- Last Updated: January 19, 2023
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Pat Nathaniel
If you want a faster version of 3D printing that is insanely fun to watch, delta 3D printing is the only option.
We’ve researched 17 different delta printers and selected the top 6 to make sure you’re not wasting hundreds of dollars on a clunker.
Let’s dive into some of the best delta 3D printers on the market and how to pick the right one for you.
Best Delta 3D Printers At A Glance
When choosing a delta 3D printer keep in mind the different features you’re looking for. The 3D printers outlined below excel in different categories:
1. Monoprice Mini Delta V2 (Best Value)
2. FLSUN Super Racer (SR) (Best Choice)
3. Delta WASP 2040 PRO (Premium Choice)
4. FLSUN QQ-S Pro (Easy to Use)
5. HE3D K280 Delta DIY (Best for Beginner to Advanced Users)
6. SeeMeCNC Rostock MAX V4 (Industrial Grade)
3D Printer Type: FFF | Materials: PLA | Build Volume: 110 x 110 x 120 mm | Layer Resolution: 50 microns
The first iteration of Monoprice’s Mini Delta was already a great deal. So is its successor, Mini Delta V2 — but it’s gotten better.
The original Mini Delta had some issues with its automatic bed leveling, Wi-Fi module, and other features. I’m happy to tell you that Monoprice has listened to user feedback.
Mini Delta V2 is easier to operate with a revamped touchscreen and integrated Wi-Fi connectivity. It’s ready to go pretty much out of the box, so you’ll be printing in no time.
The familiar sturdy metal construction reduces vibrations. Thanks to the improved bed leveling, you can expect slightly better print quality than with the previous version.
Of course, not everything will be perfect at such a low cost. The print speed and volume are both pretty unimpressive. Additionally, due to the low-temp bed, you’re basically restricted to printing with PLA only.
But if you’re looking for a very budget-friendly delta 3D printer, you’ve found it.
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Decent print quality
- Auto-leveling
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Easy to set up
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Small print volume
- Slow printing for a delta machine
- Prints only with PLA
3D Printer Type: FDM | Materials: PLA, ABS, PETG & Flexibles | Build Volume: 260 x 260 x 330 mm | Layer Resolution: 50 microns
If you’re ever going to buy just one delta 3D printer, stop what you’re doing. Go and get the FLSUN Super Racer.
The Super Racer simply puts everything good about delta 3D printers in one package.
That machine isn’t called Super Raced for nothing. It can reach ridiculously fast print speeds of 200 mm/s. You might expect the print quality to become garbage at those speeds, but this beast still manages to produce decent prints.
And if you settle for a lower speed, the prints come out with great details. Super Racer also has a generously-sized build chamber so you can print big components fast.
As a stroke of genius, the touchscreen has a stretchy cable and attaches to the printer frame with a magnet. No more straining your back while hunching over the machine.
Setup takes only about 15 minutes or less and Super Racer has automated bed leveling. You can get to printing quickly. But you may have to tweak your settings carefully to get the optimal speed/quality ratio.
It’s well worth your time to do so, though. FLsun Super Racer is simply a great delta 3D printer.
(NOTE: Some older Super Racer machines will need a firmware update to activate the USB slot. For some inconceivable reason it used to be disabled by default.)
Pros
- Blistering speed
- Good print quality
- Detachable touchscreen
- Works practically out of the box
- Automated leveling
- Good value
- Large print volume
Cons
- Needs carefully tuned settings
- Hot end could get hotter
- May need firmware updates to activate the USB slot
3D Printer Type: FDM | Materials: PLA, PETG, ABS & PA Carbon | Build Volume: 200 x 200 x 400 mm | Layer Resolution: 50 microns
If you want to see some real speed, you need to check out the 2040 PRO by WASP. Float like a butterfly, print like a WASP.
WASP claims that this printer is the fastest 3D printer in the world. It achieves speeds up to 500 mm/s and makes it look easy. Despite printing fast, it also prints accurately. The aluminum frame keeps everything sturdy while the head zips around.
The bed automatically levels itself and heats up to allow for different filament materials to be printed onto it.
You can pause or stop a print and then resume where you left off. It also stops printing when it notices you’re out of filament.
This machine is also super reliable.
