4 Best 3D Printers Under $200 in 2024

Affordable and high-quality 3d printers under $200 dollars.

Many people consider 3D printing to be one of the most exciting and creative activities. Some individuals take it as a source of income and make a living with their artistic skills.

3D printers are rather expensive, especially advanced models that incorporate different well-elaborated technologies. Nevertheless, modern market offers numerous affordable options, so you can easily find the best 3D printer under $200 that meets your needs.

With the advent of modern technologies, 3D printers have become more responsive to customer demands. Although affordable printers don’t offer the same features as high-tech models, they are ideal options to start out. The most popular models are FDM 3D printers since they use the most budget-friendly technology.

Print technology: FDM | Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm | Build Area: 180x180x180 mm | Layer resolution: 100 microns

The Kingroon DIY is an affordable printer suitable for people who are just starting out printing on paper. This is an easy to use printer, with simple specifications. The most impressive item about this Kingroon DIY Aluminum Printer however, is its print quality, which measured 7 W x 7 D x 7 H. that is quite a lot bigger than the Monoprice Select Mini printer, which usually costs more but also shares the similar design. It is made of aluminum and has all the benefits of a high quality laser printer, and in fact, is designed to handle heavy print jobs. So, if you want to print on thick stock, this could be a great choice.

However, although this Kingroon DIY comes at a cheap price, there are several things you should keep in mind before making a purchase. Firstly, it is important to know that not all such printers are created equal, and while you can easily find reviews about these machines, it is also wise to consider other factors, such as features, price, how it prints, and other printer comparisons.

Print technology: FDM | Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm | Build Area: 100x100x100 mm | Layer resolution: 50 microns

The LABISTS Mini has been designed specifically for adults with lesser experience. The LABISTS has a very user-friendly interface making it easy to use for anyone. The advantages of using the LABISTS include; all the benefits of using desktop printers, with the ease of print on demand, it doesn't take up much desk space and the cost is low for an all in one printer. This makes it perfect for the home office environment and the occasional home use by those on the go.

There are other advantages to this machine as well that we will discuss later on in our review of the LABISTS Mini. First and foremost is the fact that it comes with an Ethernet cable. This will allow you to connect to your network at home or at work. The LABISTS also allows for the use of multiple filament cartridges which will allow you to print more pages and have a consistent and higher quality print job. When comparing the cost of a desktop printer with this machine the cost of an all in one printer would be close to the price of the LABISTS.

Print technology: FFF | Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm | Build Area: 110x110x120 mm | Layer resolution: 50 microns

The Monoprice Mini Delta is an affordable and efficient 3D printer which serves as a good entry-point to the 3D printing world. But, like many other 3D printers will find, it leaves out some disadvantages come across. In fact, if you read through the manual, you will find that there are quite a number of these disadvantages. That is why, it is important that you know about them and know how to overcome them before actually purchasing the printer.

Perhaps the biggest advantage that this machine has over many other popular brands in the market today is the fact that it can be easily fixed. You do not have to take it apart before starting to print as it comes with an easy-to-follow manual. The printer bed also has a number of features which help you get the most out of your printing experience, including X-Y-Z tracking which allows you to keep track of where exactly you are in your prints. Another feature that is worth noting down is the "Start Over" function which allows you to start printing even without power. These printers are available with a variety of accessories such as printers, toners and memory.

Print technology: FDM | Filament Diameter: 1.75 mm | Build Area: 220x220x250 mm | Layer resolution: 100 microns

The Anycubic Mega Zero is a revolutionary 3D printer that can make any professional graphics you need. There is no need to worry about ruining the print as it is completely enclosed. The material used for this printer is extremely durable and easy to clean. The three wheel base makes it simple to move from one side of the desk to the other. This is very helpful to those who need to carry the printer from one end of the room to another.

The pros of the Anycubic Mega Zero definitely outweigh the pros of the printer. The fact that you can use it without any problems during the first few times is one of the best things about this printer. You don't have to worry about ruining the print or ruining the entire process as it is extremely easy to fix problems with the Anycubic Mega Zero. The overall build volume of this 3D printer can reach up to ten cups with ease.

Nowadays, printers offer various features that serve the needs of different categories of users. Moreover, 3D printing has its particularities which you should definitely pay attention to before making a purchase.

1. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

This technology uses a continuous filament of thermoplastic material to create a three-dimension model. Then, a filament is fed through a heated printer extruder to draw a layer along the X, Y, Z axes. This is the most popular and intuitive type of 3D printing. However, make sure you have flattened your prints after the printing process is complete.

2. Stereolithography (SLA)

Being known as photo-solidification, this type of 3D printing technology is based on photochemical processes to create the layers of a model. The bragging point of this technology is its high level of accuracy. There is no need to smooth out the prints. Moreover, the resulted models usually have excellent quality.

3. Digital Light Processing (DLP)

The DLP printing emulates the SLA technology with one difference being that the latter uses light rays to create a reaction. When the light hits the point in the liquid resin, the polymers get hardened to create a model with the same accuracy as you may expect from SLA technology.

Resin-based printing is usually slower than FDM. If you are an enthusiast or hobbyist, speed doesn't really matter. However, if you want to run a 3D printing business, speed is an essential aspect to pay attention to. For small objects, high speeds don't typically affect quality. However, if you create large models at high speeds, the print can lose details. Moreover, there may appear such defects as vertical lines or ringing. On the other hand, too low printing speed may result in stringing.

3D printer resolution refers to microns. FDM 3D printers run 25 microns on the lower end. Resin-based machines have about 100 microns on the higher end. You can adjust the resolution of the resulted print on an FDM printer. The belt tension and layer height will give your prints a smoother finishing. The quality produced by resin printers is determined by the accuracy of their laser. If you are on the lookout for the best 3D printer under $200, consider the model with straightforward configurations and more microns.