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30-second read
Our picks in 30 seconds
Only filament (FDM) printers at $400 or less (27 in our check), cheapest first for each condition.
#1Cheapest filament printer under $400
FDM
Bambu Lab A1 mini
7.1 x 7.1 x 7.1 inbuild volume, as published
Lowest price among the 24 printers in stock that meet this condition in our check.
- Type
- FDM (filament)
- Max speed
- 500 mm/s max
- Enclosure
- No enclosure listed
- Colors
- 1 (add-on: AMS lite (sold separately or in the Combo))
- Power
- 150 W max
- Weight
- 12.1 lb (5.5 kg)
- store shows a compare-at price of $219
- maker does not recommend ABS or ASA
- Bambu Lab's US store price could not be read from our server; Shop3D Universe price shown
$199 $219price checked November 7, 2026; it may have changed
- Bambu Lab US storeprice not read from our serverSee it ›
#2Cheapest with 4+ colors in the box
FDM4 colors
Anycubic Kobra X
10.2 x 10.2 x 10.2 inbuild volume, as published
Lowest price among the 10 printers in stock that meet this condition in our check.
- Type
- FDM (filament)
- Max speed
- 600 mm/s max
- Enclosure
- No enclosure listed
- Colors
- 4 colors, built in
- Power
- not published
- Weight
- 20.9 lb (9.5 kg)
- store shows a compare-at price of $399
- wattage not published: we cannot price its electricity
$299 $399price checked November 7, 2026; it may have changed
#3Cheapest enclosed
FDMEnclosed
Bambu Lab P1S
10.1 x 10.1 x 10.1 inbuild volume, as published
Lowest price among the 5 printers in stock that meet this condition in our check.
- Type
- FDM (filament)
- Max speed
- 500 mm/s max
- Enclosure
- Enclosed
- Colors
- 1 (add-on: AMS 2 Pro)
- Power
- 350 W max
- Weight
- 28.5 lb (12.95 kg)
- store shows a compare-at price of $399
- maker lists ABS, and it is enclosed
- Bambu Lab's US store price could not be read from our server; Shop3D Universe price shown
$349 $399price checked November 7, 2026; it may have changed
- Bambu Lab US storeprice not read from our serverSee it ›
#4Cheapest with a 256 mm (10.1 in) bed or bigger
FDM
Bambu Lab A1
10.1 x 10.1 x 10.1 inbuild volume, as published
Lowest price among the 14 printers in stock that meet this condition in our check.
- Type
- FDM (filament)
- Max speed
- 500 mm/s max
- Enclosure
- No enclosure listed
- Colors
- 1 (add-on: AMS lite)
- Power
- 350 W max
- Weight
- 18.3 lb (8.3 kg)
- store shows a compare-at price of $299
- maker does not recommend ABS or ASA
- Bambu Lab's US store price could not be read from our server; Shop3D Universe price shown
$259 $299price checked November 7, 2026; it may have changed
- Bambu Lab US storeprice not read from our serverSee it ›
Prices read on November 7, 2026, during Black Friday sales. We have not tested any of these printers: we compare the published spec sheets and store prices. The commission never decides a pick. How we compare: criteria, sources and dates
Print Per Gram is meant to be paid through affiliate links: if you buy through a link to Elegoo, Anycubic, Creality, Snapmaker or Bambu Lab, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. No program has accepted the site yet, links to Shop3D Universe and Flashforge earn us nothing (no program found or joined), and a commission never decides a pick. How we choose.
"Beginner" is not a spec, and we have not used these printers, so we will not tell you which one is easiest. What we can do is narrow the field to the 27 filament (FDM) printers that cost $400 or less in our check and show, for each, the numbers that matter when you start: what it can print, how big, in how many colors, and how much power it draws.
What a first printer should have, in numbers
- PLA and PETG on the maker's list. Every printer below lists them. PLA is the cheapest material in our check, from $13.49 per kg.
- A bed of 220 mm (8.7 in) or more covers most household parts; 256 mm (10.1 in) is the common size in this price range. Check your own parts with Will it print?
- An enclosure only if you want ABS or ASA later. Open printers are cheaper and easier to reach into.
- Colors: one is enough to learn. Several printers here come with a four-slot filament changer for $50 to $100 more than the single-color version.
