3D Printers

Our Top 3D Printer Recommendations Of 2021

3D printers have maintained their popularity since their conception, and continue to inspire creativity and functionality in makers to this day.

Our Best 3D Printer Tech gurus have come up with a list of some of The Top 3D Printers being purchased online. Therefore this will narrow down your selection. Read on to learn more.

Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer Review- To Buy or Not to Buy?

The Creality Ender 3 Pro is ubiquitous in most lists of the best affordable 3D printers to buy, and I know what you’re thinking. Besides being priced to sell, is the Ender 3 Pro worth it? And what’s the big deal with the ‘Pro’ in its name- does it make it, pro? I hope to help you find out these and more in this Creality Ender 3 Pro review.

Creality Ender 3 Pro Review: Key Features

Generously sized print bed

Like its predecessor, the Creality Ender 3 Pro boasts a decent build volume of 220 by 220 by 250mm. I find this size quite impressive, especially considering that the machine itself measures 440 x 410 x 465mm. This means that you’re getting a compact device for your desk but a large working area for most of your substantial items at a great price point.

40 x 40 aluminum extrusion

This is, in my opinion, one of the most important upgrades that the Ender 3 Pro offers in its print quality. Compared to other Ender generation printers, this model features a closed-out frame made of aluminum extrusions. Generally, this design adds to the stability of the printer. This improved stability is manifested in the overall print quality of the objects.

Fast-heating

The other feature that makes the Ender 3 Pro one of the best 3D printers for beginners is its new Meanwell power supply. Meanwell PSU’s are generally known for their stable power output. The key benefit here is the reduced temperature fluctuations that might otherwise compromise your print’s quality. But what’s more, this PSU heats the hotbed to 1100C in around 5 minutes, which reduces wait time.

Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer

Resume print function

The resume print function is another incredible feature for a 3D printer below $250. This is a praise-worthy feature that eliminates all worries in case of an outage or if the printer is disconnected. In case of any of these scenarios, the printer will pick up from the last recorded extruder position to complete the project once it’s reconnected to power.

Creality Ender 3 Pro Key Features and Specifications

  • Printer dimensions: 440 x 410 x 465mm
  • Printing technology: Fused Deposition Molding (FDM)
  • Max. print speed: 180 mm/s
  • Build volume: 220 x 220 x 250mm
  • Frame construction: Extruded aluminum channel
  • Extruder Type: Bowden
  • Print materials: ABS/PLS
  • Filament diameter: 1.75mm
  • Nozzle: Single 0.4mm
  • Layer resolution: 0.1-0.4mm
  • Heated bed: Yes (Max 110 C)
  • Connectivity: SD card
  • LCD screen: Yes
  • Enclosure: No

Customer Reviews and Scores

While analyzing Creality Ender 3 Pro reviews and feedback on Amazon, it’s clear that this printer is generally loved by the vast majority of the 3D printing community. At the time of doing this review, this machine has garnered a massive 4000+ reviews. Of these, close to 80% has rated it 4/5 stars, which indicates a good (if not great) performer.

Going by this feedback, I would say most of its current users seem impressed. However, some feel that its learning curve is too steep for beginners. While this may be true, it’s important to realize that 3D printers can be finicky and overwhelming, especially during bed-leveling. But this happens to everyone, including experienced makers. So, it pays to learn the basics of every printer before you can get used to it.

Conclusion and Verdict

So, is the Creality Ender 3 Pro a good printer? Yes. Is it a professional machine? I don’t think so. Overall, the Ender 3 Pro is a cheap 3D printer engineered with affordability and ease-of-use in mind. These are among other attributes that make it a highly recommendable option for beginners and experienced users alike.

Although it has a few design compromises, it boasts several other features that you won’t find in most printers in its price range. These include a decent build volume, power recovery function, removable and flexible build plate, and reliably stable power output.

