Best 3D Printers for Kids & Beginners: Top Picks for Every Learner

To help you choose the best non-commercial 3D printer for yourself or your young innovator, we’ve compiled a list of top models that cater to various experience levels and budgets.

Best 3D Printers for Kids: Top Picks for Every Young Maker

Table of Contents

A dive into the world of 3D printing can be an amazing way to nurture your/your child’s creativity and problem-solving skills. With the right 3D printer, you/kids can bring their ideas to life, whether it’s creating custom toys/parts, designing prototypes, or working on school projects.

There are majorly two types of desktop/home 3D printers:

  1. Filament FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling): FDM printers are the best 3D printers for beginners or kids. These use reels full of plastic filament fed into a hot nozzle and extruded layer-by-layer to form a solid model.
  2. Resin MSLA (Masked Stereolithography): MSLA printers use a UV-cured resin material to form a model layer-by-layer as it rises from a vat of toxic liquid that requires very careful handling and post-processing.


Careful handling and post-processing requirements make resin printers ill-suited for kids. So we’ve excluded resin printers and have compiled a list of top FDM models that cater to various experience levels and budgets.

Toybox 3D Printer

2

The Toybox 3D Printer is designed specifically with kids in mind. It’s a fun and easy-to-use printer that allows children to print toys from a library of thousands of designs. The user-friendly interface makes it simple for kids to get started, and the printer is small and safe to use, making it perfect for young makers.

Toybox is one of the decent built-for-kids printers in the market and competes with the likes of X-Maker (my recommendation in the built-for kids category). However, unless you don’t have any time at all to spare for your kids, I recommend staying away from built-for-kids printers due to their limited functionality and less value for money.

  • Price Range: $
  • Features: Kid-friendly interface, compact design, preloaded with toy designs
  • Best for: Young beginners and playful projects

Bambu A1 Mini

3

The Bambu A1 Mini is an affordable yet feature-packed 3D printer ideal for kids and beginners. Its automatic bed leveling and easy setup make it perfect for those just getting started in 3D printing. Despite its compact size, it delivers high-quality prints and is an excellent introduction to 3D printing for older children.

At just $199, the printer offers great value for money and is easily the best printer in the budget colour printers category.

  • Price Range: $
  • Features: Compact design, automatic bed leveling, beginner-friendly
  • Best for: Kids and beginners looking for an affordable option

Prusa Mini+

4

The Prusa Mini+ offers premium performance in a compact package. Known for its reliability, this 3D printer is easy to use and delivers excellent print quality. With features like automatic bed leveling and a magnetic print sheet, the Prusa Mini+ is a great choice for older kids and teens ready to tackle more advanced projects.

If you are not on a tight budget, this one is a great buy that punches way above its weight when it comes to price v/s features. Prusa Mini+ competes with BambuLab P1S in the $400-$600 range and emerges a winner. Both DIY and semi-assembled models are available. I recommend the semi-assembled model as the price difference is not too much.

  • Price Range: $$$
  • Features: Compact design, automatic bed leveling, magnetic print sheet
  • Best for: Teens and intermediate users

Creality Ender 3 V3 SE

5

The Creality Ender 3 V3 SE is an upgrade of the popular Ender 3 series, offering improved features such as automatic bed leveling, a quieter motherboard, and faster print speeds. It’s an excellent choice for older kids who want to dive deeper into 3D printing. The open-source community also provides plenty of support and upgrades for those eager to customize their printer.

If multi-colour printing is not a must-have feature for you, this printer beats Bambu A1 Mini in other features and is the best printer under $200.

  • Price Range: $$
  • Features: Automatic bed leveling, quieter operation, faster prints
  • Best for: Tweens and teens interested in advanced projects

Bambulab P1S

6

The Bambulab P1S is a high-performance 3D printer that delivers speed and precision, making it perfect for teens interested in more complex designs. With an enclosed build chamber, it offers better temperature control, leading to higher quality prints. This printer is designed for advanced users who want to experiment with a wide variety of filaments and materials.

