4 Best 3D Printer under $200 For Beginners – Top Rated in 2024

3D printers are being used for printing cars and homes!

As per the statistics, 74% of 3D Printing orders come from the top three countries: USA, UK, and Netherlands.

During the initial days, this technology was limited to Professionals and Engineers because of the high price and lack of knowledge.

But in 2022, the story is different. An abundance of information is available and a wide range of affordable 3D printers have been manufactured by many well-known brands.

It has become one of the trending hobbies and fast-growing technology. So, at the price of $200, you will have a great starter machine.

List of Best 3D Printer under 200

1. Creality Ender 3 – Editor’s Choice
2. Anycubic Mega Zero – Best Overall
3. Monoprice Select Mini V2
4. da Vinci Mini Wireless – Best for Beginners

Before we start discussing the best 3D Printers, you must know

How many options are available and what to expect from a $200 3D printer?

3D Printers are not cheap at all!

Under this $200 category, there are not many choices are available.

The 3D Printers at this price range are great for learning and experimenting with 3D Printing technology (assembly, software, filaments [printing material], working, etc.).

In this article, I want to make sure that your 3D Printing enthusiasm don’t fade out with the troubles that you will encounter during initial assembling and obtaining the right print quality. So, l included buyers guide at the end of this article so make sure to read that too.

Now without any further ado, let’s start our discussion about the best 3D Printer under $200,

1. Creality Ender 3

Discussion about budget-friendly 3D Printers is incomplete without mentioning printers from Creality.

Creality has a big community of users who are continually contributing to improving its products.

Ender 3 needs to be assembled before starting to print. It offers hassle-free initial assembly with a well-designed instruction manual that can be easily followed.

The Creality Ender 3 comes with a heated bed allowing you to print with materials like ABS.

Specifications

1. Printing Technology: FDM
2. Layer Resolution: 0.1 to 0.4 mm
3. Supported Print Materials: PLA, ABS, TPU
4. Maximum Print Speed: 180 mm/s
5. Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm
6. Build Volume: 220x220x250 mm
7. Operational Extruder Temperature: Max 255ºC
8. Maximum Heated Bed Temperature: 110ºC
9. Input Formats: STL, OBJ, G-Code
10. Connectivity: SD Card, Online
11. Net Weight: around 8 kg

In terms of print quality, it is in the league of 3D Printers costing $1000.

SIDENOTE: This printer from Creality is sold on Amazon through the store named Comgrow.

2. Anycubic Mega Zero

Anycubic Mega Zero is a beginner-friendly 3D printer producing top-quality prints.

It comes with an easy-to-follow instruction manual. So you don’t have to worry a lot about initial assembly. Mega zero takes half to one hour for assembling. After that, you need to go for Manual Print Bed Leveling to complete the setup.

In contrast to Mega S (previous version), it is super quiet and produces less noise.

This 3D Printer equips a dual-gear extrusion mechanism and Bowden extruder feeder with an E3D style hotend.

Specifications

1. Printing Technology: FDM
2. Layer Resolution: 0.1 mm
3. Positioning Accuracy: X/Y=0.0125 mm & Z=0.002 mm
4. Supported Print Materials: PLA, TPU, HIPS
5. Print Speed: 20 to 100 mm/s
6. Recommended Print Speed: 60 mm/s
7. Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm
8. Build Volume: 220x220x250 mm
9. Operational Extruder Temperature: Max 255ºC
10. Printer Dimensions: 504x396x607 mm
11. Input Formats: STL, OBJ, DAE, AMF
12. Connectivity: SD Card, Data Cable
13. Net Weight: around 6.4 kg

The only major drawback with this printer is the lack of a heated bed, meaning that you can’t print with the materials like ABS.

The final print quality is surprisingly excellent compared to other rivals in this $200 category.

The printer also has a resume function, it pauses whenever the power goes off and starts once the power is back. Multi-color printing is also possible!

3. Monoprice Select Mini V2

For those who are worried about initial assembling, this printer is the best fit for them.

You can bring Monoprice Select Mini V2 home, put it on your desk, load the filament and start printing.

The greatness of this printer also includes a heated bed. You will be able to print with PLA as well as ABS and advanced filaments like copper fill, bronze fill, steel fill, etc.

This 3D Printer uses advanced Wi-Fi technology for quick printing, which makes it unique on this list.

Specifications

1. Printing Technology: FDM
2. Layer Resolution: 0.1 mm
3. Supported Print Materials: PLA, ABS, and other advanced materials
4. Maximum Printing Speed: 55 mm/s
5. Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm
6. Build Volume: 120x120x120 mm
7. Operational Extruder Temperature: Max 250ºC
8. Maximum Heated Bed Temperature: 60ºC
9. Connectivity: SD Card, Data Cable, Wi-Fi
10. Net Weight: around 6 kg

Apart from build volume, everything else is top-notch in this printer. It produces decent-quality prints.

4. da Vinci Mini Wireless

This is the smallest 3D Printer on this list. The da Vinci is compact enough to easily carry around anywhere in your home.

XYZprinting has designed this printer keeping kids and beginners in mind. It has an auto-calibration mode for those who want to avoid manual print bed leveling.

The Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to connect the da Vinci Printer to your home Wi-Fi network. This feature lets you access the control panel remotely and print from anywhere in your home.

The print quality offered by this printer is excellent and feels like value for money.

