Best 3D Printer Under $500 – 12 3D Printers For 2023

3D printers have a wide variety of uses and are owned by industrialists, small businesses, graphic designers, jewelers, hobbyists, and surgeons to name a few!

Imagine having the ability to print your own figurines, models, or decorative items at home with your very own 3D printer at home! Sounds unbelievable, but it’s totally possible.

In this post, I’ve briefly reviewed cheap 3D printers so that you can choose the best 3d printer under 500 to buy.

Let’s first take a quick look at the best 3D printers under 500 before we move on to the features of these printers and quick reviews.

Let’s begin.

Disclaimer: If you buy something using the links in this article, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Know that I only promote stuff that I use and trust for the sake of my readers and the reputation of this website.

Best 3D Printers Under $500 – Quick List

1. Anycubic Mega X

2. Qidi Tech X-Maker

3. Flashforge Adventurer 3

4. JGAurora A5S

5. HIEHA SQ1

6. Anycubic Chiron

7. Anycubic Photon S

8. Monoprice Voxel

9. Monoprice Maker Ultimate

10. Monoprice MP Maker Pro

11. Prusa I3 DXPRO SC-3

12. XYZPrinting Da Vinci Jr. 1.0 Pro

What to expect in a 3D printer under $500?

Cheap 3D printers under $500 may not give you all the advanced features that high-end 3D printers offer, but they do have the basic features required to make any hobbyist or student happy.

For starters, most 3D printers under $500 have:

Automatic Bed Leveling

Auto bed leveling means there is a proximity sensor or switch near the extruder that probes points on the build platform to calculate the distance between the nozzle and the platform during the printing process. This helps you get the right output from your 3D printer even if your platform is slightly unleveled.

Heated Bed

A heated bed allows the uniform heating and cooling of the layers for proper bed adhesion. This helps avoid wrapping and deformation, thus improving print quality and maintaining optimum layer height.

Print Speed

Most 3D printers under $500 have a fairly high print speed, with some reaching a maximum speed of 150 mm/sec!

Build Volume

The build volume of a 3D printer is the space within the closed frame that is used to produce the 3D prints. It is measured in terms of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis.

Recommended Reading:

14 Best 3D Printing Software For 2022 (For Beginners And Pros)

The Best 3D Printers under $500

1. Top 3D Printer Under $500—Anycubic Mega X

Anycubic Mega X is a budget large volume 3D printer with a convenient leveling knob for effortless leveling.

Anycubic Mega X has a sturdy build with a stable structure and dual z-axis end stops that offer exceptional print quality. This 3D printer has a touchscreen with a simple user interface that can be used by new users.

Best For:

Large 3D prints

Key Features:

• Ultrabase patented heated bed – the heated print bed can reach a temperature of 90 degrees.
• Better adhesion to the print bed and easy removal after the printing process.
• A 3.5-inch touchscreen for a user-friendly workflow.
• Excellent build quality – A sturdy metal frame that prevents vibrations and shakiness from affecting the print quality.
• Build volume: 300 x 300 x 305mm
• Print Speed: 20-100mm/s
• The filament sensor stops the printer if the filament is cut or finished.
• Materials: PLA, ABS, HIPS, wood

Cons:

• No automatic bed leveling – the lack of auto bed leveling could have been improved on this model, but the capacity and overall performance of this 3D printer make it worthwhile.

Pricing:

$459.99

You can buy the Anycubic Mega X 3D printer here on Amazon.

2. Qidi Tech X-Maker

Qidi Tech X-Maker is a budget 3D printer based on FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) technology.

Qidi Tech X-Maker is designed for beginners as well as professionals and is good for educational purposes, research, and home use. This 3D printer has wi-fi connectivity that allows you to control it using your phone or computer.

Although smaller than Qidi Tech X-Pro, this 3D printer packs quite a performance and is perfect for beginners.

Best For:

Students and beginners

Key Features:

• High-end 3D printer developed for education and home use.
• 2 editions of slicing software – educational and professional
• Power-saving and silent 3D printing
• 3.5 Inch Touch Screen & Wifi Printing
• Removable plate for easy removal of 3D prints and minimal damages or offsets to the build plate.
• Pull Rod Design Filament Spool holder
• Single z-axis platform support
• Materials: PLA,ABS,TPU, PETG
• Build volume: 170x150x160mm
• Print speed: 60 – 180 mm/s

Cons:

• Hard to find replacement parts

Pricing:

$410.00

You can buy the Qidi Tech X-Maker 3D printer here on Amazon.

