7 Best 3D Printers for Cosplay in 2023

The GeekCyborg team has put together this guide to help you find the best 3D printers for cosplay and props making. If you want to buy a 3D printer but don’t know which to choose —and why, this buyers’ guide will help you make the right choice. In the past few years, there have been plenty of noteworthy examples of 3D-printed cosplay costumes and props. They show the possibilities that 3D printing technologies can open for cosplayers. Nowadays, 3D printing is more accessible than ever.

There are high-quality 3D printers that work for cosplayers with all budgets. Whether you want to make small props or large armor parts, there is a 3D printer that’ll help you bring those cosplay ideas to life. Pro tip: make sure to use the right primer for your 3D printed parts

before painting them. This will help you get the best results and make the painting process much easier.

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Sindoh - 3D1AQ - 3DWOX 1 3D Printer

If you’re looking for a premium 3D printer for cosplay parts and don’t mind spending more to get it, we highly recommend this model. Having features that can only be found in premium 3D printer models make this one of the best 3D printers for cosplay. Since this 3D printer has fully-automatic filament loading, all you have to do is insert the cartridge and it’ll take care of the rest. The clear and intuitive LCD screen allows for a user-friendly experience and accurate controls of this printer’s different functions. This includes assisted bed leveling, which is essential for high-quality builds. When you have to do this process manually, it’ll never be perfect and will affect the quality of your 3D prints. And that’s why assisted bed leveling is such a big deal.

You can also use the compatible mobile app and the remote monitoring camera of this model to get a live preview of your builds whenever you feel like it. There is something awesome about seeing those cosplay pieces being 3D printed. One layer at a time! You can also turn the interior LED light on to monitor the build even when the printer is in a dark room. Since this 3D printer is compatible with the 3DWOX Desktop software, creating and executing custom 3D prints is a pretty straightforward process.

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FlashForge Adventurer 3 3D Printer

If you’re new to 3D printing and want to start with something that’s easy to use and simple at the same time, we highly recommend this Dremel 3D printer. There are multiple reasons that make this the perfect midrange 3D printer for beginners. For starters, this 3D printer comes completely assembled out of the box. So, you won’t have to assemble anything. This is the closes you’ll get to a plug-and-play 3D printer, which is great if you’re not the tinkering type. Another thing that makes this 3D printer beginner-friendly is the safety features. Since most beginners won’t know most of the proper precautions when 3D printing, this model is completely enclosed, which makes it safer to use.

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R QIDI TECHNOLOGY 3D Printer

There plenty of reasons why this is one of the best 3D printers for cosplay. First of all, it’s a multipurpose machine that works well in different 3D printing scenarios. Asides from being a high-resolution printer (100-500 micron), this printer supports multiple filament types. So, you have more options when printing your 3D printing cosplay props and armor parts. The printer has 2 extruders, one that supports materials like PLA, ABS, TPU, and the other supports more advanced materials. This includes Nylon, Carbo Fiber, and PC. The QIDI slicing software is another thing we like about this printer. The interface is super-intuitive and is a decent alternative for other paid slicing software. To make the printing process even more stable, this model has a double z-axis driver, instead of the single-axis that’s found in most 3D printers.

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Official Creality Ender 3

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly 3D printer for your cosplay needs, this is a model that’s worth checking out. It might not have all the bells and whistles that you can find in more expensive models, but it gets the job done.

Despite being a budget-friendly option, this model has a very sturdy build and produces decent quality models. This is especially true for smaller props. If that’s what you plan on using your 3D printer for, this model is more than enough. One thing you need to pay attention to with this 3D printer is the assembly process. We don’t mean that the assembly is difficult or anything. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. However, you need to make sure you assemble the parts and level the printing plate properly. Since it doesn’t have automatic calibration, the process can be a little bit tricky. Once you’re done with that, you’ll have a 3D printer that provides decent quality prints without breaking the bank.

The only downside of the Comgrow Creality Ender is its relatively small size, which doesn’t work well with large cosplay armor parts.

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FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro2

In addition to its super-durable build, this 3D printer has a bunch of interesting features. For examples, you have an independent dual extruder system that supports multiple filaments. The dual extruder has lots of convenient printing modes, like the mirror mode and the copy mode. Keep in mind though that you have to do the leveling for this model manually, using a screw. For complete beginners, this might require some time to get used to. This Flash Forge 3D printer supports a wide range of filaments that include PLA,ABS,PETG, and TPU. In addition to cosplay, this printer suitable for different uses like industrial design, architectural design, and more. This makes it a solid choice for people who want to purchase a 3D printer for work and play.

