Technologies like SLS have become more affordable for small businesses to consider – so I’ve reviewed the top industrial 3D printers under $20,000 available in 2024, and here are my opinions:

Affordable Choice
Best Industrial 3D Printer Overall
Top SLS Option
4.4
5.0
4.7
$3,999.00
$8,299.00
$13,990.0
305 x 305 x 605 mm
330 x 240 x 300 mm
110 x 150 x 150 mm
52kg
30kg
41kg
FDM
FDM
SLS
ASA, ABS, PLA, PP, TPU, PETG, Nylon, Carbon Fiber
PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, CPE, Nylon, TPU, PP and many more
Nylon, Carbon Fiber, TPU, PP, Rubber and metal composites
Affordable Choice
4.4
$3,999.00
305 x 305 x 605 mm
52kg
FDM
ASA, ABS, PLA, PP, TPU, PETG, Nylon, Carbon Fiber
Best Industrial 3D Printer Overall
5.0
$8,299.00
330 x 240 x 300 mm
30kg
FDM
PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, CPE, Nylon, TPU, PP and many more
Top SLS Option
4.7
$13,990.0
110 x 150 x 150 mm
41kg
SLS
Nylon, Carbon Fiber, TPU, PP, Rubber and metal composites
03/07/2024 03:31 pm GMT

In my testing, the Ultimaker 7 consistently produced flawless dual extrusion prints – rivaling systems costing far more.

The easy setup and user-friendly operation make it my top pick for design firms, machine shops, and mid-range users needing reliable, accurate prints.

For industrial SLS printing, the Sinterit Lisa is the best way to leverage this powerful technology to batch print complex geometries more efficiently.

If your budget is tight, the Raise3D Pro2 Plus packs impressive reliability, accuracy, and versatility into an affordable industrial FDM printer. It’s a great starter machine for small businesses.

In this guide, I’ll compare all the best industrial 3D printers I tested across important factors like build volume, print quality, and operating costs, so you can make the right choice for your business without overspending.

Top Picks

Quick Overview

  1. Ultimaker 7 – Professional-grade dual extrusion 3D printer with easy operation
  2. Sinterit Lisa – Entry-level industrial SLS 3D printing
  3. Raise3D Pro2 Plus – Budget reliable, versatile industrial FDM printing
  4. Ultimaker S5 – Premium industrial printing with advanced features
  5. Formlabs Form 3 – High-precision resin printing for professional applications
  6. Intamsys Funmat HT – Versatile, low-cost industrial printing including PEEK
  7. Nexa3D QLS 236 – High print speed SLS device for accelerated prototyping and production

The Top Industrial 3D Printers in 2024 – Reviews

1. Ultimaker S7 – Top Pick Overall

Pros

Professional-grade, solid print quality

Easy setup and operation

Reliable dual extrusion

Cons

Moderate print speed

Significant noise

Tricky support settings

As the latest professional 3D printer from Ultimaker, the S7 produces high-quality prints rivaling more expensive machines. In my experience, it’s easy to set up right out of the box and user-friendly for novices to operate.

Dual extrusion with the swappable print cores allows complex models with multi-material elements, and I found it super simple to use with Cura slicer software for smooth and frustration-free 3D printing.

I found the build volume to be ample for most small-batch prototyping jobs, and WiFi monitoring through an onboard overhead camera let me check up on longer prints remotely.

The downsides are that despite the enclosure, this device does make a significant noise (about the same as a regular paper printer) and I found that support can also be tricky to dial in perfectly for overhangs.

But for the price point, the S7 delivers reliable, accurate, professional-grade prints for product design firms, machine shops, universities, and other mid-range users. It’s a great value proposition striking an optimal balance of pro-level capabilities and affordability.

Best Industrial 3D Printer Overall
UltiMaker S7
5.0
$8299

An easy-to-use professional 3D printer producing high-quality dual extrusion prints.

Despite some limitations in speed and noise levels; it strikes an optimal balance of capabilities and affordability for mid-range users.

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2. Sinterit Lisa – Top SLS Printer Under $20K

sinterit lisa industrial sls 3d printer

Pros

One of the lowest cost industrial SLS 3D printers.

Precisely designed calibration and testing procedure.

Sinterit has their own dedicated software and sells accessories.

Cons

Small build volume.

