[Updated Jan 2019 ] 10 Best 3D Pens | Show Your Creative Side

If you ask many people what a best 3D printing pen is, they will probably tell you that it is a pen that produces three-dimensional models. They are right. Now, ask them if such a pen exists, and you will get to hear different answers with most denying an existence of such a pen. Most people are familiar with 3D printers, but 3D pens are gaining attraction and becoming popular with artists as well as being “cool” gifts for kids. With that said, we took it upon ourselves to feature a list of the 3D pens to help you choose a pen that will serve your purpose and needs.

Best 3D Printing Pen Reviews

Here are the top-rated 3d Pens starting with 3Doodler.

1. 3Doodler Create 3D Pen With 50 Plastic Strands – Best 3d Printing Pen For Artists

First one is 3Doodler. This 3Doodler Create has history on its side by being the world’s first 3D pen. It is also among the bestselling brands out there on the market.

It is a combination of slim, light and strong. Its enhanced design from its predecessor has refined its overall feel by making it smoother and quieter while operating and has also made it easier to manage. Other new features include, but are not limited to an ambient light bar and intuitive control panels.

This 3Doodler allows your imagination to take off. You can use it to draw anything that comes to your mind. All this is made possible by the heated plastic that hardens to form three-dimensional models. This pen offers both versatility and efficiency.

For efficiency, it provides a wide range of safe plastics that are non-toxic and non-messy. Also, the plastics come in over 65 different colors and a great wealth of materials such as matte, glossy, clear, glow, and sparkle among others.

For versatility, the 3Doodler is equipped with a replaceable nozzle that allows you to change filaments and other accessories as per your liking. Also, you can also charge your doodling device with the accessories equipped in the packaging.

Since it is the latest model to come out of the 3Doodler, it features the latest technology , it is more refined than its predecessors, and it is faster and more reliable as well.

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2. 7TECH 3D Printing Pen with LCD Screen – Free Spatula Included

The second one on our list is 7TECH 3D Printing Pen. This specific model was designed with only two main objectives- allowing easy to use, and providing a user-friendly experience. When handing us this tool to test, the company that manufactured it guaranteed us that this 7TECH model would be among the quietest in operating mode.

Now, let us look at some of the features of this highly rated 3D pen. This 7TECH comes equipped with cutting edge features that make it stand out from other models. An example of such a feature is its thermal control which ranks best in its class.

A great feature about this 7TECH is that unlike other 3D pens only offer super-fast or super-slow extrusions, it lets you take control of the extrusion speed to suit your preference.

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3. MYNT3D Professional Printing 3D Pen – 3d Pen Worth The Price

The Third pen to make our list is the MYNT3D 3D pen. This pen serves as a multi-purpose tool that allows the user to perform various tasks with it. Let us explore some features that have landed this MYNT3D on our top 10 list.

The mynt3d 3D pen is a precision-crafted stylus that allows you to doodle, paint and sketch three-dimensional models. Most controls are within reach thanks to its ergonomic shape which is comfortable in your hand and allows you to maneuver the 3D pen with relative ease.

When producing this 3D pen, MYNT3D drew inspiration from a vehicle’s gear which features more than one gear. They incorporated an adjustable feed that allows the user to regulate speed for optimum control while drawing.

These 3D pens are super sensitive to temperature changes and mistakes in temperature variations can damage the pen. The MYNT3D features a large OLED display that effectively allows you to tweak temperature to achieve the optimal setting.

What’s more is that if the modular nozzle gets damaged due to the wrong temperature, it can easily be replaced.

So whether you’re an artist or an engineer, the MYNT3D pen will heighten your project.

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4. CreoPop Starter 3D Cordless Printing Pen – Cordless 3D Pen With Photopolymer Inks

Fourth on our list is the cordless CreoPop 3D pen. The CreoPop is an extraordinary pen and comes with revolutionary technology just like the Lix 3D. This 3D printing pen is cordless meaning it is portable, and you can use it on the go.

Another revolutionary aspect of this pen that sets it apart from other 3D pens is that this CreoPop does not have any heating parts. It may seem strange and unconventional, but this 3D pen uses plastic without melting or heating it.

Innovation and efficiency are the themes of this CreoPop which unlike other 3D pens that use thermoplastics to produce three-dimensional models, it uses photopolymers. When the photopolymer ink is exposed to LED diodes, it starts to liquefy to allow printing of 3D models.

