Best 3D printers for beginners: how to buy the right model

3D printers aren't the easiest machines to use, but we've broken down how they work and what to look for when buying one so you can start bringing your imagination to life.

They seem like miracle machines – a device in your home that can churn out just about anything. The catch? They're quite technical. There's a lot of jargon when it comes to 3D printing, so we've tried to keep our buying advice as simple as possible.

In this guide, we'll only be talking about fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing, as those are more common and tend to be less expensive than their resin counterparts.

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What is a 3D printer and how do they work?

Simply put, a 3D printer builds physical objects using layers of melted plastic. It does this by using computer software and files to move a nozzle (or, the 'hot end') around a flat surface that shapes and moulds plastic material (filament) from the bottom up.

How do you use a 3D printer?

First and foremost, you'll need a 3D model in order to use a 3D printer. This typically comes in the form of a stereolithography file (an STL file) which stores the data of a 3D model as a collection of triangles. You can create your own on a computer using a CAD software, or downloading pre-modelled STL files online to print yourself.

Next, you'll need to use a 'slicing' software to translate your STL files into instructions a 3D printer can understand. This is where you will tell your printer what settings to use. You can adjust how thick each layer of the print is, how hot to run, how smooth, and more. Slicing software usually comes with the 3D printer.

Once the settings are set, these will be translated into a '.gcode' file. This file will tell the printer how to turn code into a physical object, including where the hotend, extruder and build beds need to be.

From there, boot up the 3D printer, load up the filament, enter the .gcode file, and watch it go.

What can you make with a 3D printer?

You can print seemingly anything – parts, models, trinkets, small tools – if you have a big enough print space and if your nozzle can print fine details.

For inspiration, take a look at examples from sites like MyMiniFactory, Printables, Thangs.com, or Thingiverse to pick up pre-modelled STL files.

Just know that the larger or more detailed your print is, the longer it will take to print.

What cannot be printed on a 3D printer?

While it seems like the possibilities are infinite – not everything can be made on a 3D printer.

There are certain limits to what you can make depending on the print's geometry and how it's modelled.

Some complex prints may require you to print additional struts in order to support the build as it prints. Luckily, most slicing software can automatically apply struts to your prints.

You'll also need to consider 'infill' – how solid the inside of your model is. This is to add support throughout your model as it prints. We wouldn't recommend printing a build at 100% infill, as that uses up a lot of filament. One of the most common infill settings is 15%, but you may want to increase the infill on certain areas of a build so it's more sturdy. If you don't have enough infill, the object you're printing may collapse and you'll just be left with a clumpy mound of filament.

Another thing to watch out for is layer height: this is how thick your layers of printing are. As a general rule of thumb, the larger your layer height is, the faster your object will print but this may be at the cost of detail. If you're printing something small and detailed, you'll want a smaller layer height.

How much should I spend on a 3D printer?

3D printers aren't cheap gadgets. Many hobbyist machines cost at least £200, with more advanced models easily setting you back £1,000 or more. There are commercial models available, but those can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

If you're a beginner, we'd recommend checking out 3D printers that cost between £200 and £500.

Keep in mind you'll also need to buy spools of filament, and you might need to get different nozzles or build beds depending on what you're printing.

Prefer sticking with a 2D printer? Read our guide on the best printers for 2025

What should I consider before buying a 3D printer?

3D printers are fairly complicated machines, many of which can require lots of tweaking and tinkering even after you've assembled it.

Here are our top recommendations to consider when shopping around for one:

• What you want to print: Essentially, everything about buying a 3D printer boils down to this as it will affect things like filament and what nozzle sizes are needed.
• Filament: As with a normal paper printer, you'll need 'ink' in order to print things. There are dozens of types of filament, with most made from thermoplastic such as PLA or ABS. Since each filament has slightly different properties, there isn't necessarily a 'best' one. For example, ABS needs higher temperatures to melt, while PLA can produce some unpleasant fumes and requires a heated printing bed to utilise properly. We'd recommend looking for 3D printers that can take more than one type of filament so you can experiment. Keep in mind you'll need to pay attention to filament thickness, too, as your nozzle might not be able to extrude thicker filaments.
• The build platform: This is the surface on which your objects will be printed. Size is important, but it's not the only thing to look out for. A good build bed will allow your builds to stick easily to the platform while printing so it doesn't move, and allows for easy removal once the print is finished.
• Resolution: Similar to a camera, a model with a higher resolution means finer details can be printed. In 3D printing, resolution means layer height and is measured in microns. The lower the number (100, 200, etc), the higher the resolution. Most beginner models print at a resolution of around 200 microns, and that can produce decent-quality prints. If you want to print detailed models, such as figurines or trinkets, it may be worth looking for 3D printers that print at 100 microns or lower.
• Printing nozzle size: This is how filament gets extruded onto the build platform to make up your print. Nozzles holes can come in several sizes, but 0.4mm is the standard. You can buy other sized nozzles separately. When it comes to which hole size to use, a good rule of thumb is that the smaller diameter the nozzle hole, the more detail you can print out. That said, print times can increase significantly the smaller your nozzle is. If you're printing large objects that don't need to be very detailed, it might be worth switching to a wider nozzle hole so it can print faster.
• Open-frame vs closed-framed 3D printers: Many budget-friendly printers are open frame, meaning they operate a gantry and moving build bed exposed to the elements. These usually allow for larger print spaces at a lower cost. Closed-frame 3D printers will prevent you from accidentally touching the hot end and burning yourself, while dampening fan noise, and can keep away the burning plastic smell that some may find unpleasant. However, this can come at the cost of potentially reduced printing space.
• Design software vs pre-modelled prints: With a 3D printer, you can make just about anything you can model in CAD program. However, that's a lot easier said than done as you are essentially designing a product. If you're just starting out, it might be better to try out pre-modelled prints to help you get to grips with your 3D printer before you decide to model your own stuff. There's a massive variety of community-made STL files that you can use to start 3D printing at home.