The Sinterit Lisa is one of the lowest-cost industrial SLS 3D printers around, bringing all the main advantages of selective laser sintering but without the price tag.

Made in Poland, every machine passes a “precisely designed calibration and testing procedure” according to Sinterit.

The main advantage of SLS 3D printing is that you don’t need to print supports, saving time and money on powder.

You can also print multiple parts concurrently in the build platform, and so is perfect for businesses printing multiple parts at once, or printing many similar parts that are slightly different to test which prototype is best.

The Sinterit Lisa can perform all these functions with ease with its 0.05mm X and Y axis accuracy, and up to 0.075mm Z-axis precision.

Sinterit has designed its own dedicated software, and sells accessories including the Sandblaster as well as specialized SLS powder materials. You can control and print via the Sinterit Lisa’s 4-inch touchscreen, as well as by WiFi or USB.

Best First SLS 3D Printer
Sinterit Lisa
5.0
$13,990

This impressive starter SLS machine offers affordable, precise desktop 3D printing.

150 x 200 x 150 mm build volume and compatibility for PA12 nylon and Flexa materials.

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3. Raise3D Pro2 Plus – For Large FDM Prototypes

raise3d pro2 plus industrial 3d printer

Pros

Reliable, accurate, and versatile.

Has an industrial build plate to prevent warping.

The 7-inch touchscreen features a very ergonomic UI.

Maximum temperature of 300°C.

Cons

More expensive than alternatives offering similar specs.

Raise3D offers both the Pro2 and the Pro2 Plus as industrial FDM 3D printers offering fantastic reliability, accuracy, and versatility – with the Pro2 Plus offering a larger 605 mm Z-axis for tall parts compared with the Pro2’s 300mm.

The printer can print with 100-micron resolution, has an industrial build plate to prevent part warping, and a fully enclosed chamber to keep printing conditions consistent. The dual extruder allows for multi-material printing, such as for supports or for any printing process that requires two different colors.

The 7-inch touchscreen features a very ergonomic UI and provides useful on-screen visualizations during printing. Moreover, if you do have any problems Raise3D has US-based tech support to provide solutions.

The maximum temperature of 300°C creates a lot of opportunities for filament printing; the Raise3D Pro2 Plus can print not only standard 3D printer filaments like ABS, PLA, PETG, Nylon, but also carbon fiber infused, metal-filled, and glass-infused filaments.

You can connect wirelessly using IdeaMaker – Raise3D’s 3D slicer software – to control and monitor printing remotely.

Industrial Precision, Prosumer Price
Raise3D Pro2 Plus
4.0
$3,999.00

Known for its accuracy and versatility, with a large build area and dual extruders capable of handling a variety of materials.

Offers intricate detailing with minimum layer heights of 0.01mm.

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03/07/2024 03:31 pm GMT

4. Ultimaker S5 (& Pro Bundle) – Excellent Value For Money

ultimaker s5

Pros

Incredibly accurate and functional prototypes and parts can be printed.

Can print high-strength glass and carbon fiber filaments.

The 4.7-inch touchscreen is easy to use.

Cons

Expensive: some may still prefer the S3 to save $2,000.

The Ultimaker S7 has taken over as Ultimaker’s flagship industrial 3D printer. But its predecessor, the Ultimaker S5, has become an appealing cheaper option since the S7’s release.

If you don’t require all the latest features of the S7 like the top-down camera and magnetic build plate, the S5 still delivers high precision (an incredibly accurate 20-micron layer resolution) at a more affordable $5,499 price point.

This means functional prototypes and parts can be printed to test functionality and shape, with partners including VW, Siemens, L’Oreal and Ford clearly seeing benefits to their production by using Ultimaker 3D printers.

It can even print high-strength glass and carbon fiber filaments, with the latter especially having key applications in strong prototype and part production.

The 4.7-inch touchscreen is easy to use and has won design awards, and you can print with Ultimaker filaments or any third-party 2.85mm filament — the S5 features an open filament system. Some architects have used the Ultimaker combined with a Palette to create multi-color architectural model prototypes.

ultimaker s5 pro bundle industrial fdm printer
The Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle with the Air Manager on top, and Material Handler underneath.

Ultimaker also sells the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle, featuring an S5 as well as an Air Manager that goes on top of the printer that captures 95% of ultra-fine particles, and a Material Station that goes underneath the printer. The Material Station can hold up to six filament spools and can automatically switch between each one depending on what material or color you need to use.

