How to choose a cheap 3D printer? Market overview, reviews

If previously 3D printers were perceived asanything from the field of fiction, today it is not so. Now these devices are available even for private use, not to mention small or large business.

Although the number of owners is growing every year, allthe number of owners of these devices is small. Simply they are extremely limited in application. Why would an ordinary user have such a device? Is that for entertainment. Well, the complexity of working with such equipment is the second reason for low popularity. Everyone will be able to print a small model on a cheap 3D printer from the manual, but in order to create a truly complex and useful one, one must have an education or at least a large experience in 3D modeling.

Application area

So far, even cheap 3D printers remain abroad for domestic use. They are mainly used in business, for example, for printing gears and other parts for prototyping in factories.

If some users have at home suchdevices, it is usually a self-assembled cheap 3D printers. But not always. Some are available in stores. Even today you can buy a cheap 3D-printer, the price of which will be more than ten thousand rubles. Below we present the cheapest and most popular models.

Cheapest 3D printers

On the Internet site "Aliexpress" sold everything. There you can buy a 3D-printing device. There are many cheap options for assembly, which, although they require serious improvements, but still more or less cope with their task. If you believe the reviews of users, then good printers start from the price tag of 12 thousand rubles.

Therefore, when ordering such a device on "Aliexpress" it is worthwhile to be vigilant and to choose only the verified seller. Otherwise, you can have a chance to order a non-working device.

The cheapest Russian variant

The Russian manufacturer MasterKit offerscompact model 3D MC7 Prime mini. This is a set for assembly, the price of which is 15,500 rubles. In the company itself they say that the user will take about 45 minutes to build the device. Its low price is due to the lack of a display and a special heated platform. For printing, he uses PLA-plastic and materials without large shrinkage.

The cheapest 3D printer from the Chinese manufacturer

The cost of this model can be the same as the price of the already mentioned Russian analogue. This printer WANHAO Duplicator i3 is called, and among the owners it was nicknamed "Vanka".

But not only low price differs device. It is also more or less well assembled and prints well. There is also an updated version of the device, which is slightly more expensive. The printer consists of a control unit and a main frame. Unlike the Russian analogue, there is a heated platform, which makes it possible to use 3D plastic. And in general, according to the statement of the manufacturer, the range of materials for printing is extremely wide. The interfaces USB, Card Reader and slot for microSD are attached.

Budget beginner Prusa i3 Desktop

The Russian company Microfactofy presentedmarket new model Prusa i3 Desktop. This is a cheap 3D printer, the price of which is 28,000 rubles. Yes, it is more expensive than the models that are presented above, but its value still allows it to be attributed to the state employees.

There is a heated platform, a display, and the print area is 220x220x320 mm.

European "budget"

Even more expensive printer Prusa i3 Hephestosoffers a Spanish manufacturer BQ. Its price is 40 thousand rubles. As the owners say, the assembly takes two whole days. Although in fact this is a short period for assembly. You can appreciate the high quality of the device itself and the efficiency of printing. All at the highest level.

The printer itself is based on the Prusa i3 scheme,there is a heated platform, a display, as well as an interesting instruction for assembly, which is remotely similar to the instruction from IKEA. Initially, the printer platform has dimensions of 20x20 cm, but it is possible to "upgrade" it to 20x30 cm.

Inexpensive printer in the case

The cheapest 3D printer in the case is the model DA VINCI JR from the manufacturer XYZprinting. Its price is also in the range of 40-42 thousand rubles, so it is not more expensive than the previous model.

The low price is due to the lack ofheated platform and saving on dimensions. In the case there is a closed camera with a field of 15x15x15 cm, a display and an SD card slot. But printing is possible only PLA-plastic, which is very good, given the price. However, there is an opinion that with a good varnish for adhesion, which will provide a more efficient grip of the model with the platform, the printer will be able to print even with ABS plastic. In any case, it is worth its money.

Cheap printer that "eats" all

Model MZ3D-256 from the company MZ3D will cost in45000 rubles on average. Feature is the ability to print on ABS, HIPS, PLA, FLEX and other materials. There is a heated table, a control knob, plastic parts and a heavy frame with rails. Also, users note excellent technical support, which is also important when choosing such a device.

The smallest cheap 3D printer - CYBERMICRO

The size of this device is only200х200х200 mm, the price is 2000 rubles. This miracle was made by the Russian company Cyberon Group. Given the size, it is logical to ask about what the print area is. It is enough for small elements, for example, supports for mobile phones. The printable area is 110x110x110 mm. Such dimensions were achieved by abandoning the heated platform, the Card Reader and even the power button. This also makes the device simple and concise, but not professional. It will suit a person who only knows the basics of the press.

Printers that print metal

All of the above models useexclusively plastic for printing. But if you look for a cheap 3D-printer for metal, then you can hardly find anything suitable. The fact is that such household models simply do not exist, and commercial ones are so expensive that only very large companies can afford them. The price of such a device can reach 250 thousand dollars or more. So while cheap 3D printers for metal are absent in the market and are unlikely to appear in the near future. All because of the physical properties of the metal itself. When the engineers learn how to easily melt it and quickly give it the right shape, without harming the printer itself, then it will be possible to talk about household use.