Best 3D Printer Kits of 2019

1. TRONXY® X1 Desktop DIY 3D Printer Kit

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The Tronxy X1 is a great little DIY 3D printer for anyone on a budget and who wants a minimalist design. It’s an unusual construction but don’t let that put you off.

• Best feature 1: Simple design
• Best feature 1: Great choice for educational purposes
• Plus points: Easy-to-follow assembly video, portable, USB connection, 5 key operation
• Minus points: Average speed, average print quality, wobbly Z-axis

This 3D printer kit will please any first time user. It arrives well-organized and is a lot of fun to assemble. It only takes about five hours to put together. New users just need to be patient and follow the manufacturer’s directions by the book. There’s also a great easy-to-follow video tutorial for those who prefer audio-visual guidance.

Using the Tronxy X1 3D Printer

This is one of the best portable educational 3D printer kits around for the money. You’ll learn a lot by the time you’ve assembled it and produced the first test piece. You’ll certainly know more than before you unboxed this budget-friendly machine. There are five simple keys for operating the device using the simple LCD panel. It’s a quiet operator too and prints using all the popular materials.

Another nice touch is the printer’s ability to print offline. A few other highlights include:

• Connect to computer via USB cable
• Lightweight aluminum handle
• Quality lead rail
• Print plate with a fiberglass platform
• Stable 8mm base plate
• High precision nozzle
• Adjustable leveling
• Wear-resistant belt and pulley

There’s plenty to like and lots to learn and it’s all good fun.

The Not So Good

It’s hard to find too much fault considering what you get for the money. The printer’s overall function is average albeit good. That includes printer speed and build quality. There is some wobble on the Z-axis, though, but even that’s solvable with upgrades.

2. DIY RepRap Prusa I3 (Original)

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Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5

The original DIY RepRapPrusa I3 is a popular 3D Printer Kit but it’s not ideal for the complete beginner. It takes twice as long as the previous pick to assemble so you have to be patient.

• Best feature 1: Open design makes it easier to use
• Best feature 1: Toll-free US-based customer service
• Plus points: ABS & PLA, great value for money, heated bed w/ borosilicate glass
• Minus points: Instructions could be simpler, acrylic frame, no LCD display, no auto-Leveling

You don’t need to be a tech head to put the Prusa I3 kit together but it helps. Anyone with time and patience will find it a lot of fun to assemble with the right attitude. A 3D printer kit like this one is a great way to get to know the basic workings of these machines. Your newfound knowledge will continue to be useful in the future when it’s time to replace parts and solve problems.

Using the RepRapPrusa I3

If you do run into problems it’s a comfort to know that the excellent after-sales support is US-based. That’s a big deal because a lot of other manufacturers and support departments are in China.

The assembled 3D printer can use ABS and PLA printing materials. Inexperienced users will want to practice with PLA first as it’s much easier to work with. This kit comes with an 8 x 8″ heated bed needed for ABS filament projects. The bed uses borosilicate glass which is more resistant to temperature change so it doesn’t expand like regular glass.

The Not So Good

There are a few disadvantages to the RepRapPrusa I3 but it still sells well and enjoys high ratings. One of the biggest gripes is with the instructions. Some novice users compare them to IKEA furniture kits. Everything you need to know is there, it’s just a bit cack-handed that’s all. Tech-savvy users don’t have any issues but novices may find the learning curve a tad high. There are videos as well.

Another gripe is with the acrylic frame but there’s nothing wrong with it per se. It’s just that it’s not as sturdy as other metallic type frames. A handy LCD display is something else users would have liked to see included with the kit.

The final con is that there’s no auto-leveling. Calibration is vital for smooth printing and it’s another time-consuming learning experience for newbies.

3. Tevo Little Monster Delta 3D Printer Kit

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Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5

The Tevo Little Monster Delta is a fantastic 3D printer kit. It has quite a unique look and offers a lot of value for your hard-earned buck.

• Best feature 1: Large build volume
• Best feature 1: 10-step assembly
• Plus points: Touchscreen display, sturdy frame, fast, fully automatic calibration
• Minus points: Price, quite noisy, short power cable

The first thing to point out with this capable little 3D printer kit is the huge build volume. It has a diameter of 340mm (13.3″) and a height of 500mm (19.6″). It’s a no-brainer for anyone who needs a generous build volume. The simple assembly makes it another attraction for the novice in particular. You can expect an average assembly time of around 6-hours give or take.

