Selecting presents for hobbyists is at all times a problem, since you don’t know what they’d discover thrilling or helpful in case you aren’t acquainted with the interest your self. However when you have somebody in your life with an curiosity in 3D printing, then we’ve received you coated! We put collectively a listing of a few of the finest 3D printing presents for the 2024 vacation season and there’s something right here to swimsuit each price range.
FDM 3D printers
FDM (fused deposition modeling), additionally referred to as FFF (fused filament fabrication), is the commonest kind of 3D printing, by far. Should you’re trying to buy a 3D printer for somebody, there’s a superb probability that they need an FDM mannequin. These use rolls of plastic filament and are very versatile, being nice for all the things from ornamental objects to practical elements.
Creality Ender 3
Consultants typically suggest the Creality Ender 3 line of 3D printers to newcomers — and for good cause. They’re very inexpensive and print fairly effectively, although they do are inclined to require some tinkering and tuning. However that isn’t a essentially a nasty factor, as that tinkering is an enormous a part of the 3D printing interest.
There are a number of Creality Ender 3 fashions out there, with comparatively minor variations between them. Essentially the most inexpensive in the meanwhile (a minimum of on the Creality web site) is the Ender 3 V3 SE at simply $169. However different retailers typically produce other fashions out there at decrease costs. We’ve seen the unique Ender 3 at Micro Heart for as little as $99.
Bambu Lab A1 Mini
Should you improve your price range only a tad, you possibly can seize Bambu Lab’s entry-level mannequin: the A1 Mini. Whereas it has a small construct quantity, it is vitally straightforward to make use of.
Bambu Lab has garnered a popularity for making probably the most foolproof 3D printers in the marketplace and the A1 Mini isn’t any totally different. When paired with the implausible (and free) Bambu Studio software program, the A1 Mini is the closest factor to a plug-and-play 3D printer you may get on this worth bracket.
By itself, the A1 Mini is $179 for the vacations with the out there coupon. However in case you can swing it, you would possibly contemplate getting the $349 A1 Mini Combo that features the AMS Lite, which is able to enable for multi-color and multi-material printing.
Elegoo Neptune 4 Max
For the hobbyist that wants an enormous construct quantity, it’s arduous to beat the worth of the Elegoo Neptune 4 Max. It has a large 420×420×480mm to work with, which is sufficient for some actually massive elements.
And whereas the Neptune 4 Max has a reasonably conventional structure, it does run Klipper. That’s firmware that hobbyists love, as a result of it permits for quick printing speeds with out sacrificing high quality. The Neptune 4 Max is $329.99 in the meanwhile and that could be a nice worth for a printer of this dimension.
Bambu P1S
All the printers we’ve listed to this point lack enclosures. That’s advantageous if the recipient plans to print PLA (the preferred materials by a large margin), however an enclosure is just about a necessity for printing supplies like ABS. The Bambu Lab P1S has an enclosure and is a extra premium choice throughout.
At $599 for the printer alone or $799 with an included AMS, the Bambu Lab P1S is a really engaging choice. It has lots of the similar options (and dimension) because the flagship X1C, however at a way more accessible worth due to the omission of a few parts, akin to lidar. The X1C can deal with extra unique filament supplies, however the P1S is simply nearly as good on the subject of typical supplies. And if the hobbyist ever desires to print these unique supplies sooner or later, upgrades can be found.
Prusa CORE One
Prusa is sort of definitely probably the most trusted identify in 3D printing and Prusa Analysis is nearly to launch the brand new Prusa CORE One. Critiques aren’t in but and it’s potential there might be some teething issues with this all-new mannequin, however it’s excellent for those who need probably the most cutting-edge choice.
The assembled Prusa CORE One is obtainable for pre-order proper now at $1,199 and items will start transport in January. This guarantees to be probably the most superior 3D printer from Prusa to this point, with a completely enclosed CoreXY movement system and a complete host of modern options. This would be the “it” 3D printer of 2025 and a mannequin that any 3D printing fanatic can be pleased to have.
