Aurora Tech Channel: 3D Printers, Laser Engravers, and CNC Machines Recommendation list / Price Tracker

Recent Price Changes in 3D Printers, Laser Engravers & CNC Machines:

Last update: 2023-12-06 22:04:46 (19 minutes ago)

2023-12-06 19:03:20	AnyCubic Photon Mono 2 price changed from $169 to $179.00 +$10.00 / +5.92%
2023-12-06 03:57:13	AnyCubic Photon Mono X 6Ks price changed from $329 to $269.00 -$60.00 / -18.24%
2023-12-06 03:37:52	AnyCubic Photon Mono M5S price changed from $479 to $449.00 -$30.00 / -6.26%
2023-12-06 03:37:51	AnyCubic Kobra 2 price changed from $219 to $209.00 -$10.00 / -4.57%
2023-12-06 03:37:51	AnyCubic Kobra 2 Plus price changed from $409 to $429.00 +$20.00 / +4.89%
2023-12-06 03:37:50	AnyCubic Kobra 2 Max price changed from $549 to $519.00 -$30.00 / -5.46%
2023-12-04 00:15:17	Elegoo Mars 4 DLP price changed from $399.99 to $299.99 -$100.00 / -25%
2023-12-04 00:15:15	Elegoo Neptune 3 Plus price changed from $320 to $309.99 -$10.01 / -3.13%
2023-12-04 00:15:15	Elegoo Neptune 3 Max price changed from $430 to $409.99 -$20.01 / -4.65%
2023-12-03 23:36:17	AnyCubic Photon Mono M5 price changed from $339 to $379.00 +$40.00 / +11.8%
	Show More Price Changes

Recommendation List updates:

10/17/2023	BambuLab A1 Mini ($299) has earned the titles of 'The Most Advanced Mini 3D Printer' and 'The Best Value High-Speed Mini 3D Printer'. NEW MACHINE Ranking #1
9/6/2023	AnyCubic Kobra 2 Pro ($279) has replaced AnyCubic Kobra 2 as 'The Best Performance Budget Regular Size 3D Printer'. NEW MACHINE Ranking #5
9/7/2023	Creality Ender-3 V3 SE ($199) has replaced Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro as 'The Best Value budget Regular Size 3D Printer'. NEW MACHINE Ranking #6

Introducing Aurora Tech Channel's highly anticipated 3D printer recommendation list! After countless hours of research, testing, and analysis, we have carefully selected the top contenders in each category. We understand that the 3D printing market can be overwhelming. Instead of featuring an extensive list of 3D printers, we have chosen only the very best in each category, with just one spot available for each. As experienced 3D printer users, we know that if we had to buy only one machine in each category, it would be the one we choose.

In contrast to a kindergarten talent show where everyone receives awards, in our case, we have rigorously tested over 100 3D printers, and as of today, we only recommend 8 out of over 100 machines we have tested. It's important to note that we DO NOT ACCEPT SPONSORSHIPS ON THIS PAGE. Our recommendations are solely based on our firsthand experience with each machine, and no amount of money can influence our decisions.

We include our review video and an affiliate link for each machine. If you make a purchase through these affiliate links, you won't pay more, but we will earn a small commission. Thank you for supporting our channel!

#1 The Most Advanced & The Best Value High-Speed 3D Printer (Mini Size)

BambuLab A1 Mini $299

Review date: Oct 17, 2023

Aurora's Review Video

Buy from Official Website

Evaluation Scores

Print Speed 8/10

Print Quality 9/10

Technology 9/10

Hardware / Build Quality 9/10

Workflow / UI 8/10

Service / Support 8/10

Appearance 9/10

Value 10/10

Total: 70/80

Features:

Full-metal Linear Rails and Bearings
Vibration and Flow Rate Compensation
Full-auto Calibration, Auto Z-offset, Auto Bed leveling
Strong extruder, high-flow hotend
support AMS mini printing up to 4 colors

