TL;DR: A new 3D printer in South Africa costs from about R4,500 (small resin printer) to about R8,000–R10,000 for a fast modern filament printer, and R13,000–R17,000+ for multi-colour or large enclosed machines. Filament costs about R200 per kilogram, so a typical print costs R5–R20 in material.
For most beginners, we recommend the Anycubic Kobra X (R8,147, four colours) or the enclosed Kobra S1 (R9,954).
3D printer prices in South Africa at a glance
| Price | What you get | Example in stock |
|---|---|---|
| R4,500 – R5,000 | Small resin printer: very fine detail, small build area | Photon Mono 4, R4,529 |
| R8,000 – R11,000 | Fast filament (FDM) printers with auto-levelling; some multi-colour or very large | Kobra X R8,147 · Kobra S1 R9,954 · Kobra 3 Max R10,865 |
| R12,000 – R15,000 | Large resin printers, or enclosed printers with a multi-colour unit | Photon Mono M7 Pro R12,670 · Kobra S1 Combo R13,129 · Photon P1 R14,938 |
| R17,000+ | Large enclosed CoreXY printer with a heated chamber for engineering materials | Kobra S1 Max, R17,195 |
For model-by-model specs, see our guide to the latest Anycubic 3D printers in South Africa.
Filament (FDM) or resin: which should I buy?
| Filament (FDM) | Resin (MSLA) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Melts plastic filament and builds the object layer by layer | Cures liquid resin with UV light from a screen |
| Best for | Functional parts, brackets, cosplay, toys, prototypes, large objects | Miniatures, jewellery models, dental and very detailed small parts |
| Detail | Good; layer lines visible | Excellent; very smooth |
| Mess and safety | Low; PLA is easy to use indoors | Resin needs gloves, ventilation, and washing and curing after each print |
| Material cost | About R200 per kg | About R280–R320 per kg |
Start with filament unless you specifically want miniatures or jewellery. It is easier, cleaner and more forgiving. If you do choose resin, budget for a wash and cure station like the Anycubic Wash & Cure 3 (R2,266), plus nitrile gloves.
What does it cost to run a 3D printer?
Material is the main running cost. Electricity is small. A worked example for a phone stand that weighs 50 g in PLA:
- Filament: 50 g of Anycubic PLA Basic at R202 per kg = about R10.
- Electricity: a few hours of printing on a modern printer typically uses well under 1 kWh, which costs a few rand at home tariffs.
- Wear parts: nozzles cost R140–R240 and last months with PLA, but wear faster with carbon-fibre filaments.
Printing a replacement part or a toy usually costs less than R20 in material. That’s why 3D printers pay for themselves quickly for makers, schools and small businesses that prototype.
Which filament should I buy first?
| Filament | Use it for | Price (1 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| PLA Basic | Your first prints: easy, low smell, many colours | R202 |
| PETG | Stronger, more heat-resistant parts (outdoor use, car interiors) | R201 |
| PLA High Speed | Fast printers like the Kobra S1 and Kobra X at full speed | R318 |
| PLA Silk dual-colour | Decorative prints with a shiny two-tone finish | R360 |
| TPU 68D | Flexible parts: phone cases, gaskets, feet | R637 |
| PETG-CF | Stiff carbon-fibre parts; needs a hardened nozzle | R481 |
Carbon-fibre and other abrasive filaments wear out brass nozzles quickly. For the Kobra S1, fit a hardened steel quick-release hotend (R240) first.
Filament absorbs moisture from the air, especially PETG and TPU, and wet filament causes stringing and weak prints. Store open spools in a sealed box with silica gel. The ACE 2 Pro multi-colour unit also dries filament while it prints.
Which 3D printer should a beginner buy?
- Best first printer: the Anycubic Kobra X (R8,147). It prints four colours out of the box, levels itself and has a 260 mm build size.
- Best for a home office or classroom: the Kobra S1 (R9,954). Its enclosure keeps fumes, noise and curious fingers in, and it handles PETG and engineering filaments better.
- Best for big prints: the Kobra 3 Max (R10,865). Its 420 × 420 × 500 mm build volume suits helmets, props and furniture parts.
- Best for miniatures: the Photon Mono 4 (R4,529). Its 7-inch 10K screen gives a 17 µm pixel size.
Browse all 3D printers and filament. Schools and makerspaces buying several printers can ask the quote desk for a bundle price. Delivery is free in Pretoria and on orders over R5,000 nationwide.
FAQs about 3D printer prices
What is the cheapest 3D printer in South Africa?
At JLS Computers, the cheapest is the Anycubic Photon Mono 4 resin printer at R4,529. The most affordable filament printer is the Kobra X at R8,147.
Is a 3D printer worth it for a beginner?
Yes, if you have projects in mind: repairs, gifts, school projects, cosplay or prototypes. Modern printers level themselves, so you can be printing within an hour of unboxing.
How much does a kilogram of filament print?
A 1 kg spool makes roughly 20–50 small objects, such as phone stands or figurines, or a handful of large ones. Your slicing software shows the exact weight of each print before you start.
Are 3D printer fumes dangerous?
PLA gives off very little smell. ABS, ASA and resin release fumes, so use them in a ventilated room, ideally with an enclosed printer, and keep resin off your skin.
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