Products at a Glance
How We Picked the Best 3D Printer for Cosplay
Cosplayers may not immediately assume that a 3D printer is a sage investment, but there are plenty of affordable models on the market that allow newcomers or journeyman 3D artists to make their concepts a reality. We prioritized 3D printers that had spacious print volumes: you don’t need the largest 3D printers, but a reasonable volume is useful for printing moderately sized components. Similarly, having a range of filament options available – from olfactory polymers like PLA through to specialist materials such as carbon fiber – gives you versatility in your 3D printed cosplay designs. We also gave preferential treatment to 3D printers with quality-of-life features such as automated leveling or progress-monitoring cameras. Especially for beginners who don’t want to learn the intricacies of 3D printing, these can be highly beneficial in allowing you to still create your components.
Ultimately, we settled on five products across a range of budgets, each one highly suited for cosplay but with their own individual merits. From affordable basic models through to specialist equipment, there’s plenty to choose from in our guide on the best 3D printers for cosplay.
Product Reviews
- Large build volume
- User-friendly
- Bulky
Whilst Anycubic have a range of 3D printers under $500, the Kobra Max is our top pick for the best 3D printer for cosplay at a touch above that price point. For that extra investment, cosplayers get a versatile and intuitive 3D printer that’s highly suited to creating great custom cosplay components.
With a build volume of 450mm x 400mm x 400mm, the Kobra Max gives you plenty of space to create. Setting up the 3D printer is quick and easy, with an intuitive touchscreen from which to calibrate your model. Once you get around to printing – using any one of a handful of top 3D printer filaments for cosplay such as PLA, PETG or ABS – you’ll find your models rendered quickly and quietly; with a general print speed of 120mm/s.
However, though this printer is highly efficient, the print volume necessitates a bulky and cumbersome design, which can make it unsuited to those with limited space. If you have the space to house it, then the Anycubic Kobra Max is definitely our top pick for the best 3D printer for cosplay!
- Affordable
- Quick assembly
- Great print quality
- Filament loading issues
Creality is one of the best brands for affordable 3D printers, and the Ender 3 V2 is no exception to that pattern: this budget 3D printer for cosplay allows you to create amazing armor and props with intricate detail, all for a low price!
As a 3D printer under $300, the Ender 3 V2 is a great low-cost investment for those looking to experiment with 3D printing for cosplay. Assembly is simple and easy, and comes with a simple manual to help even the most novice 3D print artists learn their craft. Prints themselves are precise and quick, with the open-frame design allowing you to see your work in progress.
If we had to pick a flaw in this budget 3D printer, it would be the filament spool that users have to load manually. Whilst that in and of itself is not unique, the Ender 3 V2’s design makes it more of a cumbersome process. It’s a small hurdle to overcome, however, and this is still a great affordable 3D printer for cosplay!
- Dual-extruder technology
- Decent build volume
- WiFi Camera
- Poor bed heating
The Entina X40 V3 is another 3D printer for cosplay, one more aimed at people more familiar with 3D printing. Utilizing dual-extruder technology, this versatile 3D printer is ideal for more complex cosplay concepts, with plenty of features designed to un-complicate them!
With a build volume of 300mm x 300mm x 400mm, the X40 V3 is slightly more modest than other products featured here. However, the dual extruders that the printer possesses allow that build volume to be used much more creatively, with the option to print two objects at once or even in multiple colors. No matter the model, it’s rendered quickly and in great detail. You also have a wide range of materials to choose from, including niche materials like wood or nylon.
Though the extruders on this printer are phenomenal, we were less impressed with the print bed, which would cause inconsistent heat patterns and consequently inconsistent prints. Total failures are rare, but it does keep this model from being the best 3D printer for cosplay!
- 3D printer, laser engraver and CNC carver
- Automated bed leveling
- Highly detailed prints
- Expensive
For a true all-rounder 3D printer for cosplay, consider the Snapmaker A350T. Not only is this a great 3D printer, but a great laser-engraver and CNC cutter, making this 3-in-1 unit a productivity powerhouse for creating stunning costumes and cosplay!
