Best 3D Printers (2025) – CNET
Testing a 3D printer is an in-depth process. Printers often don’t use the same materials or even the same processes to create models. I tested SLA (a 3D printer that prints using resin and light) and FDM (a printer that melts plastic onto a plate). Each has a unique methodology. The core qualifiers I focus on include:
- Hardware quality
- Easy to set up
- bundled software
- Print appearance and accuracy
- Repairability
- Company and community support
A key test print representing the (now old) CNET logo was used to evaluate how well the printer bridged gaps, created accurate shapes, and handled overhangs. It even has little towers to help measure the 3D printer’s ability to handle the temperature range.
When testing speed, we sliced ​​the model on its standard settings using the standard slicer that came with the machine, then compared the actual duration printed to the statement completion time on the slicer. 3D printers often use different slicers, and the completion times of these slicers can vary significantly.
Then we use Prusa slicer Determine how much material the print should use and divide that number by the actual time it takes to print, giving us a more accurate number for how fast the printer can run in millimeters per second (mm/s).
Each build plate should be heated to a certain temperature, so we use InfiRay thermal imaging camera for Android Check how they are doing. We set the build plate to 60 degrees Celsius (the most common temperature for build plates), waited five minutes for the temperature to stabilize, and then took measurements at six different locations. We then measured the average temperature to see how close the 3D printer was to the advertised temperature.
Testing resin requires a different standard, so I use Ameralab’s Standard Tests: Print out a small resin model that looks like a town. This helps determine how accurate the printer is, how it handles small parts, and how effective UV exposure is at different points in the model.
A number of other anecdotal test prints using different 3D models were also run on each printer to test the longevity of the parts and the machine’s ability to handle various shapes.
For other criteria, I researched the company to see how responsive it was to customer support inquiries and how easy it was to order replacement parts and install them myself. Kits (semi-assembled printers only) are judged on the time and difficulty of the assembly process and the clarity of the instructions.
