Best 3D Printers for Beginners in 2025: Your Guide to PLA & PETG 3D Printer for Your First Purchase

Best 3D printers for beginners. A side-by-side comparison of four 3D printers on a white background. From left to right: Sovol SV07, a black and blue open-frame 3D printer with a direct drive extruder; Bambu Lab A1 Mini, a compact white 3D printer with a multi-functional toolhead and enclosed components; QIDI Plus4, a large enclosed gray 3D printer with a touchscreen interface and a sturdy metal frame; Prusa Mini+, an orange and black open-frame 3D printer with a compact design and a vertical gantry system.

February 15, 2025 3D Printer Insights Comments (0)

Ever wanted to bring your designs to life? Whether you’re printing custom aquarium decorations, functional prototypes, or unique home accessories, the right beginner-friendly 3D printer makes all the difference. With so many options, how to find the best 3D Printers for Beginners? This 3D Printer Guide for Beginners will uncover the secrets and give useful insights on the topic!

As someone with years of experience in 3D printing, I’ve seen how the right printer can make or break the experience—especially for beginners. This article cuts through the noise, showcasing the best PLA PETG 3D Printer in the beginning of 2025, so you can start printing with confidence.

Table of Contents

The Best Easy to Use 3D Printer for Beginners using PLA & PETG

If you’re thinking about buying your first 3D printer, you’re probably wondering:

👉 Which printer is easiest for beginners?
👉 What’s the best option for printing with PLA and PETG?
👉 How much should I spend on my first printer?

Choosing the right beginner 3D printer is essential. A bad choice can lead to frustration, failed prints, and wasted money. The best beginner-friendly printers make the experience easy, with auto-leveling, reliable performance, and minimal setup.

This article will help you find the perfect PLA & PETG printer for your needs—so you can start 3D printing with confidence!

Why PLA & PETG are the Best Filaments for Beginners

Most beginner-friendly 3D printers are designed to print PLA and PETG. But what’s the difference?

Feature	PLA (Best for Beginners)	PETG (More Durable)
Ease of Printing	✅ Very easy to print	⚠️ Requires higher temps
Strength & Durability	🚀 Good for basic parts	💪 Stronger & flexible
Heat Resistance	❌ Low (warps under heat)	✅ More heat-resistant
Best Uses	Miniatures, decorations, beginner prints	Functional parts, aquarium accessories, outdoor items
Aquarium Safe?	🚫 No (can degrade over time)	✅ Yes (if food-safe PETG is used)

💡 For first-time users, PLA is the easiest filament to work with. If you need stronger, water-resistant parts, PETG is the better option.

📌 Want a deeper dive into different filaments? Check out my detailed guide on 3D printing materials.

What Makes a 3D Printer Beginner-Friendly?

A good beginner 3D printer should have:

✔ Auto-Bed Leveling – No need for manual adjustments.
✔ Plug-and-Play Setup – Minimal assembly required.
✔ Reliable Performance – Consistent prints without troubleshooting.
✔ Compatible with PLA & PETG – Handles beginner-friendly filaments with ease.
✔ Affordable Price – A great first printer shouldn’t cost a fortune.

With these in mind, let’s look at the best beginner 3D printers for 2025!

Are Bambu Lab Printers a Good Choice for Beginners?

Bambu Lab printers have gained popularity for their ease of use, automated features, and high-speed printing, making them a great choice for beginners looking to print with PLA and PETG. Here’s why they stand out:

✔ Plug-and-Play Setup – Minimal assembly means you can start printing within an hour.
✔ Auto-Bed Leveling – Eliminates the hassle of manual calibration, ensuring a perfect first layer.
✔ User-Friendly Software – The Bambu Lab app integrates seamlessly with Makerworld, making file transfers and remote monitoring effortless.
✔ High-Speed Printing – Speeds of up to 500mm/s allow for faster prints without sacrificing quality.

