5 Small 3D Printers Perfect for Your Home or Office

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3D printers are useful devices, especially for anyone who likes to create personal projects, but whether or not a 3D printer is worth it also depends on how much space you have. Indeed, several models generally take up a lot of space on the desk due to the movement of the bed and the filament holder. In addition, during long-term work, they also make a lot of noise.

Luckily, you don’t need a big machine to get good results. There are compact 3D printers designed to fit into smaller spaces without giving up important features. So you’ll always have automatic leveling and enough volume for common projects. This makes them attractive options for anyone with limited space.

Although there are some compromises compared to larger models, such as limiting yourself to smaller projects or printing parts in multiple pieces before joining them later, some models are still worth it. We’ve selected some small 3D printer options that you can consider for your home or office.

The Bambu Lab A1 mini is probably one of the best small 3D printers you can buy if you don’t want to lose many of the features of the larger models. It measures 347 x 315 x 365 mm and offers a print volume of 180 x 180 x 180 mm, as well as automatic calibration, an integrated camera and a maximum speed of up to 500 mm/s. Due to its size, the Bambu Lab A1 mini, at $219, is one of the cheapest 3D printers you can find at under $500.

The small size brings some limitations, especially if you have already used a traditional Bambu Lab A1. The first point is that this mini version has a much smaller print volume, so larger objects need to be divided into several parts. Additionally, the mini’s bed only reaches 80°C and the manufacturer recommends using only PLA, PETG, TPU and PVA. So, more complex materials such as ABS, ASA and other filaments are not recommended. Depending on what you want, these concessions are relatively small.

For anyone who wants a compact printer, but with a little more room to work on projects, the $449 Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro is a good choice. It measures 380 x 400 x 453 mm and offers a volume of 220 x 220 x 220 mm. Even though it’s closed, it maintains a reasonable footprint for larger desks, while including virtually factory-ready automatic leveling and assembly.

The model also stands out for offices by producing only 50 dB in low noise mode and using activated carbon HEPA filtration. Thanks to its closed structure, it also allows you to handle more complex materials, such as ABS and ASA.

The Adventurer 5M Pro also achieves a travel speed of 600 mm/s and incorporates a camera to monitor prints, as well as Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB connectivity options. Although it is compact compared to other enclosed printers, it still takes up quite a bit of space. Buying it therefore makes more sense for anyone who does not want to give up the functionality of a closed model.

If you want to support a number of materials and are comfortable with a more open platform, the Original Prusa Mini+ is an option. As for size, it measures 380 x 330 x 380 mm, without the filament holder or external power supply, and it has a print volume of 180 x 180 x 180 mm. It also supports auto-leveling, as well as a 2.8-inch color LCD screen. In terms of material support, you can use PLA, PETG, ASA, ABS, polycarbonate, nylon, and other filaments, which greatly expands the types of projects it can handle.

The problem is that while it’s still a good printer, the Original Prusa Mini+ is an older model and is showing its age in some areas. It has a slower Bowden system and Wi-Fi requires an optional module. Additionally, manufacturing volume remains low for larger parts, so some users may want to skip the $549 Prusa Mini+ for other affordable options. However, it remains interesting for anyone who wants simple maintenance and wants to use Prusa’s open ecosystem.

For anyone who wants a small printer without spending a lot, the $199 Creality Ender-3 V3 SE is a nice option. It measures 420 x 366 x 490mm and offers a print volume of 220 x 220 x 250mm – larger than some compact competitors. It is also a little larger than some models in this category.

The Ender-3 V3 SE makes setup much simpler compared to older models in the lineup. It brings auto leveling, a direct drive extruder and a maximum printing speed of up to 250mm/s. You also don’t need to spend a lot of time setting up the machine before starting the first project, making it much less complicated for 3D printing beginners.

However, this model has some limitations due to its lower price. It lacks a closed cabinet, a built-in camera, and Wi-Fi connectivity, all of which are standard features on most newer models. Additionally, you need to monitor the space around the machine, as the bed moves back and forth during operation. But the 3D printer makes up for it with a decent build volume.

Another printer from Creality, the K1C is an option for anyone who wants a compact, enclosed model. It measures 355 x 355 x 482mm, so it’s also a bit big. On the other hand, the CoreXY format avoids having to reserve additional space around the printer due to the movable bed that some versions have.

Performance is also one of its main strengths. The K1C can reach up to 600mm/s, uses a direct-drive extruder and brings auto-leveling, a built-in camera and Wi-Fi connectivity. The enclosed cabinet still allows working with a wider variety of materials including PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, PC and carbon fiber reinforced filaments. There are, however, some compromises. Its 220 x 220 x 250mm build volume further limits large projects, and the K1C takes up more space than models like the A1 mini. It also costs $369, which might not suit budget-conscious buyers.

One of the first criteria for compiling this list was the physical size of each printer. We’ve prioritized models that take up about 16 x 16 inches of desktop space and measure up to 20 inches in height. We’ve also taken into account the extra space needed, since some models have beds that move during printing, which can take up a larger area than their original measurements.

But size wasn’t the only criterion. We also analyzed the main specifications of each model, such as build volume, printing speed, leveling, connectivity, and other useful features. Smaller models usually require some compromises, mainly when printing large parts. We therefore looked for compact models that still offer good performance for common projects without affecting the user experience too much.