We get asked this every week: "Which 3D printer should I buy?" The honest answer is that the best first printer is the one that just works, so you spend your time printing instead of fixing. Here's how to choose, from a studio that prints every day.
1. Set your budget (and add 20%)
Beginner printers range from a few hundred dollars to well over a thousand. Whatever you spend on the printer, put aside roughly another 20% for filament, a few tools and spare parts. A cheap printer with no budget for filament just sits there.
2. Look for these beginner-friendly features
- Automatic bed levelling. This saves hours of frustration and failed first layers.
- A good app or slicer. Modern printers come with software that sets everything up for you.
- Spare parts available in Australia. Nozzles and build plates wear out, so check that local stock exists.
- An active community. Popular printers have thousands of guides and ready-made settings.
3. Open-frame or enclosed?
Open-frame printers are cheaper and perfect for PLA and PETG. Enclosed printers keep heat in, so they handle ABS and ASA, are quieter, and keep curious pets and kids away from hot parts. In a hot, humid Queensland garage, an enclosure also helps with consistency.
4. Do you need multi-colour?
Several brands now offer automatic material systems that swap between four or more spools during a print. It's brilliant for signs, logos and gifts, but it adds cost and creates some waste filament on every colour change. If you mostly print functional parts, single-colour is fine.
5. Build size
About 18–25 cm cubed covers most household prints. Go bigger only if you know you'll print helmets, cosplay or large props. Big prints take a long time either way.
Popular beginner choices
Printers from Bambu Lab (such as the A1 mini and A1), Creality, Elegoo and Prusa are all popular starting points with big communities. Models and prices change often, so compare current reviews before you buy.
Budget for these too
Not ready to buy?
Try before you commit: get your first few prints made by us and see what 3D printing can do. Plenty of our customers do this before buying their own printer.
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