Uploaded September 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Is it possible for a $500 3d printer to produce the same quality as a $1,000 3d printer? Watch this video and find out. I am fortunate to have both an Original Prusa i3 Mk3 which I assembled from a kit and a new Monoprice Ultimate 2 which Monoprice provided me at no cost for a review. While doing an initial review a couple of weeks ago I was impressed with the print quality from this $500 printer and wondered how it would stand up to my Prusa?
In this video, I attempt to provide my viewers with sufficient information so they can make an informed choice between these two excellent printers. While the Prusa has a clear advantage with a larger print area and higher nozzle temperatures the Ultimate 2 produces excellent quality prints and has a fully enclosed print area for significantly less money.
I used PrusaSlicer with the MK3 and the version of Cura (3.3) supplied by Monoprice with the Ultimate 2.
If you own either of these printers or just have an opinion please leave your comments below since that is how we will continue to learn together.
Irv
---
The following links are to products I have used, reviewed, or evaluated for the MakeWithTech community. Some of the links below are affiliate links that provide commissions, at no cost to you, and help support the MakeWithTech video production, purchase of products for reviews, lab, forum, and web site.
I have reviewed the following printers or similar printers:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/3d-printers-reviewed-on-drvax-youtube-channel
These are some of the tools I use for 3d printing day-to-day:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/basic-3d-printing-tools
I have reviewed or used the following 3d printer upgrades:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/3d-printer-upgrades
Here are the 3d printer filaments I use to evaluate prints, software, and techniques:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/3d-printing-filament-i-use-at-drvax
I will be covering basic electronics and software in future MakeWithTech segments and here are the products I am using:
kit.co/makewithtech/software-and-electronic-kits
Some of the Woodworking products I use:
kit.co/makewithtech/drvax-woodworking-tools-and-supplies
---
** Affiliate disclaimer: some of the above links in my videos may be affiliate links, which generate a sales commission for me. Your price is the same or less than if you go to the site directly. These sales commissions help to support the MakeWithTech channel. (https://makewithtech.com)
** MakeWithTech and the MakeWithTech videos are Copyright Cogitations, LLC. (https://cogitations.com)
** Equipment used in the MakeWithTech videos has the potential to cause injury if misused. Use all equipment and tools at your own risk and follow all manufacturer's safety recommendations.
** Cogitations, LLC licenses all music used in the MakeWithTech videos from Epidemic Sound. Cogitations, LLC uses only authorized or open source clip art and third party images. Images .
Is it possible for a $500 3d printer to produce the same quality as a $1,000 3d printer? Watch this video and find out. I am fortunate to have both an Original Prusa i3 Mk3 which I assembled from a kit and a new Monoprice Ultimate 2 which Monoprice provided me at no cost for a review. While doing an initial review a couple of weeks ago I was impressed with the print quality from this $500 printer and wondered how it would stand up to my Prusa?
In this video, I attempt to provide my viewers with sufficient information so they can make an informed choice between these two excellent printers. While the Prusa has a clear advantage with a larger print area and higher nozzle temperatures the Ultimate 2 produces excellent quality prints and has a fully enclosed print area for significantly less money.
I used PrusaSlicer with the MK3 and the version of Cura (3.3) supplied by Monoprice with the Ultimate 2.
If you own either of these printers or just have an opinion please leave your comments below since that is how we will continue to learn together.
Irv
---
The following links are to products I have used, reviewed, or evaluated for the MakeWithTech community. Some of the links below are affiliate links that provide commissions, at no cost to you, and help support the MakeWithTech video production, purchase of products for reviews, lab, forum, and web site.
I have reviewed the following printers or similar printers:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/3d-printers-reviewed-on-drvax-youtube-channel
These are some of the tools I use for 3d printing day-to-day:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/basic-3d-printing-tools
I have reviewed or used the following 3d printer upgrades:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/3d-printer-upgrades
Here are the 3d printer filaments I use to evaluate prints, software, and techniques:
➡︎ kit.co/makewithtech/3d-printing-filament-i-use-at-drvax
I will be covering basic electronics and software in future MakeWithTech segments and here are the products I am using:
kit.co/makewithtech/software-and-electronic-kits
Some of the Woodworking products I use:
kit.co/makewithtech/drvax-woodworking-tools-and-supplies
---
** Affiliate disclaimer: some of the above links in my videos may be affiliate links, which generate a sales commission for me. Your price is the same or less than if you go to the site directly. These sales commissions help to support the MakeWithTech channel. (https://makewithtech.com)
** MakeWithTech and the MakeWithTech videos are Copyright Cogitations, LLC. (https://cogitations.com)
** Equipment used in the MakeWithTech videos has the potential to cause injury if misused. Use all equipment and tools at your own risk and follow all manufacturer's safety recommendations.
** Cogitations, LLC licenses all music used in the MakeWithTech videos from Epidemic Sound. Cogitations, LLC uses only authorized or open source clip art and third party images. Images .
