Best 3D Printer Under $500 of 2020
Until a few years back, 3D printing was more of a research topic than an affordable household/small – business gadget. Their owners were proud corporations with deep pockets and their usage was restricted to a small circle of highly qualified professionals. That scenario has undergone a drastic change and 3D printing is fast becoming a household name, thanks to the 3D printing movement aided by a connected, more collaborative world brought closer by the Internet.
Affordable as they are, a majority of them cost over $1500. If you are an engineer, designer, architect or hobbyist looking for the best 3D printer under $500, read on.
Top Six 3D Printers Under $500 Comparison
| Picture | Name | Build Volume (mm) | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. FlashForge 3D Printers Finder | 140 L X 140 W X 140 H | 4.6 |
 | 2. New Matter MOD-t 3D Printer | 101 L X 152 W X 127 H | 4.3 |
 | 3. Monoprice Maker Select 3d Printer V2 | 202 L X 202 W X 178 H | 4.2 |
 | 4. XYZprinting da Vinci Jr. | 198 L X 198 W X 198 H | 4.1 |
 | 5. HICTOP Filament Monitor Desktop | 268 L X 210 W X 195 H | 4.0 |
 | 6. ALUNAR Prusa i3 | 220 L X 220 W X 230 H | 3.6 |
Top Three Best 3D Printer Under $500 Reviews
1. FlashForge Finder
If you are looking to get into the 3D printing world and do not want to make a huge investment, FlashForge Finder is a very affordable option. 3D printing industry is still a very dynamic and evolving industry which full of alternatives – original and low cost counterfeits. In this time, FlashForge has gradually evolved in this era and built its brand. We did our research on low cost 3D printers and can recommend The Finder as the best 3D printer under $500.
It is a well built, user friendly machine made for the beginners. At first glance, it comes across as a usable, plug and play device – far removed from the intimidatingly cluttered ones we feel like running away from! An informative 3.5” touchscreen, print preview function, assisted bed leveling, filament level indicator and connectivity options (Wi-Fi, USB and flash drive) are easy to set up and operate. When you add the required conformance to quality and safety standards, you have the perfect tool to explore the world of 3D printing.
2. New Matter MOD-t
3D printing is rapidly finding its way into our daily vocabulary but it is still some distance from getting there. To those who aren’t familiar with this type of technology, it remains a mysterious box that can be operated only by a rocket scientist. New Matter, a growing startup, is determined to quash that belief and the MOD-t 3D printer is the perfect product to achieve that goal.
It is easy on the eye (you don’t want your 3D printers to look like lathe machines!) which is half the battle won. It builds on that impression by offering a simple, reliable and intuitive user experience. Its self-leveling print bed gets you started easily and offers a quiet and safe operation. It uses PLA (polyactic acid) which is affordable, ensuring a low cost of ownership. Its biodegradable properties keep you on the right side of environmental duties. It is easy to snap it on to a Wi-Fi network, making it the perfect choice for small business, schools and households.
Even though it is not immune to misprinting, we reckon it is good value for money at the price point.
3. Monoprice V2
Looking for a time tested, mature 3D printer that goes beyond the elementary performance? Monoprice 13680 Maker Select has all it takes to make prototypes of your creative concepts and designs. It takes just 6 screws to tighten this one up and start playing! It matches the price of the low cost DIY kit based printers, is very easy to assemble and contains everything you need to start printing.
It allows you to print more complex models, thanks to its generous printing bed measuring 8x8x7 (DWH) printing bed. You have the flexibility to print with the filament you want – choose from ABS, PLA, XT copolyester, TPU, TPC, jelly, foam and many more. Slot for a Micro SD card gives you the freedom of PC-free printing and to help you get started fast, it comes with a 2GB micro SD card loaded with sample 3D models.
Though it works perfectly for small objects, finishing slightly larger objects challenged the machine and the overall build quality is not the best – things to be kept in mind if you are looking for a long term investment.
We hope this guide would help you choose the best 3D printer under $500 and bring alive your creativity. Happy 3D printing!