The 27 filament printers at $400 or less
| Printer | Price (sellers, cheapest first) | Build volume | Max speed | Enclosure | Colors | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bambu Lab A1 mini FDM (filament) | $199 Shop3D Universe Bambu Lab US store: price not read | 7.1 x 7.1 x 7.1 in (180 x 180 x 180 mm) | 500 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 1 (add-on: AMS lite (sold separately or in the Combo)) | 150 W max | 12.1 lb (5.5 kg) |
| Creality Ender-3 V3 SE FDM (filament) | $199 Creality US store | 8.7 x 8.7 x 9.8 in (220 x 220 x 250 mm) | 250 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 1 | 350 W max | 16.1 lb (7.3 kg) |
| Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro FDM (filament) | $239 Elegoo US store | 8.9 x 8.9 x 10.4 in (225 x 225 x 265 mm) | 500 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 1 | not published | 19.6 lb (8.9 kg) |
| Flashforge Adventurer 5M FDM (filament) | $249 Flashforge store $249 Shop3D Universe | 8.7 x 8.7 x 8.7 in (220 x 220 x 220 mm) | print speed not published (max travel speed 600 mm/s) | No enclosure listed | 1 | 350 W max | not published |
| Bambu Lab A1 FDM (filament) | $259 Shop3D Universe Bambu Lab US store: price not read | 10.1 x 10.1 x 10.1 in (256 x 256 x 256 mm) | 500 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 1 (add-on: AMS lite) | 350 W max | 18.3 lb (8.3 kg) |
| Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro FDM (filament) | $259.99 Elegoo US store | 8.9 x 8.9 x 11 in (225 x 225 x 280 mm) | not published | No enclosure listed | 1 | not published | 17.9 lb (8.1 kg) |
| Anycubic Kobra 4 FDM (filament) | $279 Anycubic store | 10.2 x 10.2 x 10.2 in (260 x 260 x 260 mm) | 600 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 1 (add-on: ACE 2 Pro) | not published | 21.8 lb (9.9 kg) |
| Creality K2 SE Combo FDM (filament) | $279 out of stock Creality US store | 8.7 x 8.5 x 9.6 in (220 x 215 x 245 mm) | 600 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 4 colors with CFS in the box | 350 W max | 23.4 lb (10.6 kg) |
| Creality SPARKX i7 FDM (filament) | $279 Creality US store | 10.2 x 10.2 x 10 in (260 x 260 x 255 mm) | 500 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 1 (add-on: CFS) | 400 W max | 20.5 lb (9.3 kg) |
| Elegoo Centauri 2 FDM (filament) | $279 Elegoo US store | 10.1 x 10.1 x 10.1 in (256 x 256 x 256 mm) | 500 mm/s max | not stated | 1 (add-on: CANVAS) | 350 W max | 34.2 lb (15.5 kg) |
| Anycubic Kobra X FDM (filament) | $299 Anycubic store | 10.2 x 10.2 x 10.2 in (260 x 260 x 260 mm) | 600 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 4 colors, built in | not published | 20.9 lb (9.5 kg) |
| Bambu Lab A1 mini Combo FDM (filament) | $299 Shop3D Universe Bambu Lab US store: price not read | 7.1 x 7.1 x 7.1 in (180 x 180 x 180 mm) | 500 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 4 colors with AMS lite in the box | 150 W max | 12.1 lb (5.5 kg) |
| Creality K1 FDM (filament) | $299 Creality US store | 8.7 x 8.7 x 9.8 in (220 x 220 x 250 mm) | 600 mm/s max | Enclosed | 1 (add-on: CFS) | 350 W max | 27.6 lb (12.5 kg) |
| Elegoo Neptune 4 Plus FDM (filament) | $309 Elegoo US store | 12.6 x 12.6 x 15.2 in (320 x 320 x 385 mm) | 500 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 1 | 320 W max | 31.7 lb (14.4 kg) |
| Elegoo Centauri 2 Combo FDM (filament) | $329 Elegoo US store | 10.1 x 10.1 x 10.1 in (256 x 256 x 256 mm) | 500 mm/s max | not stated | 4 colors with CANVAS in the box | 350 W max | 34.2 lb (15.5 kg) |
| Creality Ender-3 V3 Plus FDM (filament) | $339 Creality US store | 11.8 x 11.8 x 13 in (300 x 300 x 330 mm) | 600 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 1 | 350 W max | 24.5 lb (11.1 kg) |
| Bambu Lab P1S FDM (filament) | $349 Shop3D Universe Bambu Lab US store: price not read | 10.1 x 10.1 x 10.1 in (256 x 256 x 256 mm) | 500 mm/s max | Enclosed | 1 (add-on: AMS 2 Pro) | 350 W max | 28.5 lb (12.95 kg) |
| Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 FDM (filament) | $349 Elegoo US store | 10.1 x 10.1 x 10.1 in (256 x 256 x 256 mm) | 500 mm/s max | Enclosed | 1 (add-on: CANVAS) | 350 W max | 38.6 lb (17.5 kg) |
| Flashforge AD5X FDM (filament) | $349 Flashforge store $349 Shop3D Universe | 8.7 x 8.7 x 8.7 in (220 x 220 x 220 mm) | 300 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 4 colors with IFS module in the box | not published | not published |
| Bambu Lab A1 Combo FDM (filament) | $359 Shop3D Universe Bambu Lab US store: price not read | 10.1 x 10.1 x 10.1 in (256 x 256 x 256 mm) | 500 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 4 colors with AMS lite in the box | 350 W max | 18.3 lb (8.3 kg) |
| Creality K2 SE 4C FDM (filament) | $359 Creality US store | 8.7 x 8.5 x 9.6 in (220 x 215 x 245 mm) | 600 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 4 colors with CFS in the box | 350 W max | 23.4 lb (10.6 kg) |
| Anycubic Kobra 4 Combo FDM (filament) | $379 Anycubic store | 10.2 x 10.2 x 10.2 in (260 x 260 x 260 mm) | 600 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 4 colors with ACE 2 Pro in the box | not published | 21.8 lb (9.9 kg) |
| Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro FDM (filament) | $379 Flashforge store $379 Shop3D Universe | 8.7 x 8.7 x 8.7 in (220 x 220 x 220 mm) | print speed not published (max travel speed 600 mm/s) | Enclosed | 1 | 350 W max | not published |
| Elegoo Neptune 4 Max FDM (filament) | $394 Elegoo US store | 16.5 x 16.5 x 18.9 in (420 x 420 x 480 mm) | 500 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 1 | not published | 39.9 lb (18.1 kg) |
| Creality Ender-3 V4 Combo FDM (filament) | $399 Creality US store | 8.7 x 8.7 x 9.3 in (220 x 220 x 235 mm) | 500 mm/s max | No enclosure listed | 4 colors with CFS in the box | 900 W max | 15 lb (6.8 kg) |
| Creality K2 Combo FDM (filament) | $399 Creality US store | 10.2 x 10.2 x 10.2 in (260 x 260 x 260 mm) | 600 mm/s max | Enclosed | 4 colors with CFS in the box | 450 W max | 40.6 lb (18.4 kg) |
| Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2 Combo FDM (filament) | $399 Elegoo US store | 10.1 x 10.1 x 10.1 in (256 x 256 x 256 mm) | 500 mm/s max | Enclosed | 4 colors with CANVAS in the box | 350 W max | 42.7 lb (19.35 kg) |
How we compare: criteria, sources and dates
Two beginner cost facts: material dominates the cost of a print (a 40 g PLA part is about 54 cents of filament and 5 cents of electricity on an A1 mini [calc]), and the cheapest spool is not always the printer brand's. Compare spools in the cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good first 3D printer?
One that prints the materials you will start with (PLA and PETG), is big enough for your parts and fits your budget. In our check, the cheapest filament printers were the Bambu Lab A1 mini and Creality Ender-3 V3 SE at $199; the cheapest with four colors in the box, the Anycubic Kobra X at $299; the cheapest enclosed, the Bambu Lab P1S at $349 (Shop3D Universe).
Should a beginner buy a resin printer?
Only for small, detailed parts such as miniatures. Resin parts need washing and curing after each print, and the build volume is small: 6.5 liters for our median resin printer, 17.2 for filament [calc]. See resin vs FDM.
Is a multicolor printer harder to start with?
It has more parts (a filament changer or extra tool heads), and multicolor prints waste filament on each color change, which your slicer shows in grams. Several makers sell the same printer with and without the multicolor unit, so you can add it later: the table shows the add-on.
Do you rank printers by ease of use?
No. Ease of use is a hands-on judgment and we have not tested these printers. We compare what the makers publish and pick by written rules.