Large format 3D printers, with build volumes over 300 x 300 x 300 mm, offer key advantages over their smaller desktop counterparts. The expanded build size allows for printing full-scale prototypes, models, and end-use parts with high levels of detail and precision. As 3D printing continues to expand into manufacturing, architecture, construction, and other industries, large format printers provide the build volumes to handle these demanding applications.

When selecting a large 3D printer, key factors to consider include total build volume, supported materials, print speed and throughput, precision and accuracy, software and connectivity, and reliability. Premium industrial printers can cost over $100,000, while more affordable desktop models now offer large build volumes under $5,000. This review will cover the latest options across this range, evaluating print quality, capabilities, and overall value.

The 10 top-rated large format 3D printers in 2023 profiled in detail below represent proven options for prototyping, rapid manufacturing, model making, and other applications needing bigger build sizes. Ranging from enclosed industrial printers to more accessible desktop models, the reviews analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each to help identify the best choice for different needs and budgets. The growth of large format 3D printing shows no signs of slowing, and these printers demonstrate the expanding possibilities of additive manufacturing.

For a comprehensive overview of the best 3D printers in all sizes and budgets, check out GearBerry's in-depth buying guide on the best 3D printers of 2023. Their guide compares all the key factors to consider when selecting a 3D printer for your needs.

1. Artillery SW-X2 3D Printer

The Artillery SW-X2 is an excellent large format 3D printer for beginners looking to move into 300 x 300 x 400 mm build volumes. At $305, this printer offers reliable performance, robust features, and good print quality for the price.

With its sturdy aluminum frame and dual lead screws on the Z-axis, the SW-X2 provides a stable platform for quality prints up to 400mm in height. It comes 95% pre-assembled, making setup quick and easy even for novice users. The SW-X2 utilizes a direct drive Titan extruder that helps reduce stringing, oozing, and clogging compared to Bowden extruders. This extruder allows print speeds up to 150mm/s with a 0.4mm nozzle while maintaining accuracy.

The removable heated glass print bed heats up rapidly to 110°C to assist with adhesion for materials like ABS. An inductive auto bed leveling sensor calibrates the bed before each print, improving first layer consistency. The 32-bit silent motherboard and quiet stepper drivers result in printing noise under 70 dB for smooth and quiet operation.

In terms of print quality, the Artillery SW-X2 produces detailed prints with low visible layer lines on models with the right slicer settings. Fine details and smaller features resolve well. Taller prints have minimal wobbling or artifacts thanks to the dual Z-axis design. The volcano hotend can melt filament quickly, allowing higher flow rates on demanding prints. Supported materials include PLA, ABS, TPU, wood, and other composites.

While not an industrial-grade machine, the SW-X2 offers very good value in its price range. The responsive color touchscreen and intuitive interface make for easy operation. Convenient features like filament runout detection and a power loss resume mode improve reliability for longer prints. The robust metal frame feels built to last through years of steady use.

For hobbyists, schools, or small businesses needing to scale up to larger parts and prototypes, the Artillery SW-X2 is an excellent choice. It provides a balance of build volume, print speed, and print quality that outpaces other desktop models. While support and documentation is limited, the price makes it one of the most accessible 300mm cubic build volume printers available.

2. Twotrees SP-5 3D Printer

With a sturdy metal frame and precise linear rails, the Twotrees SP-5 provides a robust platform for printing large models up to 300 x 300 x 330 mm. Priced around $399, this printer offers excellent value by combining industrial-grade construction with intuitive operation and strong performance.

The full metal body and dual lead screws on the Z-axis give the SP-5 stability for crisp, accurate prints without wobbling or layer shifts. The dual linear guides on the X and Y axes further improve precision to deliver prints with clean details and sharp corners. All metal parts have a powder coated finish for durability and aesthetic appeal.

The SP-5 is simple to set up and operate despite its robust construction because of its color touchscreen, aided leveling, and integrated camera for tracking prints. Users can start printing and load models quickly because to the easy UI. Printing huge tasks becomes more dependable thanks to practical features like filament runout warning and power loss recovery.