Pros
- Pause and resume print
- Automatic filament detection
- Auto-leveling bed
- Reliable, high quality, highly accurate
- Super-fast
- Sturdy frame
Cons
- Very expensive
- Side-fed filament spool
3D Printer Type: FDM | Materials: PLA, ABS, HIPS, Wood, PVA & Flexibles | Build Volume: 255 x 255 x 360 mm | Layer Resolution: 50 microns
Sometimes you don’t feel like messing with your printer for hours to get good results — you just want to print. Sound familiar? If so, FLSUN QQ-S Pro makes delta 3D printing easy as pie.
The ease of use begins immediately at assembly. There is no assembly. QQ-S Pro comes carefully pre-built and ready to print.
If you really want to do some DIY setup, lube the rods and rails. That takes the already great smoothness and accuracy to a whole new level.
Things don’t get any more difficult after setup, either.
QQ-S Pro has an excellent auto-leveling function that works like a dream and keeps the bed leveled for a long time. The touchscreen and UI are clear and well-designed. The only complaint I have is that the screen doesn’t detach like with the Super Racer.
So the price for the simple usability is poor print quality, right?
Not by a long shot. You can effortlessly fill the well-sized print volume with high-quality prints.
FLsun QQ-S Pro is the machine you need if you just want to print without worries.
Pros
- Simple to set up and use
- Good print quality
- Well-sized print volume
- Quiet operation
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Affordable
- Auto-resume and filament runout sensors
Cons
- A large machine
- Build plate is not removable
- Some parts are difficult to replace if damaged
3D Printer Type: FDM | Materials: PLA, Flexible PLA, ABS, Wood, HIPS & Nylon | Build Volume: 280 x 280 x 600 mm | Layer Resolution: 50 microns
How does a delta 3D printer that grows with your skill level sound? Pretty good, right? That’s what the HE3D K280 Delta kit does.
This DIY kit does require assembly, so it may not be perfect for your first printer. But once you get it set up, it will do a good job as is. But to get the printer to really shine, you’ll have to tweak the settings and parts.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing — you can customize the machine as you go along and really make it your own.
K280 Delta is also your go-to if you want to print some humongous parts. The diameter is alright, but the maximum part height is a ridiculous 600 mm.
This machine can’t match some others — like the FLsun printers — in detail quality. But sheer size has a quality of its own.
The default components include a heated bed, so can print with both PLA and ABS. With the large print size, a filament runout sensor and print resume functionality would be welcome, but unfortunately don’t exist.
All in all, HE3D K280 Delta DIY is a good kit for those looking for a 3D printing challenge that you can tweak to your heart’s content.
Pros
- Huge print volume
- Great base for customization and upgrades
- Works with PLA and ABS
- Active online community
- Wi-Fi connectivity
Cons
- Difficult assembly
- Some default components are so-so in quality
- Mediocre print quality
- No runout sensor or print resume features
3D Printer Type: FDM | Materials: PLA, ABS & Other Materials | Build Volume: 280 x 280 x 350 mm | Layer Resolution: 50 microns
The Rostock MAX V4 from SeeMeCNC is a very serious machine. This is the more professional-grade delta printer that has all of the bells and whistles you would expect on a machine over $1,000.
The first thing to mention is how insanely accurate this machine is. The Rostock can achieve amazing print quality and reliability. It does this in a massive build volume, seemingly dwarfing every cartesian 3D printer in its area.
The printer comes fully assembled. And there’s also an additional upgrade for multi-color printing available for this unit.
Another benefit is the printer can be operated wirelessly so you can start a print remotely. The bed also levels itself, so there’s less guesswork upfront before printing.
What we didn’t like was the speed left a lot to be desired so it’s no surprise this printer is one of the slowest on this list – but the machine makes up for this in almost every other category.
On top of it all, this delta printer utilized super robust materials for its framework. Overall this machine is beautiful, performs exceptionally, and has a giant build
Pros
- Huge build volume
- Up-gradable extruder head
- Wireless printing
- High precision
- High-accuracy prints
- Very reliable
- Price is reasonable for what it delivers
- Can print most filament materials
Cons
- Unit is slow
- Machine is a bit bulky
What is a Delta 3D Printer?
A delta 3D printer is a different type of motion than your standard 3D printer. You’ve probably seen the 3D printers that move side to side then up and down. Those are called Cartesian 3D printers. Flashback to high school math class!
Unlike these Cartesian printers, delta printers are typically cylindrical looking. This means that their build plates are sometimes circular, but they’re usually thinner and taller than standard 3D printers.
How Does a Delta 3D Printer Work?
