Photo: Peak Design
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Whether you’re road-tripping or traveling internationally, it’s time to break out your camera—but you want to make sure that it’s not only safe but also easily accessible. With the best camera bags, you can protect your travel camera from the elements and potential theft. From backpacks to crossbody bags, we found the best camera bags for travel for those whose main concern is style, budget, weatherproofing, and more.

To find the best camera bag for travel, we've consulted top tech publications, well-known travel blogs, and tons of customer reviews, looking for options for everyone, from budget-minded travelers to those just traveling with a carry-on. Whether you’re a beginner photographer who started off taking pet photos or a seasoned pro who’s deep into nature photography, here are the best bags for having your camera ready as you jet-set across the globe.

Our Top Picks:

1. Best Overall Camera Bag for Travel: Peak Design Everyday Backpack – $279.95 at Peak Design
2. Best Small Camera Bag for Travel: Peak Design Everyday Sling – $119.95 at Peak Design
3. Best Stylish Camera Bag for Travel: Brevite The Jumper Backpack – $169.99 at Amazon
4. Best Budget Camera Bag for Travel: Tullio Small Camera Bag – $28.99 at Amazon
5. Best Camera Bag for International Travel: Lowepro Flipside 300 Backpack – $137.88 at Amazon
6. Best Waterproof Camera Bag for Travel: CADeN Camera Backpack Bag – $29.99 at Amazon

Reviews of The Best Camera Bags for Travel in 2024

1. Best Overall Camera Bag for Travel: Peak Design Everyday Backpack

Peak Design | $279.95

Peak Design is known for its sleek, travel-friendly bags, and its Everyday Backpack is no exception. With a 20-liter capacity—the largest of the bags on this list—the backpack comes in two sizes and multiple colors, making it a crowd-pleaser from the start. From the outside, it doesn’t look like a camera bag, which adds to its versatility, yet the bag is chock full of handy storage features.

A convenient side panel allows you to see all your equipment at once, rather than fishing fragile camera gear out of the bottom of your bag. The Everyday Backpack also comes with moveable dividers that allow you to customize the inside of the bag to fit your camera equipment. Plus, the bag has a separate pocket for a tablet or laptop, making it a versatile option if you just want to use it as a regular backpack on non-travel days.

$279.95 at Peak Design

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 11.8 x 5.9 x 18.1 inches
• Capacity: 20 liters
• Weight: 4.3 pounds

The Pros:

• Available in two sizes
• Four color options
• Secure
• Sleek design
• Large capacity

The Cons:

• Expensive
• Lacks internal and external padding
• Bag doesn’t stand up on its own

What Others Are Saying

Travel + Leisure tested and named the Peak Design Everyday Backpack the best travel bag. The zippered version of the bag was also tested and named the runner-up best camera backpack by Wired and Gear Junkie.

Buy the Peak Design Everyday Backpack:

$279.95 at Peak Design

$279.95 at Amazon

2. Best Small Camera Bag for Travel: Peak Design Everyday Sling

Peak Design | $119.95

Like the top pick, this sling bag from Peak Design has an elegant, simple design with a more affordable price point and thoughtful details, like an adjustable strap, removable dividers, and a tablet compartment. It’s the best compact bag for travel and comes in three sizes, ranging from 3 liters to 10 liters, and three colors: black, gray, and blue.

With its smaller 6-liter capacity, it’s one of the best small camera bags for travel and is a good fit for weekend trips and beginner photographers who don’t need to lug around a lot of equipment. Plus, the Peak Design name means durable construction that will outlast most other beginner-friendly camera bags at cheaper price points.

$119.95 at Peak Design

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 10.6 x 4.3 x 9.4 inches
• Capacity: 6 liters
• Weight: 1.7 pounds

The Pros:

• Available in three sizes and colors
• Stylish, compact design
• Durable and long-lasting

The Cons:

• Expensive for its size
• Limited capacity
• The flared compartment doesn’t work for all cameras

What Others Are Saying

The Peak Design Everyday Sling was tested and recommended by Travel + Leisure and Zen Travellers.

Buy the Peak Design Everyday Sling:

$119.95 at Peak Design

$119.95 at Amazon

3. Best Stylish Camera Bag for Travel: Brevite The Jumper Backpack

Amazon | $169.99

If you’re looking for style and function, this trendy, minimalist backpack called The Jumper is packed with useful camera storage. To add to its chic look, the bag is available in a whopping seven colors that you can match to your other luggage. Whether you choose the bright Lemon Yellow or the muted Boulder Tan, you can keep the bag in pristine condition by throwing it in the washing machine after your trip.

