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The best printers are no longer limited to paper. The best 3D printers have come a long way throughout the past decade. Where once they were mysterious devices only exhibited at tech conventions, they now are available for consumers to introduce into their everyday lives. However, 3D printers aren’t the only devices vying for the public’s admiration. Below, we’ll discuss the differences between 3D pens and 3D printers and help you understand which is right for your experience level.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
For more of our 3D printer-related content, check out our slew of comparison articles. For example, we have to compare SLA vs FDM 3D printers. Or you can read up on direct drive vs Bowden 3D printers.
Insider Tip
To keep a 3D pen in good condition, clean the tip often with rubbing alcohol.
Before pitting the two against each other, we’ll briefly overview each device. There’s a wide range of 3D printers, but they all use designs within computer software to form a 3-dimensional object with layers of plastic filament. On the other hand, 3D pens are free-form, wielded by users without the help of a computer program.
So which is better? That depends entirely on what you need. Below we’ll run through the strengths and weaknesses of each to help you get closer to which is right for you.
If you finish this and want to read more about the world of 3D printing, we have another article comparing 100-micron vs 200-micron 3D printers.
The precision and quality of a 3D printer far outweigh that of 3D pens. A printer is extraordinarily accurate because of its use of computer software; it also adds many more layers than users can get with a pen.
Pens are usually just used for making small, simple objects and crafts.
Warning
The tip of a 3D pen is hot because it needs to melt the filament. Therefore, always keep an eye on temperature settings and avoid touching the tip of the pen on any part of the body.
The learning curve for 3D printers is extensive, making them difficult to use. On the other hand, 3D printing pens are easy to pick up and require no setup process or computer program. For this, pens are excellent no matter your knowledge level.
3D pens are generally inexpensive, ranging from $20 to $150. The average 3D printer costs more. For hobbyists, start at around $200 and reach upwards of $10,000. However, the most expensive 3D printers can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
STAT: The first-ever 3D printer was invented in 1983. (source)
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