Following the first wave of affordable desktop 3D printers from around 2014-2016, since 2018-2019 we have witnessed a real evolution in technology with the emergence of cheap and high-performance FDM 3D printers under €1500.
From 2022 onwards, we experienced a true revolution in printing speed, with products easily reaching 600 mm/s, still at accessible prices. We also saw the democratization of multi-color printing systems, allowing up to 16 different colors to be managed.
For 2026, improvements in multi-color management and the integration of AI (calibration, detection, part design…) are additional steps in the technology’s development.
Having become extremely affordable from €250, you can now equip yourself with a cheap 3D printer at home to print PLA, PETG, ABS and other common thermoplastics!
While these beginner 3D machines are indeed much more reliable, there is a huge number of them on the market… making it more complex to make the right choice. Which are the best cheap 3D printers in 2026?
In this article, we present a selection of the 10 best FDM models under €2000, primarily based on technological criteria such as print volume, printing speed, multi-color management, accuracy, extrusion (nozzle) and bed temperatures, type of print bed, and other important criteria.
The first part of this selection covers the best FDM 3D printers under €500, the second part talks about those between €500 and €1000, and finally, the third part presents the best 3D printers slightly above €1000.
Keep in mind that in this guide, we have deliberately left out resin 3D printers to focus on FDM 3D printing. This technology, also called FFF, is ideal for rapid prototyping and small-scale functional parts.
Best 3D Printer in 2026
While we have mentioned some criteria above and praised the increasingly advanced reliability of entry-level FDM 3D printers, there are still notable differences between a €200 and a €1000 printer (not to mention professional desktop ranges).
However, other machines not mentioned in this guide may seem similar on paper; we list the machines that our technical experts know and master. Below are all the brands of cheap 3D printers available at Polyfab3D:
Let’s dive into our first selection of models under €500.
Top 3D Printers of 2026 under €500
Bambu Lab A1
244.00 € excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – Fully automatic and intelligent calibration
- – High print speed up to 500 mm/s
- – Build volume 256 Ă— 256 Ă— 256 mm
The Bambu Lab A1 is a fast and reliable 3D printer, combining full automatic calibration with consistent print quality for professionals, designers, and demanding creators.
With a build volume of 256 Ă— 256 Ă— 256 mm, it allows the production of large prototypes or technical parts without intermediate assembly.
Its metal linear rails, advanced sensors, and powerful MCU ensure a maximum speed of 500 mm/s without compromising on precision or finish.
The Bambu Lab A1 offers multi-material compatibility, an intuitive interface, and flexible connectivity via LAN mode or optional cloud service.
Polyfab3D’s opinion
“The Bambu Lab A1 remains one of the best machines for 2026 thanks to its proven reliability and affordable price. Ideal for makers and creators seeking uncompromising performance.”
Creality SPARKX i7 Color Combo
€332.50 excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – Multicolor printing up to 4 colors
- – Quick setup, ready to print
- – AI camera with automatic error detection
The Creality SPARKX i7 Color Combo is a smart 3D printer designed for creative makers, combining advanced automation, controlled multicolor printing, and seamless AI integration.
With CubeMe and the integrated AI camera, it simplifies 3D model creation, secures prints, and improves success rates, even for beginners.
Its Color Combo system enables printing up to four colors with less waste, smart filament management, and broad compatibility with common materials.
Fast, quiet, and ready to use, the SPARKX i7 Color Combo offers a comfortable print volume, modern design, and a complete Creality ecosystem focused on simplicity and creativity.
Polyfab3D’s opinion
“The Creality SPARKX i7 Color Combo combines an intuitive interface, optimized multicolor printing, and built-in AI. Powerful and fast, it is ideal for creative makers seeking precision and advanced control.”
Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo
405.71€ excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – Multicolor printing up to 8 colors
- – Ultra-fast print speed 600 mm/s
- – Stable enclosed CoreXY structure
The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo is a fast enclosed CoreXY machine offering up to 600 mm/s, ideal for complex multicolor prints and diverse creative projects.
It supports printing up to 8 colors simultaneously thanks to the ACE Pro system and offers a generous build volume of 250 Ă— 250 Ă— 250 mm.
Its stable CoreXY frame ensures precision and vibration reduction, while the enclosed chamber guarantees a constant temperature and better layer adhesion.
Automatic leveling, intuitive touchscreen, and compatibility with PLA, ABS, PETG, and TPU make it easy to use for both beginners and experienced users.
Polyfab3D’s opinion
“The Anycubic Kobra S1 Combo combines high speed, advanced multicolor printing, and convenient automation. Reliable and versatile, it’s perfect for creative makers seeking detailed results with every print.”
