If you’ve considered buying a 3D printer, you’ve probably also considered the cost of the 3D printer controller. While 3D printers themselves have become more accessible in terms of price, the convenience of a 3D printer-controller combo is still a major consideration. But the good news is that there are many different controllers that fit a wide range of budgets.
Here, we’ve rounded up the best 3D printer controllers to help you find the right one for your needs.
Read on to learn more.
Our Editor’s Best 3d Printer Controllers Reviews
- Effortless 3D Creation: Start your 3D printing journey with just one click using our smart app, perfect as a beginner 3D printer for kids and home use; compatible across iOS, Android, and Windows platforms for a seamless experience; voice commands make it accessible and fun for all ages
- Precision and Speed: Achieve professional-grade, kids 3D printer with 0.05 mm accuracy at speeds up to 200 mm/s; this small 3D printer features an innovative quick-release nozzle for easy changes, ensuring smooth and consistent printing every time
- Creative Library Access: Dive into a vast catalog of over 1,500 digital designs with weekly updates, perfect for a 3D printer for kids; includes 15+ themed design modules, providing endless customization options tailored for both kids and home use
- DIY Customization: Personalize your small 3D printer with printable decorations; a unique feature that makes this an ideal 3D printer for home, allowing for a truly individualized and creative look
- Monitor with Ease: The built-in camera allows real-time monitoring of your printing projects from your smartphone, ideal for a 3D printer for home use; it also automatically generates time-lapse videos for sharing your creative process, making it a perfect 3D printer for kids
- Mini 3D Printers： Entina TINA2S - a 3D printer for beginners and children, compact body, ready to use out of the box, fully assembled, no complicated settings to start printing, SD card, and APP comes with multiple models, fully meet the printing needs of entry-level players, instantly start the perfect printing experience!
- Automatic Leveling & Heated Platform: The small 3D printer has a built-in automatic leveling system that eliminates the need for manual adjustments for successful printing. Features a flexible and removable spring steel build plate to reduce model warpage issues, easy removal of prints, and easy cleaning of the platform.
- Completely intelligent: equipped with the new self-developed APP, massive model library, to achieve one-click control of the printer. Print at your own pace, you can choose to print in multiple ways via APP/USB/Wiibuilder slicing software, fully open source and compatible with Cura, Simplify3d and Slicr3r slicing software.
- Humanized design: built-in led light, at any time and anywhere to observe the printing process of the printer, more clearly show the working status of the printer. Quick-change test nozzle to reduce the printer clogging problem, greatly reducing the difficulty of replacing accessories, making the printer easier to operate, dual Z-axis guide design, to ensure stable movement!
- Upgraded wifi printing: upgraded wifi module with 5 times faster file transfer speed, supporting faster and more stable file transfer for a perfect printing experience. Convenient networking design, use PP local APP to network with one click and say goodbye to tedious network settings!
- Our heater is equipped with buttons to set the target temperature ( from 10°C to 50°C). The optimal heating temperature for resin being 30°C. Some other heaters default to cooling at 25°C and do not allow target temperature adjustments.
- Use for: Resin 3D printer mini heater designed for Resin 3D printers, it is small but powerful, for use in cold weather. It helps you to heat up the resin and rise the ambient temperature. Make your 3D printer work well, save your time and Resin material.
- Professional design: Our heater is designed for long-term working, capable of running continuously 24/7. The PCB is dual-sided and wiring are professionally engineered to ensure an exceptionally long service life.
- Professionally manufactured: Our 3D printer heater built-in high-precision industry temperature sensor, accurate to 0.1 ℃. Fireproof case, high-quality power cord, all professionally designed for your safe printing.
- Small Size: Our 3D printer heater is compact, measuring 10.8 x 5.7 x 3.2 cm (4.25 x 2.24 x 1.25 inches) and weighing 117 grams. It is perfect for 8-15 inch resin 3D printers. The heater can raise the temperature from 40°F to 80°F in just 10 minutes, making it ideal for use in cold weather.
- Four-Spool Filament Dryer Box - SUNLU S4 is the first filament dryer box capable of accommodating four 1kg spools simultaneously. It is equipped with eight filament holes and PTFE tubes, meeting the demands for drying multiple filaments and enabling concurrent printing with multiple printers.