The other thing that I like about the Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D printer is that it’s fully open-source. This makes it insanely upgradable and hackable. On this note, you’ll find a vast community of creative makers who are continually modifying and improving it.

What I’m saying here is if you’re looking for a cheap, high-quality 3D printer that you can upgrade and modify down the road, the Creality Ender 3 Pro is your guy!

Creality Ender 3 V2 Review- Is It Worth It?

The Creality Ender 3 V2 tends to be most people’s first consideration in the Ender 3 series. This model seeks to improve the original Ender 3 3D printer by enhancing some of its existing features and adding new concepts. If you’re on the fence about to get it, let me tell you why you should (and perhaps why you shouldn’t) in this Creality Ender 3 V2 review.

Creality Ender 3 V2 Review: Key Features

Upgraded 32-bit silent motherboard

One of the most significant upgrades that the Ender 3 V2 brought was switching from the 8-bit V1 motherboard to a 32-bit V4.2.7 board. This new motherboard has 3 significant benefits. First, the 32-bit processor brings additional flash storage space and power, leading to enhanced overall performance. Secondly, this new motherboard boasts additional built-in ports that let you upgrade the printer with some cool features, such as auto-bed-leveling and filament runout sensor, without the need for a port extender.

Lastly, Creality claims that the 2560 chipset in this board is meant to step down the printing decibel. After my interactions with this printer, I have to say this is true. The motors are almost inaudible- all you hear are the power supply fans with their white noise- around 50 dB. I think this is an incredible upgrade for those days when you let the printer continue working throughout the night.

Improved user interface with colored screen

The other easily notable feature of the Creality Ender 3 V2 is the all-new sleek, colored-screen user interface. The new UI now features a full graphical LCD screen which is an incredible improvement from the traditional text-based display common in most cheap 3D printers. If I have something to err over here, it’s that the screen isn’t touch-sensitive. The UI still uses a rotary click wheel to navigate the options, but I find it intuitive and a breeze to use.

Creality Ender 3 V2 3D Printer

Large build volume with glass print bed

The V2 is still an Ender 3 at the core as its 220 by 220 by 250mm build volume depicts. This is a decent print volume for a 3D printer in this price range, and it allows you to print both small and large items from the same machine. But what makes it one of the best 3D printers under $300 is its tempered Carborundum glass heat bed. This platform has a textured surface that facilitates smooth first layers with improved adhesion and easy print removals.

I appreciate that this platform heats up to 100C (212F). This is further complemented by a nozzle that heats up to 250C (482F) to give you a broader range of printable materials. These include TPU, PETG, ABS, and PLA, among other 1.75mm filaments.

Creality Ender 3 V2 Specs and Features

  • Printer dimensions: 475 x 470 x 620mm
  • Weight: 8 kgs
  • Printing technology: Fused Deposition Molding (FDM)
  • Max. print speed: 220 mm/s
  • Build volume: 220 x 220 x 250mm
  • Extruder Type: Bowden
  • Print materials: ABS/PLS/PTEG/PLA
  • Filament diameter: 1.75mm
  • Layer resolution: 0.1-0.4mm
  • Slicing software: Simplify3D, Cura
  • Heated bed: Yes (Max 100C/212F)
  • Connectivity: SD card, Micro USB port
  • LCD screen: Yes
  • Resume print function: Yes
  • Enclosure: No
  • PSU: Meanwell

Customer Reviews and Scores

The V2 is a trendy model online just like most printers in Creality’s Ender 3 series. For the record, it has received an average of 4.5/5 stars from its 1000+ reviewers on Amazon. By the time of making this review, 77% of these reviewers had given it a clean 5/5 star rating. The feedback from the Customer reviews section on Amazon is positive too. Overall, most people recommend it as an incredible option for anyone looking for a sturdy entry-level 3D printer.

