The 8 Best Large 3D Printers for Big Scale Projects

3D printing is an extremely addictive hobby.

You start with little objects that require a few hours to complete. As you are acquainted with the intricacies of this technology and go through the learning curve, you begin to move on to more ambitious projects. Soon, you'll realize that your 3D printer can't accommodate the sort of items you want to publish.

When that happens, you can try one of two things. Upgrading your build platform is one option, but that’s a really convoluted way of fixing things.

You can’t just slap on a larger build plate and expect it to work, it takes a bit more tweaking than that, and you can’t do that with any 3D printer, especially not enclosed ones.

It’s not a solution that will work out for you in the long run. Your second option is to get a Large 3D Printer.

The 8 Best Large 3D Printers for Big Scale Projects 1

The problem with Large 3D printers is that there’s just so many of them on the market. From high-end expensive ones to cheap Chinese products, you're bound to experience choice overload (there are in fact more large 3D printer models than sublimation printers)!

With this guide, we’ll be showing you some different aspects of Large 3D printers, which ones are good for beginners and which ones are suited for more experienced users, as well as other significant aspects of Large 3D Printers.

Best Large 3D Printers of 2023

Name

Score

Summary

Price

Where to Buy

Snapmaker 3D Printer

Snapmaker 3D Printer

4 out of 5

Best Large 3D Printer


High-End

ANYCUBIC Chiron 3D Printer

Tronxy X5SA

4.3 out of 5

Huge building volume

Value for money

Tronxy X5SA

Tronxy X5SA

4.2 out of 5

Our Budget Pick


Budget

Qidi Tech X-Plus

Qidi Tech X-Plus

4 out of 5

Budget Option #2


Budget

Creality Ender 5 Plus

Creality Ender 5 Plus

4 out of 5

Decent & Inexpensive


Mid-low

Dremel Digilab 3D20

Dremel Digilab 3D20

4 out of 5

Good Mid-Range


Mid-Range

1.Snapmaker 3D Printer - A 3D Printer Worth Every Penny


The manufacturers at Snapmaker outdid themselves this time around. The predecessor of this 3D printer was excellent by all accounts. But the 2.0 version introduced several more advanced features - like the CNC carving. 

We’re getting ahead of ourselves - so, more on that later.

Just by looking at it, it’s evident that we’re dealing with a 3-in-1 3D printer capable of not only printing but carving, cutting, and laser engraving on various types of metals, too.

We dare to say that the predecessors pale in comparison to this model. The overall production speed, size, software capabilities, and materials used in this printer’s construction are beyond superior.

The best part’s that you can decide which size works best for your daily tasks: 

The Snapmaker is manufactured in three different sizes - Small (A150), Medium (A250), and Large (A350).

Today, we’ll focus on the A350 model, though. We believe that this large-and-in-charge printer provides the most versatility.

Lulzbot Taz 6

Pen and Plastic Rating

“High-precision parts and an overall upgraded design”

Technical Specifications

RESOLUTION50-300 microns
BUILD VOLUME12.6” x 13.7” x 13”
SPINDLE SPEED6,000-12,000 RPM
FILAMENT TYPEPLA, ABS, TPU, Wood Filled PLA
DISPLAY5” Smart Touchscreen
CONNECTIVITYWi-Fi, USB Cable, USB Flash Drive
HEATED BED?Yes

Why do we recommend the Snapmaker A350? 

Well, for starters, it allows you to create large-scale printouts without too much hassle. And to add to it, most other models struggle to keep up with the faster work speed of this 3D printer.

Another thing we found is that it’s ideal for beginners who are just getting into 3D printing. But at the same time, hardcore enthusiasts can still enjoy using it because it offers customized options that would befit even professional engineers and designers.

Let’s look at those impressive features, shall we?

As mentioned already, this is a 3-in-1 model that does more than just 3D printing. 

The Snapmaker also does cutting, carving, and laser engraving. The latter allows you to turn the dullest-looking wooden objects into excellent-grade craftsmanship.

All the while, a built-in camera observes every step of the process - keeping your printer and the things around it safe from potential hazards. 

That’s further supported by the filament runout sensor - which automatically pauses the printing process if the filament runs out - and the upgraded cooling system.

We can even dive into CNC carving with multi-material support, which allows you to create 2.5D and 3D objects with utmost precision. Better yet, you don’t need to worry about residual dust, as the Snapmaker boasts dust resistance.

