The Prusa Mini+ 3D printer is a small FDM printer produced by Prusa. Like many Prusa products before it,
Elegoo Neptune 2 3D Printer Review: Catch Me If You Can
Our Verdict
An impressive feature set coupled with a rock-bottom price point left us generally impressed with the Elegoo Neptune 2 but the printing experience is not quite up to par with other entry-level printers.
For
- + Silent stepper drivers make printer operation whisper quiet
- + Elegoo Cura software ships ready-to-print
- + Very high price-to-performance ratio
Against
- - Power supply arrived set incorrectly
- - User interface feels clunky and confusing
- - Build platform textured surface might require frequent replacement
- - Unassisted manual leveling can be tedious
Prusa Mini+ Review: A Small 3D Printer with Mighty Results
Our Verdict
The Prusa Mini+ provides professional quality for 3D printing at home on a small scale while remaining suitable to newcomers with a robust online community.
For
- + User-friendly design
- + Easy to set up
- + Professional-grade, high-quality prints
- + Simple filament loading and unloading process
- + Removable, magnetic print bed sheets
- + Auto-leveling bed feature
Against
- - Limited build space
- - Expensive
Raspberry Pi CM4 Featured In 3D Printer Controller Board
The Raspberry Pi CM4 has made its way to the 3D printing world thanks to the latest project from pkElectronics. The CM4 module is featured as the main driver behind this custom 3D Printer controller PCB known as the Sigmoid S7P.
This board does so much more than just control a 3D printer; pkElectronics designed it with plenty of ports and modules to notably enhance the 3D printing experience. It's ready to handle OctoPrint , control multiple stepper motors,
Flashforge Adventurer 3 Lite 3D Printer Review: More Printing, Less Tinkering
Our Verdict
A great choice for kids or beginners due to its safety features, Wi-Fi and ease-of-use, the Flashforge Adventurer 3 Lite offers great prints out of the box.
For
- + Built-in Wi-Fi
- + Heated flexible build platform locks prints down
- + Enclosed build area is safe for kids
Against
- - Integrated spool holder doesn’t fit standard 1 kg spools
- - 150mm² build volume doesn’t leave much room to grow
- - Proprietary nozzle assembly is on the pricey side
How to Make Your First 3D Print: From STL to Printed Model
Preparing your first 3D model for 3D printing can be a daunting experience. Fortunately, you don’t need to design your own model as there are thousands of great designs available for free as STL files on sites such as Thingiverse . However, once you’ve chosen a model that you want to print, you still need to follow a few steps to turn that STL file in physical print.
Below, we’ll show you how to print a typical
Longer Orange 10 3D Printer Review: Cheap Price, Poor Performance
Our Verdict
A small-format resin 3D printer with a bargain-basement price, the Longer Orange 10’s weak output and wobbly build quality make it a poor bargain.
For
- + Inexpensive price
- + Small footprint
Against
- - Laser-cut UV lid feels wobbly
- - Low XY resolution
- - Small build volume
The Longer Orange 10 is the entry-level 3D printer in the Orange lineup and sits below the Orange 30 and Orange 4K in both price and features. It’s available from the
Monoprice Cadet 3D Printer Review: Kid and Beginner-Friendly
Our Verdict
The Monoprice Cadet is a well-designed 3D printer for beginners, but it lacks some important features that would really let it soar.
For
- + Good for beginners, kids
- + Auto-leveling probe is fast and accurate
Against
- - Side-mounted spool holder doesn’t fit standard 1 kg spools
- - iOS Wi-Fi app doesn’t appear to work
- - Lack of part cooling fan can be a problem for complex shapes
Ford and HP are recycling 3D printer waste into truck parts
Why it matters: Ford and HP have joined forces to create a more sustainable production line for the F-250 truck. The companies have figured out that 3D printer waste, including plastic and powder, can be recycled to produce injection molded vehicle parts for the F-250 that are lighter, cheaper, more resistant to chemicals, and above all, more sustainable.
It’s a great example of two companies from markedly different industries working together to become more sustainable. Ford and HP are
Anycubic Photon Mono Review: Resin Printing at High Speeds
Our Verdict
The Anycubic Photon Mono is an MSLA resin 3D printer that offers fast print speeds, highly-detailed models, and a seamless user experience at a very-affordable price.
For
- + Low cost
- + High quality prints from the 2K LCD
- + Mono LCD screen prints parts quickly
- + Photon Workshop slicer app is easy-to-use
Against
- - Software lacks some key features
- - Uses proprietary FEP film
Creality Ender 3 Pro Review: An Ideal First or Tenth 3D Printer
Our Verdict
The Creality Ender 3 is an open-source, DIY kit 3D printer that is ideal for beginners looking to get started in 3D printing or professionals looking to create an inexpensive fleet of printers for manufacturing.
For
- + Beginner-friendly assembly process
- + Highly accessible and modifiable frame
- + 350W 24V power supply heats up quickly
- + Simple first-party app offers solid print quality
Against
- - Noisy stepper motors and cooling fans
- - Interface feels outdated