Not only is this limiting factor when looking to purchase this pen but also a great inconvenience to people already using this pen. This 3D pen is fantastic, but this ink concern might be a problem with consumers and critics as other 3D pens come compatible with pretty much all ABS and PLA filaments available on the market.

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5. Soyan Standard 3D Printing Pen for Kids, with ABS Filament Sample and Drawing templates (Blue) – Best 3d Pen Under $50

Fifth on our list is Soyan 3D. This 3D pen is slim, light and handles easily making it suitable for all people, even kids. We managed to get our hands on this device to put it through our evaluation process to see if it merits a place in our lineup. Here is what we found out.

As for features, this Soyan is loaded with them. For instance, the extrusion speed can be varied to produce different results such as smooth and precise results or for endless creation.

The printing process of this pen is pretty standard. It is similar to other thermoplastic 3D pens on the market. It works by extruding melted plastic which then hardens allowing you produce three-dimensional models.

The Soyan has endless capabilities that are only limited by your imagination. With this pen, you can produce inventive prototypes such that you won’t need complicated design software and applications to produce your prototypes.

This pen can be used for tactile learning to help kids having trouble grasping abstract concepts learn through their senses of touch, sight, and smell.

It also helps kids enhance their spatial thinking to boost their creativity. The Soyan can also be used as a tool to bring out your creativity and artistic self by helping you create unique art and design.

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6. 3Doodler Create 3D Printing Pen Set with 50 Plastic Strands, Electric Yellow – Latest Edition with 50 Plastic Strands

This 3Doodler Create is the pioneer 3D pen in the globe and ranks among the best-selling brand on the market. It ergonomic build is a combination of light, slim and strong.

Its enhanced design has refined its feel by making it quieter and smoother while printing and has also boosted its maneuvering ability. Other new features in the 3Doodler 3D Create pen include an ambient light bar and an intuitive control panel.

This 3D pen offers versatility and efficiency in its performance. For efficiency, it provides safe plastics that are both non-messy and non-toxic.

Also, the plastics strands come in over 50 different colors and materials such as glossy, matte, clear, sparkle, and glow among others. For versatility, this 3Doodler features a replaceable nozzle that lets you swap out filaments easily.

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7. Scribbler 3D printing Pen V3 with LED Screen – Best 3d Pen Under $100

This Scribbler 3D pen V3 has gathered a lot of traction since it was introduced in the market a few years ago. This pen is the latest version of the legacy scribbler 3D pen has surprised both users and critics with its performance and top class features.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about this 3D pen is the high-quality build materials that wrap its perfect ergonomic design. Let’s take a look at features of this Scribbler V3 that impressed us to rank in ninth on our list.

Just like how you get the choice of selecting a particular color when purchasing the V3, this pen also allows you to use different color filaments while drawing.

We managed to get a hold of this pen, and we put it through our normal testing procedures. After the testing was complete, we were not surprised by the results we got from it because we had anticipated it to perform that greatly. This V3 is easy to operate thanks to extremely light weight nature.

While changing the filament of any 3D pen might seem like a mammoth of a task, or a task for professionals, changing the filament for this 3D pen is simple and hassle free.

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8. 3Doodler Start Essentials Amazon Exclusive 3D Printing Pen Set – Amazon Exclusive 3D Printing Pen

This 3Doodler start ranks eight on our list, and we give it a rating of four stars. Being a 3D pen designed for kids, the manufacturers of this pen have taken preventive measures to ensure that kids explore their creative potential without hurting themselves.

Unless you are a professional three-dimensional artist, you will have to learn and adapt to this device to get the maximum out of it but once you do you will have the time of your life designing unique models.

It’s body is ergonomically put together with high-quality materials to boost its usage. This coupled with its rechargeable batteries have enhanced the portability and convenience of this device such that one doesn’t have to worry about the power cord restricting movement and getting in the way of drawing.

This pen also comes with eco-friendly filaments that are not only environmentally friendly but also produce a bearable odor to protect the child from harmful gasses.

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9. 3Doodler Start Essentials 3D Printing Pen Set for Kids – Best 3d Pen For 8 Year Old

The 3Doodler start is a great way to explore and nature creativity for children.

Children are known to be a little excitable and impatient when they want to try out something for the first time, and that is why this particular 3D pen is ideal for them. This is because unlike other pens that take up significant time to heat up, the 3Doodler start heats up in just a matter of seconds.

