Best 3D Printers Under $300 (2026 Buying Guide)

You want to start 3D printing and are looking for the best 3D printer under $300? This price range now offers impressive quality - if you choose the right model.

In this 3D printer comparison, I’ll introduce you to the best beginner printers of 2026. After hundreds of hours of printing and intensive research, I’ll show you which printer fits your needs.

Best 3D Printers Under $300 Overview

Printer	Price	Print Volume	Speed	Best For
Bambu Lab A1 Mini	~$280	180x180x180mm	500mm/s	Beginners who don’t want to tinker
Creality Ender 3 V3 SE	~$200	220x220x250mm	250mm/s	Budget tinkerers
Creality Ender 3 V3	~$280	220x220x250mm	500mm/s	Best Creality option
Anycubic Kobra 3	~$250	220x220x250mm	500mm/s	Solid middle ground
Elegoo Neptune 4	~$230	225x225x265mm	500mm/s	Value champion

1. Bambu Lab A1 Mini - Best for Beginners

Price: ~$280 | Print Volume: 180x180x180mm

The Bambu Lab A1 Mini is the best 3D printer under $300 for beginners. It has revolutionized how we think about affordable 3D printers.

What Makes the A1 Mini Special?

• Plug & Play: Unbox, turn on, print - no calibration needed
• Excellent print quality: Better than many $500+ printers
• Extremely fast: Up to 500mm/s print speed
• Quiet: Only 48dB during operation
• AMS-compatible: Upgrade to multi-color printing possible

Pros

• No learning curve needed
• Best print quality in its price range
• Active software updates
• Excellent app control
• Reliable from the first print

Cons

• Smaller print volume (180mm³)
• Cloud connection needed for full features
• Proprietary system

Who Is the A1 Mini Ideal For?

The perfect 3D printer for beginners who want to start immediately. If you don’t want to tinker and just want to print, there’s no better option under $300.

Rating: 9.5/10

2. Creality Ender 3 V3 SE - Budget King

Price: ~$200 | Print Volume: 220x220x250mm

The Ender 3 V3 SE is the best 3D printer under $200 and offers unbeatable value for money for getting into 3D printing.

Ender 3 V3 SE Highlights

• Auto-leveling: CR Touch for automatic bed leveling
• Direct Drive: Better filament feeding than Bowden systems
• Large print volume: 220x220x250mm for bigger projects
• Sprite Extruder: Reliable and low-maintenance

Pros

• Unbeatable price (~$200)
• Huge community for help
• Many upgrade options
• Large print volume
• Open source firmware

Cons

• More learning required than Bambu
• Slower print speed
• Manual fine-tuning needed
• Louder fans

Who Is the Ender 3 V3 SE Ideal For?

Perfect for tech-savvy beginners who like to tinker, learn, and have a limited budget. The massive community helps with every problem.

Rating: 8.5/10

3. Creality Ender 3 V3 - The Upgrade

Price: ~$280 | Print Volume: 220x220x250mm

The Ender 3 V3 (without SE) is Creality’s answer to fast CoreXY printers and offers significantly more performance than its cheaper sibling.

What’s New with the Ender 3 V3?

• CoreXZ kinematics: Faster and more precise
• 500mm/s print speed: On par with Bambu
• Dual-Z: Better stability for large prints
• Improved cooling: For overhangs and bridges

Pros

• Bambu-like speed
• Larger print volume than A1 Mini
• Creality community support
• Cheaper than Bambu A1 (full size)

Cons

• More complex setup
• More maintenance than Bambu
• Software not as polished

Who Is the Ender 3 V3 Ideal For?

For everyone who needs more print volume than the A1 Mini but doesn’t want the Bambu ecosystem.

Rating: 8/10

4. Anycubic Kobra 3 - The Dark Horse

Price: ~$250 | Print Volume: 220x220x250mm

Anycubic has a solid mid-range printer with the Kobra 3 that’s often overlooked.

