Recommendation List updates:

9/6/2023AnyCubic Kobra 2 Pro ($279) has replaced AnyCubic Kobra 2 as The Best Performance Budget Regular Size 3D Printer. NEW MACHINE
9/7/2023Creality Ender-3 V3 SE ($199) has replaced Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro as The best-value budget Regular Size 3D Printer. NEW MACHINE

Recent price changes:

(Last auto update: 2023-10-01 20:38:23)

2023-10-01 06:19:57AnyCubic Kobra 2 Plus price changed from $419 to $429.00 ($+10.00)
2023-10-01 06:15:57AnyCubic Kobra 2 Max price changed from $499 to $549.00 ($+50.00)
2023-10-01 05:23:02Sovol SV05 price changed from $199 to $169.00 ($-30.00)
2023-10-01 05:23:01Sovol SV01 Pro price changed from $189 to $179.00 ($-10.00)
2023-10-01 04:58:21Sovol SV06 price changed from $219 to $199.00 ($-20.00)
More...

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. Currently, we are recommending 7 out of over 100 3D printers we have tested. Please note that we do not accept sponsorships on this page. Our recommendations rely solely on our firsthand experience with each machine.

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!


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

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 250x250x250mm
  • 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

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

Qidi X-MAX 3 $999

Review date: July 29, 2023

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 9/10
Total: 63/80
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

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

Qidi X-MAX 3 $949

Review date: July 29, 2023

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 9/10
Total: 63/80
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

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

Creality K1 $499

Review date: July 5, 2023

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)

The Best Performance Budget 3D Printer (Regular Size)

AnyCubic Kobra 2 Pro $299

Review date:

Buy from Official Website
Discount code: 20SAVE
(save $20)
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
  • 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

The Best VALUE Budget 3D Printer (Regular Size)

Creality Ender-3 V3 SE $199

Review date: Sept 6, 2023

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

The Best VALUE Budget 3D Printer (Mid Size)

Elegoo Neptune 3 Plus $350

Review date: Mar 21, 2023

Buy from Official Website
Discount code: Y4VCCK5DTBYH
(save $30)
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 10/10
Total: 50/80
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

The Best VALUE IDEX Printer (Mid Size)

Sovol SV04 IDEX $429

Review date: Jan 3, 2022

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 8/10
Total: 49/80
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