The verdict
3D printers
This month’s Roundup has assessed a selection of 3D printers that balance price, quality and usability. While there are many cheap and expensive printers on the market we’ve honed in on those spanning a price range of £500 to £1,200 and while there are obvious feature and quality difference when it comes to the print that you hold in your hand, the quality is actually pretty close.
What differentiates each is the intended market and user. The Original PRUSA MK3S, for instance, is a must-have for 3D print enthusiasts, and it’s easy to see why when you look at the quality of the prints, ease of use and reliability.
The MK3S also has a stronger community around it than any other printer. If you want to adapt or customise it, there will be a forum.
Likewise, the Lulzbot SideKick 747 is the first new Lulzbot for a while and shows that the company is back on form. While there are numerous upgrade options for this printer, its reliability wins out. This is one industrial printer that you can feel confident in relying on in the workplace.
The RoboxDual is the only dual-filament printer in the test, and while it’s older than the others the upgraded performance gained from new electronics brings this printer bang up to date. When it comes to printing ABS, nylon and specialist materials, no other printer comes close to the print quality. Add in the Moot and Root additions, and this small printer becomes a powerful commercial or educational solution.
The SnapMaker has decent 3D print quality, but when combined with the multi functional approach of 3D print, laser and CNC which can be switched between quickly, this elevates the device into an ideal hobbiest and maker machine.
The final printer is the Kobra Max. The others should outclass this out-of-the-box massive printer, but as with other printers from AnyCubic, it’s a solid performer and an ideal starter 3D printer. The Max is the largest model in the range, but the smaller Kobra is equally good. Ultimately, they’re all good: the MK3S will suit the 3D print enthusiast; the SideKick 747 is ideal for those who needs a workhorse; the RoboxDual will suit enterprise and education scenarios, modellers will gravitate towards the SnapMaker 2.0; while the Kobra is suitable for those makers just starting out in 3D and users who want to print big models.