FlashForge 3D Printers

Flashforge is a well-established name in the desktop 3D printing space, having entered the market in 2011 with a focus on user-friendliness, safety, and fully enclosed design. The company offers a wide range of printers that serve beginners, educators, and professionals alike. Rather than pursuing open-source flexibility or a hacker-centric ethos, Flashforge centers its strategy around delivering stable, consistent machines with minimal setup and maintenance. Models like the compact Finder appeal to classrooms and home users, while higher-end options like the Creator 3 Pro offer more robust features for professional use. By prioritizing polished enclosures, integrated software, and simplified workflows, Flashforge has secured a reputation as a go-to brand for those seeking dependable, low-maintenance 3D printing solutions without the complications of extensive customization or third-party tinkering.

Artillery 3D Printers

Artillery, founded in 2018, is a relatively young player in the 3D printing world but quickly made a name for itself by offering affordable printers with premium features typically reserved for higher-end models. Known primarily for models like the Sidewinder and Genius series, Artillery focuses on creating machines that are quiet, easy to use, and capable of producing high-quality prints right out of the box. The brand aims to strike a balance between affordability and a semi-premium experience, appealing to both hobbyists and semi-professional users. Artillery’s sleek designs, emphasis on direct drive extruders (where the filament feeding mechanism is mounted directly on the print head for better control, especially with flexible filaments), and silent stepper motor drivers (which reduce printer noise by using more refined motor signals) have helped it establish a loyal following, although occasional quality control issues have been noted.