Here is a ‘Believe it or not’ fact for you. 3D printers and shaving razors have more in common than you think. When the first multi-blade razors were launched, people neglected them, and it was the butt of many jokes. The Onion, a satirical newspaper, and Saturday Night Live published mocking articles depicting razors with three and five blades, declaring it a ridiculous step at the time. The razor blade companies, however, had the last laugh; five-blade shavers are now bog-standard around the world.
Now to the similarity part. In the earlier days of fused deposition modeling (FDM), 3D printers only had a single extruder, meaning that the user could only print in one material at the time. In addition to making 3D printing an arduous task, it also meant lesser efficiency and attention to detail. But when the idea of a multi extruder 3d printer was introduced to the public, it was not a welcome idea. However, today’s printing scenario will be pretty difficult to imagine without dual extruders.
Anyway, with that (somewhat irrelevant) piece of information, let us move on to today’s list of the five best dual extruder 3d printers.
How was this List made?
Looking for the perfect 3d printer that suits your needs is nothing short of looking for a needle in a haystack. Like every other commodity, printers too come in various types and suit different people differently. As admirers of the legendary Marilyn Monroe would put it, ‘Some like it hot.’ Well, some do not.
So, we scoured through every pamphlet, brochure, info-bulletin we could lay our hands on in our quest. All the while, we kept in mind the various criteria like print size, accuracy, print material support, filament size, sales service/spares support, and cost. Furthermore, after leafing through the facts, stats, and reviews available online, and talking to customers and people involved in the industry, we came upon this compilation of the best dual extruder 3d printers. We sincerely hope it saves your time and efforts and proves worthwhile.
What to Look for?
Leaving all adversaries a step or two behind, FlashForge CreatorPro is the ideal deal for an average consumer. This independent dual-extruder 3d printer features a pre-installed and renovated door to provide easy accessibility to prints. It is covered by a single solid piece PC top, making it more durable and effective at regulating temperature. Along with a larger platform, it also has adjustable screws for more comfortable use.
The printer is equipped with an extruder wiring router that protects it from wear and tear. The sturdy metal frame is considerably more stable than the Creator’s original woody frame. A 6.3 mm aluminum platform is warp-resistant and remains perfectly level under the stress of high heat. Additionally, a high heat resistant metal platform supports replacing plastic supports.
Its steady and precise movement is ensured by the new heavy-duty (10mm) z-axis guide rod. The prints in themselves are insulated and protected by an acrylic cover, which also encloses the chamber. The printing area is adequately illuminated by LED lights, in addition to featuring a great LCD screen. Add to that buttons to ensure error-free functioning, and repositioned SD slot, and you have an excellent and convenient dual extruder 3D printer in your hands.
Pros
- Easy setup, skillfully manufactured
- Intuitive and easily accessible interface
- User-friendly and compatible software
- Enclosed chamber enables material resilience
- Durable and tough machine
Cons
- The spool holders are comparatively weaker
Our Verdict
The printer is easy to set up, so much so that even a beginner can start printing in just about 30 mins. Hassle-free functioning is another attractive feature that makes it a wonderful device. You can also take advantage of the unboxing and setup videos from YouTube. With this amazing printer, we recommend that you start your 3D printing bliss today!
The QIDI tech 3D printers speak volumes for themselves. With six-plus years of manufacturing experience, QIDI TECHNOLOGY has always focused on developing high quality, high-performance 3D printers. Ask the guy who made a life-size Lamborghini model with this tech giant, and you’ll be satisfied.
The QIDI TECH X-plus has a staggering 4.9 stars out of 5 , and it is a feat in itself. It is suitable for educational institutions for hands-on practice, as well as for designers, tinkerers, hobbyists & home users. It has an impressive range of features, including quiet printing, air purification, Wi-Fi connection, one-button control, breakpoint printing, quick leveling, the list goes on. With the ability to print advanced material such as Carbon Fiber, Nylon, PC, and being compatible with multiple brands of 1.75 mm filament, it is a must-have in any list of best multi extruder 3d printers.
