10 Best Cheap 3D Printers 2025 in the United States

The AOSEED X-Maker 3D Printer is a strong option for beginners and kids who want to explore 3D printing without much hassle. It comes fully assembled, so you can start printing right away, which is great if you want a simple setup. The printer offers high precision with a resolution as fine as 0.05 mm, allowing detailed prints, and supports print speeds up to 160 mm/s, which is relatively quick for this price range. Its print volume is suitable for small to medium projects, making it a good fit for home or classroom use.

A notable feature is the leveling-free bed, which means you don’t have to manually adjust the print surface—this reduces common beginner frustrations. The magnetic, flexible build plate also makes it easy to remove prints safely. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, SD card, and USB, giving you flexibility in how you send print jobs. The printer only uses PLA filament, which is common and easy to work with, but it doesn’t support other filament types or multi-color printing, limiting creativity if you want more advanced materials or color variety. It also operates quietly (under 50 dB), so it won’t be disruptive during use.

The build is primarily plastic and metal, typical but not the most durable for heavy use. The enclosed design helps with safety and print quality but makes the printer a bit bulky (over 17 inches in all dimensions). For those new to 3D printing or buying for kids, the AOSEED X-Maker provides a user-friendly, quiet, and accurate experience with hassle-free setup and decent speed. However, if you’re looking for a larger print area, multiple filament types, or advanced features, this model might feel limited.

The Flashforge AD5X stands out in the budget 3D printer category by offering a respectable build volume of 220x220x220mm, suitable for many standard projects. Its CoreXY design and ultra-fast printing speed of up to 600mm/s allow for quicker printing compared to many entry-level printers, making it a good choice if speed is important. The 300°C direct drive extruder supports a diverse range of filaments, including flexible and specialty materials, which adds versatility.

A notable feature is its vivid multi-color print capability with up to 4 colors at once, providing creative flexibility that most cheap printers don’t offer. The 1-click auto bed leveling simplifies setup and reduces failed prints, which is great for users not wanting to manually calibrate. Additionally, smart features like power loss resume, automatic filament feeding, and remote monitoring through an app improve convenience and user experience. Build quality is solid with a metal frame, contributing to stability during printing.

The print volume is moderate rather than large, so very big projects may require a different model. While it offers multiple nozzle sizes for detail or speed, the printer’s advanced features might come with a steeper learning curve for absolute beginners. Connectivity options are limited to PC connection, lacking wireless or SD card options commonly found in other models. This makes the Flashforge AD5X a strong contender for users looking for a fast, multi-color 3D printer with good material support and ease of use features at a lower price, but those needing very large prints or simpler connectivity might want to explore alternatives.

The ELEGOO Centauri Carbon is a strong choice if you want a fast, ready-to-use 3D printer with a decent build volume of 256x256x256 mm, giving you plenty of space for most medium-sized projects. Its CoreXY design allows for very high print speeds up to 500 mm/s, which is impressive in this price range and can save you time on larger prints. The printer comes pre-assembled and has auto bed leveling, making it beginner-friendly and reducing setup hassle.

It supports advanced filaments, including carbon fiber-reinforced materials, thanks to its 320°C nozzle and enclosed build chamber, opening options beyond standard PLA or ABS. The build quality stands out with a die-cast aluminum frame that keeps prints stable and precise, even at high speeds. There’s also a handy built-in camera for remote monitoring and dual LED lighting, which is a nice touch for keeping an eye on prints.

While speed is a highlight, very fast printing can sometimes sacrifice detail, so if ultra-fine resolution is your priority, this might not be the best fit. Also, at nearly 17.5 kg, it’s not the lightest printer around, which could be a consideration if you need portability. This printer is ideal for users looking for fast printing with good material versatility and ease of use but might be less suitable if you want the absolute best fine detail.