Of course, like any other printer, the Creality Ender 3 V2 has not been a hit with everyone. One of the complaints that I came across on Amazon is that the printer is a nightmare to assemble. I have to admit that this model’s assembly is a fair bit more demanding than other printers by Creality. But this is expected considering all the additional features that it brings to the table. Generally, depending on your experience with printers, assembling this model should take you 1-2 hours. The package instructions are quite clear, and YouTube has great videos on how to assemble Creality Ender 3 V2 printer. Make good use of them too.

Creality Ender 3 V2 Review: Conclusion

By now, you should have realized that I’m a great fan of this printer. Creality has outdone itself in many ways in this machine, especially in providing an easy and fun printing experience at an affordable price point.

You’ll note that at around $280, the Ender 3 V2 is several bucks pricier than other Ender 3 printers, such as the Ender 3 Pro (reviewed here). But I feel this price is justified considering that the V2 comes already ‘upgraded’ to some degree. I believe most of the extra features and strengths here, including resume printing function, glass print bed, and modern colored screen user interface, will make your printing life much easier and enjoyable. The upgraded silent motherboard, which allows you to add an auto-bed-leveler and filament-out sensor is another convincing reason why the Creality Ender 3 V2 is worth buying.

Anycubic Mega S Printer- Review, Specs, and Verdict

The Anycubic Mega S is a model you’ll come across a lot in the category of affordable 3D printers. This is a popular model, especially among beginners and pretty much anyone else looking for a good printer below $300. In this Anycubic Mega S printer review, I’ll take you through its significant strengths and weaknesses and help you decide whether it’s the machine for your needs.

Anycubic Mega S Printer Review: Key Features

Overview

As a quick overview of this machine, the Anycubic Mega S seeks to succeed the Anycubic i3 Mega- another iconic printer with a solid reputation in the low-end 3D printing world. These 2 printers look pretty much the same from a design point of view. I have to say that I like the compact all-metal frame design of the Mega S. This design is borrowed from the original printer and continues its legacy of stable printing performances.

Comes semi-assembled

Like most 3D printers in its price range, the Anycubic Mega S will require a degree of assembly. Luckily, it comes mostly pre-assembled, and all you need to do is tighten the fully assembled frame onto the base section using 8 screws. After that, attach the wires and cables, set up the slicer, and you’re good to go.

It’s a good thing that Anycubic includes all the necessary assembly tools in the package. Generally, you should take 30 minutes to 1 hour to get it ready for printing.

Anycubic Mega S 3D Printer

Build volume

As mentioned above, the Anycubic Mega S printer is a compact desktop 3D printer. At 410 x 405 x 452 mm in size and 14.5 kg (31.9 lbs) in weight, I imagine this is a welcome feature for individuals without a lot of working space to spare.

Despite its relatively small size, this printer still offers a build volume of 210 x 210 x 205mm. This is a decent working area, and I expect it to provide both amateurs and experienced makers optimum versatility when it comes to the size of printable items.

Heated glass bed with Ultrabase

You probably know that a 3D printer heated glass bed is the best solution for flawless print bottoms. But what’s Ultrabase in the Anycubic Mega S printer? Well, this is a sophisticated glass bed that’s cleverly engineered to allow better adhesion and ‘magical’ releases. Anycubic says that this bed can work flawlessly with multiple filament materials, including TPU, PLA, ABS, PP, PETG, PC, and Nylon, among others.

Full-color touchscreen user interface

The LCD panel is built into the base component, and it’s quite basic. What I like about it is that it’s full touch-sensitive. This is a feature that most cheap 3D printers, Ender 3 included, lack out of the box. So, it’s nice to have it on this machine.

Filament-out sensor

This is another feature that rarely comes with most 3D printers below $300. Basically, this sensor detects when the spool runs out and alerts you to replace it. If you’re not new to 3D printing, you understand how helpful the sensor will be in curbing filament anxiety and eliminating the need for manually monitoring filament usage.