This allows for far more scalable and continuous printing — Ultimaker sells it as a 24/7 productivity feature. The S5 Pro Bundle costs around $9,000, and is one of the most highly regarded industrial FDM 3D printers around.

Incredible Accuracy
UltiMaker S5
4.5
$6950

The Ultimaker S5 excels in precision and quality, offering reliable dual extrusion alongside high-end features like remote monitoring via a built-in camera.

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5. Formlabs Form 3 – Ultra-Affordable High Precision Resin 3D Printer

Pros

Uses LFS to provide high-quality, precise, and crisp surface finish parts.

Great for the dental, medical, and jewelry industries.

Ideal for really precise functional prototypes.

Cons

Small build area – so less suited for larger models such as for architectural mockups.

The Form 2 was already a mainstay in dental 3D printing, medical device printing and in 3D printed jewelry, and the Form 3 expands on this further with several key upgrades.

formlabs form 3 industrial sla resin 3d printer

It uses Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) to provide extremely high quality, precise (up to 25-micron XY resolution), and crisp surface finish prints that are clear and accurate.

And for those looking for resin 3D printers with a larger build volume, Formlabs also sells the Form 3L, featuring a far larger 335 x 200 x 300 mm build volume.

No FDM 3D printer will be able to match the smooth surface area of a Formlabs resin print, making the Form 3 ideal for really precise functional prototypes – Formlabs show an example of 3D printed glasses on their site – as well as for intricate pieces like jewelry and dental parts, or custom pieces like hearing aids.

Industrial-level Resin 3D Printer
Formlabs 3D Printers: Form 3
5.0
$2499.00

The Form 3 resin printer uses Low Force Stereolithography for incredibly precise, high-quality prints ideal for dental, medical devices and jewelry projects.

Enjoy highly detailed prototypes - even if the build area is a touch small.


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6. Intamsys Funmat HT Enhanced – Best for PEEK and Other High-Temperature Materials

Pros

Two interchangeable hot ends.

Versatile not just as an industrial or abrasive filament 3D printer, but also as an accurate 3D printer for more standard filaments.

50-micron minimum layer thickness.

Low price and effective.

Cons

Can be difficult to upgrade.

No WiFi connectivity.

The Intamsys Funmat HT has two interchangeable hot ends depending on whether you want to print standard filaments like PLA and ABS, or industrial 3D printer filaments like PEEK and ULTEM.

This makes it versatile not just as an industrial or abrasive filament 3D printer, but also as an accurate 3D printer for more standard filaments for everyday rapid prototyping.

intamsys funmat ht

With a 50-micron minimum layer thickness, small businesses and industrial clients will have no problem 3D printing PEEK, Nylon, or other industrial grade materials. The Intamsys Funmat HT offers a great alternative to using 3D printing services to 3D print PEEK and other industrial filaments, costing around $6,000, far less than previous industrial PEEK 3D printers.

The Funmat HT’s low price and effectiveness have seen it used to 3D print aerospace, automotive, engineering, and medical sector parts.

It is also used in general R&D, and overall is considered a great 3D printer, offering industrial 3D printing on a smaller scale and the 3D printing of the toughest filaments around, at far more affordable prices.

Ideal for Exotic Filaments
Intamsys FunMat HT
4.0
$5495

The Intamsys Funmat HT is a versatile, affordable industrial 3D printer.

It uses interchangeable hotends for printing standard and abrasive filaments like PEEK with accuracy and effectiveness.

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7. Nexa3D QLS 236 – Super Fast SLS 3D Printing

Speedy Industrial SLS Printer
Nexa3D QLS 236
4.0

Fast, high quality SLS printing in a compact professional package, with 21 hour cycles and 0.06mm resolution.

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Pros

Blazing fast 21-hour print cycles

Durable, accurate thermoplastic parts

Compact size, easy to use

Cons

Small build volume

Not for full-scale production

The Nexa3D QLS 236 makes industrial SLS 3D printing far more accessible for bringing new products to market faster.

With a 21-hour print cycle, the QLS 236 can churn out parts at a rate of one build per day – a vast improvement over the multi-day cycles of traditional SLS systems – ideal for startups and R&D teams alike

In my experience, the dimensional accuracy of 0.2mm and creates highly accurate and complex thermoplastic parts ready for functional testing and end-use.