Using the Tevo Little Monster Delta

This 3D printer has a modular sturdy structure and comes with plenty of features. It’s not the cheapest kit available but it does offer great value. There’s a handy touchscreen display plus fully-automatic calibration which makes using this machine a cinch. The glass-ceramic heated bed provides fast 2-minute 140 °F heat up times. And the dual stainless steel fans supply effective cooling for 3D parts.

The print quality is nice but it may take a while to perfect the printed parts. Owners also get to enjoy continual support and software updates that are easy to implement.

The Not So Good

There are not any major disadvantages to the Tevo Little Monster. The higher cost will put it out of reach for some home users. Others may not want to invest this much if it’s their first DIY 3D printer kit. Another gripe is that the power cord is pretty short. I’m not sure why this is but it would have made life a little easier if it were longer. And the final—albeit minor complaint—is that it’s quite noisy.

4. CoLiDo DIY Printer Kit

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

Next up is the affordable CoLiDo DIY Printer kit which is a great option for the hobbyist. It’s an easy machine to assemble and the 3D printed parts are fairly decent.

• Best feature 1: Quality construction
• Best feature 1: Large print bed
• Plus points: Short assembly time, printing capability, high-quality extruder, upgradable
• Minus points: Slow-ish operation, no heated bed, average results

This is an ideal 3D printer kit for the entry-level user. It’s a great learning tool to gently ease any newbie into the world of 3D technology. The printer build is solid and uses tough molded plastics, steel rods, and quality brass nuts. There’s a large print bed with plenty of room for those bigger projects.

This is the fastest kit to assemble in the guide. It shouldn’t take more than 45 minutes including calibration. Choose a more complex kit that takes several hours if you want to do lots of tinkering.

Using the CoLiDo DIY Printer

The CoLiDo 3D printer kit comes with a 500g spool of PLA filament to get you started. In the box is a USB flash drive with the software and video tutorial. Once the calibration is set it’s time to do a test print. An adjustable belt drives both the X and Y axis and helps to produce decent quality prints.

The high-quality printer’s extruder comes with a fast release lever for quick filament changes. Overall this is good quality—not exceptional quality—machine. It’s an ideal entry-level product that serves as a great teaching aid. Those who have realistic expectations will be more than happy with what this device offers. It’s small, lightweight, fairly quiet, and free from toxic odors.

The Not So Good

One disadvantage is that it’s a bit on the slow side though not painfully so. There’s no heated bed either which means it can only print with PLA materials. That’s not necessarily a bad thing as ABS is not the material of choice at the entry-level.

5. Anet A8 High-Precision Desktop 3D Printer Kit

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Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5

The Anet A8 is another affordable 3D printer kit with a fairly large build volume. This one comes with a heated printer bed so it can use more materials than the previous pick.

• Best feature 1: Heated printer bed
• Best feature 1: All metal pulleys
• Plus points: Quick-release feed gears, multi-filaments, enhanced printing precision, upgradeable
• Minus points: Learning curve, acrylic frame

The previous model only uses PLA. This machine has a heated bed and supports multi-filament use.

Using the Anet A8 High-Precision Desktop 3D Printer

Once you’ve got the printer assembled and running the LCD screen shows the current printing status. The all-metal pulleys are a welcome touch too. These help to improve printing performance and general functionality. Filament feeding is quick and flowing thanks to the fast-release feed gears. You can print using various materials i.e. ABS, PLA, PVA, PP, wood, and luminescent.

The printer’s frame is below average in my opinion but other parts of this kit exceed expectations. The stainless steel rail rods are quality as are the gears, connectors, and bearings. These things combined all contribute toward enhanced printing precision.

Another good thing about the Anet A8 desktop 3D printer kit is that it’s upgradable. Customization is half the fun of 3D printer kits and the best way to learn the ins and outs. There’s everything you need out of the box but you have the opportunity to modify this machine on most levels.

The Not So Good

Don’t buy this kit if you want to be up and running in a couple of hours because it won’t happen. There’s a learning curve here and it takes some tinkering to get things right.

The overall build is average for a machine in its class so it’s not one of the standout features. The acrylic frame is not robust for a start. The good news is that the printer is upgradable and that means you can buy frame supports if you want to.