Creality Ender 3 Pro Key Features and Specifications

  • Printer dimensions: 410 x 405 x 452 mm
  • Weight: 14.5 kg (31.9 lbs)
  • Printing technology: Fused Deposition Molding (FDM)
  • Max. print speed: 100 mm/s
  • Build volume: 210 x 210 x 205 mm
  • Frame construction: All metal (aluminum)
  • Extruder Type: Bowden
  • Print materials: TPU, PLA, ABS, PP, PETG, PC, and Nylon
  • Filament diameter: 1.75mm
  • Nozzle: Single 0.4mm
  • Layer resolution: 0.05-0.3mm
  • Heated bed: Yes (Max 100 C)
  • Connectivity: SD card, Data cable
  • LCD screen: Yes (touch)
  • Enclosure: No

Customer Reviews and Scores

For the sake of offering you a well-rounded Anycubic Mega S printer review with no bias, I sought to understand what other users had to say about it. Generally, this printer has received positive feedback on Amazon and several 3D printing forums. The Mega S currently boasts an overall 4.3 out of 5-star rating from its 1000+ reviewers on Amazon. This is quite convincing and speaks volumes about its overall performance and reliability.

The only qualm that some first users have is its manual leveling, which can take up to an hour. However, I should point out that this is usually the case with most new manual-leveling printers. Just be calm and cool-headed, and you’ll have an easy time with it.

Conclusion and Verdict

Overall, the Anycubic Mega S is a printer I would comfortably recommend to anyone looking to join the 3D printing community without paying a hefty price for their first machine. There are a lot of features that stand out for me with this model, including its Ultrabase heated glass bed, colored touch-sensitive LCD screen, and filament-out sensor.

It’s far from being perfect. That’s undeniable. I do wish that it had auto bed levelling. I would also appreciate it if it was somewhat quieter. But at the end of the day, there’s only so much that you can expect from a machine in its price range. With that being said, I think the Anycubic Mega S is a good value for its price and print quality.

Anycubic Photon Mono 3D Printer Review- Does it Live Up to the Hype?

Gone are the days when resin 3D printers used to cost several folds higher at entry than their filament alternatives. With the Photon Mono costing under $250 (down from $500), I bet the new era of high-resolution prints for beginners and makers on a budget is here with us. There are a couple of things (good and not-so-good) that you should know about this printer before paying for it. And I’m going to capture them in this Anycubic Photon Mono 3D printer review..

Anycubic Photon Mono Review: Key Features

Straightforward assembly

At the surface, Stereolithography (SLA) printers may seem intimidating to assemble than FDM-style machines. But honestly, that’s not the case with the Photon Mono. The assembly process is as easy as sliding on the build plate onto its housing. Because there are no belts or motors to struggle with here, the printer should be ready for your test print in utmost 10 minutes.

Breezy leveling

Leveling is the other thing that I find really enjoyable about the Anycubic Photon Mono printer. Unlike most manual-leveling FDM printers that take up to 2 hectic hours to level the print bed, the Photon Mono takes around 2 minutes. And it’s pretty straightforward even for first-timers.

Simple and functional in design

Despite its impressively low price point, this printer’s design seems very well thought out for the most part. I’m a big fan of its compact size and sharp lines. The Anycubic Photon Mono measurements are 227 by 222 by 383 mm, making it the real deal for most average work desks. Of course, this size also affects its build volume, which stands at 130 by 80 by 165 mm. But this is usually the case with the most affordable SLA 3D printers. Also, I don’t think it will be a big issue because you can always print large objects in small bits.

Anycubic Photon Mono 3D Printer

No more print plate runoff!

While still in the design department, I like that the top of the build plate is angled on both plates. This is a simple but smart concept that will address the issue of print plate runoff that plagues most budget resin 3D printers.

2K Monochrome LCD

The Anycubic Photon Mono printer’s key selling point is its 6-inch monochrome LCD screen. This is a high-resolution screen whose major highlight is faster printing times. Although the Photon Mono is slightly slower than its siblings, the Mono X and Mono SE, it’s still remarkably fast for its price. This will come in handy when printing extremely large elements in bits.