- Fast Heating & Drying Evenly - The SUNLU S4 filament dryer is equipped with a PTC heating element and a triple-fan configuration. The interior heat is efficiently circulated with three fans, making the heating process more even. Additionally, the S4 filament dry box achieves rapid heating up to 70 °C in record time. The robust 350W PTC heater is 6.9 times more powerful than the SUNLU S2, ensuring an accelerated and efficient filament drying experience.
- Auto Humidity Control - The SUNLU FilaDryer S4 incorporates a high-precision humidity sensor, displaying real-time interior humidity. Even when the filament dryer is in standby, it will automatically activate when the interior humidity reaches or exceeds 50%, preventing secondary moisture exposure. Thus, it can also serve as your filament storage box.
- Easy to Use - The adjustable temperature range is 35°C to 70°C, with a setting time from 0 to 99 hours. This 3D printer filament dryer features a large touch screen, providing a tablet-like operation experience. It also comes with pre-configured temperature and drying time settings for commonly used filaments such as PLA, ABS, PETG, as well as PA and PC. This reduces setup complexities and enhances your user experience.
- Universal Compatibility - The SUNLU S4 filament dehydrator is compatible with PLA, PLA+, PETG, TPU, ABS, PA, PC, Nylon, and other high-end 3D filaments. It works perfectly with all standard filament diameters: 1.75mm, 2.85mm, 3.00mm.
- 🌟 Compact & Versatile: Our Mini Heating Module easily fits most LCD 3D printers, providing a convenient solution for resin-based 3D printing enthusiasts
- 🌡️ Wide Temperature Control: Freely adjust the heating temperature, catering to your specific printing needs，Maximum power up to 200W
- 🔧 User-friendly Installation: Hassle-free setup without drilling or modifying your 3D printer's casing; neat and tidy cable management
- 🤫 Quiet Operation & High Performance: Low noise operation paired with 2 powerful dual-bearing fan , ensuring optimal efficiency
- 🔥 Powerful, Safe, & Reliable: Our module features a independent controller for fast heating, built-in overheat protection , and a durable design
- This heating mat is designed to keep a constant heat temperature environment for Green tent, 3D Printing and filament drying, reducing the bad impact to printed models when low-temperature weather, improving printing stability
- Three-Level Temperature Settings To prevent damage, particularly to plants, ensure you select the appropriate temperature for your intended use: 70°C: For ABS/PLA filament printing temperature compensation, filament drying, and root drying; 50°C: For drying 3D printing filaments; 30°C: For temperature compensation in plant growth box
- The three levels on the temperature control switch refer to the max surface temperature of the Mat. PLS note that the effects of the Heating Mat in raising the temperature can be influenced by external factors such as room temperature, the size of the enclosed environment, and the air tightness of the enclosure
- NOTE: If connect the power adapter directly to the Heating Mat (without the control switch), the Heater will heat immediately after power on to the temperature 70°C as default
- Heating Mat Size: 20×32cm, Input: 12V/3A, 36 watts; Power adapter Input: 100-240V,50/60HZ, Output: 12V/3A.
- 【Intelligent Temperature Control for Hassle-Free Printing】ELEGOO mini heater features precise and intelligent temperature control, ensuring optimal stability from start to finish. Say goodbye to frustrating issues like mid-print detachment, warping, and poor interlayer adhesion that hinder your progress.
- 【PTC Rapid Heating, Ultimate Speed & Efficiency】Experience the power of swift and efficient printing with the Mini Heater's advanced PTC heating technology. Overheating is prevented with the PTC element's self-regulating properties, providing enhanced safety throughout operation.
- 【Fresh Workspace, Assured By Air Filtration】Embrace the combination of cleanliness and precision with ELEGOO Intelligent temperature control Heater , which incorporates an efficient air filtration system, allowing to remove impurities and ensure a clean and purified printer chamber.
- 【Fresh Workspace, Assured By Air Filtration】Embrace the combination of cleanliness and precision with ELEGOO Intelligent temperature control Heater , which incorporates an efficient air filtration system, allowing to remove impurities and ensure a clean and purified printer chamber.
- 【10,000R/Min High-Speed Fan Enables Rapid Heat Transfer】Equipped with a 10,000R/Min high-speed fan, the Mini Heater provides optimal airflow and efficient, even heat distribution, eliminating hotspots and maintaining a consistent temperature, which ensures uniform melting and deposition of the print material for remarkable print quality.
