Best 3D Printer for Small Business 2024: Professional 3D Printers

A range of different industries are realizing the benefits of 3D printing, with more markets employing the technology by the day. If you are a business venture looking to invest in the best 3D printer for small business, you are spoiled for choice!

We’ve narrowed the selection down to five top 3D printers, each ideal for commercial use. Factoring in a range of different budget points and specialist needs, we hope to find the ideal 3D printer unit for any application!

How We Picked the Best 3D Printer for Small Business

There are a range of businesses benefitting from using 3D printers, to make everything from cases to cookie cutters. As such, it’s harder to find a one-size-fits-all 3D printer for small businesses. We’ve tried to choose the best multi-purpose units, namely ones that are versatile and compatible with a wide range of filaments. In addition, we looked for quality-of-life features such as automated leveling and quick heating in order to maximize productivity in your business.

We settled on four products, each with their own respective strengths, but each suitable for small businesses. These 3D printers are across a range of price points, so as to not alienate any traders looking for a low-cost experiment in 3D printing!

Snapmaker A350T

Specifications

• Build Volume: 320mm x 330mm x 350mm
• Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU
• Connectivity Technology: WiFi
• Filetype: STL, OBJ

What We Think

For versatile and high-quality prints, along with a range of other features, the A350T is an easy investment.

Reasons to Buy

•  Smart features – near every element of printing is automated thanks to the A350T’s intelligent, user-friendly design.
• 3-in-1 unit – boasting laser engraving and CNC carving as well as 3D printing, this is a highly versatile 3D printer.

Reasons to Avoid

•  Noisy – due to the open-frame nature of the device, the A350T is louder than other professional 3D printers.

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Combining a professional 3D printer with a CNC carver and laser engraver, the Snapmaker A350T is a tremendous value-add for businesses of any kind. Enabling you to create an even wider range of designs, this 3D printer is a tremendous multipurpose print solution, often retailing under $2000.

With a build volume of 320mm x 330mm x 350mm in an open-frame design, the A350T is a healthy median between print volume and print quality. Aside from the other two functions of this 3-in-1 unit, the 3D print functionality is stellar. It features a power loss recovery function, ensuring that you can continue your projects in case of power interruptions, as well as an automated filament run-out detection. You can configure and customize the A350T to your specific business needs thanks to it’s highly advanced operating system with personal profiles and intuitive interface.

That said, one element that loses the A350T marks is the noise level: it’s difficult to work in the same room as this 3D printer, so smaller office spaces may not want it in operation during busy periods. If you can accommodate the noise, then this is one of the best business 3D printers on the market.

Dremel DigiLab 3D45 3D Printer

Specifications

• Build Volume: 254mm x 152mm x 170 mm
• Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon,
• Connectivity Technology: USB
• Filetype: GCode

What We Think

For businesses where noxious fumes in the air may cause issue, the DigiLab 3D45 keeps them all contained in a reliable and high-quality housing.

Reasons to Buy

• Automated features – with auto-leveling and an HD camera to observe progress, the 3D printer allows you to press print with confidence.
• Filament optimization – to spend less time calibrating and more time creating, the 3D45 comes with automated features to optimize printing.

Reasons to Avoid

• Limited build volume – at 170mm x 254mm x 152mm, you have less space to print than other business-grade units.

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The Dremel DigiLab 3D45 is a reliable and intuitive desktop 3D printer: ideal for small-scale but high-quality projects. A closed-frame printer, this unassuming unit packs some stellar features.

Compatible with a range of filaments such as PLA or ABS, the DigiLab widens the possibilities of your potential 3D prints. With automated leveling and a built-in camera for monitoring progress, this unit combines some of our favorite features with a closed frame to reduce noise. Top that off with automated filament run-out detection – which automatically pauses your print should you need to resupply on filament – and this unit is a versatile and helpful option for offices not needing an involved printing process.

However, the closed-frame design does have its downsides, the primary one being the limit placed on print size. So long as your designs are no larger than 170mm x 254mm x 152mm in size, the DigiLab remains a stellar print solution for small business!

Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro

Specifications

• Build Volume: 245mm x 245mm × 260mm
• Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, Nylon
• Connectivity Technology: USB, Companion App
• Filetype: STL, OBJ

What We Think

For a business-minded 3D printer under $500, the Kobra 2 Pro is a stellar investment for high-quality prints.

Reasons to Buy

• Fast print speed – at 300mm/s, prints are rendered not only quietly but quickly.
• Quiet-running – the smooth and near-silent motor on this 3D printer makes for a more enjoyable print process in your workspace.

Reasons to Avoid

• Difficult controls – the Kobra 2’s operating system can be hard to master, especially for beginners, which makes this 3D printer less appealing as a budget option.

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The Anycubic Kobra 2 Pro is a great 3D printer for users who need a fast and affordable 3D printer. Boasting impressive features for a budget model, the Kobra 2 Pro is a great pick for the smallest of small businesses!

The Kobra 2 Pro is quick to assemble and almost as quick to print, with a maximum acceleration of 500mm/s. It runs quietly and smoothly with automated leveling and vibration compensation to avoid disturbing both the print and your business workflow. What’s more, the open-frame design allows for greater freedom in both placement and printing.

