I can recommend the Elegoo Centauri Carbon, a CoreXY and enclosed 3D printer that is raved on by reviews. If you will only print PLA, PETG, and maybe some ABS with a bit of tinkering with settings, it’s a nice option. They do now sell the “Canvas” as an add-on for the Centauri Carbon. It looks like it has, as of writing this edit, sold out, so it is certainly very popular! The CC won’t be as good for engineering-type filaments though since it lacks a heated chamber.
The Qidi Q2 is an upgraded version of the Q1 Pro, the latter having been noted as an exceptional value. The Q2 is relatively new and doesn’t have too many reviews, but from the specs, it is a big jump from the Q1 Pro (it has a heated chamber, for example). It includes a heated chamber, so it works better for engineering-type filaments. The Q2 is also compatible with their “Qidi Box” multi-material unit.
And of course, if you want the most reliable machine with the best customer service, you have Prusa’s Core One. It’s expensive, but you’re supporting a company that emphasises upgradeability and manufactures their hardware in Europe. It won’t be the best value though purely based on feature set, but if you like what Prusa stands for, that could be of value to you!
Of course, Prusa will be the most open choice aside from something like a Voron kit, but Elegoo, Qidi, etc. will at least be more open than Bambu.
I believe the Elegoo CC uses a modified version of Klipper that isn’t open, so that might be a concern for you. After a bit of searching, I found OpenCentauri, a project that aims to bring an open version of Klipper to the Centauri Carbon: https://docs.opencentauri.cc/
I think Qidi is in a similar boat, but haven’t looked into it.
You might also want to check out Sovol, they make decently open printers too that are more affordable than Prusa.
edit: More searching later, looks like OrcaSlicer will work for both Qidi and the Elegoo CC. However, it does not work on the newer CC2, and the Qidi Box (and presumably the Elegoo Canvas) is also not supported. Something to keep in mind.
I don’t keep up with 3D printer news or releases but I have a bottom of the line anycubic resin printer. Literally the cheapest I could find, and the thing is excellent. Prints great detail, invisible layer lines if I dial in the settings, really easy to setup and I can use any slicer, just load up the file on a USB stick and plug it into the printer and it goes.
Haha was just about to buy one. Whats a good alternative hassle free printer that is still open?
AFAIK, Prusa is the leader in balancing openness, quality and ease of use.
Of course, since they’re in the EU and pay their staff living wages, they are also more expensive.
copied with some changes from another comment:
I can recommend the Elegoo Centauri Carbon, a CoreXY and enclosed 3D printer that is raved on by reviews. If you will only print PLA, PETG, and maybe some ABS with a bit of tinkering with settings, it’s a nice option. They do now sell the “Canvas” as an add-on for the Centauri Carbon. It looks like it has, as of writing this edit, sold out, so it is certainly very popular! The CC won’t be as good for engineering-type filaments though since it lacks a heated chamber.
The Qidi Q2 is an upgraded version of the Q1 Pro, the latter having been noted as an exceptional value. The Q2 is relatively new and doesn’t have too many reviews, but from the specs, it is a big jump from the Q1 Pro (it has a heated chamber, for example). It includes a heated chamber, so it works better for engineering-type filaments. The Q2 is also compatible with their “Qidi Box” multi-material unit.
And of course, if you want the most reliable machine with the best customer service, you have Prusa’s Core One. It’s expensive, but you’re supporting a company that emphasises upgradeability and manufactures their hardware in Europe. It won’t be the best value though purely based on feature set, but if you like what Prusa stands for, that could be of value to you!
Of course, Prusa will be the most open choice aside from something like a Voron kit, but Elegoo, Qidi, etc. will at least be more open than Bambu.
I believe the Elegoo CC uses a modified version of Klipper that isn’t open, so that might be a concern for you. After a bit of searching, I found OpenCentauri, a project that aims to bring an open version of Klipper to the Centauri Carbon: https://docs.opencentauri.cc/
I think Qidi is in a similar boat, but haven’t looked into it.
You might also want to check out Sovol, they make decently open printers too that are more affordable than Prusa.
edit: More searching later, looks like OrcaSlicer will work for both Qidi and the Elegoo CC. However, it does not work on the newer CC2, and the Qidi Box (and presumably the Elegoo Canvas) is also not supported. Something to keep in mind.
Thanks!
I don’t keep up with 3D printer news or releases but I have a bottom of the line anycubic resin printer. Literally the cheapest I could find, and the thing is excellent. Prints great detail, invisible layer lines if I dial in the settings, really easy to setup and I can use any slicer, just load up the file on a USB stick and plug it into the printer and it goes.
Snapmaker U1 has been great
I’ve saved so much money in purged filament it’s pretty much paid for itself at this point
Prusa or make your own corexy
I’ve really enjoyed my Elegoo printers. I have both an SLA and an FDM from them. Never really had any complaints in the few years I’ve had them.