The open material platform also allows the use of a wide range of polyamides, PP, PBT, TPUs, and even recycled powders for a sustainable (and cheap) option.

The 230 x 230 x 250 mm build volume makes the QLS 236 ideal for printing batches of small to medium-sized parts.

You’ll need a larger device for full-scale production, but the QLS 236 hits the sweet spot for accelerating prototyping and early manufacturing.

How Much Does an Industrial 3D Printer Cost?

Industrial 3D printer prices really depend on the quality and type of 3D printer you’re using, and what you’re planning to produce or prototype.

There are resin 3D printers such as the Formlabs 3 that sell for $3,499 that can print industrial quality pieces in sectors such as dentistry, education, medical, and jewelry, and other printers such as the Ultimaker S3 and S5, Makerbot Method, Intamsys Funmat HT, and others that cover the prosumer 3D printer market.

Beyond this, there are machines costing between $10,000 to $100,000, such as FDM 3D printers like the BigRep Studio, and Markforged’s Metal X metal 3D printer, and the best industrial 3D printers such as those sold by EOS, Carbon 3D and Desktop Metal that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

We have recommended the best industrial 3D printers in the $3,000-$6,000 range, as well as higher-priced commercial machines.

How to Decide Which Industrial 3D Printer to Buy?

There are several factors to consider, most notably:

  • Size: consider both the industrial 3D printer’s size in terms of build volume (maximum size of parts you can print), and the total area the printer encompasses. You may not have the space to store the printer, or need the extra build volume.
  • 3D printing technology: there are a range of technologies within 3D printing, which we explain in our free 3D printing eBook. Do you prioritize cheap part printing, or extremely detailed surface quality? These will determine which technology you need, and therefore which industrial 3D printer to buy.
  • Industrial Grade Materials: are you looking to 3D print polymers like PLA, ABS or Nylon? If so, you have options between FDM (all 3), or SLS (Nylon). If you’re looking to 3D print metal materials such as aluminum or titanium, you’ll have to buy a DMLS, EBM, Binder Jetting, or other metal 3D printers.
  • Print Speed: some types of 3D printers print much faster than others, even within the same technology. DLP 3D printing is typically faster than SLA, and delta 3D printers almost always have faster print speed than Cartesians.
  • Does it require a trained operator: expensive, complex and high-quality industrial 3D printers often require a skilled operator to ensure the printing process goes smoothly and the correct temperatures are maintained. This adds to costs but may be necessary for your prototyping, and is something to keep in mind.
  • Resolution: different 3D printers have different levels of accuracy, precision and resolution. Resin 3D printers are more accurate than FDM 3D printers, and material jetting printers have some of the highest resolutions of industrial 3D printers available on the market today.
  • Ability to print full color: some 3D printing technologies are limited to a single color based on the metal / polymer powder, filament or resin, whereas some can print in full color such as Binder Jetting and Multi Jet Fusion.

Why Use an Industrial 3D Printer?

Industrial 3D printers are used for rapid prototyping in tandem with 3D CAD software for product design (although occasionally CNC machines are used instead).

3D printers can quickly print small-scale versions of final products to test the design or functionality, with any mistakes able to be instantly changed by editing the 3D model and re-printing the next iteration for testing. Rapid prototyping is frequently used in the aerospace, automotive, and medical sectors.

Since 3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing, there is no waste from removed materials such as with CNC machines.

This makes industrial 3D printing very valuable in industries where saving on expensive materials is important, such as metal 3D printing.

3D printers can also create parts with differing infill percentages, leading to lighter yet still very strong metal parts —  extremely valuable in the automotive and aerospace sectors where cutting weight can noticeably increase profit margins.

What’s Changed?

October 11th 2023 updates:

We’ve refreshed this guide to provide the most helpful, up-to-date suggestions:

  • The Ultimaker S7 has replaced the S5 as our current top pick.
  • The S5 now becomes a more affordable offering since the S7’s release. It still provides fantastic quality and reliability for those who don’t require the S7’s newest features.
  • Added the Nexa3D QLS 236 as another SLS option for functional prototypes.
  • The guide now contains even more detail on real-world use cases, print quality assessments, and pros vs cons based on hands-on testing and user experiences.

Jan 2024 updates:

  • Updated pricing information for 2024.

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