Not only does The Jumper open from the top like a traditional backpack, but it also has panels that zip open on the front and sides for easy access to your camera while on the go. Like many other camera bags on this list, it has removable dividers for configuring your perfect layout. Plus, it’s also quite lightweight at just 1.7 pounds—the same weight as the sling bag above.

$169.99 at Amazon

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 10.5 x 5.5 x 16.25 inches
• Capacity: 18 liters
• Weight: 1.9 pounds

The Pros:

• Minimalist, trendy design
• Seven color options
• Multiple access points
• Can be used as an everyday backpack
• Large capacity

The Cons:

• Dividers could be more sturdy
• Not as much structure as other bags
• Light colors show wear

What Others Are Saying

The Brevite The Jumper Backpack was tested and recommended as the best everyday camera backpack by Wired and the camera bag with the best color options by Travel + Leisure.

Buy the Brevite The Jumper Backpack:

$169.99 at Amazon

4. Best Budget Camera Bag for Travel: Tullio Small Camera Bag

Amazon | $28.99

If you’re looking to pare down your camera gear to just the essentials, this stylish Tullio crossbody canvas camera bag can help. Available in six colors, this is the most lightweight and smallest-capacity option on the list—but it pays off in price. For under $30, you won’t find a better camera bag that you can carry for days on end, even in more formal situations.

The bag’s sling design makes it easy to access the outer and inner pockets without having to take it off. It’s small enough to fit in a larger carry-on and is conveniently water-resistant. The compact bag’s 6-liter capacity admittedly won’t work for all cameras, but should fit most mirrorless and DSLR cameras and smaller lenses.

$28.99 at Amazon

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.7 x 11 inches
• Capacity: 6 liters
• Weight: 1 pound

The Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Six color options
• Modern, casual design

The Cons:

• Small capacity with no room for extra accessories
• Shoulder strap lacks padding
• Thin materials

What Others Are Saying

Tullio’s Small Camera Bag has more than 1,000 ratings on Amazon and an overall 4.7-star rating.

Buy the Tullio Small Camera Bag:

$28.99 at Amazon

5. Best Camera Bag for International Travel: Lowepro Flipside 300 Backpack

Amazon | $137.88

In the field of photography, Lowepro is known for its unique, innovative bag designs, which are well-suited for international travel. The Lowepro Flipside 300 Backpack features a zip-open back panel that allows the backpack to fully open like a suitcase, making it easy for photographers to stay organized. This unique access point also protects against theft while traveling.

For quicker access, the bag has a small zippered side pocket that’s a great place to stash extra lenses. The bag’s materials are extremely durable, which makes it a great option for taking more adventurous, outdoorsy photo trips.

$137.88 at Amazon

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 12.2 x 8.7 x 18.1 inches
• Capacity: 17 liters
• Weight: 3.1 pounds

The Pros:

• Reasonably priced
• Durable
• Secure
• Keeps camera gear safe from theft

The Cons:

• Lacks external pockets
• May have trouble fitting larger lenses
• Not easy to access gear on the go

What Others Are Saying

Disney Tourist Blog recommends the Lowepro Flipside 300 Backpack for traveling with a camera.

Buy the Lowepro Flipside 300 Backpack:

$137.88 at Amazon

6. Best Waterproof Camera Bag for Travel: CADeN Camera Backpack Bag

Amazon | $33.99

If you’re headed to a rainy location, a waterproof camera bag will help ensure that your gear stays protected—and dry. In addition to being inexpensive, the CADeN Camera Backpack Bag is completely waterproof, while most camera bags require a separate rain cover.

The backpack is available in six sizes, perfect for newbie photographers and pros alike. It also comes in three colors and sports convenient internal dividers, an external pocket to fit a tripod, and a tablet compartment.

$29.99 at Amazon

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 11.5 x 5 x 14.2 inches
• Capacity: 14 liters
• Weight: 1.7 pounds

The Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Six size options and three colors
• Waterproof design
• Secure

The Cons:

• Lacks external pockets
• Not many uses besides carrying camera gear

What Others Are Saying

The CADeN Camera Backpack Bag has more than 11,200 ratings and an overall 4.7-star rating on Amazon. It’s also tested and recommended as the best budget camera backpack by Gear Junkie.

