The MakerBot Replicator Mini is the cheapest of the versions at $1,375. It’s designed for home use and only weighs 18 pounds. Download the designs on the tablet app, connect the Mini to a USB cable, and print. The machine is optimized for PLA filament.
The original MakerBot Replicator is now on its fifth generation and costs $2,899. It is app and cloud enabled, uses USB or Ethernet to connect, and has an on-board camera. The Replicator is 11 percent larger than the Replicator 2.
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The MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop, at $2,199, is designed to work best with biodegradable PLA filament. It’s bigger than the original, has the ability to multitask, and makes more complex assemblies in fewer runs.
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The MakerBot Replicator 2X Experimental 3D Printer, released at the beginning of 2013 for $2,799, was designed for enthusiasts. It’s the big brother to the Replicator 2. It uses ABS filament and features experimental dual extrusion, and reduces skipping, jamming, and force-feeding of filament.
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Shipping in Spring 2014 is the MakerBot Replicator Z18. It’s MakerBot’s biggest model yet and will cost $6,499. It’s designed to create extra large industrial projects and will connect via wifi, USB, or Ethernet.
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The second generation Cube personal 3D printer is the first certified by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for home use and has a smart cartridge system that recognizes when you change materials so settings don’t have to be adjusted each time. It costs $1,299.
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The CubeX, which runs at about $2,499, boasts multicolored prints and can print in PLA or ABS filament.
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This minimalistic assembled Printrbot Simple costs $449 and ships in a few weeks.
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Printrbot also offers a kit of all their models, which is about $100 less than the assembled versions.
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At $999, the Printrbot Plus is the largest model yet, with a 9x8x8 build volume. It has an LCD panel and an aluminum heated bed upgrade.
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Kevvox printers use Direct Light Processing technology and can print in wax-like, heat resistant, and durable materials. They are stand-alone machines that use the company’s software and are meant to be used by medical and architecture industries and artists.
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Vancouver-based Tinkerine makes the Ditto+ and Litto 3D FDM printers. The Ditto+ is $1,249 unassembled and the Litto is $999, unassembled. Both can be shipped assembled, but it’s $300 more. The models are C-shaped and build from birch plywood.
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The creators of Robox raised nearly triple their goal on Kickstarter with this desktop 3D printer. All the user has to do is plug the machine into a computer and connect it to the wifi network.
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Print your own 3D printer. No, really. RepRap, which created one of the first open source desktop 3D printers, emphasizes its ability to print plastic objects, specifically the parts to self-replicate another RepRap printer. All the materials to make the Mendel cost just over $500.
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The professional ProJet 5500X, made by 3D Systems, uses the latest Multijet Printing technology to print and fuse together rigid and flexible materials. It has an industrial-grade print head that can produce prototypes rapidly.
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The ProJet 660Pro professional 3D printer is made for stop motion animation, professional model shops, consumer product development, and digital and fine art manufacturing.
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The Stratasys Objet 100 is a multi-material, large printer for rapidly creating prototypes and models. The Objet series has several different models of 3D printers: large, small, compact, and portable. They are all made for rapid prototyping.
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The Stratasys uPrint SE is a desktop FDM printer. It comes with a startup supply of materials and bases and software for transforming CAD design.
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Stratasys has many different types of industrial 3D printer models made for rapid prototyping.
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E-manufacturing Solutions (EOS) makes giant 3D printers that produce high-quality, complex metal parts. The operation is simply through a touch screen on the machine.
Lyndsey Gilpin is a former Staff Writer for TechRepublic, covering sustainability and entrepreneurship. She's co-author of the book Follow the Geeks.
