Top 17 Best 3D Printer Under 500: Make Your Ideas Come To Life 2022

Looking for something that can bring your creations on the papers to solid form in real life? A 3D printer can be a great help. Whether you’re a beginner who wants to challenge yourself with something different, or somebody that is looking for a new 3D printer to replace their old one at home, we’ve got you covered. Here are our top picks of the best 3D printer under 500. 

Our team of experts has gathered and selected from thousands of reviews to create this list. Read on as it can help you save time and money before you decide to buy anything. We hope you’ll find the best choice for you on our list. 

Best 3D Printer Under 500 Comparison 2023

** Below, you will find our detailed reviews of the best 3d printer under 500, but you can also click these following links to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.

Top 17 3D Printer Under 500 Reviews 2023

ANYCUBIC 3D Printer Chiron

The Anycubic Chiron is an amazing 3D printer under 500 that can print bigger than most budget 3D printers. You won’t have to sacrifice quality for the price with this baby. Other than amazing features, it also offers you the chance to bring your creations to life in a variety of sizes. 

This machine is very easy to set up, and the packaging as well as the manual should help you to assemble it in no time. It also comes with all the necessary accessories to help you with the installation and the printing process, which can be really beneficial for beginners. 

In terms of performance, the Anycubic Chiron is pretty great for a 3D printer under 500. It can print pretty detailed stuff and can create bigger size prints too, which not many budget 3D printers could do. The heated bed is amazing, as well as the Ultrabase Pro print bed. Everything works together well so that your printing process can run as smoothly as possible without your design falling apart halfway through or after. 

This printer works with almost every filament too. The sensor of the machine will alert you when it needs to be refilled or any breaking during the printing process. You can easily control everything with the full-color touch display. The only real downside of this model is that the bed needs to be adjusted manually so everything is leveled. It might seem like a hassle, but nothing careful planning couldn’t fix. 

ANYCUBIC Mega Pro 

Looking for something that can work double as a 3D printer as well as a laser engraver but still within the budget range? Then the Anycubic Mega Pro is your answer. This machine is sturdy, works amazing, and comes with every accessory you might need. It does require a bit of cable work to have everything run smooth, but for the price tag, it’s pretty neat. 

Other than the fact that this machine can do its job at 3D printing quite well, and even can print with colors, perhaps the most interesting feature of this model is that it can also double as a laser engraver. The Mega Pro can give you very highly detailed end products with engraving as well as printing. Everything comes out clean and sharp. 

There are still some flaws like the cables and the awkwardly placed filament spool, but overall, this 3D printer is very awesome for a budget-friendly 3D printer. It’s easy to install, and you can control everything with the built-in touch screen. 

Creality CR-10 V2

The CR-10 V2 is great for impatient people. It’s quite simple to assemble everything up, and once you have everything figured out the printing process is very easy and straightforward. The frame is sturdy and all-metal, which can last you forever with proper care. It’s also upgradable so you won’t have to completely replace it when the new model comes out. 

The most interesting feature of this 3D printer is the cooling process and the heating bed. With a more powerful bed, you won’t have to wait forever to have everything ready to print. The dual part cooling duct also makes the cooling process faster but still able to maintain details throughout the process. Your end products will likely be better with a more even, thorough cooling round. 

The CR-10 V2 does have some flaws, such as the quite Inconvenient operating process with a control knob or a somewhat confusing menu. But while it might take you some time to figure that out when you do, the machine basically runs itself and the printing process is really straightforward as we’ve said. 

Flashforge Finder

Everything about the Flashforge Finder screams “user friendly” to use. From the touchscreen to the removable build plate to the Wi-Fi connection, this machine is perfect for beginners or even kids to print their toys with. The design is pretty simple yet smart too. It only works with non-toxic PLA and PETG, which won’t release any toxic fumes. The nozzle is covered up for maximum safety. 

The setting up process is simple, and so does the navigating. You can easily operate this machine through the color touchscreen and can connect to your laptop/computer easily through a Wi-Fi connection without needing a USB. This 3D printing machine is very safe to use too, considering that it only works with non-toxic materials and has the nozzle covered up. The build plate can be easily removed for fuss-free transferring. 

