From PCMAG · Michael Lydick · · 1m 40s
The Best 3D Printers We've Tested for 2026
PCMag tests top 3D printers for 2026, highlighting Bambu Lab P2S as best overall.
In brief
PCMag tests top 3D printers for 2026, highlighting Bambu Lab P2S as best overall. PCMag's editors recommend Bambu Lab P2S as best 3D printer for most users in 2026. Originally reported by PCMAG.
Best Overall 3D Printer for Most People
PCMag editors tested over 70 3D printers since 2010s for print quality and value.
“PC Labs has reviewed more than 70 3D printers built around different applications and print technologies”
Bambu Lab P2S Recommended
Bambu Lab P2S offers clean prints, fast extrusion, quiet operation, and intelligent cooling.
“Bambu Lab’s P2S desktop 3d printer produces some of the cleanest prints we have ever seen from a consumer model”
Price Range for 3D Printers
Printers range from $200 budget models to $5,000 professional models.
“They have ranged from professional printers costing five thousand dollars to budget models as affordable as two hundred dollars”
Best Budget Filament 3D Printer
Qidi Q2 provides strong feature set for $499 with good print quality and compact footprint.
“Equipped with active chamber heating the closed-frame qidi q2 is an excellent reasonably priced 3d printer for hobbyists”
Best Budget Multicolor-Capable 3D Printer
Bambu Lab A1 mini offers four-color printing for $249 with fast standard print speed.
“The Bambu Lab A1 mini is a top-notch 3d printer for beginners or hobbyists seeking an affordable option”
Best Mainstream Multicolor 3D Printer
Snapmaker U1 supports multi-material printing with integrated tool-changing system for $749.
“With an exceptional feature set and broad filament support the easy-to-use snapmaker u1 raises the bar for hobbyist-level multicolor 3d printers”
Best Pro-Level Multi-Material 3D Printer
Bambu Lab X2D delivers excellent print quality with dual-nozzle system for $899.97.
“The Bambu Lab X2D builds intelligently on the company's iconic x1 carbon pairing heated chamber printing with a clever dual nozzle system”
Best Budget Resin 3D Printer
Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra provides 9K detail for $356.98 with auto leveling.
“The Elegoo Mars 5 Ultra is one of the easiest resin printers to recommend combining excellent nine k detail with thoughtful automation”
Best Mainstream Resin 3D Printer
Formlabs Form Studio 1 delivers top-notch software and resin ecosystem for $699.
“The Formlabs Form Studio 1 brings a beautifully designed tightly integrated resin 3d printing system to hobbyists”
Best Budget Large Object 3D Printer
Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus prints large objects for $417.56 with good quality.
“The open frame elegoo neptune four plus 3d printer produces big high quality prints for a moderate price”
Best Pro-Level Large Object 3D Printer
Ultimaker S5 offers dual extruders and large build volume for $6,950.
“The Ultimaker S5's dual extruders good print quality large build volume and easy setup and operation make it worthy of our editors choice”
Best 3D Printer for Kids
Toybox Alpha Three provides one-touch simplicity for $417.56 with kid-friendly design.
“The Toybox Alpha Three nails kid first 3d printing with one touch simplicity and a huge library of ready made fun”
Best UV Printer
EufyMake E1 delivers exceptional value for $2,499 with friction-free printing.
“Combining the best features of inkjet and 3d printers the eufy make e1 is a groundbreaking device for printing textures and graphics”
What it means
PCMag's editors recommend Bambu Lab P2S as best 3D printer for most users in 2026.
