3D printers are massively sought after by professionals and hobbyists alike. However, knowing how to use a 3D printer correctly can be daunting for newcomers.
3D printers are, after all, expensive pieces of equipment that have a lot of settings and features that may not be apparent to a newcomer.
Recently though, some of the best 3D printers available have been oriented towards beginners and newcomers.
These 3D printers put aside the more complex functionalities of 3D printing and provide a better experience for those learning about the hobby, at a much lower cost than what once was the entry price for 3D printing.
Top Pick: Spark 3D SP1 3D Printer
Affordable innovation at home!
Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250mm
Automatic Bed Levelling?: Yes
The Spark 3D SP1 3D Printer is our top pick 3D printer, for beginners and intermediates looking for great value for money. This printer is easy to set up and get started with and has an intuitive design for beginners to be able to access the features they need without having to go through a slew of complicated menus and settings.
With quality-of-life features that are incredibly useful for those starting out — such as automatic bed levelling — this printer is a great way to get to grips with 3D printing without having to deal with the complexities that come with more advanced 3D printers.
However, this printer also shines when it comes to its ability to slot into your office space without making much sound. With its silent fan and mainboard technology, this printer’s noise output is greatly reduced when working. This means that you don’t have to worry about the printer making lots of unwanted noises and distractions as you’re leaving it to print.
Assembly is quick and easy and will have you up and running in no time, unlike other printers which can sometimes have intermediate-level build instructions due to a more complex 3D printing setup. However, none of this sacrifices quality, as the Spark 3D SP1 is able to output very high-quality prints at such a low price.
All in all, the Spark 3D SP1 3D Printer is the best pick for anyone looking for a great 3D printer at a low price.
Creality Ender 3 V2 NEO 3D Printer
Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250mm
Automatic Bed Levelling?: Yes
This 3D printer is about the same as the Spark 3D SP1 3D printer in both functionality and simplicity. These two printers are almost like long-lost siblings and provide a very similar out-of-the-box experience to one another.
This printer does rank lower on a couple of smaller things, though. We personally think that the display of the Spark 3D SP1 is a lot nicer, and boasts a much nicer user interface for beginners.
Both of these printers, however, are able to put out incredibly high-quality 3D prints and provide a great experience for beginners and intermediates alike.
Creality Ender 3 NEO 3D Printer
Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250mm
Automatic Bed Levelling?: Yes
Creality’s Ender 3 NEO is another solid Creality 3D printer for beginners. It too simplifies the whole 3D printing process, removing the more complex features and providing a simple experience for beginners at a very affordable price.
However, even though it has a lot of similarities to the Spark 3D SP1 and Ender 3 V2 NEO — such as automatic bed levelling and silent operation — this printer is incredibly barebones and is missing the quality-of-life features that those printers provide.
For example, the Spark 3D SP1 has a 4.3-inch display for easy menu navigation and a great user interface, meaning that a beginner won’t find it difficult to figure out how the printer works. The NEO 3D ‘s screen and menu are much smaller and much more akin to Creality’s higher skill-level focused printers.
Overall, this printer is good. But, there are far better options available to those who are newer to the hobby, with better quality-of-life features in comparison.
Creality Ender 3 3D Printer
Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250mm
Automatic Bed Levelling?: No
A few years ago, this was one of the best beginner 3D printers on the market. At a time when the community around Creality was really starting to lift off, this 3D printer was at the heart of all the action.
However, as time has passed and 3D printing has advanced — other, newer models have surpassed this in features.
It is the cheapest 3D printer that you can get, but it's missing some modern features such as automatic bed levelling.
Its low price makes it suitable for beginners but the age of the printer makes it a difficult value proposition in general. The Spark 3D SP1 and Ender 3 V2 NEO are newer and more feature-rich.
Creality Ender 3 S1 3D Printer
Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 270mm
Automatic Bed Levelling?: Yes
If you're looking to splash out and have a bigger budget for a 3D printer, why not consider the Creality Ender 3 S1 3D Printer?
This beloved printer is incredible at what it does and is a powerhouse — used by intermediates and even 3D printing experts just due to how excellent and flexible it is.
It's important to note that this printer isn't geared towards beginners. To start with, the printer is far more expensive than the other entries on the — and getting started with the Creality Ender 3 S1 might leave you scratching your head at certain points due to its features that are geared towards more experienced users.
All in all, this is an excellent printer — and it's a brilliant future-proofing option for anyone serious about 3D printing. In fact, we would recommend this to be everyone’s second 3D printer. But for beginners looking to get into the hobby, the price and vast feature set mean that it may not be the most suitable option available.
Last Word
If you’re looking for a 3D printer to get started with, the Spark 3D SP1 3D printer is by far the best option available to dive headfirst into the world of 3D printing. Not only are you getting a high quality printer, but you benefit from the 1 year warranty and array of features that belong on a much higher priced device.
If you’re a beginner looking for more tips and information on how to get started with 3D printing, check out our beginner’s guide to 3D printing for all of the tips and tricks you’ll need to get started. Want to read more about these and other 3D printers? Check out our 3D Printer buying guide for more information about 3D printers.
