In today’s day and age, 3D printing has become an easy and convenient solution for designers and manufactures everywhere to bring their designs and products to life physically.
Choosing the right 3D printer is a challenging task. Not many 3D printers out there are easy to use, the right size, and the right price. This is where the Monoprice Maker Select V2 comes in. This 3D printer has all the functions you would need: the right size, convenient to use, and the price is perfect for those on a budget.
But what do all these features mean, and why should you purchase this printer? Read on to find out more.
How this Product Review was Created?
For formulating this cohesive review of the Monoprice Maker Select V2, an analysis was done by evaluating various sites to compare 3D printers available in the market. The analysis aims to understand consumer demands and figure out what products consumers are using most and their budget.
We dug deep into blogs and forums about 3D printing and printers to identify what opinions people had so that we could use these opinions to help consumers make decisions.
We also combed through numerous reviews from clients who had previously purchased this product. This process helped us to understand whether the product was actually doing well amongst existing customers.
As a result of this process, we are able to provide consumers with accurate details of our Monoprice Maker Select V2 printer.
What to Look for Before Buying a 3D Printer?
The decision to buy a 3D printer should be carried out like any other major decision made before purchasing any item of technology. Like with any product, consumers should be aware of the quality of the product and the overall costs they are willing to spend on the product. Buying a cheap 3D printer may be okay on your wallet, but it could result in a low quality of the product being printed.
When considering buying a 3D printer, there are a few factors you should keep in mind. Sure 3D printers can be used these days to print almost everything, but for them to function properly you would need to be sure of what it is you would like to print. Depending on the size of the printer, some printers may not accommodate large scale designs or may not function with a particular material that you are considering. This is why it is important to consider the following things:can maximize the chances of investing in the right item by bearing some key factors in mind.
- Whether the 3D printer you are looking to buy can accommodate the materials that you require for your products. It is called the filament. Not all 3D printers can use all the filaments available. You have to make sure that the 3D printer can accommodate the correct filament and that the filament does not cause damage to the printer.
- Whether the 3D printer can accommodate designs of all sizes ranging from small scale designs to large scale designs.
- What kind of 3D printer style you are looking for: whether it’s a printer that is resin-based or a fused depositing modeling printer. The kind of 3D printer you decide on will greatly impact the outcome of the overall product you are choosing to print.
- Safety should be a primary concern when making a purchasing decision. 3D printers require heat and a lot of energy to print products. If you are considering using a 3D printer to print a lot of products, make sure that the 3D printer can sustain high levels of heat.
Today, they have introduced the world to the Monoprice Maker Select V2. It is a more advanced version of Monoprice’s original printer and is deemed as being one of the most affordable 3D printers available for people to purchase.
For beginners who are just venturing into the 3D printing industry, the Monoprice Maker Select V2 is a cross between a DIY kit and a printer—providing a user-friendly experience. It comes with an easy to set kit, perfect for beginners and hobbyists.
For those who want an affordable product but don’t want the DIY kits that take hours, it’s assembled model would be perfect.
Best Features and Benefits
- Layout and Design
The overall design of this printer is ideal for individuals who love to tinker and upgrade their devices. With an open layout, users have the option to constantly add to their printer and update their printer as they see fit.
The open layout also means that the overall printing bed can accommodate large scale designs, giving more design range to hobbyists and designers. The build of the printer as a whole is stable, thus guaranteeing smooth processes when it comes to printing.
An improvement that this design has compared to the original Maker Mini is the addition of an all-metal hot end. 3D printers use heat to print objects. The addition of this metal hot end improves the heat flow of the machine and helps solve the issue of filament clogging. Furthermore, the all-metal hot end provides a level of insulation for the printing bed, making it easier for prints to adhere to the bed.
To also combat the issue of overheating, the design has an internal cooling fan. The fan will greatly help to cool the printer down, especially when the printer is working overtime to print large volumes of prints or large scale designs.
The size and shape of the printer may not be ideal for those looking for a compact printer that can easily fit on their computer desk or work desk. The printer is placed in an aluminum frame with controls in a separate box. It is this frame that makes the printer bulky and takes up quite a substantial amount of room.
- Printing Features
For a budget-friendly 3D printer and a 3D printer targeted at beginners, the Monoprice Maker Select V2 lacks a lot of features commonly found in other 3D printers.
Unlike most printers, this printer cannot print designs through WIFI as the printer does not have a WIFI connectivity system.
When it comes to filaments, the printer does not have a sensor to gauge the amount of the filament that is being inserted into the printer, which can be problematic as putting too much filament can result in overheating.
However, they are compatible with third-party filaments due to its open layout design, which means that designers and hobbyists do not have to be confined to filaments that came with the printer but are given free rein to choose whatever filaments they want as long as the filament’s size complies with the size stated on the printer.
Along with being compatible with third-party filaments, the printer is also compatible with a range of different splicers giving users no limits to what type of splicer they would like to use.
- Design and Build Quality
It will surprise you to lift the printer out of the box, it’s quite heavy for its size. This is because it is all metal. However, being this heavy has its own plus point; that is, it won’t shake or wiggle too much while printing.
Most of the printer’s mechanism is hidden behind its metal exterior, so the machine does not look rudimentary like some of its competitors. Even though it comes with a sleek design, and everything is hidden behind its exterior, the inner workings are easily accessible.
- Connectivity
Monoprice has kept everything simple and standard by just adding an SD card reader and a USB port for loading 3D models. You might feel like it lacks something when compared to other printers available, but it is always better to have fewer but stable connectivity options as having too many options makes your device prone to bugs and problems.
Pros: Things We Love!
- It is an inexpensive printer. Perfect for individuals on a low budget.
- Is capable of printing average quality prints.
- Can accommodate large scale projects due to its large build area.
Cons: Points of Improvement
- Doesn’t really provide a good support system.
- The overall printer is seemingly difficult to use.
Alternatives to QIDI TECH X Smart 3D Printer
Paired with a touchscreen and removable build plates, the design itself is sleek and sturdy. The touchscreen provides users with easy access to ordering products to be printed. The removable and flexible plates allow for users to clean and maintain the printer easily.
The overall size of the printer is also something worth noting down. Labeled as a desktop 3D printer, the Qidi Tech X Smart won’t take up too much room and is perfect for at-home 3D printing projects.
For being one of the most affordable 3D printers out there, the Creality Ender-3 is seen as being a fan favorite. But for individuals who rely solely on 3D printing for their business, the Creality Ender-3 may not be suitable. Having to constantly adjust the printer and level the printer may be time-consuming. But for those who use 3D printing occasionally, the Creality Ender-3 is perfect to have at home.
And at the same time still affordable, then the Qidi Tech X-One-2 is the printer for you. Boasting an even more delicate design than its predecessor, this printer aims to provide users with an all-inclusive experience.
Final Verdict
From the above reviews, we have concluded that the best 3D printer available right now is the Monoprice Maker Select V2. It is not only an affordable 3D printer under $500, but it is also an all-inclusive 3D printer and is perfect for users of all levels.
The overall design is also one of the most beautiful designs to be seen on a 3D printer. It provides a lot of flexibility towards users as it is compatible with several third-party software and filaments.