May 2022
3D Printers: Aggregated Ranking Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of 3D Printer rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2022.
At a glance - May 2022 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | 3D Printer |
Tom's Guide
|
Popular Mechanics
|
Digital Trends
|
CNET
|
PCMag
|
Tom's Hardware
|
All3DP
|
3d Sourced
|
TechRadar
|
Omnicore
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
+2 | Check price |
FormLabs Form 3
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
19
|
3
|
-
|
|
2
|
- | $2962 |
LulzBot Mini 2
|
6
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
8
|
|
3
|
-2 | $430 |
Anycubic Vyper
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
9
|
8
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
-
|
|
4
|
- | $1850 |
Original Prusa i3 MK3S+
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
3
|
4
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
|
5
|
- | $180 |
Monoprice MP Mini Delta
|
3
|
-
|
3
|
3
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
6
|
- | $279 |
Creality Ender 3 V2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
7
|
2
|
-
|
3
|
|
7
|
- | $1999 |
Dremel Digilab 3D45
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
14
|
-
|
7
|
|
8
|
New * | $272 |
Anycubic Kobra Max
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
9
|
-1 | $450 |
Anycubic Photon Mono X
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
|
10
|
-1 | $280 |
Anycubic Photon Mono
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
|
11
|
- | Check price |
Original Prusa Mini
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
|
12
|
- | $1499 |
Snapmaker 2.0 A350
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
12
|
9
|
-
|
|
13
|
- | $390 |
Monoprice MP Voxel
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
|
14
|
-4 | $314 |
Monoprice Select Mini v2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
15
|
-1 | $4450 |
Ultimaker S3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
2
|
-
|
|
16
|
-1 | $799 |
FlashForge Adventurer 4
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
17
|
+1 | $299 |
Toybox 3D 1-Touch
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
18
|
-1 | $1999 |
MakerBot Replicator+
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
19
|
-3 | Check price |
BCN3D Sigma D25
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17
|
-
|
-
|
|
20
|
-1 | $6950 |
Ultimaker S5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
21
|
-
|
-
|
|
21
|
-1 | $649 |
Flashforge Creator Pro 2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
|
22
|
-1 | Check price |
Original PRUSA SL1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
15
|
4
|
-
|
|
23
|
-1 | $3499 |
Raise3D E2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
12
|
We ranked FormLabs Form 3 #1 in May 2022 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked FormLabs Form 3 as #1.
Tom's Guide
The best resin-based 3D printer
|
Pros
Fast printing
High-quality results
Extensive amount of resins available
|
Cons
No third-party resin support
Expensive
|
TechRadar
SLA printing goes large
|
Pros
Wide choice of materials
Supports multiple users
|
Cons
Post processing demands
Requires support structures
|
We ranked LulzBot Mini 2 #2 in May 2022 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
Tom's Guide
A good 3D printer option if you can find it
|
Pros
Prints are fast and of high quality
Supports a wide range of materials
Printer is quiet
|
Cons
More expensive than many comparable models
|
PCMag
Best Premium 3D Printer for Hobbyists and Schools
|
Pros
Easy to set up and use.
Powerful software.
Quiet operation.
Supports a variety of filament types.
LCD with SD-card slot.
Self-leveling print bed.
Easy to remove finished objects from print bed.
Works with Windows, macOS X, and Linux.
|
Cons
Print quality inconsistent at times.
No bundled filament.
Open frame increases risk of burns from a hot extruder.
Relatively sparse connectivity options.
