The best 3D Printer for Your School: USA. Last updated: February 2021
While many will be great for high school students or a hobbyist, some are less suited for regular use in a K-8 classroom, Makerspace or library environment.
At Makers Empire, we’ve helped thousands of K-8 teachers in America, Australia, Europe and Asia integrate 3D printing and design into the classroom so we understand what works and what doesn’t.
From our conversations with teachers, we understand that the most important criteria for schools when choosing a 3D printer are:
- Plug ‘n’ play – that is, ease of use;
- Affordability;
- Durability;
- Safety;
- Air Filters – learn why air filters are important;
- Reliability; and
- Customer support.
Additionally, the ability to print wirelessly or over the Cloud, thereby eliminating the need for USB memory sticks or even being in the same room as the 3D printer, is another useful feature to consider.
The 3D printer market is fast-changing – almost every new 3D printer brings some new feature that will soon be standard on all printers, but none of the current printers on the market has every single one of the current, must-have features. With this in mind, here is our current list of recommended 3D printers.
To come up with this list, we evaluated more than twenty 3D printers, reviewed teacher feedback and assessed recent reviews from independent sources. We’ve spent weeks, months and even years testing printers to model expected classroom and school conditions.
Tip: hover your mouse or cursor over the features in the first column to display detailed descriptions.
Best 3D printers to buy for Elementary and Middle Schools

- Overall RatingThis score indicates an assessment of the 3D printer's overall quality.
- ReliabilityThis score indicates an assessment of the 3D printer's reliability to produce consistent prints with minimal issues in a school setting. Reliability is a relative term when it comes to 3D printers: even the most reliable printers we have had require servicing and attention.
- Price
- Build SizeMaximum printable size as width x depth x height.
- EnclosedEnclosed printers have inaccessible moving parts to reduce the risk of possible injury.
- Air FilterAir filters remove odour and plastic particles from the air. 3D Printers commonly use HEPA or carbon filters.
- Assisted levellingThe printer needs a perfectly level surface for optimal printing. Most printers have assisted levelling to help users mechanically level the print platform.
- MaterialsCompatible 3D filament (plastic consumables)
- Printing Bed MaterialFlex board is ideal for PLA filament. Perforated board is better for ABS filament. Advanced alloy is state of the art and suitable for all materials.
- Price of 3D Filament (Plastic Consumables)Makers Empire sell PLA filament in packs of 500 grams rolls.
- Connectivity OptionsOptions to load design files onto the 3D printer
- InterfaceTouchscreen interfaces are intuitive and easy to use. Scrollwheel interfaces are mechanically operated.
- Built In CameraPrinter features built in camera so you can monitor printing progress remotely.
- Customer SupportAfter sales service and support provided by the manufacturer and/or resellers.
- Conclusion

FlashForge Inventor IIS
- 9/10
- 9/10
- $799 USD
- Medium: 140 x 150 x 140 mm
- Yes
- Optional HEPA and Carbon filters
- Yes
- PLA
- Flex Board
- $
- USB / Wifi / Remote control via the Polar Cloud so you can operate your 3D printer from anywhere.
- Touchscreen
- Yes
- Good
- Printing anywhere via a web browser makes it easier to share the printer around the school. Ethernet (via dongle) is great as WiFi in schools is often difficult to get working reliably (due to issues with proxys, security etc). See our review.

Dremel 3D45 Printer
- 9.5/10
- 8/10
- $1,799 USD
- Big: 250 x 152 x 170mm
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- ABS, PLA and other filament
- Flex Board
- $
- USB / Wifi / Polar Cloud
- Touchscreen
- No
- Excellent
- A highly regarded printer. It can print in multiple materials, has an inbuilt camera and can also print wirelessly over the Cloud. Probably best suited to middle and high schools with slightly larger budgets. Superior to the Makerbot Replicator for price, product features and customer support. Best 3D printer for this price range. Read our review.