Creality K1C 2025
€332.50 excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – Anti-clog extruder for smooth filament feed
- – High-speed printing up to 600 mm/s
- – Enclosed frame with PEI bed for adhesion and stability
The Creality K1C 2025 is the evolution of the K1C model, designed to offer precision, speed, and reliability in an accessible format, compatible with the CFS-C multi-material feeder.
It features an anti-clog extruder ensuring continuous filament feed, reducing print interruptions and defects, even with technical or composite materials.
With a maximum printing speed of up to 600 mm/s and a build volume of 220 Ă— 220 Ă— 250 mm, the K1C 2025 allows rapid production of prototypes, small series, or detailed parts without compromising quality.
The printer also includes automatic bed leveling for a perfect first layer, a PEI bed offering excellent adhesion, and an enclosed frame that stabilizes temperature and improves print quality.
Polyfab3D’s opinion
“The K1C 2025 offers a rare combination of speed, precision, and broad material compatibility. Its anti-clog extruder and well-designed bed make it a reliable solution for makers who want consistent prints without constant adjustments.”
Creality K2
€415.83 excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – Fast and precise CoreXY structure
- – Generous and stable build volume
- – Reliable extruder with automatic leveling
The Creality K2 stands out with its fast and precise CoreXY structure, suitable for demanding makers and a variety of functional prints.
With a build volume of 260 Ă— 260 Ă— 260 mm and optimized mechanics, it combines stability, speeds up to 600 mm/s, and consistent results for every 3D project.
It features a next-generation extruder, intelligent automatic leveling, and monitoring sensors that enhance print quality and reduce potential errors.
Reliable in daily use, the Creality K2 offers wide filament compatibility, low noise, and practical automation to simplify print preparation.
Polyfab3D’s opinion
“The Creality K2 impresses with its speed, precision, and reliability. Its generous volume and automated features make every print easy, ideal for demanding makers or regular creative projects at home.”
Selection of the Best 3D Printers 2026 Between €500 and €1000
Snapmaker U1
€707.50 excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – Smooth multicolor and multi-material printing
- – Ultra-precise automatic calibration
- – Fast SnapSwap™ filament change
The Snapmaker U1 brings a revolution in multi-material management with its four independent print heads. It is ideal for multicolor and multi-material printing without excessive purging, reliable and professional.
Its rigid CoreXY frame, ultra-precise automatic calibration, and high speed up to 500 mm/s ensure faithful, clean, and detailed parts for demanding projects.
With a comfortable build volume of 270 Ă— 270 Ă— 270 mm, Wi-Fi/LAN/USB connectivity, and dedicated Orca software, it adapts perfectly to creative and technical workflows.
The SnapSwap™ system, RFID recognition, and integrated camera simplify filament changes and monitor your prints for easier and safer usage.
Polyfab3D’s opinion
“The Snapmaker U1 combines performance, innovation, and versatility with its four print heads, automatic calibration, high speed, and optimized multicolor printing to minimize material waste.”
Bambu Lab P2S Combo
€749.00 excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – Automatic multi-material management with AMS 2 Pro
- – Closed chamber with filtered and stable temperature
- – AI detection and automatic calibration
The Bambu Lab P2S Combo is a closed CoreXY 3D printer designed for demanding makers and professionals, offering precision, reliability, and advanced multi-material printing (up to 20 materials using AMS).
It features a build volume of 256 × 256 × 256 mm, a hotend up to 300 °C, and wide material compatibility for prototyping and functional parts.
The integrated system AMS 2 Pro, responsive touchscreen, and filtered chamber ensure automated workflow and consistent results.
With automatic calibration, AI detection, and Wi-Fi/USB connectivity, it combines modern technology and ease of use for reliable daily printing.
Polyfab3D’s opinion
“The Bambu Lab P2S Combo combines performance and advanced automation: AMS 2 Pro system, enclosed chamber, and intuitive touchscreen. It guarantees precise and consistent prints, ideal for technical and professional projects.”
Creality K2 Pro Combo
€832.50 excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – Multicolor printing up to 16 colors
- – Generous build volume 300 Ă— 300 Ă— 300 mm
- – AI cameras and auto-leveling
The Creality K2 Pro Combo is an advanced multicolor 3D printer capable of printing up to 16 colors (using combined CFS) for maximum creativity and enhanced reliability.
It offers a large build volume of 300 Ă— 300 Ă— 300 mm, a heated chamber, and speed up to 600 mm/s for prototypes, functional objects, and demanding decorative parts.
The machine combines AI cameras, intelligent auto-leveling, and RFID filament management to optimize every print, even complex ones.
Robust and precise, the K2 Pro Combo includes Wi-Fi/USB connectivity, air filtration, and silent cooling for a complete and smooth experience.