6. RepRapPrusa I3 (V2) Black 3D Printer Kit

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Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5

This is the second 3D printer kit from RepRap. This time we take a look at the equally popular Prusa I3 V2. You’ve got US-based tech support and even a hassle-free return policy if you change your mind.

• Best feature 1: US-based tech support
• Best feature 1: Open frame design
• Plus points: Large build volume, multi-material support, excellent customer service, upgradable
• Minus points: Average quality parts, video & written instructions not aligned

If you’re passionate about assembling electronics then you’re going to love this machine. It’s not a five-minute job and it does take more patience than some of my other picks on this page. The gratification for assembling it and fine-tuning the printing is well worth the effort for enthusiasts.

Using the RepRapPrusa I3 (V2) Black 3D Printer

Teachers who want to introduce 3D printing to a class love this machine as much as DIY enthusiasts. The assembled product performs beyond expectations and prints fairly decent parts. It’s fairly fast for a printer in its class and quiet too. The 8 x 8″ heated build area suits most purposes and the borosilicate glass is a nice touch adding further to the machine’s quality appeal.

The LCD display and SD card reader let operators print without the need to connect to a computer. It’s a versatile product—as well as affordable—and checks plenty of the right boxes.

The Not So Good

Look at the RepRapPrusa I3 V2 for what it is; a versatile learning 3D printer kit with an attractive price tag. It’s great fun but it’s not a serious printer for anyone who needs exceptional quality parts. The 3D printed parts are a good average but they won’t win any awards.

Another gripe is that the video tutorials don’t seem to be in sync with the written instructions. It’s best to stick with one or the other to save any confusion during the assembly process.

7. JGAURORAPrusa i3 3D Printer Kit A-3

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Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

The JGAURORA 3D Printer kit is an ideal choice for enthusiasts at the entry level. It’s also a good educational machine for students who want to learn about 3D printers and 3D printing technology.

• Best feature 1: Metal housing
• Best feature 1: LCD display
• Plus points: Simple assembly, USB, heated bed, multi-filament support, 6-month warranty
• Minus points: Long assembly time, vague instructions, no audio on video tutorials

This machine sports metal housing which makes it more stable than the widely-used acrylic frames. It weighs around 21 lbs. so it’s not as light as some 3D printers on this page but it’s still portable. DIY fans love it not just for the quality and ease of use but also for the excellent customer support.

Using the JGAURORAPrusa i3 3D Printer

Using the JGAURORAPrusa i3 is as enjoyable as assembling it. Being easy doesn’t mean fast though. How long it takes depends on the user’s ability level and available free time. You can expect at least eight hours from the unboxing to the first test printout.

The printer has a heated bed and can use various filaments. It also has a reasonably sized printing area. The LCD display allows you to see what’s happening and take full control of the orienting process. Not all 3D printer kits include an LCD display but it’s an invaluable extra.

Being a standalone machine means you can save the Gcode to an SD card and use any computer. The great thing about this kit is the excellent customer support. The response is always fast and helpful whether you experience problems at the assembly stage or with the printing process.

The Not So Good

Some reviewers complain about the long assembly time. For those who enjoy putting machines together, it’s not long enough. It’s not possible to please everyone. If you want something faster then choose a kit that’s quicker and easier to assemble—that’s it.

A few others complain about the vague instructions. I disagree, especially when it comes to the video tutorials. Those who gripe about the instructions tend to be impatient in most cases. And don’t forget the excellent customer support is always there for anyone who struggles.

It would be nice if there was audio on the videos but they still have easy-to-follow captions. A lot of people find the spoken word easier than text but at least it’s possible to freeze (pause) captions.

8. TEVO Tarantula I3 3D Printer Kit

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The TEVO Tarantula I3 is a 3D printer kit based on the benchmark RepRapPRUSA I3 3D—only better.

• Best feature 1: Tens of thousands of users worldwide
• Best feature 1: Highly-customizable
• Plus points: Easy to assemble, multiple filament support, LCD screen, stable build, price
• Minus points: Takes time and patience, instructions need improvements

The TEVO Tarantula I3 is not a big seller on internet retail stores like Amazon but don’t let that put you off. This kit sells well in the 3D printing community and offers a lot to DIYers and educators. Seriously, people write about this machine and post help videos all over the internet such is its popularity.

Whether it’s the ideal kit for you depends on whether it offers what you need or expect from a kit.