Afinia H400+ Printer
- 8/10
- 8/10
- $749 USD
- Small: 120 x 120 x 120 mm
- Yes
- HEPA and carbon filter
- Yes
- ABS & PLA
- Perforated Board and Flex Board
- $$
- USB / Wifi / Ethernet
- Touchscreen
- No
- Good
- Afinia 3D is the US affiliate for Tiertime, the Chinese manufacturer of UP 3D printers. This printer is identical to the Up Mini 2 ES. It is a reliable and affordable printer and the best in terms of portability. For schools, the ethernet connectivity should improve reliability because you're not dependent on wifi. See our review of the previous Up Mini 2 version here.

Robo3D C2
- 7/10
- 7/10
- $799 USD
- Small: 127 x 127 x 152.4mm
- No
- No
- Yes
- PLA, ABS, PET-G, Nylons, Polycarbonate, Flexible TPE, Flexible TPU, Magnetic Iron, HIPS, PVA & more.
- Flex Board
- $
- USB / Wifi / Connects to your Wi-Fi network from your mobile device and the Robo app so you can print using the Robo app.
- Touchscreen
- No
- Good
- A generally reliable printer that produces excellent quality prints. Can be remotely controlled via Octoprint Cloud. Auto levelling eliminates the need for manual adjustments. One thing to note is that the adhesive build surface can be easily damaged and is somewhat tricky to apply to the platform.

Makerbot
Replicator +
- 7/10
- 6/10
- $2,499 USD
- Medium: 140 x 150 x 135 mm
- No
- No
- Yes (with attachment)
- ABS & PLA
- Flex Board
- $$
- USB, WiFi, Ethernet and Cloud-enabled so you can control it remotely with MakerBot Print or the MakerBot Mobile app.
- Touchscreen and Scrollwheel
- Yes
- Good
- There are better options if you have this kind of budget. Also, it is not fully enclosed, which is not recommended. The Makerbot Mini is also not recommended as it is an expensive printer given the small build size and low resolutions prints it produces.

Zortrax M200 Plus
- 8/10
- 9/10
- $2,099 USD
- Big: 200 x 200 x 180 mm
- No
- New combined HEPA and carbon air filter add-on
- Yes
- ABS & PLA (PLA performs poorly by comparison)
- Perforated Board
- $
- SD card
- Touchscreen and Scrollwheel
- No
- Good
- A real work horse for us - a great, reliable printer, which has recently been updated as the M200+. We've replaced bits and pieces on the M200 model through the years and it keeps going. As this printer works well with engineering plastics and is not enclosed, we think it's better suited to a high school environment.
Maximise Student Learning with a 3D Printer
Buying a 3D printer is just the first step when you integrate maker pedagogy and Design Thinking in your school.
Which 3D modeling software will your students use?
How will teachers learn how to use the 3D printer and 3D design as an authentic teaching tool efficiently and effectively?
Which class management tool will you use so teaching with 3D doesn’t become a logistical challenge?
How will you ensure teachers can access professional development, resources, training and support they need to become confident and skilled teachers with 3D technology?
Fortunately, Makers Empire’s 3D Printer Packages include everything teachers need to successfully integrate Design Thinking, maker pedagogy and 3D printing into their teaching practice.
Our School Subscription can be bundled together with 3D printers to ensure your school’s 3D printing program is a success.
Other Printers We have Bought and Tested for Schools
- BEE THE FIRST (2013): the original version of this printer was problematic – the filament would break in the tube and would require a difficult dismantling. This has probably been fixed now but we haven’t had a chance to try the newer printer. This printer is not enclosed and there is no air filter or LCD touch screen on the version we had.
- FlashForge Creator Pro (2014): a great printer but more suited to hobbyists/high schools as it has a dual head. This makes it more advanced as it allows for two colours or soluble support but it’s also more tricky to get right. No air filter.
Other Printers We Bought But Would Not Recommend
- 3D Systems Cube 3 – a dual head machine. We struggled to get good prints from it and it has now been discontinued.
- Makerbot Thing-o-Matic – a great, early printer. Very DIY, however. Discontinued.
OTHER 3D PRINTERS
Don’t see a 3D printer listed here that you’re considering? Please contact us for a consultation and expert advice – we may be able to bundle your preferred printer with a Makers Empire School Subscription.