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Best Multi-Color 3D Printer: 5 Full Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

If you’ve already been to online retailers searching for “multi-color 3D printer,” your efforts would have brought up some 3D printers and a lot of spools of multi-color filament.

Multi-color filaments can give you some really nice effects in your printouts, but unfortunately, it doesn’t give you much control as to at what point in the printing process the filament changes color.

For that, you will need a multi-color 3D printer.

Most multi-color 3D printers, like most of those featured below, will mix multiple filaments within your prints.

Alternatively, you could use a dual extruder printer and load two different colors of your chosen filament, and print in multi-color that way.

Or, your third option is to use a color 3D printer adapter.

These are some of our favorites!

[amazon box=”B076BLQWHY,B0855M2THS” template=”table” link_id=”5254″]

However, here I’m going to focus on the first two options (because there simply aren’t many truly multi-color 3D printers).

And I’m going to focus on filament 3D printing rather than resin printing, for the sake of brevity.

Enjoy browsing through the list of my favorite 3D printers for printing in multi-color, and then read through the buying guide that follows, which runs through a few of the key things to think about before you buy your 3D printer.

Then you’ll find a section where I answer some of your most frequently asked questions.

And without further ado…

Review of the Best Multi-Color 3D Printer

#1 Multi-Color 3D Printer: GEEETECH A10M 3D Printer with Mix-Color Printing

Geeetech 3D Printer,A10M Mix-Color Printing, Filament Detector and Break-resuming Function, Updated 3mm Hotbed
  • 【1】Mix-color printing: Dual extruder module and 2-in-1-out hotend which deliver 4 types of...
  • 【2】Open Source Control Board: A10M 3d printer adopts GT2560 V4.0 open source control...

Geeetech may not necessarily be a 3D-printer brand that you’ve heard of before, but it is one of the brands more geared towards multi-color printing.

If you buy the double or the triple extruder version (both types are available on the Amazon page) you can get several different print color options: single color, double color, mixed color, and graded color.

The printer is aimed at both beginners and more accomplished 3D-printer users.

It has a maximum print volume of 260 x 220 x 220 millimeters, which is bigger than it sounds.

Yet despite its large maximum dimensions, you can get some really good detail on your printouts thanks to the printing accuracy available, at an impressive 0.1 millimeter – rivaling the top 3D-printer brands.

The A10M takes not just PLA filament but also ABS as well, which means you can get extra sturdy and durable printouts rather than just the regular ones.

Additionally, it can take PETG and HIPS.

Despite Geetech being one of the lesser-known brands, you may be interested to hear that this model has in fact made the bestseller list with leading online retailers.

The box includes everything you need to get going, and you can assemble it in just 20 minutes or so.

It will work with Windows, Mac, and Linux, and you can send your images either over Wi-Fi or via an SD card.

You can use any CAD software, so long as you save the image in a compatible format, such as .STL or G.code.

I must also make reference to the very affordable price. You don’t often get such good-quality printers at this budget level.

One thing I love about Geeetech is their after-sale service.

They offer lifetime tech assistant, which is great because let’s face it, there’s a lot of troubleshooting in 3D printing.

Likes:

  • Best brand for multi-color printing.
  • Mixed and graded color options.
  • Takes several types of filament.
  • Great value for money.
  • Excellent after-sale service.

Dislikes:

  • Some customers have found it a little loud.

Other Great Multi-Color 3D Printer

Runner-Up: Lotmaxx SC-10 Shark 3D Printer with Dual Extruder & Two-Color Printing

LOTMAXX Shark 3D Printer with Dual Extruder,Laser Engraving & Two-Color Printing 2 in 1, 95% Preassembled Metal 3D Printer Machine, Print Size 235x235x265mm, Space gray (Laser not Included)
  • 【All Metal Frame & Quick Assembly】Our pre-assembled 3D printers have a full-metal body...
  • 【Modular Design for Laser Engraving】Lotmaxx SHARK 3D printer can be used with laser...

With its dual all-metal extruders, this little beauty can print with different colored filaments on a single nozzle – how cool is that!

The machine automatically switches filaments according to your instructions.

But it also has another unusual feature – it can do laser engraving on loads of different materials, including wood, plastic, leather, PVC, paper, resin, and more.

But there’s more.

Unlike other 3D printers at this price range, this beauty features a small removable touchscreen, so you can keep tabs on your printing even as you work on your next design.

It has what some would argue is a generous maximum print volume, which comes in at 235 x 235 x 265 millimeters.

And it takes a wide range of filaments – from your PLA and ABS to even wood.

And it supports a wide range of image formats too. You can use the manufacturer’s own software, or try out one or two of the alternatives.

Your printouts will have a nice, clean finish, thanks to the printing accuracy up to 0.1 millimeter.

