Budget 3D printer under $300: Everything You Need To Know!

Tired of working on long and boring project? You can make your projects exciting by bringing your creative visions to life with the help of a 3D printer. The best part? You can achieve this monumental feat just under 300$.

With the help of the best budget 3D printer, you can not only make things interesting but also bring your wildest imagination to life. Your creativity will find a new home once you try out the best price 3D printer. Experience the thrill of printing 3D objects with an affordable budget. With affordable 3D printers, everyone can access the the joy of printing 3 dimensional object and making full use of their creative potential. 

You can benefit from 3D printing no matter what your profession is. If you are a student, 3D printing can help you make the most wonderful school projects to get you excellent marks. For creative people who have a hobby, you can bring your thoughts and imaginations to life.  You can design and print the things that have been roaming in your mind with ease. 

For small businesses, the best budget 3D printer can be a lifesaver. You can create prototypes of your products with a click of a button. You can take your business to the next level with your best price 3D printer without putting much effort. In this article, we are going to focus everything about 3D printers for beginners and people with a budget. So without further ado, let's dive into the nitty gritties of affordable 3D printing so that you can make the best choice. 

Understanding 3D printers: The Idea Behind The Magic

3D printers are what make the miracle come true. It's a tool in which you can input your digital design and the output is the physical version of that design. The main mechanism behind the best budget 3D printers is that they print thin layers of material and then fuse them to make the ultimate object. After selecting your design, all you need to do is click the button or nudge and wait for the magic to happen. 

Common features of a budget 3D printer

There is a common misconception that 3D printers are way too expensive and they are mainly designed to be operated by large businesses with high capital. That's far from the truth. You can easily get a budget 3D printer under $300 with various useful features to get the job done. You can easily get a beginner-level 3D printer with a wide range of features and a user-friendly interface and software within a price of 100$-400$. Here are some of the most common features you can expect in the best budget 3D printer. 

• Moderate build volume: A budget 3D printer under $300 is designed mainly for personal use or printing in small to medium businesses. The more the build volume, the larger you can make your 3D object. 

• Fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology: This kind of technology builds the objects by putting the layers one after another. FDM is the cheapest type of 3D printing because of its low machine price, lower maintenance costs, and less expensive filaments. This is the technology that creates your 3D model. When the printing begins, the FDM technology releases the materials to create the entire structure. 

• User-friendly interface: The entire user interface of the printer for navigating is quite straightforward. You can typically operate with only a single button. 
• Filament compatibility: Budget 3D printers are compatible with a wide range of filament types such as ABS, PLA, and PETG. ABS filaments are much more lightweight and durable ensuring your printer runs for a long time. On the other hand, PLA filaments are much easier to use in 3D printing. 
• Design software: To optimize the design settings according to your needs, each of the budget 3D printers has basic software. With the help of a design software, the users can select the exact models that they want to print. Its best to have a simple software for easy navigation. 
• A cooling system: While printing, the machine can get pretty hot. That's why most 3D printers have a cooling fan to keep the temperature at an optimum level. It also helps with the print quality. 

Typical limitations

While budget 3D printers give you a lot of benefits, there are some limitations to them as well. It's best to be aware of them before making your choice. 

• Low build quality: The materials of the budget 3D printers can lead to problems with the durability of the machine. Some of the parts may need maintenance and even replacements as you use them. 

• Resolution problem: 3D printers can make some amazing prints at a low price. But the resolution may not be up to standards all the time. If you have a complex or high-resolution design, you will run into problems in a budget 3D primer. 
• Slow printing: Budget 3D printers take relatively more time to print especially when the digital design is a bit more sophisticated. 
• Noise: This is a common problem for most budget printers irrespective of whether they are 2d or 3D. When the layers are put on top of one another, the machine tends to get a bit more noisy than the higher-end models.

Key features to look for In Best 3D Printer Under 300 For Beginners

You may be getting ready to buy the best 3D printer under 300 dollars. But if you make your decision without a bit of research, you may regret it later. We want you to experience the best of what budget 3D printers have to offer. So, here are the key features you need to look out for while buying the best price 3D printer so that you make the right choice. 