As long as your PC runs Windows or Linux, you’ll be able to access the exclusive Snapmaker Luban software capable of navigating all operations in the 3D printer. Carving, laser engraving, or cutting - you name it, this software has it all!

The workflow is further simplified thanks to the 5-inch touchscreen, the magnetic heat bed with a removable print sheet, and the Power Loss Recovery feature. 

It’s relatively easy to assemble, too. It features a one-piece design with several additional items included, such as the OD6 laser goggles and pieces of plywood and acrylic for testing the unit out from the box. 

Even if you aren’t sure of the optimal height at which the laser needs to carve or cut something - the Auto Focus system found in the Snapmaker does a phenomenal job of repeatedly testing for the focal points. 

All in all, it’s a fantastic three-in-one 3D printer - albeit an expensive one. 

2. ANYCUBIC Chiron 3D Printer


If you’re looking to print bigger items than the Voxelab Aquila above will let you print, the ANYCUBIC Chiron will be a nice place to start.

The build volume is just about twice as much, so you can let your imagination wander further as you think of exciting models to print.

But with the bigger size comes a higher price! This 3D printer will cost you more than $500, but you’ll see its worth. Aside from the larger prints, you’ll be able to create, the printer offers a range of extra features that you’ll ordinarily find in higher-quality models on the market.
 
For this reason, the ANYCUBIC Chiron is a nice choice for intermediate 3D printing enthusiasts looking for an upgrade. It will help to enhance your interest in this remarkable technology, as well as your knowledge going forward.

ANYCUBIC Chiron 3D Printer

Pen and Plastic Rating

Technical Specifications

RESOLUTION100-400 microns
BUILD VOLUME400 x 400 x 450mm build volume
MAX SPEED20 to 100 millimeters per second 
FILAMENT TYPEPLA, ABS, HIPS, Wood, TPU filaments
DISPLAYColour LCD
CONNECTIVITYMemory card and data cable Connectivity
HEATED BED?Yes

The ANYCUBI Chiron is an impressive 3D printer that comes with a build volume of 400 x 400 x 450m. This should allow you to create large-scale printouts with relative ease, and this is enhanced by the open-frame metallic design it comes in. 

The unit features a heated print bed while the semi-auto leveling feature ensures you won’t have a hard time setting up the printer. Your prints will also adhere to the bed easily, giving you a comfortable time when you pry them off at the end of the printing process. 

You’ll appreciate that the Chiron is compatible with a range of printing materials you can access. From ABS and PLA to wood and TPU filaments, you get to enjoy a variety of choices that also allows you to get more playful and experimental with your projects. 

A short-distance extruder is fitted to enable smooth extrusion of the molten filaments, resulting in higher print accuracy of between 0.05 to 0.3 mm. You also get a full-color touch screen at the base of the printer, which makes for easy management of settings while the printer is running. 

Overall, the user interface is pretty intuitive and easy to operate, even for the not-so-experienced users. Among the most notable features of the ANYCUBIC Chiron 3D printer is a filament sensor that alerts you when the filament breaks or runs out during printing.
 
This helps to allow for continuity of the process while saving you precious time. Additionally, the print bed features a microporous coating that holds the print models stably to prevent them from toppling over as the upper layer is being printed.
 
Unlike some heated beds, the finished models are pretty easy to get off the bed once it has cooled off completely, meaning you don’t risk damaging your work. Lastly, everything on the 3D printer is relatively straightforward.
 
You won’t have a problem assembling the printer when you get it out of its package or working out the settings before printing your models. Nevertheless, most buyers are pulled towards it by the huge build volume!

On the downside, those who are completely new to 3D printers will have a problem piecing it up together after unpacking, even though the process is easy to figure out with the included instructions.
Another thing is that while the Chiron offers automatic leveling of the bed, there are a few issues worth mentioning. For one, you’ll be required to adjust the bed manually to be sure it’s level. Also, calibrating the bed is usually a nuisance for some people, especially if your experience is still limited.

Otherwise, this is a high-quality printer that you can take a chance on! You will appreciate the lifetime technical support on offer, as well as the 24-hour response. Furthermore, there is a 1-year warranty issued when you buy the printer to make sure you are getting value for your money. 

3. Tronxy X5SA


The X5S is a true tinkerer’s machine, suited for more experienced users. And while it is one of the cheaper large 3D printers, it comes as a DIY kit.

