Checklist · 11 picks · 4 categories

3D printing

Edited by Zach · updated Oct 30, 2026 · How I pick

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Budget printer Bambu Lab A1 Mini Best for a cheap, compact first printer$200-300Shop on Amazon
Easy multi-color Anycubic Kobra X Best for multi-color printing from day one$300-500Shop on Amazon
Cheap filament Voxel PLA+ Best for cheap everyday prints in bright colors$15-25Shop on Amazon

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3D printers used to mean hours of leveling beds and fixing failed prints. Not anymore.

The beginner picks here set themselves up: TechRadar says the Bambu Lab A1 Mini needs no manual calibration or assembly, and the Anycubic Kobra X has guided onboarding and four colors out of the box. Feed it PLA, the easiest filament to print with, and Tom's Hardware's picks cover cheap basics and every finish you can think of. Flush cutters and a deburring tool clean up supports and sharp edges, and digital calipers from Bob Vila's test help once you start designing your own parts. Each card shows the drawback the reviewers called out, so you know what you're trading for the price.

Who this is not for. Skip this if you'd rather buy finished desk gear than make it; the Desk Upgrade list has ready-made picks.

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Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 30, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.

The must-haves

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01 Printer

the first pick is the one I would start with

Compare these 3

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
Bambu Lab A1 Mini	budget	$200-300	a cheap, compact first printer	2 outlets agree
Anycubic Kobra X	splurge	$300-500	multi-color printing from day one	1 outlet
Bambu Lab A1	mid	$300-500	bigger prints without a big learning curve	Limited evidence

Best 3d printer

budget pick · 180 x 180 x 180 mm build

Bambu Lab A1 Mini

Best for a cheap, compact first printer

TechRadar's best 3D printer on a budget: no manual calibration or assembly, excellent print quality and fast performance, with an optional AMS Lite for up to four filaments.

Heads up. Less responsive touchscreen, and filament swaps take time

2 outlets agree. TechRadar best 3D printer on a budget. Popular Science best designed budget 3D printer.

$200-300

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splurge pick · 260 x 260 x 260 mm build

Anycubic Kobra X

Best for multi-color printing from day one

TechRadar's best 3D printer for beginners: fast, frustration-free setup, guided calibration and clean prints with minimal fuss, plus native 4-color printing.

Heads up. Open frame limits materials, and color changes waste a lot of filament

1 outlet. TechRadar best 3D printer for beginners.

$300-500

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mid pick · Full-size

Bambu Lab A1

Best for bigger prints without a big learning curve

On TechRadar's also-reviewed list, which calls it ideal for most people: small, fun and easy to use, with good quality prints.

Heads up. Complex software, no enclosure and an 80ºC heated platform limit

Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.

$300-500

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02 Filament

Compare these 3

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
Voxel PLA+	budget	$15-25	cheap everyday prints in bright colors	1 outlet
Elegoo PLA Plus	budget	$15-25	stronger parts that still print easily	1 outlet
Polymaker Panchroma PLA	mid	$15-25	matte, silk and glitter finishes	1 outlet

Best filament

budget pick · 1 kg spool

Voxel PLA+

Best for cheap everyday prints in bright colors

Tom's Hardware's best budget PLA: a no-nonsense, high-speed filament in bold, bright colors on plastic spools that work in AMS-style systems.

Heads up. Only basic colors

1 outlet. Tom's Hardware best budget PLA.

$15-25

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budget pick · 1 kg spool

Elegoo PLA Plus

Best for stronger parts that still print easily

Tom's Hardware's best budget PLA on Amazon: strong prints with smooth quality at an affordable price, and it prints like normal PLA.

Heads up. Limited colors

1 outlet. Tom's Hardware best budget PLA on Amazon.

$15-25

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mid pick · 1 kg spool

Polymaker Panchroma PLA

Best for matte, silk and glitter finishes

Tom's Hardware's best all around PLA selection: every color imaginable, plus matte, silk, glitter, glow-in-the-dark and more finishes.

Heads up. Cardboard spools

1 outlet. Tom's Hardware best all around PLA selection.

$15-25

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03 Measure

Best calipers

budget pick · 6 in

Adoric Digital Caliper Measuring Tool

Best for measuring for your own designs

Bob Vila's best bang for the buck digital caliper: good accuracy and a clear display for the price. Handy for measuring things you want to print parts for.

Heads up. The battery cover pops off now and then, and the all-plastic build is less durable

1 outlet. Bob Vila best bang for the buck digital caliper.

$15-25

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mid pick · 6 in

Clockwise Tools Digital Caliper

Best for a caliper you'll use for years

Bob Vila's best overall digital caliper: a strong all-around pick with a large, easy-to-read display and weather resistance.

Heads up. The analog rule markings may confuse some people

1 outlet. Bob Vila best overall digital caliper.

$25-50

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04 Clean up

Compare these 3

Pick	Tier	Price	Best for	Evidence
BOENFU Flush Cutters	budget	under $15	snipping supports and filament ends	Limited evidence
AFA Deburring Tool	budget	$15-25	clean edges on finished prints	Limited evidence
Creality 3D Printer Tool Kit	mid	$25-50	getting every maintenance tool at once	Limited evidence

Best print cleanup tools

budget pick · Pocket-size

BOENFU Flush Cutters

Best for snipping supports and filament ends

From Tom's Hardware's 3D printer tool guide: flush cutters trim filament, clean out supports and snip cable ties, and this cheap pair is a good one to have.

Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.

under $15

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budget pick · Pen-size

AFA Deburring Tool

Best for clean edges on finished prints

The deburring tool a Tom's Hardware writer uses: a sharp but safe blade trims stray plastic and leaves a clean edge without risking your fingers.

Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.

$15-25

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mid pick · 74 pieces

Creality 3D Printer Tool Kit

Best for getting every maintenance tool at once

Tom's Hardware calls this 74-piece kit a "one and done" purchase for keeping a printer running, from a 34-piece screwdriver set to a magnetic project mat.

Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.

$25-50

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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me

Questions people ask

Which filament should a beginner use?

PLA. Tom's Hardware calls it the most forgiving material: it prints at a low temperature, barely warps and doesn't need an enclosure. It's brittle and doesn't like sun, so keep it for decorative stuff and low-stress parts.

Do I need an enclosed printer?

Not for PLA. Tom's Hardware notes that ABS and ASA need an enclosure to prevent warping, but PLA runs on any printer. The A1 Mini, A1 and Kobra X are all open-frame.

What tools do I need besides the printer?

Flush cutters for snipping supports and filament, a scraper if prints stick to the bed, and a deburring tool for clean edges. Some printers include a few tools in the box, and a kit like Creality's covers the rest.

3D printing

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The must-haves