The downside to this model is that due to the small print bed, you can only print small designs. But worry not, as it still can give you pretty good detail and runs quite smoothly. Also, you’ll have to adjust the bed leveling manually, but nothing too complicated. 

Artillery Sidewinder X1 V4

If you’re someone who is living with other people who might find the sound of printer fans too loud or some apartment with walls as thin as paper, then this machine might be the best choice for you. The Artillery Sidewinder X1 V4 is an ultra-quiet, budget-friendly 3D printer that works very well. 

This printer can print in big size, and print them quickly. The heating process feels like it takes no time at all. The hot end is volcano hot, so the filament can flow super thick. The cables are very simple and clustering free but do wear out quite quickly due to being exposed. The navigation is easy enough on the touchscreen. 

The best thing about this model is it runs super quiet, with almost no noise at all. This is a huge advantage for people who live in a thin wall apartment or have to work from home with other people. Some people find the fans’ sound while running can be too much and it causes them a headache. that won’t happen with this model. 

Creality CR-6 SE

If you’re looking for something simple, this might be the one for you. The CR-6 SE is a great 3D printer under 500, as it can offer you high-quality results at a budget price. There is no fussing around with this printer, as both the assemble and the printing process are pretty simple. The navigation is a piece of cake thanks to the touch screen. 

The best thing about this model is the bed leveling. Manual bed leveling sucks. It’s a pain everyone wants to avoid, as it often takes too much time and causes so many frustrations. You can say goodbye to that pain with this model, as it comes with an automatic bed leveling system. The design is really smart too, as you can swap out the pieces without stopping the auto-bed leveling. 

But while it’s great for straightforward printing, if you’re looking for something that can offer more cool extra features then this model might not be the choice for you.

Anycubic Photon S

The  Photon S is a fine 3D printer. It can create pretty highly detailed prints despite being a budget 3D printer. It’s simple, both in assembly and in the way to use it. Overall, it’s a pretty basic 3D printer with a great price tag. 

The most interesting part of this printer perhaps is the activated charcoal filters. This part of the design makes sure the air stays clear of unwanted smelly fumes while the machine is running the printing process. Other than that, the touchscreen is neat and the details that it can print out are amazing. 

But this model does have some flaws left, mainly the bed leveling system. This might take you a few tries to figure out what works best for you. 

XYZprinting da Vinci Mini

The XYZ da Vinci Mini is many’s favorites as it can perform quite well, but still very affordable. It’s a simple machine, and everything from setting up to using this printer is as simple as eating a piece of cake. The design is smart too. Despite being open-framed, the nozzle is located behind and in a place that is quite hard to reach to prevent accidental burns.

Another bonus point is that it runs really smooth and quiet, which will save you from noise pollution and disturb other people around you. It also can be connected to your computer/laptop through a USB or Wi-Fi connection. 

The only main complaint is the print bed sometimes makes it hard to remove the printed objects. 

Anycubic Mega-S

This is another user-friendly model that is great for beginners. The manual got you covered and the assembling process is a piece of cake with the Anycubic Mega-S. Using it is pretty simple too, as you can navigate everything with the touchscreen. You won’t have to worry about adjusting bed leveling either. For starters, having this 3D printer will surely make you want to start printing right away. 

Other than the amazing heated print bed, the other parts of this machine work together well, which helps you create amazing end products. The mega S also comes with extra accessories, so you can save some money up without having to buy and find other parts that you might need. 

The mega S, however, does have some flaws. It runs very loud, and the touch screen’s brightness couldn’t be adjusted. The filament can give you some struggles in removing it. 

TRONXY X5SA

The Tronxy X5SA is another bigger 3D printer that has a budget-friendly price tag. Its design helps it to run with fewer vibrations and can boost the print speed a little bit. It can print bigger models, thanks to the large build. The best thing about this model perhaps is the bed leveling. Unlike many other 3D printers that are under 500, this printer does have an auto-leveling, which can be a lifesaver. 

The quality overall can be improved a little. The belts and the cable chain, while creating much fewer noises, can be rubbed against each other. The build plate quality is very low, almost feeling like super glue. Overall, it’s great for its price, but it can be better. 

Phrozen Sonic Mini

The Phrozen Sonic Mini can be the best budget resin 3D printer for many people. It’s fast and simple to set up, easy to use and can work well in terms of printing resin. The end products can come out highly detailed, and for a very cheap price tag, this machine works amazing. It also prints super fast too, like, really, really fast. 

