Best Online Platforms to Purchase a 3D Printer
Not long ago, 3D printers were prohibitively expensive and reserved for large corporations. There appears to be a consumer printer around every corner these days, and more are appearing daily. Thanks to this variety of options, prices have been falling, so you can get a good 3D printer under $250. There are various places where you can get a good 3D printer, and below we have curated the most popular locations where you can buy a 3D printer.
1. Amazon
Buying a 3D printer from Amazon is a safe bet. Amazon is a reliable platform for many clients because of its speedy shipping and extensive product selection. Typically, Amazon has lower-end costs, but they do offer a range. Prices are reasonable and there are no surprises, but they aren't the lowest either. In contrast to other websites, Amazon does not often have flash sales.
Amazon has a very intuitive design that makes shopping and placing orders a breeze. You may easily purchase other goods with your 3D printer on Amazon, and most people already know how it works. On Amazon, you may find some Chinese 3D printers offered under numerous brand names, including Comgrow. One such brand is Creality Ender 3, which is quite popular. The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) often sells these identical printers.
Amazon is a trusted option for shoppers because of its broad return policy. Customers have 30 days to return new, unopened items. Although not every model may be available, it does carry the most popular brands. present is a wide range of options because the major players are present.
Purchase Link: Amazon
Price Range: Starting from $150
2. AliExpress
You may find many different models of 3D printers on the popular online marketplace AliExpress. It sells a lot of the same stuff as AliBaba, its sibling store. Although prices on AliExpress are subject to regular fluctuations, they are often lower than on competing sites. Some vendors provide free delivery.
On the other hand, AliExpress isn't always easy to use. The translation process further adds to the difficulty of deciphering product names, making it more difficult to locate the desired item. Within 15 days of receiving your product, you can return it to AliExpress for a full refund. Depending on the seller's policy, the cost of returning an item might end up being more than the cost of the product itself.
Various printers are available on AliExpress. With official AliExpress shopfronts for many budget Chinese manufacturers, you can be sure to find a wide selection.
Purchase Link: AliExpress
Price: Starting from $77
3. Banggood
3D printers are just one of many products sold by the reputable Banggood. It is the most Amazon-like Chinese retailer and ships worldwide. 3D printers are frequently on sale at Banggood, and the prices are really reasonable. Where the warehouse is located determines the shipping fee.
Although product descriptions can be perplexing, Banggood is generally easy to navigate. From five days to fifty days, depending on the warehouse, is the shipping timeframe. You can return the product for free within seven days if it doesn't work. You have 30 days to return an unopened or unused item, but there will be a fee. You should check out Banggood, particularly when they have sales, because they have a good selection of 3D printers.
Purchase Link: Banggod
Price range: Starting from $100
4. The Best Gear
GearBest sells a variety of items but is best known for electronics. It has a good reputation for wholesaling products, including 3D printers. You can always count on sales and discounts to keep GearBest's prices low. Be aware that shipping from their Chinese warehouse can take longer and may incur customs fees.
GearBest's site is easy to navigate. Shipping times vary from a few days to more than 20 days, depending on the warehouse location. GearBest offers a 30-day return policy. You must pay return shipping if the item is functional, but not if it is defective.
If you're on a tight budget but still want a 3D printer, GearBest has a wide selection of affordable options to choose from.
Purchase Link: GearBest
Price: Starting from $200
Online Retailers Specialising in 3D Printing
5. iGo3D
If you’re in the EU, iGo3D is a well-established and reputable supplier focused on professional users. They have categories like dentistry and metal, emphasizing their professional offerings. Prices on iGo3D are generally on par with MSRP, and there aren’t many sales. Customers often seek iGo3D for the higher level of service they offer.
The website is well-organized and easy to navigate. iGo3D offers its own customer service for purchase advice and even in-field training, which is beneficial for getting up and running quickly. The company provides a 1-month return window under the EU “right of withdrawal” terms. They refund the purchase and standard delivery costs, but the customer bears the return shipping costs. iGo3D offers a good range of professional 3D printers, including Ultimaker, Formlabs, and large-format printers like Modix. They also carry some reputable budget brands like Creality and Anycubic.
