There are plenty of 3D printers across the globe to choose from. But finding the right one can be tough, given how many models and manufacturers are out there.

Understanding the wide selection at your fingertips, how do you find which 3D printer is the best for you? What can you do to select the appropriate printer that works best for your situation and budget?

Stratasys offers a variety of 3D printers across three series – Idea, Design, and Production – that can meet your needs no matter what they may be.

What’s Most Important to You?

The particular type of printer you buy really depends on what’s most important to you.

Is it accuracy and precision? If so, some 3D printers are better than others. If you are creating small, precise parts with fine detail or moving pieces, a super-accurate printer may be the best 3D printer for you.

On the other hand, maybe speed is your primary concern. If so, there are 3D printers that are clearly built for fast production and rapid prototyping. They may not have the best resolution or accuracy, but they get the job done quickly.

When shopping, look for the printers that fit what is most important to you. You can find 3D printers that are fast, accurate, and large enough to handle volume while also offering superior resolution, but they will be at the higher end of the pricing spectrum. If you’re on a budget, focusing on the critical needs is recommended.

The Idea Series: Basic Capability and Outsized Performance

First, determine what you need. Do you need a basic, beginner’s 3D printer? Do you need something more advanced? Or, do you require a full-scale, professional 3D production system?

If you want professional desktop 3D printers that fit nicely within a reasonable budget you can try something like the Mojo printer from the Idea Series. The Mojo is affordable, capable of quick print jobs, and has enough resolution and power to create right from your desk or cubicle.

Bottom line: the Idea series promises enough power – at a budget-friendly price – to develop your idea, test it, and perfect it from the comfort of your own desk, whether that’s at home or in the office.

The Design Series

Next up in the line of Stratasys 3D printers is the Design Series. This series seeks to maximize the power of prototyping, mainly by offering an intermediate option between basic desktop models and heavy-duty production models. Sometimes, your needs fall in between each end; for those times ,the Design Series is ideal.

The Design Series offers a wide variety of benefits, ranging from superior resolution (the Dimension Elite) to high precision (Objet260 Connex3) and versatility in a compact size (Objet30 Pro).

The Production Series: Advanced Power

Of course, you can get really advanced and go into professional models, particularly if you’re looking to 3D print consumer products, complicated prototypes, or other projects that require larger, more powerful printers. For these needs, there is the Production Series of Stratasys 3D printers.

For example, the Objet1000 Plus is the world’s largest multi-material 3D printer that offers enhanced precision for mass production. It is capable of creating large amounts of small precision parts up to sizable prototypes and is what businesses need if they get into serious prototyping.

These printers allow for production without oppressive costs. Direct digital manufacturing is the future, and these production-quality printers allow for transformative printing capabilities to address anything from rapid prototyping to full-scale, mass-market production.

Which Is the Best 3D Printer for You?

As you might have guessed, there is no clear, cut-and-dry answer. The best 3D printer depends on what you need and want.

We recommend looking at a variety of printers and choosing a brand that is well-known for quality and performance. There are a lot of manufacturers out there, and not all are created equal. You want a name you can trust, so you know you can trust their products. For us, that means Stratasys – the leading name in 3D printing and the most trusted brand in the industry.

To help you in your search, contact a sales consultant who can help you compare models and find exactly what you need.