There are a number of features that speak to the quality of this printer, but my favorite has to be the automatic bed leveling – it saves a lot of mistakes and trial and error.

Then there’s the magnetic heat bed which offers excellent adhesion and avoids any warping.

There’s also the four-fan design, which allows for printing at greater speeds, and there’s the various safety features.

It arrives almost already assembled, and it will only take you a few minutes before you’re good to go.

No wonder it made the bestseller list with online retailers!

Likes:

  • Different colors on a single nozzle.
  • Also features laser engraving.
  • Takes a wide range of filaments.
  • Features automatic bed leveling.
  • A bestseller with online retailers.

Dislikes:

  • There aren’t many peer reviews around on this one just yet – it was only made available towards the end of 2020.

QIDI TECH 3D Printer, X-Pro 3D Printer with Double Color Printing

QIDI TECH 3D Printer, X-Pro 3D Printer with WiFi Function, Dual Extruder, High Precision Double Color Printing with ABS,PLA,TPU Filament,9.1x5.9x5.9 Inch
  • ★★★★★【Friendly Reminder: There is one spool of red color PLA, one spool of white color...
  • X-Pro 3D Printer Kit features conditional breakpoint printing and upgraded 4.3 inch touch screen...

Here’s a printer that offers high-precision, double-color printing.

It even comes with two filament spools of different colors so that you can start your multi-color printing straight away!

When you’re printing in single color, its dual extruder functionality means that you don’t have to swap one spool for another when one spool runs out.

Qidi Tech is a great brand and a familiar name on the retailer’s bestseller lists. The X-Pro is quite the upgrade from some of their previous models.

It can use a range of different types of filament, including PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, and HIPS.

The maximum print volume comes in at 230 x 150 x 150 millimeters, which isn’t as big as I’d like but isn’t bad.

Its printing accuracy is good but variable and ranges from 0.05 to 0.4 millimeter.

It’s easy to use as far as 3D printers go.

It works with both Windows and Mac and comes with its own slicing software and features a very large and intuitive touch screen control panel.

I love that the build plate is removable – it makes retrieving your printouts that much easier.

Another nice feature is that if you only get so far through a print before you have to shut the machine off, when you put it back on it will pick up where it left off.

One of the other things to love about Qidi Tech is the after-sale service.

Not only do you get a free one-year warranty, but you’re welcome to contact their support team with any teething troubles you might have, and they will get back to you within 24 hours (usually less).

Likes:

  • A top bestselling brand.
  • Uses a range of filaments.
  • Removable build plate.
  • Accuracy of 0.05 to 0.4 millimeter.
  • Excellent after-sale service

Dislikes:

  • No color grading option.
  • Prints a maximum of just two colors per print.
  • Relatively small maximum print volume.

Geeetech 2020 Version A20T 3D Printer with Triple Color Mixing

Geeetech Upgrated Version A20T 3D Printer with Triple Color Mixing,Newest GT2560 4.1B Control Board,Filament Detector,Breaking-Resuming,250×250×250mm
  • 【Multi-color Printing】The A20T can combine different spools of filament and extrude them...
  • 【Fast Assembly and Quiet Printing】The printer boasts a modular design that makes it...

As the name suggests this 3D printer offers triple color mixing in your printouts!

You can take advantage of Geeetech’s color mixing software to print three or more kinds of colors.

Customers have tried it and love the results. Some customers even submitted photos of their color-mixed printouts to the Amazon page.

Not only can you use several colors, but you can also use several different types of filaments, including PLA, ABS, and PETG.

The maximum print volume is very generous, coming in at 250 x 250 x 250 millimeters.

Yet despite its large maximum dimensions, you can get some really good detail on your printouts, with an impressive 0.1 to 0.2 millimeter accuracy.

The box includes everything you need to get started, and you can assemble it in just 20 minutes or so.

It will work with Windows, Mac, and Linux, and you can use any CAD software you like, as long as you save the image in a compatible format, such as .STL or G.code.

There are a lot of features that speak to the quality of the printer, such as the ventilated extruder cover, breaking-resuming capability, and a filament detector.

Likes:

  • Best brand for multi-color printing.
  • Mixed and graded color options.
  • Takes several types of filament.
  • Excellent after-sale service.

Dislikes:

  • Noisy.
  • Not aimed at beginners.

GEEETECH New A20M 3D Printer with Mix-Color Printing

GEEETECH New A20M 3D Printer with Mix-Color Printing, Integrated Building Base & Dual extruder Design, Filament Detector and Break-resuming Function, 255×255×255mm³, Prusa I3 Quick Assembly DIY kit.
  • 【Mix-color Printing】Dual extruder module and 2-in-1-out hotend which deliver 4 types of...
  • 【Safe Power Supply 】 A20M comes with a UL Certified power supply, protecting your...