Using the TEVO Tarantula I3 3D Printer

The assembly is easy once you have the right instructions (see final section). This 3D printer has everything to get started but if you need more there are upgrade options. You can choose automatic bed leveling if you want that and even a larger print bed. The machine supports both ABS and PLA filaments. It’s always wise for less-experienced users to start with PLA though.

The assembled printer is simple in design with a fairly sturdy build. The performance and quality are exactly as you’d expect from a 3D printer in its class. The LCD display puts users in complete control as they go about perfecting 3D printed parts. Most agree that it’s an improvement on the ReprapPrusa i3. It’s also easy to upgrade and customize which makes it especially appealing to DIYers.

The Not So Good

The assembly is easy but the included instructions are not the best. The good news is that there are users who have uploaded YouTube step-by-step videos. These are way better than anything the makers include. The global support community for this product is impressive. Although assembly time is fairly quick it will take a while to tweak this machine to exactly how you want it.

9. ZONESTAR i3 Metal FDM 3D Printer DIY Kit

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Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5

This is a Prusa i3 clone and that’s a good thing. It means there’s a huge online community to support the ZONESTAR i3 Metal FDM 3D Printer DIY Kit.

• Best feature 1: Auto-Leveling and Resume functions
• Best feature 1: Dual Extruders
• Plus points: Metal frame, simple assembly, automatic leveling, upgradable laser engraver
• Minus points: Sensitive to leveling, extruders hard to assemble, cost

The metal frame not only makes the ZONESTAR i3 FDM 3D Printer stronger but it looks better too.

Using the ZONESTAR i3 Metal FDM 3D Printer

Assembly of this printer is pretty straightforward but it could take a novice around eight hours. Its auto-leveling function makes adjusting the balance a lot easier. There’s also a Pause & Resume feature that lets users stop and restart printing if necessary. The machine has an LCD display that makes controlling the printing process simpler.

One of the highlights is the dual extruders for dual-color printing. The printer’s general performance is precise and consistent. This is thanks to the quality bearings and stainless steel plate among other things. There’s plenty of opportunity to update and upgrade the machine including a laser engraver.

The Not So Good

The auto-leveling is a welcome feature but some reports suggest the machine can be overly sensitive to leveling. Another gripe is that the extruders can be fiddly to assemble and get working from the outset. The price of this DIY 3D printer kit puts it out of reach for some new users. Although this is true that doesn’t mean it’s not great value—because it is.

10. Anycubic® I3 Mega DIY 3D Printer Kit

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Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5

The great thing about the Anycubic Upgraded DIY Prusa i3 3D is that it’s available in different versions. Whichever one you opt for you’re going to get a customizable machine with a strong build.

• Best feature 1: Super-fast, simple assembly
• Best feature 1: Power resume feature
• Plus points: Robust metal frame, filament sensor, TFT touchscreen, improved hot end
• Minus points: Noisy, Ultrabase not sticky enough for ASA filaments, price

What we have here is a re-branded Prusa i3 with a bunch of welcome enhancements. It’s a great choice for beginners and seasoned enthusiasts because of its flexibility in design and usage.

Using the Anycubic® I3 Mega DIY 3D Printer

No one will have any problems putting this kit together with a little patience and persistence. Assembly time takes anywhere between 4-8 hours depending on ability. The 3D printed parts are good quality and display some fine details. The simple LCD touchscreen is a cinch to navigate and lets you take full control of the printer without the need of a computer.

A thick reinforced acrylic frame keeps the machine nice and stable during operation. The quality linear bearings and stepper motors add to the consistent operation and quality parts. There’s also the MK8 nozzle that makes sure printing process remains smooth and accurate.

The aluminum heated bed has a special dual purpose patented Ultrabase coating. One the one hand it provides excellent adhesion for the print project. On the other hand, it allows you to easily remove the printed part without a scraper. It simply snaps off at the base. The printed bed also means more material versatility including PLA, ABS, HIPS and even wood.

The Not So Good

Compared to some 3D printers this one is quite noisy with most of the sound coming from the fans. Another gripe is that the Ultrabase bed doesn’t provide enough ‘stick’ for ASA filament. ASA is similar to ABS. I haven’t tried this but there are enough complaints to make it worth a mention. The price is another disadvantage for some but it still offers excellent value for money with all things considered.