Buy the CADeN Camera Backpack Bag:

$29.99 at Amazon

Other Camera Bags for Travel to Consider

• NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Pack
  Recommended as the best overall camera backpack by Gear Junkie, this large, durable camera bag has a back panel that allows it to open fully like a suitcase and lots of internal and external pockets. However, it can get heavy when worn for extended periods of time, and it is very expensive. The NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Pack is available at Amazon for $399.99.
• WANDRD ROGUE 9-Liter Sling
  This roomy sling camera bag comes recommended as the best everyday sling camera bag by Wired. It’s available in three sizes and a variety of colors, but it’s a little pricey for what you get. And unfortunately, the traditional camera bag style doesn't offer easy access for snapping photos while traveling. The WANDRD ROGUE 9-Liter Sling is available at Amazon for $159.
• BAGSMART Camera Backpack
  One of the more highly reviewed camera bags available on Amazon, the BAGSMART Camera Backpack has convenient, easy-access compartments and a trendy style. While it rings up at an affordable price, the bag’s straps are not super sturdy or secure, and the magnetic buckle tends to open on its own. The BAGSMART Camera Backpack is available at Amazon for $59.99.
• Lowepro Pro Trekker
  Unlike the backpacks and sling bags that make this list, this bag has wheels that allow you to easily move it around despite its impressive 28-liter capacity. It can also convert to a backpack, albeit a heavy one. While it’s packed with storage options, this LowePro bag’s main compartment opens on the front part of the bag, foregoing one of the major benefits of the Lowepro Flipside 300 Backpack. It's also on the more expensive side, and the bag can be too heavy-duty for most travelers. The Lowepro Pro Trekker is available at Amazon for $349.

Why You Can Trust Us

Photo: Brevite

Hi! I’m Grace, a graphic designer, freelance writer, and product tester specializing in product reviews. I've covered everything from kitchen appliances to international travel. In my spare time, I love experimenting with graphic design and photography. I've even owned my DSLR camera, the Canon EOS Rebel T6, since 2017, and it’s still going strong.

For this guide to the best camera bags for travel for My Modern Met, I looked to trusted tech and travel publications, blogs, and customer reviews for the best tried and tested bags. I narrowed the list to only the best products at a range of prices that would fit a variety of cameras.

What to Know About Camera Bags for Travel

Photo: Peak Design

Things to Consider When Buying Camera Bags for Travel

The best camera bag will be durable and comfortable with internal organization and security features to keep your gear where you want it. Here are some factors to consider as you search for the perfect travel bag for your camera.

• Security: While your camera should be easily accessible for you, it shouldn’t be for other people. Bags with side or back panels and hidden pockets are more travel-friendly.
• Durability: You want your travel bag to be long-lasting enough to survive the conditions of your trip while keeping your gear protected, whether that means a water-resistant shell or a thick outer lining.
• Organization: While small bags may just fit a single camera, larger ones can hold extra lenses, a tripod, and more. Look for pockets and dividers that will help you stay organized for those quick snapshots.
• Comfort: Since you’ll likely be wearing the bag for long days, you want one that has comfortable straps and a lightweight shell for sightseeing and travel days.

How to Pack a Camera Bag for Travel

Camera gear can get expensive, so you want to do your best to make sure it’s packed properly in your bag while traveling. First, always take your camera apart, from lens to strap. Then, pack the heaviest items at the bottom of your bag and the most fragile at the top, ensuring there’s padding in between each component. A lot of camera bags come with removable dividers that you can modulate to fit your setup.

Prices were accurate at the time of publication.

Related Articles:

30 Best Photography Competitions To Elevate Your Craft

15 Best Online Photography Classes Guaranteed to Improve Your Creativity

Kayak’s New ‘Best Time to Travel’ Tool Makes Trip Planning a Breeze

36 Creative Gifts for the Photography Lover

READ: 6 Best Camera Bags for Travel in 2024

Photo: doomu/Depositphotos
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Whether you’re a budding artist or a fervent DIYer, 3D printing is a useful tool for bringing your designs to life. It can be used to create unique home decor, one-of-a-kind art, customized organizational tools, and so much more. For those who want to dive into 3D printing for the first time, it can be overwhelming, especially when looking for the best 3D printers for beginners. Top-tier printers can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, not to mention the complicated machinery and new design software learning curve. Starting small, both in terms of price and size, can help you build the foundation to become a 3D printing pro.

