you encounter a FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) printer type, know that these are the same as FDM, it is just a different abbreviation due to trademark issues.

2. Speed

This is pretty straightforward, but there are a few things to note. Depending on what you do and what are your plans with 3D printers, speed might not be much of an issue.

These printers aren’t like regular ones where they’ll be done within a few minutes. You’ll likely start printing and come back after a while. Still, depending on your needs too long might be an issue and also bear in mind that printing too fast can take a toll on quality.

3. Precision and accuracy

This will largely depend on the technology the printer uses but even printers that use the same technology can differ in precision and accuracy. You should check with the product details and check a few reviews to see how precise and accurate a printer is since this is something that’s based on personal experience and your specific needs.

4. Size and build volume

3D printers can be big and that can be a problem if you don’t have much room. There are various printer sizes, from mini versions to huge machines, your job is to check the dimensions and the overall size so you can be sure that the printer will fit where you want it to.

Build volume is nothing more than the size of an object that the printer makes. Not all printers can make big, or bigger objects, so just make sure you check this as well.

5. Price

Finally, the price is something that you’ll probably look at first if you’re just starting out. While printers are more affordable today than they were a few years ago, you’ll still need to cash out a solid sum for a good 3D printer.

It all depends on your needs but if you don’t need an ultra-precise 3D printer then you can save a good chunk of money. For people new to 3D printing, FLA printers are a good starting point.

QUICK OVERVIEW

The Best 3D Printers

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Products	Features
EDITOR’S PICK 4.3 385+ 385+ BIBO 3D PrinterBIBO 3D Printer	Printer Type: FDM Size: 21.5 x 19 x 17.3 inches, 40.2 pounds PRICE RANGE: Under $800 Printer Type: FDM Size: 21.5 x 19 x 17.3 inches, 40.2 pounds PRICE RANGE: Under $800 Check price at Amazon
MOST REVIEWED 4.9 50+ 50+ Dremel Digilab 3D40Dremel Digilab 3D40	Printer Type: FDM Size: 20.25 x 15.5 x 16.0, 44.5 pounds PRICE RANGE: Under $1400 Printer Type: FDM Size: 20.25 x 15.5 x 16.0, 44.5 pounds PRICE RANGE: Under $1400 Check price at Amazon
TOP PICK 3.8 35+ 35+ LulzBot Mini 2LulzBot Mini 2	Printer Type: FDM Size: 17.9 x 13.1 x 23.8, 20 pounds PRICE RANGE: Under $1800 Printer Type: FDM Size: 17.9 x 13.1 x 23.8, 20 pounds PRICE RANGE: Under $1800 Check price at Amazon
BUDGET PICK 4.4 1,865+ 1865+ Creality Ender 3Creality Ender 3	Printer Type: FDM Size: 8.7 x 8.7 x 9.8 inches, 17.64 pounds PRICE RANGE: Under $250 Printer Type: FDM Size: 8.7 x 8.7 x 9.8 inches, 17.64 pounds PRICE RANGE: Under $250 Check price at Amazon
BUDGET PICK 4.4 75+ 75+ Longer Orange 30Longer Orange 30	Printer Type: SLA Size: ~10 x 10 x 20 inches, 15 pounds PRICE RANGE: Under $300 Printer Type: SLA Size: ~10 x 10 x 20 inches, 15 pounds PRICE RANGE: Under $300 Check price at Amazon

Under $250

Comgrow Creality Ender 3

One of the most affordable 3D printers you can find, Comgrow Creality Ender 3 is an awesome starter choice for people who have no experience with 3D printers. It’s very affordable and it still has some nice features as well. This is an FDM 3D printer that’s very easy to assemble, and you’ll need around 2 hours to set it all up.

This machine has the ability to resume printing even after a power outage or lapse occurs, and it’s also got a safety protected power supply.

It uses a more advanced extruder that greatly reduces plugging risk and bad extrusion. The extruder is designed to be durable and to work smoothly and noiselessly.

