3D Printer Reviews: May Aggregation

With so many 3D printers available, first-hand experiences via reviews can lead to informed decisions when in the market for a new machine. This aggregation provides a look into some of the most recent reviews of desktop 3D printers available.

PCMag.com recently reviewed the XYZprinting da Vinci Jr. 2.0 Mix. The 3D printer lets you print with two different-colored filaments at the same time, and it’s “the only one we know of that can do so using a single extruder and nozzle.” While the Mix doesn’t quite unseat XYZprinting da Vinci Mini as the Editors’ Choice consumer 3D printer, “it’s an excellent option, especially if you want to print in two colors.”

Tom’s Guide tried out the Skriware 3D Printer, the company’s first 3D printer. The machine was designed for use at home. While it has great print quality, the printer’s software is buggy and has inconsistent performance. “It’s a shame that the Skriware 3D Printer couldn’t reliably produce our test models, as the printer itself is well-designed and capable of turning out attractive prints. Although it is limited to printing in PLA, thoughtful touches like the multiple removable print beds and included spare nozzles would make it a compelling choice for heavy users,” the review says.

3D Print Manual reviews the 16 Best Cheap 3D Printers Under $500 of 2017. They are: Flashforge Dreamer, Flashforge Creator Pro, QIDI Tech I 3D Printer, XYZprinting da Vinci 1.0 Pro, XYZprinting da Vinci 2.0 Duo 3D Printer, FlashForge Finder 3D Printer, Geeektech Rostock M301 3D Printer, Printrbot Play 1505 3D Printer, New Matter MOD-t 3D Printer, Monoprice 13860 Maker Select Printer V2, M3D Micro 3D Printer, HICTOP Prusa I3 3D Printer, XYZprinting da Vinci Mini 3D Printer, XYZprinting da Vinci Jr. 1.0 3D Printer, Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer and the XYZprinting da Vinci Minimaker 3D Printer.

DigitalTrends takes a peek at Formlabs Form 2. The 3D printer is intended to be used by product designers, engineers, or anyone who wants to create high-quality parts. “At the end of the day, you won’t find a consumer-level 3D printer that makes more detailed, dimensionally accurate, structurally robust models than this one does … It’s also far more user-friendly than other printers in its class, and despite being extremely advanced, its interface is so simple that even beginners should have no trouble using it,” the review says. The Form 2 works differently than many other 3D printers – it has a laser projection system to create items out of a pool of UV-curable resin.

Makers Empire reviewed the Cubicon Single 3D Printer. Makers Empire looks at 3D printers for school districts. The 3D printer has a motorized bed, which means that the bed levels itself ahead of each print, as well as an easy-opening drop-down door. “To me, this printer is in same ballpark as Zortrax/Up/Afinia. You can see the print got to about 80 percent complete, and then it must have come unstuck,” the review says.

All3DP.com reviewed the BCN3D Sigma. The BCN3D is 100 percent open-source. The documentation, hardware and software are all under a general public license. The 3D printer works well with both single and dual extrusion, according to the review, there is plenty of build space, it’s simple to use, and it boasts a unique industrial design. “… when a dual extrusion 3D printer comes along that just works, it’s a pleasant surprise. And when that same dual extrusion 3D printer leaps to the top of the charts on the 3D Hubs quality rankings, and sits there uncontested for three months (and counting) … Well, you can bet we’re gonna sit up and take notice,” the review says.

We will be aggregating the latest 3D printer reviews every two weeks to keep you informed and up to date with real experiences using 3D printers. Discuss in the 3D Printer Review Aggregate forum at 3DPB.com.