A 3D printer opens up a whole world of fun, and no matter who you are, you can always find everyday uses for a 3D printer. But since it’s a more specialized technology category than, say, phones, you may not be very familiar with the brand names and the products they produce. For example, FlashForge is undeniably one of the biggest 3D printer brands, but it is not as popular in the field as Elegoo. Still, it packs a punch in the budget space with its Creator 5 and Adventurer 5X models (priced at $699 and $349, respectively), perfectly positioned to attract new people to 3D printing.
But who owns FlashForge? Compared to other companies owned by conglomerates with millions of other companies under their belt, ownership of FlashForge is pretty straightforward. Founded in 2011 and based in Zhejiang, the company is privately held and also goes by its full name, Zhejiang Flashforge 3D Technology Co. This is no surprise. China appears to be a major hub for 3D printing companies, with Bambu Lab operating in Shenzhen, as does Creality – another important brand.
According to the company’s release, FlashForge puts reliability, affordability and user-friendliness at the forefront. However, don’t let its Adventurer series (aimed at amateurs) mislead you. Despite the focus on accessibility, FlashForge also makes industrial-grade printers. With over 1,000 core employees, FlashForge launched a few notable divisions, primarily FlashForge USA, a move that helped the company break into the commercial-grade market in North America.
Are FlashForge 3D printers any good?
FlashForge has a strong reputation among enthusiasts, and many online creators are generally happy with what the brand releases. For example, prominent 3D printing enthusiasts like “Macy Makes 3d” said positive things about FlashForge Creator 5. Meanwhile, YouTuber TheRCSaylors (a relative 3D printing newbie with over 600,000 subscribers) was impressed by the FlashForge AD5X (a $399 multicolor printer) and compared it favorably to Bambu Lab products in terms of results and quality.
The talk in the trenches is largely what video creators are saying, with many Redditors calling their FlashForge 3D printers “workhorses.” The sentiment is similar to that of experts, as many professional reviewers also like FlashForge. So any way you slice it, you get something that suits a wide range of users.
However, FlashForge tends to go unnoticed. 3D printing is becoming extremely competitive, especially in the sub-$1,000 price category, and Bambu Labs has shaken up the market despite being around for less than a decade. You wouldn’t be alone if you never heard of FlashForge after 3D printers became common, but just because you haven’t heard of FlashForge until now doesn’t mean it’s not good.
