Best FDM-printers suitable for tabletop miniature printing (ranking)

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is the most popular type of 3D printing among hobbyists and tabletop wargamers. FDM printers work by heating and extruding plastic filament through a nozzle to build up layers of a model.

Ender 3 Pro:

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   <th>This printer is a great option for those on a budget. At a price point of around $200, it offers a large build volume, easy setup, and good print quality. However, it does not have a lot of advanced features and might require some tweaking to get the best results.

The Ender 3 Pro is a popular and affordable FDM (fused deposition modeling) 3D printer. Some of the pros of this printer include:

• Price: The Ender 3 Pro is relatively inexpensive compared to other FDM printers, making it accessible to many hobbyists and small businesses.
• Build volume: The printer has a build volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm, which is large enough to print most tabletop miniatures.
• Reliability: The Ender 3 Pro is known for being a reliable and consistent printer, which is important when producing miniatures for tabletop wargaming.
• Community support: The Ender 3 Pro has a large community of users who share tips, tricks, and modifications for the printer, which can be helpful for beginners.

Some of the cons of the Ender 3 Pro include:

• Print quality: While the Ender 3 Pro can produce high-quality prints, it may not be as precise or detailed as some more expensive FDM printers.
• Assembly: The Ender 3 Pro requires some assembly before it can be used, which can be time-consuming and may be challenging for some users.
• Noise: The printer can be quite loud when in operation, which may be an issue for some users.
• Bed leveling: The bed leveling process can be difficult and time-consuming and may take some practice to master.

Overall, the Ender 3 Pro is a great option for hobbyists and small businesses looking for an affordable and reliable 3D printer for tabletop miniature printing. While it may not have all the features of more expensive printers, it is a great choice for those just starting out or on a tight budget.

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Prusa i3 MK3S:

This printer is a step up in price at around $700, but offers a lot of advanced features such as automatic bed leveling, filament runout sensor, and improved print quality. It's also open-source and has a large community of users that share upgrades and modifications.

The Prusa i3 MK3S is a popular FDM (fused deposition modeling) 3D printer that is known for its high-quality prints and reliability. Some of the pros of this printer include:

• Print quality: The Prusa i3 MK3S is known for producing high-quality prints with sharp details and smooth surfaces. This makes it a great option for tabletop miniature printing.
• Reliability: The printer is built with a robust design and is known for its reliability, which is important for producing miniatures for tabletop wargaming.
• Ease of use: The printer has a user-friendly interface and comes with software that is easy to use, making it accessible to beginners.
• Community support: The Prusa i3 MK3S has a large community of users who share tips, tricks, and modifications for the printer, which can be helpful for beginners.

Some of the cons of the Prusa i3 MK3S include:

• Price: The Prusa i3 MK3S is relatively expensive compared to other FDM printers, which may not be affordable for some hobbyists and small businesses.
• Noise: The printer can be quite loud when in operation, which may be an issue for some users.
• Assembly: The Prusa i3 MK3S requires some assembly before it can be used, which can be time-consuming and may be challenging for some users.

Overall, the Prusa i3 MK3S is a great option for hobbyists and small businesses looking for a high-quality and reliable 3D printer for tabletop miniature printing. While it is relatively expensive, it is a great choice for those looking for a printer with a high-print quality, ease of use, and community support.

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Flashforge Adventurer 3

The FlashForge Adventurer 3 is a low-cost, consumer-level 3D printer that is suitable for beginners. It is an FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printer that uses a filament-based system to create three-dimensional objects. Here are some of the pros and cons of the FlashForge Adventurer 3:

Pros:

• Affordability: The FlashForge Adventurer 3 is relatively inexpensive compared to other 3D printers, making it a great option for those who are new to the technology or those who are on a budget.
• User-friendly: The FlashForge Adventurer 3 is designed to be easy to use, with an intuitive color touchscreen interface and an automatic bed leveling system.
• Good print quality: Despite its low price, the FlashForge Adventurer 3 is capable of producing high-quality prints, with a minimum layer height of just 100 microns.
• Good build volume: The FlashForge Adventurer 3 has a relatively large build volume of 140 x 140 x 140mm, which is ample for most hobbyist-level projects.