Build Volume

One of the most important features that you need to look out for is the build volume. The build volume is the physical size of a part that you want to be printed. If you want to be a bit more technical, the build volume is the dimension of the space into which the 3 printers print the designs. For industrial uses, you typically want to opt for a printer with a larger build volume. But if you are seeking the best 3D printer for a small business or personal use, small to moderate build volume is the way to go. 

Printing Technology

You want your designs to be of high quality. The quality and resolution depend on the printing technology. Currently, there are two standard printing technologies in best budget 3D printers. FDM (Fused deposition modeling) uses semi-liquid plastic to create the objects whereas SLA (Stereolithography) uses a UV light source. While SLA is excellent for high-resolution prints, FDM takes the crown because of cost-effectiveness, quick turnaround, and low material wastage. 

Ease of Use

You don’t want the best 3D printer under 300 to have complicated user interfaces that take hours to just get the instructions right. You want to choose a printer that is intuitive with a simple user interface and software where you can easily optimize your designs. 

Print Quality

While choosing a budget 3D printer, you may need to sacrifice some features. But print quality is not one of them. Remember, if the resolution is low and you can’t understand any of the details, there is no point in the 3D print. 

Reliability and Durability

Always look for a durable budget 3D printer. If you buy a 3D printer without caring much about reliability and durability, you will have maintenance issues. After some days, you will need to repair and even replace the parts which is a huge hassle and also requires a lot of money. 

Support and Community

There are way too many brands out there that just want to sell you a 3D printer and then disappear. Don’t fall for such brands. You have to select a brand that helps you with your needs and a supporting community. 

Are you ready to experience the state of the technology of 3D printing to reinvent your creative thinking without spending your arm and a leg? Well, you are in luck. We are all intrigued by the concept of 3D printing and want to get our hands on the printers as soon as possible to unleash our creative prowess. But we often hesitate to think about the price. 

There is good news for you. There is a wide range of best price 3D printers that you can choose from. These affordable printers are well within your budget and they get the job done effortlessly. But beware. You need to choose the best 3D budget printer for beginners without sacrificing much of your specifications. Otherwise, it's a total waste. To help you choose the right printer within your price range, here is our comprehensive buying guide. 

Choosing the Right 3D Printer Under $300 

There are a lot of factors that you need to consider to make an educated choice when it comes to the best 3D printer under $300. Here are some of the factors that you should keep in mind:

• Print quality: You want your print quality to be smooth and accurate.  Resolution plays an integral role in this. The resolution of a 3D printer means the level of detail and accuracy of creating an object from the digital design. The resolution is typically measured in microns or millimeters. The higher the resolution the more solid and crisp the outcome is. 

One of the key factors that influence the resolution of the best 3D printer under 300 is the layer height. Usually, it refers to the thickness of each layer that makes the ultimate object. When you are choosing a 3D printer, you should select the one with smaller layer heights as it can increase the total number of layers learning to boost printing quality.

• Build volume: Before you think of buying the cheap price 3D printer, you should think about what kind of object you will create. If you buy a printer with a small build volume, you can’t expect to print out large objects. So, think wisely. 

• Ease of use: It can’t be said enough just how important the user-friendliness of a 3D print is. A 3D printer with simple control and software will make your life significantly easier. If you need to look over the instructions a thousand times before using it, you will surely become frustrated. Another aspect that you should consider is automatic bed leveling which improves the quality of printing by adjusting the bed surface and movement. Filament detection is another important factor that prevents errors from happening during the printing stage. 

• Connectivity: You need to share your files with the 3D printer to print any of your designs. That’s why connectivity is crucial. Make sure that your 3D primer has a range of options including wifi and USB. 

• Print speed: It's frustrating to wait. If you have to wait for an hour just to get your object printer then you will get tired of your 3D printer after some time. Especially, if you are running a business, you need your prototypes to be designed fast. That’s why, a printer with fast printing is the way to go. But make sure, you don’t emphasize too much on print speed, completely neglecting the quality. You need a proper balance between the two. 

• Durability and maintenance: While buying a budget 3D printer under 300, we often tend to overlook the durability of the printer. While it may seem less important, you will suffer greatly in the long run if you don’t consider it. A solid build can ensure that you don’t have to replace any of the parts in the future, saving you a lot of money. 
• Customer support and community: No matter how intuitive and ergonomic your printer is, there will be a time when you will have some troubleshooting problems. Make sure your 3D printer has ready customer support that is willing to guide you in your trouble, 

Top 5 Best 3D Printers Under $300

Here is the moment you have been waiting for. Now that you know everything about the best 3D printers under $300, let's dive into the list of the top 5 best price 3D printers.

