Can I get a 3D printer for under $200?

Yes. The ELEGOO Mars 5 is listed at $199.99 in our reviewed selection. That is the machine price, not the cost of a complete resin-printing setup. You still need compatible resin, protective equipment, ventilation, and washing and curing provisions, so do not treat $200 as an all-in budget.

Is resin or filament printing cheaper?

In this selection, the cheapest resin machine costs less upfront: $199.99 for the ELEGOO Mars 5 versus $399 for the filament-based Bambu Lab P1S. That does not establish the cheaper overall workflow. Resin adds ventilation, chemical handling, and post-processing costs; ongoing spending depends on your projects and material consumption.

Is it worth paying more for automatic bed leveling?

Automatic bed leveling is worth prioritizing because it reduces manual leveling work and a common source of first-layer failures. The Bambu Lab P1S includes automated leveling at $399. It does not replace routine care: keep the build surface clean and follow the manual for calibration and material-specific settings.

How much does multicolor 3D printing add to the price?

The Bambu Lab P1S Combo costs $499.99, compared with $399 for the standalone P1S, a $100.99 difference in the supplied prices. The Combo includes AMS hardware for multi-spool feeding and filament switching. Buy that capability if your projects need it; otherwise, the standalone model costs less upfront.

How much does a 3D printer cost?

A 3D printer costs $199.99–$769 among the models reviewed here, before materials, maintenance, and any required ventilation or post-processing equipment.

Research-based article drawn from our 28 maker tools reviews. Updated September 2026.

Short answer

The 3D printers reviewed here cost $199.99–$769 for the machine or listed combo. Resin models start at $199.99, while the enclosed filament models start at $399. Your full starting budget also needs printing material and maintenance supplies; resin printing additionally requires ventilation, protective equipment, and washing and curing provisions. These prices describe our reviewed selection, not the entire market.

Our picks for “how much is a 3d printer”

How much should you budget to get started?

Separate the printer price from the cost of a usable setup. In our reviewed selection, the $199.99 ELEGOO Mars 5 is the lowest-priced machine, while the standalone Bambu Lab P1S costs $399. Those prices buy different workflows: the Mars 5 is a resin printer for detailed miniatures, and the P1S uses filament for applications including functional parts.

As a materials-only starting calculation, the P1S plus one $12.59 spool of ELEGOO black PLA totals $411.59. The Mars 5 plus a $16.99 bottle of ELEGOO Standard grey resin totals $216.98. Neither calculation is a complete ownership budget, and the resin example specifically excludes its required safety and post-processing setup.

Before purchasing, list the machine, compatible material, workspace provisions, maintenance supplies, and any accessories your intended workflow requires. Check the printer manual for included equipment and setup requirements. We do not have supplied prices for those additional items, so a complete startup total would be speculative.

Read the reviews: ELEGOO Mars 5 Resin 3D Printer, Bambu Lab P1S 3D Printer, ELEGOO PLA 3D Printer Filament 1.75mm Black 1KG, ELEGOO Standard 3D Printer Resin Grey 1000g

What does spending more on a filament printer buy?

The $399 Bambu Lab P1S is our strongest starting recommendation for single-material functional parts. Its enclosed chamber supports ABS and ASA, and its automated leveling reduces manual setup work. The listed build volume is 256 × 256 × 256 mm. The main compromises are a basic screen interface and the absence of AMS multi-material hardware at this price.

At $499.99, the P1S Combo adds AMS hardware for automated multi-spool feeding and filament switching. That is $100.99 more than the standalone model. If your projects do not need that capability, the standalone printer avoids the additional expense and complexity.

The $769 P2S Combo pairs an enclosed printer with AMS 2 Pro and fully automated calibration. It is aimed at heavier-duty multi-material work rather than occasional printing. Prioritize enclosure and automatic bed leveling before paying for extra material handling. For ABS and ASA, choose an enclosed machine rather than an open frame; check the manual for material settings and ventilation requirements.

Read the reviews: Bambu Lab P1S 3D Printer, Bambu Lab P1S Combo, Bambu Lab P2S Combo

Why a cheaper resin printer may need a larger setup budget

The ELEGOO Mars 5 costs $199.99 and targets budget-conscious miniature printing. The $356.98 Mars 5 Ultra adds automated tilt-release mechanics and improved connectivity, while the $519.99 Saturn 4 Ultra 16K targets detailed batch production with an expanded build volume. Choose between them according to your projects, not simply the resolution label or purchase price.

Every resin option here requires a suitable chemical-handling workspace and ventilation. Budget for exhaust extraction, protective equipment, washing and curing provisions, cleaning chemicals, and replacement release films. The larger Saturn also carries increased consumable usage, according to our review notes.

Follow the printer manual and resin safety data sheet for handling, ventilation, washing, and curing procedures. Wear suitable chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection when handling uncured resin, and follow local disposal rules rather than pouring resin or contaminated cleaning liquid down a drain. A low machine price does not remove these requirements, so price the complete workspace before ordering.

Read the reviews: ELEGOO Mars 5 Resin 3D Printer, ELEGOO Mars 5 Ultra Resin 3D Printer, ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 16K Resin 3D Printer

How much do materials and ongoing printing cost?

For everyday filament printing, ELEGOO black PLA costs $12.59 for 1 kg. The Creality black-and-white PLA two-pack costs $23.99 for 2 kg, while SUNLU PLA+2.0 costs $45.89 for 4 kg. The latter offers improved toughness over basic PLA, but it is still unsuitable for elevated-temperature applications. Buying more material only helps if you will use it and can store it dry.

Resin examples include ELEGOO Standard grey at $16.99 for 1 kg and Siraya Tech Fast ABS-Like grey at $27.37 for 1 kg. The Siraya material is formulated to reduce brittleness, making the premium more relevant to parts that receive light handling.

There is no defensible universal cost per print from these prices alone. Use your slicer's material estimate, account for supports and unsuccessful prints, and add electricity, cleaning supplies, and wear items. Check the manual for maintenance intervals and compatible replacements. Start with a modest material purchase until you know your actual usage.

Read the reviews: ELEGOO PLA 3D Printer Filament 1.75mm Black 1KG, Creality PLA 3D Printer Filament, SUNLU PLA+2.0 3D Printer Filament, ELEGOO Standard 3D Printer Resin Grey 1000g, Siraya Tech Fast ABS

Frequently asked

Can I get a 3D printer for under $200?: Yes. The ELEGOO Mars 5 is listed at $199.99 in our reviewed selection. That is the machine price, not the cost of a complete resin-printing setup. You still need compatible resin, protective equipment, ventilation, and washing and curing provisions, so do not treat $200 as an all-in budget.
Is resin or filament printing cheaper?: In this selection, the cheapest resin machine costs less upfront: $199.99 for the ELEGOO Mars 5 versus $399 for the filament-based Bambu Lab P1S. That does not establish the cheaper overall workflow. Resin adds ventilation, chemical handling, and post-processing costs; ongoing spending depends on your projects and material consumption.
Is it worth paying more for automatic bed leveling?: Automatic bed leveling is worth prioritizing because it reduces manual leveling work and a common source of first-layer failures. The Bambu Lab P1S includes automated leveling at $399. It does not replace routine care: keep the build surface clean and follow the manual for calibration and material-specific settings.
How much does multicolor 3D printing add to the price?: The Bambu Lab P1S Combo costs $499.99, compared with $399 for the standalone P1S, a $100.99 difference in the supplied prices. The Combo includes AMS hardware for multi-spool feeding and filament switching. Buy that capability if your projects need it; otherwise, the standalone model costs less upfront.