|
TechRadar
Another Great 3D Printer for Beginners
|
Pros
Very easy to use while being high quality
Open-source and supports a range of materials
Much quieter than expected
|
Cons
Open frame design
More expensive than many FDM printers
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend 3D Printers.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of 3D Printers, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for May 2022 ranking
Tom's Guide
Popular Mechanics
Digital Trends
CNET
PCMag
Tom's Hardware
All3DP
3d Sourced
TechRadar
Omnicore
We ranked Anycubic Vyper #3 in May 2022 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
PCMag
Best Budget 3D Printer for Large Objects
|
Pros
Relatively large build area
Automatic bed leveling
Simple assembly
|
Cons
Short (one-year) warranty
Includes only a small starter filament coil
Using Cura software with the Vyper requires tweaking a couple of settings
Test prints showed some "hairy" filament residue
|
Tom's Hardware
Best 3D Printer for a Print Farm
|
Pros
Automatic bed leveling system
High print speeds
Advanced cooling design
|
Cons
Included Cura profile needs optimizing
Kickstater-style launch may turn off some users
|
TechRadar
The best beginner friendly FDM 3D printer
|
Pros
Built-in accessories drawer
Reliable automatic bed-leveling
Great value for the features you get
|
Cons
Excessive initial stringing
Questionable assembly
Cura profile needs fine-tuning
|
We ranked Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ #4 in May 2022 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ as #1.
PCMag
Best Overall 3D Printer
|
Pros
Consistently high-quality prints
No misprints in our testing
Supports multiple filament types
Includes a 1-kilogram PLA spool
Useful, professionally printed user guide
Great support resources
Versatile, user-friendly software
|
Cons
Build volume a bit small for the price
|
Tom's Hardware
Best High-End 3D Printer
|
Pros
PrusaSlicer provides best-in-class model slicing
Swappable flexible build platforms make switching materials easy
Automatic bed leveling sensor is fast and accurate
Stealth Mode enables a nearly silent printing experience
|
Cons
Assembled printer is pricey
Monochrome interface feels outdated
|
All3DP
Under $1,000
|
Pros
Exceptional print quality
Advanced calibration and print monitoring
Excellent support and involved community
|
We ranked Monoprice MP Mini Delta #5 in May 2022 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best 3D printer under $200
|
Pros
Prints PLA, ABS, PETG, and other materials
Excellent print quality for the price
Costs less than $200
|
Cons
Smaller build volume than other low-cost printers
Software has some rough edges
|
PCMag
Best 3D Printer for Beginners
|
Pros
Sub-$200 price
Quick, nearly misprint-free printing
Easy setup and operation
Sturdy steel-and-aluminum frame
Supports multiple filament types
|
Cons
Tiny build area
So-so print quality
Mere one-year warranty
|
We ranked Creality Ender 3 V2 #6 in May 2022 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
PCMag
Best 3D Printer for Tinkerers and DIY Types
|
Pros
Inexpensive
Slightly above-average print quality
Good-size build area for its price
Supports several filament types
|
Cons
Manual print-bed leveling can be tricky
Setup instructions could be deeper, more legible
Questionable quality control on some parts
|
All3DP
Best 3D Printer Under $300
|
Pros
High-quality prints
Excellent price-to-performance
32-bit board with TMC2208 drivers (read: it’s quiet)
|
We ranked Dremel Digilab 3D45 #7 in May 2022 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
PCMag
Best 3D Printer for Professionals and Small Businesses
|
Pros
Very good print quality.
Easy to use.
User-friendly yet powerful software.
Prints via USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi, and from a USB thumb drive.
Safe design.
Relatively quiet.
|
Cons
Limited filament colors compared with competitors.Touch screen is not particularly responsive.
|
We ranked Anycubic Kobra Max #8 in May 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Anycubic Kobra Max as #1.
Tom's Hardware
Best 3D Printer for Beginners
|
Pros
Quality prints
Direct drive
Auto bed leveling
Easy assembly
|
Cons
Difficult to upgrade
Tool head hard to maintain
|
All3DP
Best 3D printer under $300
|
Pros
Reliable auto-bed leveling
Easy filament handling via direct extruder
Great bang-for-buck ratio – cheap and capable
|
We ranked Anycubic Photon Mono X #9 in May 2022 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best 3D printer for low-cost SLA printing
|
Pros
Fast printer with high-quality output
Costs a fraction of what other SLA printers cost
|
Cons
Slicing software produces inconsistent supports
Some print failures
|
All3DP
Large-format resin
|
Pros
Exceptionally high print quality
Massive build volume
Factory-leveled print plate
|
We ranked Anycubic Photon Mono #10 in May 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
We ranked Original Prusa Mini #11 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Original Prusa Mini as #1.