3. Flashforge Adventurer 3

Best For:

Compactness

Key Features:

• Auto bed leveling
• Removable heated print bed
• Materials: PLA, ABS, PETG filament, etc
• Detachable Nozzlefor quick and easy maintenance and replacement of nozzle
• Filament detection function – Printing stops automatically when the filament is broken or used up and resumes after the user replaces the new filament
• 45 dB ultra-mute 3D printing
• 24 hours professional customer service
• Cloud print
• Build-in Camera that helps to keep an eye on prints in case of incorrect settings, allowing you to pause or abort printing via Wi-Fi by cloud.
• Build volume: 150 x 150 x 150 mm
• Print speed: 10 – 100 mm/s

Cons:

• Takes only .5 kg spool of filament

Pricing:

$365.90

You can buy the Flashforge Adventurer 3 printer here on Amazon.

4. JGAurora A5S

The JGAurora A5S is a 3D printer with a sleek body and a large build volume.

The JGAurora A5S has a user-friendly touchscreen that allows you to control several different settings on the printer. This 3D printer is easy to set up and use and comes with power recovery.

Best For:

Sleek design

Key Features:

• 2.8″ Colorful LCD touch screen
• Offline printing via SD card
• Black Diamond Glass Platform for better adhesion and quicker separation.
• Filament Run Out Detection – the printer beeps when the filament has run out and the heated nozzle stops working if not reloaded within one hour.
• Build volume: 305 x 305 x 320 mm
• Print speed: 10 – 150 mm/s
• Materials: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Wood, PLA (Polylactic Acid)

Cons:

• Noisy operation and has an open frame.

Pricing:

$349.00

You can buy the JGAurora A5s 3D printer here on Amazon.

5. HIEHA SQ1

The HIEHA SQ1 3D printer is a powerful printer with DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology. The HIEHA SQ1 printer comes with factory calibration for your convenience.

The printer uses direct UV light for curing the resin.

Best For:

Precise printing

Key Features:

• DLP 3D printer
• Factory calibration
• Compact and easy to manage
• Auto bed leveling
• Wi-fi connectivity
• Smartphone remote control
• Build volume: 115 x 65 x 100 mm
• Vertical print speed: 10-40 mm/h

Cons:

• Small build volume

Pricing:

$299.99

6. Anycubic Chiron

Anycubic Chiron is a desktop 3D printer with a large build area. The Anycubic Chiron 3D printer is based on FDM technology.

The Anycubic Chiron 3D printer allows you to build large structures with excellent print quality.

Best For:

3D printing large volume structures

Key Features:

• Build plate with ultrabase coating for firm adhesion during the printing process and easy removal of objects afterward.
• Build volume: 400 x 400 x 450 mm
• Print speed: 20 – 100 mm/s
• Materials compatibility: ABS, TPU, PETG, Wood, HIPS, and TPU
• Open frame

Cons:

• Requires assembly and is difficult to use for beginners

Pricing:

$439.00

You can buy the Anycubic Chiron 3D printer here.

7. Anycubic Photon S

The next 3D printer on this list is also from Anycubic – the Anycubic Photon S 3D printer. This 3D printer is based on DLP technology and uses UV light for curing the layers of resin.

Due to its high precision and resolution, the Anycubic Photon S 3D printer is used for intricate objects such as jewelry and small figurines.

Best For:

3D printing of small complex figures

Key Features:

• LCD-based SLA 3D Printer
• Intuitive user interface
• 2.8 inches color TFT touchscreen/ control panel
• Pre-assembled
• Carbon air filtration eliminates the dust particles and odor
• Off-line Print
• Build volume: 115 x 65 x 165mm
• Printing speed: 20mm/h
• Materials: 405nm UV Resin

Cons:

• No automatic bed leveling

Pricing:

$419.00

You can buy the Anycubic Photon S 3D printer here.

8. Monoprice Voxel

The Monoprice Voxel 3D printer is one of the best 3D printers under 500. It has great features at a low cost that is appealing to beginners and inexperienced users.

The Monoprice Voxel is a 3D printer with a closed frame, making it suitable for home and educational purposes.

Best For:

Beginners and inexperienced users

Key Features:

• 2.8 inches touchscreen with an intuitive user interface
• Minimal set up required
• Easy operation
• It is an enclosed printer that can be used safely for home and educational purposes
• Hassle-free nozzle changing
• The heated print bed allows for easy adhesion of the first layer and minimizes warping. It is also flexible for easy removal of the 3D prints.
• The filament sensor detects when the filament runs out and pauses the printer until it is reloaded
• Build volume: 150 x 150 x 150 mm
• Print speed: 10 – 100 mm/s
• Materials: ABS

Cons:

• Less printing space/ build volume

Pricing:

$399.99

You can buy the Monoprice Voxel 3D printer here on Amazon.