To compile this list of the best 3D printers for beginners, I did a ton of research. I scoured the web for top-rated options, read through reviews and customer ratings, and considered significant factors like price, features, user-friendliness, and more. Eventually, I landed on a Creality model as our best overall choice, along with some other great picks from brands like Elegoo and Entina.

Below, check out the best 3D printers for beginners.

Our Top Picks:

1. Best Overall: Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo 3D Printer – $245 at Walmart
2. Best Resin 3D Printer for Beginners: Elegoo Mars 3 – $209.99 at Amazon
3. Best Budget 3D Printer for Beginners: Entina Tina 2 Mini 3D Printer – $178 at Amazon
4. Best 3D Printer for Kids: 3Doodler 3D Pen – $49.99 at Target
5. Best Pen 3D Printer: MYNT3D 3D Pen Pro – $60.71 at Amazon

Reviews of The Best 3D Printers for Beginners

1. Best Overall:  Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo 3D Printer

Amazon | $199

If you’re a beginner,  the Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo 3D Printer is a great pick for its affordability and versatility. (There’s a reason other Creality models are also on My Modern Met’s list of the best 3D printers on Amazon.)

The printer is easy to set up and heats quickly, plus it has a relatively large print volume for its size. It only uses PLA filament, one of the most common and versatile 3D printing materials, and has convenient auto-bed leveling, which means you won’t have to worry about manually calibrating the printer bed every few prints. For a relatively affordable price point, this is a great pick.

$245 at Walmart

The Specs:

• Printing Material: PLA
• Print Volume: 8.7 x 8.7 x 9.8 inches
• Machine Dimensions: 17.2 x 16.7 x 18.6 inches

The Pros:

• Easy to use and assemble
• Good print quality
• Relatively affordable for a high-end printer

The Cons:

• Nozzle may need to be replaced
• Noisy
• Requires frequent releveling

What Others Are Saying

The Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo 3D Printer has a 4.2-star Amazon rating from more than 3,800 reviews. It’s also recommended by U.S. News & World Report 360 Reviews as the best 3D printer for beginners.

Buy the Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo 3D Printer:

$245 at Walmart

$199 at Amazon

2. Best Resin 3D Printer for Beginners: Elegoo Mars 3

Amazon | $209.99

Resin generally creates a more detailed and smooth surface because it’s a liquid that gets cured during the print process rather than a filament that is layered. For resin lovers, the Elegoo Mars 3 is the best resin 3D printer you can buy as a beginner. It boasts a sleek design, and won’t take up much surface area at 22 inches long by 11 inches wide.

The Mars 3 has convenient touchscreen controls and a USB port so you can easily import your designs and start building. It’s also quite sturdy and prints designs under a shield, which may make it a better option for those with kids or pets.

$209.99 at Amazon

The Specs:

• Printing Material: Resin
• Print Volume: 5.6 x 3.5 x 6.8 inches
• Machine Dimensions: 22 x 11 x 12 inches

The Pros:

• Sleek design
• Compact
• Sturdy construction

The Cons:

• Finicky touchscreen
• Confusing instructions make it hard to troubleshoot
• Small print volume

What Others Are Saying

The Elegoo Mars 3 has over 3,300 Amazon reviews and an impressive 4.5-star rating. The printer has also received positive reviews from Tom's Hardware, All3DP, and DIY Machines.

Buy the Elegoo Mars 3:

$209.99 at Amazon

3. Best Budget 3D Printer for Beginners: Entina Tina 2 Mini 3D Printer

Amazon | $178

If you want to try out 3D printing without spending a ton of cash, the Entina Tina 2 Mini 3D Printer is an excellent starter model. With auto bed leveling and a magnetic platform, this printer is not only affordable and easy to set up, but it’s also compact, which means it’s easy to store.

The Tina 2 Mini 3D Printer can print with PLA, PLA Pro, and TPU. As an added bonus, the printer arrives fully assembled, so you won’t have to spend hours diving into the user manual before getting started. Plus, its cool design isn’t too hard on the eyes, either.

$178 at Amazon

The Specs:

• Printing Material: PLA, PLA Pro, or TPU
• Print Volume: 3.9 x 4.7 x 3.9 inches
• Machine Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.3 x 8.3 inches

The Pros:

• Compact and easy to store
• Arrives set up
• Affordable

The Cons:

• Short lifetime
• Best suited for smaller prints

What Others Are Saying

This printer is recommended as the best budget-friendly 3D printer for beginners by U.S. News and World Report 360 Reviews and one of the best kid-friendly 3D printers by 3D Insider.