Polyfab3D’s opinion
“The Creality K2 Pro Combo combines power and versatility: multicolor printing up to 16 colors, heated chamber, AI and RFID for precise and reliable results, perfect for advanced creations and demanding prototyping.”
Selection of the Best 3D Printers 2026 Between €1000 and €2000
Creality K2 Plus Combo
€1124.17 excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – Large build volume 350 Ă— 350 Ă— 350 mm
- – Multicolor printing up to 16 colors
- – Active chamber heating and FOC motors
The Creality K2 Plus Combo offers a huge build volume of 350 Ă— 350 Ă— 350 mm for large-format parts, ideal for makers, prototyping, and complex creations.
It includes the intelligent CFS system with up to 16 colors (combining multiple CFS), automatic filament loading, and multicolor printing without manual interruptions.
The active heated chamber, FOC closed-loop motors, and APUS extruder ensure speed, precision, and print stability.
With automatic leveling and dual integrated AI cameras, the K2 Plus Combo simplifies monitoring, print tracking, and ensures reliable results.
Polyfab3D’s opinion
“The Creality K2 Plus Combo combines XXL volume, intelligent multicolor printing, active heating, and stable performance. Perfect for demanding users seeking speed, large-size printing, and reliability in advanced projects.”
Bambu Lab H2S Combo
€1415.00 excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – Movement speed up to 1000 mm/s
- – Generous build volume 340 Ă— 320 Ă— 340 mm
- – Automatic multi-material with integrated AMS
The Bambu Lab H2S Combo is a professional-grade machine designed for speed, precision, and versatility, featuring a heated chamber and smooth multi-material management (up to 24 colors).
It offers a large build volume of 340 × 320 × 340 mm and movement speeds up to 1000 mm/s for rapid prototypes and complex technical parts.
The machine includes ultra-precise automatic leveling, a high-temperature hotend, and a controlled chamber for technical materials such as ABS, ASA, or composites.
Wi-Fi connectivity, an intuitive touchscreen, and a fleet of smart sensors/cameras provide control, safety, and real-time monitoring.
Polyfab3D’s opinion
“The Bambu Lab H2S Combo combines performance and automation with AMS, high speed, and heated chamber. It ensures precise and reliable prints on technical materials, ideal for demanding professionals and advanced projects.”
Bambu Lab H2D
€1915.83 excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – High-temperature hotend up to 350 °C
- – Generous build volume 350 Ă— 320 Ă— 325 mm
- – DynaSense extrusion for optimal precision
The Bambu Lab H2D is an advanced dual-extrusion machine with a 350 °C hotend and heated chamber up to 65 °C, ideal for high-performance technical materials.
It offers a large build volume of 350 × 320 × 325 mm and smooth extrusion up to 600 mm/s, ensuring speed and precision regardless of project size.
The DynaSense extruder optimizes filament feeding in real-time, reducing clogs and defects, even with abrasive materials such as carbon fiber or reinforced nylon.
With automatic calibration, advanced sensors, and a heated PEI bed, the H2D combines reliability and performance for professional prints and ambitious projects.
Polyfab3D’s opinion
“The Bambu Lab H2D impresses with its large build volume, high-temperature hotend, and DynaSense system. Reliable and powerful, it is perfect for technical materials and professional applications.”
Slightly higher budget? Which 3D printer for 2026?
If your budget slightly exceeds €2000 excl. VAT, you can aim for truly professional and high-end 3D printers, with even more advanced features: advanced dual extrusion, top-of-the-line automated multi-material printing, and XXL build volume for demanding prototyping or ultimate small series production.
Bambu Lab H2C
€2249.00 excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – Vortek Hotend Change system with up to 6 interchangeable hotends.
- – Clean multi-material printing without extensive purging.
- – Actively heated chamber and generous build volume for complex projects.
Raise3D Pro3
€2799.00 excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – Large build volume 300 Ă— 300 Ă— 300 mm and professional dual extrusion.
- – Wide compatibility with industrial materials (ABS, Nylon, PC, etc.).
- – Automatic leveling with flexible build plate.
Elegoo OrangeStorm Giga
€2213.53 excl. VAT
Top 3 features:
- – Massive build volume 800 Ă— 800 Ă— 1000 mm for large-format parts.
- – Efficient heated bed with four independent PEI plates.
- – Fast printing up to 300 mm/s.
Conclusion
There are many affordable FDM 3D printers ranging from €250 to €2000, and we do not claim to know them all to provide a detailed analysis of each.
That is why in this buying guide, we have presented the printers we know best and tried to offer you advice based on your needs and preferences, comparing the most high-performing machines.
If you do not see a particular machine on this list, feel free to share your feedback—we are always happy to hear from you.
If you find this content helpful, we also invite you to share it.
Finally, our team of technical experts is here to support your projects. Contact us without delay.
âś… Why Choose Polyfab3D?
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