Make your creations come to life with the best 3d printer under $500. No longer do you have to quell the creative and inquisitive mind of yours. How awesome would it be to watch your creations come to life? Get a sense of accomplishment and pride when finishing up your creations.
3D printing is the process whereby three-dimensional objects from digital files are made by laying down layers of material until an object is formed. The earliest record of 3d printing was in 1981 by a Japanese inventor. However, the credits to the first-ever 3d printer went to an American inventor in 1986. Today the most common form of 3d printing is Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), a process whereby a thermoplastic filament heats all the way to its melting point. then extrudes through a nozzle layer by layer to create a 3D object directly from a computer-aided design (CAD) model.
The market has come quite a long way and now anyone from anywhere can create custom designs to their liking. There was a time that these were pretty expensive to buy but that is no longer the case. With so many options on the market at affordable costs, you will be up and creating your custom designs in no time. Check out our list of the top 3d printers under 500.
Comparison Of Best 3d Printer Under $500: In 2020.
| Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Crazy3DPrint CZ-300 |
| |
  | ANYCUBIC Photon S 3D Printer |
| |
  | JGAURORA New A5S |
| |
  | QIDI Technology High-end 3D Printer |
| |
  | Monoprice Voxel 3D Printer |
| |
  | Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer |
| |
  | Precision DIY 3D Printer |
| |
  | QIDI TECHNOLOGY X-one 2 |
|
8 of our top choices for the best 3d printer under $500.
Have a read of our 8 choices.
1.Crazy3dprint Cz-300 – Basic 3d Printer.
The CZ-300 is a basic 3d printer with X, Y, and Z movable axis for easy home use and troubleshooting. It is the ideal pick for someone who does not want to spend too much or waste too much time building a 3d printer for example.
Comprising a larger print area than any printer at this cost, the print area measures at 300x300x300mm. Before printing, you will have to feed your 1.75mm filament manually until it reaches the print head since there is no automatic feeder. Turn out creations reaching layer resolution of 0.1-0.4mm with an X/Y alignment precision of 0.0125mm. This is made possible from the 0.4 mm nozzle, the hot-end supporting max temperature up to 260 °C.
Transfer code to the printer through SD or USB port via the controller board. It is also compatible with any device running Mac OS, Windows, and Linux. This model holds certifications ensuring the machine is safe to use and minimizes the risk of injury.
- Affordable
- Decent specs
- Large print area
- Supports a wide variety of 1.75mm filament
- Safe to use
- Noisy
- Instructions are hard to follow
2.Anycubic Photon S 3d Printer – Offline Printing.
If you are someone who is looking for the best resin 3d printer under 500, then look no more. The Anycubic Photon is among the first SLA/DLP printers available under $500.
This 3d printer shines UV light into a vat full of photoreactive resin to cure each layer, unlike the others that squirt plastic filament through a hot nozzle. As a result, you create smaller high-detail prints due to the ability to print layers thinner than 10 microns.
Setup is quick, smooth, and done in just 3 steps as it comes with all the tools to start printing as soon as you receive your product. First, set up the build platform, it comes mostly built already. Second, you need to manually level the plate, place a piece of paper on the LCD screen, lower the platform, when you feel the resistance tightening a single grub screw levels all four sides at once. Third, attach the resin vat, fill it up and that’s it, you are ready to create your custom design.
Initiate and control prints through the user-friendly touchscreen interface. Printing is fully offline, in other words, it can only be done using a USB flash drive. They threw in a free 8GB USB stick in the package with a sample model to test out if you wish.
- High detail prints
- Touchscreen
- value for money
- Easy to set up
- Prints offline
- Small build area
- Resin can be messy
3.Jgaurora New A5s – Faster Processing Times.
JGAURORA saw the need to add a few more handy components and features to the JGAURORA A5 and bring to you the JGAURORA Upgraded A5S. That being said, is it worth buying this newer version? Let’s find out.
In like manner, they both allow a 305 x 305 x 320 mm build volume which is quite large. They both have a filament run-out detection feature and the ability to resume print in the event of power loss to the printer. Each print from an SD card though now the slot is on the front next to the touch screen for convenience.
So wherein do the big differences lie? Well mostly in the design that enables better stability, durability, and processing times. The frame is sturdier and more durable due to the use of additional screws and better-made parts. The most significant improvement is faster processing times with the new 32-bit motherboard with A5984 stepper drivers. Additionally, the extruder stops heating if no new filament is fed after one hour thus saving power.
- Less power consumption
- Faster processing times
- More stable
- Durable
- Front-facing SD slot
- Regular maintenance
- Difficult to level
4.Qidi Technology High-end 3d Printer – for Educational Settings.
Looking for an entry-level 3 printer? This is a great option for home or any educational setting. It works a good introductory machine into the world of 3d printing and slicing software.
QiDi 3d printer includes an edition of slicing software so kids can get familiar with how to create their designs and a textbook so they can quickly get a quick grasp of how to print using various filaments.
Owing to the compact design, this printer is small and won’t take up too much space. The intuitive touchscreen to view printing status and allows for fast and easy control over the functions. Further, a camera inside of the printer allows for real-time monitoring of your prints from anywhere due to the Wifi capabilities.
Allowing either off two ways to load the filament, do so from inside or outside the printer. This would all depend on the type of filament you are using. Meanwhile, the magnetic plate pops off so no more struggling to remove your build of 6.69” x 5.9” x 6.29” with a scraper tool.
- For beginners
- Compact
- Interior camera
- 2-ways to load filament
- Plate pops off
- Build volume is small
- Issues finding replacement parts
5.Monoprice Voxel 3d Printer – Quick Set Up.