Bambu Lab A1 Mini, one of the Best 3D Printers for beginners, printing a model with PLA PETG 3D Printer setup

Close-up of the Bambu Lab A1 Mini, an Easy to Use 3D Printer, producing a detailed print for new users

Important Information About Bambu Lab Printers

Bambu Lab recently introduced firmware updates that impact third-party slicing software compatibility. While SD card printing and older firmware versions remain usable, newer updates limit network-based features like direct printing from OrcaSlicer.

💡 What This Means for Beginners:

If you plan to use Bambu Lab’s native software, this won’t be a concern.
If you prefer third-party slicers, be aware of these limitations and explore Bambu Connect as a workaround.

Best Beginner-Friendly 3D Printers for PLA & PETG

1. Bambu Lab A1 Mini – Best Compact Choice for Beginners

✅ Why it’s great: Fully automatic bed leveling, high-speed printing, and minimal calibration make it ideal for first-time users.
✔ Pros: Easy setup, reliable performance, beginner-friendly.
❌ Cons: Smaller build volume, reliance on proprietary parts.
👤 Best for: Miniatures, small gadgets, and those looking for an affordable, easy-to-use printer.

2. Bambu Lab P1P/P1S – Best for Larger Prints

✅ Why it’s great: Larger build volume and consistent high-speed printing make it ideal for more complex projects.
✔ Pros: Enclosed printing improves PETG print quality.
❌ Cons: More filament waste when using the AMS system.
👤 Best for: Large-scale projects and those needing an enclosed printer for PETG to minimize warping.

Alternative 3D Printers for Beginners (February 2025)

Feature	Bambu Lab A1 Mini	Prusa Mini+	Sovol SV07	QIDI Plus4
Build Volume	180 × 180 × 180mm³	180 × 180 × 180mm³	220 × 220 × 250mm³	305 × 305 × 280mm³
Print Speed	Up to 500 mm/s	Not Specified	Up to 500 mm/s	Up to 600 mm/s
Max Nozzle Temp	300°C	Not Specified	300°C	370°C
Heated Bed Temp	80°C	Not Specified	100°C	120°C
Heated Chamber	No	No	No	Yes (Up to 65°C)
Filament Comp.	PLA, PETG, TPU	PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, ASA	PLA, ABS, PETG	PLA, ABS, ASA
Auto-Leveling	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Connectivity	WiFi, USB	USB	WiFi, USB	WiFi, Ethernet, USB
Firmware	Proprietary	Open-source	Klipper	Klipper
Price (Feb 2025)	$299 (base), $399 (with AMS Lite)	Similar to A1 Mini	$139 (discounted)	$799

Four beginner-friendly 3D printers side by side, showcasing the best 3D printers for beginners looking for an easy to use 3D printer. Ideal for PLA PETG 3D printing, they’re featured in a comprehensive 3D printer guide for beginners. — From left to right: Sovol SV07, Bambu Lab A1 Mini, QIDI Plus4, Prusa Mini+.

Which 3D Printer is Right for You?

👉 For the easiest setup: Bambu Lab A1 Mini is ideal if you want a truly beginner-friendly experience with minimal calibration and quick setup. However, be mindful of its software limitations.

👉 For long-term reliability: Prusa Mini+ is a solid choice due to its open-source firmware and strong user community, which offers extensive troubleshooting support and upgrade options.

👉 For budget-conscious buyers: Sovol SV07 offers good print quality at a significantly lower price, making it an excellent option for those wanting to get started without breaking the bank.

👉 For high-end performance: QIDI Plus4 is the best option for those planning to experiment with advanced materials like ABS or ASA, thanks to its heated chamber and high-temp capabilities.

Final Thoughts & Next Steps

Choosing the right beginner 3D printer is just the first step! To get started with PLA & PETG printing, check out these essential guides:

📖 3D Printing Materials: Safe & Unsafe Choices for Aquariums & Terrariums
📖 How to Design & Print Custom Aquarium Accessories

🎨 Want ready-to-print models? Check out my exclusive 3D designs on Cults3D and Etsy!

💬 What 3d printer you plan to get? Drop a comment below! 👇