Updated February 3, 2023 ( Source: All3D )

Running a small business and looking for an affordable and reliable 3D printer? Check out our guide to the best professional 3D printers under $10,000.

From small manufacturers and product design firms to architects and artists, any small business looking to purchase a reliable, professional 3D printer has more options than ever before. There is a wide range of high performance options under $10,000.

As the hobbyist 3D printer market continues to be flooded with ultra-cheap desktop machines, better 3D printer manufacturers are shifting their focus to offering high-quality, easy-to-use machines with multiple features and better reliability.

Gone are the days when industrial 3D printers filled an entire room. There are now many professional 3D printers that are desktop sized and affordable. These are the machines we're focusing on below, and almost all of them have been updated in the last six months.

Whether you want a 3D printer to prototype parts or produce end-use products, knowing what each has to offer will help you make an informed choice. Below, we take a look at the best professional desktop-sized 3D printers on the market, divided by category and sorted by price. Each of the FDM printers offers the key features that all good professional machines should provide - ease of use, efficiency, speed and flexibility:

  • Twin extruders , so you can print with easily removable support material;
  • Heated bed to ensure constant temperature, which reduces distortion and other defects of parts;
  • Hot end up to at least 240 ºC so you can print with a wide variety of engineering materials;
  • Closed working chamber , not only for temperature control but also for safety;
  • Remote monitoring via local or Wifi connected software; some have a camera in the working chamber;
  • These FDM printers offer the repeatability you need in a business printer. The filament printers on our list offer you the widest range of materials to work with and require little or no post-processing. Your parts can be ready to go right off the print bed. The resin printers on our list let you quickly create the smooth, finely detailed parts you need;

UltiMaker S7

  • 3D printerUltiMaker S7
  • technologyFDM
  • Build volume (mm)330 x 240 x 300
  • Minimum layer resolution 20 microns
  • Materials PLA, ABS, PETG, PVA, HIPS, stainless steel, + third parties
  • Market price (approx.) 8400 dollars

What does this one do? 3D printer professional? Although just released in January 2023, UltiMaker's S7 builds on the already impressive S5 and offers robust dual-extrusion 3D printing with a large library of engineered materials, including a Metal Expansion Kit that allows users to switch between printing plastics and metals on one machine efficiently. The S7 includes upgrades from the S5 aimed at professional users, such as an improved heating system for more consistent heat over the entire bed and throughout the chamber, which is designed to prevent parts from warping, plus a more precise bed leveling system.

With cloud-based functionality coming from UltiMaker's Cura slicing software and the recently launched Digital Factory printer management and organization platform, the Ultimaker S7 looks set to become the ultimate professional 3D printer for designers, engineers and small and medium-sized businesses.

Fully networked and with UltiMaker's software offering used correctly, we can see the S7 slot almost seamlessly into product design and in-house manufacturing workflows. With the Ultimaker S7, we found it to offer a nearly flawless printing experience.

If your budget allows you to exceed $10,000, the optional Material Station holds up to six spools of filament and automatically detects which UltiMaker materials are loaded and sets the correct print profile.

Common applications for this professional 3D printer? Functional prototypes, fixtures, boxes and enclosures, engineering modules, medical, automotive, aerospace, electronics, and more.

Raise3D Pro3 Plus

Raise3D Pro 3 Plus has all the features you need in professional FDM plus impressive speed (Source: Raise3D)
  • 3D printer Raise3D Pro3 Plus
  • technology FDM
  • Build volume (mm) 300 × 300 × 605 mm
  • Minimum layer resolution 10 microns
  • Materials PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, Carbon Fiber, TPU/TPE, Metal Stamping, + 3rd parties
  • Market price (approx.)$5,600

What does this one do? 3D printer professional? Raise3D's Pro3 Plus Dual Extruder FDM 3D Printer packs an impressive number of industrial-grade features into a unit priced under $10,000, especially with its new upgrade released in late 2022 that makes it much faster.

The upgrade kit, called Hyper FFF, includes new hardware, new software, and a new thread. Raise3D says professional FDMs have an average print speed of 50 to 80mm per second, while the new Hyper FFF can increase the Pro3 series' print speed to 350mm/sec. The new speed is due to the new twin extruders with anti-vibration technology along with special high-speed filaments. The company promises that speed doesn't come at the expense of quality and says the Pro3 retains the same layer adhesion quality and surface coverage as before.

The Pro3 Plus has an impressive build volume to handle tall prints and features a long list of upgrades and improvements from the company's popular Pro2 printer, including interchangeable "modular hot ends" (printing cores) that can be quickly swapped out. click and lock mechanism. "Hot ends" can reach 300 ºC, so they are compatible with a wide range of engineering materials from nylon to metal-filled filament.

