Introduction

Are you curious about 3D printing but unsure where to start? You're not alone. Many beginners feel overwhelmed by the endless number of options, technical jargon, and potential pitfalls. Online forums like Reddit and Facebook groups can be helpful for some, but if you're not tech-savvy, don't enjoy tinkering with machines, or simply don't have 10 hours to invest in learning everything, you might end up more confused than before.

The reality is that many 3D printing experts online take pride in their knowledge and have been following their methods for so long that they believe everyone should do the same. We disagree. Our philosophy is that you shouldn't need to understand how a 3D printer works or grasp all the technical details to benefit from the technology. Just as you don't need to know how to fix an iPhone or build an app to use a smartphone, you shouldn't need to be an expert to start 3D printing.

What Can I Do With 3D Printing?

With 3D printing, you can create millions of products, from cookie cutters to functional gadgets, at about one-tenth the cost of purchasing them commercially. Some people even start their own small manufacturing businesses using 3D printers, selling their creations at local markets, through e-commerce stores, or by selling the 3D files they've designed. While this takes some time and effort, the potential value is immense, with many full-time sellers grossing over $100k annually. But as a starting point, you should assume that you can print a few hundred dollars' worth of items for just pennies on the dollar.

For instance, if you invest around $300 in a 3D printer and its materials, you'll be able to print interesting and useful items for yourself while saving money. As a beginner, spending more than $500 on a printer is generally unnecessary and difficult to justify. Most beginners won't need the advanced features of higher-end machines, and it's better to start with a more affordable option. Moreover, 3D printer technology evolves rapidly, with the value of printers typically halving every three years. This means that unless you can fully utilize an expensive printer from day one, you're better off waiting for prices to come down while you get comfortable with the basics.

What Is The Best Printer For Beginners?

1. Automatic Bed Leveling

A survey of 356 people found that uneven beds are the top reason for print failures and printer damage. Automatic bed leveling ensures prints are built on a solid foundation, preventing issues like clogged nozzles, bed damage, and burned-out sensors. This feature saves time and reduces frustration by ensuring a perfectly level bed before printing begins.

Ender 3 V3 SE: Equipped with an automatic bed leveling system, eliminating manual adjustments and making it easier for beginners to achieve successful prints right out of the box.

2. Quiet Printing

Noise levels are crucial, especially in shared or quiet spaces. Quiet printing technology allows you to work alongside your printer without disturbances, maintaining a peaceful environment.

Ender 3 V3 SE: This model is the third quietest printer under $300 and can be used in any environment without causing disturbances. While the top two quietest printers are earlier Ender 3 versions, they lack automatic bed leveling.

3. Proven Track Record

Choose a 3D printer with a proven track record, similar to buying a new car. A well-established product line with multiple iterations is likely to be more reliable and refined.

Ender 3 V3 SE: Part of the popular Ender 3 series since 2018, this model is approximately the fifth iteration, benefiting from years of improvements and offering significant enhancements at a lower cost than the original Ender 3.

4. Fast Assembly

Fast assembly is essential for beginners eager to start printing. Look for printers that come partially assembled with clear instructions.

Ender 3 V3 SE: Easy to assemble with most parts pre-installed, allowing you to get up and running quickly. This is much faster than earlier Ender 3 versions, which can take up to an hour to build. Recommendation: Ender 3 V3 SE

Ender 3 V3 SE

Considering these factors, the Ender 3 V3 SE stands out as the ideal choice for beginners. It combines automatic bed leveling, quiet operation, a proven track record, and fast assembly, making it an excellent balance of affordability, reliability, and user-friendly features. For anyone new to 3D printing, the Ender 3 V3 SE offers a smooth entry into this exciting technology, providing everything needed to start creating high-quality prints with minimal hassle.

What Else Will I Need?

Plastic Filament

In addition to the printer, you'll need to purchase filament. Filament typically comes in vacuum-sealed rolls to prevent moisture absorption. We recommend starting with PLA, as it's the safest and most versatile filament, available in many colors. Other materials include PETG, which is the same plastic as water bottles, and TPU, a flexible plastic. For more advanced printing, you might consider ABS and Nylon; however, these require ventilation and ideally an enclosure because they print at higher temperatures and emit unsafe particles.

Highly Durable Bed Sheet

Another highly recommended purchase is the Steel Sheet PEI bed to replace the stock plastic-based bed of the Ender 3 V3 SE. The stock bed wears down quickly from repeated heating. The steel sheet is highly flexible, making it easy to remove prints and ensuring good adhesion. It is designed after the PEI steel used in higher-end printers due to the reliability and durability of the steel material.

Other Words of Wisdom

Avoid Upgrade That Alter The Printer's Function

Avoid Upgrades and Add-Ons: Many users with earlier versions of the Ender 3 attempt to install add-ons to match the features of the Ender 3 V3 SE. Introducing customizations to your printer hardware can complicate troubleshooting. By sticking with the stock Ender 3 V3 SE, you'll ensure compatibility with all our troubleshooting guides and print files, which work seamlessly out of the box. Note that upgrading to a Steel Sheet PEI bed does not affect how the printer works and can be done without altering the printer itself.

Avoid Purchasing 2nd Hand Printers

Purchasing a second-hand 3D printer is risky due to unknown usage history, lack of warranty, potential hidden issues, and missing parts or documentation. A new printer from a reputable source offers support, warranty protection, and ensures optimal condition, reducing future problems.

Purchase On Amazon

Purchase from Amazon: While Creality is a Chinese-based company and other sellers like Microcenter offer their products, buying your printer from Amazon provides the benefit of a no-questions-asked warranty. This protects you from potential issues with a faulty printer and saves you the hassle of dealing with international customer support or limited store hours.

Purchasing the Beginners Bundle

We've bundled everything you need below. Please note that we earn a commission if you purchase through the Amazon affiliate links. However, our recommendation is based on repeated personal experience and is not influenced by the affiliate commission. If you find a cheaper or alternative way to get the same equipment, feel free to go for it. We recommend this path because of the superior customer service and purchase protection.

Next Step: How To Setup Ender 3 V3 SE With Best Practices

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