Cons:

• Limited materials compatibility: The FlashForge Adventurer 3 is only compatible with a limited range of filament materials, and users may have difficulty finding compatible filaments in their local area.
• Noisy operation: Some users report that the FlashForge Adventurer 3 can be quite loud during operation, which may be a problem for those who want to use it in a shared living space.
• Maintenance: Some users report that the FlashForge Adventurer 3 requires frequent maintenance, such as cleaning the nozzle and bed, which can be time-consuming and messy.
• Inconsistent results: Some users report that the FlashForge Adventurer 3 can produce inconsistent results, with some prints turning out better than others. This can be due to a variety of factors, including filament quality, temperature control, and user error.

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Ultimaker 3:

This printer is one of the most expensive options, with a price point of around $3,500. It offers a large build volume, high print quality, and advanced features such as dual extrusion and support for a wide range of materials. However, it is also much more complex and may require more maintenance and troubleshooting.

The Ultimaker 3 is a professional-grade FDM 3D printer that is known for its precision, reliability, and high-quality prints. Here are some of the pros of the Ultimaker 3:

• Print quality: The Ultimaker 3 is known for producing high-quality prints with sharp details and smooth surfaces. This makes it a great option for tabletop miniature printing.
• Precision: The printer is designed to be highly precise, which is important for producing miniatures for tabletop wargaming that require accurate dimensions.
• Dual extruders: The Ultimaker 3 comes with dual extruders, which allows for printing with two materials at once or printing with a support material that is easily removable.
• Reliability: The printer is built with a robust design and is known for its reliability, which is important for producing miniatures for tabletop wargaming.
• Ease of use: The printer has a user-friendly interface and comes with software that is easy to use, making it accessible to beginners.
• Community support: The Ultimaker 3 has a large community of users who share tips, tricks, and modifications for the printer, which can be helpful for beginners.

Some of the cons of the Ultimaker 3 include:

• Price: The Ultimaker 3 is relatively expensive compared to other FDM printers, which may not be affordable for some hobbyists and small businesses.
• Noise: The printer can be quite loud when in operation, which may be an issue for some users.
• Assembly: The Ultimaker 3 requires some assembly before it can be used, which can be time-consuming and may be challenging for some users.

Overall, the Ultimaker 3 is a great option for hobbyists and small businesses looking for a high-quality, reliable, and precise 3D printer for tabletop miniature printing. While it is relatively expensive, it is a great choice for those looking for a printer with a high-print quality, precision and ease of use, and community support.

Lulzbot Mini 2:

This printer is an excellent choice for those who want a quality printer without breaking the bank. It offers a build volume of 150 x 150 x 150mm, a print resolution of 50 microns and it can handle a wide range of materials.

The LulzBot Mini 2 is a compact, user-friendly FDM 3D printer that is known for its open-source design and versatility. Here are some of the pros of the LulzBot Mini 2:

• Open-source design: The LulzBot Mini 2 is based on an open-source design, which means that users have access to the printer's source files and can make modifications and upgrades as they see fit.
• Versatility: The printer can print with a wide range of materials, including ABS, PLA, and TPU, making it a versatile option for tabletop miniature printing.
• User-friendly: The printer has a user-friendly interface and comes with software that is easy to use, making it accessible to beginners.
• Compact: The LulzBot Mini 2 is a compact printer, which makes it easy to set up and use in a small space.
• Community support: The LulzBot Mini 2 has a large community of users who share tips, tricks, and modifications for the printer, which can be helpful for beginners.

Some of the cons of the LulzBot Mini 2 include:

• Print quality: While the LulzBot Mini 2 produces good quality prints, they are not as high-quality as some more expensive FDM printers.
• Noise: The printer can be quite loud when in operation, which may be an issue for some users.
• Limited build size: The LulzBot Mini 2 has a smaller build volume than some other FDM printers, which may be an issue for some users looking to print larger miniatures.

Overall, the LulzBot Mini 2 is a great option for hobbyists and small businesses looking for a user-friendly, versatile, and open-source 3D printer for tabletop miniature printing. While its print quality is not as high as some more expensive printers, it is a great choice for those looking for a printer that is easy to set up, use, and modify and has a large community support.

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FlashForge Creator Pro:

This printer is a great option for those looking for a reliable and easy-to-use FDM printer. It has a build volume of 227 x 148 x 150mm and offers a print resolution of 100 microns. It is also easy to assemble and comes with a user-friendly interface.

