Build size is important when considering choosing an FDM 3D printer. This guide is for users who are looking for cheap large format 3D printers. FDM technology is ideal for both beginners and professional users due to its simplicity and reliability, and can serve many areas such as prototyping, design, DIY projects, customized features and parts, and more. Larger print sizes mean a wider range of printing possibilities. Keep reading for more information in your exploration of affordable and user-friendly large format 3D printers.
Why Choose a Large Format 3D Printer?
With the development of consumer-grade FDM printers, large-format FDM 3D printers are becoming easier to use and upgraded towards smart printing and high speed printing. They are very attractive to 3D printing enthusiasts, making it easier to create large, bold and beautiful 3D prints. For prototyping that needs to be tested and perfected, for the realization of large-scale projects, for charismatic hobbies and unique designs, large-format 3D printers are ideal.
A standard size desktop FDM 3D printer, its build platform is about 200 x 200 x 200mm, the printing volume is the size of a standard (No.5) football. But more printing space also means more creative options. Here are the build dimensions of several common desktop-level large-format 3D printers:
- CREALITY CR-10S: 400x300x300mm, $399
- Anycubic Kobra 2 Plus: 400x320x320mm, $449 ($399 pre-sale price)
- Anycubic Kobra 2 Max: 500x420x420mm, $569 ($479 pre-sale price)
- CREALITY CR-10S 5: 500x500x500mm, $729
- WASP 3MT HDP: 1000x1000x1000mm, $50,000, commercial 3d printer
Bigger, Better, Budget-Friendly: Cheap Large-Format 3D Printer
Industrial grade FDM printers are known for their significantly larger build volumes, however, they are very expensive. Consumer-grade desktop FDM 3D printers, on the other hand, have very compact print volumes and are limited to small maker projects. With the popularity of 3D printing technology, there are more and more affordable and large-size FDM printers for hobbyists and professionals to choose. We'll recommend 3 cheap large-format 3D printers, measuring their build size, speed, and features.
| Cheap large format 3d printer | Kobra Max | Kobra 2 Plus | Kobra 2 Max |
| Printer Type | FDM/FFF | FDM/FFF | FDM/FFF |
| Build Volume | 450*400*400mm | 320*320*400mm | 420*420*500mm |
| Price on Sale | $439 | $399 | $479 |
| Print Speed | 180mm/s(Max.) 80mm/s (Avg.) |
500mm/s(Max.) 300mm/s(Avg.) |
500mm/s(Max.) 300mm/s(Avg.) |
| Bed leveling | Anycubic LeviQ auto-leveling system | Anycubic LeviQ 2.0 (Smart Z-Offset) | Anycubic LeviQ 2.0 (Smart Z-Offset) |
| Anycubic APP | / | √ | √ |
| Z-aixs | Double Threaded Rod | Double Motor Double Z-axis |
Double Motor Double Z-axis |
| Extruder | Bowden extruder | Direct Extruder+Double Gears | Direct Extruder+Double Gears |
| Filament Detection | Default | Default | Default |
| Built-in Capacity | No | 8G | 8G |
| Control Panel | 4.3'' LCD touch-control screen | 4.3'' LCD touch-control screen (New UI) | 4.3'' LCD touch-control screen (New UI) |
| Data Input | MicroSD card | USB ports*3pcs | USB ports*3pcs |
| Machine Dimensions | 715x720x665mm | 630*605*564mm | 740*735*640mm |
| Machine Weight | 16kg | 13kg | 21kg |
These three recommended large-format 3D printers strike a good balance between affordability and machine performance. Users can get a 3D printer that can print large-sized works stably at an affordable price, and even get upgrades in fast speed printing and smart printing: Anycubic Kobra 2 Plus and the largest Kobra 2 Max.
In conclusion
If you are looking for large-format printing at a lower price, Anycubic Kobra Max is a great choice, with a discounted price of just $439 for a print size of 450x400x400mm. Kobra 2 Plus is a more balanced choice. Its printing size is an upgrade from the standard size, but slightly smaller than the max model. The recommended printing speed of 300mm/s can meet users’ needs to quickly create large-size prints. With a pre-sale price of $399, it is the cheapest large format FDM printer. Kobra 2 Max has a print size of 500x420x420mm, with a maximum print speed of 500mm/s. Double metal spindle, dual motors and dual z-axis, the upgraded structure provides stability to the printer and can support delicate large-scale printing. Anycubic Kobra 2 Max is an affordable 3D printer with the largest printing format.