BambuLab P1S closely competes with Prusa Mini+ in the $400-$600 range. If you prefer a closed chamber printer, you can go for this one above Prusa Mini+ (my recommendation).

  • Price Range: $$$
  • Features: Enclosed build chamber, high speed, multi-material compatibility
  • Best for: Advanced teens and serious makers

AnkerMake M5C

7

The AnkerMake M5C is a sleek, high-quality 3D printer that offers great performance at a competitive price. It comes equipped with features like auto-bed leveling and fast printing speeds, making it a great option for teens and families looking for a reliable machine. Its minimalist design also makes it an attractive addition to any home.

If you are looking for a fast printer from a reliable brand within a constrained budget, AnkerMake M5C can be a great choice.

  • Price Range: $$
  • Features: Fast printing, auto-bed leveling, sleek design
  • Best for: Families and older kids looking for speed and reliability

Prusa MK4S

8

The Prusa MK4S is a top-tier 3D printer that offers outstanding print quality and reliability. It’s equipped with advanced features such as a direct drive extruder, automatic bed leveling, and a robust construction. This printer is ideal for serious young makers and teens who want to create high-precision projects.

Prusa MK4S counts among the best home-use 3D printers in the market (actually competing with entry-range commercial printers), and will be a good buy if budget is not a constraint. The printer is available in both DIY and assembled versions. As the assembled one costs a lot ($300) more, I recommend buying the DIY version.

  • Price Range: $$$$
  • Features: Direct drive extruder, high precision, robust construction
  • Best for: Teens and serious makers looking for top-notch performance

Flashforge Adventurer 5M 3D Printer

9

The Flashforge Adventurer 5M 3D Printer is a user-friendly machine with a fully enclosed design, making it safe for kids. It also features a built-in camera for remote monitoring and supports cloud printing. This printer is perfect for families looking for an easy-to-use, reliable option with a range of features for both beginners and more experienced users.

The printer’s catchy features (built-in camera, cloud printing, decent printing speed) have made this printer a bestselling product on Amazon, but recent reviews suggest that the printer is not durable and might be a risky buy.

  • Price Range: $$
  • Features: Enclosed design, built-in camera, cloud printing
  • Best for: Families and kids of all ages

Creality Ender 3 3D Printer

10

The Creality Ender 3 is a solid budget-friendly option that delivers impressive print quality for its price. It’s a favorite among hobbyists due to its large online community, which provides a wealth of resources and mods. While it requires some assembly, it’s a great choice for older kids and teens who enjoy hands-on building and customization.

This printer is an old model and available for a bargain. If you are buying a 3D printer just to meet the demand of your kid knowing that she/he will play with it for a few days and forget it, you can consider this one available for just $169.

  • Price Range: $
  • Features: Affordable, large online community, customizable
  • Best for: Budget-conscious teens and hobbyists

Creality Ender 3 V3 Plus 3D Printer, 2024 New Version

11

The Creality Ender 3 V3 Plus 3D Printer (2024 New Version) builds upon the success of the previous Ender models with enhanced features like faster print speeds, improved stability, and a more intuitive interface. This model is perfect for older kids and teens who want to take their 3D printing skills to the next level with a reliable and powerful machine.

If you are looking for a fast and reliable printer that doesn’t break the bank, this one can be right for you.

  • Price Range: $$
  • Features: Improved speed, stability, and interface
  • Best for: Intermediate users and teens

AOSEED X-Maker 3D Printer for Kids and Beginners

12

The AOSEED X-Maker is a fantastic choice for young kids and beginners. It comes with an enclosed design for safety, a simple interface, and uses child-friendly materials. This printer is an excellent introduction to 3D printing, with preloaded models and easy-to-use software that helps kids start creating right away.

If safety and no supervision requirement are your priorities, X-Maker can be a great bet. An 8-9 year old will be able to operate it pretty independently. However, unless you don’t have any time at all to spare for your kids, I recommend staying away from built-for-kids printers due to their limited functionality and less value for money.

  • Price Range: $
  • Features: Enclosed design, simple interface, preloaded models
  • Best for: Young beginners and families

Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro

13

The Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro is a versatile 3D printer that offers excellent print quality and features like a dual-gear extruder, automatic bed leveling, and a large build volume. It’s perfect for kids and teens looking for a printer that can handle more complex designs and larger projects.

Priced $50 higher than A1 Mini and Ender 3 V3 SE, Neptune 4 Pro is another good affordable option with some features that its cheaper-priced competitors don’t have.

  • Price Range: $$
  • Features: Dual-gear extruder, large build volume, auto-bed leveling
  • Best for: Advanced users and teens

Conclusion

With a wide range of 3D printers available, there’s something for every young maker, whether they are just starting or looking to tackle more advanced projects. From the kid-friendly Toybox 3D Printer to the high-performance Prusa MK4S, each model offers unique features that cater to different needs and skill levels. Below’s also a summary comparison table that will help you choose quickly.

Happy shopping, happy printing!

WinnersPrinter NamePrice RangeFeaturesBest ForBuy Here
Toybox 3D Printer$Kid-friendly interface, compact design, preloaded with toy designsYoung beginners; no assembly required; minimal supervisionBuy from Amazon @ $299 (LOWEST PRICE)
Best Budget Multi-colour printerBambu A1 Mini$Compact design, automatic bed leveling, beginner-friendlyKids and beginners; minimal assembly; occasional supervisionBuy EXCLUSIVELY from official BambuLab Store @$199Buy Combo EXCLUSIVELY from official BambuLab Store @$349
Best Value for Money Printer in $400+ RangePrusa Mini+$$$Compact design, automatic bed leveling, magnetic print sheetTeens and intermediate users; requires some assembly; moderate supportBuy from official Prusa Store @ ~$515 (LOWEST PRICE; prices slightly vary by location)Buy from Amazon @ $599
Best Budget Printer OverallCreality Ender 3 V3 SE$$Automatic bed leveling, quieter operation, faster printsTweens and teens; requires assembly; some supervision neededBuy from official Creality Store @ ~$199 (LOWEST PRICE; prices slightly vary by location)Buy from Amazon @ $219
Bambulab P1S$$$Enclosed build chamber, high speed, multi-material compatibilityAdvanced teens and serious makers; no assembly; minimal supervisionBuy EXCLUSIVELY from official BambuLab Store @$599Buy Combo EXCLUSIVELY from official BambuLab Store @$849
AnkerMake M5C$$Fast printing, auto-bed leveling, sleek designFamilies and older kids; minimal assembly; light supervisionBuy from Amazon @ $200 (LOWEST PRICE) Buy from official AnkerMake Store @ ~$217
Best Premium PrinterPrusa MK4S$$$$Direct drive extruder, high precision, robust constructionTeens and serious makers; requires assembly; some support recommendedBuy EXCLUSIVELY from official Prusa Store @ ~$849 (Prices vary slightly by location)
# 1 Amazon BestsellerFlashforge Adventurer 5M 3D Printer$$Enclosed design, built-in camera, cloud printingFamilies and kids of all ages; no assembly; low supervision neededBuy from Amazon @ $299 (LOWEST PRICE)
CheapestCreality Ender 3 3D Printer$Affordable, large online community, customizableBudget-conscious teens; requires full assembly; support recommendedBuy from Amazon @ $169 (LOWEST PRICE)
Fastest SpeedCreality Ender 3 V3 Plus 3D Printer, 2024 New Version$$Improved speed, stability, and interfaceIntermediate users and teens; requires assembly; light supervisionBuy from Amazon @ $439 (LOWEST PRICE)
Best Kids-only PrinterAOSEED X-Maker 3D Printer for Kids and Beginners$Enclosed design, simple interface, preloaded modelsYoung beginners and families; no assembly; minimal supervisionBuy from Amazon @ $364 (LOWEST PRICE, 8 PLA filament set included)
Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro$$Dual-gear extruder, large build volume, auto-bed levelingAdvanced users and teens; requires some assembly; moderate supervisionBuy from official Elgoo Store @ $220 (LOWEST PRICE)Buy from Amazon @ $285