Also, other models have various humming sounds that makes it hard to determine when they are ready to be used and once they are ready, you have to hold while avoiding the hot parts.

What’s more is that this 3Doodler start is extremely easy to clean after use, unlike other models. The cordless nature of this particular 3D pen increases its mobility without worrying about getting tangled up in the power cable. The rechargeable battery gives you good services to last you until the next recharge.

Don’t expect the child to create a groundbreaking piece of three-dimensional model overnight.
It takes time to perfect this skill.

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10. 3Doodler Start Mega Box Set 3D Printing Pen – Designed for Young Creators – Best 3d Pen For Kids

It is good to see 3D pens that have established themselves in the market still setting trends in 2017. This 3Doodler features 10th on our list and rightly so with its wide range of amazing features.

The 3Doodler start pen features an internal battery that is rechargeable by USB. This is super convenient because you can use it from anywhere without having a power cord sticking out and restricting portability.

This pen comes with proprietary non-pollutant eco-plastic that is malleable and can be molded by finger with the right amount of pressure. Best thing about the eco-plastic filaments is that they are multi-purpose and they don’t stick on the pages of your books.

The autoflow of the filament and the big ON button allow you to work without having to keep pressing the forward button while drawing.

This 3D pen is a true work of art. It has all the necessary features and ranks among the top performers on the market. I would recommend this for any parent who would want to nature the creative talents of their kids.

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Winner: 3Doodler Create 3D Pen

The best on our list is this 3Doodler Create which is a combination of slim, light and strong. Its design is enhanced from its predecessor for refinement. It was fitted with new features like ambient lighting and adjustable controls to enhance its level of sophistication. It comes with a replaceable nozzle and over 50 plastic strands in the packaging thereby saving you money in the short term. What’s more, swapping colors on this device is the easiest amongst all 3D pens on the market.

How we picked?

As a buyer, it is common to get overwhelmed at the number of brands and models of 3D pens that are on sale. Normally, you’d think that you will just walk into a store or browse for one pen online and pick it in a matter of minutes. The reality is different as that is why we did all the research and testing analysis to make it easier for consumers like yourself. So that you can just walk in the store or quickly and easily purchase the 3D pen in a matter of seconds from an online store.

Buying Guide – 11 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Best 3D Printing Pen

Below are some of the factors you need to consider when choosing a 3D pen that will serve you best.

• #1. Consider The Price: Consumers often associate the price of a product with its quality. The higher the price means a better quality good. This can sometimes be misleading as some brands take advantage of their popular brand names to quote a price that is over the odds for a product.
• #2. Corded Or Cordless: How do you intend to use this pen once you purchase it? Is the corded pen going to restrict your freedom with the pen? If you draw creative inspiration from the outdoors, you are better off with the cordless pen. With all the advantages a cordless pen gives, it is worth noting that replacing the rechargeable batteries can be expensive.
• #3. Design: Arguably the most important consideration to make. Before buying any 3D pen, ensure that you’ve held it in your hand to determine which provides the most comfort to allow you to produce masterpiece designs. You will want the most comfortable pen when working for long periods.
• #4. Audible Noise Level: Some pens are loud when heating the plastic filament. A quiet environment is conducive to developing masterpieces, and loud heating mechanism may cause disruptions while working. The distraction noise causes may lead to poor quality work and therefore ensure you figure out which models are quiet before making a purchase
• #5. What Is Included: Be sure to inspect the package to see what is included and what is not. Unfortunately, these pens use a lot of filaments, so you need to buy a pen that comes with as many filaments as possible. Also, ensure the filaments that are included come in different colors. Purchasing filaments are not cheap, so you need to stock up on as many filaments as possible when buying the pen to ensure your short-term future of 3D modeling is sorted. Some pens also come with maintenance tools in the packaging to help the user care for the pen to increase its life span.
• #6. Buttons: The pen you’re buying should have at least two buttons to allow you to regulate the speed in which the melted filament is ejected. Also, make sure the buttons are solid for durability and easily accessible when working.
• #7. Warranty: Find out whether the pen’s manufacturer provides a warranty and the duration of its length. A long warranty protects your investment for the long term while a short warranty may prove costly over a longer duration.
• #8. Type of control: Some pens use traditional physical buttons while the newer models feature an OLED display that not only gives you control of the pen but also shows you the pen’s status. I would strongly recommend the OLED control for your 3D pen.
• #9. Filament type:The pens come with two types of filaments, ABS and PLA, with both having their pros and cons. While the ABS is more sturdy and flexible than the PLA filament, it models with a foul odor compared to PLA which produces a semi-sweet smell. Also, PLA filament offers a variety of colors. With this information in mind, I recommend PLA filaments for children’s use while ABS filaments for professional 3D modeling.
• #10. Brand name: Some brands leverage the popularity of their brand name to increase the price on their pens, while others are relatively unknown and offer cheaper products. Also, some brands have the advantage of longevity and experience in the business and have built a reputation of putting out reliable pens in the market. All these are factors you should consider so ensure you test all brands products with the same price points to determine the best pen.
• #11. Check Customer Reviews: It is always wise to check how these pens have served their owners on the customer reviews. You will get invaluable insight as to what the best features of the pen are as well as get to know all the potential problems you will face with these products.

