Although many 3D printers come with a single extruder, you will find many examples on the market that come with double extruders, giving you the opportunity to create projects that use two different materials or two colors.
This creates endless possibilities and variety in the type of projects that you can create, with great aesthetics of high quality.
If you are looking for a dual extruder 3D printer but aren't quite sure where to start your search, we have done the hard work for you and selected our top pick for you below.
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Best Dual Extruder 3D Printer - Comparison Table
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Best Dual Extruder 3D Printer - Reviews
For our top pick, we have selected the FlashForge 3D Printer Creator Pro. This dual extruder printer has been constructed with a sturdy, enclosed frame for stability and has an impressive build volume of 8.9 X 5.8 X 5.9 inches.
The 6.3mm thick aluminum plate accounts for accuracy ensuring that your surface is completely flat and this isn't going to warp during the heating process, affecting the quality of your prints.
As an enclosed chamber this printer works to insulate and protect your ABS prints while keeping out any dust and other foreign particles which could affect the print quality.
It is also a great safety feature if you are likely to use this printer around kids in particular as all of the parts are contained within one place. It can also work well to muffle the noise created by a 3D printer so that it is less disruptive.
USefully, this printer is compatible with a variety of filament types including PLA, ABS, PLA color change, and many more.
As a dual extruder printer, it uses two aligned print heads that work with speed to create your prints and you can also use multi-materials if you choose.
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The BIBO 3D Dual Extruder printer works at laser engraving too through a simple ad on, working well with wood, plastic, leather, and paper. It can even cut through thin plastics too.
As a dual extruder printer, printing time is cut in half as the extruders can print two objects at once. This printing can also be done in two different colors as the programmed G code file tells the printer when each color needs to be used.
The full color touchscreen is user friendly and makes the printer much easier to operate.
This printer either comes as a kit or pre-assembled and you can choose to purchase it with or without the laser engraving add on too.
The filament detection feature automatically pauses if your filament spoon should happen to run out during the printing process.
This gives you the time to load fresh filament and comes in particularly useful when creating large build projects.
You can control your prints through your phone or PC via the wifi control feature and is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
The build volume is 8.4 X 7.3 X 6.3 inches and is compatible with the following recommended software Repetier-Host, Cura, and Simplify3D.
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Next, we have selected the QIDI Tech Dual Extruder 3D printer, equipped with the latest dual extrusion technology to take your printing to new capabilities. Prints will be precise and you can also print in double colors if you would like.
Featuring a 4.3 inch touchscreen this is a super user-friendly printer that is easy to operate clearly displaying each of the printer settings.
The 6mm aviation grade aluminum build platform is durable and resistant heating to 120 degrees. The metal plate is also removable and this makes it much easier to remove the model after printing without risk of your project becoming damaged.
This printer boasts a very useful feature in the form of a power breakpoint function. This saves your work up to the current point and you can then return to continue your printing later.
This also applies in the event of a power cut, your work on your model will be saved and you will automatically return to this point when power resumes.
Coming with its own printing software 'OIDI Print Slicing Software' which is easy to use, it is also compatible with simplifying 3D software too.
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Our next choice is another pick from the FlashForge brand and this is the Dreamer dual extruder printer. This high quality printer produces high quality prints as fine as 100 microns.
With a 6.5mm thick build plate, this heats up excellently and is never deformed ensuring that your models are always printed to the best quality. The addition of a heat control sensor also stabilizes the printing temperature which is super important when creating ABS prints.
The fully enclosed body and high end plastic frame, with a closable door and removable top lid, keeps out the dust and eliminates the presence of any foreign particles.
The built-in wifi function makes it easy to upload your file to the printing machine and with 4g of storage, there is plenty of space available to support your files.
Though predominantly compatible with Flashforge software which allows for dual color and cut and split function, it can also be used with Skein forge and Slic3r software.
The touchscreen design also makes it easier to navigate your way through the settings for easy operation of the printer.
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Finally, we have selected the Raise3D Pro2 Plus 3D printer. As a dual extruder printer, it presents increased torque performance for excellent quality prints.
This printer uses a single printhead with two nozzles for dual extrusion.