1. AOSEED-X MAKER (Top Pick)

Unlock Innovation: AOSEED X-MAKER

If you are looking for a safe and easy-to-use 3D printer with excellent print quality then there isn’t a better option out there than the AOSEED X-MAKER. This budget 3D printer ensures up to 0.05 mm precision leading to crisp prints every use. With its excellent value for money and intuitive features, it's safe to say that AOSEED X-MAKER is the best 3D printer for under 300 dollars.

You don’t need to spend hours to install the printer. With the minimal setup and a library of ready-to-print models, all you need is the click of a button to unleash your creative potential. The AOSEED X MAKER has a strong build with no design issues. This means you don’t have to worry about maintenance or repair. With the range of features and benefits that the AOSEED X MAKER has to offer, the price is unbelievably reasonable. With an affordable budget, you are getting a simple, silent, highly customizable, and superior-quality printer that will make your imagination come alive.  

Pros: 

• High-quality prints every use
• Extremely user-friendly with one-click printing
• Easy to set up
• Thousands of in-built designs that you can quickly access and print
•  A quiet experience with a designed motor that runs under 50 dB
• 15 mini apps with gamification and interactive features
• One-touch wireless printing technology

Cons:

• Not suitable for industrial use
• The build volume can be small for larger objects. 

Reasons To Buy: 

• Effortless 3D printing 
• 1500+ designer models unleashing your creativity 
• Super polished prints with high precision
• Enjoy silent, smooth print every time

Images:

 

Where to Buy: Here is the link to buy your AOSEED X-MAKER

2. Anycubic Cobra 2

Experience the thrill of lightning-fast printing

Time is money. You want your 3D printer to be fast so that you can always stay ahead of your competitors and use your creativity best. With the Anycubic Cobra 2, you can print at an astounding rate of 250 millimeters per second. You may be wondering if the print quality would be up to the mark with such speed. With the help of bed leveling and filament runout sensors, the resolution is also optimum. There is truly no other printer on the market that provides such a printing speed with an affordable budget. 

Pros: 

• Save time with lightning-fast printing 
• LCD user interface with a wide range of printing options for a better experience
• Customer service is always at your disposal
• Cooling fan with a speed up to 7,000 rpm ensuring high-quality prints without error. 

Cons: 

• Print issues when you download your own models
• Clogging problem after repetitive use

Reasons To Buy: 

• Much faster than the other products
• Energy efficient
• Versatile printing experience

3. AOSEED X- MAKER JOY

The Most Creative Printer For Your Kid!

If you are looking for a smart and precise 3D printer with just $269.99 then look no further than the AOSEED X MAKER JOY. It's the ultimate printer that your kids will love to play with. There are 15 interactive built-in apps. The best part is that there is an AI voice interaction that will make your kid feel like they are talking with their beloved friend. There are a wide range of models available. You also have the option to customize your kit to your own preference. If you want your children to unleash their true potential, get the AOSEED X MAKER JOY. Your kids will gradually learn everything for their future through playing with the AOSEED X MAKER JOY. 

Pros: 

• The motor runs at 50 dB ensuring a quiet operation in every use
• A printing speed of 160mm/s and precision of 0.05 mm resulting in sharp and fast prints. 
• Easy to use with one-click printing
• Highly interactive with a wide range of models and apps
• Customizable with an AI voice interaction
• Uses a PLA biodegradable filament suitable for children
• No hassle of downloading

Cons: 

• Only recommended for kids with an age range of 4-12
• Small build volume only suitable for printing miniatures and toys

Reasons To Buy: 

• Great value for money
• Easy to use
• Highly customizable with DIY appearance kits
• Perfect for piquing your kid’s curiosity 

Images: 

Where to Buy: Here is the link to buy your AOSEED X-MAKER JOY.

4. Creality Ender 3

Enjoy High-Quality Prints With Zero Effort

Creality has been making some excellent 3D printers in an affordable range and this one is no different. With a maximum printing speed of 250mm/s, you can print high-quality designs within no time. Creality Ender 3 has a much more powerful extruder that ensures there is no slipping or errors during the feeding and discharging of elements. It supports almost all the filaments available on the market. The entire process of printing is quite easy with barely any manual control required. Enjoy high-quality prints with the bare minimum effort. 

