A 3D printer built from scratch is the easiest and best way to get started with 3D printing as a hobbyist. Make your favorite childhood pastimes a part of your new obsession by purchasing DIY 3D printer kits!
If you use a DIY printer, you can save hundreds of dollars. When you assemble your printer, you’ll learn a lot about it. It can be said that you are trading a few hours of your time for a better understanding of 3D printing.
Best DIY 3D Printer Kits At A Glance
It is a FDM-style printer, so there are no resin or hazardous chemicals to worry about.
1. Creality Ender 3 Pro (Editor’s Choice)
One of the biggest maker communities supports it because of its popularity. They also offer assistance with calibrating your settings and leveling your bed.
The Ender 3 Pro, however, with its updated calibration, can compete with the Prusa in print quality.
Kits like this are really easy to assemble and are compatible with computers to make printing a breeze. My time to put the kit together was about two hours after I read the instruction booklet.
Then you have to level the bed as well.
Its biggest advantage is its accuracy and sturdy construction. At this price point, you can’t find a similar printer that delivers the same results as the Ender 3 Pro.
A 3D printer under $300 that’s worth considering is the Ender 3 Pro.
In addition, the Ender 3 Pro has a large build volume, and it’s easy to use.
If you’re looking for a printer that can do everything, is easy to use, and don’t mind doing a little fiddling in order to get great results, the Brother MFC-J750W is a great choice for you.
2. Prusa I3 MK3S (Best Overall – Top Pick)
Russian companies paved the way for others to follow. That they are called the “original” printer shows how good it is – other companies have used it as a template to make their own.
It is fast, reliable, and easy to use, so it is the most expensive kit on this list.
With the Prusa i3 MK3S, you can print flawlessly on the first try, unlike the Ender 3 Pro.
There is also a magnetic print bed, an updated extruder, tons of sensors, and a lot of features on this printer.
Getting the DIY kit will save you over $200.
My time for assembling the kit was about 6 hours. On their website, you can find additional information to supplement the kit’s detailed instructions. The exact instructions to assemble this printer can be found online via a number of forums and videos (YouTube is your friend!).
The company has gone through many different iterations before bringing this 3D printer to market, which makes it super easy to use. Since this printer is open source, you can experiment and tinker with it as you please.
The Prusa i3 MK3S is a good option for anyone looking for outstanding print quality right out of the box. Despite minimal maintenance requirements, this machine is reliable and well built. Additionally, Prusa offers fans and tech support in case you need it.
3. Creality Ender 3 (Best Value)
Our best 3D printer under $200 review picked this printer as the #1 choice.
The Ender 3 seems to be the only 3D printer that straddles the line between quality and affordability. It can produce quality that rivals printers four times its price with the right settings and patience.
It is a classic Ender 3 with all the quirks you’d expect from an older generation.
It will continue to print after losing power, just like the Ender 3 Pro. With a heated build plate, you can print tougher filament materials more easily and with less trouble.
Those who are curious about 3D printing should pick up this 3D printer.
4. Tronxy XY-2 PRO
This product looks pretty cool, comes at a reasonable price, and prints a lot. As well as having a filament sensor, it also automatically stops printing as soon as it runs out of filament.
Auto-leveling makes printing easier since the settings are automatically adjusted. Additionally, Tronxy made this printer with a touchscreen! In a printer with a price point like this, these features are uncommon.
The XY-2 PRO DIY 3D printer kit is one of the easiest kits to use and assemble. Please refer to the included instruction manual if you encounter any difficulties.
Therefore, all your questions can be answered and any issues can be sorted out by their technicians.
5. Tronxy X5SA Pro
An upgraded version of Tronxy’s smaller printer is the X5SA Pro, another printer offered by the company.
With this guy, you get an extremely large build volume (in fact, it’s the largest on the list), and for the price, you’re still getting a lot for your money – granted it’s more expensive than some of the others.
3D printing community members raised concerns regarding the X5SA when it was released. It only took Tronxy a few days to release X5SA Pro that resolved all the issues.
The fixes include improvements to the x-axis, an improved framework, and fewer vibrations.
The assembly time of the XY-2 PRO is about 4 hours. Its technical support is the same as the PRO model. You may find the cost shocking if you compare it to a prefabricated model which might cost twice as much.
A reliable workhorse, this printer will fit your needs. A great touchscreen and many of the same features are available on XY-2 PRO, but it is bigger and stronger.