Resin 3D printers
Whereas FDM 3D printers are the commonest, resin 3D printers (utilizing the MSLA printing course of) are one other widespread alternative for hobbyists. They use UV-sensitive liquid resin as a substitute of strong filament. That resin is messy and infamous for nasty fumes, however the print high quality of resin 3D printers is unparalleled. They’re perfect for small collectible figurines and different fashions that require top quality, they usually may also do effectively for practical elements when used with specialty engineering resin.
Elegoo Mars 5
The Elegoo Mars 5 is an effective alternative for somebody simply tipping their toes into the high-resolution waters of resin 3D printing. Like the entire resin printers on this listing, it makes use of the MSLA (Masked Stereolithography) printing course of. That signifies that it shines a UV mild by way of a monochrome LCD display screen into the vat of resin.
This inexpensive $179.99 mannequin has a 6.6” 4K LCD, which yields a pixel dimension of 35×35μm. Just some years in the past, that will have been extra detailed than anything on the buyer market. The construct quantity is 143.43×89.6×150mm and that could be a lot smaller than the FDM printers (as is typical), however nonetheless sufficient for many tasks that decision for a resin printer.
Phrozen Sonic Mighty 12K
Should you can afford to take a reasonably large step up in worth, you must check out the $649.99 Phrozen Sonic Mighty 12K resin printer. Phrozen has a fantastic popularity as a barely extra premium model and this mannequin has each a smaller pixel dimension and a bigger construct quantity than the Elegoo Mars 5.
That pixel dimension is nineteen×24µm and the construct quantity is a big 218×123×235mm. There’s even a digital camera contained in the enclosure for monitoring prints and capturing timelapse movies.
Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max
For many who need to go actually massive whereas nonetheless getting the good thing about resin printing element, the Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max is engaging. Whereas its pixel dimension is a bit larger (46×46μm), it’s nonetheless able to advantageous element and the large 298×164×300mm definitely balances that out.
The Anycubic Photon Mono M7 Max additionally has some neat options that make the resin printing course of way more nice. For instance, it could monitor the resin stage and alert the consumer if a refill is important. It might probably even refill itself. And there’s a port to attach an exterior air air purifier to maintain the workspace from filling with fumes.
Equipment
If the giftee already owns a 3D printer, then there are nonetheless loads of gadgets to select from that they’re certain to search out useful. These are consumables, equipment, add-ons, and associated instruments that may profit 3D printing lovers.
Filament
FDM 3D printers want rolls of filament, which is the uncooked materials they gobble up and switch into elements. Hobbyists at all times want extra filament, so it’s a protected present.
Should you aren’t certain what sort of materials to decide on, PLA is an effective alternative. Most hobbyists use it regularly and there’s a complete spectrum of colours to select from. PETG can be a good selection for printers with out enclosures. ABS is a well-liked choice for individuals with enclosed 3D printers, as is ASA. Extra unique supplies can be found, however lots of them require particular {hardware}.
Virtually all client 3D printers in the marketplace at this time use 1.75mm diameter filament, so that’s seemingly what you’ll must buy.
Resin
MSLA 3D printers want resin like FDM printers want filament. Fortunately, most resin is suitable with most printers — they’re much less finicky about materials composition and dimension isn’t an element.
You may at all times buy resin of the identical model because the printer, however you may also buy from different printer manufacturers and suppliers specializing in manufacturing resin. Siraya Tech is a good alternative for the latter. That’s very true if the consumer desires robust elements for practical functions, by which case Siraya Tech Blu is superb.
Wash and treatment
Resin is, nonetheless, type of a nasty substance. Resin elements aren’t prepared for dealing with after they come off of the printer, as a result of they first should be washed and totally cured in UV mild. You are able to do that with a Tupperware container and the solar, however devoted wash and treatment machines make the method a lot simpler.