9. Monoprice Maker Ultimate

The Monoprice Maker Ultimate 3D printer is an enclosed printer that maintains internal temperatures to make it easier to work with temperature-sensitive materials like ABS and ASA.

The Monoprice Maker Ultimate 3D printer has a metal door frame with a built-in door sensor that pauses the printing process if the door is left open.

Best For:

Safety and practicality

Key Features:

• Black anodized metal frame
• Enclosed frame to maintain a constant temperature
• Connection via SD card and USB cord
• Quick-release nozzle and integrated extruder
• In-built LED light
• Filament detector
• Heated and removable build plate made of glass
• The heated print bed allows easy adhesion of objects during printing
• Anti-jam technology prevents blockage of filaments
• Auto bed leveling
• Build volume: 200 x 200 x 115 mm
• Print speed: 55 mm/s
• Materials: Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

Cons:

• Noisy printing process and small build volume

Pricing:

$499.99

You can buy the Monoprice Maker Ultimate 3D printer here on Amazon.

10. Monoprice MP Maker Pro

The Monoprice MP Maker Pro is based on FDM (fused deposition modeling) technology and has an open aluminum frame.

The Monoprice MP Maker Pro comes pre-assembled for your convenience.

Best For:

Small businesses and institutes

Key Features:

• Based on FDM technology
• Open aluminum frame design for constant airflow that will cool the parts
• Filament sensor
• Large build volume
• Auto bed leveling
• Sturdy frame
• LCD screen with intuitive user interface
• Magnetic print bed (removable)
• Auto calibration
• Build volume: 300 x 300 x 400 mm
• Maximum print speed: 70 mm/s
• Materials: PLA, PETG, and ABS

Cons:

• Slow printing speed

Pricing:

$399.00

11. Prusa I3 DXPRO SC-3

The Prusa I3 DXPRO SC-3 is unlike any other printer. It is a simple-to-use 3D printer with some advanced features. The Prusa I3 DXPRO SC-3 3D printer has a large build volume and fast printing speed.

This 3D printer has high accuracy and gives high-quality prints on a tight budget.

Best For:

Hobbyists and small businesses

Key Features:

• Power recovery in case of power failure
• High resolution, accuracy, and precision
• Sturdy metal frame
• Heated print bed
• Open frame
• Touch screen with intuitive user interface
• Build volume: 300 x 300 x 400 mm
• Printing speed: 20 mm/s
• Materials: PLA

Cons:

• Can only use PLA

Pricing:

$399.99

12. XYZPrinting Da Vinci Jr. 1.0 Pro

The XYZPrinting da Vinci Jr. 1.0 Pro is an entry-level 3D printer with good build quality. It is perfect for beginners who want to learn additive manufacturing technology because of its simple operation and advanced features.

Best For:

Learning additive manufacturing

Key Features:

• Fully assembled and easy to set up
• Enclosed frame design for safety
• Auto calibration
• One-touch extruder release
• Adjustable nozzle temperature settings
• Removable print bed for easy removal of objects
• USB connection or SD card
• Build volume: 8 x 8 x 8 inches
• Print speed: 120mm/sec
• Materials: carbon and metallic PLA

Cons:

• Non-heated build plate

Pricing:

$449.00

FAQ

Do I need special training?

No, you will not need any special training to operate a basic 3D printer. You will, however, need to learn how a 3D printer works and get familiar with the type of 3D printer you are purchasing by reading online guides or watching YouTube tutorials.

What can you create with cheap 3D printers?

You can create a lot of items – both big and small – with cheap 3D printers. Some of these items include fashion accessories, jewelry, small toys, figurines, educational models, etc.

Conclusion

Buying a 3D printer is quite a simple process if you are sure of what you need.

Whether you are a beginner or an expert, 3D printers come in all sizes and capacities, and you will definitely find one that suits your needs perfectly.

I haven’t included Creality printers in this list, but they are worth checking out because of their unique motion system design.

Choose a 3D printer according to the industry you are in, the types of objects or models you want to create, and the budget you are working with.

Do you own a 3D printer?

What amazing creations have you made with it?

Which is the best 3D printer under $500 that you would recommend?

Let us know down in the comment section! 🙂