Kobra 3 Features

• Automatic calibration: LeviQ 3.0 system
• Fast printing: Up to 500mm/s
• Intuitive operation: 4.3” touchscreen
• Good print quality: Comparable to Ender 3 V3

Pros

• Good balance of price and performance
• Easy setup
• ACE system for multi-color printing available
• Solid build quality

Cons

• Smaller community than Creality
• Fewer upgrades available
• Software not as mature

Rating: 7.5/10

5. Elegoo Neptune 4 - Value Champion

Price: ~$230 | Print Volume: 225x225x265mm

The Elegoo Neptune 4 offers excellent value for money with Klipper firmware pre-installed.

Neptune 4 Highlights

• Klipper pre-installed: Fast and precise
• Large print volume: More than most competitors
• 500mm/s speed: High-speed right out of the box
• PEI print plate: Good adhesion, easy removal

Pros

• Very affordable price
• Klipper out-of-the-box
• Large print volume
• Good baseline print quality

Cons

• Smallest community
• Less polished software
• Somewhat louder than competitors

Rating: 7.5/10

Buying Guide: Which 3D Printer Under $300 Is Right for You?

Choose the Bambu Lab A1 Mini if you…

• Want to start immediately without tinkering
• Want the best print quality
• Need a compact device for your desk
• Might want multi-color printing later
• Are willing to invest $280

Choose the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE if you…

• Have a limited budget under $200
• Like to tinker and learn
• Plan larger prints
• Want to use the large community
• Want to upgrade later

Choose the Creality Ender 3 V3 if you…

• Want fast print speed
• Need large print volume
• Prefer the Creality world
• Are between Bambu and budget

What You Need in Addition to Your 3D Printer Under $300

Essential Accessories (~$30)

• PLA Filament - 1kg from the printer manufacturer ($20)
• Isopropyl alcohol 99% - For bed cleaning ($5)
• Flush cutters - For removing supports ($5)

Recommended Accessories (~$50 extra)

• Spare nozzles - 0.4mm brass or hardened ($5)
• Spatula - For removing prints ($5)
• Dry box - Keeps filament dry ($30)
• Tweezers - For fine work ($5)

Nice-to-have (~$50 extra)

• Webcam - For remote monitoring
• LED light - Better visibility while printing
• Enclosure - For ABS/ASA prints

Common Questions When Buying a 3D Printer

Is $200 Enough for a Good Printer?

Yes, but with caveats. The Creality Ender 3 V3 SE for ~$200 is excellent but requires more learning time. Below $150, quality becomes problematic - these printers often cost more long-term through frustration and upgrades.

Do I Need to Buy Additional Software?

No. Slicer software like Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, or Cura are free. You’ll find free 3D models on Printables.com and Thingiverse.com.

How Much Space Does a 3D Printer Need?

The Bambu A1 Mini fits on any desk (~16x14 inches). Larger printers like the Ender 3 V3 need about 20x20 inches of space plus room for filament.

Is the Bambu Worth the Extra Money?

If you want to print immediately and avoid frustration: Yes, absolutely. The $80 difference to the Ender 3 V3 SE saves you in the first weeks through fewer failed prints and time saved.

My Verdict: The Best 3D Printer Under $300 in 2026

For most beginners: The Bambu Lab A1 Mini is the best 3D printer under $300. The combination of immediate usability, excellent print quality, and thoughtful software is unmatched.

For budget buyers: The Creality Ender 3 V3 SE offers excellent value at $200 but requires more learning.

For speed enthusiasts with large projects: The Creality Ender 3 V3 offers Bambu-like speed with larger print volume.

No matter which printer you choose - getting into 3D printing under $300 has never been easier and higher quality than in 2026.

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Still unsure? Read our detailed Bambu A1 Mini vs Creality Ender 3 comparison for a head-to-head of the two most popular beginner printers.

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