Buy the Entina Tina 2 Mini 3D Printer:

$178 at Amazon

4. Best 3D Printer for Kids: 3Doodler 3D Pen

Target | $49.99

For those looking to gift a 3D printer to the creative kid in your life, a 3D pen may actually be the better option—especially if it’s the 3Doodler 3D Pen. Not only is this 3D printing tool super affordable, but it’s also really easy to use, making it a great option for kids ages 6 or older under parental supervision.

The pen works like a hot glue gun—you just feed the filament through and start “drawing.” But unlike a hot glue gun, the pen (even the nozzle) won’t get hot while in use, making it super safe for young children. It’s also chargeable, so kids can use it completely cord-free.

$49.99 at Target

The Specs:

• Printing Material: PLA or ABS
• Print Volume: Unlimited
• Machine Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 2.6 inches

The Pros:

• Kid-friendly
• Inexpensive
• Safe
• Easy to use

The Cons:

• Short battery life
• Only compatible with certain refill filaments

What Others Are Saying

The 3D pen has over 7,000 Amazon reviews and 4.3 stars. It’s also recommended by U.S. News and World Report 360 Reviews and All3DP.

Buy the 3Doodler 3D Pen:

$49.99 at Target

$49.99 at Amazon

5. Best Pen 3D Printer: MYNT3D 3D Pen Pro

Amazon | $60.71

3D pens, like the MYNT3D 3D Pen Pro, are great for kids, adults, and beginners alike. This affordable  3D pen is a low-stakes way to get hands-on with 3D printing without having to purchase an expensive full-sized machine. Once you upgrade, the MYNT3D 3D Pen Pro is great to have on hand to fill in any gaps or add features to your 3D projects.

Like the 3Doodler 3D Pen, this MYNT3D pen is cordless and user-friendly while still offering a solid amount of control. You can adjust the temperature and speed, and there’s even a small OLED display that shows the temperature. The grip of the pen itself is also very comfortable, which is important if you’re going to be attempting larger, longer projects.

$60.71 at Amazon

The Specs:

• Printing Material: PLA or ABS
• Print Volume: Unlimited
• Machine Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 2.6 inches

The Pros:

• Easy to use
• Comfortable grip
• Precise temperature controls
• Comes in three colors of plastic filament

The Cons:

• Included plastic filament can go quickly
• Short cord

What Others Are Saying

The MYNT3D 3D Pen Pro has earned more than  12,000 Amazon reviews and boasts a 4.4-star rating. It’s also recommended as one of the best 3D printing pens by All3DP.

Buy the MYNT3D 3D Pen Pro:

$60.71 at Amazon

Other 3D Printers to Consider

Photo: cookelma/Depositphotos

Anycubic Photon Mono 2

This sleek resin printer has more than 1,960 Amazon reviews and is recommended by Tom's Hardware, CNET, and All3DP. While it’s in the same price range as our favorite 3D printer, reviewers found that it’s not as intuitive to set up or use. The Anycubic Photon Mono 2 is available at Amazon for $159.99.

SCRIB3D P1 3D Printing Pen

The most enticing feature of this 3D pen is its affordable price. The model is recommended as one of the best 3D pens by Popular Science, but unlike the 3Doodler 3D Pen, this pick has a bit of a learning curve, making it neither kid- or beginner-friendly. The SCRIB3D P1 3D Printing Pen is available at Walmart for $29.99.

AnkerMake M5 3D Printer

AnkerMake’s M5 3D Printer is super fast, operating at a speed of 250 mm per second, earning it a spot on CNN Underscored’s guide to 3D printing for beginners. It’s also compatible with PLA, PETG, TPU, and ABS filaments. However, despite its speed, the printer is hard to use and noisy, especially given its nearly $700 price tag.  The AnkerMake M5 3D Printer is available at Best Buy for $699.99.

Anycubic Kobra 2 3D Printer

The Anycubic Kobra 2 3D Printer is a very fast and reliable 3D printer that’s compatible with a large variety of printing materials, including PLA, ABS, TPU, and PETG. It has also been positively reviewed by PCMag and Techradar. While the printer may be easy to assemble initially, buyers found that it can be difficult to troubleshoot problems, particularly when it comes to leveling. The Kobra 2 3D Printer is available at Walmart for $209.

