Contents
Our pick

Prusa i3 MK3S
The best 3D printer
This printer consistently cranked out high-quality prints in our tests and has a huge print volume.
Buying Options
The Prusa i3 MK3S’s quick setup is manageable for beginners, while its consistency and its thoughtfully chosen, repairable parts will please more advanced users who need a dependable 3D-printing workhorse. It’s also the quietest printer we’ve tested, and it’s compatible with a huge range of plastic types.
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Budget pick

Monoprice MP Cadet
A beginner’s printer
The MP Cadet is cheap, reliable, and small enough to fit on any desk.
Buying Options
If you’re a total beginner who doesn’t want to invest too much, or if you’re looking for a printer that’s safer for children to use (similar machines are advertised for kids as young as 8), the Monoprice MP Cadet might be a better option. In our testing, it consistently turned out flawless (though less detailed) prints as long as the designs weren’t too complex. It has a small, desk-friendly footprint. It’s also just a quarter of the price of the Prusa i3 MK3S, but it doesn’t offer as many features or produce the same level of detail.
Everything we recommend
Our pick

Prusa i3 MK3S
The best 3D printer
This printer consistently cranked out high-quality prints in our tests and has a huge print volume.
Buying Options
Budget pick

Monoprice MP Cadet
A beginner’s printer
The MP Cadet is cheap, reliable, and small enough to fit on any desk.
Buying Options
Source: NY Times – Wirecutter