3D Printer: The real contenders, from Bambu Lab to Creality, and what's actually worth your cash

Alright, let's get real about these "amazing" Black Friday 3D printing deals. Every year, the same song and dance: promises of 50% off, "insanely low prices," and enough filament to choke a horse. But are we actually saving money, or just getting played by marketing departments desperate to clear out last year's models?

The Black Friday 3D Printer Mirage

I'm seeing headlines screaming about Creality Falcon A1 laser engravers for $466, down from $599. Okay, that sounds good. But how many people actually need a laser engraver? It's like saying a solid gold toilet plunger is 75% off. Great, but who cares? And SUNLU's silk PLA filament deals? Sure, dragons printed with multi-color filament look cool, but are you really going to print a dozen of them? Are you going to end up with three kilos of dragon-colored plastic collecting dust in your garage? I know I would.

Then there's the "tip" to always buy directly from the manufacturer. Offcourse it makes sense that a manufacturer would offer a better deal than Amazon, but let's be real. Most people head straight to Amazon anyway. Convenient, sure, but are you actually getting the best deal? Maybe. Maybe not.

Bambu Lab's in the spotlight, too. Their X1 Carbon disappeared from their website, sparking rumors of discontinuation. Was it just a temporary glitch, or is something bigger happening? Are they clearing the way for a new model? And if you bought one recently thinking you scored a deal...well, sucks to be you, I guess.

And don't even get me started on the 3D scanners. "Thousands of dollars off premium scanners!" Yeah, thousands of dollars off a device that still costs more than my freakin' car. Who's buying these things? Professional cosplayers? Engineering firms? I'm betting the average Joe is sticking with his $200 Creality 3d printer.

The Cosplay Connection and Other Tangents

Speaking of cosplayers, I saw something about 3D printing cosplay props. Which, okay, I get. But seriously, how much time and effort are we willing to sink into these things? I've seen some incredibly detailed stuff, but I'm also picturing a bunch of half-finished helmets and plastic swords cluttering up basements across the country.

I'm also seeing stuff about transparent PETG. Some engineer is trying to print a translucent dial for his company. Reduce speeds, set wall loops to one, remove top and bottom shells... It sounds like a whole freakin' science project just to get a vaguely see-through piece of plastic. Is it worth it? I dunno. I'm starting to think I need a drink. Here's How You Can 3D Print Transparent Objects Out of PETG

And this Snapmaker U1 thing... a printer that can switch colors in five seconds? Sounds too good to be true. And it's not even out yet! Pre-order now and save $150! Yeah, and I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you. Wake me up when it actually exists and doesn't cost more than rent.

The Allure of the New

Formnext 2025 apparently showcased "next-gen multi-color, continuous fiber breakthroughs." Okay, cool. More features, more complexity, more things to break. Give me a break. I just want a printer that prints what I tell it to without jamming, warping, or turning into a spaghetti monster. Is that too much to ask? The 20 Top New 3D Printers from Formnext 2025: Tool Changers, 6-Laser Metal, and PEEK Printing

But hey, maybe I'm just being a grumpy old man. Maybe these deals are legit. Maybe the new printers are revolutionary. Maybe I am the crazy one here. But let's be real, the 3D printing world is just like any other tech sector: full of hype, promises, and overpriced gadgets that end up gathering dust in a closet somewhere.

So, What's the Real Story?

It's all marketing BS, designed to separate you from your hard-earned cash. Don't fall for it.