Years ago, 3D printers were mostly out of reach for everyday users. They were expensive, had limited features, and were mostly used by industries or research labs. Buying one for personal use meant spending a lot of money on a machine that was slow, basic, and often hard to use. For hobbyists and beginners, it wasn’t easy to get started without facing steep costs or technical challenges.

Today, the story is very different. Manufacturing companies have made huge progress through research and innovation. Printers are faster, more capable, and easier to use. You’ll find machines that can handle bigger projects, work with different materials, and include smart technology to simplify printing. The best part? Prices are more affordable than ever. Many budget printers now deliver impressive results that rival high-end models from a few years ago.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the best budget 3D printers on the market. There’s one for every hobbyist, maker, or beginner.

Best Overall: Creality Ender 3 V3 SE

Why it’s the Pick:

• Affordable price of around $199
• Automatic bed leveling 
• Decent build size of 220 x 220 x 250 mm
• Direct drive extruder
• Runs on 32-bit silent motherboard
• Quick to assemble
• Works PLA, TPU, and PETG
• Dual Z-axis setup

The Creality Ender 3 V3 SE is one of those printers that just gets the job done without costing a fortune. At $199, it’s affordable enough for beginners but doesn’t skimp on features. The build size—220 x 220 x 250 mm—is great for most small and medium projects, whether you’re printing tools, toys, or creative designs. The automatic bed leveling is a lifesaver, especially if you’re not a fan of fiddling with manual adjustments.

It’s also quiet, thanks to the 32-bit silent motherboard, which is nice if you’re printing at home. The direct drive extruder handles filament smoothly, cutting down on clogs or inconsistencies. And it’s not picky about what filament you use—PLA, TPU, PETG—it’s got you covered. The dual Z-axis design keeps things stable, so your prints come out looking sharp, even at faster speeds.

All in all, the Ender 3 V3 SE is a solid pick for anyone.It’s affordable, reliable, and packed with features that make it easy to use.

Best Budget Entry Level: Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro

Why it’s the Pick:

• Priced around $219
• 225 x 225 x 265 mm Build volume 
• Automatic bed leveling 
• High-speed printing up to 500 mm/s
• All-metal direct drive extruder 
• Supports multiple filaments
• Dual-gear extruder

The Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro is a great entry-level printer for anyone new to 3D printing. At around $219, it’s affordable while still packing in plenty of useful features. The 225 x 225 x 265 mm build volume gives you enough space to experiment with different projects, whether it’s small prototypes or decorative items. Automatic bed leveling means you don’t need to struggle with manual adjustments, so you can get started quickly.

One standout feature is its high-speed printing capability, reaching up to 500 mm/s. This is a big time-saver, especially for larger prints. The all-metal direct drive extruder ensures smooth filament feeding, and the dual-gear system helps prevent filament slips, which can lead to errors. Plus, it works with a variety of filaments, so you’re not limited to just one type.

The PEI magnetic build plate makes removing finished prints simple and stress-free, which is especially helpful for beginners. For the price, the Neptune 4 Pro offers a great mix of usability, speed, and print quality, making it one of the best budget-friendly printers for anyone starting their 3D printing journey.

Best Budget Multi-Color: Bambu Lab A1 Mini

Why it’s the Pick:

• AMS Lite can print in up to four colors 
• Priced at $349 with AMS Lite
• Built-in AI monitoring
• 180 x 180 x 180 mm build volume.
• Comes pre-assembled and ready to use
• Runs super quiet at just 50 dB
• Mobile control with the Bambu Handy app
• Special cooling system for multicolor prints

The Bambu Lab A1 Mini is an awesome pick if you’re looking to try multicolor 3D printing without spending a ton. For $199, the base model gets you started, and if you’re ready to add some color, the $349 version includes the AMS Lite system for up to four colors in one print. Unlike many budget printers, it has AI detection to spot filament jams or when you’re out of filament—saving you from failed prints.

This printer is compact, with a 180 x 180 x 180 mm build space, and fits perfectly on a desk or shelf. It’s pre-assembled, so you don’t have to worry about putting it together, and it runs really quiet, at just 50 dB. You can even control it with the Bambu Handy app, which makes starting or monitoring prints super convenient.

The magnetic PEI plate means no more struggling to remove finished prints, and the advanced cooling system ensures your multicolor designs come out looking great. If you’re after a budget-friendly way to get into multicolor printing, the Bambu Lab A1 Mini ticks all the boxes.

Best Budget Resin: Anycubic Photon Mono 2

Why it’s the Pick:

• Very affordable price of $199
• 4K monochrome LCD 
• 65 x 143 x 89 mm build volume
• UV light matrix speeds up curing times
• UV-blocking cover
• Dual linear rails on the Z-axis.
• Delivered pre-assembled
• Beginner-friendly Anycubic Photon Workshop slicer

If you’re looking to dip your toes into resin printing without spending a fortune, the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 is a great starting point. At just $199, it’s affordable but doesn’t skimp on quality. Its 4K monochrome LCD delivers crisp, detailed prints, which is perfect for things like miniatures or intricate designs. The build volume is compact at 165 x 143 x 89 mm, making it a good fit for small projects.

