3D printers are inherently technical, and there's a lot to consider when it comes to finding the right device for you. In the 1950s or 60s, these devices would have seemed like technology from the future.

Just a few years ago, best 3D printers under $500 were simply toys. They weren’t very powerful and they wasted more filament than they used properly. However, that has changed in recent years and now you can get a very powerful machine for less than half a shelf. There are even great 3D printers for kids to buy now. While there are (roughly) three main families of 3D printers, there are two that are widely available in the 3D Printers under $500 price range.

These are Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers, which use thermoplastics in the form of filaments, and Stereolithography (SLA) printers, which use thermoset plastics like resin. In general, FDM printers are better for larger projects, components and prototypes, while SLA printers are better for intricate prints, figures and artwork. Perhaps you’re looking for an FDM printer to prototype the perfect Hellboy mask for your Etsy store, or you need an affordable SLA printer to create a perfect representation of the Drider Ranger chief who will cause chaos in your next D&D campaign.

3D printers are inherently technical, and there’s a lot to consider when it comes to finding the right device for you. In the 1950s or 60s, these devices would have seemed like technology from the future. Although 3D printers have become much more accessible in recent years, they are still quite complicated and require some learning time.

Nowadays, 3D printers under $500 can go a long way when it comes to desktop 3D printers. Consumers no longer have to spend thousands of dollars on high-end equipment or spend hours tinkering in a lab upgrading and modifying do-it-yourself kits.

You still can, but in recent years 3D printers have become much more affordable, and you can now find high-quality, well-built, reliable 3D printers at almost any price level. The range of printers is huge, and choosing can be difficult, especially if you are a novice.

Resin printers are becoming increasingly popular among 3D printing enthusiasts, especially those who want smaller prints with very high detail. The Mars 3 is Elegoo’s fourth small resin printer. The Mars 3 uses a 4K monochrome LED light source, which means that all pixels in the 6.6-inch display are activated to expose the print layer.

This version adds a chip-on-board (COB) lens with a free-form surface that increases the uniformity of UV illumination. In addition, the Mars 3 comes with a free one-year license for Chitubox Pro Slicer, although Lychee Slicer can also be used.

We (and pretty much the whole world) are big fans of the Creality Ender 3, which we will be introducing soon. But we have to replace the Ender 3 with the Elegoo Neptune 2, which is everything the Ender 3 is, but less expensive and with generally smoother printing.

For an inexpensive printer with a footprint of 220 x 220 x 250 mm, the device has some features that are not cheap. It has a filament depletion sensor, so you can replace the spool and continue printing when you run out of filament. It also has a removable build plate that makes removing prints much easier and more reliable. Overall, this is an excellent printer and a favorite among those who are starting small printing businesses with inexpensive printers.

Now let’s switch to another 3D printers under $500, this time with a larger footprint of 220 x 220 x 250 mm. It has a heated bed, but not Wi-Fi. On the other hand, it does have a filament run-out protection feature that allows you to replace the filament if it runs out before the print is complete. Be aware that some assembly is required for this printer. But who can turn down a “magically upgraded” printer, especially when that’s part of its name?

The Anycubic Kobra is the latest series of 3D printers from the Anycubic team. It is updated with modern features and priced conservatively, making it one of the best 3D printers under $500. The Cobra has a typical build volume of 220 x 220 x 250 mm, which is enough to 3D print almost any basic design. Despite the low price, no compromises were made on build quality and stability. The Cobra is equipped with a full metal frame that ensures the machine remains stable during operation.

Anycubic has incorporated LeviQ automatic bed leveling, which calibrates the bed using a 25-point grid to ensure perfect first-layer print quality and good print bed adhesion. In our tests, we found this to work very well. The Anycubic Kobra also has one of the best print qualities in its price range with very few flaws. Its direct extruder helps with flexible filament and gives you better control over filament flow. The LCD touchscreen is surprisingly intuitive and user-friendly at this low price. Assembly is similar to most other 3D printers under $500. It comes partially pre-assembled in a flat pack and takes about 15 minutes to set up.

Sovol is a filament and accessory manufacturer based in China’s tech megacity of Shenzhen that specializes in printers. It has some similarities with Creality’s machines. Of course, it is an OEM project from Creality as most of the parts are from Creality, but some cool upgrades have been added to make this printer more competitive. Sovol has earned a good reputation in the 3D printing community due to the stability of the machine and active online customer support.

Voxelab is a sub-brand of Flashforge, a professional company engaged in the design and manufacture of 3D printing equipment and materials. The Voxelab Aquila X2 (Aquila is the Latin word for “eagle”) is an entry-level 3D printer that retails for around $239, sometimes even cheaper.With a build volume of 220x220x250mm and a heated build platform, the Aquila X2 is a direct clone of the Creality Ender 3 series of printers and has many of the same hardware features.

Fresh-faced Artillery was founded in October 2018, but it’s already released a worthy contender to Creality’s dominance in the 3D printers under $500 sector with its first printer, Artillery Sidewinder X1. Naturally given the price category the printer does have its pitfalls. Especially the ribbon cables that endow the printer with such a sleek look are prone to break over time, and the thermal inequality of the build plate can lead to problems when printing with temperature-sensitive filaments.

However, the out-of-the-box experience was mostly fun, and we would still recommend it to beginners (with the patience to possibly tinker further down the road) as well as experienced users. It’s a solid starting point capable of great prints.

Founded in 2020, Kywoo has launched its first printer tycoon, reaching the 100% funding threshold on Kickstarter. Kywoo has an eye-catching, uncluttered face for a 3D printer. Kywoo says its dual Z and Y axis structure also promises greater stability – up to 30% more in fact.

Then there are some technical tidbits. An auto-leveling print bed, 32-bit motherboard, TMC2208 stepper, Wi-Fi connectivity, a pretty-looking color touchscreen user interface with support for multiple languages, and direct-drive extrusion are all part of a very neatly packaged hot end.

As we mentioned earlier, Creality has been at the forefront of 3D printing technology for many years. They are one of the largest companies in China and have used that experience to make some of the best products out there. The Creality Ender 5 Pro is no exception. It’s a great printer that will give you high-quality prints time and time again, but it’s by no means perfect.

Of course, if you already own an Ender 5, you always have the option of upgrading your device yourself. But with a sub-$400 price tag, reliable print volume, and good build quality, the Ender 5 Pro is a solid choice. It has amazing print quality and is easy to use; all at an extremely competitive price for what you get in return. If you’re looking for a new 3D printer, the Ender 5 Pro is for you!

We hope you understand this article on best 3D printers under $500. When you invest in a 3D printers under $500, you’re investing in turning your vision into physical form. These incredible machines extrude plastic 3D prints with a few clicks of the mouse. Plug in your SLA printer to make detailed, high-resolution art prints and strong prototypes with good rigidity. Plug in your FDM thermoplastic printer to print large, low-cost proofs-of-concept or affordable accessories for your wardrobe. For beginners, the Voxelab Aries is the best option as it comes pre-assembled, filled with filament, and offers an easy WIFI connection with good control.

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