Anycubic Photon Mono Key Features and Specifications

  • Printer dimensions: 227 by 222 by 383 mm
  • Weight: 4.5 kg (9.92lbs)
  • Printing technology: LCD-based Stereolithography (SLA)
  • Max. print speed: 50 mm/h
  • Build volume: 130 by 80 by 165 mm
  • Print materials: 405nm UV Resin
  • Layer resolution: 0.01 ~ 0.15mm
  • Software: Anycubic Photon Workshop
  • Connectivity: SD card
  • LCD screen: Yes (touch)
  • Enclosure: Yes

Customer Reviews and Scores

The Anycubic Photon Mono 3D printer is a very popular model in the 3D printing community. By the time of penning down this post, it boasts a 4.4 out of 5-star rating from its current reviewers. The fact that over 70% of these users have scored it a clean 5/5 is a reliable testament to the value that it offers. Its major selling points include its breezy assembly and setup, fast and impressively detailed prints, and compact and funky design.

The major downside that most reviewers point out often is its small build plate. This is a valid point of concern if you intend to print large items. But as I’ve mentioned in my other post of the best 3D printers to buy in 2021, this issue affects all budget resin 3D printers due to their relatively small size. Luckily, when your objects’ geometry exceeds the printable capacity, you can print them in smaller sections and glue them together. On this note, I think the Photon Mono makes up for its small build volume with its high printing speed.

Conclusion and Verdict

The Anycubic Photon Mono was not cut for large objects. But I think it has a lot of great features to go for if you can overlook its relatively small build volume. For around $250, you’re getting a resin 3D printer with fast printing speeds, straightforward assembly and use, and ridiculously detailed prints.

If I were to suggest a change on this printer, I would ask Anycubic to make the user interface a bit larger. However, I appreciate that despite its small size, this user interface is very intuitive, and the control buttons are large and a breeze to use.

Bottom line: Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned maker looking for an affordable 3D resin printer to add to your arsenal, I believe the Anycubic Photon Mono is worth giving a shot.

Elegoo Mars 2 Mono 3D Printer Review

Elegoo has become incredibly popular for its resin printers. While they have a long list of printers in their catalog, the Elegoo Mars 2 Mono is arguably the most popular, especially among starters. This model costs well below $250. If you’ve not begun 3D printing today, you’ll recall that resin printers used to cost up to 10x this amount. So, what I wanted to find out in this Elegoo Mars 2 Mono review is what it offers in practice; its key features, pros, cons, and whether it’s a recommendable printer overall. Let’s get going.

Elegoo Mars 2 Mono Review: Key Features

Assembly and set up

The Elegoo Mars 2 Mono will come almost fully assembled. The major assembly process involves removing the Styrofoam in its green acrylic hood and peeling off the clear polythene from the screens.

Like most affordable SLA printers today, the Mars 2 Mono requires manual bed-leveling. Luckily, the process is impressively easy using the paper method. This method involves placing a paper under the build plate and touching a few buttons on the UI screen. Generally, bed-leveling takes around 2 minutes, and there’s nothing complicated about it.

6.08-inch 2K Monochrome LCD screen

You probably know that the monochrome screen is the game-changer of 3D printing. The differences between monochrome LCD screens and normal Red-Green-Blue (RGB) screens come down to 2 things; fast printing time and longer life span.

With a monochrome LCD screen, UV transmission can be as high as 6%, which brings the exposure time to around 2 seconds per layer. On the other hand, RGB screens have about 1% UV transmission leading to up to 8 seconds of exposure time. As can be seen, a monochrome screen can lower cure times by up to 4 times.

