Best Large Format 3D Printers: Deluxe & Budget Picks

Considering the range of large-format printers available today, deciding on which one is right for you can be tough.

To find the model that will meet your needs, your decision should be largely based on the following criteria:

• Exact print bed size.
• Whether you want a heated print bed or not.
• Ease of removing finished print.
• Assembly required or not.
• Auto or manual leveling.
• Filament detection.
• Level of precision.
• Software compatibility.

After carefully reviewing the most popular large-format 3D printers, I’d say that the Creality Ender 5 Plus is a superb choice for home use.

Auto leveling. Filament detection. Resume printing function. Heated bed. User friendly and simple to assemble. Great precision and an extra glass plate. Perfect for a huge variety of projects.

Best Large Format Printer: Creality Ender 5 Plus

[amazon box=”B07Z62688K” link_id=”32067″]

The Creality Ender 5 Plus is a high-quality, sturdy 3D printer that offers great compatibility and speeds.

It’s a great price for the printing results! It’s an easy product to assemble and use immediately.

The texture is fairly accurate, with minimal errors and smooth lines and layers.

The print size measures 350 x 350 x 400 millimeters (or 13.7 x 13.7 x 15.7 inches) with a BL Touch Glass bed.

Pros:

• The printer is easy to assemble and takes little time.
• It’s a plug-and-play system that’s easy to use once it’s put together.
• Online resources are available at no extra cost and provide videos and tutorials to help you through every step.

Cons:

• The printer may need an upgrade to produce more quality results.
• The motherboard is loud, which can be remedied with a silent board upgrade v2.2.
• A few attempts are needed in some cases before you see a good result, though most users are pleased with the outcome.

Best Budget Large Format Printer: Creality Open-source 3D Printer

[amazon box=”B076CFLNBQ” link_id=”32068″]

This Creality Open Source 3D printer offers a heated bed with a glass bed. The printer includes an all-metal frame that measures 12 x 12 x 15.5 inches.

You’ll find the building space generous and one of the largest available with the ability to print more models than up to 90% of other printers.

The metal frame and flat glass bed offer a stable surface to avoid misshapen beds and designs. It’s the perfect 3D model printer for beginners because it’s easy to use.

Pros:

• Inexpensive for the level of quality.
• The details are impressive, and the printer provides excellent results with little to no errors.
• It takes less than 30 minutes to set up the machine.

Cons:

• Some text or faint ghosting happens during smaller movements, though this is minimal.
• There’s no auto-level bed.

More Top Picks for Large Format Printers

If either of the above doesn’t appeal to you, check out these other three top picks for large format 3D printers. 

AnyCubic Chiron 3D Printer – FDM Printer With Semi-Auto Leveling

[amazon box=”B07FNCFVHN” link_id=”32069″]

This 3D printer includes an ultra-base heatbed, which functions with a 1.75 millimeter filament and measures 15.75 x 15.75 x 17.72 inches (or 400 x 400 x 450 millimeters).

The Chiron 3D Printer is fantastic for maximizing your creativity and allows you to print a wide range of designs, more than the majority of 3D printers on the market.

The nozzle offers high precision so that you can produce tall prints too.

Pros:

• High precision printing means accurate, sharper results.
• The printer screen is large, and the touch screen makes the device very user friendly.
• An ideal printer for large prints, and it’s easy to calibrate.

Cons:

• Online customer support could use some improvement, and more detailed advice and assistance for issues encountered with the 3D printer would make a difference.
• A few attempts may be needed to produce the exact result you want.

LGT Longer LK1 3D Printer – Large Built Size DIY Kit

[amazon box=”B08J3ZC726″ link_id=”32070″]

This fantastic 3D printer offers a built-in filament sensor. The LK1 printer offers the ability to resume printing under various conditions, including a power outage.

This convenient process allows printing to continue without interruption, which saves time and materials.

The cost is reasonable for the quality and user ability.

Pros:

• There’s a one-year service for technical assistance after the purchase with the option to extend the coverage for a lifetime.
• Technical assistance is available 24 hours a day with excellent support and forums on social media.
• The 3D printer is stable, quiet, and pleasant to use.
• It’s partially assembled and takes little time to complete putting the parts together.
• The interface is easy to use and basic.

Cons:

• It’s not the ideal device to use with modified firmware or BL Touch.
• The power switch is inefficiently located and challenging to reach to switch on.

Creality 3D Printer CR-10S Pro V2 – With BL Touch

[amazon box=”B08GQMGP2C” link_id=”32071″]

This Creality 3D printer offers an upgraded silent motherboard with BL Touch auto-leveling and 500W Meanwell power supply.

It’s a convenient and efficient system that provides accurate, stable printing with long-term quality.

Pros:

• Printing is safe, fast, and quiet.
• Leveling is easy, and using the auto-leveling feature makes printing accurate and straightforward with flawless results.
• Assembling the 3D is considered simple for most users, though some reports indicate some challenges.

 Cons:

• In some cases, parts may be missing or need to be ordered separately.
• The assembly may take longer than expected and require some assistance or customer service.

Features to Look for in Large Format Printers

Before you invest in a large format 3D printer, there are some essential features to consider.

You may want specific features if you have distinct projects in mind or simply want a high-grade machine for your first purchase. 

The price range varies considerably depending on features and upgrades.

The type of 3D printer you’re looking for may be a Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printer, a Digital Light Processing (DLP), a Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) printer, or a Stereolithography (SLA) printer.

You may want to review some of the following attributes before finalizing your large format printing purchase.

Safety Features

Safety features are often built into the machine, including the nozzle’s cooling after the bed is heated during a print job.

When you’ve paused the printing job, some machines move the nozzle away from the project to prevent damage from overheating and excessive filament.

Purpose

What do you want to print? Do you have a specific style or project in mind, or are you looking for a basic, easy-to-use machine for beginners?

Resolution

Microns is the measurement unit of 3D printer resolution, and this varies significantly with FDM machines offering resin-based printing and 25 microns and the high-end printers featuring a resolution of 100 microns.

Customer Support

Find a good-quality brand with reputable customer service and support. Some brands offer a one-year manufacturer’s plan that includes 24-hour online support.

Consider the company’s level of professionalism: is it a generic online system or comprehensive individual support?

Additional Features

You’ll want to consider other factors, including the type of software, future upgrades, and other filament and additional items.

For example, a printer’s cost may be reasonable at first glance, though you may need to invest a lot more in upgrades and add-ons once you make the purchase.

Other machines with a higher price may include all you need to plug in and start right away!

Related Questions:

If you’re new to the world of 3D printing, you’ll want to review all your options and your project goals carefully.

You’ll find many options and types of machines available, including sizing, accuracy, and upgrades.

What Is the Biggest 3D Printer You Can Buy?

If you’re looking for the largest 3D printer, the most extensive option is the BLB Industries the Box which offers a build volume of 2,000 x 2,000 x 1,500 millimeters and 6000 liters.

What Can You Do With a Large Format Printer?

You’ll find a lot of ideas for your new large format printer.

Basically, anything you could print on a standard desktop 3D printer is possible; you just have the capability to make your prints larger. 

Are Large Format Printers Suitable for Home Use?

Large-format 3D printers are exceptional for school projects and hobbyists who enjoy creating 3D models. 

Wrapping It Up

Okay. You’ve seen the best available and now it’s time for the final decision. If you’re still struggling to choose, I’d say to go for the Creality Ender 5 Plus. 

It has some awesome features, a reasonable price, and it’s not too hard to assemble and figure out how to actually use it.

It may not be the largest model available, but it’s certainly large enough to handle typical home use, and the craftsmanship and accuracy are hard to beat.