6. Geeetech A10
Geeetech’s A10 fits into the middle of the road category. This list contains three items that are all in the middle: price, build volume, and resolution.
You can also remotely control it by using the included filament sensor.
The building process is also quite easy. Having access to many online resources helps you get started. This is a good choice if you don’t want to go with the two extremes.
Whether you’re a novice or advanced 3D printer, the A10 is a good choice.
7. Anet A8 Plus
Its large size, substantial build volume, and metal frame are the first things you will notice about the A8 Plus. These are the primary factors behind the price difference between this item and the rest.
Additionally, you receive a hot build plate and a hot nozzle for printing most commercial filaments. In comparison with the standard A8, the A8 machine is extremely robust and dependable.
Based on our experience, installing and wiring the device takes around three hours. If you need help assembling or troubleshooting your machine, many posts are available. These are primarily due to the popularity of this printer and brand.
In general, if you want a large, sturdy printer with a good reputation, this is a great choice.
8. Creality CR-10 V2
This list has a lot of Creativity! There are two versions of the CR-10, this slot is devoted to the big and baddest one, the CR-10 V2.
This printer has an enormous build volume and is sturdy. Assembly takes about an hour, and it is very clearly explained, as with other Creality DIY kits.
You’d never know this was a DIY kit, because it’s so simple.
The printer is considered by many to be the best kit option within the $450 range, and it’s difficult to argue with that.
Furthermore, its prints are pinpoint accurate. The printer is generally well received by the community, and there are few complaints.
Printing large items like cosplay armour or props and assembling the printer yourself are some benefits of this printer. Those looking for a more serious kit will find it to their liking.
9. Anycubic Kossel Plus
Due to the fact that it is a delta printer, this printer might look a little different than the others.
Printing with these printers follows a different principle than traditional xy (or cartesian) printers.
Delta printers help eliminate printing difficulties caused by slack in the belts.
Delta printers are a fascinating subject. The Kossel Plus is the best delta option if you are trying to build your own 3D printer.
There is a lot of information and videos online about assembling the framework, so the assembly is easy and straightforward.
There are seven main components in the assembly. The heated build plate and extruder enable almost any filament to be printed. It’s fun to watch the Kossel Plus print, as it is very accurate.
For improving the accuracy of your print work, this printer is excellent. The unusual 3D printer is also a lot of fun since it’s a conversation piece.
Why DIY Printers?
You will save a lot of money when you build your own printer. By using a DIY printer, you may save hundreds of dollars. You will learn a great deal about the printer as you put it together.
How To Build Your Own 3D Printer?
It will vary from kit to kit how you build your 3D printer. Overall, you’ll build the application from the ground up, other than coding. Detailed instructions and all pieces will be included in the kits. Similar to Legos.
Many kits require connecting ribbon cables between the pieces and screwing pieces together. There are a few additional steps afterward for troubleshooting, but overall this is no more complicated than building furniture from IKEA.
You will receive instructions from whichever kit you choose, and you can also find online videos and blogs to guide you.
A Guide To Picking The Right DIY 3D Printer Kit
There are a number of DIY 3D printer kits available, as you will see soon. Which one is right for you? A 3D printer’s functionality ultimately depends on what you expect from it. You can choose a DIY 3D printer kit by following the same criteria as if you were buying one off the shelf, but you must build it yourself.
As you can see, there are a variety of prices, build volumes, precision, and features offered by DIY kits. Moreover, some printers feature options that provide more convenience and reliability. Consider the applications for which you will use the printer prior to reading the review.
Consider the highlighted features as you read along and determine if they apply to you in your application. Keeping this in mind is important. Each printer requires assembly because they are DIY kits. If you receive the package and are making your first print within a week, the entire process should take approximately that long.
Adding the printer to your system is a straightforward process, and once you have assembled it once, you will be able to use it for years to come. The assembly time should not be an excuse for you to avoid buying a printer with great specs and features that you want.
Creality Ender 3 Pro
Best Overall
The Ender 3 Pro is the only 3D printer that blends affordability and quality so well. It is possible to achieve quality comparable to printers four times its price if the settings and patience are right. This is ideal for beginning users who like to experiment.
Conclusion
Choosing the right DIY 3D printer kit involves a lot of considerations. Making an informed decision based on this information can help you achieve your goals! Taking a look at this list will help you determine which printer will meet your needs. Consider the different features and attributes you’d prefer for your print projects.