Most resin 3D printer producers additionally promote wash and treatment machines, so that you would possibly need to buy one of many similar model because the printer. However that isn’t a requirement and you’ll combine and match manufacturers in case you discover a whole lot. Some mix each features in a single machine, like the Anycubic Wash & Remedy 3. Others come as separate machines, like the Elegoo Mercury X Bundle.
Simply be sure to decide on a dimension that accommodates the biggest elements the consumer will print.
Calipers
Calipers are measurement instruments that each hobbyist ought to personal. They’re virtually a necessity when designing 3D fashions, however are additionally very helpful when tuning, calibrating, or troubleshooting a 3D printer.
We suggest digital calipers as a result of they’re straightforward to learn, straightforward to zero, and might swap between items of measurement. A fundamental digital caliper on Amazon will price round $15-30 — they’re all just about the identical. If you wish to spend extra, Mitutoyo is the go-to high-quality model. Starrett is one other widespread model utilized by professionals. However these are dear and most hobbyist don’t want calipers of that caliber, so the essential generic manufacturers will do the job typically.
Filament dryer
Filament, particularly of sure supplies like nylon, is delicate to moisture. Because it absorbs humidity from the air, the efficiency degrades. That can lead to all the things from poor high quality to outright failure. That’s true even in dry climates.
A filament dryer is a small machine that encapsulates the roll of filament and retains the moisture to a minimal. Some are passive and depend on desiccant packs, whereas others are energetic and include built-in heaters. Should you can afford it, we suggest the energetic sort. The Creality Dryer Field 2.0 is one good choice that’s inexpensive, however there are numerous different manufacturers and fashions to select from.
Warmth set inserts and gear
For hobbyists that take pleasure in designing their very own fashions, heat-set inserts are recreation changers. They’re little threaded brass items, much like nuts, designed to imbed themselves in thermoplastic — precisely just like the supplies filament is comprised of. They’re indispensable for mounting issues onto 3D-printed elements and connecting a number of 3D-printed elements collectively.
Warmth-set inserts must get sizzling to enter the plastic, so a instrument is useful for heating and putting them. A press like this is an effective choice because it helps align the insert, or you may get the hand held soldering iron fashion for freehand insertion. In each circumstances, we suggest grabbing a set of M3 heat-set inserts and M3 screws to get began.
Multi-material accent
Lastly, for the hobbyist who already has all the things else, you must contemplate a multi-material add-on for the printer. That’s, basically, a complete different machine that works with an FDM 3D printer to allow using a number of rolls of a filament in a single print job. These may be filaments of various colours and even totally different supplies, opening up many new printing potentialities.
Within the best-case state of affairs, the consumer owns a 3D printer from a model with a suitable multi-material unit. Bambu Lab has the AMS and AMS Lite, Prusa has the MMU3, Anycubic has the ACE Professional, and Creality has the CFS.
Examine with the model of the printer your hobbyist owns first to see in the event that they promote a multi-material unit. In the event that they don’t, there’s nonetheless an choice: the Co Print ChromaSet and Co Print KCM Set. Nevertheless, you must test with the consumer to see if a kind of will work, as they’re solely suitable with printers that run Klipper. Conversion is feasible with the ChromaSet, in the event that they need to go that route.
Joyful holidays!
And that’s our listing, people. We hope it was useful and that you just’re capable of snag the proper present for the 3D printing fanatic in your life.
If nothing on the listing appeared to suit the invoice, then you definately would possibly need to contemplate a course on 3D modeling. Many 3D printing hobbyists by no means try to make their very own fashions, however the two skillsets go collectively like peanut butter and jelly. Udemy has a fantastic collection of programs and Autodesk Fusion 360 is an effective software program alternative for hobbyists.
Should you’re fortunate, perhaps they’ll learn to design you a pleasant decoration for subsequent yr’s holidays!
