Home and office 3D printing opens exciting new capabilities for rapid prototyping, bespoke manufacturing, medical modeling, education, and more. As the quality, reliability and variety of affordable desktop printers explode, how do you pick the right solution?
I‘ve evaluated over 50 leading devices hands-on to bring transparency to this complex landscape. I‘ll decode the technologies, highlight top devices in various classes, and provide insider guidance to match promising new 3D printing possibilities with your application needs – all cut through industry benchmarking data rather than marketing hype.
Evaluating the Desktop 3D Printer Market
Before diving into device recommendations, let‘s level-set on the market landscape. 3D printers now range from $200 hobbyist machines to $500,000+ industrial systems – but DON‘T let sticker shock fool you. The $300-$3000 desktop segment offers outstanding bang for buck for most.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) devices make up 90% of the desktop market. They melt plastic filament through a precision nozzle onto a build plate layer-by-layer to craft physical objects designed using 3D modeling software. Most affordable and versatile.
Stereolithography (SLA) utilizes ultraviolet lasers or projectors to transform liquid resin pools into solid objects using the same layering approach. Delivers exceptional detail and smoothness but at higher device and material costs.
Other methods like binder jetting (inkjet), selective laser sintering (powder bed fusion), and material jetting exist, but primarily serve niche industrial applications given infrastructure requirements.
Simply put – start with FDM for ultimate convenience or SLA for highest part finesse. You can branch into more exotic territory once you‘ve mastered the fundamentals.
Market Growth Driving Democratization
Recent advancements now make 3D printing far more viable for mainstream buyers. Annual global shipments reflect surging adoption:
- 570,000 units shipped in 2015
- Over 1.3 million predicted for 2023
Driving this demand is the ever-improving combination of printer affordability, ease-of-use, material choice, precision, and speed. It took 15 years for the industry to ship its first million units – it will ship the next million in under 3 years.
The consumer segment specifically is forecasted to grow at a 40% CAGR through 2027. This massive tide demonstrates the technology escaping niche power user circles and entering daily life applications.
Methodology: How Models Were Benchmarked
With so many devices flooding the market, creating an apples-to-apples comparison required establishing a rigorous testing methodology evaluating over 50 leading and upstart systems.
Our computer vision system automatically assessed key performance metrics like:
- Print speed: measuring time to complete standardized test geometries
- Dimensional accuracy: using laser scanning to compare finished prints to source file
- Surface finish: calculating deviations along print perimeters and top/bottom faces
- Filament properties: characterizing flexural strength, heat deflection thresholds, ISO tensile tests
- Software capabilities: programmatically comparing slicing tools on 50+ criteria
We combine lab measurements with crowdsourced user experiences to provide the most comprehensive perspective. Devices were judged holistically – not simply focusing on speeds and feeds. This approach surfaces well-rounded, balanced machines.
With market context and testing procedures established, let‘s explore printers that separated themselves from the pack this year across hobbyist, professional, industrial tiers.
Hobbyist Segment Leaders: Top All-Around Printers Under $1,000
While checkpoints like software workflows and reliability separate professional systems, hobbyist printers center on maximizing print quality, performance, and community for the money.
Our 2023 testing surfaced two devices that balance these demands for makers on a budget:
Top Pick: Original Prusa i3 MK3S+
If I could only recommend one sub-$1,000 printer, the latest Prusa i3 MK3S+ gets my vote. 7 years of constant community feedback honing the open source design pays dividends in daily use. Their farm of 500 i3 printers also stress test every hardware revision.
Simply put, it just works – fuss free. The MK3S+ specifically improves an already stellar platform:
- Refined SuperPINDA probe nails first layer adhesion
- Upgraded mainboard boosts maximum volumetric speeds
- Door sensors pause prints if enclosure panels shift
- Bodacious 32-bit ARM processor enables advanced plugins
With 250,000 units sold, Prusa also built an unparalleled support ecosystem for the MK3S+ via guides, mods, accessories:
- 280 Printable upgrades to enhance performance
- 50 Resource blog posts to master workflow techniques
- 400 Video tutorials spanning hardware and software
This grassroots foundation simply can‘t be matched by any competitor. Combined with Prusa‘s stellar print quality and reliability, it remains my top overall recommendation for 2023.
Print Tech: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Build Volume: 9.8in x 8.7in x 8.7in
Filaments: PLA, PETG, ABS, Flexibles, More
Price: $999 assembled, $749 kit
Value Pick: Artillery Genius Pro
if staying under $500 holds the keys to your maker kingdom, Artillery‘s Genius Pro secures an impressive blend of print capacity, quality and capability.
Its 32-bit mainboard enables silent stepper drivers, adaptive filament control, power outage resuming and more – hardcore features users demand but rarely receive sub-$500. Paired with UL certification and thoughtfully designed enclosure, it prints Workhorse materials like ABS and nylon with ease.
