Top 10 3D printers as reviewed by Make: magazine

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Make: magazine recently did a comprehensive review of 26 different 3D printers.

It chose 10 printers as Standouts:

Best in shootout print quality / overall winner: Ultimaker 2
Thin wallet win: Printrbot Simple Metal
Most maker machine: Lulzbot Taz 4
Feature packed: Replicator 5th Generation
Happy mediums: Zortrax and Ditto Pro
Rookie of the year: BEE THE FIRST
Smart software integration: Deltamaker
Reliable performer: Afinia Up Plus 2 (a.k.a. Up Plus 2)
Most upgradable: Ultimaker Original+

We’ve personally tested a number of these machines and have had the best overall experience with the Afinia/Up printers using ABS plastic (especially using the Zortrax filament).

Buy your copy of the Make: 42 Annual 3D Printing Guide.

Makers Empire: Better learning by design

Makers Empire helps K-8 teachers teach STEM/STEAM concepts, design thinking principles and 21st century learning skills using 3D printing. Our pioneering 3D solutions for schools — 3D Learning Program and Learning by Design Course — include 3D modelling software, over 100 curriculum-aligned lesson plans and professional development. Makers Empire is used by thousands of teachers and hundreds of thousands of students in Australia, the USA, Asia and Europe. Join our community today!

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"I have worked with several design software but Makers Empire is the easiest to use... One of the best things students learned is that it is okay to not get the "right" answer the first time, or second time. Students know that "failing" is part of the design process and problem solving. Students have expanded their problem solving skills to think more outside of the box... Before, my students were limited in their STEM applications and designs due to financial issues and materials available. Now each student is able to have an account for their designs and can work at their pace which is meeting them on their individual need. Through this, my after school STEM club has gained interested to where students had to be put on a waiting list. Students have discussed participating in STEM clubs in middle school and high school as well as more interest in engineering type careers."

Casey Corn, STEM Teacher, Chesnee Elementary School
South Carolina, USA

"Makers Empire is friendly towards all ability groups and help engage students who are less motivated to be working in the classroom. It gives students the opportunity to be creative and learn by trial and error in a digital format. On paper some students get disheartened when drawing designs and have to erase mistakes and makes their work look messy. Using this program it is simple to remove mistakes. I think this has been a fantastic tool to have in the classroom. I have many teacher friends and have actually shown them the program and they are all very impressed."

Aaron Vigor, Teacher, Yankalilla Area School
Yankalilla, South Australia

“The software has lesson plans based on many state standards with many modules to choose from. Maker’s Empire can be used to teach science, math and even art, K-12. The 3D-printing course was not as challenging as the grade level I was given — first graders!... However, their enthusiasm and absolute thirst for knowledge is awesome to see. They blaze through the challenging 3D lesson plans… Seeing the students faces when the IT team at BPY brings the 3D prints to the classroom is just something I can’t describe. The best part is while walking in the hallway with the huge iPad cart, some eighth graders ask who made that. I point to the first graders, who grin ear to ear.”

Shneur Garb, Ben Porat Yosef Yeshiva Day School
New Jersey, USA

"I think the lesson plans are fantastic for teachers - especially those who may find the hardest part being the inspiration/ideas on where to start...The Makers Empire app is a MASSIVE value add to the learning. We could have taught children how to design an iPad stand, learn what makes a structure strong, what are strong ‘shapes’, how to keep an item balanced etc etc etc - but the ability to create their design in 3D AND then print it makes the learning so much more obtainable and relevant/real."

Chris Bennie, Assistant Principal, Stirling East Primary School
Stirling East, South Australia

"This was the best PD that I have been involved in for ages... This whole project has been inspiring for teachers and students in empowering students to become change makers. Our students were so engaged and excited about solving a real world problem... The fact that they could see they could help someone through their own design, meant their learning was authentic and valued."

Bianca Laister, Deputy Principal, Birdwood Primary School
Birdwood, South Australia

"Makers Empire has been a great tool for many of my students that find other CAD software difficult. Some students have difficulty visualizing in a 3D workspace; 3D modelling is great practice to build spatial sense... This is linked to a skill in our math curriculum, so it's great to give a real world application for students to practice... Originally I started with my whole class using TinkerCAD. However, when given the choice many of my students gravitated to Makers Empire. I'm not sure if they prefer using the touch screen on the tablets to manipulate their designs, the gamification, or something else, but many have been successful with it and have made some great designs! 3D printing tech lets my students see themselves as creators and how it can help others. They feel empowered by the possibilities of the technology and the leadership they are able to take in their school."

Jeff Hennigar, Grade 4/5 Teacher, BLT Senior Elementary School
Timberlea, Nova Scotia, Canada

“I’m sending you the very best wishes and enormous gratitude for connecting our students with your learning program. To say this purchase has been transformative might sound like an exaggeration but it’s pretty darn close to the truth."

Mary Bongiovanni, Director of Design Thinking, Pace Academy
Atlanta, Georgia, USA

"The software is easy to use and kid friendly... The curriculum has been great and it even fits into the objectives that I am currently teaching... When we first started using the curriculum I thought it was going to be a huge task getting my students to learn this. But instead of teaching, I have become a facilitator. They have really taken off and are helping each other solve problems. When we end our day I may about 20 designs that were created, but when we start the next day I see that number increase to about 50. They are even designing at home."

Irene Barry-Philord, Teacher, Eneida M. Hartner Elementary
Miami, Florida, USA

"I love Makers Empire software. It is great to use with elementary age students... I love teaching students how to design for 3D printing. It’s so fun watching them problem solve to create a certain shape by adding or taking away."

Karen Owen, Technology Teacher, Grace Christian Academy
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

"This has been a wonderful new way to teach and motivate my students. They are so eager and excited to learn in this new way!... They are beginning to see real-life implications to what they learning to do in class and how they could develop prototypes of objects that they could develop and then produce to sell... At first, I preferred Tinkercad because I knew this software better. However, now that I have had some time to work with Makers Empire it is so much better. It does a much better job of showing you how to build and create. The challenges help tremendously!...The overall enthusiasm towards school and learning has increased tremendously. Students who are typically reluctant learners have come to life. One student was chronically absent and has now improved his attendance. He asks me each morning if he can get on the computer!"

Robin McGinnis, Teacher, North Elementary School
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

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