Other new features that make professional printing hassle-free include automatic bed leveling and an intelligent assistant called Eve that helps you detect and resolve print job problems. Eve also analyzes printer usage and sends reminders for scheduled interventions to ensure you don't forget basic printer maintenance.

If you don't need the 605mm height, you can get the same machine, only lower, the Raise3D Pro3, and save a few thousand dollars.

Common applications of this professional 3D printer?  Functional prototypes, fixtures, boxes and cases, engineering assemblies, medical, automotive, space, electronics, figurines, etc.

BCN3D Epsilon W50 Gen2

Updated in 2023, the Epsilon W50 Gen 2 features new electronics and motors for a more reliable printing experience (Source: BCN3D)

  • 3D printer BCN3D Epsilon W50 Gen2
  • technology FDM
  • Build volume (mm) 420 x 300 x 400
  • Minimum layer resolution 50 microns
  • Materials PLA, Tough PLA, PAHT CF15, BVOH, PET-G, TPU 98A, PVA, ABS, PA, PP, stainless steel
  • Market price (approx.) $8,500

What does this one do? 3D printer professional? The Epsilon W50 from BCN3D is designed to deliver large-scale parts with industrial materials, thanks to features such as its passively heated chamber and solid housing.

The Epsilon W50 features an Independent Dual Extruder (IDEX) system, which means you can not only print with separate pieces of material and support material at the same time, like any dual extruder, but the print heads can print completely different parts at the same time, which essentially doubles the capacity of your printer.

Built like a tank, the Epsilon W50 features an easy-to-use user interface, calibration setup and BCN3D Cloud, making it perhaps one of the easiest-to-use dual-extrusion 3D printers on the market. Add the optional Smart Cabinet ($3600) to keep your materials in optimal condition and this printing system can fit seamlessly into any production process.

In 2023, BCN3D updated its flagship machine to offer a host of new features, including a new ventilation system, more powerful motors, remote access, fast auto-calibration, and more.

If you wish to print metal or carbon fiber reinforced materials, BCN3D offers two kits (Metal Pack, Fiber Pack) that include the materials, adhesives and specially designed hotends.

Common applications for this professional 3D printer? Functional prototypes, fixtures, boxes and enclosures, engineering modules, medical, automotive, aerospace, electronics, and more.

MakerBot Method X Carbon Fiber

The MakerBot (UltiMaker) Method X features a heated chamber designed to provide better reliability with high-performance materials (Source: MakerBot)
  • 3D printer MakerBot Method X Carbon Fiber
  • technology FDM
  • Build volume (mm) 190 x 190 x 196
  • Minimum layer resolution 20 microns
  • Materials PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU/TPE, Nylon Carbon Fiber, Nylon, Stainless Steel, SR-30, + 3rd parties
  • Market price (approx.) 7000 dollars

What does this one do? 3D printer professional? The MakerBot Method X is a professional dual-extruder FDM 3D printer offering industry standards in a desktop format, aiming to provide designers and engineers with the highest quality prints at an affordable price.

Most makers know MakerBot as a pioneer in desktop 3D printers, but it has shifted its focus from building machines for makers to printers for professionals over the past few years. Now, after its merger with UltiMaker in 2022, you can expect an even better MakerBot in the future. However, your Method X Carbon Fiber won't disappear, the company says.

Method X incorporates industrial technology, packing an avalanche of features into an affordable machine and closing the gap between industrial and desktop 3D printing. According to the manufacturer, Method X is able to produce parts that meet industrial requirements on par with injection molding.

Method X Carbon Fiber is one of the printers on this list with a heated chamber and is the "hottest" up to 110°C, allowing more confidence when printing high temperature engineering materials such as ABS Kevlar and ABS Carbon Fiber. The printer comes with a 1C composite extruder that has been designed, optimized and tested to withstand abrasive carbon fiber composites for maximum life, the company says.

A new material launched in 2022 called RapidRinse, which is a maintenance material that dissolves in tap water, so you don't need bulky rinse tanks or chemicals. Also new is the updated CloudPrint 2.0 slicing and prepress software with new features such as the ability to import parts from multiple bodies and automatically orient parts for least support material.

Common applications for this professional 3D printer? Functional prototypes, fixtures, boxes and enclosures, engineering assemblies, spare parts, tools, automotive, aerospace, electronics, and more.