Elegoo Mars 2 Mono MSLA 3D Printer

Secondly, monochrome LCD screens are engineered with materials that protect it from UV light. Technically, this screen can last several thousand hours (over 2000), which is much higher than the 400 hours that non-monochrome screens offer.

Long story short, this monochrome LCD screen promises higher and efficient printing speeds and minimal maintenance requirements.

Build volume

Like other Stereolithography (SLA) printers, the Elegoo Mars 2 Mono has a slightly smaller build volume than most FDM printers in its class. However, at 129 x 80 x 150 mm, this build volume is still in the range of what most affordable resin 3D printers offer.

User Interface, USB port, and power button

The touch-sensitive user LCD screen is one of my favorite parts of this printer. Although there’s nothing fancy about it, I think it’s sleeker than that of the Anycubic Photon Mono. This screen’s ability to support up to 13 languages, French, Russian, and Turkish included, also boosts the printer’s popularity globally. I like the position of the USB port at the front. However, I’m not so hot on the power port and power button’s position at the back of the machine.

Elegoo Mars 2 Mono Review: Key Features and Specifications

  • Printer dimensions: 7.87in (L) x 7.87in (W) by 16.14in (H)
  • Weight: 13.67lbs(6.2kg)
  • Printing technology: LCD-based Stereolithography (SLA)
  • Max. print speed: 30-50mm/h
  • Build volume: 129 x 80 x 150 mm
  • Print materials: 405nm UV Resin
  • Layer Thickness: 0.01- 0.2mm
  • XY Resolution: 0.05mm(1620 by 2560)
  • Software: ChituBox
  • Connectivity: USB
  • LCD screen: Yes (touch)
  • Enclosure: Yes

Elegoo Mars 2 Mono Customer Reviews and Scores

As usual, I was excited to see what current users have to say about this printer. Judging from its 4.7/5 star rating on Amazon, it’s easy to conclude that the Elegoo Mars 2 Mono is a favorite among its users. Some of the pros that stand out from the reviews include its breezy setup and use, low maintenance, great print detail and resolution, and the fact that it’s less finicky.

One of the complaints that a few first-time users have has to do with the odors. If you’re buying a resin printer for the first time, it’s important to point out that there will be smells coming from the resin itself, as well as the isopropyl alcohol used for the cleanup. While these odors are not always overwhelming, you can make your work area more livable by cracking a window or by adding a fan or an air purifier.

Conclusion and Verdict

So, is the Elegoo Mars 2 Mono a good resin printer? Yes, it is. If you’re buying a resin 3D printer for the first time, I believe this is a great all-around model to consider. It has a sleek design, fast printing speeding with superb resolution, and requires minimal maintenance.

It’s not perfect, and it does not claim to be. For instance, I think Elegoo has used a lot of plastic on it. I wouldn’t say I like plastic vats particularly. I also found it a little loud. All in all, I believe this is a printer you’d not regret owning, considering its price range, print quality, efficiency, and ease of use.

QiDi X-Max 3D Printer Review- Best Large FDM Printer?

QiDi Tech- a China-based high-tech enterprise- is known for consistently pushing the envelope of what can fit in a reasonably priced 3D printer. The fully enclosed QiDi X-Max printer is one of its best offerings. I have to admit that its price is slightly on the higher side at $1000+. But as you’ll soon realize, this printer is big on design, functionality, and smart features too. Let’s see what you’re getting in this Qidi X Max review.

Qidi X Max 3D Printer Review- Key Features

Assembling and Set up

There is no assembling required for this printer. You read that right! The Qidi X Max comes fully assembled for you and almost ready to print. Besides removing the packaging Styrofoam and cutting a few plastic straps, the only task that’s required of you is leveling the bed. Again, this is very easy. Because the heat bed moves up and down (not back and forth), leveling takes around 2 minutes only. This makes it one of the best 3D printers for beginners and anyone else who doesn’t want to spend 2 hours fiddling with the heat bed.

