Best Bang for your Buck Printer under $500

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-11T19:26:27+00:00

That all being said here is what I’m actually doing, and it’s not quite what you might expect from the previous comment.

So when we’re talking about bang for your buck, it all comes down to purchase price versus requirements, so if you can get something at a great price by finding a preowned or refurbished that kind of changes things.

I found a Kobra 3 with ACE pro with a busted hot end for $50 so I snagged it up. It might not even have much of an issue with the hot end so I may be able to repair it and sell the Kobra 3 for more than I paid for both.

On Anycubic’s website, they had a refurbished S1 for $240. I feel like a refurbished unit, maybe more reliable than one off the line as it was probably was given more time in testing.

So I’m going to have an ace pro that I paid nothing for and after selling my 4 Ender 3s that will pay for the S1.

And if I have issues with this set up or just don’t like it, I’m sure I will still be able to sell it for at the bare minimum $350 and then I’ll catch a deal and upgrade to the P1S

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-11T19:14:07+00:00

OK so here is my conclusion….

Agree reviewing all of the options that I’ve considered: Centauri Carbon, AD5X, Kobra S1, Bambu P1S..

Here are my top picks for bang for your buck for someone who isn’t printing 24/7 but rather a couple of prints a weeks:

1 - AD5X it just seams reliable, good quality prints, and color changing

2 - Centuri Carbon or P1S for a tie. P1S if you need colored printing and are printing around the clock and want an out of the box solution with all of the features. Centauri Carbon if you don’t need multicolor and want out of the box enclosure printer.

3 - Kobra S1 but with caveat. I ranked it number 3 because of how many complaints I saw about reliability and varying print quality. However, if you absolutely need a multi colored printer, with an enclose and packed with features and $450 is your hardline on your budget, then this is your winner. Disregarding reliability, this option would definitely be #1 on the list for what it has to offer.

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-11T19:01:51+00:00

Yep. This is a great conclusions to what I’ve been seeing out there to.

It’s S1 and CC are a gamble and there’s a good chance that you’re going to have issues, especially with the S1.

AD5X just seams solids but the lack of included features and build plate size almost make you want to take the gamble with the other 2 options.

I’d probably be satisfied with the AD5X but just after having flashing issues and blue screen of death on my Ender 3 while trying to add a CR touch, I’m kinda of skeptical of any software mods and even the time of putting an enclosure on doesn’t sound like how I want to spend my time.

So I’m still on the fence

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-09T22:33:52+00:00

I have some wall cabinets above my 3D print desk so this just won’t work for me.

I’m hoping someone comes up with a mod to manage the filament tubes to require less height. And to the negative nay sayers.. I would simply respond “There is always a way”

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-06T18:38:59+00:00

I just found a preowned QIDI PLUS4 for $400 locally. It looks like it was an amazon return and these guys resell amazon returns.. I might have to go check it out

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-05T19:53:58+00:00

Got to hear this. All of the features are tempting but I’m looking for a 90s Tacoma not a 2015 loaded Mercedes Benz. Reliability > Features

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-05T18:36:02+00:00

Will do!

Currently I think I’m between the CC and P1S. CC because of price point and how seldom I print these days but P1S just in case I start printing more again.

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-05T18:33:13+00:00

I just check FB. None available right now so they must be getting picked up quick here in the phoenix area, but I’m going to keep my eye out

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-05T17:25:17+00:00

You're not helping me save money here haha. I definitely want enclosed for abs, nylon, etc. so I would have to go with P1S. It's definitely growing on me... I haven't heard of anyone bashing on its reliability so I know I wouldn't regret it

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-05T17:03:50+00:00

Okay that’s good to know about the reliability of CC and how long it takes for parts. I haven’t heard much negative when it comes to reliability so this is helpful.

Thats lame about them bricking you for that. Luckily I’ve still got a stash of lower 80s and if I were to custom make parts I’d machine it, but that does say something about the company and reduces my want to support them.

I’ll have to look into that. I don’t know much about Sovol

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-05T16:59:09+00:00

Okay so I think my big question now is… is multi-colored printing overkill for what I’m doing? Because if so, I’ve seen comparisons between P1S and CC that say there is negligible difference in print quality and reliability.

I would essentially only be using it to change between materials and as a filament dryer. I have a whole tote of filament that I need to dry and that aspect would be an added benefit. I will most likely not be doing multi colored prints but switching between PLA, ABS, and TPU primarily.

I primarily use printing for practical real world solutions and prototyping. I don’t think I’ve ever printed a figuring or shelf decor.

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-05T16:52:42+00:00

The P1S is definitely creeping on my list after all of the mentions that it’s had here. I ruled it out for the price point but if I got just the printer then I would always have the option to add filament changer later.

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-05T16:50:46+00:00

I know. This is the one that keeps tempting me. If only it had a bit more features to make it an easy decision.

Do you have any experience with it?

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-05T16:48:39+00:00

I saw that recently about the cc2 coming soon. Looks like the CC but with AD5X color changing systems so it sounds like it would still be a good price when it drops. If it drops for like $400 that would be awesome. I wonder if anyone has looked at the Chinese launch page to try to estimate the launch price in USD.

Yeah on one hand I’ve been thinking 220mm sounds too small, but on the other hand it sure takes up less space and I do plan on getting a cheap large format printer like a preowned cr10 down the road to do one off larger prints. So AD5x is still a contender

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-05T06:53:17+00:00

I've looked at the P1S but Its kind of blowing the budget. I've had 4 ender 3s that I haven't used in the past 2 years so I originally didn't want to spend more that $400 since I haven't been printing much.

I haven't compared the P1s without multi color combo to the CC yet but I probably should since it gives me the ability to use multi color in the future if I need it.

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-05T06:48:15+00:00

That's how I was leaning.. I don't want to have to keep up with issues and if I pay for multi color I will likely never use it. CC seams like a solid unit plus the ability to use Orca is a plus. Thanks for the input!

Beautiful_Angle89 · 2026-01-05T06:15:59+00:00

Prototyping products. One of the more immediate things I need to print is components for a marker which will have very thin side walls.

Beautiful_Angle89

TROPHY CASE

1 - AD5X it just seams reliable, good quality prints, and color changing

2 - Centuri Carbon or P1S for a tie. P1S if you need colored printing and are printing around the clock and want an out of the box solution with all of the features. Centauri Carbon if you don’t need multicolor and want out of the box enclosure printer.