PCMag
Best Budget 3D Printer
|
Pros
Top-notch object quality
Supports a variety of filament types
Useful, professionally printed user guide
Great support resources
Versatile, user-friendly software
|
Cons
First-layer calibration can be tricky
Only includes starter packets of filament
Requires monitoring if young children or pets are around
|
TechRadar
Small,affordable and remarkable 3D printer
|
Pros
Great value
Easy to use
Supports a variety of filament types
|
Cons
Reel sits separately
Imperfect print quality
Calibration can be tricky
|
We ranked Snapmaker 2.0 A350 #12 in May 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
All3DP
3-in-1
|
Pros
Wi-Fi connectivity
Modular and expandable
Large work volume for the price
|
TechRadar
Best 3-in-1 3D Printer
|
Pros
3D printer, CNC, and Laser cutter in one
Solid design and build quality
Easy to understand software
|
Cons
Switching between uses takes time
Enclosure purchased separately
Very noisy when printing
|
We ranked Monoprice MP Voxel #13 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Monoprice MP Voxel as #1.
Tom's Guide
Best 3D Printer for Post People
|
Pros
Excellent print quality
Fast print speed
Heated print bed
|
Cons
Lackluster software
Some Wi-Fi connection issues
|
We ranked Monoprice Select Mini v2 #14 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Monoprice Select Mini v2 as #1.
We ranked Ultimaker S3 #15 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
TechRadar
The Best 3D Printer for College Education
|
Pros
Class-leading print quality
Easy to network
Supports a range of materials
|
Cons
Expensive
Slow print times
|
We ranked FlashForge Adventurer 4 #16 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
Tom's Guide
Best intermediate 3D printer
|
Pros
Swappable nozzles provide material flexibility
Handles multiple materials with ease
Good price
|
Cons
No automatic bed leveling and filament loading
Changing nozzle is rather a tricky process
|
We ranked Toybox 3D 1-Touch #17 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
Tom's Guide
A Fun Printer For Creating Your Own Toys
|
Pros
Prints simple toys quickly and efficiently
Easy setup
|
Cons
Exposed hot and moving parts
Unheated print bed means prints don't always stick.
|
PCMag
Best 3D Printer for Children and Young People
|
Pros
Reliable, misprint-free printing
Easy setup
One-touch operation
Well-composed help resources
Access to more than 2,000 printable toys and projects
Lets you create your own printable designs
|
Cons
Tiny build area
Not ideal for importing 3D files created elsewhere
|
We ranked MakerBot Replicator+ #18 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
PCMag
Best 3D Printer for Product Designers/Engineers
|
Pros
Easy to use.
Very good print quality.
User-friendly yet powerful software.
Prints via USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi, and from a USB thumb drive.
Safe design for an open-frame printer.
Relatively quiet.
|
Cons
Printer setup through MakerBot Mobile app can be tricky.
Somewhat pricey filament.
|
We ranked BCN3D Sigma D25 #19 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
We ranked Ultimaker S5 #20 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
PCMag
Best Pro-Level 3D Printer for Large Objects
|
Pros
Dual extruders.
Large build volume.
Quiet.
Good print quality.
Easy setup and operation.
Touch screen.
|
Cons
Pricey.
Relatively slow printing at default resolution.
|
We ranked Flashforge Creator Pro 2 #21 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
All3DP
Dual extrusion
|
Pros
Ease of use
Quality dual extrusion
Good value for IDEX tech
|
We ranked Original PRUSA SL1 #22 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
TechRadar
The best MSLA printer just got better
|
Pros
Rapid printing
Great build quality
|
Cons
High maintenance
Limited build volume
|
We ranked Raise3D E2 #23 in May 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best 3D Printers” rankings.
TechRadar
The Best Workhorse 3D Printer
|
Pros
High-resolution print capability
Innovative ouch screen interface
Dual Extruder system can work independently
|
Cons
Huge and heavy, not ideal for home use
Careful placement of bed required
Needs manual assistance for filament loading
|