Large 3D printer under $1000: buying guide and selection

The Creality CR-10 S5 is one of the best large scale 3D printer options in this class with a build volume of 500 x 500 x 500mm. With only a few sections, it’s also one of the easier machines to assemble, and the build quality is a nice upgrade over the base model CR-10.

Dual Z rod screws ensure excellent accuracy along on this open-source machine, and the hot end can handle PLA, ABS, and TPE. As it’s essentially a larger version of the CR-10S, you can expect features like a heated bed, auto-resume, and filament runout detection as well.

Wanhao is one of the more popular brands with makers looking for an affordable machine, and the Duplicator 9 500 (D9 500) is a large 3D printer with an array of excellent features. It’s well-built with an extruded aluminum frame and easy to use thanks to an integrated touchscreen display and auto-resume.

The MK10 full metal hotend is another highlight of this printer. It can reach 300°C, which allows you to print with a broader range of materials. Automatic bed leveling and a heated bed with an anti-backlash rolling system are also great features.

The CR-10 Max is another new addition to Creality’s arsenal and a printer worthy of being in the large format class for average consumers. The spacious 450 x 450 x 470mm build volume gives you plenty of room to work, and several areas of this machine have seen a substantial upgrade over standard models in the CR-10 lineup.

Smooth prints on a large scale are possible with the CR-10 Max thanks to its unique Z-axis bracing system that Creality calls “the Golden Triangle”. Automatic bed leveling and the touchscreen-based UI are also great features to have on hand as well as the split-flow power supply, which heats up the bed in an instant.

ANYCUBIC has several impressive 3D printers in their lineup, and they recently jumped into the large scale range with the Chiron. Given its price point and the build area compared to some of the printers on our list, it’s certainly an option for one of the best large 3D printer under $1000.

The ANYCUBIC Chiron keeps things simple with a classic design featuring a top-notch heated print bed and a 25-point leveling system. The single extruder and hot end are rated to work with ABS, HIPS, and TPU as well as PLA on this affordable big 3D printer.

While a little smaller than the Chiron, the ANYCUBIC Predator is still one of the best big 3D printers under $1000. It’s just as capable as its larger sibling and is the perfect choice if you prefer Delta 3D printers to Cartesian-style machines.

The Predator offers up one of the largest build areas of any Delta printer in this range. It sports a quick heating Ultrabase Pro platform that can reach 100°C and has a 37-point auto-leveling system. An integrated touchscreen and filament sensors are also features to appreciate with the ANYCUBIC Predator 3D printer.

TronXY is a company out of China that specializes in producing affordable machines. Their entry onto our list of the best large 3D printers under $1000 is the TronXY X5S. It’s a DIY kit with excellent reviews and a very stable structure.

The TronXY X5S is a CoreXY printer with a sturdy metal frame. That adds stability while you print and the auto-leveling system ensures accuracy. Filament runout detection, a heated bed, and a touchscreen are included, but their customer support isn’t quite up to the standards of other manufacturers in this class.

Fans of the popular CR-10 will recognize this printer and appreciate the price. The Geeetech A30 is a big desktop 3D printer with a frame built from extruded aluminum parts. It prints materials like ABS, Nylon, and Woodfill with ease, which is ideal when you’re looking for a large 3D printer.

This large FDM 3D printer is a capable machine with an ample build volume and heated bed sporting a silicone carbine glass plate. Makers found the colorful 3.2-inch touchscreen a pleasure to use, although some had issues with software and offsets. Customer service and community support are both solid with this brand of 3D printer.

The Alfawise U20 is a Gearbest 3D printer and a substantial upgrade over the previous model. It’s accurate and also one of the cheapest large 3D printers on our list, although missing a few features found on more expensive big 3D printers.

With a large build volume of 300 x 300 x 400mm, the Alfawise U20 can bring large creations to life whether you prefer PLA or TPU. It has all the standard bells & whistles, including a color touchscreen, but bed leveling is handled manually. Aside from a few awkward design decisions and a noisy fan, the U20 provides a lot of bang for your buck.

Artillery has produced several popular printers over the past few years, including the Sidewinder X1. This sleek printer is quieter than other 3D printers with a large build area and has a heated bed capable of hitting its maximum temperature in around 2 minutes.

The Artillery Sidewinder X1 can print a wide range of materials with a direct drive extruder and Titan-style hot end. An extruded aluminum frame keeps the X1 stable regardless of your print speed, while the color touchscreen makes the machine a joy to use. Cable management and the synchronized Dual Z system are two additional perks of the X1.

The Creality CR-10 V2 is one of the newest variants of the company’s extremely popular CR-10 3D printer. The new model shares plenty of similarities with the original but is a better option if you don’t need a printer quite as large as the CR-10 Max.

One advantage of the CR-10 V2 is the separate control box, which is ideal if you want to add an enclosure. The “Golden Triangle” design and aluminum frame ensure stability while 3D printing, and the dual-port hot end cooling fans help dissipate heat. Other noteworthy features include filament runout detection and auto-resume.

The JGAurora A5S is a 3D printer that proves good things come in small packages. This machine leaves a smaller footprint behind than many of its competitors, but still has a large build volume for your creations at 305 x 305 x 320mm.

This 3D printer has a black diamond glass plate and a heated bed with a maximum temperature of 110°C. A 32-bit motherboard keeps things running smoothly, and we’re fans of discreet cable management system as well. Calibration is semi-manual, but the overall setup is quick and straightforward with the A5S.