3-D printers for your consideration
XYZprinting Da Vinci 1.0 AiO
Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5
The good: This works well both as a 3-D printer and a 3-D scanner. It has a large print platform, it’s ready to use right out of the box, and it’s priced much lower than competing devices.
The bad: The machine uses proprietary products, and you can’t swap filaments during a print job. Its print platform is not removable, making it hard to clean.
The cost: $800
The bottom line: Affordable, reliable, and easy to use, the XYZprinting Da Vinci 1.0 AiO is a great leap toward making 3-D printing available to the masses.
be3D DeeGreen
Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5
The good: The printer performs well and is as easy to use as most regular printers. The machine has a useful built-in touch-screen and includes simple yet powerful software.
The bad: The printer is very expensive and requires an SD card to work.
The cost: $1,999
The bottom line: Though cost-prohibitive, the DeeGreen is an excellent entry to 3-D printing, thanks to its fast, reliable performance and plug-and-play ease of use.
Monoprice Dual Extrusion
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
The good: This printer has a dualextruder print head and a large print platform. The printer is very userserviceable, can produce detailed objects, and is cheaper than competing printers.
The bad: Due to the nascent state of 3-D printing, it is not user-friendly and requires a lot of time to prepare and then to print. And at the price, it’s still an investment.
The cost: $1,000
The bottom line: The Monoprice Dual Extrusion is a fun, versatile and comparatively affordable machine for hobbyists who want to enter the emerging world of 3-D printing.
Ultimaker 2
CNET rating: 3 stars out of 5
The good: The printer has a great compact design, uses standard products and works quietly. It has a large print platform and the print plate is removable.
The bad: It performs inconsistently when printing large objects, can’t print directly from a computer, and requires manual calibration. It’s also very expensive.
The cost: $2,500
The bottom line: The Ultimaker 2’s convenient and compact design isn’t enough to justify its grossly over-thetop price.