With a maximum print speed of 200mm/sec and 0.1mm layer resolution, the SP-5 produces high quality prints efficiently. The hot end reaches 260°C for printing materials like ABS and nylon. The heated bed distributes heat evenly to prevent warping. The Twotrees SP-5 excels at printing large, high-detail prototypes, art sculptures, cosplay props, architectural models, and decorative items.

The SP-5 offers outstanding value in comparison to other printers of its kind. Despite the industrial look, careful planning makes operation simple for hobbyists. Print quality is on par with more expensive ($5,000+) equipment. A user-friendly experience is produced by the responsive touchscreen and built-in camera for remote monitoring.

The Twotrees SP-5 is an excellent option for small businesses, product design teams, studios, and educational institutions that require large-scale prints. Up to 1010 cubic inches of build capacity can be used for large projects. Cheaper acrylic or wood frames can't compete with the strong metal frame and accurate guidelines for print quality.

3. MINGDA Magician Pro 3D Printer

With a huge 400 x 400 x 400 mm build area and thoughtful design features, the MINGDA Magician Pro makes large-scale 3D printing more accessible and hassle-free. Priced around $639, this printer delivers excellent performance and reliability that matches more expensive industrial models.

The sturdy metal frame provides a stable base for quality prints, while the dual lead screws and belt-driven Z-axis minimize wobbling on tall models. Auto bed leveling with 36 points ensures a perfectly trammed first layer every print. The direct drive extruder prevents slipping and inconsistencies.

The Magician Pro is surprisingly quiet at less than 50 dB despite the high construction volume. Stepper motor drivers minimize noise for stealthy operation. Up to 100mm/sec of PLA printing speed is accelerated by dual cooling fans. Printing is as simple as uploading a file to the 3.5" touchscreen's user-friendly interface and pressing print.

With the proper profiles set, print quality is excellent. To print unusual fibers like ABS and TPU with less distortion, the hot end reaches 500°F. The surface of the glass print bed absorbs heat uniformly. Bridges, overhangs, and supports all come out neatly and smoothly. At 0.1mm layer heights, fine features resolve well.

Thoughtful features like filament runout detection, power failure recovery, and a progress camera ready the Magician Pro for long, unsupervised print jobs. Connectivity options like WiFi, USB, and microSD provide flexibility for file transfer. The robust metal frame feels built to last through years of regular use.

For schools, design teams, and studios needing a dependable workhorse printer with 400mm cubic build volume, the MINGDA Magician Pro is a top contender. It provides industrial-level performance at a price competitive with mid-range printers half its size. The excellent print quality, smart features, and quiet operation make this an ideal large format 3D printer for public spaces and classrooms.

4. MINGDA Magician Max 3D Printer

Featuring a huge 320 x 320 x 400 mm build volume and thoughtful design, the MINGDA Magician Max allows printing of supersized models with ease. Priced competitively at around $449, it provides excellent value by combining industrial-level performance with intuitive operation.

The Magician Max excels at printing extra large prototypes, sculptures, cosplay armor, architectural models, and other big projects thanks to its substantial build area. Dual Z-axis lead screws and a synchronized belt drive provide stability across this oversized printing envelope, minimizing layer shifts and consistency issues.

Despite the expansive build platform, the MINGDA Magician Max is simple to operate thanks to the color LCD touchscreen interface and assisted leveling. The 16-point auto bed leveling consistently achieves a flawless first layer for prints to adhere perfectly across the entire heated glass print bed. This self-developed auto leveling system sets the Magician Max apart from competitors.

Quick printing of huge objects is possible at print speeds of up to 200mm/sec. By using a direct drive extruder, slippage and inconsistent filament flow are avoided. Supported materials include flexible TPU, PLA, ABS, and PETG. Operating at an average noise level of 40 to 50 dB, it is quiet enough for use in offices, classrooms, and homes.

