Top 10 Precision 3D Printers
for December 2023

The QIDI TECHNOLOGY 3D Printer is a robust, reliable, and easy-to-use 3D printer. Though it's a bit pricey, it prints well and quickly. The QIDI TECHNOLOGY 3D Printer works well for designers and engineers, but it's overkill for hobbyists. The printer comes with 2 extruder assemblies: one extruder works with PLA and the other works with ABS. However, the QIDI TECHNOLOGY 3D Printer can only print in PLA and ABS. The printer's heated bed is removable, and you can access its inner workings without taking it apart. The printer's software is easy to use, and it comes with a few nice extras, including a PDF manual, a software manual, and free filament. The printer's build volume is 10.6x7.9x7.9 inches, and it prints up to 250C, which can work well with PLA, ABS, and TPU. The printer is backed by a 1-year warranty.

The QIDI X-max is a big, reliable, and capable 3D printer. It prints fast and reliably, and it lets users print with a wide array of materials, including PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, Polycarbonate, and Flexible Filament. The touchscreen interface is easy to learn, and the templates and slicer programs included will help new users get started with their projects immediately. The X-Max's build volume is 300x250x300mm, which is larger than most consumer-level 3D printers, but it's big enough for most projects that need a small object printed in a single piece. The X-Max's print volume is also on the smaller side for a 3D printer in this price range; it's comparable to a MakerBot Replicator 2, but bigger than a MakerBot Replicator Mini. The X-Max also prints faster than any other 3D printer we've tested. It prints at up to 42 mm/s, which is fast enough for most projects, but keep in mind that this speed only applies to PLA and ABS; printing with PLA or ABS on a flexible filament bed requires a much lower speed, and printing with flexible filaments also requires a lower speed. The QIDI X-Max comes with two spools of filament, which is more than most 3D printers in this price range, and it also supports 4.6 and 3.6mm filament extruders, so users can choose whichever type works best for their project.

The Creality Ender 7, with its 250mm/s printing speed, plenty of resolution, and high-speed cooling, is the fastest printer we tested. It's powerful, too, with a 42-60W customized high-power motor and an upgraded Creality Slicer 4.

The FlashForge Adventurer 3 Lite is easy-to-use, and it does an excellent job of printing ABS and PLA, as well as most other popular filaments. The Adventurer 3 Lite is much smaller than the Adventurer 3, and it's lighter, too. The printer is also quieter than the Adventurer 3, and because it's smaller, the printing area is a bit smaller. However, it's quite powerful: It's one of the fastest 3D printers we've tested, and it can create objects with fine detail up to 3.5 inches (90 mm) in diameter. Most important, the Adventurer 3 Lite is inexpensive, making it an excellent printer for hobbyists and students. The printer's quick removable nozzle makes it easy to change filaments, and it has a built in filament spool holder, so you'll never have to remember to refill the filament. The printer uses filaments with a diameter up to 1.75 inches (45 mm), and it's capable of printing objects that are 5.91 x 5.91 x 5.91 inches (150 x 150 x 150 mm). The printer's price is attractive, too: The Adventurer 3 Lite costs just $200, and the filament costs about $40 for 1.75 inches (45 mm) of filament.

The R3D-Mini FDM 3D Printer is one of the best printers we've tested, and it's the perfect printer for hobbyists. The biggest difference between the R3D-Mini and the Editor's Choice-winning MakerBot Replicator 2 is price; the R3D-Mini is significantly cheaper, and if you're not printing 50-plus cubic inches of plastic at a time, the cost savings will be significant (the Replicator 2 is more than twice the price of the R3D-Mini). The R3D-Mini has a smaller build volume than the MakerBot, and the minimum print size is 100x100x120mm (3.94x4.14x6.25in.). The R3D-Mini uses a 1.75mm nozzle, and most printers that use 1.75mm nozzles can print objects up to 50 cubic inches, but the Replicator 2 can print objects up to 300 cubic inches. The R3D-Mini can print objects up to about 120 cubic inches, but that's more for decorative items than for functional objects. The printer is easy to set up and use, and the detailed on-screen interface makes it easy to adjust settings, change filament, and troubleshoot. The printer is extremely quiet, and the cooling unit inside is silent as well. The heated printing plate is removable, and the black plastic frame is very sturdy. The R3D-Mini's build plate is magnetic, and it's easy to place and adjust the build plate, and the build plate stays in place when the power is off. The printer uses SD cards, which aren't as reliable as USB drives, but SD cards are cheap, and the printer comes with a 2GB SD card. The printer comes with a 12V 1.5A power adapter, and a USB cable, and the printer comes with a one-year warranty.

The Artillery Genius Pro 3D Printer is well-equipped for prosumer-level 3D printing. The printer's build plate is big enough for most projects, and the included heated bed means you can safely print with a wide range of materials. The printer's build time is similar to that of the Afinia H-Series printers, and it's quieter, too. The printer's dual Z-axis design minimizes movement errors, and the included dual-axis stepper driver is quieter and smoother than many other printers' drivers. The printer's auto-calibration feature makes it easy to set up, and the printer's touch screen makes it easy to use. The Artillery Genius Pro is pricey, but it's packed with professional features, and it's easy to set up, use, and maintain.

The Ender 3 Pro is a workhorse for large-scale 3D printing. It prints up to 1.6 times faster than its predecessor, the Ender 3, and is accurate enough to produce professional-quality parts. The Snapmaker app adds versatility, and the printer's small size makes it ideal for both home and professional use. The printer's dual extruders, which allow the model to be printed in multiple colors, are easy to install and calibrate. The printer's heated build plate, which reaches 110 degrees in 5 minutes, produces sturdy parts, though it can warp slightly over time. The printer's large build volume (10.4 by 10.4 by 7.9 inches) makes it suitable for producing large, complex parts. The printer's support materials are high-quality, and the printer's reliability is on par with professional-grade printers.

The ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X is a workhorse 3D printer that prints well, is easy to set up, and has enough speed and resolution to meet the needs of most users. In our tests, it printed most models in about 1.5 hours, which is fast enough for most home users. The printer produces sharp, detailed models, and it's easy to use. Some users may prefer its larger size and higher resolution over our previous pick, the Anycubic Photon, which has smaller printing volume and a lower-resolution 4K screen. The Photon Mono X's large printing volume allows you to print multiple models at one time, and it's suitable for hobbyists, schools, and hobbyists. The Photon Mono X also has better stability, a quieter printing process, and a larger LCD, so it's a better model for most users.

The Creality Ender 3 is probably the best 3D printer you can get for a reasonable price, and it's one of the quietest, too. It has an extra-large build volume, enough to accommodate most standard-sized 3D printers, and is extremely easy to set up and use. The print quality is good, and it's capable of printing complex models. The printer is also largely open source, so even if you're not a tech wizard, you'll be able to troubleshoot any issues you might have. The only downside is that it's a bit tricky to figure out how to clean it, and the instructions aren't great, either. But aside from those minor flaws, the Ender 3 is a high-quality printer, and it's well worth the investment.

The Finder 3D Printer from FlashForge is one of the most feature-packed printers in this price range, and its print quality is quite good, too. It has multiple connectivity options for printing: USB, Wi-Fi, and Flash drive. The Finder can print in ABS and PLA materials, and it can print in full color. The Finder's build plate is non-heated, which is important because PLA can warp if it's heated. The Finder also has a 3.5-inch touchscreen with intuitive icons and an interface that's easy to use. The Finder isn't as fast or as quiet as our pick for the cheapest 3D printer (the FlashJet Mini), but it's cheaper, and it's a solid choice for beginners.