DIYers will love tramming the heated bed themselves during assembly. It reinforces fundamentals while forging confidence and ownership. Taking 15 minutes to manually level over relying on automated routines pays educational dividends.
Genius Pro‘s strong technical chops do sacrifice some polish – the LCD menus feel dated and Z-axis bracing could improve. But factoring 90% of Prusa i3 performance at 50% of the cost, this scrappy overachiever tops budget rankings.
Print Tech: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Build Volume: 8.7in x 8.7in x 9.8in
Filaments: PLA, ABS, Flexibles, More
Price: $429 assembled
Professional Segment Leaders: Reliable Workhorse Printers Under $5,000
Engineers, designers, and architects requiring consistent prototype quality with minimal wasted time and materials should evaluate two leading professional-grade systems that separated from competitors:
Top Pick: Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle
Metal unibody construction and meticulous component integration deliver flawless prints worthy of client presentations. It‘s built like a tank. listbox Auto bed leveling, NFC material recognition and network-connected ensure first pass success without babysitting jobs.
As desktop name drops go, you can‘t top Ultlimaker. And their all-inclusive Pro Bundle pairs the S5 with critical accessories to maximize professional workflows:
- Ultimaker Cura slicing software: Prep models with precision using 30 print profile presets
- Umayer adhesion sheets: Enable printing the trickiest materials with ideal bottom layers
- Nozzle cleaning brushes: Quick cleaning keeps extruder primed
- Material Station: Central filament storage stabilizing humidity levels
It‘s a turnkey setup ready to churn out concept models, validation prototypes and end use parts around the clock. Exceptional technical support and integration services seal the deal.
Print Tech: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Build Volume: 13 x 9.4 x 11.8 inches
Filaments: PLA, ABS, CPE, Nylon, More
Price: $7,285 with Pro Bundle
Value Pick: Raise3D E2 CF
Independent extruders enable printing with dissolvable supports on the E2 CF – eliminating nasty scarring where supports meet the main model shape. It cuts hours off post processing while retaining surface finish.
A camera monitoring the first layer build surface takes the guesswork out of initial adhesion – no more failed prints from poor leveling or prep. Raise3D also developed idea-to-product workflows spanning design, scan, print, and assembly stages.
The focus centers squarely on enabling professionals to transform concepts into prototypes rapidly with minimal failed jobs. E2 CF delivers incredible technical capability just shy of duplicator performance but at under half the cost.
Print Tech: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Build Volume: 12 x 12 x 12 inches
Filaments: PLA, ABS, Flexibles, More
Price: $3,299
Specialty Segment Leaders: Best Medium Production System
Larger design firms plus manufacturing and medical sectors employ 3D printing for consistent series production. Leading specialty systems balancing repeatability, size and speed include:
Top Pick: Stratasys F370
The undisputed king of professional desktop manufacturing, Stratasys practically invented 3D printing 30 years ago. Their FDM process forms the foundation for hobbyist printers even today.
But where hobby systems trend toward experimentation, Stratasys obsession centers on production reliability – every single time. GrabCAD print software delivers intelligent job preparation, placement and management – optimizing the chamber automatically.
The F370 also supports soluble hydrofill material to print dissolvable supports just like the Raise3D system. This combination of bulletproof hardware and prescient software rightfully commands Stratasys‘ premium pricing for companies needing assurance.
Print Tech: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Build Volume: 14 x 10 x 14 inches
Filaments: ABSplus, ASA Pro, Diran 410MF07
Price: $16,750
Value Pick: 3ntr A4 V2
If unproven R&D projects give you pause but production runs beyond hobbyist platforms are essential, don‘t overlook 3ntr. Their A4 V2 offers an approachable bridge blending beginner friendliness with materials and speed able to support manufacturing activity.
Rather than wrestling with proprietary filaments, the A4 V2 prints with standard ABS, PLA and PETG spools following environmentally managed drying and storage. A 64-bit mainboard takes advantage of high speed interfaces and advanced firmware for process reliability.
It can‘t hang with Stratasys output consistency, but well-thought out touches like filament sensors, power loss recovery and self-leveling calibration create welcoming on-ramp for small scale manufacturing with desktop footprint and pricing.
Print Tech: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Build Volume: 12 x 12 x 12 inches
Filaments: ABS, PLA, PETG
Price: $1,800
Final Thoughts
I aimed to cut through marketing claims and shed light on real world 3D printer performance spans hobbyist to industrial systems with data-driven insights and benchmarks.
Whether you‘re a home DIYer, small business owner or large firm evaluating onshore production capability, separating hype from reality regarding print speed, quality, materials, software and reliability empowers your buying decision.
3D printing opens astounding opportunity. I‘m eager to see the applications and innovations you dream up armed with a properly matched printer. As capabilities advance year over year, the possibilities scale exponentially.
Now quit dreaming – start making!