Why You Can Trust Us

Photo: Reflexpixel/Depositphotos

Hi! I’m Grace, a graphic designer, freelance writer, and product tester for everything from appliances to the latest tech gadgets. My work has appeared in Gear Patrol, Apartment Therapy, and many other publications. I aim to help consumers find the best products to spend their money on.

For this guide to the best 3D printers for beginners, I researched a ton of models by reading through trusted publications and customer ratings and reviews. From there, I considered important qualities like price and easy setup to ensure each option is well-suited for beginners.

What to Know About 3D Printers for Beginners

Photo: Marina1408/Depositphotos

Things to Consider When Choosing a 3D Printer for a Beginner

From new vocabulary terms to confusing user manuals, finding a quality 3D printer can be quite a hassle for a novice. The main factors to consider when narrowing your search include bed leveling, float switches, printing material, and more.

Bed Leveling

Since 3D printing is done layer by layer, the first layer that goes directly on the heat bed must be level. 3D printers can have automatic and manual bed leveling where either you or the printer controls the levelness of the heat bed. While automatic leveling may be more beginner-friendly, it’s often associated with a higher cost.

Print Volume

Most 3D printers geared towards beginners will be on the smaller side because they’re lower in price and easier to use. However, if you have a specific design or item in mind that you’ll be using your printer for, make sure to check the volume that a printer can produce before buying. Keep in mind that 3D pens won’t have any size constraints since you’ll be designing freehand, but the bigger the design, the more unwieldy your project will likely be.

Printing Material

3D printers can come equipped to handle a variety or just one type of print material, such as resin, polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU):

• Resin: Resin 3D printing can use three different types of materials: stereolithography (SLA), liquid crystal display (LCD), or digital light processing (DLP). In general, this printing material is best for pieces with fine details and smooth finishes.
• PLA: This recyclable material is usually made from cornstarch or sugar cane. It performs best in lower temperatures but is great for stronger, more dimensional pieces.
• ABS: ABS is one of the most popular forms of 3D printing. It’s great for creating plastic solid parts and a variation of temperatures.
• TPU: This flexible and elastic material is good for creations that may require impact-absorption and a soft-touch surface.

Many printers come with a small amount of printing material to get you started. Make sure that the 3D printer you’re choosing will be able to print with your desired material.

3D Pen vs. 3D Printer

While full-size 3D printers tend to be the default when people talk about 3D printing, 3D pens are a great way to fill in existing 3D printed designs, free-hand your own designs, or get kids involved in 3D printing. Consider what type of projects you want to create prior to deciding on whether you want a 3D printer or a 3D pen.

Photo: Marina1408/Depositphotos

How Do 3D Printers Work?

Like a 2D printer, 3D printers will process a design given to them and print that design layer by layer, starting at the bottom and building its way to the top. The printer heats the material put into it so that it can become malleable and shape your design. Each 3D printer has a maximum build size that your design cannot exceed as well as a specific Z resolution, or layer height, that dictates how thin features of your design can be.

How to Use 3D Printers for Beginners

The 3D printing process starts with your design, which you can create yourself using beginner-friendly 3D design software like Tinkercard. You’ll then export your design as an STL file and import it into a slicing software, which will convert it into a Gcode that your printer can read.

From there, you can start setting up your printer with the material you’ll be using and dictate the size and placement of your design. Once all of this is done, you’ll be ready to print!

Photo: miata_dad

How Much Do 3D Printers Cost?

3D printers are sold at a wide range of prices, from hundreds to thousands of dollars. For at-home enthusiasts, high-quality printer models will usually be around $500 to $1,000. However, beginners can get away with machines that cost $300 or less, with the caveat that they may eventually have to upgrade to another more costly printer.

What are 3D Printers Used For?

3D printers can be used in a variety of fields and settings, but for the home hobbyist, these machines are generally used to create items like small figurines or other small-to-moderate-sized pieces of decor for their home.

Related Articles:

You Can Now Download and 3D Print 18,000 Famous Sculptures and Artifacts

You Can Now Download and 3D Print 18,000 Famous Sculptures and Artifacts

Tokyo Restaurant Offers 3D-Printed Sushi Tailored to Your Health Needs

Affordable 3D Printer Effortlessly Crafts Beautiful Ceramics in Minimal Time

Prices were accurate at the time of publication.

READ: The 5 Best 3D Printers for Beginners in 2024