This 3D printer is very small, it’s a mini-version basically, so even kids can use it with no problem. Also, it’s worth mentioning that this printer is fully open source, which means that users can access the code and even make improvements.

LONGER Orange 30 3D Printer

LONGER Orange 30 3D Printer is one of the cheapest SLA type printers you can find. It’s surprisingly good for its price as well, offering great value.

It’s integrated with matrix UV LED arrays, which allows it to provide better printing performance, and it has high precision with built-in 2k LCD screen at 2560 x 1440 resolution and a pixel resolution of up to 47.25μm.

It also has an improved solid linear guide and special slider design to enhance the accuracy and stability of the Z-axis. All of that ensures quality and precise printing.

The printer comes equipped with a full-color touch screen and a real-time printing status review. A temperature detection system that will stop printing when the temperature is too high is also included, as well as the high-efficiency cooling system to improve the lifespan of the 3D printer.

All things considered, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better valued SLA printer, which makes this printer a great budget choice.

Under $350

QIDI Technology High-end 3D Printer

Another affordable choice, this Qidi’s 3D printer is also well suited for beginners and those who want to learn more. With the features this printer has, it’s clear that the company focused on home printing and education. It’s printing is very silent, around 50 decibels, and due to that design it also saves power.

Apart from the printer, buyers will get an exclusive educational software with a special textbook that helps users quickly master the printing methods of various filaments.

The printer has two editions or functions if you will, Education Edition and Professional Edition. Education is for beginners and those who are still learning, while the Professional Edition is for those that want professional and personalized printing, with some special functions.

The printer is equipped with a 3.5-inch touchscreen and it also has Wi-Fi printing. Build volume is a bit small though, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is a great newbie-friendly 3D printer.

Under $400

Monoprice Voxel 3D Printer

One of the best 3D printers you can get at this price range, the Monoprice Voxel is also beginner-friendly like the last two printers in our review. For starters, it has a removable heated build plate that allows you to remove a model with ease.

This is very handy, especially if it gets damaged in some way, you can easily replace it or swap in a second build plate to start a new print immediately after completion of a project. 

There is practically no setup needed as the printer ships fully calibrated and ready to print out of the box. Of course, you can adjust a few things if necessary, like the nozzle distance via touchscreen.

Speaking of the nozzle, there is a quick change nozzle feature that allows you to change the nozzle in seconds, without the need for tools of any kind, which is very handy indeed. The printer is also equipped with a built-in camera for monitoring print operations, although some users might find some issues with the camera.

Under $500

Artillery Sidewinder X1

Artillery Sidewinder X1 is a very good 3D Printer with some interesting features that even more advanced users can appreciate.

This model has an expandable filament holder that supports 1.1 – 6.6-pound filament roll and the printer comes 95% pre-assembled, which makes the actual assembly a breeze. Due to the direct drive extruder with a Volcano nozzle, you’ll get better control and precision with fast extrusion. 

The printer is equipped with an AC heated glass build platform which allows it to heat faster, and this translates into faster work. The ultra-quiet stepper drivers ensure that this printer works very quietly that you’ll hardly notice it’s there.

There are also some additional features like synchronized dual Z system, power loss detection and recovery, and touch screen control.

Under $700

FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro

FlashForge Creator Pro is an awesome 3D printer that earned good feedback from the customers on Amazon, due to its quality, performance, and positive features. This printer is very well made and sturdy due to its stable metal frame.

The 6.3mm aviation level aluminum plate ensures that the surface is completely flat and will not warp during the heating process. Also, a 10mm guide rod enables precise Z axis movement and prevents platform arm from deforming.

The acrylic cover encloses the chamber to insulate and protect the ABS prints, and the LED illuminates the printing area. The printer is also equipped with a dual extruder to ensure higher-quality printing.

Apart from the printer, you’ll also get two spool holders, two spools filament, two filament guide tubes, and everything else you need to properly set up the printer.