- Advanced Control Board Technology: The 3D Printer Control Board for MKS Robin Nano utilizes a high-speed 32-bit ARM chip as its main control unit. With its TFT43 touch screen, users from a simple and intuitive interface, enhancing the overall printing experience.
- Upgradable and Customizable Firmware: This 3D Printer Motherboard Module allows for easy firmware upgrades through a memory card. Additionally, users can customize the user interface to meet their specific printing needs, ensuring a tailored experience.
- Remote Printing Capabilities: Enhance your printing efficiency with support for external modules, enabling remote model printing. This printer control board also provides a mobile app compatible for Android and for OS X systems, available in both Chinese and English, making it accessible and user-friendly.
- Flexible Drive Support: The 3D Printer Control Board for MKS supports flexible motor drive seating, accommodating 4988, 8825, and various direct plug-in drives. It also supports additional external drives, giving you the freedom to choose the best components for your unique printing projects.
- Efficient Power Management and Safety Features: This control board supports a wide power input range of 12V-24V, allowing compatibility with higher voltage systems while maintaining safety. With features like breakpoint continuous typing, power-off saving, and material break detection, it ensures efficient and throughout your printing tasks.
- This high power module is a general add-on heated bed power expansion module for 3D printer. With this add on module to your 3D printer motherboard, the maximum current up to 25A.
- Heat bed high power expansion module, solve the problem of excessive power and current load due to hot bed, and can well protect the connectors on the controller board from overheating.
- Very powerful MOSFET to withstand higher current than normal RAMPS or other 3D Printer controller can handle. Under the premise of normal cooling, it work stable under I(Max)=25A.
- The best connection is made of new materials, stainless steel and the high grade aluminum blocks, which give longer product life.
- This module is based on power MOSFET and will allow PID control of the heated bed (DC-DC Relays usually do not allow this).
Best 3d Printer Controllers Buying Guide
Before choosing the best 3D printer controller you should consider following options:
1. RAM Memory: RAM memory is the fastest form of computer memory. It acts as a temporary storage location for the operating system and program files a computer uses.
For 3D printer controllers, RAM memory is used to store information while programs run. It is important that you purchase a 3D printer controller with enough RAM memory to run the programs you will use.
If you are planning to print large, complex objects, you will need a 3D printer controller with at least 1GB of RAM memory. If you are using your 3D printer controller for simpler 3D printing jobs, 512MB will be enough.
2. Flash Memory: Flash memory is a non-volatile storage medium. This means that it can store information even when the power is off.
The information stored in flash memory is used to control the printer’s functions. 3D printer controllers with more flash memory have a higher level of customization.
If you are new to 3D printing and are unsure what settings to use when printing, a 3D printer controller with a limited amount of flash memory may be best.
3. ROM Memory: ROM memory is a non-rewritable form of computer memory that holds an operating system and program instructions.
For a 3D printer controller, ROM memory is used to store the operating system. A higher amount of ROM memory allows the 3D printer controller to run more efficiently and with fewer errors.
A 3D printer controller with 512MB of ROM memory is recommended for new users. Experienced users may find that a 3D printer controller with 1GB of ROM memory is more than enough.
What else you should know about 3d printer controllers
1. What are the different types of 3D printer controllers?
There are three main types of printer controllers:
1. Stand-alone controllers: These controllers are typically dedicated to a single printer and are not connected to a network. They are typically used for lower-end printers.
2. Embedded controllers: These controllers are built into the printer itself and are used for mid-range and high-end printers.
3. Networked controllers: These controllers are connected to a network and can be used to control multiple printers.
2. What are the benefits of using a 3D printer controller?
A printer controller is a device that helps manage printing jobs and sends them to the appropriate printer. It can be used to monitor the progress of print jobs, track printer usage, and control access to printers.
3. What are the features of a 3D printer controller?
Some features of a printer controller may include:
-The ability to connect to and control multiple printers simultaneously
-A user-friendly interface for managing print jobs
-Support for a variety of printing technologies (e.g., inkjet, laser, thermal, etc.)
-Advanced features for managing color printing, paper size and orientation, and other print job settings
4. How does a 3D printer controller work?
A printer controller is a device that connects a printer to a computer. It allows the computer to send data to the printer and receive data from the printer.
5. What are the limitations of a 3D printer controller?
Some printer controllers only work with specific types of printers, so if you change printers you may need to also change the controller. Printers also require specific types and amounts of ink or toner, which the controller may not be able to accommodate.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best 3d printer controllers. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best 3d printer controllers will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.