| FDM | resin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| brand | Creality | Bambu Lab | Elegoo | Anycubic |
| printer | Ender 3 | Bambu Lab A1 mini | Mars 4 | Photon Mono 4 |
| printer size | 440mm * 440mm * 465mm | 347mm * 315mm * 365mm | 227mm * 227mm * 438.5mm | 230mm * 235mm * 391mm |
| bed dimensions | 220mm * 220mm * 250mm | 180mm * 180mm * 180mm | 153.36mm * 77.76mm * 175mm | 153.4mm * 87mm * 165mm |
| default speed | 50 mm/s | 300 mm/s | 70mm/h | 70mm/h |
| ease of use | moderate | easy | experienced | experienced |
| price | $189.00 | $299.00 | $213.00 | $240.00 |
These are some popular choices among popular brands but keep in mind these are not be the definitive best, but a good selection for starter printers. Outside of this list there are hundreds of options to choose from.
3D printing isn't just limited to plastic FDM, there are also resin printers. Resin printers as you can guess use a liquid resin that solidifies to UV light onto the build plate. These printers need a bit research before choosing them because there are a lot more things involved than just the printer itself. Resin printers in general aren't exactly beginner friendly so it's recommoneded for those who know they're committed.
The size dimensions are referencing the footprint of the printer itself. It may be a consern to some as they can take up a lot of space along with all their accesories.
The print bed dimensions determines the largest possible object you can print.
The print speed is one of the most important factors based on what you'll be printing most often. For bigger objects you'll want a higher speed to reduce print times. If you plan on smaller objects the extra cost for speed may not be necesarry but it may still be worth it just to have.
Ease of use is based on the type of printer and what kind features the producer has included.
These printers were selected because of their price and popularity. 3d printer prices can get really big but thankfully theres a wide variety to choose from for your purposes.