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QIDI TECH 3D Printer

Second Qidi printer in our review, the QIDI TECH 3D Printer is an improvement in every way over the first one. It’s equipped with a dual extruder rather than a single one that the first four printers in our review had. As you might expect, more is better, and the dual extruder improves the print quality.

The 6mm aviation grade aluminum build platform is quite durable and temperature resistant. As with the previous Qidi printer, this one also has a removable curved metal plate for extra convenience.

A 4.3-inch touchscreen is also there providing you with real-time printing status. The printer has the ability to save a  break point so that the printing can be continued later.

In case of a power outage during the printing process, the printer will automatically save the break point, which is very handy. The customer service for this printer is really great and you should definitely take advantage of that if you encounter any problems.

Under $800

BIBO 3D Printer

BIBO 3D Printer is a nicely built printer with some additional quality features. Its laser engraving is ideal for engraving objects such as wood, plastic, leather, paper, and even plastic. It has two extruders, and they can print two same objects at one time, reducing the printing time dramatically.

This printer has Wi-Fi control which allows you to control the print via a phone or PC, which is very convenient. It also has a full-color touch screen.

Two-color printing is available as well, and this allows you to print two-color objects without needing to change the filament during the printing process. The printer is programmed to know exactly when to use each color.

Also, if the filament spool runs out during printing, the machine automatically pauses for you to load in a fresh spool, especially handy for big volume object printing. The printer also features a 6mm thick aluminum composite panel and a removable enclosed cover.

Under $1400

Dremel Digilab 3D40 Flex 3D Printer

Dremel Digilab 3D40 Flex 3D Printer is considerably more expensive than the rest in our review so far, but there are several reasons for that. Higher the price, higher the quality and it shows in this case.

The build plate is flexible with ergonomic handles and a magnetic Snap-On mechanism which makes print removal quick and easy. The printer is relatively quiet, and a fully enclosed housing that improves print quality, reduces warping, cracking, and VOC emissions. 

This machine is capable of producing high-quality and detailed printing, with 50-micron ultra-high resolution. Another feature worth mentioning is the “automated 9-point leveling”.

This means that the sensor will detect any variation in the print bed and automatically accounts for it for more successful printing. There is a 3.5-inch full-color touchscreen as well, and this printer is capable of cloud printing, and you can connect it via LAN, Wi-Fi, or cloud.

Under $1800

LulzBot Mini 2 Desktop 3D Printer

The LulzBot Mini 2 Desktop is an incredibly compact and light printer that offers great quality. The E3D Titan Aero extruder/hot end prints both rigid and flexible materials with precision and ease, and you can switch from printing PLA to TPU (and vice versa) without changing tool heads.

The printer is very well made and it’s quite reliable. What’s more, due to the Trinamic TMC2130 stepper motor drivers and premium igus polymer bearings, this printer is amazingly quiet. All of that and it’s compact nature makes it viable to use pretty much anywhere.

It’s very easy to set up and it has a “plug and play” functionality, meaning you can start printing practically right away. There are even preconfigured profiles for over 30 materials, and you can just load your 3D model file and click print.

The print quality is really great, and you can print wherever you are due to support for tetherless operation with Mini 2’s Graphical LCD Controller.

Conclusion

There are a bunch of other printers in the market so it was hard to pick only these ten, but we tried to cover a variety of printers and not just the high end, which are the best but definitely not for everyone.

That being said, 3D printers are increasing in popularity due to their usefulness, and companies are producing and improving the current printers, so in the future, some of these might even become obsolete or dwarfed by new additions.

Nevertheless, if you’re still not sure what to get and the price is your biggest issue, we recommend one of our budget picks. Those that want more, should check our Editor’s Pick or even Top Pick.

Remember, always do your research when buying something, especially complex products like 3D printers. We hoped you enjoyed this article and that it helped you in one way or another. If you liked this article please feel free to share it, and happy shopping!

*All prices mentioned above are at the time of publishing.