More About 3d Pens

What Exactly is a 3D Pen?

A 3D pen shares a lot of characteristics with a normal pen or pencil. From the outline and the shape to the way you hold it to draw or write. The difference in appearance between a 3D pen and a traditional pen or pencil is that the 3D pen looks bulkier.

The huge difference between a normal pen or pencil and a 3D pen is how the 3D pen functions. Instead of using ink or graphite lead, a 3D pen uses plastic to produce three-dimensional models. Nowadays some 3D pens like the CreoPop use photopolymer technology to produce three-dimensional models.

How 3d Pen Works?

How to use it? – 5 Steps to Follow

When people look at 3D pens for the first time, they wonder how anyone could use such a bulky pen, and their common reaction is begin to question its comfort and usability. However, after buying this product and using it for a while, you will be surprised by how easy it is to use and this will quash your initial first impression about this 3D pen.

• #1. To use this 3D pen, load the filaments in the chamber located at the back or top of the pen.
• #2. Plug it in the power cord and switch it on. Switching it on triggers the pen’s heating mechanism so give it a few seconds to reach the ideal temperature.
• #3. Once the pen has reached the ideal temperature, it will automatically grab the filament and start melting it. You can use the controls to regulate the temperature and speed at which the filament gets extruded.
• #4. Adjust the speed to minimal when drawing for precision and intricacy and speed up the extrusion of the melted plastic to cover a large area quickly.
• #5. The melted plastic will keep flowing from the pen until you stop it manually.

Best Uses of 3D Pens

3D pens give the user an endless possibility to create unique models as well as do some repair work. These devices can be used to compliment 3D printers to produce masterpiece models. Here is a list of how they can be used:

• Creating uniquely designed artistic pieces and models
• They can be used together with 3D printers to add detail to the printed models
• You can do some repair work with the 3D pen on various things such as electric devices, ornaments, jewelry and other items.

6 Maintenance Tips

As you might suspect with 3D pens, you need to take good care of them to get the best service out of them.

• The more you neglect your pen, the more its condition deteriorates, and this will result in you spending more money than necessary to restore them.
• Maintenance of this complicated devices mostly involves cleaning after use.
• When using this device, it is likely that they will clog up at some point so don’t panic when this happens. Fixing this problem is easy. Simply remove the remnants carefully and unclog it fully before you continue using it.
• Unclogging is a whole process on its own as you need to switch off the power and unplug the power cable to allow it to cool.
• You should avoid forcing the residue into the pen’s tip as this could easily damage or worse, break the pen’s tip. Once it has cooled down, use a soft cloth and alcohol to clean the tip.
• When changing the nozzle, ensure you change it as recommended, when the pen is hot.

3D Pen vs 3D Printer

Why would you use a 3D pen over a 3D printer? While a 3D printer produces rigid and precise results, a 3D pen is more fluid to use and encourages additional creativity, unlike the printer. Also unlike a 3D pen where a user just requires little imagination to start modeling shapes, printers need fully crafted 3D files to model them.

3D Plastic Pen vs. Cool Ink Pen

7 Popular Brands

3Doodler

3Doodler is an American company that pioneered production of 3d pens. This company has a wide range of products that come equipped with different features to target different markets. 3Doodler have benefited greatly from their broad experience of producing top quality 3D pens, and this has translated directly into their sales.

Scribbler

Scribbler have some 3D pens on the market. Some pens are older than others and come equipped with different features to broaden their target market. Scribbler has built a solid reputation for producing high-quality 3D pens that are ergonomically well balanced and easy to use.

