From budget-friendly beginner models to professional 3D printers, these are our picks of the top 3D printers that deliver exceptional results.
3D printing has come a long way in recent years, going from a niche hobby to a powerful tool for bringing creative ideas into reality. With the market now flooded with options, it can be quite difficult to choose the right one for your needs and budget. Using my years of hands-on testing and reviewing these machines, I’ve created this guide to help you find the perfect 3D printer for your needs.
I first got started with the world of 3D printing a decade ago, trading my smartphone for a basic printer. Those early days started as endless hours of tweaking and experimentation. That hobby eventually led to me selling my designs on Etsy. I’ve tested countless printers since then, but I still feel that same thrill of excitement watching a finished print take shape on the print bed.
My extensive testing of 3D printers in every price category has given me deep insight into what makes a great machine. I’ve used that knowledge to put together this guide to help you find the right model for your projects and budget. While print speed and accuracy are the two main parameters to consider, features like multi-material support and color printing capabilities can greatly expand your creative potential.
Whether you’re looking to create detailed miniatures for your Dungeons & Dragons game, build large cosplay pieces or prototype functional parts, here are the best 3D printers you can buy in 2025. I’ve also included important considerations that often get overlooked, like print speed, build plate size, material costs, print head type and other essential details.
Which 3D printer is the best?
I’ve spent almost a decade and countless hours testing 3D printers in as many ways as possible to bring you the best 3D printers in every class. Right now, the Bambu Lab A1 Combo is our frontrunner: It’s fast, can produce excellent detail and it’s well priced at $489. It also comes with an excellent color system, allowing you to print in four different colors.

Best overall 3D printer
Bambu Lab A1 Combo
I rarely find a product that impresses me, but the A1 Combo left me genuinely amazed with its performance and value. This 3D printer is excellent, with fast, quality printing at a great price. Adding the AMS lite elevates it to the best printer you can buy right now. Plus, its four-color printing for less than $600 is such a good deal; I’m still baffled by how the company pulls off that pricing.
There is a lot that I can say about this machine, most of which can be read about in my A1 Combo review, but the most important part of it is how simple it is to use. From opening the box to printing my first quality print took minutes and it continues to produce fantastic models months after my first try.
The A1 creates a lot of waste when printing in color, but that is not a good reason not to buy this machine. Whether it’s your first printer or another one for your collection, the A1 Combo is the number one printer to buy right now.

- Setup is flawless
- App is excellent
- Amazing Quality
- Well designed
Cons
- Filament waste could be an issue
- The “poop flinger” is not good design
Material TypeFilamentBuild Area (mm)256 x 256 x 256Official max printing speed (mm/s)500Dimensions (mm)465 x 410 x 430 (printer only)Price$$
Best 3D printer for quality
Prusa MK4S
Update: Prusa has released a new version of the Mk4, the Mk4S. It’s an incremental upgrade but adds a lot of great features. It’s faster — it gets closer to that 500mm/s stated time in real life — and the addition of an app and proper WiFi connections makes it a solid purchase for anyone.
No best 3D printer list is complete without the Prusa MK4. For nearly a decade, Prusa has dominated the market and the Mk4 continues the trend of excellent quality and customer care.
It is fast, though not the fastest, and always creates quality prints. I can count the number of print fails from MK4 on one finger, and I have been using it for months now. If you have the money, the Mk4 is well worth the investment.