Delta WASP 2040 Industrial X

The Delta WASP 2040 Industrial X can be equipped with a flexible extruder specially designed for flexible plastics up to 50A (Source: 3DWASP)
  • 3D printer Delta WASP 2040 Industrial X
  • technology FDM (delta)
  • Build volume (mm) 400 x 200 x 200
  • Minimum layer resolution 50 microns
  • Materials PLA, ABS, PETG, PC+ABS, PP, ASA, PVA, HIPS, Nylon Carbon Fiber, PMMA, TPU, TPE
  • Market price (approx.) 6300 dollars

What does this one do? 3D printer professional? WASP specializes in delta-style 3D printers, which generally provide better print speeds than the more commonly used Cartesian machines. The company's professional Delta WASP 2040 Industrial X is made of strong strip metal with a steel core and features heat and sound insulation. It can be equipped with two different extruder sets: the WASP Zen X extruder features a dual extruder for multi-color or multi-material printing, while the Flex extruder is specially designed for flexible plastics up to shore 50A.

The printer has an intuitive interface and is connected to a Wifi network, so you can control your printer from a smartphone, tablet or computer. In addition, there is now a camera inside to monitor the print even from afar.

Other features allow you to recover a print when the power goes out, automatic bed leveling and a heated build chamber up to 90 ºC. Print models can be generated using the most common 3D slicing software, including Cura, Slic3r and Simplify3D.

Common applications for this professional 3D printerFunctional prototypes, fixtures, boxes and enclosures, engineering assemblies, medical, automotive, aerospace, electronics, sculpture, and more.

Unlike consumer resin 3D printers, the professional category in the sub-$10,000 range offers a wider range of materials that are applicable to end-use parts in addition to fine-detail prototyping. Professional resin 3D printers are also slightly larger to accommodate models and product iterations.

Formlabs Form 3+

Formlabs Form 3+, right, and Form 3B+, designed for dental and healthcare applications (Source: Formlabs)
  • 3D printer Formlabs on Formlabs 3+
  • technology SLA
  • Build volume (mm) 145 x 145 x 185
  • Minimum layer resolution 25 microns
  • Materials general purpose resin, hard resin, flexible resin, dental resins, special resins, engineering resins, wax
  • Market price (approximate) 3750 dollars

What does this one do? 3D printer professional? Considered by many to be the champion of desktop SLA 3D printing, Formlabs has positioned itself as one of the most popular professional 3D printers on the market. The resin-based process enables higher resolution and more precise prints than FDM, offering layer thicknesses between 25 and 100 microns. In January 2022, Formlabs redesigned the Form 3 to print with the 40% faster than before.

Other improvements contributing to faster printing on the Form 3+ are a feature called Adaptive Layer Thickness, which analyzes part geometry and assigns layer heights throughout the cut model, as well as an upgrade to its hardware that allows for tighter alignment between the light processor (LPU) and the build platform.

Despite the diminutive 145 x 145 x 185 mm, the Formlabs Form 3+ remains a stellar option for professionals and manufacturers alike.

Armed with an advanced peel mechanism, heated tank, touch display, wireless controls and an automated resin system, the Form 3 is truly at the cutting edge of the SLA printer market. The Massachusetts-based manufacturer also develops specialty resins that target specific industries, helping consumers and small businesses find the perfect environment for prototyping and end-use manufacturing. Priced at $3499 for the base kit, the Form 3 will provide your business with industrial quality printing at a relatively low cost.

Common applications for this professional 3D printer? Dental, figurines, jewelry, experimental product development, engineering assemblies, etc.

Nexa3D XiP

3D printer Nexa3D XiP
technology LCD
Build volume (mm) 195 x 115 x 210 mm
Minimum layer resolution 50 microns
Materials transparent, natural, black, gray, white, flexible, etc
Market price (approx.) 7000 dollars

The Xip, released by Nexa3D in early 2022, is, as the name suggests, extremely fast at 18cm per hour. But more than speed, this desktop machine offers several features, some unique, designed to take the hassle and hassle out of resin printing and make it significantly more productive.

For example, there is an easy and automated workflow and a tool-free, mess-free tank system that allows you to change resin tanks and seal the one that is not in use for later use. No emptying and cleaning the tank every time you want to change materials. The machine also detects the level of polymer in the container to ensure continuous production without interruption.

Speaking of materials Nexa3D offers a range of materials from Henkel, BASF and Keystone, plus their own formulas. However, access to use third-party resins is subject to additional software licenses.

The 4K LCD technology features a proprietary photo-curable durable membrane with a lubricating underlayer, which means less downtime, reliable continuous printing for long runs or batch production and an extended tank life of up to 50,000 layers, the company says.

Common applications for this professional 3D printer? Dental, figurines, jewelry, experimental product development, engineering assemblies, etc.


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