Top 10 Best 3D Printers for Architects (Reviews & Buyers’ Guide 2022)

The fastest rising 3D printer on the market, the Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer is the best 3D printer for architects and even beginners. What makes this an easy choice is its similarly easy DIY assembly. But make no mistake—while its semi-assembled kit is easy to set up, it doesn’t compromise on quality results.

Boasting a positioning accuracy of ±0.1 millimeters and a layer resolution of 100 to 400 microns, this 3D printer for architects will turn your ideas into lifelike architectural models with the finest details. Even better, it offers a fast print speed of 200 millimeters per second, letting you spend less time on printing and more time on completing your scale model.

Users love this Creality 3D printer because of its impressive print quality, even without any modifications. It comes highly recommended for anyone who’s just getting into 3D printing for architectural models and other projects.

Using the most common 3D printing technology, fused deposition modeling (FDM), the Ender 3 Pro accepts a wide range of filaments—from polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to wood, carbon fiber, and more. Because of its print technology, this 3D printer for architects is also one of the cheapest 3D printers out there.

The Creality Ender 3 Pro is an upgrade from Ender 3, and it’s designed with a sturdier 40 x 40 aluminum extrusion for its Y-axis frame, a magnetic platform sticker, and a Meanwell power supply unit (PSU). Its redesign makes it more stable, quieter, thinner, and more durable than the original Ender 3. So if you’re printing out tons of scale models, you won’t have to worry about a wobbly printer affecting your print quality.

Lastly, the Creality Ender 3 Pro features a UL-certified power supply that keeps the printer safe from unexpected power outages while heating the build plate to 230 degrees Fahrenheit in just 5 minutes. Efficient, precise, and offering a number of convenient features, the Creality Ender 3 Pro truly is the best 3D printer for architects this 2021.

If you want the best bang for your buck, the original Creality Ender 3 3D Printer is definitely a wise investment. The cheapest of the best 3D printers for architects, it has most of the convenient features of the Creality Ender 3 Pro, allowing you to print out high-quality scale models without breaking the bank.

Like the Ender 3 Pro, this one allows for a quick assembly, which takes roughly two hours. It’s also capable of heating up the build plate in 5 minutes and resuming its printing after an unexpected power outage.

This 3D printer for architects features an advanced extruder technology, which reduces the risk of outlet failure. It also comes with a V-shaped slot with polyacetal or polyoxymethylene (POM) wheels for a smooth and noiseless printing operation.

For high-precision printing results, it comes with a CNC machine on its Y-rail groove and a large bed leveling knob, ensuring an accurate and stable printing performance. With all of its features, this 3D printer can give you the most flawless of miniatures without the need to frequently re-level the bed or other kinds of maintenance.

Users found the original Creality Ender 3 3D printer a sturdy, reliable, and easy-to-use unit overall. Without a doubt, there’s no better printer for its price.

With a monochrome LCD and 2K HD resolution, the ELEGOO Mars 2 Mono LCD MSLA 3D Printer offers an efficient and stable printing performance with less maintenance. It comes high up on this list of the best 3D printers for architects not only because of its affordable price but also because of its state-of-the-art UV photocuring technology.

What its LCD printing technology does is that it ensures a uniform light emission, an impressive heat dissipation performance, and an excellent luminous maintenance rate—guaranteeing a perfect scale model with every print.

Users say that this ELEGOO Mars 3D printer is less susceptible to print failures than FDM printers and produces detailed products in high resolution. With its few settings, it’s certainly easy to set up, use, and maintain.

Featuring a CNC-machined aluminum body and sandblasted build plate, this ELEGOO Mars 3D printer offers consistent printing, stronger printing adherence, and a lifetime of use. And if you’re not a native English speaker, this 3D printer is perfect as it comes with an operating system that supports over 10 different languages.

Adopting a matrix parallel light source, the Anycubic Photon Mono 3D Printer features uniform light exposure, excellent heat dissipation, and precise results overall. One of the best 3D printers for architects, it boasts a printing speed that’s 2.5 times faster than regular 3D printers—a time-saving feature that comes in handy for the busiest of professionals.

Worried about harmful ultraviolet rays? Not a problem. This Anycubic Photon 3D printer comes equipped with a translucent cover, which locks in up to 99.95% of UV rays while letting you easily view your printed scale models. But that’s not all it can do—this cover, along with the printer’s monochrome LCD with 2K HD resolution, also allows for a quick curing time of 1.5 seconds per layer exposure.

Users can attest to the fact that this Anycubic 3D printer offers fast, high-quality print results and easy leveling. Plus, it automatically stops after its top is removed, and it comes with UL, CE, and ETL certifications, ensuring the utmost safety with every print.

With a 6.5-millimeter build plate made of the same aluminum used in the aerospace industry, the FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro provides uniform heat and consistent quality results—no matter which filament you’re using. Compatible with a wide variety of filaments, it’s no doubt one of the best 3D printers for architects that can produce prints in dual colors and dual filaments.

Featuring a patented nozzle design, this FlashForge 3D printer offers smooth and steady printing performance, perfect for printing out miniatures and scale models. Designed with a fully enclosed acrylic cover and LED light, it can lock in heat while allowing a 45-degree view of your prints.