While the dual Z-axis and strong frame ensure print quality even at higher heights, the large build volume can handle jobs that most smaller printers cannot. The Magician Max is dependable and user-friendly thanks to simple auto-leveling, power loss recovery, onboard storage, and silent drivers.

5. Anycubic Kobra Plus 3D Printer

With its dialed-in performance and thoughtful design, the Anycubic Kobra Plus makes 300 x 300 x 350 mm FDM printing more accessible than ever. Priced around $459-$514, it delivers excellent print quality in a user-friendly package.

The Kobra Plus excels at rapid prototyping, hobby projects, cosplay props, miniatures, architectural models, and other applications needing its ample build volume. Anycubic’s LeviQ auto bed leveling consistently achieves flawless first layer adhesion across the entire carborundum glass print bed. This hassle-free leveling system helps set the Kobra Plus apart.

Despite its large build area, the Anycubic Kobra Plus assembles in minutes thanks to the modular design. The responsive 4.3” touchscreen and intuitive interface allow even novice users to quickly load, slice, and start prints. Dual Z-axis screws and an all-metal direct drive extruder provide smooth, consistent filament flow up to 180mm/sec.

Print quality is fantastic for the price. The micro-textured carborundum glass bed keeps prints adhered during printing, but allows easy removal once cooled. Supports and bridges come out very cleanly with no sagging or stringing. Fine details resolve nicely at fast speeds. The Kobra Plus prints PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, and more.

Thoughtful features like the integrated drawer for tools, power outage recovery mode, and filament runout sensor prepare the Kobra Plus for long, unattended print jobs. Anycubic’s robust ecosystem of accessories and community support further boost the printer’s value.

6. Anycubic Kobra 3D Printer

Delivering dialed-in performance at an affordable price, the Anycubic Kobra makes 220 x 220 x 250 mm FDM 3D printing extremely accessible. Priced at around $289-$314, it provides impressive print quality in a lightweight and user-friendly package.

While compact, the build volume handles a wide range of projects from miniatures, hobby items, mechanical parts, and more. Anycubic’s auto bed leveling consistently achieves perfect first layer adhesion across the PEI print surface. This hassle-free leveling system sets the Kobra apart from competitors.

Despite its small footprint, the Anycubic Kobra offers big performance. Print speeds reach 180mm/sec thanks to the integrated direct drive extruder and optimized firmware. Supports come out very clean with no sagging or stringing. The 4.3” responsive touchscreen and intuitive interface allow easy operation even for beginners.

Everything about the Kobra is designed for convenience and reliability. It assembles in minutes using 5 modular components. The lightweight 7kg frame is easily portable. Automatic filament runout detection pauses prints if filament runs out to prevent failed jobs. Power outage recovery saves prints after a restart.

For the low price, print quality outperforms its peers. Overhangs are smooth and fine details resolve beautifully. Supported materials include PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, wood composites, and metal composites, among many others. Prints may be removed immediately after cooling thanks to the detachable PEI print surface, which also reduces warping.

The Anycubic Kobra is a popular option for hobbyists, educational institutions, makerspaces, and entrepreneurs wanting a cost-effective desktop 3D printer with a 220mm build volume. Despite the modest cost, it produces prints of a professional caliber because to careful design. Additional value is provided by Anycubic's extensive ecosystem of accessories and community support.

7. Anycubic Photon M3 3D Printer

Bringing superb detail and streamlined operation, the Anycubic Photon M3 makes 4K DLP 3D printing more accessible than ever. Priced around $279-$308, it delivers stunning print quality in a thoughtful user-friendly package.

With its 51 micron XY resolution and 4K LCD screen, the Photon M3 excels at printing miniatures, jewelry, dentures, and highly detailed models needing intricate features. Prints reveal astonishingly crisp definition even on delicate structures and fine edges. The parallel matrix LED light source offers strong, even illumination for accuracy.

