5 3D Printer Brands You Should Avoid, According to Users

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Having a 3D printer on hand always feels like a manufacturing superpower, giving you the ability to create custom tools, replacement parts, toys, and more with just the press of a button. However, this enthusiasm can quickly fade when purchasing a low-quality or outdated 3D printer. There are tips and tricks that make 3D printing easier, but all of that goes out the window if your device is dull. This is why you should always do your research to find out what you need to know before purchasing a 3D printer.

It’s easy to see why 3D printers are so popular these days, especially for hobbyists who want to experiment with a new toy or projects that save users money without spending a fortune. However, community veterans on forums and review websites advise staying away from some of the more problematic models as you might spend more time repairing and maintaining rather than printing STL files. After looking at the ratings and reviews, here are five 3D printers you should avoid buying, based on direct user feedback.

The EasyThreed K7 looks like an incredible deal for parents and budget shoppers with a $79.99 price tag and a compact footprint that may look appealing for a small office. It’s even remarkably quiet during operation, maintaining a noise level below 60 dB, making it less intrusive in a home environment. For kids who want to print small trinkets, print-in-place objects, and small solid figures, this is a very low-stakes entry point into the creating hobby.

However, reviewers and users frequently describe the EasyThreed K7 as a “disposable” printer due to its flimsy construction and limited capabilities. It has a tiny 100mm by 100mm by 100mm build plate that lacks heating functionality, meaning users can only use PLA filament. And because it relies on a single Z axis and lightweight plastic parts, it lacks the stability needed for consistent quality. The print speed doesn’t help either, with the unit’s higher speed causing “ringing” and “ghosting” artifacts on 3D printing projects. Most manufacturers suggest saving a little more for a larger machine, with the K7 being an option that outgrows or accidentally breaks in just a few weeks of regular use.

The Tronxy Crux 1S is another 3D printer aimed at beginners who want a portable, space-saving machine. It’s incredibly easy to move and features a dual-axis OSG guide rail designed to provide smoother movement compared to standard rollers. It will run buyers around $170, looks quite modern, and offers a relatively quiet printing experience. For users looking for a small footprint and easy assembly, the Crux 1S seems like a great choice on paper.

Unfortunately, users report that the Tronxy Crux 1S is not entirely consistent in terms of mechanical efficiency. Since the cantilever print arm is only supported on one side, it may be prone to sagging or vibration during larger prints, resulting in layer failures, misaligned projects, or complete failures. Community members on Reddit often complain about the filament not sticking in the middle of the print, resulting in a bed of noodles and half a finished project, which is practically a waste of filament. The Crux 1S looks the part, but quality control is hit or miss, with some users experiencing random shutdowns and software glitches after only the first few layers. For users who are comfortable constantly changing belt tension and bed leveling, this is a cheap solution, but it also defeats the point of getting a cheap, beginner-friendly 3D printer.

The Creality Ender 3 was the go-to 3D printer for many, and its $169 price tag makes it one of the most affordable ways to get a build volume of 220mm by 220mm by 250mm. As an older device, it boasts a massive community, meaning users can 3D print upgrades and get help with just about any issue imaginable. Even though the Ender 3 was a solid 3D printer for its time, it’s like buying a classic car for a daily commute; It’s full of character but users will spend more time working on it than enjoying it.

Times have certainly changed when it comes to 3D printers, as many entry-level devices now come with convenient features, such as automatic bed leveling and a quiet fan, that were once only found on high-end models. According to users, the Ender 3 lacks many of these modern features, while requiring a larger learning curve than other products. It also uses a noisy eight-bit motherboard and a basic extruder that often struggles with flexible materials like TPU.

The MakerBot Sketch has been positioned as a premier solution for schools and professional environments with its fully enclosed design to help manage fumes and keep little fingers away from the heated build plate. It comes with cloud-based management software that allows a teacher to send STL files to multiple machines from a single dashboard. For an educational environment that requires security and remote management, this is a “set it and forget it” solution that is difficult to find elsewhere.

Despite the obvious benefits, most users find the Makerbot Sketch uneconomical due to its whopping $1,299 price tag. For this high cost, users only get a small build volume of 150mm by 150mm by 150mm, while being locked into an ecosystem that uses expensive, NFC-tagged filament to prevent the use of cheaper third-party options. Trustpilot users frequently complain about constant hardware failures and difficulty reaching customer support. The MakerBot Sketch is a great idea on paper, but it falls short of the competition in terms of value for money and its proprietary ecosystem.

The Toybox 3D printer is the most child-friendly machine on the market. It has a one-touch mobile app that allows kids to start a print without needing to learn complex cutting software. It is a compact and lightweight solution that comes with a toy library that is guaranteed to print successfully. It’s positioned as an entry-level device for kids and beginners, but once users get past the simple interface, the Toybox 3D Printer is extremely limiting for anyone looking to expand their 3D printing knowledge and capabilities.

It has a very small build plate measuring 88.9mm by 78.74mm by 71.12mm and doesn’t have a heated bed, leading to frequent warping issues when not using the sticky surfaces of Toybox’s bed. Although its $299 price seems affordable, the brand encourages its users to purchase high-priced “printer foods” from its own store, which often cost more than double the price of standard PLA. For the same price, users can get a Bambu Lab A1 Mini, which offers automatic calibration, a simple app-based interface, and more space for users to expand their knowledge with a solid 3D printer.