It requires tons of adjustments if you want to make full use of it. Unless you already know a lot about 3D printing, or you are willing to put in lots of time and effort into it, this 3D printer is not for you.


Since it’s a DIY kit, it needs to be assembled completely from scratch, and that can take up to 10 hours especially since the instruction manual that comes with it is not very good, which is, unfortunately, a common occurrence among Chinese manufacturers and their 3D printers.

This is a budget 3D printer, so keep that in mind and do not expect to get a ton of extra's, you don't even get more than a couple of meters of printer filament with this bundle!

Tronxy X5SA

Pen and Plastic Rating

"Great budget pick, easy to use. Does not come with a lot of filament"

Technical Specifications

RESOLUTION100-400 microns
BUILD VOLUME330x330x400mm
MAX SPEED150.00 mm/s
FILAMENT TYPEPLA, ABS, Hips, Wood, PC, PV
DISPLAYColour LCD
CONNECTIVITYUSB
HEATED BED?Yes

This printer is equipped with an aluminum frame, making it a lot sturdier than any plastic-framed 3D printers, which is very important for printing Large 3D objects. It is also equipped with an LCD interface and a heated print bed, which is very important if you want to print high-temperature materials.

Like we mentioned before, the X5SA is a DIY kit, and while it might be the cheapest option, it might not be the best option for you if you’re inexperienced in this area.

If you have some experience with 3D printers and don’t mind spending money on upgrades, you can transform the X5SA into a very capable machine that brings you incredible long-term value.

4. Qidi Tech X-Plus


Made by the established Chinese company - QIDI Technology - the X-Plus quickly caught our attention.

The past ten years were big for the 3D printing community. So, one might consider Qidi Tech a veteran company, as it was established in 2012. And boy, do they have the product lineup to show it:

The X-Plus is another one of their closed desktop 3D printers, and there are many things to love about it.

From versatility to convenience, let’s see what this model has to offer.

The Qidi Tech X-Plus is an excellent example of a 3D printer directed at semi-professionals. It’s not as high-end as our number one pick, the Snapmaker. But it offers many options and a lot of versatility - which newer, less experienced hobbyists won’t be able to take advantage of fully.

Tevo Tornado

Pen and Plastic Rating

"Truly Customizable DIY kit
Auto-leveling heated bed
"

Technical Specifications

RESOLUTION50 microns
BUILD VOLUME10.6’’ x 7.9’’ x 7.9’’
FILAMENT SIZE1.75 mm
FILAMENT TYPE                                            PLA/ABS/TPU/PETG/CARBON/FIBER/PC/NYLON
DISPLAYColor LCD
CONNECTIVITYUSB, WiFi, LAN
HEATED BED?Yes


That said, Qidi’s X-Plus lets users experiment with various materials. It comes with two extruder setups, the first being the default extruder, working at temperatures up to 260° C (500° F). When working with PLA, ABS, TPU, or PETG materials, this will be your go-to.

The second extruder included with this 3D printer is equally as impressive. It’s an excellent pick for trickier materials - such as nylon, PC, and Carbon fiber - that typically require higher working temperatures. The second extruder can work with temperatures up to 300° C (572° F).

Qidi Tech also provides a two-sided print bed - and external and internal spool holder options to accompany the two extruder setups. One suits lower temperatures better, and the other is used for high-temperature materials.

Pair that with a respectable building volume, and you’ve got a quality piece of equipment that provides great value for money.

Of course, the building volume may not be enough for some users. However, we’re dealing with a fully-enclosed desktop 3D printer.

And for this price range, it’s more than decent.

If we had to point out any flaws, it would be the lack of self-leveling features. But let’s be honest, that’s something everyone in the community knows how to work with.

And the X-Plus has a simple, one-button leveling feature to make up for it.

The UI is intuitive - although hobbyists might run into a learning curve. But getting familiar with X-Plus’ variety of features will certainly pay off!

5. Creality Ender 5 Plus


Maybe Qidi’s build volume simply doesn’t cut it for your requirements - and that’s fine. Here’s an alternative:

Comgrow’s Creality Ender 5 series is a considerable step up from the popular Ender 3 model. If you’re familiar with the older series, you’ll find the upgrade attractive in many ways.

Comgrow is known for its affordable, quality products. So, it’s kind of expected that we’d include them in our round-up.