Pros
- Large building plate
- Convenient on/off button in the front
- Removable magnetic plate eases cleaning and removing models
- User-friendly GUI on a large LCD screen
- Smooth, sturdy, and robust design
- Automatic shut off upon completion
- Handy toolbox with essential accessories
Cons
- Seriously, couldn’t find anything wrong with this one
Our Verdict
Hands down, QIDI is amongst the most advanced 3D users in the industry. The sturdy design and ease of access only add icing to the cake. But what makes QIDI 3d printers genuinely outstanding is their quick and efficient customer service. They provide detailed information with informative clips and manuals for DIY projects. Due to the hassle-free processing, even a ten-year-old can operate the printer by himself. It prints perfectly and saves a lot of time and effort. Full marks.
At number three, we have a very versatile A20M from Geetech. Equipped with a dual extruder module and a 2-in-1-out hot end, Geetech provides you a printer that can print four types of prints with different color combinations. (single color, dual color, graded color, and mixed color). Significantly enriching your 3D printing life, the A20M is a go-to machine for 3D enthusiasts, for two primary reasons.
First, the design. A modularised design provides you an easy assembly experience. Along with that, the detecting system that avoids bootless printing and alerts you to change the filament if the printer runs out of the spool.
Second, the printing process. The A20M features a break-resuming function to save current print status and resume last print. This drives away the hassle of repetitive and draining jobs caused by unexpected power outages. The Color-Mixer applies to all mix-colored printing, allowing graded color between selected layers. Also, the mainboard is professionally coded to support the auto-leveling function. The whole operation process significantly enhances the adhesion of the first layer, resulting in great prints.
Pros
- Great Dual Color printing
- Ability to use virtual extruders and create custom blends
- Easy 3 step setup and tuning
- Higher printing speeds
- Professional-quality prints
- Excellent value for money
- Great support, strong Facebook community
Cons
- Week SD card compatibility and durability
- Color Mixing software needs improvement
Our Verdict
What we liked most about the product, aside from it is multicolor printing, is its calibration and accuracy on the slicer. And lest you forget, The Geetech A20M allows you to change the color gradient right on the LCD, even when it is in the process of printing. So in case you have a sudden stroke of brilliance or a change of mind, it is there for you. Amazing indeed.
When we were researching the best dual extruder 3D printers, one name kept popping up more often than others. As we found out later, it was not without cause. The BIBO 2 Touch Laser includes two extraordinary features that are found nowhere else. One, its own Wifi module (pre-installed), and two, a laser engraving module. Is it a 3D printer? Is it a laser engraver? Well, it is both of them. Allowing engraving on sheets of paper, cardboard or even wood, it truly is the superman of 3d printers.
With the BIBO 2, it is much easier to make diverse objects, by printing them in different filament types and colors. The dual extruders print two parts of the same products at the same time, cutting your printing time, at least in HALF. Also, you do not need to change the filaments mid-process for getting both the colors right. The inbuilt G-code file will tell the printer exactly when to use each color.
The sturdy design features a 6 mm thick aluminum composite panel, which is more reliable and precise than plastic frames. Additionally, a fully enclosed acrylic hood and front door ensure better temperature control inside the printer, excellent for printing with both ABS and PLA filament.
The laser engraver is extremely good at engraving objects in plastic, leather, wood, paper, and even cutting thin materials like plastic. The inbuilt Wi-Fi feature permits you to control the print via your phone or laptop. If you’re printing a large object, the machine automatically halts for you to load a fresh spool. Similarly, in case of a power failure, this dual nozzle 3d printer simply resumes printing where it left off. Hence, you do not need to start from scratch. If you are looking for a cheap dual-extruder 3d printer, you need to go no further.
