Reddit‘s Top 10 3D Printers for 2023
The Reddit 3D printing community, with over a million collectively curious and creative members, has become an invaluable resource for sniffing out the best 3D printers on the market today.
Veterans and newcomers alike gather to debate the merits of different makes and models – nitpicking everything from print quality and reliability to ease of use and value for money. Out of the chaos, a consensus tends to emerge around a select group of machines that deliver outstanding results print after print.
I‘ve pored over hundreds of Reddit threads to curate this list of Reddit‘s 10 top-rated 3D printers across a range of price points and use cases. For each printer, I dig into real user reviews, key specs, sample prints achieved, and more to help you find the perfect match.
So let‘s dive in!
How Redditors Evaluate 3D Printers
Before getting to the printers themselves, it’s helpful to understand what criteria the Reddit community uses to judge 3D printers. Typical factors enthusiasts analyze include:
Print Quality – Smoothness and accuracy of prints, fine detail capabilities
Reliability – Consistency of good quality results, mechanical soundness
Ease of Use – Setup, calibration, and ongoing tweaking requirements
Build Volume – Maximum printable dimensions
Print Speed – Especially important for production use
Materials Options – PLA, PETG, flexible filament, etc.
Community Support – Active user forums and upgrade guides
Price/Value – Performance relative to cost
With this context, let’s see which printers earn top marks across these categories according to Redditors themselves.
Best Overall: Creality Ender 3 Pro
The Creality Ender 3 Pro consistently tops "best 3D printer" threads on Reddit, earning high praise as the sweet spot combo of print quality, reliability, features, and cost.
Released back in 2019, the venerable Pro model receives over 85% 5-star reviews on Reddit. Owners describes the Ender 3 Pro as a “workhorse” – adept at churning out minis, cosplay pieces, board game components, and practical prints non-stop.
Key Stats:
- Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250mm
- Layer Resolution: Up to 0.1mm
- Print Speed: 180mm/s (60mm/s recommended)
- Extruder Temp: Up to 255° C
- Materials: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, Wood, etc.
- Reader Rating: 4.7/5 stars
What Owners Love:
- Sturdy metal frame prevents vibration or shaking that can ruin prints
- Easy to swap nozzles and print surfaces like glass or PEI beds
- Large community provides settings profiles and upgrade tips
- Powers back on and resumes where it left off after outages
Sample Prints:
Image credit: Reddit user whiskeylover
From mini figurines to a full-sizedCosplay helmet, the Ender 3 Pro tackles intricate jobs with ease.
For under $300, the Ender 3 Pro checks all the boxes, which explains why it remains a Reddit favorite year after year.
Most Cost-Effective: Anycubic Kobra Neo
While the Ender 3 Pro takes top honors for overall quality and value, the Anycubic Kobra Neo wins when it comes to pure bang for your buck.
At well under $200, the Kobra Neo punches above its weight class, achieving remarkable print quality for the price according to satisfied Reddit reviewers.
Vital Stats:
- Build Volume: 220 x 220 x 250mm
- Nozzle: 0.4mm (Interchangeable)
- Layer Resolution: 0.05-0.3mm
- Print Speed: 60mm/s
- Extruder Temp: Up to 275°C
- Bed Leveling: Semi-auto
- Reader Rating: 4.2/5
What Fans Like:
- Easy 5-10 minute setup out of the box
- PEI spring steel print surface pops finished prints off with ease
- Quiet stepper motor drivers allow overnight printing
- Excellent value and starter device for tinkerers
Anycubic packs an impressive list of features into this entry-level machine like resume print, filament detection and modular nozzles. While print volume remains modest, the quality rivals more advanced FDM printers.
Overall the Kobra Neo is ideal for designers and hobbyists who want quality results without a big investment.
Best High-Volume Printer: Creality Ender 5 Plus
When your projects demand a bigger print envelope, Redditors unanimously endorse the Creality Ender 5 Plus as your machine.
What sets the Ender 5 Plus apart is its unusual cube-shaped vertical design paired with a massive 12” x 12” x 12” build area.
Core Specifications:
- Build Volume: 300x300x400mm
- Nozzle: 0.4mm standard (swappable)
- Axis Positional Accuracy: Z axis 0.0025mm
- Max Print Speed: 180mm/s
- Bed Leveling: Semi-auto 36-point
- Reader Rating: 4.8/5
Why It‘s Loved
The Ender 5 Plus changes the game for large scale printing. Dual lead screws on the Z-axis eliminate layer shifts and keep tall prints stable. And with the open sides, inserting chunks of foam or wood lets you embed materials.
Image credit: Reddit user DannyDan93
The 400mm Z-height also accommodates functional helmets and cosplay armor printed in pieces.
For designers, architects, and artists ready to unleash their creativity, the Ender 5 Plus is hailed as a game-changing workhorse.
Best Resin 3D Printer: Anycubic Photon M3
When ultra-fine features and smooth surfaces are needed, the Anycubic Photon M3 resin printer produces exceptional quality for the size and price.
Using liquid resin and LED UV light, the Photon creates delicate prints unmatched by traditional filament. Perfect for detailed miniatures, jewelry, cosplay props and more.