With a sturdy metal frame, this FlashForge 3D printer is a lot more stable and durable than other 3D printers. It also comes complete with an integrated button board and LCD screen for ease of use and control. From professionals to beginners, customers like how this model eliminates the many difficulties that 3D printing presents.

Another easy-to-use and stable 3D printer, the Anycubic MEGA X 3D Printer is easily one of the best 3D printers for architects and beginners alike. What makes this Anycubic 3D printer worth the investment is that it has a larger leveling knob, which lets you level the heat bed with just a push from your finger. It also comes with a 3.5-inch touch screen with a user-friendly interface, allowing for a simple yet convenient operation.

For an open FDM 3D printer, this Anycubic 3D printer boasts a relatively high layer resolution of 50 to 300 microns, enabling it to produce quality scale models with the sharpest details. Equipped with an all-metal body, powerful Titan extruder, Y-axis guide rail with an aluminum profile module, and Z-axis double-screw motor design, it provides greater torque, smooth feeding, and a stable and accurate printing performance overall.

Users can all agree that this Anycubic 3D printer requires virtually no maintenance and poses no problem even after years of use. Plus, it’s easy to assemble, which took some users just about 10 minutes to complete.

Ever heard of a 3D-printed sports car? Well, that real-life sports car was printed using one of QIDI TECH 3D printers. One of the best 3D printers for architects, the QIDI TECH X-Plus 3D Printer boasts an intelligent industrial-grade technology that supports the largest of your architectural projects.

What sets this QIDI TECH 3D printer apart from all others is its design, which accommodates various printing capabilities. Featuring two sets of QIDI extruders, two ways of feeding the filament, and a flexible double-sided metal plate, it can print using either general materials, like PLA, TPU, and ABS, or advanced filaments, such as carbon fiber, PC, or nylon.

With a double Z-axis motor structure, this QIDI 3D printer offers stable performance and large solid prints at 10.6 by 7.9 by 7.9 inches. It also comes with a WiFi connection, a 4.3-inch touch screen with a user-friendly interface, and a button for quick and easy leveling. Users even say that the printer seems to have a sturdy build, and it can print out a lot of large objects perfectly while being fairly easy to use.

Despite all these powerful features, it produces little noise and fumes because of its air filtration system. So if you’re planning to get a 3D printer for large projects, this QIDI TECH 3D printer is your best bet.

Another affordable option made the list of the best 3D printers for architects: the QIDI TECH X-one2 Single Extruder 3D Printer. Marrying affordability with various useful features, this 3D printer offers great value for the money.

A plug-and-play unit, this QIDI TECH 3D printer comes conveniently pre-assembled. Users found it quick to set up and tried printing out test files that all came out perfectly in their first attempt.

To add to its ease of use, this QIDI 3D printer comes with a 3.5-inch touch screen LCD with large icons and a responsive user-friendly interface. It also features an aluminum heat plate covered with polyetherimide (PEI), creating a smooth building surface for a stable printing performance.

With a semi-enclosed design, this QIDI TECH 3D printer guarantees successful printing results, especially with ABS or other temperature-sensitive filaments. So go ahead, try this printer out, and have peace of mind knowing that you’ll get quality architectural models with every print.

If you’re looking for a powerhouse of a printer, the QIDI TECH X-Max 3D Printer is a perfect choice. Like the QIDI TECH X-Plus, this one features a WiFi connection and an intelligent industrial-grade design for large print sizes. But compared to the X-Plus, it can print larger scale models with a build volume of 11.8 by 11.8 by 9.8 inches.

Whether you’re working with standard filaments or advanced materials, this QIDI TECH 3D printer can provide quality results with each print. Because of its two extruders and double-sided plate, it accepts a wide range of filaments—from ABS, PLA, and TPU to nylon and carbon fiber.

With a layer resolution of 50 to 400 microns, this QIDI 3D printer can turn design concepts into detailed, lifelike scale models. And you don’t have to worry about accidentally ruining your model as you remove it from the printer. Since its double-side plate is removable and flexible, you’ll have an easier time taking your architectural models out of the printer.

The largest of QIDI TECH X series printers, it comes with a 5-inch touch screen, which allows for an easy and intuitive operation. Users highly recommend this QIDI 3D printer for hobbyists and industrial applications as well.

While the Anycubic Chiron 3D Printer comes last on the list, there’s a lot of good reasons why it’s worth the investment.

First, it offers the largest build volume among the best 3D printers for architects. Printing out models with a maximum size of 17.72 by 15.75 by 15.75 inches at 50 to 300 microns of layer resolution, this Anycubic 3D printer can produce large architectural models with highly accurate details.

Second, it features an automatic leveling matrix, which supports real-time adjustment as it operates. It even comes with a filament sensor so that you’ll know right off the bat when the filament breaks or runs out.

Apart from its automatic leveling matrix, this Anycubic 3D printer has a double Z-limit switch, which lets you have a completely stable and level heat bed. With its Ultrabase bed platform, it performs with excellent printing adhesion while letting you have an easy time taking your models out of the printer.

Users report that because of the 3D printer’s leveling capabilities, they have gotten perfect print results on every occasion. All in all, this Anycubic Chiron 3D Printer allows for easy fine-tuning and is fully capable for the most challenging of scale model projects.