3D printing is no longer limited to adults only. With the rapid growth in technology, there are many beginner-friendly 3D printers available in the market that can be easily used by children. They help kids in learning as well as keep them entertained.
If you’re searching for the best 3D printer for kids, here we have created a detailed review guide of 3D printers that will be perfect for your children. These models are designed primarily for beginners, kids, and hobbyists with a safe and easy-to-use design.
Before proceeding to the detailed guide, let’s discuss how to buy the best 3D printer for kids so that you’ll get the best value for your money.
Buying Guide for Best 3D Printer for Kids
Compared to looking for the best 3D printer for professionals, searching for the best 3D printers for kids is a lot easier. There are only a few models on the market to choose from so you don’t need to confuse while shopping. You can pick the best one for your kid if you know the few important things to look for in a product.
1. Design
It is a very important factor to consider when buying a 3D printer. Keep in mind that you’re buying a 3D printer for your children so the design should be simple and attractive. Buying something that looks unattractive and complicated to use can only keep them away from finding any fun in 3D printing.
2. Ease of Use
You should check whether the 3D printer is easily accessible to your child or not. The more accessible it is to kids, the better. Keep in mind that you’re buying it for your child, not for yourself. So, buy something that is easy to use and has convenient features that make the experience much better for you and your kid.
3. Print Quality
Print quality is important when you’re using a 3D printer. However, entry-level 3D printers don’t offer an excellent level of print quality but you have to make sure you’re satisfied with the end results.
4. Safety for Kids
Safety is another important factor to consider when buying a 3D printer for kids. Because you can’t really stop your kids from being curious it should be safe as much as possible. For safety reasons, enclosed 3D printers are ideal for children. They can protect them from making contact with heating components, which can cause serious burns.
Comparison Table for Best Kids 3D Printers
| Image | Name | Rating | Build Vol. | |
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FlashForge Finder 3D Printer | 4.1/5 | 140x140x140mm | Buy Now |
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R3D FDM 3D Printer | 4.3/5 | 150x150x22mm | Buy Now |
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QIDI TECH X-Maker | 4.6/5 | 170x150x160mm | Buy Now |
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SainSmart Creality Ender-3 | 4.2/5 | 220x220x250mm | Buy Now |
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Creality Cr-100 Mini 3D Printer | 4.1/5 | 100x100x80mm | Buy Now |
Best 3D Printers for Kids in 2023
For those looking for the best cheap 3D printers for kids, here are some of the popular models you should consider. All of these products are from popular manufacturing brands and are priced below $500. So, go through the list and choose one that suits your budget and requirements for your children.
1. FlashForge Finder 3D Printer
- Build volume: 140 x 140 x 140 mm
- Layer resolution: 100-400 microns
- Filament: 1.75 mm
- Printing material: PLA only
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
Flashforge Finder is the best budget 3D printer that offers excellent value for the price. It comes with a semi-enclosed frame that is made of plastic and alloy to ensure stable prints. The Flashforge Finder comes with a 3.5-inch full-color touchscreen at the top with intuitive icons that are easy to use.
The printer has a non-heated print bed which is good to reduce the risk of burned hands. The Finder features a smart assisted leveling system which makes it easy for you to level your build plate for optimal 3D prints. Its slide-in build plate allows you to extract it out of the printer. It is easy to start prints on Flashforge Finder, which means you don’t have to worry about the positioning before you can start your print.
With a simple and easy-to-use design, FlashForge is one of the most affordable 3D printers you can buy for your kids.
2. R3D FDM 3D Printer
- Build volume: 150 x 150 x 220 mm
- Printing accuracy: ± 0.2mm
- Nozzle diameter: 0.4mm
- Printing material: PLA, TPU, Wood, PETG
- Nozzle working temperature: ≤260℃
RDM FDM is one of the best child 3D printers that comes with a unique and beginner-friendly design. It comes with a bendable magnetic plate that is flexible and removable, making it safe for kids to use. The 3D printer is compatible with most of the printing filaments in the market, such as PLA, ABS, PVA, PETG, etc.
The RDM 3D printer features a professional aluminum nozzle that reaches its operating temperature (up to 260℃) in just 3 minutes. Unexpectedly, this machine offers built-in LED lights to monitor and observe the printing process, especially in a dark environment which makes it unique in the $300 price range.