Despite the high resolution, the Photon M3 prints quickly thanks to its max 50mm/hour speeds. Anycubic’s tuned settings and profiles optimize print times. The sturdy aluminum alloy build plate maintains flawless adhesion throughout prints. An anti-scratch film protects the LCD screen.

Everything about the Photon M3 is designed for convenience. The compact footprint takes up minimal space. Anycubic’s free slicer software integrates directly with the printer for easy setup. The responsive 2.8” touchscreen allows intuitive control over the printing process. UV-resistant acrylic hood filters provide protection.

Print quality is simply stunning, rivaling machines costing much more. Surface finishes come out smooth as glass. The exceptional level of detail resolution enables applications like jewelry casting patterns and dental models requiring extreme precision. The Anycubic Photon M3 prints various resins with fantastic results.

The Anycubic Photon M3 is a great option for individuals, businesses, and institutions wanting top-notch 4K DLP printing without having to pay a premium price. It offers printouts of expert quality in a convenient format. Additional assistance is offered by Anycubic's accommodating customer service and lively community.

8. LONGER LK5 Pro 3D Printer

Offering thoughtful design and proven performance, the LONGER LK5 Pro makes 300 x 300 x 400 mm FDM printing remarkably accessible. Priced around $300, it delivers impressive results straight out of the box.

Despite its large build volume, the LK5 Pro assembles quickly thanks to the 90% pre-assembled frame. The sturdy triangular metal body minimizes vibrations for stability across the full build area. Dual cooling fans accelerate PLA printing up to 180mm/sec.

Convenience is the focus of every aspect of the LK5 Pro. Control and monitoring are made simple by the 4.3" color touchscreen. Long prints are more reliable when they are produced with the help of practical technologies like filament runout detection and power failure recovery. A board that is open-source allows for sophisticated customisation.

High-end printers that cost twice as much can't compete with the print quality. Warp-prevention is made possible by the ceramic-coated glass print bed's high adherence over the entire surface. With no stringing or sagging, supports and bridges are very clearly produced.

Despite its large size, the LK5 Pro remains surprisingly quiet thanks to TMC2208 stepper drivers. Fine details resolve nicely at the default 0.2mm layer height. The robust direct drive extruder maintains consistent filament flow. The LK5 Pro excels at printing large models, prototypes, cosplay armor, architectural designs, and more.

For hobbyists, schools, startups, and makerspaces seeking an affordable workhorse printer with 300mm build volume, the LONGER LK5 Pro is an excellent option. It delivers exceptional value by combining industrial-quality construction with thoughtful design. LONGER's active community provides further support.

Conclusion

This roundup demonstrates the expanding possibilities of large format 3D printing in 2023. Whether for rapid prototyping, hobby projects, education, or small manufacturing, these printers provide the build volumes to handle bigger parts and models.

Key factors to consider when selecting a large 3D printer include build volume, print quality, speed, connectivity, reliability, noise, customer support, and overall value for the price. Desktop models from reputable companies like Artillery, Twotrees, MINGDA, Anycubic, and LONGER now deliver impressive results once only possible on industrial machines costing over 5X more.

For beginners, excellent options like the Artillery SW-X2, Anycubic Kobra Plus, and LONGER LK5 Pro combine intuitive operation with large 300mm cubic build areas. More advanced users needing extra-large volumes capable of full-scale helmets, props, or furniture pieces will appreciate printers like the MINGDA Magician Max and Pro.

As technology improves and costs decline, large format printing will continue growing in popularity and accessibility. The printers profiled above represent the new generation of capable, affordable machines able to turn digital files into 3D physical objects of virtually any size. For any application requiring bigger print volumes, these printers provide excellent solutions to consider.

GearBerry is an online retailer that provides a wide selection of these large format 3D printers, including brands like Artillery, Twotrees, MINGDA, Anycubic, and LONGER. By selling premium 3D printers at reasonable prices and offering exceptional customer service, GearBerry aims to make these innovative technologies accessible for more people. Check out GearBerry's collection of large format 3D printers to find one that fits your needs and budget.