Some hobbyists have a dedicated desktop PC to use with their 3D printer. Read our guide on the best desktop computer specs if you're looking to do the same

Best 3D printers for beginners

We haven't tested 3D printers yet at Which?, but using search data, we've picked out four popular models that beginners use.

Creality Ender 3

We like: Budget friendly

Watch out for: Might need to do some tinkering with settings

This popular 3D printer is perhaps one of the most budget-friendly you can buy, often costing under £150, and there are options to upgrade it.

It has a print space of up to 25x22x22cm (HxWxD), and has a 'resume printing' function that won't leave your prints half-baked in case there's a power outage or interruption.

That said, some customer reviews point out that there can be some teething problems when you first start using it. You may need to retune your settings or do some tinkering with it once it's built.

You can pick up this model direct from Creality, or compare prices below:

Bambu Lab A1 Mini

We like: 'Plug and play' model

Watch out for: Smaller print bed than other models

If you're looking for a model you can set and forget, this printer from Bambu Lab might be your best bet. It comes preassembled and auto-calibrates – you don't even need to set up slicing software on your computer, as you can print things from an app on your phone.

Keep in mind that the print space is only 18x18x18cm (HxWxD), so you won't be able to print massive models in one piece. This model also uses Bambu's proprietary slicing software, which can help you set up prints more easily, although you might not get as many customisable settings as some other slicing software.

You can pick up this model from Bambu Lab.

Bambu Lab A1 Mini combo

We like: Can print multiple colours in the same build

Watch out for: Same as the A1 Mini, just with extra attachments

It's the same plug-and-play model as above, but you'll get extra spool holders and attachments to allow for multicolour printing. It will have the same print size, build bed, and open-frame as the regular A1 Mini.

You can print up to four different colours at a time when printing, although you'll need to buy filament separately.

Like the regular A1 Mini combo, this printer also uses Bambu's proprietary slicing software to make prints.

Buy the A1 Mini Combo direct from Bambu Lab.

Anycubic Kobra 2 Max

We like: Very large print bed

Watch out for: Can only print one colour at a time

If the other printers seem a bit too small, this model has a whopping 88-litre printing volume and is able to handle models up to 50x42x42cm (HxWxD) big.

You'll need to assemble this 3D printer yourself, and find a larger spot to store it. It's also on the more expensive side for a beginner model, so you should expect to pay at least £400.

Using an app, you can monitor print progress from your phone.

Get this model direct from Anycubic, or compare prices below:

The best all-in-one printers can make 2D copies in a flash. Read our guide to see the top results from our lab testing

Popular premium 3D printers

The models above are better for people just starting out. If you're looking for something a bit more advanced, these printers were also popular in our search data. If you're looking to start 3D printing for the long term, these may be worth considering.

Bambu Lab X1-Carbon

We like: Auto bed levelling and other smart features

Watch out for: Expensive, plus needs add-ons for multicoloured printing

This mid-sized closed-frame 3D printer has a build volume of 25.6x25.6x25.6cm (HxWxD). 

Like the A1-mini above, this printer can be upgraded to the 'combo' version to allow the use of up to 16 different colours while printing.

It's not cheap, often costing £1,000 or more. That said, you can use several different filaments with it.

Pick up the X1C from Bambu Lab.

Creality K1 Max

We like: Built-in air purifier, little assembly required

Watch out for: Prints only one colour, but can be upgraded to print more

Like some other models, you can 3D print projects from your phone almost as soon as the K1 Max is out of the box. For a closed-frame 3D printer, it has a large print volume – 30x30x30cm (HxWxD). 

It also comes with an air purifier, which Creality claims can help mitigate unpleasant odours or fumes that come from melting plastic filament.

You can upgrade it to print with multiple filament colours, but you'll need to buy a separate attachment.

You can pick up this printer from Creality, or compare prices from other retailers below:

Does a 3D printer use a lot of electricity?

Considering that some prints will take several hours, or even days before they're finished, you might see a spike in your energy usage. 

How much energy your model will use will generally depend on things like print speed, how hot it's heating the filament, the type of filament, how long your prints take, and what type of printer you're using.

Luckily, some 3D printers come with low-power modes which can reduce how hot it's heating filament for your prints. Keep in mind you may need to use different material that melts at lower temperatures. If you're thinking about trying to save power, it might be worth looking out for printers with those specific features.

Do you need a computer for a 3D printer?

You'll typically need one to use slicing software, which is essential to 3D printing. 

There are some printers that allow you to print from .gcode files on a USB thumb drive, an SD card or from your phone. But, ultimately, the easiest way to 3D print is by plugging your printer into a computer or laptop and using the slicing software provided by the manufacturer. 

Need a blazing fast laptop? Read our guide on the best laptops to help you pick a computer that suits your needs