Aside from the two other uses, the A350T is still a tremendous feature. Boasting auto-leveling and power loss recovery, amateur 3D printers are able to get off to a great start with this unit. It has a build volume of 320mm x 350mm x 330mm which, though smaller than average, makes for concentrated quality no matter the design. The A350T also boasts a complex algorithm that actively adjusts and compensates during the print process for design-accurate results.
That said, such a brilliant machine doesn’t come cheap: with a four-figure price tag, this is a machine to avoid if your budget is under $1000. If you can afford it, however, the Snapmaker A350T gives you tremendous 3D prints for cosplay, and so much more!
- Fast print speeds
- Highly accurate
- High filament compatibility
- Limited build volume
Today’s final top 3D printer for cosplay is the Qidi X-Plus 3, a 3D printing solution that manages to achieve incredibly fast print speeds without compromising accuracy. For cosplayers looking for quick turnarounds on their components, this is the ideal solution.
The X-Plus 3 has a staggering print speed of 600mm/s, with extruders capable of manifesting your designs in a wide range of materials such as ABS or carbon fiber. The build quality of the printer itself is also stellar: with a stabilized all-metal frame ensuring that the print bed is evenly heated and that the model itself isn’t moved. The 3D printer is accurate to as little as 0.1mm, meaning that intricacies are maintained even at top acceleration.
However, the limiting factor that keeps the X-Plus 3 from the top spot is its limited build volume. As an enclosed 3D printer, the build volume is inherently capped at 279mm x 279mm x 270mm, which may not be enough for some cosplay ambitions. It’s still a stellar 3D printer, and ideal for those with big plans at a small scale!
Features and Considerations
If you’re looking into investing in a 3D printer for cosplay that didn’t feature on our buyer’s guide, here are some factors to consider:
Build Volume
Like a standard printer’s print size, a 3D printer will have a maximum build volume – normally measured in millimeters. Some 3D printers have open-frame designs that enable you to cleverly bypass the build volume limit, or you can print your design in components and assemble them externally. Regardless, ensure that your 3D printer has a suitable volume for what you plan to make with your unit.
Print Speed
3D printing is a slow process at the best of times, but some units run faster than others – generally measured in millimeters per second (mm/s), with acceleration determining how quickly the 3D printer can reach those speeds when changing direction. Dual extruder 3D printers tend to be the fastest.
Filament
There are a wide range of different filaments available for 3D printers. From standard PLA to more specialist options like Nylon. Depending on your specific build plan, be sure your 3D printer has the compatible filament listed. For instance, food-safe molds such as cookie cutters require non-toxic filaments, so be sure to double-check what you’re printing with!
Leveling
If you are inexperienced with 3D printing, manual leveling can be an annoyance. Auto-leveling 3D printers cross one frustrating pre-print check off the list, but tend to be more expensive. Like with any technology, learning to manually level is an excellent means by which to improve your overall 3D printing experience.
What's the difference between 3D print speed and acceleration?
In 3D printing, acceleration is the term that defines how quickly an extruder can change direction, whilst print speed is the general speed at which the printer extrudes the filament for the design. Both are generally measured in mm/s, which can be confusing to those unfamiliar with the difference.
What's the best material for 3D printing cosplay?
This is dependent on what you are planning to make with your 3D printer for cosplay. Light armor and other hard materials can be made from durable and weather-resistant materials like ABS or even resin, or any other lightweight thermoplastic that your 3D printer is compatible with. Materials such as carbon fiber can create a more metallic look, but are more expensive and heavy.
Our Verdict
Though it’s far from a small 3D printer, the Anycubic Kobra Max is the best 3D printer for cosplay due to its median affordability, quality and capacity. Whether you’re creating armor pauldrons or prop accessories, this 3D printer is ideal thanks to its wide build volume and great accuracy!
Interested in some smaller-scale character creation? Check out our buyer’s guide on the best 3D printer for miniatures today!