Vital Details:
- Build Volume: 245 x 145 x 160mm
- Layer Resolution: 0.01-0.15mm
- Print Speed: 30-90mm/hour
- Integrated 6.65” 8K Mono Screen
- Supports Anycubic Resin Ecosystem
Why Reddit Loves It
The Photon M3 impresses owners with its crisp detail, 8K screen clarity, and smart resin handling like the bottom fill design that prevents overflow.
Settings like anti-aliasing mode produce smoother prints as well. And the open community provides guidance to master the process.
Image credit: Anycubic and Reddit user Dependent-Cow7823
For cosplayers, mini collectors, and creators making intricate pieces, the exceptional resolution makes the Photon M3 a prime choice.
Fastest Printer: Elegoo Neptune 3
When you need to crank through multiple prints or larger jobs fast, the Elegoo Neptune 3 is the speed demon of choice according to Reddit reviews.
The Neptune 3 science a host of upgrades to boost printing and processing velocity for everything from prototyping to production.
Speed Focused Specs:
- Max Print Speed: 250mm/s
- 7′′ Touchscreen w/Accelerated Workflow
- WiFi Camera Monitoring
- Volcano Hotend Style Nozzle
- Dual Z-Axis Rods
Why So Fast?
By pairing a more powerful extruder and hotend style nozzle with dual Z-axis guides and an oversized touchscreen, the Neptune 3 carves through file preparation and ploughs through complex geometry faster than peers.
The large build area lets owners print batches of smaller items simultaneously as well. And remote monitoring via the webcam means you can check in anytime.
According to Elegoo, the upgrades allow the Neptune 3 to print up to 80% faster than the previous generation with no reduction in quality.
So if you have a long queue of prototypes, hobby projects, or custom designs lined up, this is the printer that will blaze through them lickety-split.
Most Beginner Friendly: Creality Ender 3 V2
For novice makers getting started with their first 3D printer, Reddit fans strongly recommend the Creality Ender 3 V2 as the ideal learning machine.
Upgraded over the original Ender 3, this version improves upon bed leveling, motherboard chipsets, and noise while retaining the excellent fundamentals.
Key Intro Features:
- Partially Assembled for Learning
- Carborundum Glass Print Bed
- Belt-Driven Z-Axis for Stability
- MeanWell Power Supply for Safety
- Silent Stepper Drivers
- Upgraded 4.3” Color Interface
Why It’s Great For Newbies
As a slight upgrade over the Ender 3 Pro mentioned earlier, the V2 variant fine tunes features for an even better user experience. The color LCD menu adds clarity for calibration. Belt-driven Z-axismotion reduces noisy vibration. And the surfaced print bed and Meanwell power improve first print success.
While advising on setup and materials will be part of the learning curve, the Ender 3 V2 builds confidence and skills. Once dialed in, it delivers stunning quality well beyond its entry-level price making it the perfect place to start.
Highest Precision: Elegoo Saturn S
When every micron matters, the Elegoo Saturn S resin printer consistently impressed Redditors with its incredible precision and accuracy.
Using an 8K monochrome LCD display panel combined with a UV LED matrix calibrated to 405nm wavelength light, the Saturn S yields remarkable print details previously only possible on industrial grade machines.
Pinpoint Precision Specs:
- Build Volume: 192 x 120 x 200mm
- Supported Resins: 405nm UV Curable
- XY Resolution: 0.035mm
- Z-Axis Resolution: 0.01mm
- 8.9” 8K Mono Screen (7680 x 4320 px)
- Print Speed: Up to 118mm/hr
Sample Print Quality
Image credit: Reddit user Vector–Prime
The Saturn S even manages better surface finishes than the mighty Photon according to Elegoo with hardly any pixelation visible under magnification.
From miniatures to mechanical parts, custom jewelry, and medical models, owners delight in the razor sharp precision of this pixel-packed powerhouse.
How To Choose The Right 3D Printer
With so many excellent 3D printers to choose from, how do you select the right one for your needs? Here are some key questions to ask yourself:
What Material Capabilities Do You Require?
- PLA is standard but PETG offers durability and ABS has smooth finish
- Resin printers use liquid photopolymers for ultimate detail
Do You Need Large Print Volumes?
- Bed size over 200mm in any dimension is considered large format
- Ideal for large props, helmets, framing, or batch printing
Are You Seeking Ultimative Precision?
- Resin printers with 4K or 8K LCD panels offer extreme resolution
- Ideal for miniatures, jewelry, medical, and engineering
What Print Speeds Are Necessary?
- Under 60mm/s is fine for design prototyping
- Over 120mm/s preferred for production batches
What Features Help The Learning Process?
- Pre-calibration and assembly assists beginners
- Touchscreens and apps simplify interaction
- Online community tips help shorten the curve
Answering questions like these will guide you to the right balance of quality, capability, value and experience for your needs.
Wrapping Up
I hope this journey through Reddit‘s obsessive world of 3D printing chatter offered some insight into which models consistently delight users with outstanding performance.
Think through what and how you want to print. Read through more community reviews and unboxing impressions on the shortlist. Then take the confident plunge with your perfect match!
With the right slicer settings dialed in, even an affordable machine like the Ender 3 Pro can produce mind-blowing results once tamed. While a precision powerhouse like the Elegoo Saturn S may demand finessing as well but rewards patience with works of art.
Here‘s to letting your creativity run wild with whichever of these high quality, Redditor-recommended 3D printing partners helps make your dreams materialize!
