How We Test 3D Printers

Every printer we recommend has been physically tested in our workshop. We don’t review from spec sheets — we print, measure, and break things.

Our Testing Process

• Print quality — we run a standardized test suite: XYZ calibration cube, overhang test, bridge test, and a real-world functional part
• Speed vs quality tradeoffs — we test at multiple speed profiles, not just the manufacturer’s marketing settings
• First-layer reliability — we count how many attempts it takes to nail the first layer on a cold printer
• Filament compatibility — PLA, PETG, TPU minimum. ABS and ASA where the printer claims to support them
• Noise and vibration — measured in dB at 1 metre during a standard print
• Software and ecosystem — we use the slicer as a daily driver, not just for screenshots

Our Equipment

We own the printers we review. Our daily driver is a Bambu P2S. We’ve benchmarked over a dozen machines across the price spectrum, from $200 open-frame machines to $1,200+ enclosed CoreXY setups.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some links on this site are affiliate links. We earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. This never influences our reviews — we call out bad products regardless.