 

Pros: 

• Takes only 3 steps and 30 minutes to completely assemble the printer
• High printing accuracy
• Includes CR touch sensor and strain sensor making the printer easy to use. 
• Fast Printing with low errors

 

Cons: 

• No built-in wifi
• May not be suitable for industrial use

 

Reasons To Buy: 

• Stable printing with minimum errors
• Long-lasting printing experience
• Smooth and noise-free

5. Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro

Where Precision Meets Speed

Elegoo Neptune 4 has been making headlines in the 3D printing world for its high printing speed and optimum resolution. Furthermore, the 3D printer has very low vibration making it satisfying to use. The movements are precise and the build is quite strong ensuring that the printer will be functional for a long time. Clogging can be a headache for anyone who prints daily. Elegoo Neptune 4 pro has state-of-the-art technology that reduces nozzle clogging. Print your imagination without the slightest interruptions. 

Pros: 

• Reduced vibration ensures a smoother experience
• Multiple independent heat areas for reduced power consumption
• Low nozzle clogging 
• Fast filament melting and extruding 

Cons: 

• The customer support is not quite unsatisfactory getting late and unspecific feedback from the community
• Not beginner friendly

 

Reasons To Buy: 

• More Affordable compared to other brands
• Easy operation
• Larger printing volume

 

Overall Comparison Of The Printers

Here’s a quick rundown of the main differences in the features of the top-budget 3d printers. 

 

Features	AOSEED X-MAKER	Anycubic Cobra 2	AOSEED X-MAKER JOY	Creality Ender 3	Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro
Print Volume	150 x 150 x 150 mm	250 x 220 x 220 mm	120 x 120 x 120 mm	220 x 220 x 250 mm	225 x 225 x 265 mm
User Friendliness	Touchscreen LCD, Cross-device kid friendly	A Bit more complicated	Simplified LED Indicator, Powerfully simple app	Hassle-free loading and unloading	Easy To Assemble
Printing Speed	120 - 300 mm/s	300mm/s	120 - 300 mm/s	70mm/s for larger objects	500mm/s
Noise Level	<50db	60db	<50db	<50db	<50db
Filament Compatibility	PLA, ABS	PLA, ABS, PETG or TPU	PLA only	PLA, ABS, and PETg	PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, and nylon
Layer Resolution	50 - 300 microns	100 microns.	50 - 300 microns	50- to 350-micron	130 microns.
Target Users	Families, hobbyists, educators	Students and educators	Kids (ages 4-12)	Small business owners and entrepreneurs	Intermediate to a bit more advanced users

 

Best 3D Printers for Different Needs

Everyone has a purpose for buying 3D printers. Either it's for your small business or just for unleashing your creativity. It's best to choose your 3D printer based on your needs. Here are some of the best options for each specific purpose

• For beginners: If you are a beginner, you need something with a user-friendly interface and one-click operation. AOSEED X MAKER  is perfect for those who are just starting. Even your kids will be able to enjoy the printing experience with the easy setup and intuitive printer.  It is currently the best kids 3D printer on the market

• For Advanced Users: If you are looking for something a bit more sophisticated than you can try out affordable printers from the Anycubic series. With the FDM technology and high positioning accuracy, these 3D printers can handle pretty much any design. It also has options for resume print so you can begin from where you ended. 

• For Educational Purposes: There is nothing better than the AOSEED X MAKER  if you are looking for a budget printer for educational purposes. The printers have amazing educational features. Students can easily print out their objects for projects with the thousands of in-built models. It is easy to set up as well. 

• For Small Businesses: For small business owners, a budget 3D printer can be a blessing. With an upgraded hotbed and frame, the Anet A8 Plus can be the budget printer you need for your business. It can handle printing prototypes quite well with its short-circuit protection. 