Purchase Link: igo3d
Price range: starting from $360
6. 3DPrintersBay
3DPrintersBay is a US-based worldwide retailer that specializes in 3D printers and upgrade hardware, without the complexity of offering consumables. The company offers a best price guarantee and claims to cut costs by about 20% by liaising direct deliveries from manufacturers. They sell at minimum retail prices, though it’s unclear if prices can be negotiated further if a lower price is found elsewhere.
The reduced offers on 3DPrintersBay assist ensure it can deliver outstanding service to hardware clients. They offer purchase advice and maintain a blog with lots of tips for beginners. The return policy includes a 14-day period where the buyer bears the cost of return shipping. Unique to 3DPrintersBay, they accept “slightly used items” within this 14-day period but charge a 15% restocking fee.
As a consumer-focused merchant, 3DPrintersBay offers most reputable affordable brands, although their range is limited to manufacturers they have relationships with.
Price Range: Starting from $430
Purchase Link: 3D Printers Bay.
7. 3DJake
3DJake is a well-respected Austrian-based retailer that serves international customers. The 3DJake team also makes their own resins and filaments, just like the MatterHackers team. There are usually a few deals to take advantage of on 3DJake, sometimes bringing budget printers down to competitive prices.
The website is well-organized with clear categories, making it easy to navigate. 3DJake offers free shipping for purchases above 48 Euros within much of Europe, but ships internationally for regular fees. The store offers a 30-day return for unused products and store credit beyond that period.
Customers outside the EU incur return shipping fees. There’s a good variety of 3D printers available on 3DJake, with most reputable budget and consumer printers in stock. However, there are fewer professional printers.
Price Range: Starting from $200
Purchase Link: 3djake.
8. Dynamism
Thanks to its first-rate customer service, Dynamism has an outstanding reputation. Before and after the sale, customers have access to a "technology concierge" who provides personalised phone and email support. Deals and discounts on Dynamism are not well-known, in contrast to many other sites.
The site's user-friendliness and readily available customer care make it easy to make an educated choice. Just like MatterHackers, Dynamism lets you return your order within 30 days of receiving it. However, for non-defective items, you'll have to pay for the postage and a 15% restocking fee.
Dynamism is a fantastic option for professionals because of the wide variety of professional 3D printers it offers, including well-known brands like Ultimaker and Formlabs.
9. MatterHackers
MatterHackers, based in California, supplies everything for 3D printing to customers in the US and Canada, from 3D printers to filament, software, and accessories. The company also produces its own 3D printing materials and enjoys a great reputation based on its competence. While the prices at MatterHackers are fair, they sometimes offer deals and sales, including their version of Black Friday, known as Blue Friday.
MatterHackers provides free shipping within the US, which is a significant perk for those based there. If the item isn't damaged, you can return it within 30 days, but there is a 15% restocking fee, so be sure you get exactly what you want before you buy. There is a large variety of machines available, but there aren't many that are affordable. Consistent updates to the roster guarantee a wide range of cutting-edge models.
Purchase Link: MatterHackers
Price: Starting from $700
Having looked at the best locations for purchasing a 3D printer, it’s also important to have a look at the best 3D printing software that you can use to prepare your files for 3D printing. There are many that are available, but we recommend using SelfCAD. SelfCAD is an easy to use 3D modeling software that has been designed for both beginners and professionals. It has comes with freehand drawing and sketching tools for creating designs from scratch, image to 3D for converting photos to 3D models, various deformation and modification tools to help you bring your ideas to life with ease. The video below shows the various tools of SelfCAD.
In addition to the ability to create files from scratch, you can also import files designed in other programs and modify them in SelfCAD. For example, you can STL files and simplify them, as shown in the video below.
SelfCAD also comes with an in-built online slicer that you can use to slice your files. It is compatible with the majority of the FDM 3D printers, and it is easy to use.
There are many interactive tutorials to help you learn by actually creating 3D models. There is also a SelfCAD academy for those who like to follow step by step courses. 3D modeling 101 series and 3D modeling for beginners videos on YouTube are also great resources to help you learn how SelfCAD works and how you can use it to create your 3D models.
Conclusion
When purchasing a 3D printer, consider your priorities: price, ease of use, return policy, and selection. Amazon is a reliable and user-friendly option with a good return policy. AliExpress offers competitive prices but can be harder to navigate. Banggood and GearBest are good alternatives for those looking for deals and a wider selection. Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, so choose the one that best fits your needs.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.