Another printer for the beginner at a reasonable price and perfect for home or educational use.
The build volume of this model is 150 x 150 x 150mm which surprisingly is suitable enough for handling most objects. Set up is quick and easy. Leveling the print bed and setting the calibration is all possible from just a single tap on the 2.8″ full-color touchscreen. In the same fashion, you will even be able to load the filament automatically from the touchscreen. Switching print heads has never been easier and can be done in seconds.
Reaching maximum speeds of 60mm/s and a minimum layer height of 50 microns, you will be creating excellent quality prints in a decent time frame. Another key point to note is that you are able to view prints from the internal webcam from any device using a wifi connection.
- Quick set up
- Automatic feeder
- Fast speeds
- Wifi
- Internal Webcam
- Wi-fi issues
6.Monoprice Select Mini 3d Printer – Comes With a Printer Kit.
Don’t underestimate this small 3d printer, although small it has a lot to offer for the price.
This small printer comes with a complete kit including a sample PLA filament, filament rack, power adapter, power cord, USB cable, MicroSD card with sample models, plastic bed scraper along with bed leveling hex wrench. For this reason, you have fast out of the box printing and guarantees that it is indeed the best 3d printer kit under 500.
This particular 3d printer supports a wide range of filament types since the extruder allows for a wide range of temperatures. With a small footprint and small size, it will fit on any desk comfortably.
Wifi connectivity was a big surprise, after all, it is not something you find in a printer of this price. There is a standard USB, SD card port, and a 3.7″ IPS color screen and button dial for sending viewing or controlling print jobs.
- Print kit
- Out of the box printing
- Small footprint
- Wifi
- Supports a wide range of filament
- Extruder jams up
- slow
7.Jgaurora Magic High Precision Diy 3d Printer- Build It Yourself.
Are you good with your hands and love piecing things together? The best diy 3d printer under 500 gives you a chance to put those skills to work.
You will have fun building this 3d printer while gaining wonderful insights into the way a 3d printer works. The main thing that stands out is that the metal base and built-in power supply is much safer and sturdier than other models. After assembling you will be able to produce 220x220x250mm objects with the 0.4mm nozzle. Meanwhile, nozzle temperature ranges from 180~245℃ and spews out layer thickness of 0.05-0.3mm at speeds of 10-150mm/s.
Keep printing and never worry if you lose power to the machine or run out of filament. A sensor detects when the filament has run out and beeps to remind you to feed more while the power outage recovery continues the same print once power is restored. Offline printing from the SD card can be done together with an LCD screen and a dial button for controlling prints.
- Build it yourself
- Metal base for stability
- Built-in power supply
- Power outage recovery
- Filament sensor
- Does not feed in a consistent manner at times
8.Qidi Technology X-one 2 – Cheap 3d Printer.
For both the amateur, pick this 3d printer from QIDI. This cheap 3d printer under 500 is simple enough for someone relatively new to the 3d printing world. Children, for instance, will love this little 3d printer for smaller creations.
Despite the small build area, you achieve some notable quality prints with the single extruder and injection mold. The use of aluminum on the heat plate ensures that it heats evenly so there is no deformity in your creations. You have the freedom to use a variety of filaments such as ABS, PLA, and TPU.
Use the SD card or USB connection to transfer files coupled with an attractive touchscreen to control the machine. The professional 3D slicing software is easy enough for anyone to use to make certain your creations are more delicate and smooth.
- Aluminum heat plate
- Quality prints
- Compatible with different filaments
- Cheap
- Ease of use
- The power switch is on the back
- Heat plate is not removable.
Buying Guide best 3d printer under $500.
Factors to consider when purchasing the best 3d printer under $500.
Build volume.
For a 3D printer under $500, you may not find one offering a build volume of more than 300 x 300 x 300 mm. However, they may be a few rare finds out there offering more build volume.
Material
Are you going to work with different types of filament? If yes, then you will need to get a 3d printer that allows for that.
Features
These can help in being able to operate the machine quite easily. A touch screen makes it easy to interact with your machine. Filament run-out detection and resume print are also convenient when doing big jobs or power is cut to the machine. Some have removable print beds which makes getting your creations off easier. Of course, the more features it has, the steeper the price. So ensure you take a look at your budget and work from there.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Are 3d Printers Cheap?
3D printers are getting cheaper day by day. There was once a time where you had to shell out the big bucks. With increasing demand, several brands took the torch and ran with it. Now you have the option of buying one at a reasonable price for personal use.
What Colors Do Filaments Come in?
As a matter of fact, PLA and ABS filaments are available in a wide spectrum of colors. If you are going to paint your models, choose white or beige for the best results. If not, feel free to choose your favorite colors and enjoy printing.
Which Material is Best to Print With?
To begin with, you should choose PLA or ABs plastic. They are easy to work with and are non-toxic. For professionals, you can choose between metal to organic filament to resin. They are much harder to work with and require some experience.
How Do I Know Which Printer to Purchase?
Prior to purchasing, think about what you are going to be using your printer for. Are you creating big or small objects? How regularly are you going to be printing? Answering these questions will help you to determine costs.
How Do I Convert My File Format to Work on My Printer?
Most 3d manufactures include CDs or make mention of or link recommended software. With the use of the software, you will be able to convert your files without delay.
Conclusion.
In short, the best 3d printer under $500 wouldn’t cost you too much and will make for a wonderful investment. Our favorite is Crazy3DPrint CZ-300. Great value for money with a large build area than most for the price. It also holds 3 certifications so you know it is safe to use and avoids risks of injury.