While not as versatile as our previous contender, the Ender 5 Plus is a worthy investment for printing large objects. Plus, it makes up for the lack of versatility in other areas.

First off, as we mentioned, is the build volume. The Ender 5 Plus has the largest build volume in the series (including the Ender 5 and Ender 5 Pro).

Creality CR-10S

Pen and Plastic Rating

"Truly Customizable DIY kit
Auto-leveling heated bed
"

Technical Specifications

RESOLUTION100 microns
BUILD VOLUME 13.7’’ x 13.7’’ x 15’’
FILAMENT SIZE1.75mm
FILAMENT TYPEPLA/ABS/PETG
DISPLAYColor LCD
CONNECTIVITYUSB, SD Card
HEATED BED?Yes


Creality has mounted the bed on four sturdy rods and two screws to accompany high production volume. That said, the design itself isn’t too beginner-friendly:

You can expect to receive the printer semi-assembled. Although the assembly doesn’t take long, you’ll need someone with experience to do it.

The Ender 5 Plus comes with a solid printing speed. Users can comfortably work with 40 to 80 mm/s with impressive accuracy. And as you’d expect, it features a filament runout sensor, too.

Considering the size of the products you’ll be working with, the printer will need lots of material. Eventually, the filament will run out or break. And the printer’s built-in sensor allows you to make the adjustments without damaging your project.

While we’re on size, larger printers can pose greater risks if something goes wrong - especially during the heating process. The good news? The Ender 5 Plus boasts a reliable error detection feature:

The printer will shut down all heating elements to prevent hazards and casualties if something goes wrong.

No need to worry about heating issues, anyway; the model is also equipped with dual-cooling. That keeps the filament cool and stable while printing.

As for the downsides, the main issue we have with Ender 5 Plus is the assisted leveling - or lack thereof.

It comes with an Antclabs BLTouch auto-bed leveling probe. However, it is located about seven centimeters (2.7’’) to the left of the extruder. So, the probe can’t measure the entirety of the bed and, therefore, can’t level properly. When you add everything up, that’s about 25% of space out of the sensor's reach.

Another thing to note:

Creality went with a decent motherboard - but the printer could use further noise control.

6. Dremel Digilab 3D20


When it comes to user friendly 3D printers, this one takes the cake!

Basically, the Dremel 3D20 comes almost ready for printing out of the box.  It is delivered pre-assembled and all you have to do is feed the filament then level the printing bed. 


Unfortunately, there is no auto-calibrating on this printer, so you have to perform the bed-leveling manually. 


It is a good thing that this process is explained clearly in the setup instructions and even a novice will be able to nail it after a few attempts. The 3D20 has a small size and a closed design that makes it look like a microwave. 


While not the biggest build platform, the Dremel will offer you a build volume of 230*150*140 mm, which highlights the target demographic of hobbyists and beginners. 


It has a single extruder that can cope with temperatures of up to 230 degrees centigrade. The touch screen is among the noteworthy features that will grab your attention when you first see the printer. 


It is colored and helps you to configure your printing needs with relative ease and excitement.

Dremel Digilab 3D20

Pen and Plastic Rating

"Easy to Assemble, Beginner friendly, but a limited print platform"

Technical Specifications

RESOLUTION100 microns
BUILD VOLUME8.9″ x 5.8″ x 5.9″
FILAMENT SIZE1.75mm
FILAMENT TYPEPLA/ABS
DISPLAYMono LCD
CONNECTIVITYUSB
HEATED BED?Yes

The Dremel Digilab 3D20 is a great choice of an entry-level printer that any beginner looking to have an amazing first-time 3D printing adventure. It is easy to use and produces respectable printing results.

Not to mention that it requires no customization and has a reliable support network that you can fall back to anytime you run into issues.

The overall peace of mind you get when using this 3D printer can impress even the more experienced 3D printer handlers.

If you are looking for a printer that offers consistent quality and ease of use, try the 3D20 and experience the simplified process.

7. Xinkebot Orca2 Cygnus


The Xinkebot Orca2 Cygnus is like a better, high-end version of the Creality CR-10S, as all of its parts are higher-quality. It’s not as popular as the CR-10S, so there’s not much of an online community for it. It does, however, come with an actual customer support service.

The Orca2 comes in an easily-assembled package, which is especially important for beginners since the original Orca model proved too difficult to assemble.