But, as the name suggests, the Phrozen Sonic Mini is smaller than your average 3D printer, which means it can only print small objects. This machine works with raisin, which can create some nasty fume so it does require being put in air-ventilated places. 

Creality Ender 3 V2

For a price under 300, the Ender 3 V2 works great. It eliminated many problems with the original model, while still maintaining the best traits and even improving it a little bit. This machine is built to be a workhorse, as the printing process is quite strong and can handle tough projects, but still runs smooth and quietly. The result is amazingly detailed objects. 

The main complaint to this model seemingly lay in the filament loading, as it sometimes can cause you unwanted trouble. Also, the detachable display is ok, but not really necessary. 

Anycubic Photon

Like many other Anycubic models, the Photon is a great machine for the under 500 price tag. The resin 3D printing is surprisingly good with this printer, as it can produce highly detailed projects with a stunning finish. Setting and using the Photon is also super simple, so you won’t have to worry much about that either. 

However, the aftermath of resin printing can be quite messy and requires more care than other normal 3D printing processes. The build volume of this machine is a little bit small so that is a downside as well. However, it still has enough space for most basic projects. 

JGMaker Magic

The JGMaker Magic can print pretty neat for a price under 300. It’s cheap and sturdy, which will last you for a long time. Plus, it has a good heated bed, a filament run-out sensor, and SD card protection. The build space is actually a bit more spacious than the advertisement, which means you can print some bigger size projects too. 

However, it’s still partially a DIY kit so you’d have to spend some time assembling it. Nothing too hard though. The cooling fans also can be better, but overall for the very cheap price, it’s an a-ok machine.  

GEEETECH A10

This is a reliable, sturdy, and good quality 3D printer. The Geeetech A10 is a great printer kit for a tight budget. Everything is pretty simple to navigate, and you can expect some really good quality results. For people who are new to 3D printing or people who just want something simple then you’ll absolutely adore this machine. 

Of course, there are still some flaws and things that can use some improvement such as the power supply unit and the lack of a Duel Z lift setup, but overall the Geeetech A10 is a pretty decent 3d printer. 

Elegoo Mars 2 Pro

For a relatively low price, the Mars 2 Pro is one of the good 3D printers for a tight budget. It’s not the best, but it can work well and the significantly shorter printing time makes it stand out more than many other models within the price range. It’s also easy to use, and the quality is ok. 

Overall, there is nothing really special about this machine, but it’s no doubt a good 3D printer. Plus, It’s very cheap. 

Geeetech Acrylic Prusa I3 Pro B

Easy to use, can handle pretty flexible materials, and super cheap are what we think of when it comes to the Geeetech Acrylic Prusa I3 Pro B. It can print well, and for basic needs, it’s decent enough. Plus, it’s dirt cheap compared to many other 3D printers and the customer service is amazing. 

This model still has some flaws such as the slow heating up process or the assembling process could be a little confusing. The PSU is weak and can use some improvement. but for people who are just starting, this is a good choice to get to know the basics of 3D printing before you decide to move on to more advanced models. 

Factors That Should Be Considered To Find Your Best 3D Printer Under 500.

If you’ve found your perfect choice of the best 3D printer under 500 from our list above, congratulations. Let’s start 3D printing and bringing your creations to life! Here is a tutorial on how to use your printers. 

Still, got some questions left? Don’t worry. We also got you covered. Down below are the answers to some of the most asked questions regarding 3D printers. Read on as it can help you with your questions and help you to find your perfect choice better. 

3D printers are different from regular printers. 

This is quite straightforward. A 3D printer is nothing like your regular paper printer. From the frame, the structure, the functions to the result products, everything is different. You can’t expect your design to come to life within minutes, even if it’s small. The 3D printing process may take hours, and even more as you might have to trim off excess plastic or fix some small details up with your hands to get the best result. 

Talking of plastic, 3D printers do have trouble akin to paper jams, only it’s much worse with the addition of plastic. Overwork your machine and it can break down and leave the plastic melting all over the place. Get a low-quality printer and your design will come out like a hot mess if it can come out at all. Chances are, with the low-quality models your printing process will collapse halfway through. 

