I want to buy a 3D printer for about 200-250€ but I’m unsure which one to get. There are printers that a lot of people recommend but others say they’re a piece of garbage.
The ones I found so far are these:
Creality Ender 3 V3 SE - 182,94€
Anycubic Kobra 2 Neo - 199,00€
Sovol SV06 - 239,00€
There’s also the open source firmware Klipper, which a lot people recommend but from what I understand, you need a Raspberry Pi for that. I do have a Pi 4 that I was planning to sell that I could use for that instead.
Would be great if some of you who know more than me could help me decide what to get.
I had the Ender 3 v2. Enjoyed it but never was able to get it dialed in and something would often go wrong. Taught me many things about 3d printing. There were many upgrades available, but ended up using that money to save for a Bambu Lab X1c.
Ender 3 Pro used with large wheel upgrade as a starter. Upgraded the hot end and extruder. Prints beautifully. Looking to add a CR Touch soon. But I learned manual bed leveling and can do it fairly quickly. You can get great prints from Enders you just need to understand what causes what and there are a bazillion videos that go over that. It’s like learning to drive a manual car first then drive automatics. Great starter printer.
I’m really happy with my FLSUN Q5 printer, it’s a small easy to use machine with auto bed leveling. It’s not for sale anymore, but you can pick up some of their newer machines for around 200€ pre-owned, or if you have the time, wait for one of their frequent sales to come around to pick up a new machine.
Ender 3v2 as starter here, doubled the price with a lot of upgrades/modifications. Got it running rock solid with Klipper and a microswiss direct drive.
Grabbed the piggy bank and am now really satisfied with my voron 2.4.
But very pleased with the fact I started with the Ender and got to learn then basics.
As far as I can suggest anything; start with something with a large installed base, so it will be easy to find answers or (hardware) solutions to your problems. I can tell you, the installed base for Ender is large, but the quality of the hardware, is what you pay. And they are cheap…
I used to have an Ender. It was great, very few problems. Ended up needing to sell it while I traveled for residency, then ended up getting a soval. I like it even more. Set up was super easy, prints are great. Only issue I’ve had was needing to replace the hot end because I boogered it up and completely encased it in plastic. On the plus side, changing the hot end was fast and easy.
I’d avoid all the anycubics except for the basic Kobra 2. All the new Kobra 2 models seem to be locked down with proprietary firmware and locked to their own platform, but the basic Kobra 2 is completely open as can be easily flashed with e.g. Klipper.
I have the Kobra 2 with klipper running instead of anycubics firmware, and it’s OK. Its obviously a cheap printer, so don’t expect excellence, but I’m satisfied with it as my first printer.
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I had the Ender 3 v2. Enjoyed it but never was able to get it dialed in and something would often go wrong. Taught me many things about 3d printing. There were many upgrades available, but ended up using that money to save for a Bambu Lab X1c.
Ender 3 Pro used with large wheel upgrade as a starter. Upgraded the hot end and extruder. Prints beautifully. Looking to add a CR Touch soon. But I learned manual bed leveling and can do it fairly quickly. You can get great prints from Enders you just need to understand what causes what and there are a bazillion videos that go over that. It’s like learning to drive a manual car first then drive automatics. Great starter printer.
I’m really happy with my FLSUN Q5 printer, it’s a small easy to use machine with auto bed leveling. It’s not for sale anymore, but you can pick up some of their newer machines for around 200€ pre-owned, or if you have the time, wait for one of their frequent sales to come around to pick up a new machine.
Ender 3v2 as starter here, doubled the price with a lot of upgrades/modifications. Got it running rock solid with Klipper and a microswiss direct drive.
Grabbed the piggy bank and am now really satisfied with my voron 2.4.
But very pleased with the fact I started with the Ender and got to learn then basics.
As far as I can suggest anything; start with something with a large installed base, so it will be easy to find answers or (hardware) solutions to your problems. I can tell you, the installed base for Ender is large, but the quality of the hardware, is what you pay. And they are cheap…
I used to have an Ender. It was great, very few problems. Ended up needing to sell it while I traveled for residency, then ended up getting a soval. I like it even more. Set up was super easy, prints are great. Only issue I’ve had was needing to replace the hot end because I boogered it up and completely encased it in plastic. On the plus side, changing the hot end was fast and easy.
I’m not trying to bash any of these — just trying to expand your options. Have you looked at any used models of other printers?
I’d avoid all the anycubics except for the basic Kobra 2. All the new Kobra 2 models seem to be locked down with proprietary firmware and locked to their own platform, but the basic Kobra 2 is completely open as can be easily flashed with e.g. Klipper.
I have the Kobra 2 with klipper running instead of anycubics firmware, and it’s OK. Its obviously a cheap printer, so don’t expect excellence, but I’m satisfied with it as my first printer.
BambuLab A1 mini without AMS. The A1M-NY-10 code might still work (would be 280€).
From the list provided the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE is the best option.