#2 The Most Advanced fully-enclosed High-Speed 3D Printer (Regular Size)

BambuLab X1 Carbon AMS Combo $1449

Review date: May 29, 2022 / Jun 13, 2022

Aurora's Review Video

Buy from Official Website

Evaluation Scores

Print Speed 9/10

Print Quality 9/10

Technology 9/10

Hardware / Build Quality 9/10

Workflow / UI 8/10

Service / Support 8/10

Appearance 9/10

Value 7/10

Total: 68/80

Features:

CoreXY, Fully enclosed 256x256x256mm
Micro-Lidar for auto pressure advance calibration, dual auto leveling
Carbon rod(X), Linear rods(Y,Z)
Strong extruder, high-flow hotend
AMS multi-filament system, Network / Cloud printing

#3 The Best Value fully-enclosed High-Speed 3D Printer (Regular Size)

Creality K1 $499

Review date: July 5, 2023

Aurora's Review Video

Buy from Official Website

Evaluation Scores

Print Speed 9/10

Print Quality 7/10

Technology 7/10

Hardware / Build Quality 7/10

Workflow / UI 7/10

Service / Support 6/10

Appearance 9/10

Value 10/10

Total: 62/80

Features:

CoreXY, Fully enclosed 220x220x250mm
3 strain gauges on the print bed for auto bed leveling and auto Z-offset
Steel linear rods motion system (X,Y) and 3 lead screws to support the Z-axis
Strong extruder, high-flow hotend, 300C Max temp
Max Temp 300C / 100C, Max print speed 600mm/s w/20,000mm/s² acceleration (tested in my review video)

#4 The Best VALUE fully-enclosed High-Speed 3D Printer (Mid size)

Qidi X-MAX 3 $899

Review date: July 29, 2023

Aurora's Review Video

Buy from Official Website

Evaluation Scores

Print Speed 9/10

Print Quality 8/10

Technology 6/10

Hardware / Build Quality 9/10

Workflow / UI 7/10

Service / Support 7/10

Appearance 8/10

Value 8/10

Total: 62/80

Features:

CoreXY, Fully enclosed 325x325x315(Z)mm
BLTouch auto leveling
10mm linear rods on X,Y and Z axis
Strong extruder, high-flow hotend, 350C Max temp
Actively heated chamber (Max 55C recommended), WiFi / Ethernet printing

#5 The Best Performance Budget 3D Printer (Regular Size)

AnyCubic Kobra 2 Pro $299

Review date: Sept 1, 2023

Aurora's Review Video

Buy from Official Website

Evaluation Scores

Print Speed 9/10

Print Quality 8/10

Technology 7/10

Hardware / Build Quality 8/10

Workflow / UI 5/10

Service / Support 6/10

Appearance 6/10

Value 9/10

Total: 58/80

Features:

220x220x250 build volume
300mm/s print speed, 20,000mm/s² acceleration, print a 3D benchy at 0.2mm layer height with good quality in 29 mins, (Claimed max speed @500mm/s)
Auto Z-offset, steel wheels motion system on X&Y axis.
Inductive ABL, dual Z, touch screen, belt tensioners, Textured PEI spring steel sheet
Nema 17 48mm stepper motor on Y-axis and 8mm timing belt

#6 The Best VALUE Budget 3D Printer (Regular Size)

Creality Ender-3 V3 SE $199

Review date: Sept 6, 2023

Aurora's Review Video

Buy from Official Website

Evaluation Scores

Print Speed 7/10

Print Quality 7/10

Technology 6/10

Hardware / Build Quality 7/10

Workflow / UI 6/10

Service / Support 6/10

Appearance 7/10

Value 9/10

Total: 55/80

Features:

220x220x250 build volume
250mm/s print speed(max), 180mm/s print speed(normal), 2500mm/s² acceleration, print a 3D benchy with good quality in 54 mins, with acceptable quality in 27 mins
Auto Z-offset, linear rods on Y-axis, POM wheels on X&Z axis
CR touch ABL, dual Z lead screw, belt tensioners, PC spring steel sheet, no manual leveling knobs
Max temp 260C/110C