Apart from all these features, the printer also features a power-off recovery printing function that allows you to resume printing from the last layer if the power is turned off/fails. With a silent working mode under 60db, you’ll not get disturbed while you are sleeping or working. If you’re looking for a cheap and lightweight 3D printer for your kid, the RDM Entry-Level 3D printer is the best option currently available on the market.
3. QIDI TECH X-maker 3D Printer
- Build volume: 170 x 150 x 160 mm
- Printing Plate: heated, removable plate
- Min. Layer Height: 100-400 microns
- Filament: 1.75 mm
- Printing material: ABS, PLA, TPU, and more
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB
QIDI Tech X- X-maker is another budget 3D printer equipped with advanced technology, making it safe for kids. The printer comes fully assembled and built with a sturdy aluminum frame which makes it more durable. It features a 3.5-inch intuitive LCD touchscreen that allows you to monitor real-time printing status.
The printer offers a fully enclosed design with a side-hinged front door and an easily removable top cover. It comes with a single extruder with an extra cooling fan that ensures stable and flexible print quality. The printer is equipped with a removable curved metal plate that allows you to conveniently remove the model after printing. The X-maker has a heating print bed with a build area of 170x150x160mm which is good for printing general models accurately.
The printer supports ABS, PLA, TPU, and other high-quality filaments and delivers superb print quality. The X-maker is easy to operate a 3D printer which doesn’t require a lot of assembling instructions. Apart from these features, it is dust-proof and quiet while using, making QIDI Tech X- X-maker an excellent 3D printer for kids.
4. SainSmart Creality Ender-3 3D Printer
Build volume: 220x220x250mm- Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm
- Heated bed temperature: 110℃
- Printing material: PLA, TPU, ABS, PETG
- Connectivity: USB 2.0 connection, SD Flash
The Creality Ender-3 is one of the most reliable low-cost 3D printers for kids and young children. It comes with an interactive LCD screen that allows you to track and modify all the major functions. The Ender-3 is an easy-to-setup semi-assembled desktop 3D printer designed to invite imagination and innovation to kids, students, and hobbyists.
The printer features a large build plate with a build volume of 220x220x250mm, which is 6x more than other entry-level printers and allows you to create large models. Apart from PLA, the Ender-3 supports most types of 1.75mm 3D filaments. You can print with PLA, ABS, PTEG, flexible, and even wood filaments. Another cool feature of the Creality Ender-3 printer is the ability to fully recover and resume a print after voltage spikes and power outages, this is especially important in a classroom environment.
The Ender-3 comes with interchangeable LED lights that flicker while using the printer. This can be a great feature for kids interested in learning about 3D printing. With a large build volume and affordable price, Creality Ender-3 is the best 3D printer available for beginners, kids, hobbyists, and tinkerers.
5. Creality Cr-100 Mini 3D Printer – Best 3D Printer For Home Use
- Build volume: 100 x 100 x 80mm
- Nozzle diameter: 0.4mm
- Filament: 1.75 mm
- Printing material: PLA
- Connectivity: USB 2.0
Creality Cr-100 Mini is the best cheap 3D printer for kids under $200 that offers excellent features and performance for the price. It comes as a fully assembled, ready-to-use 3D printer having a build volume of 100x100x80mm. The printer has a compact and ultra-lightweight structure that does not at all feel cheaply built.
The Cr-100 Mini comes with an eco-friendly design that is not only easy to assemble but also helps to control environmental factors like humidity and temperature changes, reducing the possibility of printing irregularities. Since the printer uses just PLA filament and no heated print bed, this portable mini 3D printer is safer for children than most. The great thing about this printer is that it runs very quietly, which means it can be used in classrooms as well as inside the living room or bedroom of your home.
It is fitted with a single extruder and a nozzle with a 0.4 mm diameter, which can offer print accuracy of 0.1-0.2 mm at the print speed of 10-40 mm/sec. The other great feature of this 3D printer is that features a unique button system that allows you to easily control the printing process, which is particularly useful for beginners. Overall, Creality Cr-100 Mini is a hassle-free 3D printer for kids, beginners, and schools at an affordable price.
Final Words
Picking the best 3D printer for kids can be a quite difficult task as there are a lot of choices available in the market. It’s important to understand your requirements, budget, ease of use, and features to get the best value for your money.
We hope our guide on the best 3D printers for children will help you to find the right one for your child. If you have any queries or suggestions about this guide, let us know in the comment section below.
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