Impressively this printer has a huge build volume measuring 12 x 12 x 23.8 inches so there is vast space for creating large projects.
Also, compatible with a diverse range of filaments including PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, PVA, and many more, the printing possibilities are endless.
The enclosed design features a 7 inch color touchscreen for a user-friendly experience. The resume print function also ensures that you continue from your current point if a power cut should occur.
This printer boasts impressive wireless compatibility too and can be connected via WIFI, LAN, SD, and USB.
Designed with an onboard camera this is great for monitoring the printing process allowing you to follow it through every step of printing.
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Best Dual Extruder 3D Printer - Buyers Guide
Before investing in your 3D printer as well as a dual extruder there are several other features to look out for too. This will ensure that you are purchasing a good quality printer that is worthy of your investment.
We have listed a few factors and features that we would recommend you considering below. These make the 3D printers stand out from their competition.
The Materials
There is a vast variety of materials available that are suitable for use in the process of 3D printing. These include filament which is a type of thermoplastic and possibly one of the most common types of materials that are used for creating 3D prints.
Other materials include PLA, ABS plastic, these are the most common but you may also come across titanium, steel, wax, and many more.
Of course, some printers may be more compatible with a particular material over others so it is worth paying attention to this so that you can create the best quality prints. Also in the case of a 3D printer with a dual extractor, you can use two materials.
Again it is worth checking the guidelines of the machine to ensure that the correct ones are used.
Build Volume
This is one of the most important criteria of a 3D printer and one that needs to be considered before making your purchase. Measured in length, width, and height, the build volume refers to the maximum size of the object that your printer is capable of creating.
You will need to pay attention to this, especially if you have particular projects in mind that you want to create as this will affect the outcome of your project.
A printer with a large build volume is of course going to print larger objects, however, you will find that most are relatively small in size and are an ideal choice for building figurines, etc.
The Print Speed
As the heading suggests, print speed simply refers to the speed in which your printer can print out projects. Some may be around 40-50mm whilst others on the market can print up to 150mm per second.
Of course, printers with a faster speed are going to save you a lot less time in having to wait around for your final result.
Pay attention to your printer's speed before making your investment as this is likely to impact your overall experience with the printer.
The software
All 3D printers come with software, this is what transforms a digital print into the physical print. You simply need to ensure that your computer is compatible with this software so that it works with speed and ease.
With some versions of software, you can create your own projects too, before bringing them to life on the printer.
Some examples of the software include Cura or Slic3r, but as previously stated some machines may come with their own software that they work better with.
With printers that are compatible with multiple different versions of software, you may develop a preference towards one in particular, in regards to how user friendly and easy to use that it is.
User Friendly
Of course, another important consideration is how easy the machine is to use. Also, who is the intended audience? If you are looking for a machine that is suitable for children, that is going to be an aid to learning, then safety is important as you do not want to risk their fingers getting caught up in any parts of the machine.
An enclosed 3D printer is a suitable option, although some freestanding options are just as safe so long as there aren't any sharp areas or components exposed.
Some 3D printers will feature touch screens so you can simply navigate your way through the settings using these controls, whilst others may have buttons and you may develop a preference for a particular style of machine.
Also, consider how easy the machine is to set up. If this is a new area to you and one that you are not particularly confident in then it is worth looking at the setup guidelines to evaluate how difficult the task in hand is likely to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dual extruder 3D printer worth it?
Some people find that a single extruder printer suits the job and prints that they like to create just fine, however, a dual extruder printer allows you to develop these prints further.
You can introduce different colors to create multi colored prints and you can use different materials as well which can add a sort of uniqueness to your models. This is very likely to impact the quality of your prints too.
Another factor to note is that a dual extruder printer is convenient if one extractor should happen to go down. If this should happen the other extruder can still work to create your prints.
Can you use different materials on a dual extruder 3d printer?
Yes, you can and this is great for adding depth to your prints. Using a dual extruder printer you can use two different materials at once but if you choose these can be printed in two different colors too.
If you are looking to make more complex prints, in particular, a dual extruder printer is particularly useful as this adds variety to your prints making them stand out a little more.