Help selecting a 3D printer (as a gift) - New Zealand based
I'm looking to buy my girlfriend a 3D printer but I honestly don't know where to even start and I've been getting a bit overwhelmed looking at everything. There are so many acronyms!
My girlfriend has been wanting one for a while, although she has never used one before (clearly neither have I). She is very clever though and is into a lot of different crafts and really enjoys learning new skills. We often make crafts together - although I am usually more of a helper than the doer. She has a Cricut and is used to creating things using computer programmes, although this would be a step up I assume.
I know she would love a 3D printer. She would mainly use it to create things around the house for help with general tidiness, problem solving, and organising. She shows me TikToks where people have made containers particular to certain objects, hooks, drawer tidying systems etc. which she's really into. I am sure she would also use it for the odd fun wee project and for crafting ideas she sees online and wants to recreate.
Unsure if it's relevant, but she uses a Macbook. One thing I know she really likes with her Cricut is being able to see what other people make on the Cricut app for inspiration or adapting their projects for herself.
I don't want to get something really cheap that only prints small things because I know she would progress to wanting to make some mid-level things quite quickly. Also don't want to buy something really expensive! I would prefer to spend around NZD$600-$800 but can be a bit flexible with this.
I have looked at a few posts on this sub and have three ideas:
Flashforge AD5X 3D Printer - Multi color Printing (NZD$775)
Bambu Lab A1 (NZD$589) or with "AMS Lite" (NZD$765)
Flashforge Adventurer 5M PRO 3D Printer (NZD$829)
I am angling towards the Bambu Lab A1 and would get the AMS Lite add-on because I think she would want multiple filaments as an option.
I have a couple of questions:
Does the Bambu Lab A1 have any red flags I should be aware of? Or is there a better option you would suggest?
Do some brands come with easier to use programmes for creating the objects?
Do most filament brands work with most 3D Printers or is there something I should look out for? I would buy a couple of filaments for her to start using it straight away.
Do 3D printers smell while they are printing? If so, do the 3D printers which are contained smell less?
Thank you for your time.