#7 The Best Value Budget 3D Printer (Large Size)

AnyCubic Kobra 2 Max $519

Review date: Dec 5, 2023

Aurora's Review Video

Buy from Official Website

Evaluation Scores

Print Speed 7/10

Print Quality 7/10

Technology 7/10

Hardware / Build Quality 7/10

Workflow / UI 6/10

Service / Support 6/10

Appearance 6/10

Value 7/10

Total: 53/80

Features:

420x420x500 Massive print volume
Inductive sensor auto leveling, Auto Z-offset, Direct drive, dual Z-axis
touch screen, belt tensioners, Textured PEI spring steel sheet
WiFi(cloud) / USB Drive printing
Max temp 260C/90C

#8 The Best VALUE IDEX Printer (Mid Size)

Sovol SV04 IDEX $379

Review date: Jan 3, 2022

Aurora's Review Video

Buy from Official Website

Evaluation Scores

Print Speed 5/10

Print Quality 7/10

Technology 5/10

Hardware / Build Quality 7/10

Workflow / UI 5/10

Service / Support 6/10

Appearance 6/10

Value 10/10

Total: 51/80

Features:

300x300x400 build volume
IDEX Independent dual extruder
Creality v5.2.1 32-bit motherboard, silnet stepper drivers, 4.3" touch screen
Dual filament sensor, dual Z-axis, Auto bed leveling (3D touch)
Full szie SD card, Max temp 260C / 100C

#9 The Best VALUE Budget 3D Printer (Mid Size)

Elegoo Neptune 3 Plus $309.99

Review date: Mar 21, 2023

Aurora's Review Video

Buy from Official Website

Evaluation Scores

Print Speed 5/10

Print Quality 8/10

Technology 3/10

Hardware / Build Quality 7/10

Workflow / UI 5/10

Service / Support 6/10

Appearance 6/10

Value 8/10

Total: 48/80

Features:

320x320x400 Slighty larger print volume than other machines in the same class
Inductive sensor auto leveling, Direct drive, dual Z-axis
touch screen, belt tensioners, Textured PEI spring steel sheet
Micro SD card printing
Max temp 260C/100C

Recent Price Changes in 3D Printers, Laser Engravers & CNC Machines:

Recommendation List updates:

3D Printer (FDM) Recommendation List

#1 The Most Advanced & The Best Value High-Speed 3D Printer (Mini Size)

BambuLab A1 Mini $299

Evaluation Scores

Total: 70/80

Features:

#2 The Most Advanced fully-enclosed High-Speed 3D Printer (Regular Size)

BambuLab X1 Carbon AMS Combo $1449

Evaluation Scores

Total: 68/80

Features:

#3 The Best Value fully-enclosed High-Speed 3D Printer (Regular Size)

Creality K1 $499

Evaluation Scores

Total: 62/80

Features:

#4 The Best VALUE fully-enclosed High-Speed 3D Printer (Mid size)

Qidi X-MAX 3 $899

Evaluation Scores

Total: 62/80

Features:

#5 The Best Performance Budget 3D Printer (Regular Size)

AnyCubic Kobra 2 Pro $299

Evaluation Scores

Total: 58/80

Features:

#6 The Best VALUE Budget 3D Printer (Regular Size)

Creality Ender-3 V3 SE $199

Evaluation Scores

Total: 55/80

Features:

#7 The Best Value Budget 3D Printer (Large Size)

AnyCubic Kobra 2 Max $519

Evaluation Scores

Total: 53/80

Features:

#8 The Best VALUE IDEX Printer (Mid Size)

Sovol SV04 IDEX $379

Evaluation Scores

Total: 51/80

Features:

#9 The Best VALUE Budget 3D Printer (Mid Size)

Elegoo Neptune 3 Plus $309.99

Evaluation Scores

Total: 48/80

Features: