In Italian, there is a saying that goes something like “union makes strength”. It basically means that the group is stronger than the sum of its parts. In 3D printing, the “group” is 3D Hubs and its hubs, together, are much stronger than each separate 3D printer owner. This is demonstrated in many ways, but even more so in the latest 3D Printer Guide from 3D Hubs.
The 2016 edition, launching today, is the result of a cumulative 5,350 reviews, 638 hours of writing, 3,962 years of experience and 714,300 3D prints made with the 441 reviewed 3D printers. All of these numbers, incidentally, equal to roughly double the numbers registered for the 2015 edition, which further reflects 3D Hubs exponential growth rate (and, to a certain extent, that of the entire industry).
So, what did the 3D Hubbers say were their best 3D printers? Some are not so much a surprise, but more of a confirmation supported by cold, hard data and warm user reviews. In total, 20 models made it to the Top 3D Printers list, each with at least 20 in-depth reviews from experienced 3D printer owners. If yours is not among these and you want to see exactly where it stands, you can visit the 3D Hubs Printer Index, with the 126 types of 3D printers that did not make it to the top of the list.
The Top 20, on the other hand, were divided into categories. The first one we are going to look at is the “Budget” range, which includes machines under $1,000. I am happy to see that they were also featured on 3DPI’s Top 10 3D printers under $1,000 list – all of them except one: the top-rated Craftbot, from Hungary-based Craft Unique, which, in fact, is a great 3D printer (the reason we had not featured it, I believe, is that it would come out to above $1,000 if VAT was considered). Runner ups include well known user favorites, such as the Printrbot, UP Mini and Flashforge Creator.
The next category, “Enthusiasts”, includes those machines that are top rated among those who want to have the freedom to tinker with them and, at the same time, expect a certain level of quality and stability. Five of these I regularly see inside FabLabs and stores: Spain’s top-rated BQ Witbox, Italy’s DeltaWASP, Holland’s Ultimaker 2, and Colorado’s own LulzBot TAZ 5. Curiously enough, the machine I am least familiar with, the Makergear M2 is the top-rated overall. The M2 did, however, make it onto 3DPI’s Top 10 Under $2,500, however.
Next up is the DIY kit section. Once again there are no big surprises, with all of the most popular architectures being represented. The top-rated overall in this section is the Rostock Max, however both Mendel and Prusa RepRap projects are present through the Prusa Steel and Mendel90. Needless to say, the Ultimaker Original+ also made the list.
For the type of 3D printer user I am, the next section is my own favorite: Plug ‘n Play. Here, it is the Zortrax M200 that takes home the gold (and I could not agree more). I have also tried first-hand the easy-to-use BEETHEFIRST, which came in second. The other two 3D printers in this list I have never tried personally, but, from covering them and speaking with the teams behind them about their creative visions (and from Mike’s review), I had no doubt that Aleph Object’s LulzBot Mini and Robox’s CEL would be there.
Finally, we get to the photopolymer 3D printers. There are only two in top 20 list, but they are both extremely significant. The Form1+ is important because it has completely changed the dynamics of the professional 3D printing industry, making high-quality stereolithography truly accessible to all. The B9, on the other hand, is significant because it is a truly “community-driven” platform. Let’s face it, the machine looks “odd”, it has been on the market for quite a while and is not particularly “cheap”; however, the quality it is capable of achieving is impressive and the reason why it is so popular is because many individuals help spread the word. And their “union” made it stronger.