It’s worth investing in a high-quality 3D printer as it can last you forever and save you a lot of pains and headaches from having things break down in the middle of the printing process. In the long run, a high-quality model will also save you a lot of money as you won’t have to keep buying parts to replace the broken one as with many low-quality printers. 

Cautions when 3D printing at home. 

If you’re planning on starting your 3D printing journey at home, then there are some things you should keep in mind. First is the size of the printer. Some 3D printers are quite large and heavy, which could cause you some trouble trying to fit them on your working desk at home. Smaller models are a better choice, but they’ll limit the size of your creations as they work best with smaller size. 

Another point to be considered is that the enclosed frame might suit your home better than an open one. During the printing process, the 3D printer can heat up quite hot, as hot as 250°C and above. It’s much safer for you and other people you’re living with if you get an enclosed 3D printer that can protect all parts from the heat rather than an open frame one and risk burning yourself or others. 

More on the space factor. 

As we’ve mentioned above, space can play quite a big role in getting a 3D printer. Whatever model that you’ve decided to pick, it should fit nicely within the place that you wish to put it. Too heavy, too large, too bulky,… just one of those factors can affect your 3D printer and the design that comes out of it. Measure everything carefully to make sure that your printer will fit.

It’s also worth mentioning that your 3D printer can emit some heat during the printing process, so you should keep the space surrounding it clear of other objects. Some raisin models have quite a heavy smell to them, which can lessen the quality of the air in your room and affect badly to your health. You should place your 3D printer somewhere well-ventilated to avoid these problems. 

The connections. 

Another quite important aspect to be considered when it comes to buying a 3D printer is the connection. Your 3D printer can be connected to your laptop or computer via USB or shared among others with the network connection. Choosing the type of connection will depend on whether or not you want to use it all by yourself or use it with a group of others. It’s worth checking if the model that you picked will support your needs. 

Some printers don’t support a direct USB connection. These models, however, still have a USB socket so you can plug in your flash drive or SD card through an SD card reader. You can use the printer without using the computer this way. Simply use the built-in browser of the printer and you’re good to go. 

Nozzle size. 

The nozzle size will determine how detailed your end product will be. Most 3D printers come with a standard 0.4mm nozzle, which is fine and can be used for many designs. However, if you’re planning to print something that is super detailed like figurines, then you’ll be better off with some smaller size nozzle. 

Print Resolution. 

The nozzle size is not the only factor that can affect how detailed your creations will come out of your 3D printer. For a stunning detailed end product, you should look at the information regarding the print resolution. To put it simply, the smaller the print solution number can go, the higher the detailed and better result you can have. 

Getting a cheap but low-resolution model can give you a lot of headaches. Your creations can turn out a hot mess (literally), with bumpy and rough texture, as well as looking nothing like how you want it to come out. 

Printing Speed

Another thing to be considered is the printing speed. Yes, we know, nobody wants to spend all day waiting on printing so the faster the better right? Not really. Faster printing speed doesn’t mean better quality of the end product. With some models, faster speed can turn out into quite a disaster as it can turn your design into a hot glob of lava plastic. With moderate speed, it’s much safer, although more time-consuming. 

With that being said, it is not like all fast models are bad. Some only take hours, while others might require a whole day to complete the process. Fast or slow will also depend on how detailed your design is. Just remember, there is no shortcut when it comes to 3D printing. Highly detailed 3D models take time to make. It isn’t some drawing that can be rushed on paper with a normal printing machine. 

Print size.

A 20 x 20 x 20 cm 3D printer can handle medium-sized models well. Some 3D printers are really small, 12 x 12 x 12 cm or so, which will limit the size of their products quite a lot. Most 3D printers will be 15 x 20 x 15 cm, which is ok if you’re somebody that mostly prints at home or uses the printer all by yourself.  

What type of 3D Printer’s frame should I pick?

There are two types of frames when it comes to 3D printers: open vs closed. The open frame is much cooler, as it can show you the full process of bringing your creation to life. The models with open-frame will also look less bulky than the fully enclosed ones, yet still, be able to print bigger than them. It’s also easier and requires less maintenance than the other type. 

However, a closed-frame is a safer and better choice for domestic purposes. The enclosed walls will lessen the noises, as well as prevent the smelly smell of the printing process to affect your air quality too much. The closed-frame also can prevent your children or pets from accidentally touching the hot extruder. If you are living with your family or working at home then this type of frame might be a better choice. 