Qidi X Max Size and Weight

I can’t deny that the Qidi X Max printer is enormous. Actually, with its 600*550*600 mm footprint and a weight of around 28 kgs (62 lbs), this is one of the bulkiest and heaviest models that I’ve reviewed so far. Its size notwithstanding, I think it will still fit in most standard home and office work tables.

Thoughtful Construction and Design

The Qidi X Max printer has a sleek exterior design made from a seemingly durable injection-molded plastic. This exterior plastic housing is attached to a metallic frame on the inside, making it remarkably sturdy and stable.

Qidi Tech X-Max 3D Printer

The door features transparent Plexiglass, which, when coupled with the built-in LED light, allows you to monitor the printing process easily even in the dark.

I also appreciate the position of the 5-inch LCD screen and the illuminated power button at the front top side. The screen is touch-sensitive and fairly straightforward to navigate. The USB port and LAN internet socket are placed at the front bottom side, which makes the design of this printer even more impressive.

Qidi X Max Build Volume and Build Plate

The Qidi X Max is designed for large projects, as its bold build volume of 300 x 250 x 300 mm proves. This is almost twice the size of what most inexpensive FDM printers offer. It will allow you to print most of your projects in one go as opposed to doing it in bits.

This printer uses a magnetic build plate, which I like. I think this plate will make your life a lot easier because it’s semi-flexible, so it’s easy to remove your prints without damaging them. Secondly, its magnetic surface at the bottom eliminates the need for binder clips to attach it firmly onto the heated bed.

Prints All Filaments with Swappable Extruders!

The Qidi X Max is not a dual-extruder type. Luckily, it allows you to swap the extruders depending on the type of filament you want to use. There’s an extruder for low-temperature filaments, such as ABS, PLA, and PETG, and another one for other tricky filaments, including Nylon, Carbon, and TPU.

Other noteworthy features;

  1.  ) 2 ways to attach the filament; a retractable spool at the top and another holder inside.
  2. ) 2 silent fans on the inside.
  3. ) Wi-Fi connectivity.
  4. ) Print recovery in case of an outage.
  5. ) Automatically switches off after printing is done.

 

Qidi Tech X Max Printer Key Features and Specifications

  • Printer dimensions: 600 by 550 by 600 mm
  • Weight: 28 kgs (62 lbs)
  • Printing technology: Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)
  • Max. print speed: 30-150 mm/s
  • Build volume: 300 by 250 by 300 mm
  • Print bed type: Magnetic, semi-flexible
  • Bed-leveling: manual (assisted)
  • Print materials: PLA, ABS, TPU, PC, nylon, and carbon fiber
  • Filament diameter: 1.75mm
  • Software: Qidi Print
  • Connectivity: SD card, Ethernet cable, and Wi-Fi
  • LCD screen: Yes 5” (touch)
  • Enclosure: Yes

Customer Reviews and Scores

The Qidi X Max is one of the most popular enclosed 3D printers online. It’s not surprising that it has been rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by its 560+ reviewers on Amazon. Among other key highlights, current users like its large build volume, removable build plate, and overall stability. Qidi’s excellent customer service has been praised by a number of reviewers too.

Several people have mentioned that the excess filament in the building area can scratch large prints. While this is true, it’s easy to solve by using the interior filament holder or by installing a Bowden tubing. The latter costs around $15.

Conclusion and Verdict

The Qidi X Max 3D printer is targeted towards small businesses and professionals. But its relatively low price tag also makes it an excellent choice for recreational makers who demand exemplary print quality and versatility. If you have the budget, this model should top your list if you’re looking for the best enclosed filament 3D printer.

There are a few features that I wished to see at its price range, though. For instance, a filament run-out sensor would make a significant difference. Dual extrusion would also save time with those large prints. All the same, the pros of this machine outdo the cons. With its roomy chamber, quiet operations, and ability to accommodate different filaments, I believe this Qidi Tech X Max review perfectly captures the value you’re getting with this printer.