The FlashForge Creator Pro is a popular FDM 3D printer that is known for its high-quality prints and user-friendly design. Here are some of the pros of the FlashForge Creator Pro:

• Print Quality: The FlashForge Creator Pro is known for producing high-quality prints with fine details and smooth surfaces.
• Dual Extruders: The printer has dual extruders which allow for printing with multiple colors or materials in one print.
• Build volume: The FlashForge Creator Pro has a large build volume which is perfect for printing large miniatures.
• User-friendly: The printer has a user-friendly interface and easy to use software, making it accessible to beginners.
• Reliability: The FlashForge Creator Pro is known for its reliability and consistency in producing high-quality prints.

Some of the cons of the FlashForge Creator Pro include:

• Noise: The printer can be quite loud when in operation, which may be an issue for some users.
• Cost: The FlashForge Creator Pro is a more expensive printer than some other FDM printers on the market, which may be an issue for some users.
• Limited Filament Options: The FlashForge Creator Pro is limited to printing with 1.75mm filament only, which may limit the types of materials that can be printed.

Overall, the FlashForge Creator Pro is a great option for hobbyists and small businesses looking for a reliable and high-quality 3D printer for tabletop miniature printing. While it is a more expensive option, its print quality and large build volume make it a great choice for those looking to print high-quality miniatures. It also has a user-friendly interface and easy to use software. Its noise level is one of the cons and it is limited to 1.75mm filament.

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QIDI TECH X-CF Pro

The QIDI TECH X-CF Pro is a fast and high precision FDM (fused deposition modeling) 3D printer designed for a large print volume of 300mm x 250mm x 300mm. Here is a list of the pros and cons of the QIDI TECH X-CF Pro:

Pros:

• Large print volume allows you to print bigger objects in one piece.
• High precision printing gives you excellent layer quality.
• Fast printing speeds save you time when producing larger prints.
• Relatively low noise output compared to other FDM printers.
• Good value for money considering the features and build volume.
• User-friendly interface makes it easy to use for beginners.
• Heated build plate and closed print chamber helps to reduce warping and maintain a stable printing environment.

Cons:

• Some users have reported that the print bed isn't perfectly level.
• Can take a little bit of time to calibrate.
• The build volume is still smaller than that of some industrial-grade FDM printers.

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Malyan MA20 V2

The Malyan MA20 V2 is an FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printer that uses a conveyor belt for the build platform. It has a build size of 200 x 180 mm, making it suitable for printing small to medium sized objects. The printer comes with a silent motherboard, WiFi printing, and is marketed as being suitable for Cosplay props printing and batch printing on farms.

Pros:

1. Unlimited Z-axis: The conveyor belt design allows for unlimited Z-axis printing, making it possible to print taller objects.
2. Convenient Printing: The WiFi printing feature makes it easy to send print files to the printer from a computer or mobile device.
3. Silent Operation: The silent motherboard helps to reduce noise during printing, making it easier to work in the same room as the printer.
4. Affordable: The Malyan MA20 V2 is more affordable compared to other FDM 3D printers with similar features, making it a great option for those on a budget.

Cons:

1. Small Build Size: The build size of 200 x 180 mm may not be large enough for some projects.
2. Limited Precision: FDM printing is not known for its high precision and the Malyan MA20 V2 may not produce prints with the same level of detail as more expensive printers.
3. Learning Curve: The conveyor belt design of the Malyan MA20 V2 may require a steeper learning curve compared to traditional FDM 3D printers.

Overall, the Malyan MA20 V2 is a good option for those looking for an affordable FDM 3D printer with a unique conveyor belt design, but it may not be suitable for those looking for a larger build size or high precision prints

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Conclusion:

Ultimately, the best FDM printer for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. The Ender 3 Pro and Prusa i3 MK3S are great options for those on a budget, while the Ultimaker 3 and Lulzbot Mini 2 are excellent choices for those who are willing to invest more for advanced features and higher print quality. The FlashForge Creator Pro is a great middle ground option, offering a good balance of price, features, and print quality.

It's important to keep in mind that 3D printing is a hobby that requires some patience and learning, regardless of the printer you choose. It's a good idea to read reviews and watch videos of the printer in action before making a purchase, and also consider the cost of materials, time, and troubleshooting when making your decision.

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