The filament

PLA (polylactic acid) is a biodegradable polymer plastic. This is the most commonly used among all the filaments. It’s non-toxic, and most 3D printers support it. 

In 3D printing, there are some types of most well-known filaments you should be aware of: 

ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is hard plastic, like lego-hard. This filament is also non-toxic, durable, but can be quite smelly. It’s also challenging to work with too. 

Nylon is the filament that separates the cheap models from the more expensive ones. It needs special printers that are designed specifically to handle them. 

Of course, there are other types of filaments too, but the most commonly used is PLA. And there is a reason for this filament’s popularity. You can print almost anything with it, and that is fine for most people who don’t have to do some intricate work or professional work. If you want something other than PLA, check if your 3D printer can support it. 

What kind of printer is suitable for a beginner? 

This largely depends on what you want from your 3D printers. For most beginners, they’re in the earlier state of trying things out, how 3D printing works, what will they need,… and other stuff like that. With that purpose, a budget 3D printer is more than enough. It can cover all the basics that you want to know, and you can play with it for a while before moving on to more advanced models if you want to go further. 

For beginners who want to enter the professional game, then you should pick a more intermediate 3D printer. It might take longer to figure everything out, but you can stick with it for quite a while. More advanced models will have more options for you to play around with. 

Reviews matter.   

Budget 3D printers nowadays can amaze you with their quality. However, it’s much safer for you to pick from famous brands such as Anycubic and Creality, as many people have used their products and are quite happy with them. Picking something completely new or from some small name companies is very risky, especially in the low price range. Just stick to the most well-known brands and you’ll be fine. 

Why 3D printers might feel more expensive.

Well, it’s not like some paper printers that only need ink and paper. This is 3D printing, which means 3D models that you can take out of a box. From the materials to the maintenance, everything is different and much more complicated than normal printers. 3D printer’s parts when having troubles are much harder to fix than normal printers too. 

On the other hand, 3D printers can do much more than a normal printer. You can literally bring your creations to real solid form, so all the hassle is worth it. Plus, it doesn’t have “paper jams” as frequently as your regular printers, so you won’t have to worry about having to get new parts all the time. 

Understand why you decided to buy a 3D printer. 

If you’re planning on buying one to satisfy your curiosity and hobby, you should buy a simpler model, as chances are you’re not gonna use other extra features and can grow bored quickly when your curiosity runs out. 

However, if you’re planning to go further than just fun and games, then consider buying a solid model that has extra features that best suit your needs. You can always pick 3D printers that are upgradeable so you can change things up later if you wish. 

Whatever you decided to buy, it’s best to know what you want from your 3D printer so you can pick the most suitable one for your needs, and save money from unnecessary extra features. 

What to pick then?  

Most 3D printers are safe and can be versatile enough to satisfy basic needs by doing a pretty decent job of printing simple 3D models. However, for highly detailed miniature designs, your best pick is resin printers. Something that can be challenging in terms of dimension is better off with dual extrusion printers. Depending on what you need, you should check the technical features and their purpose with each model for a better decision. 

How about a 3D Printing Pen?

Sure, if you’re not planning to print much. Basically, 3D pens work much like 3D printers but you’ll have to sit there and build everything with your hands. It requires more patience, more skills, and more care, as you can easily burn yourself with it if you’re not careful enough. You’ll also have to understand structure quite well to build something with a pen. 

It’s a much cheaper choice, and many artists, as well as craftspeople, found them quite interesting. However, if you’re planning on printing many projects, then a 3D pen will not be a great choice for you as you will have to sit there and do everything by hand. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxs2E02J8SE

Conclude: Our Top 5 Best Picks For Best 3D Printer Under 500. 

And we have our best pick: the ANYCUBIC 3D Printer Chiron! It’s the best 3D printer under 500 for many people as it can work well, while still staying within the budget-friendly price range. You won’t have to sacrifice quality for the price with this one. It’s easy to set up and to use, can print large, and can print awesomely. 

There are still flaws, of course, but most other printers in the price range also have similar problems yet lower quality. And after a while when you get used to the bed leveling, using this machine is really easy as it basically runs itself. Overall, it’s a pretty neat 3D printer under 500.