You’ve saved up and are ready to invest in a 3D printer—a momentous occasion. However, before clicking “add to cart,” there are various key factors to consider in order to ensure you select a machine that meets your needs and expectations. Beyond the price, there are many other things to evaluate, and rushing to purchase one can lead to costly mistakes that you could have avoided if you had been careful. To help you avoid buyer's remorse, we'll cover the most important things to ensure you get the right 3D printer for you.

5 Why do you want to buy a 3D printer?

Align on the intended use

You should clearly understand why you want to purchase a 3D printer and what you aim to achieve with it. Understanding why you need it will influence the type, capability, and even the best 3D printing technology and material you will likely use.

For example, if you want to print strong and durable parts for mechanical applications, buy an FDM 3D printer and use materials like ABS or PETG.

A resin 3D printer is the best option for printing highly detailed models or miniatures. These machines print smooth parts, unlike FDM parts which require sanding to achieve smoothness. Resin 3D printing uses technologies like SLA, MSLA, or DLP.

If your projects require extremely high-strength and heat-resistant components, a metal 3D printer might be necessary. These are typically more expensive and used in industrial applications. Metal 3D printers use technologies like powder bed fusion and selective laser melting.

4 Your estimated budget

How much are you willing to spend?

Once you clarify why you want to purchase the 3D printer and choose the appropriate technology and material, your budget can help narrow your options down from there. An entry-level FDM 3D printer costs under $300. These machines are great for those on a budget, for printing basic designs, and for learning how 3D printing generally works.

Mid-range machines cost between $300 and $1000. They provide better quality, larger build volumes, and additional functionalities like multi-color 3D printing. High-end professional machines, especially metal and resin 3D printers, will cost thousands of dollars. These are great for creating more complex projects, are designed for precision and speed, and can work with various materials.

3 Size of the build plate of the 3D printer

The size of the files you are 3D printing matters

The build plate or 3D printer bed is the surface where printing occurs. The build plate size determines the size of the files you can 3D print. A larger one allows you to create bigger models without splitting them into multiple parts, saving time. 3D printers with large build volumes are great if you often use them to print large prototypes and functional parts. Intricate and complex parts that need to be printed as a whole unit will benefit from a big surface.

If you plan to use your 3D printer primarily for printing small objects, a printer with a smaller build plate is more practical and less costly than one with a large build volume. Large build-volume 3D printers usually take up more space than those with small build volumes. If you have limited space in your house or office, choose one with a small build volume.

2 Assembly option

3D printers come either fully assembled or as DIY kits

Some 3D printers come fully assembled, allowing you to start printing almost immediately after unboxing. These are great for those who don’t want to spend much time assembling the machine. Others come as DIY 3D printer kits that require you to assemble the components, like the frames, wiring, and motion systems. The hands-on experience you gain by assembling the machine is an education in how the 3D printer works, which helps you quickly troubleshoot or upgrade it. However, it can be a daunting process, and sometimes you can miss some steps and find that the machine isn’t working, and you have to disassemble and reassemble it again.

In addition to the assembly option, you should check whether the bed leveling option is automatic or manual. Bed leveling is an essential process that you do for 3D printers to ensure the bed is leveled at all corners to avoid print failure. In manual bed leveling, you adjust the screws at each corner and use mostly a piece of paper to gauge the distance from the nozzle to the bed. This process is time-consuming and might not be perfect in most cases.

Automatic bed leveling, which is common in assembled 3D printers, uses sensors to detect and compensate for inconsistencies. Unlike manual bed leveling, this feature makes it easier to achieve a level bed. Buying a 3D printer with this feature saves time, as bed leveling is a routine task you must do regularly before 3D printing to achieve good results.

1 3D printer software and connectivity options

You must know the software supported and how to transfer files

Although all 3D printers use standard file formats, like STL and OBJ, which you prepare in 3D modeling programs, some are only compatible with specific slicing software. For example, Bambu lab 3D printers only use Bambu Studio or Orca slicers.

In addition to the software, you should also consider the connectivity options. Some rely only on USB or SD cards for transferring files, while others offer additional options for wireless connectivity, like through Wi-Fi. With a wireless or cloud-based connection, you can transfer files from anywhere and even remotely monitor and control your 3D printer without being physically near it.

Do your research before purchasing the 3D printer

There are many 3D printers available, and choosing the right one can be challenging. Before purchasing one, consider these important factors to buy the one that best suits your intended purpose. Also, remember to read user reviews, watch demonstration videos, and compare prices from different vendors to get a reliable one at an affordable cost.