What types of printers can I buy?

When looking at 3D printers for home use (as opposed to the massive, clunky and expensive industry tools), we are mainly looking into three categories – standard 3D printers (a bit bulkier, but with better performance), desktop 3D printers (small, compact and cheaper, but not as powerful), and 3D printing pens (the most portable and light, however, they offer much fewer features). One must also consider the filament that is used for feeding the printers of any type when considering a purchase.

Standard 3D printer

What do we mean by the standard 3D printer? This is the home, office or shop version of the large, old, bulky systems They offer tons of features and powerful performances. Most of them can be adjusted to work with any type of filament, regardless of color, type or material, which makes them ideal for serious artists and professional work However, these 3D printers usually end up at the higher end of the price range, so if you are not looking for the best performance available, you might be better off looking at the smaller, cheaper desktop version.

Desktop 3D printer

So, a big standard printer is not for you, and you want more performance than what the 3D pen can offer. Don’t despair, the mid-range desktop 3D printers are here for you. While they do boast most of the standard printers’ features, what they usually lack in is the ability to work with all types of filaments. This doesn’t mean that you can only have one type, but the range is decreased. However, the desktop 3D printers make up for this by being incredibly compact, and able to be set up on just about any desk. With the added bonus of a lighter price tag, these might be a good choice for hobbyists or people starting out with 3D printing.

3D pens

While not technically a printer, 3D pens do use the same technology as their bulkier brothers and sisters, packed in a tiny package that fits in your hand. They range from inexpensive children’s toys, all the way up to sleek, professional, and usually pricier models. These are perfect for the 3D drawing for just about anyone, from young children with artistic tendencies to creative adults.

Which one to get?

Of the three general categories listed above, what will work best for you depends mostly on your needs, and on your budget. While it might be a good idea to shell out a few more bucks for the high-end 3D printers if what you want is an interesting a stimulating creative toy for your child, that would not be a great idea. If you are looking to create actual objects, with high frequency and different types of materials, you are best off looking at the standard 3D printers.

If you want to express yourself, create art in 3D, or find an interesting and stimulating toy for your child, you are looking at 3D pens. If the answer lies somewhere in between, or if you are looking for something that doesn’t take up much space, the desktop 3D printers may be the right choice for you. What type of 3D printer you end up depends mostly on how much you are willing to spend, and what you need from it. In short, here are the pros and cons of each type:

Best performance and versatility – standard 3D printer – can be bulky and comes at a higher price

Decent performance and features, compact, cheaper – desktop 3D printers – doesn’t have all the features and versatility of the standard

The most compact, perfect for children – 3D pen – lacks most of the features of other 3D printers, can still be pricey