Beginner

3D Printers for Beginners

 

Effortlessly Start Your 3D Printing Journey

These beginner-friendly 3D printers help to build on your experience over time. It’s easier than ever for newcomers to start 3D printing thanks to intuitive setups and reliable performance.

Find the perfect starter printer today!
 

Scroll down for our full range of 3D printers for beginners.

 

Best 3D Printers for Beginners

Best Beginner 3D Printer Overall

Creality 3D Ender-3 V3 KE

A great starting point for absolute beginners, the Ender-3 V3 KE offers great performance for an affordable price.

Ideal features for those learning to 3D print include a superior PEI textured build plate, a linear rail on the extruder axis and dual-lead screws. Additionally, the V3 KE also features Wi-Fi connectivity for remote printing.

The Creality Ender-3 V3 KE prints at up to 600mm/s, with an optimal speed of 300mm/s for fast 3D printing. This Creality printer also has a bed temperature of 100 degrees, as well as a nozzle temperature of 300 degrees.

Compatible with PLA, TPU and PETG, enjoy versatile printing with this device. Creality Print Slicing Software provides a seamless experience, from slicing to printing.

The KE offers the best mix of affordability and performance for 3D printing novices.
 

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Best Budget 3D Printer

Creality 3D Ender-3 V3 SE

The Creality Ender-3 V3 SE is an affordable 3D printer that’s designed for reliability.

With simple assembly and automatic bed-levelling, the Ender-3 V3 SE speeds up the setup process, making it easier than ever to start 3D printing.

This FDM printer delivers impressive print quality and accuracy when you consider the value for money this machine provides. It’s also compatible with PETG, PLA and flexible TPU.

The intuitive setup process of the Creality 3D Ender-3 V3 SE makes learning to 3D print simple.
 

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Best Large-Format 3D Printer for High-Speed Printing

Creality 3D K1 Max

The Creality 3D K1 Max 3D printer combines a large build volume of 300 x 300 x 300mm with a sleek, enclosed design and a glass lid. This lid isn’t needed when printing with PLA and PETG, however.

With speeds up to 600mm/s, the K1 Max is ideal for hobbyists and small batch production.

Simple to use, just plug it in, follow the instructions on-screen and let the printer automatically level, input shape and calibrate for you. The Creality K1 Max works well with Creality Print – send your files over Wi-Fi and remotely monitor the print with the AI camera.

While the K1 Max 3D printer is a more expensive option, the larger print volume and future-proofing potential make it a great choice for novices.
 

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Best Enclosed 3D Printer for Beginners

Creality 3D K1C

The Creality K1C replaced the standard K1 and is the next step up in price.

Supporting a wider range of materials, the K1C can print with carbon fibre filament, making prints stronger and more durable. It’s ideal for beginners and those looking to carry out small batch production.
 

• Fully enclosed for stable, safe printing (remove the lid for PLA/PETG to prevent softening).
• Auto-setup: Levels, calibrates and input shapes automatically.
• Preconfigured profiles in Creality Print don’t need to be adjusted for this printer.

 

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Best for Smart Features

Anycubic Kobra 3

The Anycubic Kobra 3 is an FDM printer for the creative user with lots of smart features designed to make the process easier, from continuous printing, to alerts that stop issues before they happen.

With clog detection, the machine pauses printing to inform you of a clog, while the bed remains heated to prevent failed prints. Similarly, inside the extruder a sensor detects when the filament is engaged in its gears and alerts you to issues.

The Kobra 3’s ACE PRO unit facilitates batch printing when using multiple spools of the same colour, as the printer uses all the filament before moving onto the next. This eliminates waste, as the Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo automatically switches over to the next spool for you, for continuous, hands-off printing. It houses up to four colours of filament to produce multicolour prints. This unit also doubles up as a filament dryer.

Providing a smooth, hassle-free printing experience that’s ideal for artistic projects, the Anycubic Kobra 3 handles all the challenging aspects of 3D printing, making it ideal for creatives looking to start additive manufacturing.
 

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Best for High-Quality, Reliable Printing

Prusa MK4S

Trouble-free, low-maintenance and consistent printing is assured with the Prusa MK4S.

An open-frame machine, the MK4S features better parts cooling, letting you print overhangs with no supports. Also featuring NFC (near-field communication) – tap to pair your phone and then remotely send files to the printer.

The Prusa MK4S is perfect for beginners looking for something more technically demanding or who need to print with higher accuracy. Delivering consistently high-quality prints, the Prusa MK4S is a long-term investment for serious printer users who need precision and reliability.
 

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What to Think About When Buying a 3D Printer

Buying your first 3D printer? Consider the following:

Simple Setup: Look for user-friendly plug-and-play options with minimal assembly. You should choose a printer with low upkeep requirements if this is your first 3D printer.

Print Quality: Find the right balance between resolution and speed.

Material Compatibility: Check what type of filament it supports. PLA, PETG and TPU 3D printing is best for those new to the hobby, with other options including ABS and ASA when used in the Prusa enclosure.

Enclosed vs. Open-Frame: Enclosed printers improve safety (especially important in educational and home settings), while open-frame models provide more potential for future upgrades.

User-Friendly Software: Creality Print, Cura and PrusaSlicer are ideal slicers for beginners.

Active Support and Community: Focus on printers with dedicated tutorials, forums and manufacturer support.

Upgrade Potential: Consider whether you’d like to upgrade components like the extruder or build plate in the future.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does 3D Printing Work?

3D printing builds objects layer by layer from a digital model. A slicer converts the design into printable layers, which the printer either extrudes (FDM) or cures (SLA) to build a solid object.
 

Are 3D Printers Suitable for Beginners?

Yes, FDM printers are easy to use and ideal for learning to 3D print.
 

What materials should beginners use?

PLA filament is an ideal starting point for newcomers, as it’s the easiest to print with and is widely available. PETG is an appropriate next step for more durable prints.
 

What are the different types of 3D printers?

FDM printers work layer by layer, melting and extruding plastic filament. SLA produces highly detailed prints by using a laser to cure liquid resin. SLS fuses powdered materials with a laser to create strong and durable parts.
 

Start Your 3D Printing Journey Today!

Our beginner-friendly printers offer ease of use, quality printing and innovation to bring your ideas to life. Find your perfect printer with 123-3D.co.uk!
 

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