MYNT3D

Perhaps not as popular as 3Doodler, this company produces high-quality 3D pens that encourage the users to produce masterpiece designs. When manufacturing their 3D pens, MYNT3D drew inspiration from a vehicle’s gear system to incorporate a similar system to allow their 3D pens to control the rate of extrusions.

CreoPop

CreoPop entered the 3D market with the aim of revolutionizing it. All their products feature the latest technologies and innovations. Unlike other companies that produce traditional thermoplastic pens, CreoPop has focused their efforts on producing cool ink pens that work on photopolymer technology.

3dSimo

3dSimo are popular for producing phenomenal 3D pens. For example, their 3D Simo mini was dubbed too ambitious for the market when they launched it, and the reasons critics gave of why it would fail are the same reasons that propelled the pen to success. The pen drew a lot of attention and received venture capital for its practicality as well as its innovative features.

7TECH

While other manufacturers are going for cutting edge technology, 7TECH has taken a more laid back approach to their production of 3D pens. The company has focused its efforts on producing simple yet refined and sophisticated pens that can carry out any job with easy. 3D pens from 7TECH are user oriented with their quiet nature and incredible ease of use.

LIX

Lix shocked the 3D pen world when it announced the world’s smallest 3D pen. With many consumers eagerly anticipating this product and many critics rooting for it to fail, Lix delivered on their promise and produced the globe’s smallest 3D pen. Now, Lix has cemented its place among the top brands that manufacture 3D pens.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the 3 D Pen work?

We have already elaborated on this topic above. You can see it in detail here.

What is a 3D pen for?

Well to be exact, it is a tool for showing your creativity. But artists use it for various reasons. You need to get one and see the engaging power of this tool yourself.

How much is a three D pen?

On an average a good 3d pen is around 50-100 dollars. Even a premium 3d pen will not cost more than $150 like the LIX. But again, it depends on your requirements. The more are the functions you want more will be the price.

Can I leave the plastic in the pen when I shut the pen down?

No, this is not recommended since the warm plastic degrades slowly and this might cause irreversible problems with the pen over time.

How to change the filament color?

Simply hold down the backspace button, grab the filament and carefully pull it out while ensuring you remove all the filament in pen.

Does the 3D Pen make much noise?

Yes. 3D pens make a little noise when heating and ejecting filament. Some models make more noise than others.

Can children use this 3D Pen?

Yes. This 3D pen can be used by anyone, but simple guidance should be provided for children aged between five and twelve years.

Is training needed before using the 3D Pen?

No training is required. Just practice with the pen to perfect your 3D modeling skills

Is the 3D Pen good for left-handed people?

The beauty of this 3D pen is that it is designed to be used by both left handed and right handed people.

What power supply does the 3D pen use?

It uses 110 – 240V AC power. Special power plugs and pins can be delivered to your country. The packaging also includes a universal travel adapter to use on the go.

How long does the 3D Pen need to warm up?

Just a few seconds to warm up. Once the red LED indicator turns blue, the pen is ready to be used.

What do the LED lights on my pen mean?

The red LED light indicates that the pen is not ready and that it is still heating the filament. A green light or blue light indicates that the pen is ready to be used. A flashing yellow light indicates that the pen is charging. A solid yellow light indicates the pen is fully recharged.

Can I paint on my doodles?

Yes, because the pen’s extractions cool and solidify immediately. It helps beautify your doodles.

Does my device require maintenance?

Just minimum maintenance in the form of cleaning the pen after use to help prolong its lifespan and keep it ready for your next use.

Can I use my pen on the skin?

It is cautioned against because you will burn yourself.

Does the Start plastic emit any harmful fumes?

Burning plastic produces an odor which may cause harm if exposed to the smell for a long period. But since the plastic cools almost immediately after being extracted from the pen, the fumes produced are not likely to cause any harm to you. If yon wish for a more pleasant smell, go with a PLA filament rather than ABS.

Can I touch the plastic when it comes out of the pen?

Yes, you may. Even though the plastic is hot, it is touchable to allow you to use your hand to mold it and adjust it.

Wrap Up

However short of a period 3D pens have been on the market, their evolution is nothing short of extraordinary. New technologies are being developed to enhance the capabilities of this pen. For now, you can use this pen to draw artistic designs, as a repair tool, or as a 3D printer compliment. The sky is the limit with this 3D pen and so we reviewed the best 3D printing pens to shed light on this market segment as well as provide a buying guide for the pens.

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