However, this budget 3D printer for small businesses is another model that involves some involvement. The Kobra 2 Pro generally needs some calibration post-assembly for optimum results, and newcomers may have poor results initially. If you manage to get the settings right, though, the Kobra 2 Pro compensates with an array of innovative features and capabilities. This makes it a valuable investment for those seeking a dependable and fast 3D printing solution.

MakerBot Replicator+

Specifications

• Build Volume: 295mm x 195mm x 165mm
• Filament: PLA
• Connectivity Technology: USB, Ethernet, WiFi
• Filetype: STL, OBJ, CAD

What We Think

This versatile and feature-packed 3D printer is ideal for a wide range of business use cases – providing they involve PLA.

Reasons to Buy

• Highly accurate prints – with resolution up to 100 microns (0.1mm accuracy) the Replicator+ is capable of stunning prints.
• Built-in camera – monitor progress from afar thanks to the Replicator+ built-in camera, which also helps spot errors in the print process.

Reasons to Avoid

• PLA only – with no variation in filament compatibility, this 3D printer is less of an all-round professional 3D printer.

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If you need a middle ground between price and quality, consider the MakerBot Replicator+: a high-end professional 3D printer capable of impressive build space and exceptional print quality. Easy to use and well-built, this unit is ideal for businesses looking to upscale their 3D print productions.

With a build volume of 252mm x 199mm x 150mm, the Replicator+ boasts great versatility for prints of all shapes and sizes. The print bed is perfectly adhesive, keeping your design secure but making it easy to remove, and errors are few and far between if they even occur at all. Our favorite feature, however, is the internal camera that pairs with your smartphone, enabling you to monitor your work-in-progress from afar. You won’t be waiting long, though, as the Replicator+ has fantastically fast print speeds.

However, this 3D printer for business is boasting a business-level price tag. What’s more, the unit currently only supports PLA filament, which heavily limits the potential designs you can create. This still allows for some exciting possibilities though, and we still highly recommend it as a commercial 3D printer.

Prusa i3 MK3S+

Specifications

• Build Volume: 250mm x 210mm x 210 mm
• Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG, ASA, TPU
• Connectivity Technology: USB
• Filetype: STL

What We Think

For businesses where accuracy is highly important, this detail-oriented 3D printer is an ideal solution.

Reasons to Buy

• High print resolution – designs built by the MK3S+ are detailed and accurate, with little-to-no warping or ridging.
• Automated leveling – using a unique design, this 3D printer keeps prints level throughout the process, with great print bed adhesion.

Reasons to Avoid

• Long setup – not for the faint-of-heart, the MK3S+ takes some time to set up and get running.

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We made mention of the Prusa i3 MK3S+ in our guide on the best auto-leveling 3D printers, and this 3D printer makes the cut today for all the same reasons. A reliable and easy to use unit, the MK3S+ is ideal for business purposes.

Employing the proprietary SuperPINDA probe, the MK3S+ keeps your design level at the start: the most crucial period where an error can ruin the design. Throughout the rest of the print, expect great speeds and quality detailing, with phenomenal end results. With a build volume of 250mm x 210mm x 210mm, this 3D printer is ideal for ambitious commercial 3D prints.

However, this may not be the ideal first 3D printer to invest in for your business: the assembly process of this 3D printer is quite involved, and many will struggle to assemble it. Once you do, however, you’ll find that the MK3S+ is a sterling addition to your company!

Features and Considerations

For any other business-minded 3D printer investments, consider the following before you commit funding towards a new printer:

Build Volume

Large 3D printer build volumes can swell to ludicrous sizes measured in meters rather than millimeters, which are overkill for most applications. For most, a more modest but large build volume compared to that of typical 3D printers is a more cost-effective option and still offers plenty of versatility. Consider the maximum size of the prints you are aiming for, and buy accordingly.

Open vs Closed Frame

The design of a 3D printer fundamentally affects how large the build volume can be. With enclosed 3D printers, the entire print space is kept within the model. Most – if not all – of the best large 3D printers will be open-frame, to minimize restrictions on build volume. These models tend to be heavier and bulkier, however.

Filament

Another factor to consider when shopping for a large 3D printer is material compatibility. In a sense, this is a simple step to overlook, but one that can hamper your printing plans if you find out a printer doesn’t support your filament of choice before hitting the buy button. Most will handle PLA and ABS out of the box, while pricier options may extend compatibility to less popular materials such as Nylon. Some large 3D printers can handle more abrasive materials like carbon fiber but may require upgrading the nozzle to a hardened steel variant – a relatively cheap and easy way to improve the printer.

Print Speeds

A few factors determine the print speed of a 3D printer: the number of extruders, their acceleration, even a slowly-heating bed can have drastic effects on print speeds. A quick tradeoff between quality and speed can be achieved by replacing the nozzle with a wider-diameter model, but that is never ideal. If you know you’ll need quick turnover rates, it is best to invest in a high-speed 3D printer from the outset.

FAQs

Verdict

Snapmaker A350T

Specifications

• Build Volume: 320mm x 330mm x 350mm
• Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU
• Connectivity Technology: WiFi
• Filetype: STL, OBJ

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Noise is a small price to pay for the quality and versatility that the Snapmaker A350T offers, with tremendous 3D print results across a broad range of scenarios – making it highly suited as a 3D printer for small businesses.