A 3D printer is a device that can create three-dimensional objects from a digital model. The object is created by laying down successive layers of material until it has built up to the desired height.

When it comes to desktop 3D printers, $500 may go a long way these days. Consumers no longer need to spend thousands of dollars on high-quality equipment or fiddle away in a workshop for hours on end updating and customizing DIY kits.

You can still do that, but 3D printers have grown considerably more inexpensive in recent years, to the point that you can now purchase high-end, well-built, and dependable 3D printers at nearly every price range. There are a lot of printers out there currently, and nailing down your choice might be difficult, especially if you’re new to the sector. But don’t worry. We did all of the homework for you.

Before discussing the best 3d printers under$500, let’s first discuss the buying guide.

Buying Guide

When Buying A 3D Printer, There Are A Few Specifications That Matter More Than Others:

Resolution

When comparing different 3D printers, one of the most significant aspects to consider is resolution, which goes far beyond the minimum layer height number that many people are acquainted with. In essence, the minimum layer height is a poor determinant of the effectiveness of a 3D printer. However, When discussing resolution in 3D printing, we must examine all three dimensions: resolution along the X and Y axes, as well as resolution along the Z-axis.

• Horizontal Resolution: The smallest movement the printer’s extruder can make on the X and Y axes inside a layer is referred to as horizontal resolution (or XY resolution). The lower the value, the greater the number of details produced by the printer.

• Vertcial Resolution: Vertical resolution (also known as layer thickness or layer height) is the smallest dimension of a layer produced by the printer in a single pass. The finer the printed surface, the thinner the layer thickness. However, because the printer must generate more layers, the printing process will take longer for thinner layers.

However, keep in mind that the lower the resolution, the better, since it is rather complex and confusing.

Print Capacity (Build Area)

3D printers are used to build prototypes of products, parts, and many other items. It is important to consider the print capacity (build area) while buying the 3D printer because it determines the size of the object that can be printed on the machine.

The size of an object will depend on what you want to do with it and how much detail you want in your design. If you are looking for something small, then a smaller build area will work just fine for you. But, If you are looking for a large-scale 3D printer, then you should make sure that it can print at that size. Otherwise, you will have to purchase multiple printers for different purposes or buy a larger printer in the future.

Moreover, Please note that smaller printers may also print some products in bits that can be merged into a bigger object later on. As a result, large development space is not necessarily required. In contrast, a single big item may need to be printed for usage in a professional setting. A 3D printer with a huge print capacity is required in this instance.

Support Materials (Ease of Use)

The support materials are essential for the 3D printer to print properly. They provide a stable base for the 3D printed object and prevent it from warping or curling up. The support materials also help to remove the need for post-processing of the object after printing. Let’s discuss some of the common support material that you should consider.

• PVA (Polyvinyl Acetate) PVA is frequently used as an adhesive to improve bed adherence for specific materials, and it is also useful as a support substance. In general, materials that function well with PVA glue stick as the preferred bed adhesive will benefit from PVA as a support substance.

• Breakaway When you don’t have the patience to wait for the support to crumble but still need your edges to be bright and clean, breakaway support materials should be your choice.

• Soluble support materials Soluble support materials provide the highest surface quality. Soluble supports, rather than requiring laborious removal, simply dissolve away, leaving clean, unblemished surfaces behind. This enables thick, solid supports for excellent dimensional precision, as well as intricate shapes that solvents, but not pliers or X-Acto blades, can reach.

Price

There are some necessary features that you should consider before buying a 3d printer and the price is one of them. Price is important because it can help you narrow down your options and find the right printer for your needs. It’s not always necessary to go for the expensive printers and sometimes cheaper ones can do just as well.