How to Choose the Right Budget 3D Printer

Choosing the right budget 3D printer for you isn’t a mystery. You need to carefully consider a few factors before making your decision. Here are the things that you need to think before you act:

• Consider Your Goals: Why are you buying a 3D printer? Is it for creative purposes or running a business? The technique to buying the right budget 3D printer lies in what you want to do with it. 
• Evaluate Specifications: you need to read the specifications of each of the 3D printers that come across you. Does it match your specifications? Only choose the ones that do. 
• Read Reviews and Community Feedback: While there may be a handful of reviews that are either paid or manipulated, reading reviews is still the best way to understand how good the product is. Notice how many 5-star reviews the 3D printer has. 
• Budget Considerations: Always keep your budget in mind. You have to understand that you may not find a printer with a lot of attractive features with a limited budget. But it doesn’t mean that the printer will have nothing to offer. It is best to keep a good balance between features and cost. 

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Budget 3D Printer

We often hear many people complain about how their budget 3D printers have stopped functioning after some time. It may not be the fault of the model or brand. A large portion of budget 3D printers don’t function for a long time because of neglect. So, here are some things that you need to do to get the most out of your cheap 3D printer. 

• Proper Setup and Maintenance: Make sure you set up the printer properly. Sometimes, we haste to set up and the entire assembly is wrong leading to errors in the printing. You also need to clean the printer after a few months so that there is no dust or mold. 
• Optimizing Print Settings: You don’t have to print your designs with the default settings. Each model is different and needs proper optimization for the best results. 
• Using Quality Filament: The key to ensuring high-quality prints is by providing high-quality materials. When you have high-quality materials, the design feels smooth and highly detailed. 
• Leveraging Online Resources: Take use of the vast resources available online. There are countless people giving away lessons, and tutorials for free. You can easily check them out to fix your issues with your cheap 3D printer. AOSEED X MAKER has some excellent resources online that you can check out to understand more about 3D printing. 

3D Printing Troubleshooting: Common Issues and Their Solutions

While printing, you can run into some issues. Here are some of the key issues and their solutions. 

• Over extrusion: Sometimes the printer extrudes way too much material than it was intended resulting in a complete mess. To solve this problem, you need to make sure that the extrusion settings are configured properly.\
• Layer Shifting: Pretty much, all the 3d printers have an open-loop control system meaning they have no feedback about the location of the tool head. Sometimes, the toolhead may move to an unintended location leading to misaligned layers in the print. One of the common reasons for layer shifting is because the printer is running too fast. Try reducing the printing speed by 50% to notice any change. 
• Clogged Extruder: For proper printing, all the materials must be extruded through a tiny hole. However, sometimes the extrusion can get clogged. The best way to deal with this is by manually pushing the filament into the extruder or reloading the filament. 

Benefits of Budget 3D Printers: Are They Truly Worth It? 

The benefits of 3D printing on a budget are numerous. Let’s take a quick look at some of them:

• Accessibility: As 3D printers are much more affordable, it is attracting a much wider spectrum of people. What was once only for the super-rich is now becoming accessible to the masses with the help of cheap 3D printers. 
• Innovation and Learning: Enhancing your creativity can be tough. It's even tougher to build a new skill. But with the 3D printer, you can easily understand the core concepts of a new subject by printing exciting objects and truly making the best use of your creativity. 
• Cost-Effectiveness: If you are running a small business, you probably don’t have much capital to invest. The 3D printers can bring you a lot of return on a very small amount of investment.

Gone are the days when 3d printing was accessible to only the rich. In modern times,  you can enjoy printing your imagination and unleashing your creativity with just under 300. In this article, we have provided everything you need to choose the best 3d printer under 300. Make your fascination alive with the magic of budget 3d printers. 

Order Now To Get Your Very Own 3D printer.

Extra  Point

Case Studies and Testimonials

Let’s take a look at what people are saying about 3D printers

Sarah: “The printer was easy to set up and very simple to use. My 9-year-old had no problems at all. Once everything is aligned we have no problems.”

Jacob:  “Just started in 3D printing with this amazing machine, and I have to say it gets the job done well. I've never printed anything before, but I found it extremely quick and easy to get up and running in no time. Rather than go with something easy, like the included files, for my first prints, I went with the objects you see in the photos. Talk about trial by fire--but I learned a lot about how to do support that way. The very first print I made on this machine was the cat. I was very pleased with the overall quality of the print produced”

Emily: “My creativity found a new home”

Here’s what experts are saying: 

Peter Diamandis: “3D printing will massively reduce the cost of certain products as the cost of labor is removed.” ~Peter Diamandis

Avi Reichental: “3D printing will change the world by allowing for mass customization and on-demand production.