Specifications

1. Printing Technology: FDM
2. Layer Resolution: 0.1 mm
3. Positioning Accuracy: X/Y=0.0125mm & Z=0.001mm
4. Supported Print Materials: PLA, PETG & Tough PLA
5. Print Speed: 120 mm/s
6. Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm
7. Build Volume: 150x150x150 mm
8. Printer Dimensions: 390x335x360 mm
9. Input Formats: STL, XYZ format (.3W), OBJ, 3MF
10. Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Data Cable
11. Net Weight: around 7 kg

The XYZprinting’s da Vinci Wireless Printer is compatible with proprietary filaments. This fact needs careful attention because you won’t be able to use filaments from standard and famous brands.

I would recommend this beginner-friendly 3D printer, particularly for your kids.

Things to know before buying a 3D Printer

1. Printing Technology
2. Build Volume
3. Filaments (Printing Materials)
4. Heated Bed
5. Calibration
6. Bed Leveling
7. Layer Resolution
8. Input File Formats
9. Slicing Software
10. Connectivity
11. Extra Features

Let we discuss them in short,

#1 – Printing Technology

Depending upon the methods of printing, there are seven types of 3D Printers.

1. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
2. Stereolithography (SLA)
3. Digital Light Processing (DLP)
4. Electron Beam Melting (EBM)
5. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
6. Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)
7. Selective Laser Melting (SLM)

In this article, we will be discussing FDM 3D Printers because they are affordable and produce excellent quality prints at the price of $200.

In Fused Deposition Modeling, the printing material is heated to its melting point and extruded layer by layer through a nozzle to form structures and objects.

FDM Printers are capable of processing industry-grade thermoplastic, this feature makes them unique over other types of 3D Printers.

#2 – Build Volume

Also known as a print volume. It represents the maximum size of an object that can be 3D printed.

Build volume is measured in mm. At a minimum, you can have a build volume of 100x100x100 (length x width x height) mm.

Under $200, a 3D Printer offers a maximum print volume of 220x220x250 (length x width x height) mm which is more than sufficient for beginners.

#3 – Printing Materials

Also known as the “3D Printing Filaments”. They are thermoplastics that are heated and shaped.

There are numerous filaments available in the market boasting unique properties over each other. The most common types of printing filaments are PLA, ABS, HIPS, etc.

Filaments are classified into two categories according to their diameters; 1.75mm and 2.85mm (known as 3mm).

#4 – Heated Bed

The printer Bed is the plane surface on which the fused material is deposited.

You can purchase either a non-heated or heated bed 3D printer as per your choice.

Heated beds are mostly preferred because they allow people to 3D print a wide range of filaments. Also, they are great at preventing adhesion issues and wrapping prints at the edges during cooling.

In the case of a non-heated bed, you can only print filaments similar to PLA.

#5 – Calibration

Calibration includes adjusting the distance between nozzle and print bed, stepper motor settings, filament settings, extruder, temperature, etc.

Beginners have to spend significant time on calibration. But, it depends on their understanding and passion! It is a one-time learning process that everyone should go through to master 3D Printing.

You will find a lot of videos about 3D Printer calibration, so don’t worry!

At a higher price (above $500) range 3D Printers comes with the auto-calibration feature so that you can start printing right out of the box.

#6 – Bed Leveling

It is a part of the calibration process. But we are separately discussing it because of its importance in obtaining superb quality prints.

You must be very accurate while adjusting the distance between the nozzle and print bed.

If the nozzle is so close to the print bed, the first layer will be squeezed. As well, if the nozzle is a bit away from the print bed, then there will be adhesion problems.

To avoid this squeezing and adhesion issue, the z-axis needs to be adjusted very carefully at an optimum distance. It will not take too long once you get your hands on it!

#7 – Layer Resolution

Layer resolution is the measure of the thickness of the layer. The lowest resolution ensures the smoothness of the final print.

An FDM 3D Printer offers layer resolution between 0.1-0.3 mm. It is mainly affected by nozzle size and extruder movements along the X and Y-axis.

#8 – Input File Formats

To print three-dimensional objects, a 3D Printer requires a digital blueprint (model) of the object.

You need to render the 3D model in one of the accepted file formats. The “STL” and “OBJ” are the popular and universal file formats.

Many other 3D Printer input file formats are available.

#9 – Slicing Software

Slicing Software converts a 3D model into an instruction set that a 3D Printer can understand and print.

For example, the Slicer turns an STL Input File into G-Code before printing.

The Slic3r, Cura, Simplify3D, etc. are the different types of Slicing Software. Many of the 3D Printing brands offers proprietary Slicing Software to improve print quality.

#10 – Connectivity

3D Printers are connected via a USB or LAN cable to computers.

Recent advancement in 3D Printing technology lets you connect 3D Printers to your home Wi-Fi network so that you can print from anywhere in your home.

Most of the printers have an SD card slot to get your file to the machine.

#11 – Extra Features

Resume Function: You can pause the printing process whenever you want. This is beneficial in multi-color printing and during power-cut.

Sensors: 3D Printer comes with the filament detection sensor, temperature sensor, etc.

Low Noise: For both office and home use, a 3D Printer should operate with as much less noise as possible. Few 3D Printers are not quiet at all, so you need to choose carefully.

Print Speed: The 3D Printers have a standard print speed of 50-150 mm/s. Few 3D printers offer excellent speed for reducing total printing time.

Conclusion:

Overall the Anycubic 3D Printing Mega Zero is an excellent deal under this $200 category but it lacks a heated bed. If you want a printer with a heated bed under this $200 category then Creality Ender 3 is the best choice.

People who don’t wish to face the struggle of initial assembling should give preference to Monoprice Select Mini.

Let’s wrap up,

We have discussed the best 3D printers under $200 that will give you value for money.

If you think that I am missing any of the fantastic 3D printers under $200, please comment below. I will look forward to adding it to the list.