Top 4 Budget-Friendly FDM 3D Printers Perfect for Beginners

3D printing is a very fascinating technology. It can help you create art and make mechanical parts or architectural models. For beginners, the ease of use is the most important. After several years of development, 3D printers have gradually occupied part of the market, and the technology used by the machines is also constantly upgraded. With so many options out there, finding a 3D printer that is affordable and high quality can be a daunting task. Therefore, this article will provide some solid options for those who want to explore 3D printing technology but have a limited budget. We’ve compiled a list of the best 3D printers under $300 for reference.

Table of Contents

Creality Ender-3 V3 SE

Build Volume: 220*220*250mm
Acceleration: 2500mm/s²
Max. Printing Speed: 250mm/s
Printing Accuracy: ±0.1mm
Extruder Type: “Sprite” Direct Extruder
Build Surface: PC Spring Steel
Heatbed Temperature: ≤100°C
Display Screen: 3.2” Color Knob Screen
Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm
Layer Height: 0.1-0.35mm
Leveling Mode: Auto Leveling
Nozzle Temperature: ≤260°C
Mainboard Type: 32-bit Silent Mainboard
Power Loss Recovery: Yes
Supported Filaments: PLA, PETG, TPU(95A)
Slicing Software: Creality Print, Cura, Repetier-Host, Simplify3D
File Transfer: SD Card, USB-C Cable
File Formats for Slicing: STL, OBJ, AMF
UI Languages: English, French, Portuguese, Turkish, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese

As a high-performance 3D printer, Creality Ender 3 V3 SE has a maximum printing speed of 250mm/s, automatic leveling function, 0.1mm printing accuracy, and a printing volume of 220x220x250mm. Excellent performance and user-friendly interface make it stand out among budget FDM 3D printers, suitable for a variety of 3D printing projects. The sturdy and durable metal frame and stable dual Z-axis ensure the machine’s stable operation and long service life, delivering excellent precision and detail. The high-performance heated bed provides excellent substrate adhesion up to 100°C. The fast heating nozzle can reach up to 260°C, which is beneficial for printing many different types of materials, including PLA, PETG, TPU, etc. It also has an intelligent power-off resume function, which can automatically resume printing progress after a power outage to avoid unnecessary losses. If you are a beginner and have a budget of only about $300, I highly recommend this machine.

Lerdge iX 3D Printer

Print Area: 180x180x180mm
Firmware: Lerdge Z firmware
Communication: USB Serial port
Display: 3.5 Inch IPS Touch Screen
Applicable Filament: PLA and other low-temperature consumables, please replace the nozzle high-temperature module for high-temperature consumables
Running Speed: 10-200mm/s
Positioning Accuracy: 0.01mm
Printing Accuracy: 0.1mm
Min Layer Thickness: 0.05mm
Max Tem of PrintHead: 240°C (Replacing the module can reach 280°C)
Max Tem of HotBed: 100°C
Executable File: G, .gcd, .gcode
Output File: Gcode
Support Slicer: PrusaSlicer, Cura, Repetier-Host, Simplify3D, Slic3r, etc.
System Language: English, Chinese, and other Languages

With its unique mechanical style design, the Lerdge iX series 3D printer has attracted many 3D printing DIY enthusiasts. It is available in a DIY kit version and a pre-assembled version, which is a great opportunity for those who want to learn about the construction of a printer. Lerdge iX is configured with a maximum printing speed of 200mm/s, 0.1mm printing accuracy, a 3.5-inch IPS touch screen, an all-metal extruder, and a printing size of 180x180x180mm. In addition to its attractive design for DIY fun, the Lerdge iX 3D printer also offers excellent performance and reliable print quality. It has intelligent functions, such as power-off resume printing and consumable detection. If you want to learn more about 3D printer technology and unleash your creativity, Lerdge iX’s open-source hardware capabilities can help you. The most important thing is that the price of this machine is less than $200, which is very cost-effective.

TRONXY XY-2 Pro Titan 3D Printer

Screen: 3.5 Inches
Build Volume: 255x255x245mm
Connectivity: USB Port/TF Card
Supported Formats: G-CODE
Extruder Max Temperature: Max 275°C
Heated Bed Max Temperature: Max 120°C
Nozzle Diameter: 0.4mm
Positioning Resolution-(X/Y/Z): 0.00625mm/0.00625mm/0.00125mm
Layer Resolution: 0.1mm-0.3mm(optional)
Printing Speed: 20-150mm/s (suggested 60mm/s)
Operating Systems: Windows
File Preparation Software: Repetier-Host/Cura
Slice Software: Cura Slice Software
Supported Material: PLA/ABS/TPU/PETG
Filament Diameter: 1.75mm ± 0.05 mm

The TRONXY XY-2 Pro Titan 3D printer has a large print size of 255x255x245mm. With the high-efficiency Titan extruder, it ensures a smooth and even supply of material, providing high-quality printing results. Supports automatic leveling and manual leveling, easy and convenient operation. The built-in dual fan cooling system can effectively reduce the temperature during printing and increase printing speed and quality. The high-performance heat bed, which can reach up to 120°C, can provide excellent substrate adhesion and can print many different types of materials, including PLA/ABS/TPU/PETG, etc. The 3.5-inch touchscreen provides a streamlined operating experience and rich function settings. At the same time, it also supports multiple connection methods, such as USB and TF cards, allowing users to choose the most suitable printing method.

LONGER LK5 Pro 3D Printer

Operating Temperature: 5 -35 degrees
Build Volume: 300*300*400mm
Layer Thickness: 0.1-0.4mm
Printing Speed: 20-150mm/s
Heated Bed: Yes
Extrusion Temperature: room temp to 250 degrees
Filament Type: PLA, ABS, etc.
Software: Cura, Repetier,etc
Operating Systems: Windows/Mac/Linux
File Format: STL/G-CODE
Connection: USB cable or SD card

Compared with the previous 3D printers, the biggest advantage of the LONGER LK5 Pro is that it features a huge printing volume of 300*300*400mm, which can print larger-size models and provide greater creative space. In addition, this machine is also great for beginners because it is 90% pre-assembled, allowing you to start the printing experience faster. Although its maximum printing speed is only 150mm/s, it can also achieve stability and accuracy in the printing process. Compared with other ordinary printers, LONGER LK5 Pro can print quietly, creating a comfortable printing working environment for you. The 4.3-inch full-color touch screen allows users to easily set printing parameters and monitor printing progress. It supports a variety of printing materials, including PLA/ABS, etc., to meet users’ needs for different materials. Both professionals and amateurs can realize their creative and design ideas by using the LK5 Pro 3D printer.