Pros
- Amazing value for money
- Thick composite aluminum panel, sturdy frame
- Incredibly helpful and responsive customer support
- Consists of both Dual Extruders and Laser Engraver
- Full-color touch screen
- Easy and handy manual repair support
- Resumes printing from the last process, if disturbed unconditionally
Cons
- The glass bed seems a bit outdated
Our Verdict
If you are a beginner to 3D printing and need a machine with the least limitations, the BIBO 2 is perfect for you. It is compatible with most 3d printing software, as well as all types of printing material. All the aforementioned features of this printer come together to make it one of the best. We didn’t expect a product like this to be flawless, especially at this price, but we were impressed nevertheless.
When it comes to the top of the line dual extruder 3D printers, Flashforge is a name that seldom disappoints. It is a testimony to this statement that we have included two Flashforge products on this list. You have already seen what the CreatorPro can do; hence it is hardly surprising that its sister products would lag much further.
The Flashforge Dreamer is touted as the most advanced desktop printer by its makers. Now, it is definitely sleeker than its predecessors, and the team that put it together did not leave it at just that. The dreamer is equipped with a three and a half inch High-Res touchscreen, premium plastic-alloy frame, WiFi connectivity, external slot, and an enclosed body. Its special charm, however, lies in the sheer way that it turns 3D designs into brilliant tangible objects.
With a compact build (230x150x140), the enclosed chamber makes sure that the prints are well insulated and protected. As in the case with its previous models, it runs on an in-house software called FlashPrint but is also compatible with other slicing software. Furthermore, just in case anything goes wrong, it comes with a complete manufacturer’s warranty and lifetime support. A win-win situation indeed.
Pros
- Sleek design and great frame
- Fast and accurate printing
- Full manufacturer warranty and lifetime support
- Very much affordable
Cons
- Spool size is not universal (But can be fixed with an upgrade)
- Not for the non-lovers of plastic frames
Our Verdict
Everything that was ever made has some scope of improvement, and it is no different with this product. We cannot say that it is the best dual extruder printer on this list. But as far as 3D printers are considered, the Flashforge Dreamer is good to go, thank you very much.
Also Check : Best Large Format 3D Printer
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Dual Extruder Printer?
The process of 3d printing whilst using two or more filament is termed under dual extrusion 3d printing. A dual extruder printer is a machine that allows such a printing. On the print head with two extruders, you can attach different spools, thereby mixing different materials or colors. When the process starts, the printer alternates between both spools by printing one at a time.
- How do I Print with a Dual Extruder?
Most people think dual extruder printers are quicker than single ones. It’s actually not the case. A dual nozzle 3d printer is seemingly more rapid simply because they eliminate the lengthy process of swapping out a filament for another one when printing. The objectives achieved with two extruders enables material and color simultaneous usage, which prints complex structures.
- Are Dual Extruders worth it?
Honestly speaking, it depends and differs from person to person. In our opinion, most people will be perfectly alright with using a single extruder printer. Especially in the case of first-timers and amateur printing enthusiasts, since dual extrusion brings with it a certain complexity. These complexities might range from simple installation issues to hardcore slicing and designing problems.
But at the same time, every user who switches to a dual-extruder 3d printer kit stands to gain a few things from it. From mixing and matching different colors to creating gravity-defying models, the possibilities are endless. If you think your interests lie here, it is definitely worthy of your time, energy, and money. 3D printers for sale, check this page to know more about 3D Printers and Reviews .
Conclusion
The enthusiastic, global community of 3D printmakers are continually coming up with new ways to make the process more efficient and flexible. The use of dual extruders is the latest in the list of these processes. If you are printing simple, fundamental blocks of objects, it can be done with a single extruder. However, if your model is time-consuming or if the project requires you to build a model with multiple parts in different colors, using an effective, cheap dual-extruder 3d printer can make the job much more comfortable. Although all of these products are good printers, if you absolutely have to choose, go with the BIBO 2. It’s quick, efficient, and it doesn’t burn a hole in your packet. Simply put, it is everything one could ask for in a dual extruder 3D printer. Happy Printing!