If you're looking to secure a deal on one of the best 3D printers this October Prime Day, then you've come to the right place. I've been covering Prime Day 3D printer deals for close to 3 years now, and I know exactly what you should be looking for (and what you should definitely avoid).
We usually see big savings on both single and multi-colour machines as brands prepare to clear stock ahead of the new year, but in all honesty, it's been a bit 'meh' this year. The top Prime Day 3D printer deals aren't actually on Amazon at all, and the number one rule for 3D printer shopping is to always try the manufacturer first.
Prime Day 3D printer deals: US
Prime Day 3D printer deals: UK
Buying advice
Before we all get ahead of ourselves, there are some things to consider when shopping for a 3D printer deal this Prime Day, and I'm going to run through them briefly below.
1. The best deals aren’t always at Amazon
If four years of covering Prime Day deals has taught me anything, it's that Amazon doesn't always have the best prices on the internet. If you're shopping for a 3D printer this Prime Day, take a look at Amazon – but also head over to the retailer's website, and I guarantee that you'll find a better price (or at least the same price) plus some extras thrown in like filament discounts and accessory add-ons.
2. Understand the different types of 3D printers
One of the most common shopping mistakes that people make when it comes to 3D printers is purchasing the wrong one for their specific needs, or when shopping for someone else. I'm part of a Facebook group where people are often buying resin printers for young adults (which is not a good idea at all) simply because they've found a good deal on one.
There are usually some excellent deals on resin 3D printers during Prime Day, sometimes even better than FDM ones, but that doesn't mean you should go all in and buy one. I recently shared my experience of learning to 3D print with resin and it wasn't easy at all.
With resin printing, you need to be prepared for extra mess, extra clean up, handling toxic liquid materials with gloves, wearing a respirator, finding a space with enough ventilation, washing and curing prints, and most importantly – being as safe as possible to avoid skin and eye irritation from uncured resin.
3. Set yourself a budget and stick to it
If you're new to 3D printing, then let me pre-warn you that this is a very expensive and addictive hobby. Once you've purchased a printer, the expenses don't stop there.
You'll need to pay for filament or resin materials as you go along (up to $20 / £20 per 1KG), as well as any part replacements you may need to keep the printer ticking along, and then there's also your electric bill to think about if you're running the printer 24/7.
When choosing a 3D printer this Amazon Prime Day, it's a good idea to attack it with a clear and strict budget in mind. Try not to be tempted to opt for the most premium model without factoring in the additional costs that I've mentioned above.
With that said, it can sometimes be better to opt for a more expensive model if it means you'll be saving yourself some costs in the long run from part replacements and materials. For example, the latest Bambu Lab H2D printer is ultra fancy, and has a double extruder, which seriously cuts down on filament waste (printer poop) from purging plastic from one nozzle for cleaner colour changes.
4. Buy your favourite filaments in bulk, if you can
I usually buy most, if not all, of my PLA filament from Amazon. It's quick and easy thanks to next-day delivery with Prime, but sometimes the prices on my favourite filament will fluctuate on a weekly basis. For this reason, I've decided that I'm going to start buying filament in bulk whenever I spot that it's on sale.
I recently reported that my fave rainbow pastel filament from iSANMATE was 20% off at Amazon, and so I bought 4 rolls (my bank account shed a tear). This approach is great when it comes to Prime Day sales, and if you're a seller of 3D prints at events and craft stalls, then it's a no-brainer to stock up on material while it's discounted.
Hopefully, the rest of you will have a bit more self-control than I do when it comes to impulse purchasing over Prime Day, but I'm really hoping to save as much as I can on fancy filaments to continue my progress on 3D printing cosplay props.
5. Stock up on hot ends and pricey accessories
Nobody can anticipate when a clog might occur in your 3D printer, but it will inevitably happen over time. This is why I think Prime Day is the perfect opportunity stock up on hot ends (nozzles) for your machine, as well as any other spare parts or accessories that you know you may need down the line.
For example, I plan on purchasing a new hot end as well as a SuperTack build plate from Bambu Lab for my X1 Carbon printer as soon as I can, as I just know that when the time comes that I need one of these tools, the price will be back to normal.
FAQS
When is Amazon Prime Day?
This year, Amazon's October Prime Day event will kick off on October 7th - 8th. Sitting just before Black Friday, I think it means we're in for a real rollercoaster with record-low deals on some of the top 3D printers you can get.
Should I hold off until Black Friday for better deals?
This is a tricky one to answer. While we don't know what deals will crop up during Black Friday, there's over a month between these two seasonal sales periods, so it really depends on how desperate you are to get your hands on a 3D printer sooner rather than later.
A lot of retailers understand the turmoil involved with consumers wanting to bag the best deal, and the waiting game that this can sometimes involve, in holding out for the best price. For this reason, many are offering price guarantees to put shoppers' minds at ease that they're getting a great deal that won't be beaten a few days/weeks later.
How can I get a good deal on a 3D printer?
I'm going to be tracking the best Amazon Prime Day 3D printer deals on this page as they come and go across both the US and UK, whilst linking you directly to any savings I find, so you know it's the real deal. I also look into a printer's price history whenever possible to decipher if a price really is the lowest ever, or simply a bluff (Amazon likes to lie sometimes).
My advice is to consider what kind of 3D printer you really want/need (and what you want to make). That way, you can track and keep tabs on the prices of specific 3D printer models that interest you, while sticking true to your budget.
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