The instruction manual for the Orca2 is not as good as it can be, but it comes in a semi-assembled package so you should have no trouble setting it up on your own.

The Orca2 Cygnus features a dual extruder setup and has automatic bed leveling making for an easy bed calibration process. It also features a touch screen interface which is located near the print bed, and the cable management is very clean.

No products found.

Pen and Plastic Rating

"Dual Extruder, auto-leveling heated bed. On the pricier side"

No products found.

Technical Specifications

RESOLUTION100 microns
BUILD VOLUME8.9″ x 5.8″ x 5.9″
FILAMENT SIZE1.75mm
FILAMENT TYPEPLA/ABS
DISPLAYMono LCD
CONNECTIVITYUSB
HEATED BED?Yes

Like the Dremel Digilab 3D20, this 3D printer has an interface at the base, giving it a more modern appearance than 3D printers equipped with the old school knob- or button-operated LCD interface. Though most users prefer the usual USB and SD card setup, BIBO has opted for the WiFi options, although you can still get the USB and SD card reader if you wish.

Equipped with dual extruders, the BIBO2 includes a heated print bed, which opens the door for a variety of plastic filaments. The build plate is detachable, allowing for easy removal of 3D models. The BIBO2 is a well-built 3D printer oozing with features. Once you’ve set it up and configured the settings, it's simple to use and produces great quality prints.

No products found.

8. Ultimaker Extended 3


The Ultimaker Extended 3 is just that, an extended version of the Ultimaker 3, one of the best Large 3D printers designed for professionals and printing enthusiasts alike. It is a semi-enclosed fully assembled 3D printer that takes less than one hour to set up.

The Ultimaker 3 extended comes in a sturdy metal frame, it includes USB ports and an LCD interface but no SD Card slot, unlike the Ultimaker 2. It can connect to a Wi-Fi network, and it is equipped with an onboard camera for remote monitoring.

The main difference between the Ultimaker 2 and Ultimaker Extended 3 is that the Ultimaker Extended 3 features a dual extruder setup in one print head. This setup allows you to print soluble supports for more complex 3D prints and also allows you to print with two colors.

However, due to the heavy load that the Ultimaker 3 carries, the print time is significantly slower than its previous models.

Ultimaker Extended 3

Pen and Plastic Rating

"High-end large 3D printer, slow print time"

Technical Specifications

RESOLUTION100 microns
BUILD VOLUME8.9″ x 5.8″ x 5.9″
FILAMENT SIZE1.75mm
FILAMENT TYPEPLA/ABS
DISPLAYMono LCD
CONNECTIVITYUSB
HEATED BED?Yes

The Ultimaker 3 Extended is highly praised for it's precision and accuracy, even in low settings, it still produces detailed prints. When it’s set on the highest settings, the Ultimaker 3 Extended completely outperforms most other printers. And although it needs an enclosure for high-temperature printing, it can consistently print using different materials.

The Ultimaker 3 Extended comes at a price, but you definitely get your money’s worth with it. This printer is recommended for professionals or hardcore 3D printing enthusiasts.

Note: The printers listed in this review, are by nature all open form printers. If you are not able to run one of these, due to having small kids around the 3D printing room for example, then consider our review on fully enclosed 3D printers, as we also focused on models for large build volumes!

Last update on 2024-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3 thoughts on “The 8 Best Large 3D Printers for Big Scale Projects”

  1. Most of these printers are not what I would call “large”. Half of these machines have well under half the area of the Taz, which itself has a similar area to arguably the standard size for desktop medium printers (arguably so given that it’s the size of the Prusa i3 series, the descendants of the RepRaps all modern desktop FDM printers are ultimately derived from, directly or indirectly). These are bigger than itty bitty beginner printers but they aren’t large. Only 2 of the machines in this list are even close to what I would call large. You also haven’t mentioned anything about printers with expandable print areas like the 3DPrintMill.

    This is a fine list, but it should be framed as upgrade printers for beginners, not “large” printers, because it’s a reasonable list for people looking to upgrade from, say, an Afinibot A5 Mini *to* a regular size printer, not so much for people who want an actually large one.

    Reply
    • Hi, yes I tend to agree. The problem is I tried to focus the list on printers which are in stock online (at Amazon) and thereby having to compromize a bit on my definition of a large 3d printer.
      Thwnks for the feedback

      Reply

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