If you’re looking for a versatile and renewable means of creating stunning props and costumes on a budget, then you should consider investing in one of the best 3D printers for cosplay. Creating accurate and long-lasting costume pieces – especially for complex designs – can be a difficult and often expensive process, but 3D printing allows you to mitigate that cost. You can create props and costume components using an array of materials that are affordable and highly suited to cosplaying.

With that in mind, we’ve put together some rankings of our favorite 3D printers for cosplay manufacturing. Across a range of budgets and specializations, we have products to suit different cosplay needs. From full-fledged 3D-printed armor through to additional detailing, these 3D print solutions will scale to suit your needs, tastes, and ambitions!

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  Editor’s Pick

  Anycubic Kobra 2 Max

  • Build Volume: 420mm x 420mm x 500mm
  • Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU
  • Connectivity Technology: USB, Companion App
  • Filetype: STL, OBJ

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• 
  Best Budget 3D Printer for Cosplay

  Creality Ender 3 V2

  • Build Volume: 220mm x 220mm x 250mm
  • Filament: PLA
  • Connectivity Technology: USB, Micro-SD
  • Filetype: STL

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• 
  Best IDEX 3D Printer for Cosplay

  Entina X40 V3

  • Build Volume: 300mm x 300mm x 400mm
  • Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG, Metal, Nylon, Wood
  • Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi, TF Card
  • Filetype: STL, OBJ, G-code

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• 
  Best Multipurpose 3D Printer for Cosplay

  Snapmaker A350T

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

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• 
  Best Enclosed 3D Printer for Cosplay

  QIDI Technology X-Plus 3

  • Build Volume: 270mm x 200mm x 200mm
  • Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG, PA, ASA, Carbon Fiber
  • Connectivity Technology: USB
  • Filetype: STL

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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 wood – 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 hobbyists who don’t need or 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.

Anycubic Kobra 2 Max

Specifications

• Build Volume: 420mm x 420mm x 500mm
• Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU
• Connectivity Technology: USB, Companion App
• Filetype: STL, OBJ

What We Think

Targeted towards cosplayers and designers, the Kobra 2 Max is a great investment for your next ambitious coplay designs.

Reasons to Buy

• Accommodating build volume – with 450mm x 400mm x 400mm of space, you’ve got room to create your cosplays.
• User-friendly – the interface is intuitive and allows beginners to get to grips with the mechanics of 3D printing.

Reasons to Avoid

• Bulky – a larger build volume means that the Kobra 2 Max takes up a larger space.

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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!

Creality Ender 3 V2

Specifications

• Build Volume: 220mm x 220mm x 250mm
• Filament: PLA
• Connectivity Technology: USB, Micro-SD
• Filetype: STL

What We Think

One of our favorites for entry-level printing, the Ender 3 V2 is a terrific 3D printer that combines many of our top features into a compact and affordable package.

Reasons to Buy

• Great print quality – prints are rendered in great detail thanks to this printer's precise extruder.
• Easy assembly – for cosplayers wanting to get started quickly, the Ender 3 V2 ships partially pre-assembled.

Reasons to Avoid

• Filament loading issues – the Ender 3 V2's filament spool can be cumbersome to load.

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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!

Entina X40 V3

Specifications

• Build Volume: 300mm x 300mm x 400mm
• Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG, Metal, Nylon, Wood
• Connectivity Technology: USB, WiFi, TF Card
• Filetype: STL, OBJ, G-code

What We Think

Boasting an innovative design, the X40 V3 is a great option for journeyman and beginner cosplayers alike.

Reasons to Buy

• Versatile print options – with IDEX technology and a wide range of compatible filament, the X40 V3 is a highly useful 3D printer.
• WiFi camera – monitor your prints remotely with the built-in camera.

Reasons to Avoid

• Inconsistent bed heating – with uneven print bed heating, some elements are prone to warping.

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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!

Snapmaker A350T

Specifications

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

What We Think

Thanks to its truly unique 3-in-1 design, the A350T makes itself an asset to any craft project, with all the tools needed for detailed and dynamic designs.

Reasons to Buy

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

Reasons to Avoid

• Premium pricing – the A350T is considerably more expensive than a traditional 3D printer given that it is several devices in one.

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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!

QIDI Technology X-Plus 3

Specifications

• Build Volume: 270mm x 200mm x 200mm
• Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG, PA, ASA, Carbon Fiber
• Connectivity Technology: USB
• Filetype: STL

What We Think

Working with a limited space? The X-Plus 3 reduces noxious fumes whilst still maintaining the depth and breadth of cosplay printing quality you need.

Reasons to Buy

• Fast print speed – at 600mm/s, you won’t be waiting long for your prints.
• Varied filament compatibility – with everything from PLA to carbon fiber, this printer gives you all the versatility you need.

Reasons to Avoid

• Limited build volume – the closed frame unfortunately limits the X-Plus 3 to a 270mm x 200mm x 200mm print size.

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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 270mm x 200mm x 200mm, 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.

FAQs

Verdict

Anycubic Kobra 2 Max

Specifications

• Build Volume: 420mm x 420mm x 500mm
• Filament: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU
• Connectivity Technology: USB, Companion App
• Filetype: STL, OBJ

• Shop on Amazon

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!