Delta 3D printers work using some physics and engineering. The print head is still at the top of the machine, but instead of a single rod or rail guiding the head up and down, there are a ton of rods. Each printer might opt for different orientations of the rods, but you’ll notice them move up and down and around while the print is going on.
The filament is still fed to the nozzle, and there are still motors that drive the filament and the head around. The only real difference is how the machine moves, the actual operation is identical. What are the pros and cons of delta 3D printers?
Pros of Delta 3D Printers
There are a number of reasons why someone might choose to use a delta 3D printer.
Speed
The biggest advantage of delta printers is how much faster they are. In fact, some delta printers are more than 10 times faster than cartesian 3D printers. Standard cartesian printers are way slower than a delta printers. Cartesian printers are heavier, so their momentum can swing and ruin a print.
This means that those printers have to move slower to be careful and preserve accuracy. Delta printers don’t have this problem since the extruder assembly and head are so much lighter.
Height of Prints
The next advantage is how much taller a delta 3D printer can operate. Due to the technology and construction of these printers, they can basically make skyscrapers.
Cons of Delta 3D Printers
There are a few shortcomings with this technology as well.
Community is Smaller
Since delta printers aren’t really in the limelight yet, there are a lot fewer communities behind delta printers. This means that troubleshooting and learning more could be an uphill battle. This does add a level of exclusivity to using a delta printer, almost like a yacht club for 3D printing nerds!
More Difficult to Learn and Troubleshoot
In addition to the construction being novel and more fun to watch, it also means the printer is harder to operate. The basic operation is the same – you load the print and watch it work. The difference is when something goes wrong, it’s a lot harder to fix it.
Cartesian 3D printers are pretty intuitive to work on and troubleshoot, but the unique style of the delta printer is difficult. Couple that with the fact that the community is smaller, and you might have some real problems while troubleshooting. This also means that assembling a delta 3D printer from a kit is more difficult.
Less Available Units on the Market
The final shortcoming of delta printers is that they aren’t as widely available as cartesian 3D printers. You’ll have to do more research to find the right delta printer for you (or just read this article).
Did you know there is another type of 3D printer called a CoreXY 3D printer?
How to Choose the Right Delta 3D Printer
The big challenge is going to be making sure you pick the right delta 3D printer for yourself. There aren’t a ton of products on the market, but there are still a few key things to keep in mind. If you know what you’ll be using your printer for, consider which of these features will matter the most to you before reading on.
Build Volume
Like every 3D printer, delta printers have varying build volumes. This list has a few compact units and some units that can print massive parts. What size parts will you be printing?
Cost
Of course, each unit has a different cost associated with it. On this list, you’ll see printers ranging from under $200 to over $3,000.
Accuracy, Precision, and Reliability
Some printers focus on features or keeping the cost down, and other printers will focus on how well they print. The level of accuracy, precision, and reliability of these printers are a little different from unit to unit. As the machines get more expensive, this category tends to be more focused on.
Features
Finally, each machine offers different features.
Some will automatically level the print bed. Others will resume a print after being paused or stopped. Remember that these features have a cost associated with them, so if you don’t care for the features, it might not be worth spending the extra.
Delta 3D Printer VS CoreXY 3D Printer
Delta 3D printers are sometimes seen as competitors to CoreXY 3D printers. In a way, it makes sense. They both use less conventional mechanics to move the print head, but that’s where the similarities end.
CoreXY 3D printers make use of two stationary motors to move the print head. These motors move drive belts, which in turn move the print head.
This method’s greatest advantage is its stability. More stable movement naturally results in better print quality.
Additionally, a CoreXY system can move the print head at 45° angles, whereas regular 3D printers can only move at 90° angles. As a trade-off, however, CoreXY printers need a lot of maintenance and are prone to print failures.
As you’ve learned, delta 3D printers on the other hand use robotic arms to move the print head. This movement principle gives them blistering speed while still resulting in great print quality. The delta construction also enables very tall prints.
So, in a nutshell, CoreXY and delta aim to address two different issues. CoreXY seeks to improve stability and therefore print quality, while delta goes all in on speed.
Make your printer choice based on which is more important to you!
Conclusion
Now that you’re armed with information, you’re better equipped to pick the best delta 3D printer for you. We looked at the best delta 3D printers on the market and learned more about their features. Now it’s up to you to decide which features appeal to you the most. Hopefully, you’ll soon join the world of delta 3D printers and watch the artistry of how they work.