The A20M features a dual extruder with a two-filament in, one-nozzle out design, which you can use for four different types of color printing: single color, dual color, mixed color, and even graded color!

To learn how the color-mixer software works, I recommend that you check this out for a very straightforward and intuitive guide.

It works with all the main filament types – PLA, of course, but also ABS and PETG.

It features a generous maximum print volume, coming in at 255 x 255 x 255 millimeters, so you can make even quite sizable miniatures.

You can be sure that you get perfect results, thanks to the printing accuracy of a very nice 0.1 millimeter.

There are also several important features that make it stand out as a good quality printer: filament detection, breaking-resuming capability, and protection from unexpected power surges.

The hotbed heats up really quickly too.

Assembly is easy – it only takes three steps.

Likes:

  • Best brand for multi-color printing.
  • Mixed and graded color options.
  • Generous maximum print volume.
  • Takes several types of filament.
  • Excellent after-sale service.

Dislikes:

  • Noisy.
  • Not aimed at beginners.

Buyer’s Guide

As promised, here’s your buying guide!

Precision

When printing small miniatures, the key to getting a perfect and detailed look is by using a high precision printer.

I would recommend going for a printer with an accuracy of plus or minus 0.1 millimeter.

Filaments It Can Use

Most FDM printers will work with PLA filament, which is the most widely used and common filament available.

But PLA filaments don’t have to be your only option. Many FDM printers will take other types of filament too, such as ABS.

ABS printouts are typically far more durable than their PLA counterparts, and hence, ABS-using printers are noticeably more sought after than their PLA only counterparts.

That said there is a lot of variety in appearance with PLA alone. For example, you could have a matte, silk, or gloss finish on your printouts.

Print Volume

Before you buy a printer, you should try to get an idea of what size printouts you want to make.

Most 3D printers around at the moment tend to have a maximum print volume of around 220 x 220 x 250 millimeters, give or take.

Brand

GeeeTech may not be one of the best-known brands in the world of 3D printing, but it’s certainly the brand with the biggest emphasis on multi-color prints.

It was no accident that three out of the five top picks were Geeetech printers.

Signs of Quality

There are a number of features a 3D printer can have that can make it stand out as a good-quality 3D printer besides its print accuracy.

Such features include automatic bed leveling, filament detection, improved adhesion, anti-warping, and, of course, safety features to avoid overheating.

Cost

The bad news is that you’re highly unlikely to get a good multi-color 3D printer for under $300. But the good news is that you could get one for under $600.

When you’re looking at different multi-color 3D printers, I recommend that you check the prices as you go along.

If budget is of concern for you, then I would recommend my #1 pick, the Geeetech A10M, which is not only my favorite of the top five picks but is also the most affordable option.

Customer Ratings and Reviews

Although it’s been around for a good few years now, 3D printing is still in its infancy, and as such, it still has a lot of teething problems, and there is a lot of troubleshooting involved for beginners.

Because of this, customer ratings and reviews on 3D printers often tend to be quite harsh.

My advice is that if you’re going to look at negative customer reviews, use them as a learning tool, and don’t let them put you off buying yourself a 3D printer.

Alternatives to Using a Multi-Color 3D Printer

As I made reference to in the introduction, you can get multi-color 3D printers and dual extruder 3D printers that will print in two colors.

But those aren’t your only options.

You can buy multi-color filaments which often look great, especially the silk ones.

Or you can get yourself a color 3D printer adapter; however, these are quite tricky to get hold of.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 3D Printers Do Multiple Colors?

If you’ve done an online search for multi-color 3D printers, you’ll have seen a lot of articles that instead show “full color” 3D printers, but these are not the same thing.
Multi-color 3D printers do exist, but they’re still something of a rare find.
Most people who want to 3D print in multi-color simply place a multi-colored spool of filament in a regular FDM 3D printer and hope for the best.
But the best way to control exactly when a 3D printer changes spools is to use a dedicated multi-color 3D printer or, at the very least, one that has a double or triple extruder.

How Do You Get Graded Color Effects?

I’m going to level with you here, be honest, and say that the simplest way to get a graded color effect from a 3D printer is to use a multi-color spool that already has a color-graded effect.
But there’s a clear drawback to this method – you can’t control at what point within the print that it starts to change color.
If such a feature is important to you, then I can recommend the Geetech brand of 3D printers, such as my #1 pick, the Geeetech A10M, my #4 pick, the Geeetech A20T, or my #5 pick, the Geeetech A20M.
For more 3D printer information and reviews on the most popular models, be sure to check out all my 3D printer articles. You can access them all here.

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