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ANYCUBIC Chiron 3D Printer

This is a 3D printer for cosplayers who are looking for something that’s both practical and cost-efficient. With this 3D printer, you have a 15.75 x 15.75 x 17.72 inch(400x400x450mm) print size, which is pretty decent. Having a heated bed means that this model can support a wider range of filament types. This makes this 3D printer suitable for printing different types of cosplay parts with different physical properties. Despite the printing volume it supports, this 3D printer has a space-efficient design. This makes it great when used in smaller workspaces where every inch matters. Even though you have to assemble this model yourself, the assembly process is pretty straightforward.

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Cosplay 3D Printer Buying Guide

The following are the most important things you should consider when choosing a 3D printer for making cosplay costumes and props. This buyers’ guide will help you pick the model that’s perfect for your needs.

a. The print volume of your cosplay parts

It’s a no-brainer that a small 3D printer can’t print big cosplay parts. At least not as one piece. Using a 3D printer that supports a large printing volume, you can create a helmet in one full piece. In the case of a low-volume 3D printer, you’ll have to create the same helmet as small parts, then glue them together. The general rule here is that large 3D printers are better. Supporting a large printing volume allows you to make better -and more durable- cosplay parts. The size usually means a more expensive model but if you can afford it, you should definitely go for a bigger printer. Of course, you need to consider where you will be 3D printing your cosplay parts as well. If you have space limitations, a large printer might not be an option. Getting an awesome 3D printer that is too large for the space you have…never a good thing!

b. 3D printer type

All the common “consumer” grade 3D printers are FDM (Fused Filament Fabrication) printers. These 3D printers use a continuous filament of a thermoplastic material that’s layered to create the desired shape. Of course, there are lots of other 3D printing techniques out there. Most of the other printers though are super-expensive and are generally used at a commercial scale. Even for the most serious cosplayers, a high-quality FDM printer is more than enough. There are different types of 3D printers like DLP and SLA printers.

c. Printer Resolution Vs. Printing Speed

Just like traditional printers, 3D printers have a printing resolution as well. However, it’s the printing is being done in the X, Y, and Z-axis, the resolution here refers to the smallest movement that the printer’s extruder can make. The smaller the movements a printer can make, the more the details it can produce. Unlike in traditional printers, lower resolution means better printing quality for 3D printers. For example, a 3D printer with a 0.05mm resolution is better than one with a 0.3mm resolution.

One thing to keep in mind though is that higher 3D printing resolutions translate into slower printing speeds. So, when you see a 3D printer with a high speed, check the resolutions to make sure that they’re good enough. Most 3D printers that you can currently buy have a resolution between 0.1 – 0.3 mm (10-30 microns). Any printer with a resolution that’s less than 0.1mm (10 microns) is an HD 3D printer. In the end, the speed vs. resolution choice depends on the type of cosplay parts you want to 3D print. In most cases, speed shouldn’t be a deciding factor when choosing a 3D printer for cosplay. Unless a printer is significantly slow, you’ll be fine. All of the models on our list have a decent printing speed so, you don’t need to worry about this.

Pro tip: Power outages can ruin your 3D prints, especially long ones. Using a UPS allows you to get rid of this problem for good. If you don’t know what a UPS is, check out this post. These are important things to consider when you’re buying a new 3D printer for cosplay.

The type of connectivity and control that are supported by the 3D printer will impact your overall user experience. For example, some models have WiFi connectivity. Using this WiFi connection, you can access your printer without needing a computer. Some models can be controlled via a mobile app, other models have USB support. Before you buy a 3D printer, make sure it has the kind of connectivity and control that’ll make it fun for you to use. Some models even take things to the next level by providing a built-in camera that allows you to monitor your builds from your smartphone. Asides from being cool, this makes checking your builds -which can take hours- convenient, even when you’re away from the printer.

e. Filament Support

There are many types of filaments that can be used with FDM 3D printers. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), Dissolvable filament (HIPS), and Flexible filament (TPU) are just some of the types that you can use. When you’re choosing, you need a model that supports as many filament types as possible. Since they have different physical properties, being able to use different filaments will help you print better parts for your cosplay costumes. What will work for a small prop won’t necessarily work for a big and complex armor build. Pro tip: To ensure the best 3d printing results, make sure to use quality filaments. We highly- recommend HatchBox filaments so, make sure to check them out if you’re not already using them. I

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