This printer is also fast. Its UV light matrix speeds up curing times, so you can finish prints quicker than older models. Safety is covered too, with a UV-blocking cover that protects you from exposure during operation. Stability isn’t an issue either, thanks to the dual linear rails on the Z-axis, which keep your prints smooth and consistent.

It’s pre-assembled and ready to go right out of the box, and the included Photon Workshop slicer is easy to use, even if you’re just starting out. The Photon Mono 2 is a solid pick for anyone wanting detailed resin prints at a beginner-friendly price.

Best Budget Delta: Monoprice MP Mini Delta

Why it’s the Pick:

• Costs around $199
• Build volume of 110 x 110 x 120 mm
• Comes pre-assembled
• Automatic bed leveling 
• Sturdy metal frame keeps 
• Works with PLA and ABS filaments
• Heated build plate 
• Built-in Wi-Fi

The Monoprice MP Mini Delta is a great pick if you want to try out delta-style 3D printing without spending a lot. At around $199, it’s one of the cheapest options out there, but it still gets the job done. Its compact size makes it easy to fit on a desk, and the build volume of 110 x 110 x 120 mm is just right for smaller projects like figurines or tools.

One of the best things about it is that it comes pre-assembled, so you can start printing as soon as you unbox it. The automatic bed leveling is a huge plus, especially if you’re new to 3D printing—it saves time and frustration. The metal frame keeps everything steady, so you don’t have to worry about wobbly prints.

It also has a heated build plate, which helps with adhesion, and it works with popular filaments like PLA and ABS. And if you don’t want to keep running back to check on your prints, the built-in Wi-Fi lets you control and monitor it remotely. The Monoprice MP Mini Delta is a simple, budget-friendly way to jump into delta-style printing.

Best Budget DIY Kit: Anet A8

Why it’s the Pick:

• Priced at around $150
• 220 x 220 x 240 mm build volume
• Fully customizable
• Tons of community support 
• Can print PLA, ABS, and TPU
• Open-source design

The Anet A8 is a great choice if you love building things and learning as you go. At just $150, it’s one of the cheapest DIY kits out there. It has a pretty big build volume, so you can take on a variety of projects, from small tools to bigger designs. You’ll need to put it together yourself, but that’s part of what makes it fun, especially if you like understanding how everything works.

One of the best things about the A8 is how customizable it is. It’s open-source, so you can modify both the hardware and firmware however you like. And there’s a huge online community for this printer, so if you ever get stuck or want to add upgrades, there are plenty of guides and mods to help you out.

It works with popular filament types like PLA, ABS, and TPU, giving you a lot of flexibility for projects. The kit includes clear instructions, so even if you’re new to 3D printing, you’ll have no trouble getting it up and running. If you want an affordable printer that you can build, tweak, and make your own, the Anet A8 is the way to go.

Best Budget Large: Elegoo Neptune 4 Max

Why it’s the Pick:

• Very affordable price of $470
• Massive build volume 420 x 420 x 480 mm
• Sturdy dual Z-axis design 
• Automatic bed leveling 
• Powerful cooling system 
• Supports a wide variety of resins 
• PEI-coated magnetic build plate 
• Compatible with most slicing software

The Elegoo Neptune 4 Max is a fantastic choice if you’re looking to print large resin models without blowing your budget. At around $470, it offers one of the largest build volumes in its class, measuring 420 x 420 x 480 mm. This means you can take on ambitious projects like helmets, large figurines, or detailed prototypes without needing to split them into smaller pieces.

The automatic bed leveling saves time and hassle during setup, making it easy to start printing. It features a dual Z-axis design that keeps everything stable, so even tall prints come out smooth and accurate. The powerful cooling system helps with consistent resin curing, ensuring better quality on detailed models.

The magnetic PEI-coated build plate makes removing finished prints a breeze, while its compatibility with a variety of resins gives you plenty of creative freedom. It also works well with most slicing software, so you can customize your settings without being tied to proprietary tools. For anyone looking to explore large-scale resin printing on a budget, the Neptune 4 Max is a top pick.

Final Notes

3D printing has come a long way from being an expensive, specialized tool to something that’s available and affordable to almost everyone. You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a machine that can handle great projects. Today’s budget-friendly 3D printers come packed with features that were once only found on pricier models. 

We’ve covered everything from beginner-friendly options like the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE to the Bambu Lab A1 Mini, which brings multicolor printing within reach. For those who like building things themselves, the Anet A8 DIY kit keeps costs low while offering plenty of room to customize. If you’re into resin printing or need something bigger, the Anycubic Photon Mono 2 and Elegoo Neptune 4 Max have you covered.

These machines show how far 3D printing has come, making it easier for anyone to start creating. If you’re printing small models, experimenting with colors, or taking on large-scale projects, there’s a budget printer out there for you. The only thing left to decide is what your next project will be!